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It has been tradition to resolve to better yourself for the New Year, and though most people don’t follow their resolutions, they get a chance a year later to try to perform them again. Resolutions are not a new tradition, as a matter of fact it has dated back to even ancient Babylonian times. Here are some historical references to New Year’s Resolutions. -The ancient Babylonians made promises to their gods at the start of
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each year that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts. -The Romans began each year by making promises to the god Janus, for whom the month of January is named. -In the Medieval era, the knights took the “peacock vow” at the end of the Christmas season each year to re-affirm their commitment to chivalry. -At watch night services, many Christians prepare for the year ahead by praying and making these resolutions. -There are other religious parallels to this tradition. During Judaism’s New Year, Rosh Hashanah, through the High Holidays and culminating in Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), one is to reflect upon one’s wrongdoings over the year and both seek and offer forgiveness. People may act similarly during the Christian fasting period of Lent, though the motive behind this holiday is more of sacrifice than of responsibility, in fact the practice of New Year’s resolutions partially came from the Lenten sacrifices. The concept, regardless of creed, is to reflect upon self-improvement annually. -At the end of the Great Depression, about a quarter of American adults formed New Year’s resolutions. At the start of the 21st century, about 40% did. Many people have a hard time coming up with resolutions every year, and
many are just repetitive. Some of the common ones are to: be more financially secure, exercise, eat better, and pick up some form of hobby that one has been wanting to do for many years. These are all realistic provided you come up with a plan to do so. If you want to be more financially secure, you must find a way to make side money, and re-evaluate your budget (or if you don’t budget, start). Plan out your exercise program, and don’t go out and spend money on equipment or gym memberships until you prove that you are consistent using the road, your stairs, doing push-ups, sit-ups, and more that are free. Eating better just requires better attention skills and a hobby just takes time. Now, personally, I never talk of resolutions except in polite conversation with others. To me it is like making a promise that you don’t know if you can keep, which affects one of your most sacred possessions... honor. But this year, I thought of trying it, but with having realistic goals and plans to get to those goals. So without further ado here are my New Year’s Resolutions. 1. I am going to further educate myself on the political spectrum of our nation and our state by attempting to read entirely as many as the relevant bills myself so that I do not have to rely on the media (who gets most things wrong) and the watchdog groups
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Featured Crime Burglary
Crime Stoppers needs your help in solving a burglary that occurred at a storage unit located at 704 Exchange Ave. Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into this unit sometime between mid and late November taking 1 Craftsman toolbox, and 1 Napa toolbox with a chest. The tool boxes contained miscellaneous automotive tools, some of the tools may have “BA” engraved on them. If you have information that can solve this or any other crime please call Crime Stoppers at 686-0400 or the High School Crime Stoppers at 682-4185. You can remain anonymous and may earn up to $1,000 in reward.
(who spread misinformation). This way I can find out for myself what is going on as if I was a Congressman about to vote on the bill. This will also help me in debates when presenting my opinion, if I can back it up with direct wording, correct information, and a near complete comprehension of the subject. 2. I am going to get more politically involved. Two years ago I ran for a State Representative position in the Wyoming House. I ran under a third party ticket, partly to hope to do good for our great State but mostly to win knowing that the majority of Wyoming Voters are not ready to pay attention to third parties. Since then I have only been involved at a minimum level because of my concentration on my businesses. But I feel that it is time to dive back in, and whether it will be preparing to run for an office again, supporting someone that does, or lobbying, it is time to start taking many matters into my own hands as any good patriot would. 3. I am going to spend more time with my children. I have noticed in the past 2.5 years that I have been
too busy to spend the quality time (more than 1 hour per night) with them, and I fear the day I look back with regret. I am going to make sure that the day does not come; so more games, wrestling, teaching, and just being around (without the TV on). 4. I am going to continually try to bet a better leader for the people who look up to me, a better friend to the people who love me, and a better man for the people that share my blood. So, I am going to limit them to four, and see what I can do to make these happen. I have already tacked this list above my bed so that I can remember every night before I shut my eyes and every morning when beating my alarm clock severely. If you like these resolutions, I would love to hear how to carry these out. If you have your own, I hope you stick to them and make them goals that I sincerely hope you accomplish. Oh, one more resolution: To get 5 more computer chairs and 2 extra heaters for the ManCave and its cigar smoking members. Can anyone help?
Buck N’ Ball
Unlike holidays such as Thanksgiving or Christmas, New Year’s Eve lacks in tradition. There is no stereotypical way to celebrate other than counting down to midnight and shouting “Happy New Year!” Therefore, it can be difficult to make plans for this holiday. Do you leave the kids home and celebrate into the wee hours? Do you make it a family affair just hope to make it to midnight? Confetti? Funny hats? Champagne? Luckily, we live in Wyoming! You give us the thrill of rodeo and combine it with drinks, family, friends, and dancing and plans are pretty much set in stone. This is the eleventh year that Gillette has had the Buck N’ Ball event on December 31st. This rodeo is held for the community to come watch invited participants to compete in events like bare back, saddle, and bronc riding. The 20 exclusive guests are usually past champions and the competition is as close to the NFR as one can get. These riders are even available for an autograph signing at 5:30 pm. The rodeo, which starts at 6:45 pm, is only half of the fun. The latter part of the evening holds a family-friendly dance. Chancy Williams & the Younger Brothers will be performing until 1:30 am on the 1st while Fun-on-the-Go will be providing activities for the kids. Tickets are $25 per ticket, while kids under 4 are free, and can be bought at the Wyoming Work Warehouse. This cost covers the price of the rodeo and the dance combined. Last year, the $7,800 in proceeds were donated to the Peak Wrestling program, while other years they have given to hospice, The Powder River Community Center, as well as other Rodeo related programs. So, there is no need to keep worrying about what to do on this New Year’s Eve and no need to stress about finding a sitter for the kids. Come to the Buck N’ Brawl starting at 5:00 pm on December 31st at the Cam-plex Central Pavilion.
For subscriptions go to www.CampbellCountyObserver.net
December 28, 2012 - January 4, 2013
Community
Restaurant Owners: Guide to Restaurant Success 3-Webinar Series-Week of Jan. 28 Presented by Wyoming Entrepreneur SBDC Is your restaurant as busy as you would like to be? As profitable as you think it should be? Are you ready to grow? Or, are you just starting out and could use some expert advice? The Wyoming Entrepreneur SBDC has teamed up with Chris Tripoli of A’La Carte Foodservice Consulting Group to present a series of three webinars designed to help both existing and pre-venture restaurants improve operations and their bottom line. The webinars will take place on Jan. 28, Jan. 30, and Feb. 1 from 2-3:30 pm. The first webinar will cover The Menu. We will discuss menu development, item pricing, using product descriptions as a marketing tool, and menu layout and design. On Jan. 30, we will cover Management, including staff selection, training and retention, product inventory, and budgeting. At the final class on Feb. 1, you will learn about marketing, building sales through customer service and community involvement, media support, website and digital marketing techniques. Chris Tripoli has over 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry, as a designer, developer, owner and operator. He has developed award-
winning restaurants and provided assistance to a client list that includes restaurants in airports, convention centers, parks, theaters, and retail
sions is $70. To charge your registration online, go to http://wyen.biz. For other payment options, e-mail cindyu@uwyo.edu or call (307) 2346683 to receive a registration form or obtain further information. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least 2 weeks in advance. Contact the SBDC at 2346683 to make arrangements. Wyoming Entrepreneur is a business consulting group consisting of the Wyoming Small Business Development Center, Wyoming Procurement Technical Assistance Center, and the Wyoming Market Research Center. Our mission is to help Wyoming entrepreneurs succeed. Consulting services and most market research services are free of charge to Wyoming residents. The SBDC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Additional support is provided by the Wyoming Business Council, and the University of Wyoming. For further information, visit our website, http://www.wyomingentrepreneur.biz
center projects. In addition to his consulting work, he has presented restaurant seminars throughout the United States and Mexico. Registration fee for all three ses-
Campbell County Observer
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Campbell County Observer
December 28, 2012 - January 4, 2013
Campbell Co. Fire Dept. December 19, 2012
- At 8:14 a.m. to Rodgers Drive for an EMS assist. - At 9:40 a.m. to Stocktrail Avenue for an EMS assist. - At 12:11 p.m. to the parking lot of 900 Camel Drive for a vehicle fire. Upon arrival to the scene a small fire was found burning in the cab of a pick-up truck. CCFD extinguished the fire and determined that hot ashes from a cigarette ignited papers inside the driver’s side door pocket. Total damage was estimated at $1000. - At 1:11 p.m. to 2517 Cascade Drive for a possible structure fire. Upon arrival to the scene CCFD determined that a water leak from a toilet shorted out a light fixture which caused a smoke odor to fill the house. - At 5:08 p.m. to the intersection of 6th Street and Gillette Avenue for a 2 vehicle collision. No one was injured in the crash and CCFD disabled the involved vehicles electrical systems and contained fluids leaking from them. - At 7:18 p.m. to Gap Road for an EMS assist. - 11:10 p.m. to Desert Hills Circle for an EMS assist.
December 21, 2012
- At 12:00 p.m. to Sierra Circle for an EMS assist. - At 1:18 p.m. to the El Camino Rd for a diesel fuel spill. A driver had been filling his truck with diesel fuel and did not immediately notice when the fill nozzle fell out of his tank. An estimated 40 gallons of fuel spilled onto the fuel station pavement before it was noticed. Fire personnel applied Biosolve and Floor Dry to the spill. - At 2:20 p.m. to 311 Clarkelen Road for a wood pile on fire. Upon arrival to the scene 10 cords of wood were on fire along with a metal conex box, a shed, and the surrounding grass. The fire was attacked and brought under control in approximately 30 minutes but not before the contents of the shed and conex box were totally destroyed. About half of the wood was salvaged along with 3 trailers that were parked next to the shed that neighbors helped move to safety. Total damage was estimated at $75,000 and the cause was determined to be sparks from the chimney of a nearby outdoor furnace.
- At 4:36 pm to the area of South Highway 59 and 8th Street for a two vehicle accident with injuries. - At 4:47 pm to the 1300 block of Big Sky Street for a smoke detector activation in a residence. This was caused by smoke from a cooking grill. All units were cancelled. - At 4:54 pm to the 2600 block of Torrey Pines for a medical assist. - At 5:00 pm to the area of South Butler Spaeth Road and Harvest Moon Drive for a two vehicle accident with injuries. - At 10:13 p.m. to Mountain Meadow Lane for an EMS assist.
December 22, 2012
- At 2:01 PM to 164 Sierra Circle for a mobile home fire. A passerby on Interstate 90 saw the smoke coming from the home and reported the fire. Firefighters extinguished a fire in the living room floor. The 1977 single wide mobile home (fourteen feet by seventy feet) received extensive smoke damage. No one was home at the time of the fire. Two dogs and seven puppies that were inside the home died. Preliminary fire damage is estimated at $15,000. The Homeowner Mr. Harold Eutsler stated the home is not insured. A hot ember from the wood stove caught the flooring on fire. The American Red Cross is assisting Mr. Eutsler. - At 11:11 PM to the 1600 block of Echeta Road for a medical assist.
