Crystal Reese

Powell City Council candidate Crystal Reese believes the city needs some updates and changes.

“I have watched the decline of our downtown and the loss of commerce in our community for the last 30 years,” the Ward 1 contender said recently, “and I believe we can do better.”

Reese has worked for corporations, small businesses (including her own), and the government. That includes opening a family child care center, managing Powell’s Family Dollar, overseeing hiring, training, payroll and more for thousands of Census Bureau employees across seven states, and serving as a supervisor at the postal plant in Billings; most recently, she worked at the Chrysalis Treatment Center.

Reese said the range of experience has given her a good understanding of multiple industries and the differences between for-profit businesses and the government.

“When our taxpayer dollars are paying wages and benefits, sometimes I think we need to take a closer look at that,” she said, “because being a public servant, you shouldn’t be a slave, but everybody wants those government jobs because they know it’s a lot better pay and benefits than working in the private sector a lot of times.”

Having more conversations

Reese is a Powell native who’s lived here most of her life. The 51-year-old spent time in Alaska, Arizona, California and Oklahoma as a child and in Billings and Casper as an adult, but returned to Powell between each move. She came back for good in 2021. 

“I got to be able to widen my perspective a little bit and see why I like Powell so much,” Reese said, “because that’s why we always come back here.”

If elected to the council, Reese said she’ll ask questions and suggest alternatives when she has concerns.

“I might have it all wrong, and they can explain that to me …,” she said, “But I just want to be able to have those conversations and try to figure out what the best solutions are instead of just rubber stamping things through.”

As one example, she takes issue with the city employing two co-directors at the Powell Aquatic Center, who each make around $85,000. While saying the pool is a great resource for families, Reese said she doesn’t understand why that much money is put into administration.

“And I think it’s a conversation worth having …,” she said.

Reese also wants to know why other city administrators are paid “top tier” despite Powell having a lower than average median income. And she thinks there should be a community conversation about the tax dollars the city sends to the golf course (up to $140,000 this year).

In general, she believes discussion is missing from the council.

“I don’t know where they’re having conversations, but they’re not really having them in the city council meetings a lot,” Reese said. “They just kind of push things through …”

Other priorities

While the city records audio of council meetings and posts the files online, Reese supports a video live stream, “because I think it’s important for public information to actually be public.” It’s a part of her call for improved communication and transparency.

Reese also wants to look at ways to develop the downtown area and support Powell’s businesses, as that can help young people stay in the area.

“I want Powell to be a place where families can prosper,” she said. “I remember Crazy Days and alumni weekend street dances and how big the fair used to be, and when we had firework shows here, instead of outsourcing all of our fun to Cody and Billings.”

Seeking success for all

Reese — who’s been endorsed by the conservative Park County Patriots — described herself as someone who respects and cares about people.

“I want people to be successful because with other people’s success, we all succeed,” she said. “Generally, I might lean one way or another in politics, but I don't ever want anybody to fail, because then we all fail.”

Reese is seeking to replace outgoing Ward 1 Councilman Steve Lensgrav. She faces David Bryan, Holly Cole, Jim Core and Steve Nickles in the Aug. 18 primary. The top two vote-getters will advance to November’s general election.

Ward 1 is made up of the northeastern part of the city, including everything east of Division Street and, generally, north of Third Street.