January 24 31, 2014 by C.C. Observer

Volume 4 • Issue 4

iot Publ r t a

ing ish

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID GILLETTE, WY PERMIT NO. 5105

The Campbell 00 $1. County Observer

Subscribe Online at www.CampbellCountyObserver.net

January 24 - 31, 2014

This June Week’s Advertise Your Business Here! www.campbellcountyobserver.net 17 - 24, 2011 “If it doesn’t have to do with Campbell County, we don’t care!” Highlights Only Call Anne Peterson today to reserve! • Public Employee $75 307-299-4662 or e-mail of the Week ...............Page 6 per annepeterson@campbellcountyobserevr.com ! week • Hope’s Haven .........Page 8 • Writing Contest .....Page 9

PINERIDGE “A ridge above the rest.”

• Cole Sports...........Page 10

Cleaning & Restoration

• Common Core Answers ..................Page 13

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Water, Fire & Mold Damage

• Bold Republic: No Thanks to You...Page 16

Dusty Linder

307-660-7856 www.pineridgeclean.com

Display box for Austin Bowman.

iot Publ atr

ing ish

Need to market Your Business? Call or e-mail today!

Anne Peterson

advertising sales manager annepeterson@campbellcountyobserver.com (307) 299-4662

Photo by Melissa Cady

• The Dinner Bell ...Page 20

Austin Bowman Baseball Game By Tony Heidel laying a baseball game in January in northern Wyoming probably doesn’t sound right to most people. I went out to the Gillette Babe Ruth ﬁelds on Saturday the 18th to see just that. It was unseasonably warm with a temperature of 40 degrees, sunny, and a light breeze. This was the second annual Austin Bowman Memorial baseball game. Austin played for the Red Sox and wore number sixteen. He passed away from an incident during a Babe Ruth game in 2011. Austin was born on January 18th 1998. Friends, family, and players from

the Red Sox and other teams joined together to celebrate his life by playing baseball. The game was about to start, with snow on the field and hot chocolate on the bleachers. Two captains stood in the middle of the infield, going back and forth picking players. Then the game was underway with the occasional snowball thrown at each other. J. D. Eickbush, one of the Red Sox coaches, did a fine job officiating the contest. The game was close with a final score of 3 - 2. Kolter Langdon came ready to play with a triple and a double to lead his

team to the win. I looked in the dugout that both teams shared. Sitting on the bench was a display box with some of Austin’s baseball items. As the game was played I looked at everyone as they watched. I thought about the loyalty, commitment, and love that all these players, coaches, and fans have. I thought about what they might be feeling and thinking and how sports affect us in different ways for different reasons. How Austin touched so many people and what this game on January 18th in northern Wyoming really means.

Susan Doop Distributer Call now for a 2 week supply of Alkaline Antioxidant Water!

Change your water... Change Your Life susan@goodhydrationswaterstore.com www.goodhydrationswaterstore.com

307.689.3516 866.596.4188

Family, friends, and players from the Austin Bowman Memorial Game.

Photo by Melissa Cady

CCMH Welcomes Jeanie Trudo

“I don’t ask my staff to do anything I wouldn’t do myself.” That’s the work philosophy of new Environmental Services (EVS) Manager Jeanie Trudo. Jeanie has been at Campbell County Memorial Hospital for a little over one month, and her staff already know and appreciate her straightforward, no-nonsense approach. Jeanie had been looking to move closer to her son and daughter-in-law for a few months, (they live in Cody, Wyo.) when she saw the opportunity in Gillette. She was living in Texas at the time, and had just accepted a permanent offer at the hospital where she had been working, for a management company, when she got the initial call from CCMH. “When your heart and soul are happy,” said Jeanie, “things just fall into place.” Jeanie’s career in environmental services spans 25 years, with 22 years in healthcare. She actually started her career as a medical transcriptionist and took a position in EVS on a dare. She credits a for-

mer boss for her ‘lead by example’ management style. “He told me, never offer more than you can deliver and always deliver more than you offer.” Jeanie knows that there are always issues to address and things to change when coming into a new position, but has been overwhelmed by the friendliness of everyone she has met at CCMH. “The jobs in EVS are not overly pleasant ones,” said Jeanie. “Often their work doesn’t get noticed unless something isn’t done.” She believes in treating each other with respect, like family, because the time spent at work is often more than time spent at home. “I know that I am vocal and stand up for my people,” said Jeanie. “I give them the tools they need to be successful and let them do their jobs.” When Jeanie is not at work, she enjoys ﬁshing and camping, and spending time with her son and daughter-in-law. She’s also hoping for some grandchildren in the future.