(Titan Machinery) for a fire alarm. Radiant heat from a heater in the shop area activated a fire sprinkler head. There was no fire and the fire sprinkler head was going to be changed out.
December 25, 2012
- At 2:11 AM to the 800 block of Gurley Avenue for a medical assist. - At 12:21 pm to George Washington for an EMS assist. - At 3:18 pm to 2400 Foothills Blvd. for a reported structure fire. Upon arrival light smoke was observed in the entry way to the apartment building. Someone had lit a bulletin board on fire in the entryway, the fire was out upon our arrival. Damage was limited to the bulletin board and surrounding drywall. Damage is estimated at $100, and is under investigation. - At 5:40 pm to E. Highway 14 16 for an EMS assist. - At 8: 31 pm to North Gurley for an EMS assist. - At 10:01 pm to E. Highway 14 16 for an EMS assist.
December 23, 2012
- At 5:45 a.m. to the 4300 block of Tanner Drive for a EMS assist. - At 12:27 p.m. to Union Chapel Road for an EMS assist. - At 6:00 p.m. to Muscovy Drive for an EMS assist. - At 6:01 p.m. to Aster Lane for an unusual odor in the area. Nothing was found in the house. The odor was noted outside the home and apparently came from a nearby wetland area; - At 6:32 p.m. to 703 W. 6th St for smoke in the building. A stairwell furnace was suspected as the cause for the smell.
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Campbell County Observer
CampbellCountyObserver.net 5105 Tarry St. Gillette, WY 82718 (PP-1) Volume 2 Issue 52 The Campbell County Observer is published by Patriot Publishing L.L.C. in Gillette, WY every Friday. 5105 Tarry St. Gillette, WY 82718 Postmaster: Send address changes to 5105 Tarry St. Gillette, WY 82718 Candice De Laat - Owner/Publisher CandiceDeLaat@CampbellCountyObserver.com Nicholas De Laat - Owner/Editor NicholasDeLaat@CampbellCountyObserver.com Keary Speer - Editor KearySpeer@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Glenn Woods (Political Column) GlennWoods@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Anne Peterson - Advertising Sales Manager AnnePeterson@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Mike Borda (American History) MichaelBorda@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Bill Stone - Advertising Sales/Marketing BillStone@CampbellCountyObserver.com Dale Russell - Sales/Marketing DaleRussell@CampbellCountyObserver.com Owen Clarke - Ad Design OwenClarke@CampbellCountyObserver.com
We've Got You Covered!
Writers
Sandra Boehler (Charities/Fundraisers/Veterans Events) SandraBoehler@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Clint Burton - Photographer ClintBurton@CampbellCountyObserver.com
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Jeff Morrison (Local History Contributor) JeffMorrison@CampbellCountyObserver.com Amanda Wright (Government/Politics Reporter) AmandaWright@CampbellCountyObserver.com James Grabrick (Where is This?) JamesGrabrick@CampbellCountyObserver.com
December 28, 2012 - January 4, 2013
Campbell County Observer
To Each of YOU from The Campbell County Observer and our sponsors Happy New Year! Thank you for your business in 2012 & the last 24 years!
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Wishing a safe, healthy, and happy 2013 for all! 4
Community
Campbell County Observer
It’s Donating Time Again
The Campbell County Observer is now taking donations for our Readers Choice Scholarship. The Observer is hoping to raise $1,000.00 this year for a scholarship that will be given to a student from Wright (Panthers) or Gillette (Camels). Students will be presenting the Observer with an essay, which the readers will vote on their favorite and the most deserving. The only conditions are that the student must graduate from either Wright High School or Gillette High School and will be attending Gillette College in the fall. The scholarship will be put in their account at Gillette College by the Campbell County Observer. “We are the local newspaper, we take our community that we live and work in very personal. So we decided to do everything we can to keep the money local,” said Observer owner Nicholas De Laat. “And, community college attendees do not get the financial help from scholarships at the same level as the kids going to Universities.” Observer owner Candice De Laat stated that “The money is donated by community, given to a young
adult from our community, and spent on further education in our community… for our community. This is what we are all about, from the owners to the workers of our company.” The Campbell County Observer has donated over $68,000.00 in money, advertising, and product to
help local charities so far in 2012. “And this in only our second year in business!” said Mrs. De Laat. “The more we grow, the more we give.” She does not, however, want to discount the most important part of giving to these local charities. “Our customers and subscribers are the glue
that holds everything together. If you want to thank someone for all the giving, thank them. They deserve it most!” To donate to the Campbell County Observer’s Readers Choice Scholarship go to their website at www. CampbellCountyObserver. net or call (307) 670-8980.
December 28, 2012 - January 4, 2013
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Weekly Trivia Answer from Last Week What was George Washington’s Title as President?
Have a Happy & Safe New Year!
His Excellency President George Washington
The 1787 Constitution of the United States did not specify the manner of address for the chief executive. When George Washington was sworn in as the first President of the United States in 1789, the initial used style was, “His High Mightiness, the President of the United States and Protector of their Liberties,” a title elaborated by the Joint Congressional Committee on titles over the course of a month. Critics charged that it smacked of monarchy. Congress consented to the demands of James Madison and the United States House of Representatives that the title be altered to “Mr. President.” The first Vice President of the United States and the second President, John Adams, felt the title showed too little deference and lacked prestige, and as President of the Senate proposed to have General Washington’s title as “His Excellency President George Washington” and every other President after titled “Mr. President.” All former Presidents by custom are addressed the style of “Mr. President” for life.
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Warden’s Corner
The end of the year is here and hunters need to remember that all hunting and fishing licenses expire on 12/31/2011. Seasons such as bobcat, small game and some game bird seasons extend in to January or beyond and will require 2012 licenses. These licenses are available at local license selling agents prior to January 1 and please remember to purchase a 2012 conservation stamp as well, if required. Consult your Game and Fish Commission Regulations for season opening and closing dates as well as conservation stamp requirements. Happy New Year!
5
December 28, 2012 - January 4, 2013
Comics
6
Campbell County Observer
Campbell County Observer
Comics
December 28, 2012 - January 4, 2013
To submit a quote of the week go to www.CampbellCountyObserver.net
Solutions from last week
We want to get it Write. Oops we mean Right. The Observer strives to make news reports fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, Contact us at nicholasdelaat@campbellcountyobserver.com
7
December 28, 2012 - January 4, 2013
Republicans and Conservative Democrats are Wrong!
Dear Editor: I am writing to say that Republicans and some very conservative Democrats are on the wrong side of gun control and “Obama Care”. First, I know everyone has heard about the tragic killing of the grade school children and the adults in Connecticut. Even though the killer had two hand guns, I believe that he used the AR-15 assault rifle to do most of the killing. If I am not mistaken, these assault rifles were banned for 10 years up until the mid2000s. Now most Republicans and very conservative Democrats seem to be just fine with the current laws. I ask you, “Why does anyone, outside of the armed forces, need an assault rifle of this killing capacity?” The public who wants these rifles say they like to target practice and hunt with these rifles. There are hand guns and other kinds of rifles that can do these same things! Again, why allow assault rifles to be owned be the public? I say these kinds of rifles should not be allowed! Second, I believe The Republicans and very conservative Democrats need to study “Obama Care” much, much more. I believe conservatives are supposed to be against “the free give away programs like Medicaid”. I have heard The President say himself that all, but the very poor citizens, will have to be on some kind of health insurance and / or pay the government some money to buy insurance from the government ! I ask you, “Isn’t this a way to eliminate some of the current “give away” of Medicaid?” I personally know families that had ALL of their children using Medicaid. These families pay a net of no income taxes and get a large sum of money back by using the child tax credit and the earned income credit! Wouldn’t “Obama Care” get rid of some of this outrageous government give away? I ask you, “Please ponder these two subjects to see how you really, really feel about these controversial issues!” Timothy ( Tim ) Monroe Bledsoe From Publisher Nicholas De Laat: You sir, obviously do not know much about firearms. Please read our “On the Contrary” article in our Public Pulse Section about high capacity magazines. First of all, semi-automatic short barreled rifles are perfect for boar hunting in the south. They are also best for self-defense and defense of your property against multiple intruders. Also, much of the public is veterans. Most of the public is good people who would never harm someone unless in defense. You are trying to punish the majority because of the very small percentage (less than 0.01%) of the crazies, psychos, insane, and worthless people in our society. If you ban the best defense rifles, you are banning the best way to perform selfdefense. Second, your take on Obama Care solving Medicaid problems is way, way off. One thing an entitlement society teaches is that when you offer something free, people take it. This puts more of a cost burden on the people paying for it. Look locally at Federal grants, even local governments take this supposed “free money” with the excuse that “someone will receive this money, why not us?” The mentality should be “let’s set an example and fend for ourselves, and relieve the taxpayers a small burden. It might be a drop out of the bucket,
but many drops can equal many pounds. There are producers and consumers, and stealing from the producers to pay for the consumers is punishing someone for working harder, working longer, sacrificing more, being more talented, being more educated, and being more skilled than the other. This is theft, and the punishment of the talented to support the lazy and incompetent…simple as that.
Fix the problem, don’t create more…
Dear Editor, Americans’ hearts have been wounded by the murders of the children and teachers in Newtown, Conn., on Dec. 14. That was a senseless act of cruelty by a terribly disturbed young man. We must find a way to protect our most vulnerable citizens and preserve our ability to defend ourselves. The Second Amendment codifies our right to defend our lives and liberty. Schools in Israel were easy targets for terrorist attacks until some teachers were asked to accept the responsibility of undergoing weapons training and carrying arms. Those attacks stopped. A few sheepdogs among the sheep are all that is needed to stop the wolves. We arm air marshals to protect travelers. Should we not give the same level of protection to our children? In 2007, the school district in Herald, Texas, chose to do just that. Teachers with concealedcarry permits were given the option of receiving additional training and being armed in the classroom. No child in the district has been harmed since. “Gun-free zones” must be eliminated because they offer a false sense of security and a target-rich environment for criminals. Fortynine states have found that having responsible adults carrying arms makes us all safer. Seconds count when the police are minutes away. Victor Laporte From Publisher Nicholas De Laat: Great Letter! I did not know that about Isrial, and to verify just looked up those statistics, and you were correct. What I would suggest is what I am going to do once the inevitable bill goes to the floor in D.C. I am going to write to Congresswoman Lumis, Senator Enzi, and Senator Barrasso to help in the fight to not have our government strip away our liberty to defend ourselves, as defense of your life and property are rights that the government is not supposed to have the power to remove. I know that all three of our Federal Legislators will be voting no since they represent the State of Wyoming and a ‘no’ vote will not be political suicide like many of their co-representatives, but I am going to ask them to go beyond the ‘no’ vote and fight. I would like to see them fight for our inherent rights, and the freedom of the citizens of Wyoming and the United States of America. I want to see oration, diplomacy, and passion in the fight, but most of all, I want to see serious action so they can prove to me that when it comes to our liberty, that we elected the best Wyoming citizens to secure it!
