County Attorney Election: Alex Berger

NLJ: Please tell us why you want to hold this office, and what you intend to accomplish if elected. Please be specific about your goals and objectives, so our readers can measure your progress over the course of the term. Also tell us what qualifications and characteristics you possess that will help ensure that your stated goals can be achieved. (The same question was posed to all candidates for the General Election.)
Alex Berger 
I hope to be the next county and prosecuting attorney to help make Weston County a safe and prosperous community by providing sound legal advice to officials and supporting a strong criminal justice system. I would immediately appoint Saige Smith, an associate attorney with my private-practice firm, as deputy county and prosecuting attorney. She will live in Newcastle. She was admitted to practice law this year and was the director of the prosecutor’s assistance clinic in Laramie while at the University of Wyoming. She will be a great fit for the position and a wonderful addition to Newcastle.
Second, I will work toward digitizing all files and case management. My goal is to be able to tell the commissioners and the public exactly what the office statistics are and how the office is doing. I will have conviction, dismissal, and deferral statistics at my fingertips. Better use of this kind of technology will also help the office better communicate and work with other governmental agencies. In my private practice, I have made similar changes that have proven to be both low-cost and effective.
Third, the office budget will need adjustment. As a small business owner, I know the importance of keeping a budget trim. I am going to take a hard look at the office budget and, with the consent of the commissioners, make changes. I am open to moving the office to another space if it is more cost effective.
Fourth, I will make manufacture and distribution of illegal drugs, specifically methamphetamine, a top law-enforcement priority. I will provide the state investigators, city police department, and sheriff’s office with support, education, and guidance in ridding Weston County of harmful drugs.
When I take office, I will turn my focus and energy to making the County Attorney’s Office the best office possible. I will be available 24/7 to county agencies and law enforcement. I took over a law practice of a retiring lawyer in 2016. I had to make huge changes to the office and staff to incorporate technology, be cost effective, and become more efficient. I will use the lessons I learned building my practice and apply them to the Weston County Attorney’s Office. Thank you for your votes in the primary and I would greatly appreciate your vote in the upcoming general election so I can make these goals a reality.