Community

January 24 - 31, 2014

Campbell County Observer

Lung Cancer Screening Now Available at CCMH ung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Unfortunately, about 90 percent of the people who have lung cancer die from the disease, in part because it is not found until the cancer has reached an advanced stage. To help detect this deadly disease early, the CCMH Radiology department has introduced a new screening program for lung cancer. The screening is painless and takes about 15 minutes. The test is a low-dose CT scan to identify cancer

at an early stage so that it may be treated more successfully. People eligible for the lung cancer screening: • are 55 years old or older, and • have a smoking history of at least 30 pack-years and continue to smoke, or have smoked within the last 15 years (a pack-year is the number of packs smoked per day multiplied by the number of years smoked). There are risks associated with annual CT scans due to exposure to low doses of radiation, so pa-

tients must talk with their healthcare provider about the risks and beneﬁts.This screening is also a physician-ordered procedure. This lung cancer screening will run patients $350 and payment is required at registration. CCMH does not ﬁle with your insurance company. Patients are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider to receive coverage inforamtion for this type of screening. For more information, please contact the CCMH Radiology department at 307.688.1600 or visit ccmh. net/lung.

State Engineer Appoints Surface Water Administrator

Wyoming State Engineer Pat Tyrrell wishes to announce the hiring of Rick Deuell, P.E., to the position of Surface Water Administrator effective January 27, 2014. In this position, Mr. Deuell will oversee all permitting of surface water rights, including canals, pipelines and reservoirs through the State Engineer’s Ofﬁce. He will also supervise the Safety of Dams program. Mr. Deuell graduated

from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in New York, with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Forest Engineering. He also has a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering/Groundwater Hydraulics from the University of Notre Dame. From 1990 through 2004, Mr. Deuell served as Branch Manager with Western Water Consultants in Laramie, Wyoming. Most recently he has served as the prin-

cipal and owner of Deuell Environmental, LLC in Laramie, Wyoming. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Wyoming. According to Tyrrell, “We welcome Rick to the position of Surface Water Administrator with the State Engineer’s Ofﬁce. I look forward to the contributions his experience and energy will bring to the agency.” Find the Solution on Page 18

Featured Crime

Burglary (January 4 - 5) Crime Stoppers needs your help in solving a burglary that occurred on the 200 block of Primrose Ave. sometime between 1-4-2014 1600 hours and 01-05-2014 2045 hours. Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into the residence through the front door and garage door. Items taken from the residence during the burglary included: a Wii and Wii games, an XBox 360 and games, a Kennect, a Playstation 3 and games, a Directv receiver, Marlin Lever action .22 riﬂe, Shark Hardwood Floor Cleaner, a Trio Tablet, an older gun safe, a Remington .243 riﬂe, a military ammo can full of .243 and 7.62x59 ammo and specialty mechanics tools. If you have information that can solve this or any other crime please call Crime Stoppers at 686-0400. You can remain anonymous and may earn up to $1,000 in reward.

Bob Rohan is a cartoonist in Houston, Texas and has been drawing “Buffalo Gals” since 1995. He was awarded “Best Cowboy Cartoonist” in 2009 by The Academy of Western Artists Will Rogers Awards out of Gene Autry, Oklahoma.

Campbell County Observer

CampbellCountyObserver.net (307) 670-8980 1001 S. Douglas Hwy. B-6 • Gillette, WY 82716 (PP-1) Volume 4 Issue 4 The Campbell County Observer is published by Patriot Publishing L.L.C. in Gillette, WY every Friday. 1001 S. Douglas Hwy. B-6 • Gillette, WY 82716 Postmaster: Send address changes to 1001 S. Douglas Hwy. B-6 • Gillette, WY 82716 Candice De Laat - Owner/Publisher CandiceDeLaat@CampbellCountyObserver.com