Public Pulse
Campbell County Observer
Letters to the Editor cans agree to tax increases later in return for spending cuts now. For example, if the Democrats in power actually enact a budget that reduces federal outlays to, say, Rep. Paul Ryan’s spending path for the ensuing three years, the top marginal incometax rate would thereafter go up to the Clinton-era 39.6 percent, and dividends would again become taxable as ordinary income. If spending moved above the agreed path, the tax provisions would remain at present levels. If Democrats actually kept the deal, they would have to decide in three years whether they could get more revenue from restoring the Clintonera rates, or from leaving rates where they were and reveling in the economic growth. There are other strategies that I prefer, but today’s Democrats won’t countenance them. In the spirit of compromise, let’s give this one a try. At least it wouldn’t end up like the phony “tax now, cut spending later” deals with Democrats that made fools out of Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. John McLaurghy
a tizzy over NRA’s Wayne LaPeirre’s claim that they have created a culture of violence with their movies, music, videos and literature. I think he is right: “Garbage in, garbage out.” Those with no moral foundation are impressionable and easily influenced by what they see and hear. Lanza wasn’t mentally sick, rather was raised without moral instruction, and probably a lack of parental love. That is a recipe for disaster when evil tidings come along in the form of violent themes. Did the devil make him do it? No, but his temptations were hard for Lanza to resist with no foundation from which to resist them. LaPeirre is right. Whether it is state or federal funding, install armed security guards at all schools, perhaps at limited points of entry. We see armed guards at airports, governmental centers, malls, sports arenas and other places. Why not the schools? It would cost about fifty thousand dollars a year per school, but aren’t our kids worth it? Jim Black From Publisher Nicholas De Laat: I am not going to debate for or against whether Lanza was sick, as I am not qualified to make that argument (though you must be to perform this horrific act) but I will pass some of the blame, like you said, on the parents. No, I do not believe that violence on T V or video games cause people to act out violently. I think it was a mix between a mental disorder and complete lack of parenting. I own many firearms, including military style assault rifles. Mine stay locked up in a safe and only my beautiful wife and I know the combo. When I do let my children shoot firearms, they do so in an educational, safe, and controlled environment learning technical skills, safety, and ethics of firearm handling. When we are not shooting, they are constantly getting taught morals of right and wrong, bad and good, and the ability to recognize and handle a situation if such a situation arises i.e. how to deal with bullies, when defense is authorized, how to handle the situation in a non-violent manner, and how to be a decent member of society that people can look up too. Internet Sales Tax is not Inevitable A new Internet sales tax is not inevitable despite
From Publisher Nicholas De Laat: I agree, and could not have stated it better. I believe that the government needs to look at a budget like their personal finances. If you have negative one hundred dollars in your account, you can’t try to create more income without cutting your spending. What the government does not understand is we do not have money to spend, and their tax policies are choking out the private businesses and citizens. The current spending/tax problem is causing unemployment, foreclosures, and lack of ability to afford health insurance. You can’t solve this problem by spending more as that is idiotic at best. What needs to happen is a change of mentality; spend less, cut burdens, and get out of the way. Government should not be treated like a for profit business, and should be the least burden in our lives…not the heaviest.
Garbage in, Garbage out.
Dear Editor: As expected, Hollywood and the liberal media are in
what tax advocates would have you believe. Supporters of the socalled Marketplace Fairness Act are bullish about their plan to jam their fatally flawed measure through the lame-duck Congress. In recent weeks, they tried to attach their new tax to a defense authorization bill. As politically expedient as that gambit may be, tax advocates have done little to alleviate the very deep problems with the Internet tax measure. The tax bill still imposes expensive and unprecedented burdens on retailers that use the Internet to reach new customers across the country. This legislation forces even small businesses to file taxes for thousands of jurisdictions nationwide and face audits from 46 states. The majority of the ecommerce industry continues vigorously opposing a new tax regime that has failed to meet its promise to simplify the present state patchwork of rates and rules. Honest efforts to create such simplifications have been discarded by tax supporters, who prefer instead to sneak a flawed bill through Congress with legislative parlor tricks. Many in Congress op-
pose the creation of an unprecedented and unfair new tax regime, and they have the power to force tax advocates back to the drawing board. Steve Delbianco From Publisher Nicholas De Laat: I agree. The internet sales tax will but thousands of people including people right here in Campbell County out of a job. The lack of tax is how most amazon, ebay, gunbay, and more online stores compete with the biggies like Wal-mart, JC Pennies, Target, and more. Right now, more taxes will cost jobs. What is needed is reduction in spending, and better allocation of that spending. TAXES COST JOBS! Maybe now they will understand. For your information, there is a group you can look up on the internet that is fighting the 1% internet sales tax. Here is their information for you to look up.
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Time for a new approach
Dear Editor, The negotiations over the approaching “fiscal cliff” are following a familiar format. Republicans are being asked to agree to tax rate increases now in return for the Democrats’ delivery of some higher multiple of spending cuts later. Maybe it’s time for a new approach. Let the Republi-
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8
Public Pulse
Campbell County Observer
December 28, 2012 - January 4, 2013
Bold Republic Weekly It seemed like a great idea... By Glenn Woods
It seems to surprise a lot of people, but for a 48 year OLD GUY I’m actually very tech savvy. I love the internet, the new I-Pad, today’s phones, and I even try to keep my local radio show, here in Gillette, on the cutting edge. I also keep my own website for my radio show updated daily. I produce videos out of the radio station for YouTube using the big blue wall in the stations conference room at a blue screen, like the weatherman does on the nightly news. Then, there are Facebook and Twitter accounts for the show. Early in 2012, I noticed that YouTube added a new feature. If you have a YouTube account you can now log in and “Live Stream” yourself to the world. Since most laptops now come with cameras and microphones installed in the top of the screen, everyone could now become a live broadcast television star. I did not touch the program at first. As a new program I could tell that it was kaotic and probably prone to crashing, as many new programs are. I knew, however, that the bugs would soon be sorted out and the program upgraded. About a month ago, I looked at the program again and was excited to see some fascinating upgrades. Suddenly, my mind was swimming with possibilities. I imagined taking my radio show and simulcasting it over YouTube with cameras in the studio. The audio of my show was already simulcast, but in audio only. If I went out and got myself a couple of web-cams and spent a little while adjusting the studio lighting, but to do that I needed to block out the light coming from the windows… then I’d need to make sure I had a good background going and interesting camera angles and… Like I said, my mind was swimming with the possibilities. OK, first the upside of this story: You can now log into my show through my website at BoldRepublic.com,
weekdays, from 6am to 10am, and watch the radio show as it happens in the studio. It’s not just me that you will see. You can see the stations sports caster, Ted Ripco, and our news man, Paul Wallem. Also, from time to time, guests log into the video program and I interview them. I’ve had the Mayor of Gillette log in from City Hall and Cindy Hill, our state Schoolmarm, logged in to chat from her offices in Cheyenne, all through the new YouTube program. If you listen on the radio you can hear the interviews. But, if you log in you can watch the interviews. Every year I broadcast live from the Capital Building in Cheyenne while the legislator is in session. This year it will be a radio/video cast, live from the capital. I even get the occasional “video call” from a listener in Tampa, an artist I call Tim in Tampa. The audio is so good it almost sounds like he is in the room, but he is talking to us on his computer at his home. Add to all this - YouTube auto saves my show, and I then post the link on my Show Archives page at BoldRepublic.com, so you can watch the show later. The response has been incredible. People are eating this up. Actually, more people log in to watch the videos after the show is over. This makes sense because most everyone is on the road going to and from work, and taking the kids to school. Who has time to watch the show? Even more interesting is that most people watch the radio show, later,
on their cell phones. Don’t you just love it? Now, the down side: I spent two days watching myself and not broadcasting the video just to get rid of bad habits. Yeah, sure, you can laugh, but if I pointed a camera at you for four hours every day, while you worked, how many bad habits might I pick up? Now, I have to shave every day before I go on air. And trim my nose hairs. And bad hair days SUCK! Now, I worry about what shirt I’m wearing - does this make me look fat? I put on weight this summer, rather than losing it. That looks HORRIBLE! You ever find that, while you are talking, every now and then a little string of SPIT comes flying out of your mouth? Now imagine you have to wonder if that shows up on camera. What if I push a wrong button while on air? Before I could throw my hands up in the air and grit my teeth. Now I have to remind myself just to pretend that nothing is wrong and carry on with a smile on my face. Everyone is watching out there. Before, I was just a voice on the radio. You know the old expression, “a face for radio.” Well that don’t fly these days. God help me if I show up for work having cut myself shaving or… OR… Yeah, it happened… This past week I got a nice FAT PIMPLE on my nose. I’m not kidding. After I drained it, is swelled up red. Then, (yes there is more) it left a big scab for about a week. All of this video stuff sounded like a grand idea at the time…..
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Rain: 0% Wind: WSW at 11
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Rain: 0% Wind: SW at 9 Sunrise: 7:38 Solar noon: 12:05 Sunset: 16:32 Moonrise: 20:15 Moonset: 9:14 Day length: 8h 55m
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Rain: 20% Wind: SW at 13 Sunrise: 7:38 Sunset: 16:35 Moonrise: 23:31 Moonset: 10:36 Day length: 8h 57m
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Public Pulse
December 28, 2012 - January 4, 2013
Campbell County Observer
Special Letter from the Wyoming Gun Owners Association Submitted by WYGO Earlier this year, with your help, we defeated state legislation that would have expanded gun free zones, or better called -victim disarmament zones -- in all County buildings around the state. But, as we know all too well, the gungrabbers never sleep! Like a broken record, the anti-gun crowd and their pals in the media blame lawabiding gun owners like you and me and try to use tragedies as an excuse to push for even more gun control. And here in Wyoming, the bad actors are just as emboldened by the mainstream media’s nonstop badgering to ban guns. The Wyoming Judge that pushed for a gun ban in all County buildings is furious with the legislature for killing his bill -- so he decided to do what power hungry tyrants do best. Two weeks ago Judge Jeffery A. Donnell violated his oath to the Wyoming Constitution when he issued a -- gun free zone order -- in the Albany County building, claiming he can do so by his OWN authority. His plan to override the current law from the bench is devious to say the least. It’s very likely that Judge Donnell hopes intime his unlawful order will be decided by collaborators in the Wyoming Supreme Court. But this is how the gun control crowd has done it all across the country, by enacting a patchwork of “local” gun laws. Their scheme is simple -- leave our new Constitutional Carry Law on the books but render it virtually MEANINGLESS by allowing local governments to pass their own gun “regulations.” And here’s where the bad news gets worse. This power-grab has been orchestrated by none other than the Wyoming Court Security Commission, whose appointed members include the above mentioned Judge Donnell, along with several handpicked anti-gun puppets including the Director of WY Homeland Security, along with several other anti-gun bureaucrats.
