I was intrigued to read the front-page story in the Uinta County Herald on April 10 entitled “Conrad Confronts Williams” with the subline “Mayor calls residents and officials trying to save old WSH buildings ‘a very small but very vocal group.’”

I congratulate the Evanston City Council in its success in delaying the demolition to explore alternative uses of the WSH buildings that may benefit Evanston and Uinta County residents. The future economic development activities should be a joint effort between Uinta County and the City of Evanston due to the successful completion of this project will benefit both.

My concern is the letter that was sent to Wyoming State Reps. Lloyd Larsen and Bob Nicholas by Mayor Kent Williams went against the City of Evanston’s official request. The contents of the mayor’s letter did not undergo discussion and vote by that same council. He used his office to misrepresent an official Evanston position.

In doing so, the mayor chose to knowingly ignore city policy on official communications. Evanston City  Attorney Mark Harris made the mayor and council aware of the city policy concerning what must happen to be considered an official response.

Given that guidance, the mayor could have contacted Reps. Larsen and Nicholas as a private citizen; instead, he chose to inappropriately use his office. In fact, he disrespected his council members and citizens by improperly using his office to attempt to thwart the legal actions of the City of Evanston.

It is interesting that Mayor Williams chose to question the integrity of Rep. Conrad’s actions during the meeting when the mayor’s  documented action lacked transparency and is reminiscent of a political backroom operation.

I call on Evanston City Attorney Harris to review Mayor Williams’ actions for possible disciplinary action.

As to the comment on the size of the group, I would ask the mayor not to make the same mistake as the captain of the RMS Titanic. The mayor may think he knows the size and strength of this constituency, but he does not. The “very small but very vocal group” represents the tip of the iceberg.

In reviewing the recent council meetings in which the future of WSH buildings were discussed, I was unable to identify any substantial number of residents that support the demolition.

David M. Slaughter

Evanston