“People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.” - Audrey Hepburn

Nicholas De Laat - Publisher NicholasDeLaat@CampbellCountyObserver.com Jeff Morrison - Editor (Local History Columnist) JeffMorrison@CampbellCountyObserver.com Clint Burton - Photographer ClintBurton@CampbellCountyObserver.com

Provided By the

Harry Kimbrough Home Selling Team

Anne Peterson - Advertising Sales Manager AnnePeterson@CampbellCountyObserver.com Lisa Sherman - Advertising Sales Rep LisaSherman@CampbellCountyObserver.com

RE/MAX Professionals 907 E. Boxelder Road Gillette, WY 82718 www.HarryKimbrough.com

Bridget Storm - Advertising Sales Rep B.Storm@CampbellCountyObserver.com

Writers Glenn Woods (Political Column) GlennWoods@CampbellCountyObserver.com Mike Borda (American History) MichaelBorda@CampbellCountyObserver.com James Grabrick (Where is This?) JamesGrabrick@CampbellCountyObserver.com Holly Galloway - Writer/Government H.Galloway@CampbellCountyObserver.com Tony Heidel - Writer/The Cole Sports Report Sports@CampbellCountyObserver.com Duke Taber - Writer/Comunity/Ad Design DukeTaber@CampbellCountyObserver.com

Weekly Weather Forecast

Saturday,

Sunday,

Monday,

Tuesday,

Wednesday,

Thursday,

Friday,

January 25

January 26

January 27

January 28

January 29

January 30

January 31

49/33

40/19

30/24

39/29

36/28

32/25

33/23

Precipitation: 0% Wind: W at 13

Precipitation: 30% Wind: NW at 22

Precipitation: 0% Wind: W at 11

Precipitation: 10% Wind: WNW at 12

Precipitation: 30% Wind: NW at 14

Precipitation: 10% Wind: WNW at 9

Precipitation: 10% Wind: W at 9

Weekly Weather Forecast Sponsored by

Dr. Daniel J. Morrison, DDS Dr. Amber Ide, DDS

We accept Delta Dental and Kid Care Chip.

307-682-3353 • 2

Community

Campbell County Observer

January 24 - 31, 2014

American Sentinel University Named Top Military-Friendly School merican Sentinel University was selected as a top military-friendly university by Military Advanced Education (MAE) Magazine for the fifth consecutive year. This distinction puts the university in the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools nationwide that are working hardest to further academic success of U.S. service members. American Sentinel University was selected after meeting five gauges of criteria representing key categories of concern to service members, veterans, their spouses and dependents and includes: military culture, financial assistance, flexibility, support online and support oncampus. The university is featured in the magazine’s ‘2014 Guide to MilitaryFriendly Colleges and Universities’ now available online at www.mae-kmi.com. “We are privileged to be selected for the fifth consecutive year by Military Advanced Education Magazine as a top military-

friendly school,” says retired Air Force Lt. Col. Paul Capicik, vice president, military programs at American Sentinel University. “Our focus is to help our military students succeed by improving faculty engagement and offering degree programs that meet the needs of high-growth industry sectors. We collaborate with industry partners to ensure that our degrees cover the most relevant subject matter, guaranteeing that our students have the skill sets necessary to meet the present day and future job market requirements.” American Sentinel is committed to providing a ﬂexible, accessible education well suited to service members. In addition to comprehensive militaryfriendly college transfer and work experience credit policies, discounted tuition rates and acceptance of TA and Veterans Affairs GI Bill beneﬁts, American Sentinel provides military scholarships, as well as book stipends, for active-duty service members and their

spouses. “Veterans have a uniquely valuable skill set. They’re leaders, self-starters, determined and disciplined. Our programs at American Sentinel University are designed to enhance these characteristics, promoting student success and ultimately, greater employment opportunities,” says Kurt Linberg, Ph.D., provost at American Sentinel University. “Receiving Military Advanced Education’s military-friendly designation is an indicator that our high caliber degree and certiﬁcate programs help our students meet their professional and civic goals.” For more information on American Sentinel’s distance learning degrees and certiﬁcation programs relevant to students’ military and post-military careers, visithttp://www.americansentinel.edu/military. About American Sentinel University: American Sentinel University delivers the competitive advantages of accredited online undergraduate and gradu-