We have one strong supporter on the committee. Thanks to the out-going Speaker of the House, Ed Buchanan, we have a voice on the courts panel. Last month Speaker Buchanan appointed pro-gun champion Representative Allen Jaggi to the commission. But with only one soldier against so many foes -- there may not be enough horsepower to stem the tides. Let’s face it, this is how the progressive crowd works, with the push from the Obama administration and his anti-gun cronies now in full swing -- the like-minded here in Wyoming have joined forces to mount a battle of epic proportions. I want to remind you again, if it wasn’t for your support and our boots on the ground during the last session, the Wyoming legislature would have passed this gun grabbing legislation that the Judicial branch so badly desires. But, here’s the light at the end of the tunnel -- Wyoming Gun Owners solid track record. We have battled to advance freedom -and in only a few short years we’ve accomplished great things together -- in 2012 we stopped the County gun ban legislation, in 2011 the passage of Constitutional Carry, and in 2010 passed the toughest Firearms Freedom Act in the country. Believe me, we know how difficult times are and that Christmas is at our doorstep, but the next general session of the state legislature starts on January 8th. Time is of the essence.
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Public Pulse
Campbell County Observer
More Money for Pensions means Less Money for Roads
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have enough money to pay 82 percent of what it promised retirees. Wyoming’s legislature made a few pension reforms in 2012 that will save Wyoming taxpayers $1.2 billion over 30 years and reduce the anticipated unfunded liability by $2.9 billion. Now, still with an unfunded liability of $1.275 billion, it is looking to increase the amount contributed to the plan each year. Currently, the taxpayer contributes 7.12 percent, or $128.5 million per year to the employee plan, while employees contribute 7 percent, or about $126 million. If contributions increase beyond this by between 2 percent and 4 percent, the plan could be fully funded in 30 years. This means, however, that the taxpayer could be on the hook for an additional $74 million per year to fund the pensions of government employees — employees whose compensation packages are already more generous than many in the private sector. Wyoming legislators are developing a bill to increase contributions. At the mo-
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Submitted by Maureen Bader - Wyoming Liberty Group Today, most of the private sector has switched over to defined contribution plans to ensure they are able meet their pension obligation to retirees. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the Mountain geographical area to which Wyoming belongs, about 84 per cent of government workers have access to defined benefit plans, while only about 20 per cent of private sector workers do. In fact, only 48 per cent of private sector employees have a company pension plan at all. If a company in the private sector has a plan, it is most likely a defined contribution plan. Pensioners who still have defined benefit pension plans face huge financial risks. For example, one day the City of Central Falls in Rhode Island simply stopped sending pension checks to pensioners because its pension fund ran out of money. In fact, Wyoming’s state employee pension plan is only about 82 percent funded. That means, should the plan close down today, the government would only
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The Wyoming Taxpayer is Tapped Out
Wyoming’s state pension plan does not have enough money in it to pay state employees their promised pensions. To fix that, legislators may increase contributions to the plan. The question is where will the money come from? State employees, taxpayers or both? Government is looking for ways to strengthen the plan but like so much of government policy these days, it is avoiding a long-term solution, leaving both taxpayers and pensioners at risk. Pension plans come in two basic types: defined benefit and defined contribution. Defined benefit plans promise a defined payment when a person retires. This type of plan was developed at a time when relatively few retirees took money out of and many workers paid in to the plan. Wyoming state employees have defined benefit pension plans. Defined contribution plans, on the other hand, make a payment to retirees that depends on how much is contributed into the plan and how well the money is invested.
ment, the plan is for state employees to pick up the tab for the increase. However, government workers are a savvy group with easy access to legislators, so expect amendments to any bills presented to the legislature in January that have employees picking up the cost. If government forces taxpayers to put at additional $74 million per year into state employees’ pension accounts, that means it has $74 million less for priorities such as road maintenance — or to leave in the pockets of taxpayers to fund their own pension plans. Everyone must save for his or her retirement, but the government’s solution is based on a bygone reality. To provide security to current and future government retirees, and to ensure that taxpayers are also able to save for their retirements, the state must move to a defined contribution plan in parity with private sector pension benefits.
Parking Lot Closure
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Thanks for your business in 2012!
Southwest corner of City Hall Parking Lot Closure will begin Friday, Dec. 28 and last approximately one day The City of Gillette’s Electrical Services Division announces the closure of a small section of the City Hall parking lot. The southwest corner of the City Hall parking lot will be closed on Friday, December 28th for repair work on two street lights* at the corner of Kendrick Avenue and 5th Street. Map [PDF] The Customer Service
drive-though will not be affected, and customers can use the drive-through for payment of city utility bills. The parking lot closure is anticipated to last one day. *How to report a Street Light Problem: If you are aware of street lights that are not working, burning during the daytime, or appear to be damaged in any way, please contact
us by: Calling (307) 6865277; Emailing us at util@ gillettewy.gov; or Faxing (307) 686-6564. Please be sure to report the location or address of the street light and what is wrong with it. For more information contact Public Information Officer Joe Lunne at (307) 686-5393.
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Weekly Trivia Answer from Last Week How many ships were called the “Mayflower” when the pilgrim voyage of 1620 took place?
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From the Port Books of England in the reign of James I (1603-1625) there were twenty-six vessels bearing the same name as the Pilgrim ship. When and where the Mayflower of the Pilgrim voyage of 1620 was built has not been discovered, but it is not improbable that she was launched at Harwich in Essex county, England, and although later known ‘of London’, she was designated as ‘of Harwich’ in the Port Books of 1609-11. Harwich was the birthplace of Mayflower master Christopher Jones about 1570. The Mayflower was rated at 180 tons – meaning had a hold the could accommodate 180 casks of rum or wine and was about 100 ft in length. Since Captain Jones became master eleven years prior to the Mayflower Pilgrims’ voyage, the ship had sailed cross-Channel taking English woolens to France and bringing French wine to London. In addition to wine and wool, Jones had transported hats, hemp, Spanish salt, hops and vinegar to Norway and may have taken the Mayflower whaling in the North Atlantic in the Greenland area. It had traveled to Mediterranean ports, being then owned by Christopher Nichols, Robert Child, Thomas Short and Christopher Jones, the ship’s master. In 1620 Capt. Jones and Robert Child still owned their quarter shares in the ship, and it was from them that Thomas Weston chartered her in the summer of 1620 to undertake the Pilgrim voyage. Weston was deeply involved in the Mayflower voyage due to his membership in the investor group Merchant Adventurers and eventually came to Plymouth Colony himself. From the Port Books of England in the reign of James I (1603-1625) there were twenty-six vessels bearing the same name as the Pilgrim ship and the reason for such popularity has never been found. A particular Mayflower that has caused historical confusion is a ‘Mayflower’ erroneously named as the Mayflower of the 1620 Pilgrims. This particular ship was partly owned by John Vassall and
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was outfitted for the queen in 1588 during the time of the Spanish Armada, a war for which he outfitted several ships. There are no records of this Vassall ‘Mayflower’ beyond 1594. From records of the time, and to avoid confusion with the many other ‘Mayflower’ ships, the identity of Captain Jones’ Mayflower is based on her home port, her tonnage (est. 180-200 tons), and the master’s name in 1620. In August 1609 records first note Christopher Jones as master and part owner of the Mayflower when his ship was chartered for a voyage from London to Drontheim (Trondheim) in Norway, and back to London. Due to bad weather, on her return the ship lost an anchor and made short delivery of her cargo of herrings. Litigation was involved and was proceeding in 1612. In a document of January 1611, Christopher Jones is described as being ‘of Harwich’, and his ship is called the Mayflower of Harwich (in Essex co.). Records of Jones’ ship Mayflower have the ship twice in the Thames in London in 1613 – once in July and again in October and November. Records of 1616 again state Jones’ ship was in the Thames and the noting of wine on board suggests the ship had recently been on a voyage to France, Spain, Portugal, the Canaries, or some other wine country. After 1616 there is no record which specifically relates to Jones’ Mayflower until 1624. This is unusual for a ship trading to London as it would not usually disappear for such a long time from the records. There is no Admiralty court document relating to the Pilgrim Fathers’ voyage of 1620 that can be found. Perhaps the situation of the way the transfer of the pilgrims from Leyden to New England was arranged may account for this. Or possibly many of the records of the period have been lost.
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December 28, 2012 - January 4,locally-p 2013 loca ed by
December 28, 2012 - January 4, 2013
Public Pulse
On the Contrary...
On the Contrary is a column in debate format originated by the Campbell County Observer. The opinions expressed in this debate do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the writers of this column, the Observer staff, or of the Observer itself. To show two sides of a debate, many times one of the guest columnists or regular writers may be playing devil’s advocate. This article is not to push political agenda’s or opinions, but to show both sides of the debate. To become a guest for “On the Contrary” email us a request at CampbellCountyObserver@gmail.com
Nicholas DeLaat (Publisher)
Tim Mandese
The Issue: High Capacity Magazines
The Sides: Nick is debating against high capacity magazines, and Tim is debating for the high capacity magazines. Nick: Why do you believe that there should be no ban against high capacity magazines? Tim: What good is a ban on large magazines, when it’s so easy to get around it? You can tape two regular clips together and bang (no pun intended) you are back to a large load. Just pop it out and flip it over to reload. Nick: Here is the difference. With a Chinese SKS, it takes an average of 6 seconds to reload. With an AR-15, about 4 seconds, and with an AK-47 about 3.5 seconds. Now that is with practice. A trained military soldier can cut most of these numbers in about two thirds, but most of these shootings by these psycos are not trained military soldiers. These head cases put themselves in a very stressful situation when they decided to perform one of these horrific acts, so their re-load time is going to be extended because of the possibility of fumbling around with the magazine during entry into the firearm. During this reloading time, of usually about 8-15 seconds, this gives a possible victim or multiple victims the ability to counter attack and stop the monster from continuing on with his slaughter of innocents. Tim: Okay, let’s say the average nut-ball can’t reload as fast as John Rambo or Chuck Norris. He can still carry more weapons with smaller clips. How many pistols can you strap on your person and still walk? More than enough for the average massacre. The scene from the Matrix comes to mind where Neo opens his coat and he’s packing a small gun shop. Granted, more ammo is cheaper than more weapons, but nut-balls don’t care. They will spend their last dollar to fulfill their plan. If the shooter is too stressed to reload smaller magazines, the victims are equally stressed and not prone to thinking straight either. Just because you can get away, it doesn’t mean you’ll be able to under stress. Nick: Alright, this is getting hard for me because I am playing the devil’s advocate here. So I had to look on some anti-gun websites (but we are not talking about firearms, not guns…they don’t even get their wording correct) and here is a good argument for banning the high capacity magazines. Since the Newtown shootings, some firearms advocates have stated to the media that magazine capacity is not really an issue since it takes only seconds to change a magazine. Do the math. If the Newtown killer had to reload after every six shots instead of 30, in conjunction with the rapid response of public safety personnel, there was a potential for five to 10 lives being saved. The changing of magazines could have created a precious opportunity for more kids to escape. Tim: And if he had to just pull out a fresh cocked and locked weapon, shooting would continue unhindered. I will say this much for small magazines. If my intent is to take as many souls with me on my way out of this world, and I had ZERO access to firearms, I would find a way. Timothy McVeigh knew that well. He killed 168 people, including 19 children under age 6, and he injured more than 680. He also did more than a half a billion dollars in damage, and never fired a shot.
