Senator, others speak out against Gillette mayor at city council meeting

GILLETTE — Although the Gillette City Council moved quickly through the regular business portion of Tuesday’s meeting, the public comment period featured some raised voices and accusations.

Sen. Troy McKeown, R-Gillette, blasted Gillette Mayor Shay Lundvall, criticizing comments made by the mayor during an interview with Cowboy State Daily for a story posted on March 13.

In the approximately 15-minute interview, Lundvall responded to questions on pushback against the city’s talks with BWXT. He said he felt the critics had legitimate points, but wished McKeown had called him to discuss the issue rather than “grandstanding in my meeting.”

McKeown pushed back against the claim and said that the mayor’s comments and actions sow division in the community and cater to the elites of the community, leaving many residents feeling left out of the process. He went on to criticize the city’s handling of its wastewater.

“You’ve drawn a line in the sand: There’s the ‘good’ people and the peasants. I’m going to tell you, I’m glad to be a peasant,” said McKeown, who owns a house and two grocery stores in Campbell County.

Earlier in the meeting, Noberto Orellana, chair of the Campbell County Republican Party, criticized Lundvall’s comments during the interview along the same lines, saying that type of language is “unacceptable.”

“In this country, citizens do not need to ask their elected officials permission to speak,” Orellana said. “Whether they agree, disagree, or are neutral, whether that person is a teacher, whether that person is a coal miner, whether that person is yes, another elected official, including a state senator, they have every right to come up and speak without asking permission, and they should not feel that they have to speak to that elected official beforehand to receive a blessing.”

Contrary to the claims made, Wyoming city council meetings are not required to hold a public comment period, with the issue not being addressed in the state’s Public Meetings Act of 1973 or future additions to the law. 

The Wyoming Public Meetings Act does require that meetings of agencies and governing bodies, such as the Gillette City Council, be open for public attendance, with notice provided to the public in advance, and barring requirements such as signing in or testing in order to attend a meeting.

Under city council meeting rules, the members of the council are barred from engaging in dialogue with those speaking during public comment. 

City Administrator Mike Cole also declined to comment on the public’s remarks following the meeting. When reached out to for comment, Lundvall said he should not have referred to the meeting as “my meeting,” noting it gave the wrong impression of who the meeting is for.

“That was the wrong phrasing,” Lundvall said. “City council meetings belong to the public and to the full council, and I respect that.”

However, McKeown and others had a lot to say to the mayor.

Resident Ben Decker referenced a chain of emails in which Lundvall expressed interest in using $80,000 in funds from the Northeast Wyoming Growth Alliance to attract businesses to Gillette, as well as a proposal to market or lease land to the nonprofit organization Energy Capital Economic Development.

“What specific industries will benefit? Nuclear, sports, tourism,” Decker said. “How is it fair to make the many local small businesses pay to buy land for other businesses that you and ECED choose? I question whether this is constitutional according to the state constitution.”

He decried the actions as “socialism,” echoing the original comment made by McKeown about the conversations the mayor and city administration have had with BWXT.

McKeown once again accused Lundvall of holding private meetings, although coming short this time of claiming illegality.

“You’re talking about data centers, you’re talking to a company in Sweden about bringing technology in here that we don’t have, and you’re doing this all in private,” McKeown said. “There’ll be more to follow on this Mr. Mayor, and I get it. I’m just an elected peasant, and I don’t get to know what you’re up to. You know, the sad thing is, you probably have some good ideas, but if you share them with everybody, they might be supported.”

Responding to the statement later in the week, Lundvall clarified that these early meetings do not tie the city to a course of action, and that any confidentiality agreements are meant to protect sensitive corporate information, not hide the meetings themselves from the public.

“As mayor, I take responsibility for helping guide the direction of our city,” Lundvall said. “That includes showing up, doing the work, and pursuing opportunities that position Gillette for long-term success. That work sometimes involves early-stage economic development conversations that require confidentiality agreements. These agreements are standard practice and are used to protect sensitive information while projects are being evaluated. Entering into those discussions does not commit the city to any project. It ensures that Gillette has a seat at the table when opportunities are being considered.”

The mayor also clarified that questions over talks he and city administration enter into are reasonable to have, and that all parties involved have the best interest of the community at heart.

“I understand that residents have questions, especially when it comes to transparency and major projects,” Lundvall said. “Those questions are valid. My commitment is to ensure we are as open as possible, while also being responsible stewards of sensitive negotiations when necessary.”

This story was published on March 27, 2026.