ate degrees and certiﬁcate programs focused on the needs of high-growth sectors in informatics, management technology and nursing. American Sentinel offers computer science, GIS, health care informatics, information systems management and business intelligence degrees. The university is accredited by the DETC, which is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency and is a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

measures the drawdown in the producing zones and provides data with which to evaluate potential leakage between the CBNG waterproducing coal deposits and adjacent sandstone aquifers. Groundwater models and drawdown predictions are used to forecast potential hydrogeological impacts of CBNG production in Wyoming. BLM deep monitoring well data can be used to evaluate impact analysis and provide calibration data for future analysis of CBNG drawdown impacts as well as verify the assumptions made in the PRB Final Environmental Impact Statement, 2003. The report found that the Big George Coal showed continued decline in groundwater levels as gas production increased, and the Upper Wyodak showed areas of ground-

307-686-6666

Wear A Kilt And Supper Is Free!

L L A B T O L FO BBAR SPORTS L A T O Saturday January 25th at 6:00 Pm O L F L A Tickets are $10.00B In Advance T on 1/25/2014 $15.00 at the door O FO BALL T O FO BALL T O FO The Sports Bar Burns Supper In Honor of Scotlands Poet

WSGS Releases CBNG Groundwater Monitoring Report Update The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Buffalo Field Ofﬁce (BFO) in cooperation with Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS), announced the release of the Updated Open-File Report13-01: 2012 Coalbed Natural Gas (CBNG) Regional Groundwater Monitoring Report Update: Powder River Basin (PRB), Wyo. This updated report presents data from BLM’s deep monitoring well network in the Wyoming PRB along with initial interpretations. This data was collected from the monitor system through 2012. This updated version includes improved graphics and more complete individual monitor well reports as well as comparisons to CBNG well production within a 1.5 mile radius of inﬂuence. The BLM BFO deep monitoring well network

1103 E. Boxelder, Suite C Gillette, WY USA 82718

Supper Supperincludes: includes; Mulligatawny soup Mulligatawny soup Dinner rolls Diinner rolls Haggis Haggis Tatties Bashed Tatties Neeps Cranachan for dessert Bashed Neeps

water recovery where gas production has ceased or is declining. The report is available at: http://www.wsgs.uwyo.edu/ Public-Info/OnlinePubs/ OFR-2013-01.aspx.

The The evening includes: evening includes; Master of Ceremonies The Selkirk Grace George Halford The Selkirk Grace Address to a Haggis Address to Haggis the Laddies and Lassies ToastToast to thetoLaddies and Lassies Scottish MusicMusic and More! Scottish and More!

Cranachan for desert

Head toward the Airport

Bagpipes Welcome!

Great selection of Hand Guns! We carry AR 15 parts! Confidential • Courteous • Convenient • Clean

We Offer Payday Loans! We accept all 102 E. Lakeway Rd. (307) 686-5757 major credit cards. Hrs: Mon 12:00-5:30 Tue-Fri 9-5:30 Sat. 9-4