Nick: I do agree with you that when a person gets the resolution to kill, there isn’t much you can do to stop them. But you can limit the damage you can do. Currently, bombs are illegal, and he is the only mass killer with bombs of his kind in the United States. I am a gun owner. I own, for self-protection, a small pistol that carries a sixbullet clip( actually, I own one that carries a 10rnd, 16rnd, and many more, but let’s just talk about one of my pistols for arguments sake). That’s all I need. That’s all anyone needs. Nobody but law enforcement and the military need high-capacity magazines. Hunters don’t need more than six bullets. If you are keeping a high-capacity clip in your home for self-protection, unless you are invaded by an army you are likely to hit targets you weren’t aiming at. Most home invasion firefights happen in less than 1 min. and require only about 3-5 rounds. So without threat of invasion of an army, which the government would then issue military high capacity magazines to the citizens for support or the government threatening your inalienable rights through use of deadly force, why would the average citizen possibly need them? Tim: You can only limit damage if someone misses. Bombs are illegal but it didn’t stop McVeigh and it didn’t stop the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski. He killed three people and injured 23 others. And went un-found for decades! You say that six shots is enough. How do you determine that? I have seen home invasions where four or more people break in at once, WITH GUNS! With a 6 shot magazine, that only gives me a 2 shot miss window. I’m sorry, but I don’t think the bad guys are going to wait for me to reload. We have to remember the most important reason to have a large magazine. It’s not for “offense”, but rather “defense”! I can’t defend myself and my family if I run out of ammo in 6 shots. I might have one shot left and have to decide, “Do I shot this guy and save my wife, or shoot the other guy and save my child?” I say, be armed and able to shoot them both! Anything man can touch he can use offensively. I can drive a car into a crowd of people and kill as many as were killed in Connecticut. We don’t limit the size of cars or the size of the fuel tank. Nick: Ok, you got me. I got nothing, so I am going to agree with you that a ban on high capacity magazines would only hurt law abiding citizens in their constitutional right to protect their lives, their property, and the lives and property of those around them that would otherwise become victims. Any federal (or state) ban on high capacity magazines would be a direct attack on the millions of American citizens who are good, patriotic, and decent, intelligent people while not deterring at all the very small percentage (less than .01%) of complete wastes of our great society. If a high capacity magazine ban comes in affect, than the government in general is only stating that they do not care about the lives and property of the citizens that they are supposed to represent, but care about not making ‘political suicide’ at a time when calls for firearm reform is on the front line. With this ban they would be crying out that they do not care about the rights of their constituents, but about the level of control that the government can try to implement. With this possible ban the government would be telling us that this is not a country that regards itself as ‘of the people, for the people, and by the people’ but “we will punish everyone for one man’s actions, as you are all not individuals, but you are just the masses there for our purposes, and only public employees can be trusted.” They will in a sense be saying that even veterans, who were and are the true guardians of this Nation cannot be trusted after they leave the direct control of government superiors. I for one own a SKS, an AK, and an AR, and I will never give up mine. Tim, you win.
What Our Readers Thought? Should assault rifles be banned?
No - 72.2% Yes - 27.8% Results are from 1,062 votes counted. To vote on the next “On the Contrary” subject, go to our website at www. CampbellCountyObserver.net and click on the “polls” page.
Joke of the week Submitted by John Hammond I never wanted to believe that my Dad was stealing from his job as a road worker. But when I got home, all the signs were there.
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Weekly Constitution Study
Every week, the Observer prints one article, paragraph, or section of either the U.S. or State Constitution for your information. U.S. Constitution, Section 8 The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common defense and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States; To borrow Money on the credit of the United States; To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes; To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States; To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures; To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States; To establish Post Offices and post Roads; To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries; To constitute Tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court; To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations; To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water; To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years; To provide and maintain a Navy; To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces; To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions; To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress; To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;--And To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
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Public Pulse
Campbell County Observer
December 28, 2012 - January 4, 2013
Cost of Government Day Annual Report 2012 State Tax Increases In recent years, most states increased taxes to increase spending even during economic downturns. This report compiles a list of tax increases by state from FY2003-FY2012. The list is based on data from the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) with three adjustments. First, we compounded the tax increases to reflect tax hikes adopted since FY2003 which have to be paid in successive years. Second, we adjusted each state’s tax increase by population to produce a better comparison across states. Third, the taxes for each year are indexed so all tax increases are stated in terms of 2012 dollars. The index shows that this year, as in previous years, New Jersey is the leader among all states in terms of tax increases. Since FY2003 the Garden State
increased taxes per resident by $5,721.82 for a total net tax increase of over $49.9 billion. Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Nevada, Delaware, Tennessee and Minnesota also suffered per capita tax increases of over $2,000 in the same period. From 2003-2012 only nine states reduced their taxes. This group is led by Idaho, North Dakota and Florida, all of which reduced their taxes by over $350 per capita. North Dakota, as in 2011, leads the states in reducing taxes. Since 2003, North Dakota has reduced taxes $428.85 per capita. Over that period, this is a net tax cut for North Dakotans of $280 million. This year, all nine states that reduced their taxes over the FY 2003-2012 period also reduced their taxes in 2012. For the first time since 2008, net taxes de-
creased across the states in FY2012. In total, states experienced a $596 million tax cut, less than last year’s tax increases of $6.4 billion. However, many states are still attempting to squeeze their taxpayers to fund excessive spending. For example, the Maryland House of Delegates passed the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFA) in May 2012. The act results in a $300 million tax increase on Marylanders. The BRFA extends the Maryland “Millionaire Tax” to single filers making over $100,000 and joint filers making over $150,000. This tax hike alone will force Marylanders to work an additional 7 hours for COGD next year. More popular than ever with politicians are “sin taxes,” or excise taxes on certain products that policymakers can target under the guise of social welfare
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efforts. The most constant targets are normally tobacco and sprits or wine, but recently sugar and soda have gained the ire of revenue-hungry lawmakers as well. Maryland’s budget also included two tax increases on tobacco. The tax on smokeless tobacco will rise from 15 percent to 30 percent and the tax on “little cigars” will leap from 15 percent to 70 percent of wholesale. Similarly, in Illinois, Governor Pat Quinn recently signed into law a $1-apack cigarette tax increase to bankroll the state’s unstable Medicaid program. In addition to the increase in the cigarette tax, the legislation also doubles the taxes on other types of tobacco. Estimates show that corporate tax, personal income tax and sales tax make up 80 percent of state tax revenue. In 2012, thirteen states cut their corporate income taxes, constituting the large change in revenue measures from the previous year; these efforts resulted in a $1.3 billion net corporate income tax cut. However, personal income taxes are on the rise, with $571 million in increased taxes on personal income going into effect in 2012. Finally, while sales taxes decreased by $690.5 million, targeted excise taxes on alcohol and cigarettes increased by $97.1 million and $58.1 million respectively.
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Pre-Holiday Wrestling Results By John Gabrielsen - wyopreps.com Lander hosted a 14 team event prior to the Holiday Break. A couple of other Wyoming teams were at a 60 team invite in Colorado to end the first portion of the wrestling season. There were to be 18 teams at the event, but, only 14 made the trip to Lander. Douglas would win the invite with 227 points, only five better than runner up Powell. Star Valley was third with Riverton fourth. The host Tigers were fifth.
Old Chicago Invite in Greeley: Tevis Bartlett of Cheyenne East would win the 195 pound division of the 62 team NCCC Invite in Colorado. He went 5 and 0 with three pins and two big wins. Brody Cress was runner up at 126. The Thunderbirds finished third overall. Central was also on hand as was Laramie.
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Sheridan grad Kayla Woodward wins third MWC Player of the Week Honors the Cowgirls to a 64-61 road win at Ball State in Wyoming’s only game of the week on Tuesday. Woodward scored a team-high 16 points and seven rebounds, shooting a season-high 7-10 (70.0 percent) from the field and 2-3 (66.7 percent) from beyond the arc. She scored the first seven points of the game and five of the first eight points of the second half regaining a five-point advantage,
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By Kevin Koile - wyopreps.com For the first time this season, Wyoming forward Kayla Woodward has earned Mountain West Women’s Basketball Player of the Week honors for games played from Dec. 17-23, 2012. It is the third MW weekly accolade of her career and she won it twice in a 3 week span last season, from late January to early February 2012. Woodward, a sophomore from Sheridan Wyo., led
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35-30. Later in the half, Woodward hit a 3-point field goal to give the Cowgirls their biggest lead of the game, 51-42. Woodward also pitched in three assists, a block and a steal. She is also the 2011 Milward-Simpson Award winner. Some Information Courtesy: Univ of Wyoming Athletic Department
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Sports Report
Campbell County Observer
Lady Camels take second in Phoenix A slow start doomed the Gillette Lady Camels (6-1) in the Championship game of the John Anderson bracket at the NIKE Tournament of Champions as they fell to Grandview, CO (7-0) 51-43 on Saturday morning in Phoenix, AZ. Gillette came out sluggish against the Lady Wolves as they trailed 17-2 at the end of the 1st quarter and were unable to claw their way back. The Lady Camels never gave up as they were able to cut Grandview’s lead to
just 4 points in the 4th quarter, but that was as close as they’d get. Sierra Toms scored a team high 15 points while McCorra Ford also finished in double figures with 11 points. Head Coach Mitch Holst thought that the tournament was a success in his mind since he feels that the girls got better and learned what they need to continue to get better at as they prepare for the Annual Energy Classic Holiday Basketball Tournament at the Castle of Chaos.
Because there are only 7 teams in the girls bracket at the Energy Classic that means the Lady Camels have a bye into the Semifinals. They will await the winner of Lincoln High School from Portland, OR and Mandan High School from North Dakota on Friday, December 28th at 7:30pm. Due to the Lady Camels bye on Thursday that moves the #1 Camels game up to 7:30pm against Lincoln High School from Portland, OR.
