Both candidates for the open Casper City Council Ward III seat agree on one thing: they won't close the city pools.

Not even those less-frequented pools. Incumbent Maury Daubin and political newcomer Peggy Phillips agree that neighborhood pools are necessary for Casperites and the city has sufficient money to keep them open.

"I think it's extremely important for kids to stay active and stay in groups," Phillips said. "That is how we will fight meth, by keeping kids active."

Curbside recycling, on the other hand, brings differing opinions from the two candidates.

"I have seen [curb-side recycling] in other cities and it works," Phillips said. "But I think we have enough recycling areas here that it works better that way."

The combination of Casper's wind and a large number of recycling depots makes curbside recycling simply something she doesn't think the city needs.

Daubin wants to see curbside recycling in Casper, but wants it to start in increments.

First, he hopes to see yard waste recycling. Yard waste fills the multi-million dollar landfill quickly and can be easily used for other things, he said.

Next would be paper and cardboard, followed by plastic and then glass.

Each new item for curbside recycling is expensive because it means trucks must pick the items up separately.

Citizens who then want to use curbside recycling could pay a little extra for the containers. Ultimately, he said, it might be cheaper for people to use a "pay as you throw" system of garbage collection, but that will require a significant amount of time and money.

The lighter a person's garbage, the lower the monthly bill, which means those who recycle would pay less than those who don't.

"I would prefer to see incentives there," he said.

Both candidates also have different views on Casper's biggest issues.

Phillips said an aging infrastructure is plaguing Casper and needs to be addressed.

"We need to work on the roads that are in really bad shape," she said.

Daubin said municipal funding, public safety, growth management and affordable housing are the most important issues.

As the Casper population expands, public safety becomes more of an issue. He worries that if sales tax revenue declines but people continue to move into the city, the city has to find a way to provide public services to a larger population.

In addition, as the city expands, more people will be beyond the three- to four-minute life-saving response time.

He also thinks the council should try to obtain state funding to help with infrastructure for affordable housing options.

Contact city reporter Christine Robinson at (307) 266-0639 or christine.robinson@trib.com

Casper City Council, Ward III

Marguerite "Peggy" Phillips

Age: 60

Home: Casper

Occupation: Semi-retired and part-time teacher at LifeTime Health & Fitness

Education: X-ray technician degree and some college

Family: Married; two children, three grandchildren

Political experience: None

Maury Daubin

Age: 56

Home: Casper

Occupation: Retired police officer, on city council and semi-retired private investor

Education: Bachelor's degree with graduate studies

Family: Married; 2 children

Political experience: One term on city council

Marguerite "Peggy" Phillips

Age: 60

Home: Casper

Occupation: Semi-retired and part-time teacher at LifeTime Health & Fitness

Education: X-ray technician degree and some college

Family: Married; two children, three grandchildren

Political experience: None

Maury Daubin

Age: 56

Home: Casper

Occupation: Retired police officer, on city council and semi-retired private investor

Education: Bachelor's degree with graduate studies

Family: Married; 2 children

Political experience: One term on city council]]->