Find the Solution on Page 18

January 24 - 31, 2014

Community

Campbell County Observer

Obituaries

Terry Lee Robertson Terry Lee Robertson died on January 13, 2014 at his home in Gillette, Wyoming. Born July 31, 1950 in Rapid City, South Dakota to Harvey and Frances (Frankie) Robertson. He was raised in the Black Hills area and went to school in Keystone and Hill City. He also went to high school in Rapid City, quitting school before he graduated, later getting his GED. While in school he played basketball. He left home when he was 16, arriving in Denver, Colorado. He stayed there for four years working at a gas station. When he came back to the Hills he enlisted in the Army for the next four years. When he got out of the Army he made Gillette, Wyoming his home. While living in Gillette he drove truck for many trucking companies including: Tarno Trucking, Fowler Trucking, and Arrow Trucking before he started working in the mining area. He started working at Decker Coal, (coal mine) in Montana where he was an equipment operator for four years. He started at Peabody Energy in January of 92 and worked there until his death. While working at the mine he was a shovel operator, equipment operator and truck driver. At the time of his death he was working at NARM. Terry met the love of his life, Linda Milliken and they were married September 19, 1989 in Sheridan, Wyoming, where they lived for three years. Returning to Gillette in 1992 where he started working for Exxon Coal, later Peabody until the time of his death. Together they raised two children from a previous marriage, Scott and Brandi, stepson Tyler and his son with his wife Linda, John. Terry enjoyed riding his Harley around the Hills and taking rode trips to the coast, watching the Denver Broncos play, going to the Mile High Nationals in Denver, Colorado. Terry enjoyed spending time with Scott going on bike rides around the Hills. Terry had many friends around town and enjoyed talking with them and getting them to laugh, or put a smile on their faces. Terry enjoyed his monthly dinners with friends Jeff and DeeAnn, Tim and family. He had numerous grandkids that he adopted from friends that he enjoyed getting Christmas presents for. Terry is survived by his wife, Linda of Gillette; children Scott (Michele) Robertson of Custer, South Dakota, Brandi (Ben) Kimbrough of Arnegard, North Dakota, Tyler Hanson of Casper, Wyoming, John Robertson of Gillette, Wyoming. Two grandchildren, Chariti and Avery of Arnegard, North Dakota. Brother Scott (Deb) Robertson of Blackhawk, South Dakota. Sister Sheila Malone of Wright, Wyoming. His adopted daughter Julie (Andy) Becker of Gillette, Wyoming and their two children, Alex and Bella, whom he enjoyed taking breakfast too. Plus numerous nieces and nephews. Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Dottie (stepmom) Robertson, James (stepdad) and Frances (Frankie) Malone, one brother Bobby, Robert (Jack) and Myrtle Jackson, maternal grandparents. Memorials and Condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 West 5th Street Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be sent via our website at www.gillettememorialchapel.com

her home in Moorcroft, Wyoming sometime in the early morning hours. She left the warm blankets of her little bed and was lifted into the Lord’s loving arms. Her memory will forever be etched into our hearts. Sometime in the future we will soar the skies together, as angels often do...we’ll have a sweet reunion; this family’s dream come true. Memorials and condolences may be sent in Alonna’s name in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or condolences via the internet at www. gillettememorialchapel.com

Alonna Raelynn Petersen

A funeral service for Alonna Raelynn Petersen was held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 23, 2014 at Gillette Memorial Chapel with Pastor Donavon Voight ofﬁciating. Interment took place at Moorcroft Cemetery following the service. Our little angel, Alonna Raelynn Petersen was called to the Lord on Friday, January 17, 2014. Little Alonna was born on November 2, 2013. Alonna’s Hawaiian/German name means precious and awakening. This little blessing entered the world ﬁve weeks early, and left it earlier than we could ever have imagined. She loved to be talked to and always stared with her dark, beautiful eyes at whoever was doing the talking. The Christmas trees lit with glorious lights always captivated her attention, and she was just beginning to coo and smile with whoever was holding her. She was a dream baby who rarely cried and everyone around her loved spoiling her. She is survived by her parents Ryan Petersen and Nakita Cowden, along with her sister Brielle Hoquist and brother Dayson Cowden. She is also survived by her maternal grandmothers, Becky Ritzinger and Laura Redenbaugh of St. Joseph, Missouri and her maternal grandfather Teddy Cowden also of Missouri, maternal grandfather, Henry Redenbaugh of Sundance, WY, and her paternal grandparents, Dale and Julie Petersen of Moorcroft, Wyoming. She will be greatly missed by her great grandparents, several aunts, uncles, cousins, and family friends. Alonna was preceded in death by two cousins, Greg and Robert Reeves, Aunt Deborah Pressley, and her great grandmother Delores Reeves. Little Alonna died in her sleep at

Larry A. Moriarty

A memorial service for Larry A. Moriarty was held Friday, January 24, 2014 at the Family Life Church in Gillette, WY with Pastor Martin Crump officiating. Larry, age 75 passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at Pioneer Manor Nursing Home in Gillette, WY. Larry was born on August 21, 1938 in Appanoose County, Iowa at home to Markus and Mary (Ervin) Moriarty. He was the last of nine children. The family later moved to Missouri, where Larry started school. The family returned to Iowa when Larry was five years old when his father passed away. Larry began attending the Friendship School with his sister and his friend Roger Rice, where they truly walked up hill both ways. Larry was very competitive as a youngster from racing his bicycle to his ’55 Chevy and his stock cars. He continued his competiveness through his life with snowmobiles, motorcycle and his tractors. Larry graduated Cincinnati High School in 1957. After graduating he met Cleo “Jerri” Inman and married January 21, 1961. The following day they traveled for their first trip to Gillette, Wyoming. Larry