#1 Camels crush #2 Riverton with second half barrage By Kevin Koile - wyopreps.com #1 Gillette vs. #2 Riverton…this game being played at Lincoln Middle School in Green River…first quarter…Riverton wearing the white, and they got to work right off the opening tip. Xavier Webb will spot up for 3 and he’ll drain it. 13 points for the senior and his team strikes first up 3-nothing. Gillette would answer… the inside lanes are blocked off, so they’d take it outside to Logan Wasson, and you’re going to see a lot of shots like this. The senior had 14 to help the cause, and this game is tied at 5. The Camels did have a slight height advantage in this game and they would use it at times. Dylan Haddik is a 6’6” senior…that would make it easy at times to take an inside lob and score up close, which he did. His team is up 7-to-5. The Wolverines would hang with them in the early going. Kade Salisbury is going to slither his way through the lane and put up a light floater that will drop in…double digits for the senior…10 points…this contest is knotted up again at 7. But ties are meant to be broken…and Cody Kelley would undo it in a similar way that tied it…he’s playing a little game of one upsman-ship with Salisbury, and that bucket put Gillette up 12-to-7. Back comes Riverton… Seth Quayle is going to get behind the defense on this baseline drive and score with ease. This game went back and forth for awhile. The scoreboard now reads 12-points a-piece. The Camels would build another small lead, but the opposition answered. Jordan Belville is all alone in the corner…and you don’t want to leave him like that. He’ll cause trouble. The senior poured in a dozen…and his team is down 1…16-15. Then the pendulum would swing the other way for awhile…Wasson went right through the defense like it was not even there. That’s a good way to score…and last season’s state runner-
ups held a 25-19 lead, after the first 8 minutes. Second quarter…Gillette’s defense and transition game had a few moments. Kelley comes up with the loose ball and he’ll feed it ahead to Bryce Lyman who was waiting on the far side of the court to finish the fast break with ease… and you saw Belville slap the backboard…that’s a nono. 2 points and a technical foul, and that would open up a 10-point cushion…it’s 29-to-19 at this point. The Wolverines had some work to do and they would try. Salisbury is going is lining up for 3 and he’ll let himself in. That was much needed as his team was trying to get back into this game, down 29-24. But the Camels were feeling comfortable with the lead that they had…and Lyman wanted to build on it. Here comes another 3 and he’s got nothing but net. That would push the score up to 32-24. Let’s get someone else in here…how about Michael Cook. He’s a senior and he’s adding to the cause with a layin on the far side. That was 2 of his 12, and Gillette would eventually go up by 12, with the score at 36-to-24. Riverton had to make a move soon before things got any worse. They’d beat the trap and find Webb open underneath the hoop for an easy lay in. That’s a start, but they’re still down 36-26. Actually they were doing a pretty good job at getting ahead of the defense and stayed after it. Belville fakes out a defender and his patience paid off. That 12 point deficit would eventually get chopped down to 4…it’s 36-32. The Camels knew what was going on and tried to snap out of it. Beautiful
hook shot by Jade Kampfe…that’s what a big man is supposed to do. Gillette still leads 38-32. However the Wolverines did not deter from their plan of attack. They’ll find Webb ahead of the pack and he’ll find his team 2 more points and now they’re within striking distance…trailing 3936. Time is starting to run out before the break and Riverton needed a money shot. Webb is trying to position himself for the right shot. He had to take it on the run, and it works for 3, just ahead of the buzzer. That 12 point deficit has been erased, and both teams went into the locker room, tied up at 39. Third quarter…Gillette’s defense woke up after botching their advantage. Cook saw that one coming and he’s rushing to put this one into the oven. That bucket put his team back on top 41-39. They were playing tighter D, but the Wolverines still found a few ways to get in. Belville scores in traffic and that is what his team needed, to tie this game up at 41. They were down in a 5 point hole, and tried to work their way out of it again. Here’s Quayle with the offensive board, putback and one. The 3 point play would cut things down to a 2 point contest…the scoreboard reads, 46-43. But here is where everything changed big time. It may be a reused phrase, but the Camels found the on switch. It’ll start with Kelly… as the defense forgot about him for a moment and that was all he needed…it’s 4844. Then it bombs away all over the left side of the court. Cook collects the miss…takes it outside…no one came after him and the
senior will get the bounce and the drop for 3…his team was building momentum because now the score is 51-to-44. Here comes more…it’s Kelly’s turn and just about everyone on the floor from Gillette had a hot hand… especially him. He led all scorers with 24 points, and that 3 makes this a 57-to-44 contest. Of course they got 3 the old fashioned way as well. Wasson…backs himself up, turn-around jumper and the foul…the Camels were enjoying their biggest lead of the game so far. Now it’s 60-to-45. …and they were not done. Riverton had a hard time making anything and Gillette pretty much made anything that they threw up! Wasson will strike from the wing…his team would outscore the opposition in the 3rd quarter, 31-to-6. Do the math! It’s over and another comeback is not happening. We’re not even going to bother showing you the 4th quarter…yes the Wolverines got some points, but by the time they did, the JV’s were already playing. What was a great game going into halftime, turned into a 2nd half slaughter… as Gillette just did whatever they wanted to do, and they gave Riverton their first loss on the season…final score 83-to-54.
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December 28, 2012 - January 4, 2013
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Weekly Sports Trivia Question How many times have the NHL been on strike? Look in next week’s paper for the answer ** Sponsor our Sports Quiz for $50 per week. That’s 2 ads per week! **
Joke of the week Submitted by Lorraine Elelfield All the passengers are seated on a plane out on the tarmac and the stewardess announces “we’re just waiting for the pilots.”. The passengers look out the window and see two men, dressed as pilots walking towards the plane. Both men are using guide dogs and appear to be blind. There are murmurs among the passengers, and some believe it is a joke. The men board the plane and go into the cockpit. More concerned murmurs and uneasy chuckles from the passengers. The plane taxis normally to the runway and begins its takeoff. As passengers look out the window they realize they are nearing the end of the runway. The entire passenger cabin begins screaming but the plane lifts off just before the end of the runway. The passengers calm down and chuckle to themselves. In the cockpit, the pilot turns to his copilot and says “you know, one day those people are gonna scream too late and we’re all gonna die!”
Weekly Sports Trivia Answer from Last Week When was the first “wild card” NFL playoff football game?
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1970
When the leagues merged in 1970, the new NFL (with 26 teams) reorganized into two conferences of three divisions each. From the 1970 season to the 1977 season, four teams from each conference (for a total of eight teams) qualified for the playoffs each year. These four teams included the three division champions, and a fourth Wild Card team. Originally, the home teams in the playoffs were decided based on a yearly rotation. From 1970 to 1974, the divisional playoff round rotated which of the three division champions would not have home field advantage, with the wild card teams and the teams they would face in the divisional playoff game would never have home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Starting in 1970, the divisional playoff games consisted of the AFC Central champions and the NFC West champions playing their games on the road. Then in 1971 it rotated to the AFC East champions and the NFC East champions playing their games on the road. In the 1972 divisional playoff games, the AFC West champions and the NFC Central champions were the visiting teams. And 1973 it would start all over with the AFC Central and NFC West again, and so on. If the “road” division winners advanced to the conference championship games they would be visiting teams again, unless they played a wild card winner. The league did not institute a seeding system for the playoffs until 1975, where the surviving clubs with the higher seeds were made the home teams for each playoff round. Thus, the top seeded division winner played the wild card team, and the remaining two division winners played at the home stadium of the better seed. However, two teams from the same division could not meet prior to the conference championship game. Thus, there would be times when the pairing in the Divisional Playoff Round would be the 1 seed vs. the 3 seed and 2 vs. 4.
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Classifieds
Campbell County Observer
Help Wanted Cook needed at Lu La Bells. Motivated and Energetic. Days Only. Apply at Lu La bells. Looking for CDL to work in North Dakota full time. Call 307-670-3629. PERSONAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED: We are looking for an Office Assistant. Duties include greeting clients, answering phones, and routing mail, data entry and retrieve,scheduling and calender maintenance,Ideal candidates will have proven customer service skills in an administrative setting and experience with Microsoft Office applications email resumes to akeelahanderson001@gmail.com IF INTERESTED Powder River Roofing, a growing company in N.E. Wyoming, is hiring full time roofers. Call 307-696-7465 for an interview. Personal Assistant needed to organize and help. Basic computer skills needed, must be good with organization. I am ready to pay $600.00 per week. Interested person should contact: deans995@ gmail.com Bl-32-2V Full Time Flooring Installers wanted. Must have experience. Bring resumes in to Carpet Express Direct on Hwy. 59 next to the Prime Rib Restaurant. Exciting new career. Unlimited income potential. Think you can sell? Call 307-2994662. We offer commission, fuel allowance, and much more. Sell in the Bighorn, Casper, Powder River, and Black Hills Area. Are you a friendly outgoing individual? Do you connect with people casually? Are you looking for supplemental income? Do you need to be in charge of your own hours? We are looking for an independent contractor for commissioned based ad sales. For more information call Sandra at 307-689-0028 or email at campbellcountytidbits@yahoo.com State Wide Sales people. Print Advertising Sales for new State-wide newspaper. Call 307-299-4662
Child Care Child Care in Sleepy Hollow. Room for 2 children. $20 per day per child. Call 307-257-2306.
Toys (ATV’s Boats, Etc.) BOAT FOR SALE. 18ft 120 port jet outboard bass tracker for sale. Call 307-680-5947 International Tractor 300 Utility For Sale. $2000 Artic Cat 4X4 2001For Sale. $2000 Call Bill 307 - 660 – 8563 94 Mazda MX3 for sale. $1500 obo. 307-670-2037 1988 Honda Gl1500 for free if interested contact me at ( james.bernard10@live.com ) 2010 Polaris 550 eps with less than 100 miles, books for $8,000. make and offer. Call Steve Terry at 307-2992992 Chopper - Custom built frame, s&s engine, carb, etc. 80ci. Evolution engine. Wide glide front end. Low. Torn apart down to frame. Have all parts, could be built in two days with under $200.00. Asking $5,500 or best offer. Price:$5,500obo. Contact: 307-670-2037 1981 Harley Davidson FXBSturgis, 1st dual-belt drive to commemorate Hill-Climb @ Sturgis, Jack-Pine Gypsies rally started in ‘41, 50th anniversary model. 12K on straight-up original paint, new Moetzler’s driven-by beefed Shovel, 102hp at wheel. Perfect in every aspect, serious inquiries only, loan is $15K and value of over 25K. Ben 680.7464, 3-other older bikes and this has to go to the right person! Custom Harley Soft tail. Being built, need to sell now. Almost finished. Chopper, built in Sturgis, SD. Asking $5,500 and will help you build it. HAVE ALL PARTS! Call 257-2306 Boat for Sale with trailer. Needs work. Call 670-8980 for info.
Toy Parts & Accessories Stock pipes for Sportster. 500mi. Stock pices for Dyna Wide Glide. 1500mi. Email baxtersmom62@gmail.com for info. Rare find. 1969 Pontiac Motor. 390 HP and 470 ft. torque stock from factory. Aluminum edelbrock intake goes with motor. Best offer takes it home. 307-6220825 (a1-39-tfnh) 1999 Vortec 350 Intake and heads. Make offer. 307-6220825 (a1-39-tfnh) Four 16 inch rims, five hole, with caps.$90 307 - 670 1887 Harley Accessories for sale. Call 307-670-8980. Ask for Tammy.
