Prepared Statement From David Pope
Yesterday, Mayor Marian Orr named Ron Downey, longtime accountant for the State of Wyoming, as the new Treasurer for the City of Cheyenne. This announcement begins the countdown for my exit as the interim solution for the City's Treasury Department.
The Cheyenne Treasurer’s office provides a vital function to the City. It safeguards and accounts for the monetary means by which the City’s hopes, dreams and aspirations are fulfilled. In its 150 year history, every single City endeavor has eventually made its way through the Treasurer’s office. And in its 150 year history, there have been many fine Treasurers that have served the City well. These are folks that have poured their blood, sweat and tears into the office and each of them deserve our respect, admiration and thanks. The same is true for all of the employees of the Treasurer’s office. They serve the same cause with dedication and expertise.
When my firm and I were selected to fulfill some of the operational and interim duties of the office during the transition between Treasurers, I was honored and privileged to be able to work with Cheyenne’s first female Mayor, Marian Orr. However, another real privilege came in having the opportunity to work with the staff in the department. People like Marty, Sara, Shellee, Deanne, Cindy, the ex Assistant Treasurer Robin and the new Assistant Treasurer Kelcee. In our first meeting, I told them that I was there to take all of the responsibility and give them all of the credit. They proved to me on a regular basis that they truly deserve all of the credit. Their hard work and long hours kept the department going and they each deserve recognition for their efforts.
As time moved along, we were able to accomplish some pretty incredible things. Mayor Orr, who is a wonderfully visionary leader, worked with the City Council in a dynamic way to pass and implement a budget that is both sound and responsible. We worked through operational hurdles within the Treasury and all of the basic functions of the department have continued to be met – even with staffing at crisis levels. The City continues to move forward with all of its dreams, goals and aspirations and, in the quiet of the background, Treasury is being re-built. Rebuilt from the ground up as we fill the open positions, unify the department, and put into place a structure and environment that will decrease the need for someone like me in the future.
Once you have been a Treasurer for the City, you will always be linked to the City. You learn the inner workings as no other position allows. And it is with a bit of sadness (and relief) that I welcome the news of Mr. Downey's selection. However, I have no doubt that he will perform brilliantly as a leader. He will provide a solid, proven record and continue to move the department forward. Together with Mayor Orr and the City Council, great things will continue to be accomplished.
I spoke earlier of the honor and privilege of being selected to fulfill the function of Treasurer, however briefly. But now it is my great honor and privilege to welcome Ron Downey as my replacement and as the new Treasurer of the City of Cheyenne.
The Cheyenne Treasurer’s office provides a vital function to the City. It safeguards and accounts for the monetary means by which the City’s hopes, dreams and aspirations are fulfilled. In its 150 year history, every single City endeavor has eventually made its way through the Treasurer’s office. And in its 150 year history, there have been many fine Treasurers that have served the City well. These are folks that have poured their blood, sweat and tears into the office and each of them deserve our respect, admiration and thanks. The same is true for all of the employees of the Treasurer’s office. They serve the same cause with dedication and expertise.
When my firm and I were selected to fulfill some of the operational and interim duties of the office during the transition between Treasurers, I was honored and privileged to be able to work with Cheyenne’s first female Mayor, Marian Orr. However, another real privilege came in having the opportunity to work with the staff in the department. People like Marty, Sara, Shellee, Deanne, Cindy, the ex Assistant Treasurer Robin and the new Assistant Treasurer Kelcee. In our first meeting, I told them that I was there to take all of the responsibility and give them all of the credit. They proved to me on a regular basis that they truly deserve all of the credit. Their hard work and long hours kept the department going and they each deserve recognition for their efforts.
As time moved along, we were able to accomplish some pretty incredible things. Mayor Orr, who is a wonderfully visionary leader, worked with the City Council in a dynamic way to pass and implement a budget that is both sound and responsible. We worked through operational hurdles within the Treasury and all of the basic functions of the department have continued to be met – even with staffing at crisis levels. The City continues to move forward with all of its dreams, goals and aspirations and, in the quiet of the background, Treasury is being re-built. Rebuilt from the ground up as we fill the open positions, unify the department, and put into place a structure and environment that will decrease the need for someone like me in the future.
Once you have been a Treasurer for the City, you will always be linked to the City. You learn the inner workings as no other position allows. And it is with a bit of sadness (and relief) that I welcome the news of Mr. Downey's selection. However, I have no doubt that he will perform brilliantly as a leader. He will provide a solid, proven record and continue to move the department forward. Together with Mayor Orr and the City Council, great things will continue to be accomplished.
I spoke earlier of the honor and privilege of being selected to fulfill the function of Treasurer, however briefly. But now it is my great honor and privilege to welcome Ron Downey as my replacement and as the new Treasurer of the City of Cheyenne.
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