and Jerri decided to make their home in Gillette in March of that year. Larry drove a DW-20 earth mover from Des Moines, IA to Gillette for Mott construction. He had been working for Mott construction since 1958 and came to Wyoming to assist with building I-90. Larry went to work for Reeves Concrete that year until he was drafted for service on his birthday. Larry was stationed at Fort Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska. He was honorably discharged the 31st day of August 1967. He was a self taught mechanic and used those amazing skills during his employment with Reeves Concrete, Graham Motors and Jelco at Wyodak mine. During that employment he had his first heart attack and double bi pass surgery in 1977. After healing from surgery he was employed by B and B auto, Wolff Distributing and retired from Cordero Mine. As a young man Larry volunteered on the Cincinnati fire department in Iowa. Larry enjoyed his years with the Campbell County Sheriff’s Posse, Campbell County SnoGoers Association and the N.E.A.T. tractor pulls. Larry enjoyed delivering donations to the VA in Sheridan, WY and the Veterans Home of Wyoming in Buffalo. Larry is survived by his loving wife Cleo “Jerri” Moriarty of Gillette, WY; daughter Trudi (Les) Bricker of Gillette, WY; Son Michael (Lori) Moriarty of Anthem, AZ; his grandsons Michael Wilson (Sha’la Decker) of Gillette WY; Draxton Spranger, Chase and Sean Moriarty of Anthem AZ; one great grandson Aiden Decker, sister Mary Alice Smith of State College, PA; brother Jack (Helyn) Moriarty of Sheridan, WY; brother in law Jim Reeves of Moorcroft, WY; sister in law Ann Moriarty of Kirksville, MO as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Larry is preceded in death by his parents Mark and Mary Moriarty, infant son Greg Moriarty; brother Merle and his wife; brother Arley and Bette Moriarty; sister Halcyone (Art) Streepy; brother Donald (Maxine) Moriarty, brother Wayne Moriarty; Sister Roma Reeves; and brother-inlaw Jim Smith. A memorial has been established to benefit the Cincinnati Iowa Volunteer Fire Department. Memorials and Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Walker Funeral Home 410 Medical Arts Court Gillette, Wyoming 8716. Condolences may also be sent via our website: www.walkerfuneralgillette.com

Weekly Trivia Question In what state did the ﬁrst American gold rush take place? Look on Page 19 for the answer

HOME OF THE ADULT DAYCARE CENTER

r ty a P l w o SuperB

Joke of the week A lawyer runs a stop sign and gets pulled over by a sheriff. He thinks he’s smarter being a big shot lawyer from New York and has a better education than a sheriff from West Virginia. The sheriff asks for license and registration. The lawyer asks, “What for?” The sheriff responds, “You didn’t come to a complete stop at the stop sign.” The lawyer says, “I slowed down and no one was coming.” “You still didn’t come to a complete stop. License and registration please,” say the sheriff impatiently. The lawyer says, “If you can show me the legal difference between slow down and stop, I’ll give you my license and registration and you can give me the ticket. If not, you let me go and don’t give me the ticket.” The sheriff says, “That sounds fair, please exit your vehicle.” The lawyer steps out and the sheriff takes out his nightstick and starts beating the lawyer with it. The sheriff says, “Do you want me to stop or just slow down?” Joke of the Week provided by

Swede’s Specialties 307-686-0588

For all your beer/wine making equipment

302 E 2nd • Gillette • (307) 682-9442

Super Bowl Party! Free Food, Door Prizes! Fun for all!