Campers & Motor Homes 1997 32ft. Class A Motor Home. Sleeps 6, Only 31,000 Miles. Asking $17,000. Call (307) 660-7520. Large Private RV/Camper Lot for rent. Big yard, trees. All utilities available. $400 per month, $400 deposit. 1 year lease. Call (307) 6601007. 5th wheel camper for sale. Call Skip (307) 680-0073
Camping/Fishing Minnows, crawlers, leeches, fishing tackle, boating and camping supplies. Fully furnished cabin rentals, 50 Amp Full Hookup RV sites 5 minutes from Keyhole Reservoir in Pine Haven. Empire Guesthouse & RV Park 307756-3454. www.empireguesthouse.com
Business Opportunities Looking for investor in local business. Call for Details. 307-257-2306. Exciting career available Now! No weekends, holidays, or nights. Unlimited income potential. 20% commission plus gas allowance selling print advertising. Call Anne Peterson (advertising manager) at (307) 299-4662 or email AnnePeterson@ CampbellCountyObserver. com Health problems? Try doTERRA certified pure essential oils. 307-680-0363. www. myvoffice.com/healingisbelieving
Apartments for Rent 1-5 bedroom units available for rent. Please contact Real Estate Systems of Gillette Inc at 307-682-0964 for all the updated details. Apartment for Rent in WindRidge Appts. Water/Trash/ Washer/Dryer. Air and Heat. 3bs/2bth. Must qualify for low income housing. $740.00/ mo. Call 307-685-8066 Foothills View Apartments Hot Move In Special! Cool, Clean, Quiet Apartments. A/C, 2 Bdrm. $695 1Bdrm. $595. Showing anytime Call 307-686-6488 C3-28-2v Apartments for rent. Foothills View Apartments. Clean and Quiet. One and Two bedroom units starting at $595.00. Call for showing andmove in special 307-6866488 (c3-42-3v) Spacious & new, 1, 2, &3 bdrm affordable apartments available now! Call 6858066. Washer and dryer in every unit. Private sunny patio or balcony. Special move-in rate, 1 bdrm: $694, 2 bdrm: $777, 3 bdrm: $888. Move in now and deduct $ 200 off first month while special lasts. Call Konnie or Celeste at Highland Properties 685-8066.
Produce for Sale Fresh local “Free Range” eggs. All natural, no animal by-products. No antibiotics. $3/Doz. 257-9049
For Rent 2 Bedroom Duplex, with one car garage, washer/dryer, no pets. $700rent/$700deposit. 307-689-0202 Room for Rent. Nice Room for Rent for one responsible person. $480.00 per month. 689-9358.
December 28, 2012 - January 4, 2013
Guns for Sale
Services
Miscellaneous
Personals
Czech CZ-82 Pistol. 9X18 Caliber, semi auto. High quality steel construction made for field use. 12 round capacity magazine, cock and lock style safety, super accurate polygonal rifled barrel. Comes with extra magazine, cleaning tools, and original issue military holster. Regular price $387.93, On sale with this ad for only $315.00. Call Wyoming Mountaineers 299-2084 and mention this ad.
Homeowners and renters insurance for house, trailer, or apartments. Call Elizabeth Jones Agency 307-682-6520
Licensed daycare now open. Spots available full-time and before and after school. Close to Rozet school and the post office. Monday through Friday 6:30am to 6pm. Ages 3 and up. Call 307-299-1915
Interested in founding a Sherlock Holmes Society in Gillette? Contact gillettesherlockians@gmail. com for info.
Taurus Model 827, 38SPL Revolver. 7rnd, 4” Barrel, Stainless Steel. MSRP: $664.00 on sale with this add $575.00. or make 4 payments of $163.20 each. Call Wyoming Mountaineers 2992084 and mention this ad. Remington model 770 Sportsman with 3x9 scope. 270 win. 22” barrel, black syn. Stock. MSRP $375.00. Mention this ad and buy same MSRP for $325.00 (or 4 payments of $95.40). Wyoming Mountaineers, call or text 307-299-2084 D132-TFN Savage Arms/Stevens Model 350 12 Ga. pump shotgun. 3” chamber, 28” barrel, 4+1 Capacity, Black soft touch synthetic stock. Screw in chokes comes with modified choke. Bottom eject makes this an excellent waterfowl and upland bird hunting gun. Regular price $294.95. On sale with this ad for only $250.00. Call Wyoming Mountaineers 299-2084 and mention this ad. Get a piece of history. Mosin Nagant Russian M91/30 Surplus Rifle. Very good to Excellent condition 7.62X54 Caliber. These are a very accurate rifle shooting 4” groups at 1000 yards. Open sights are adjustable to yardage with a push of a button. Great gun for hunting deer or elk very cheap ammo available for target practice ($85 per 440 rnds) Comes with military issue sling, sling pouches, bayonet, and cleaning tools. Retailing as high as $175.00 on sale with this ad $145.00. Call Wyoming Mountaineers 2992084 and mention this ad. Wyoming Mountaineers now offers easy payment plans on any in stock firearm. Your debit card is your line of credit. Purchase any firearm that is in stock making 4 payments weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Processing fee and payment plan fee apply. Call Wyoming Mountaineers for more details. Call Wyoming Mountaineers 299-2084 and mention this ad. Taurus Model 827, 38 SPL revolver. 7RND, 4” barrel, Stainless Steel. MSRP $664.00. Mention this ad and get MSRP for $350.00 (4 easy payments of $102.03) Wyoming Mountaineers, call or text 307-299-2084 D132-TFN Gunsmithing Special of the week. Electrolysis Barrel Cleaning. Increase the accuracy of your firearm, get ready for hunting season or a summer of shooting fun. Most cleanings complete overnight and your gun is ready the next day. This week only $25.00. Call Wyoming Mountaineers 2992084 and mention this ad. Before you buy, make a call to get a quote. We can order any gun you are looking at and just may be able to save you a ton of money. Call for a free quote. $15.00 FFL Transfer Fee on all internet purchases. If you find that smoking great deal on the internet we transfer guns for only $15.00 per gun. Call Wyoming Mountaineers 2992084 and mention this ad. Colt AR-15, Sporty Target. Pre-ban, INCREDIBLY LOW SALE NUMBER. Great condition $1,500. (307) 6894339. D1-32-2V 1903 Springfield. 30o6 Cal. U.S. Military. $700 obo. Call (307) 682-7864
Heavy Equipment/ Trailers
RV Winterization starting at $99.95 at YOUR house. Call Randy at 307-660-3091 (b340-tfnh) Powder River Roofing is N.E. Wyoming’s top quality roofing, with the highest safety standards in the area. Call for your FREE estimate today for metal/wood/shingle removal, install, and repair. (307)-696-7465. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Want To Get in Shape?Like to have Fun? Learn The Graceful moves of American Oriental Belly Dancing! The 3rd Sunday of every month. Call Leanna Tabatt 307-6808457 Looking to buy a new computer? Why waste the money? “Your Computer Store” has refurbished towers and laptops rebuilt right here in our store. Plenty of memory, disc space, and advice. Come by and see our inventory at “Your Computer Store,” where YOU come first! 802 E. Third St next to Ice Cream Land Powder River Mechanics. We have the cheapest labor rates, but the best quality repairs in town. We offer full services on Foreign and domestic vehicles, ATV’s, Snowmobiles, motorcycles, jet ski’s, boats, and more. Let us put you on a Preventative maintenance schedule so your vehicles run miles past your warranty. Call for an appointment. 307-6967713. Avenue Mall - Over 30 vendors, come check us out! 217 Gillette Ave. Mon-Fri. 9AM to 7 PM, Sat. 9AM- 5 PM, Sun. 10 AM - 4 PM Computers have become like cars, and they need repaired. Want the best quality repair work in N.E. Wyoming? Bring your computer to “Your Computer Store.” Quality work at a quality price. “Your Computer Store,” where YOU COME FIRST 802 E. Third street next to Ice Cream Land. Auto insurance preferred and SR-22’s. Call Elizabeth Jones Agency 307-682-6520 Motorcycle and ATV insurance. Call Elizabeth Jones Agency 307-682-6520
Merchandise 1939 HA Selmer Trumpet $750 OBO. 687-1087 Exterior door with window, interior light fixtures, and computer supplies. E-mail Corsair115@yahoo.com Refrigerator (white) Great condition $100 307-2995918 Blue Dual Reclining Sofa. Good shape $100 Call 6802982. Can text photo if you like.
Bring your catch by the Empire Guesthouse for photographs which may be published in this newspaper with our fishing reports. Along with that, the Guesthouse staff will be awarding monthly prizes for those that let us photograph them and their catch. It doesn’t have to be a trophy to enter and there will be special prizes for those 12 and under. Carp shooters are also welcome to enter. Check with the Guesthouse for more details. ACE will reduce your appetite and give you energy. The natural way to lose weight. www.facebook.com/AcePill 660-2974
Homes for Sale Home for sale by owner in Western Way. Asking $239,000 for the 1,800 sq. ft. 3 bedroom 2 bath home with an unfinished basement and a two car garage. Fully fenced, large landscaped yard with a sprinkler system. Home is within walking distance to the new recreation center and the new elementary school that is being built. Please contact me at 307-670-1209 if you are interested. For Sale. 3br Townhouse. 1.5 bath. 307-680-1449 (c139-tfnh) Tri-level house for sale 4 bed 2 bath $209,000 (307) 6701925. 40+ Acres 2 miles south of Wright 1999 Atlantic Oak Modular. $250,000 OBO Call 307 - 680 – 2374 Great House - 4 bedroom, 2 bath, computer room, huge island kitchen, fireplace. Must see! call 307-687-0333 C1-23-tfn 3 bedroom 11/2 bath C1-39-tfnh
Townhouse 680-1449
FSBO 2,688 SF home on corner lot with fenced back yard. 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, upgraded kitchen, finished walkout basement, oversized garage. $259,000. 307-680-9180.
Wanted to Buy I Buy Militaria. Swords, uniforms, bayonets, medals, guns/parts, field gear. 6827864 Wanted: Old Batteries. Call 307-670-1675. D4-30-8P WILL PAY CASH FOR CAMPERS. Call Scott (307) 680-0854.
Home Appliances/ Furnshings Booth Table. L-shaped. With Chairs. Seats 6. $500.00 Call 299-4967 Three antique pressedbacked oak chairs. Excellent condition. $85 each. 6820042
Autos, Trucks and Vans ‘76 Electra-Glide would consider trade on Pan or Knuck if ya know of anyone, ‘81 sent it to LA-S&S, 11.5to1 and dual-plugged to run regular-gas, had burn-out time at Hog-Jam! Ben 680.7464. 1993 Chrysler LHS for sale or trade. Needs tie-rod and alignment. Runs good. $1,500.00 OBO. Email KevlarGrease@gmail.com 1994 Plymouth Voyager for sale or trade. Runs/ looks great. 188,000 miles. $2,000.00 OBO. Email KevlarGrease@gmail.com 1996 Nissan Pathfinder 4x4. New BF Goodrich Tires, Runs good. $1,200.00. 307299-4662. (a141-tfnh) 2004 Yukon Denali XL,6.0 Motor, Loaded $14,000 OBO 660-9351 2008 Hyundai Sonata LMTD, 40,000 mi. $13,500, Call 307-660-2532. 2000 Chevy Silverado 4x4 1/2 Ton Pickup. New tires, ext. cab, long bed. 148,000 mi. One owner. 307-6700858 or 303-250-4096 97’ Chevy Long Box Extended Cab. ¾ Ton, selling for Parts. $1,000 OBO. 307680-7431 1982 Chevy Ventura Van. 350 Engine, 400 Turbo newly rebuilt transmission. Interior in GREAT shape, has a working electric wet bar and built in cooler in back. Carb. needs re-jetted, other than that there are no problems. Must see. Asking $3,500 or best offer. Price:$3,500obo. Contact: 307-670-8980 1952 Chevy Dumptruck, hauls 5 tons of coal $1500 307-682-1172 1986 Toyota Tercel 4x4. $1050.00. Call 307-2995918
Tonneau Cover for sale! Cover will fit any pickup with an 8' bed, long wheel base - $125.00
Call 307-689-4189
Spyder Semi-auto paint ball gun. cal..68 Special Edition. Only used twice! New $300 For you $175 plus two canisters. Call 680-1302 If you are interested in purchasing Nutrient Rich Ranch Raised Beef grown locally, call 307-340-1108. Great Jerky http://www.rberlinger.jerkydirect.com/ Five roasts and twelve pounds of hamburger for a flat rate. $150.00. All ranch raised beef. This is an approximate savings of 10% on the total. Contact Jason Walker at 307-686-0577 For sale: whirlpool refrigerator, brand new patio propane heater, still in box Cabela’s shower tent, large dining room dark blue/red rooster rug, 10” wet tile saw, treadmill. Call 682-6353. Kojac series One, two and three dvd $65.00 $98 value 307 - 670 - 1887 Two place aluminum snowmobile trailer. $1,600. 307689-0202
2002 Jaguar x type 3.0 v6 22mpg cty 34 hwy 135000 hwy miles all maintenance current. New coils, plugs wires. Call Chris at Carpet Express Direct.