Campbell County Observer

Community

January 24 - 31, 2014

What’s Going On? Friday, January 24, 2014

Saturday, January 25, 2014

-Alcoholics Anonymous 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. 5:30 p.m. -Alcoholics Anonymous 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. 6:45 p.m. -Alcoholics Anonymous 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. 8 p.m. -Serenity Seekers of Narcotics Anonymous at 2000 W. Lakeway Rd. 7 p.m. -PALS (People Actively Living Single) at Village Inn 10:30 a.m. -Teen Dungeons & Dragons at Campbell County Public Library 10 a.m. -Teen Open-Play Gaming at Campbell County Public Library 1 p.m. -Wii Play 4th -6th grade Saturday at Campbell County Public Library 1 p.m. -Art at the Acropolis 12th Annual Fundraiser and juried Fine Art Auction at Gillette College Tech Center 6 p.m. – 11:30pm -Furniture Reﬁnishing & Project Workshop and CONSIGNMENT EVENT & SILENT AUCTION Open to the Public at Cam-Plex - Central Pavilion 8 a.m.- 9 p.m. - 4-H Horse Clinic at Cam-Plex East Pavilion 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. -Pool Tournament at Jake’s Tavern

Sunday, January 26, 2014

-AA Morning Spiritual Group 10:15 a.m. -Alcoholics Anonymous 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. Noon -Alcoholics Anonymous 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. 5:30 p.m. -Alcoholics Anonymous 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. 8 p.m. -Serenity Seekers of Narcotics Anonymous at 2000 W. Lakeway Rd. 7 p.m. -Type-1 Diabetes Support Group at Rozet Elementry 3 p.m. -Gene Gagliano- Children’s and Young Adult Author at Campbell County Public Library 2 p.m. -Furniture Reﬁnishing & Project Workshop and CONSIGNMENT EVENT & SILENT AUCTION Open to the Public at Cam-Plex - Central Pavilion 8 a.m.- 9 p.m. -Barrels & Poles - Pro Jackpots at Cam-Plex East Pavilion 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. -Pool Tournament at Jake’s Tavern -Campbell County Rockpile Museum Traveling Exhibit “Please Give Us One More Boom”: Oil and Gas in Wyoming Open Now – February 28th -AA Morning Spiritual Group 10:15 a.m. -Alcoholics Anonymous 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. Noon -Alcoholics Anonymous 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. 5:30 p.m. -Alcoholics Anonymous 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. 8 p.m. -Serenity Seekers of Narcotics Anonymous at 2000 W. Lakeway Rd. 7 p.m. -Type-1 Diabetes Support Group at Rozet Elementry 3 p.m. -Gene Gagliano- Children’s and Young Adult Author at Campbell County Public Library 2 p.m. -Furniture Reﬁnishing & Project Workshop and CONSIGNMENT EVENT & SILENT AUCTION Open to the Public at Cam-Plex - Central Pavilion 8 a.m.- 9 p.m. -Barrels & Poles - Pro Jackpots at Cam-Plex East Pavilion 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. -Pool Tournament at Jake’s Tavern

Monday, January 27, 2014

COMMUNITY

-Campbell County Rockpile Museum Traveling Exhibit “Please Give Us One More Boom”: Oil and Gas in Wyoming Open Now – February 28th -Teen Dungeons & Dragons at Campbell County Public Library 4 p.m. -AA Out to Lunch Bunch 1302 Butcher Court Jacob’s Touch Cabinetry 12 p.m. -Serenity Seekers of Narcotics Anonymous at 2000 W. Lakeway Rd. 7 p.m. -AA Grupo Nuevo Milenio 6:45pm -Al-Anon at 2000 W. Lakeway Rd. 8 p.m. -A.M. Lion’s Club Perkin’s Restaurant 7 a.m. -Overeater’s Anonymous 1302 Butcher Court Jacob’s Touch Cabinetry 7 p.m. -N.E.W. Quilt Guild in the Basement of the Presbyterian Church at Sixth and Carey for more info call Francis at 682-3642 or Bernie at 682-0763 -Furniture Reﬁnishing & Project Workshop and CONSIGNMENT EVENT & SILENT AUCTION Open to the Public at Cam-Plex - Central Pavilion 8 a.m.- 9 p.m.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