Subscribe Now Mail this form, along with payment, to our office at 707 W. Third St. Gillette, WY 82716
26 Weeks - $25.00 52 Weeks - $50.00
Pets
6x10 trailer. Great shape, fits your biggest Harley. $1,400 obo. 299-4967. 1981 Circle J 4-horse Horse Trailer. New floor, paint and wiring. $2500 OBO Call 307 - 680 – 2374 1981 Circle J 4-horse Horse Trailer. New floor, paint and wiring done in shop class 2 years ago. No rust only used once since redone. $2500 or OBO Call 307 - 680 – 2374
Basset Hound pups for sale; 9 weeks old; need shots. Rust and White and Tricolor $250.00; One Lemon and White female $300.00. Transportation cost additional if I deliver @ 25 cents per mile. Serious Inquiries Only! Please call 307-382-9282. 2 AKC Registered Tea Cup Yorkies Puppies for free. They are male and female. If interested contact james.bernard10@live.com D7-45-3H
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Name Address Phone Number To Pay with a Credit/Debit Card, please call our office at (307) 670-8980 or visit our website at www.CampbellCountyObserver.com
Our Roots
December 28, 2012 - January 4, 2013
Abigail Adams By Mike Borda
The founding fathers are well-known among us all for what they contributed to the early days of our country. Names such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams are taught every day across America’s schools. However, among all these great men were also great women. One such woman was Abigail Adams. Though she never held an office of power, she influenced our country’s course greatly through her poise and wisdom as the shining example of political feminism. Born on November 11, 1744 in Weymouth, Massachusetts, Abigail Smith belonged to a reputable family. Her father, the Reverend William Smith came from a lineage of religious leaders, dating back to the earliest American colonists. While many families were struggling before the Revolution, the Smiths were seen as leaders, and had the respect of many in the community. However, even with this respect Abigail was, like most girls of that era, unable to attend school. This did not deter her, however. She used her family’s home materials and gave herself a custom education incorporating many of the liberal arts, along with her father’s religious texts. It was in fact this knowledge that would eventually capture the eye of her future husband, John Adams. She wed John Adams, at that time an up and coming lawyer who had recently graduated from Harvard, on October 25, 1764. While they first lived on the Adams’s family farm, they later moved to Boston when John became active in political activities. Their marriage was put to the test early on, when John
would leave for months at a time to serve in his various political functions. Since he was a member of the Continental Congress, an elected office, he was required to spend many months away from home drafting the foundations that would become our government. In this time apart, Abigail had to deal with many hardships. By 1772 she had given birth to five children (their second, John Quincy would later go on to be the 5th President of the United States), and along with being a single mother she also struggled with unstable income and rations that were put in place during the War. However, they endured, and upon America’s victory, she became the first Second Lady of the United States when John Adams was named our first Vice President. Eight years later, she became First Lady. Abigail showed the fierceness we see in many of the First Lady’s of today, becoming extremely active in the political happenings of the day. She wrote letters to the papers, argued with her husband’s rivals, and even earned the joking title of “Mrs. President”. When Thomas Jefferson defeated John Adams in 1804, Abigail’s four years in the spotlight were over. The couple retired to their home, and focused their attention on their children. Although she never lived to see her son inaugurated, there is no doubt that she influenced him greatly. Abigail Adams died on October 28, 1818. While she never held an elected position, there is no doubt that her vigor and energy helped set the stage for future women of politics.
Campbell County Observer
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Call for details Anne Peterson 307.299.4662 Patriot Publishing is a small publishing business starting up right here in Wyoming. We not only publish the Campbell County Observer and calendars, but anything in print. We will soon also have a monthly publication that we think you will enjoy. If you have a book and can’t get a major company to publish you, we are a new and Americanowned publisher that may print your work. Please feel free to contact us at anytime with your idea.
The Wire that won the West By Jeff Morrison
Few innovations designed to make life easier on the American frontier has sparked more controversy, generated so much litigation, been the cause of so many violent and sometimes deadly disputes between neighbors, as an invention that has since become an icon of farming and ranching: barbed wire fencing. Although several earlier versions of barbed fencing had been around since the 1860s, Joseph Glidden obtained the first patent for barbed wire in 1874, after winning a legal dispute against Jacob Haish, a competing inventor who also obtained a patent for barbed wire. The victorious Glidden, known as the “Father of Barbed Wire”, was no doubt blissfully unaware that his hardwon lawsuit was merely the precursor of things to come. Although Hollywood would later try to teach us that barbed wire was viewed by critics (i.e. most people west of St. Louis) as being an evil, cruel invention that crippled and killed hapless grazing animals, and that only crop-farmers and city slickers would be so callous as to construct such a fence, the reality was much different. There certainly were some who held that view of barbed wire fencing, but most people (especially those west of the Mississippi) were quick to grasp the obvious advantages of the new material. In country largely devoid of the usual fencing materials, and considering the large tracts of land being fenced, barbed wire was an affordable, time-saving solution. On flat ground, two or three men could put up a mile of barbed-wire in less time than it took to build a quarter mile of rail fence. As for animals getting tangled in the wire, livestock were more likely to die from lightning strikes, snakebite and predators. The proof that barbed wire did not pose a significant danger to livestock is that it continues to be used today. No, the cause of all the angst, lawsuits, feuds and bloodshed associated with the fencing of the West had little to do with the material used, and more to do with the laws governing fencing. Fencing law varied from state to state and territory to territory. What worked in one area was not considered feasible in another. Even when the law was
spelled out plainly, it seemed implementation and interpretation also varied, depending on who was doing the implementing and interpreting. In some cases outright disregard for the law was normal. In 1905, W. C. Heintz, an agent for the General Land Office, told a reporter for the Gillette News, “It is an undisputed and notorious fact that Crook County is one huge network of illegal fences.” In every state or territory it came down to a question of whether fences were required to fence animals in, or to fence them out. In Wyoming, an open range state from its inception until well into the 20th century, a land owner was required to fence free roaming animals out. There was, however, a doublestandard, reinforced over the years by numerous litigations, between cattle and sheep. A cattleman could not be held responsible for damages caused by his cattle wandering onto land not fenced, while a sheepherder was deemed responsible for keeping his flock off private land – fence or no fence. Fences in northeast Wyoming were unheard of until the mid1880s. At first they were used to fence off areas of land near ranch headquarters and homesteads. Such fences were mainly to protect garden areas, hay storage and sorting pens. Few ranchers understood or else didn’t care about the concept of using fencing for range management at that time. Eventually, as competition for open range came into conflict with homesteading and farming, fences were used to define range boundaries. Unfortunately, boundary fencing caused most of the trouble. Conflicts arose at first between small homestead farmers and the cattle drovers moving herds north from Texas. A trail boss often discovered a new fence had been built, cutting him off from a trail he had just used a few months before. In most cases the drovers cut the fence and drove their cattle through anyway. If caught, the angry land owner was either bullied into submission or paid off to avoid time-devouring arguments. One of the last of the big cattle drives, in 1896, spent so much time in negotiations with landowners and detours around fenced land that the drive took twice as long
as normal. Water for livestock was another major commodity on the high plains. Ranchers soon realize that huge parcels of rangeland could be controlled simply by laying claim to the water holes in an area and fencing them off. This type of fencing was usually done by cattlemen to keep sheepherders out of the area, but occasionally it was done by small cattle ranches to keep the big outfits from over-running their range. As with the trail drives, these fences were often cut to allow animals access. But rather ending with a monetary pay-out for the use of the water, these disputes often ended with an exchange of bullets. By the turn of the 20th century, landowners saw the liberal use of fencing as a convenient means of acquiring large tracts of public lands. This practice was wide-spread in northeast Wyoming, parts of Nebraska and South Dakota. In Crook County, including areas that would soon become northern Campbell County, Agent Heintz claimed, “nearly every rancher includes land in his pasture to which he has no legal right or title.” Illegal fencing was so wide-spread that it became a felony to build one. More than one Wyoming landowner was either imprisoned or fined into bankruptcy over an illegal fence, even after being given a written warning to take the fence down. A prime example of how fencebuilding could become deadly occurred near Upton in the fall of 1911. L. M. Whiteman and Edward Koster had been on friendly terms until a feud erupted between the two homesteaders
over a boundary fence. It seems that Whiteman had built the fence thirty feet inside his own property with the understanding that Koster would do the same. The plan was that the two would then share the cost of building a road between their two places. Whiteman became angry when Koster, rather than building his own fence parallel to Whitemans, extended then ends of his pature to Whiteman’s, absorbing the thirty foot “right-of-way” into his own property. Whiteman made public threats toward Koster, and one morning in September drove out to the fence and began tearing down Koster’s wire gates where they attached to Whiteman’s fence. Koster, enraged by his neighbor’s actions, arrived at the fence line armed with a rifle. Whiteman was armed with a shotgun. A heated argument between the two ended when they shot each other. Whiteman died
on the scene. Although seriously wounded in the side, Koster lived to see trial. One version of events states that Koster, many years younger than Whiteman, beat the older man to the “draw” and fired first, and that Whiteman fired his shotgun as he fell. The defense contended that Whiteman fired first and Koster shot in self-defense, arguing that the proof was that Koster’s bullet struck Whiteman in the heart and would have killed him instantly; therefor Whiteman must have fired first. The jury agreed and Koster was found Not Guilty by Reason of Self-Defense. Fencing the range can still be contentious and feuds and lawsuits still happen as a result, although mostly of the non-lethal variety. But barbed wire itself has been and continues to be the fencing material of choice for landowners large and small on the high plains.
The Local “Our Roots” Column is sponsored by
· Auto · Preferred · SR22’s · Home · Renters · Life · Health 16
Elizabeth Jones Agency 1001 S. Douglas Hwy., Suite 184 Gillette, WY 82716 Office (307) 682-6520 Fax (307) 682-3536
Elizabeth (Betsy) Jones, Agent CPIW, DAE, LUTCF
www.farmersunioninsurance.com/ejones ejones@vcn.com