-Campbell County Rockpile Museum Traveling Exhibit “Please Give Us One More Boom”: Oil and Gas in Wyoming Open Now – February 28th -Al-Anon at 2000 W. Lakeway Rd. 8 p.m. -Serenity Seekers of Narcotics Anonymous at 2000 W. Lakeway Rd. 7 p.m. -AA Grupo Nuevo Milenio 6:45pm -Gillette Rotary Club at Tower’s West Lodge 6 p.m. -Story Time 3 – 5 years at Campbell County Public Library 10:30 a.m. -Teen Card Club at Campbell County Public Library 4 p.m. -Adult Game Night Age 19 and up at Campbell County Public Library 6:30 p.m. -Razor City ToastMasters at City Hall police entrance Call Rita Mashak at 687-7165 or 682-2054 6:45 a.m. - Gillette Rotary Club at Towers West Lodge 6 p.m. -Women of the Moose at the Moose Lodge 7 p.m. -Gillette Masonic Lodge #28 A.F. and A.M. at 407 S. Gillette Ave. 7:30 p.m. -Fraternal Order of the Eagles at the Eagles Lodge 210 W. Third St. 7:30 p.m. -Bug Out! with Sandi Aberle at the AVA Community Center 4 p.m. -Pottery Planet at the AVA Community Center 4 p.m. -Wright Branch Library Book Discussion 5 p.m. -Furniture Reﬁnishing & Project Workshop and CONSIGNMENT EVENT & SILENT AUCTION Open to the Public at Cam-Plex - Central Pavilion 8 a.m.- 9 p.m. -Eggs & Issues at Cam-Plex Energy Hall 6:30 a.m. – 8 a.m.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

-AA Out to Lunch Bunch 1302 Butcher Court Jacob’s Touch Cabinetry 12 p.m. -AA Happy Hour Group 2910 S. Douglas Hwy 5:30pm -AA Grupo Nuevo Milenio 6:45pm -Gillette Noon Lions Club at Tower’s West Lodge 12 p.m. -Serenity Seekers of Narcotics Anonymous at 2000 W. Lakeway Rd. 7 p.m. -Gillette Noon Lions Club at Towers West Lodge 12 p.m. -Homeschool Art at the AVA Community Center 1 p.m. -Story Time 3 – 5 years at Campbell County Public Library 10:30 a.m. -Wright Branch Story time at wright Library 11:15 a.m. -Furniture Reﬁnishing & Project Workshop and CONSIGNMENT EVENT & SILENT AUCTION Open to the Public at Cam-Plex - Central Pavilion 8 a.m.- 9 p.m.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

-AA Grupo Nuevo Milenio 6:45pm -Alcoholics Anonymous at the Vineyard 585 Westside Drive 7:30 p.m. -Alcoholics Anonymous at 2000 W. Lakeway Rd. 6:30 p.m. -Alcoholics Anonymous 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. 8 p.m. -Alcoholics Anonymous at 7th and Kendrick 8 p.m. -Serenity Seekers of Narcotics Anonymous at 2000 W. Lakeway Rd. 7 p.m. -TOPS 104 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) 1000 Commache Ave. 9:30 a.m. -TOPS 285 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) 2000 W. Lakeway Rd. 9:45 a.m. -Grief Share Support Group at 631 N. Commercial Drive 10 a.m. For details call Don Wright 682-9553 -Gillette Energy Rotary Club at Tower’s West Lodge 12 p.m. -Alcoholics Anonymous 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. 8 p.m. -Alcoholics Anonymous at 7th and

Kendrick 8 p.m. -Peer Players: A Group for Teens 910 E. Third St. ,Suite I Call 686-8071 for Details -Doodlers Kid Club at the AVA Community Center 4 p.m. -Toddler Time 18 mos. – 3 yrs. at Campbell County Public Library 9:30 a.m. -Story Time 3 – 5 years at Campbell County Public Library 10:30 a.m. -Teen Minecraft Club at Campbell County Public Library 4 p.m. -Families and Jammies Birth thru 6th grade at Campbell County Public Library 6:30 p.m. -Anime Club at Campbell County Public Library 7 p.m. -Wright Branch Library YA Super Bowl Party 3 p.m. -Pronghorn Elementary 5th & 6th Grade Music Program at Pronghorn Elementary Gym 6:30 p.m. -Banquet - Summer of Hope Dinner - Gillette Adoption Project at Cam-Plex Energy Hall 5 p.m. -Furniture Reﬁnishing & Project Workshop and CONSIGNMENT EVENT & SILENT AUCTION Open to the Public at Cam-Plex - Central Pavilion 8 a.m.- 9 p.m. -Ribbon Cutting: Primerica Financial Services at 3805 S. Douglas Hwy., Ste. 2 at 4:30 p.m.

GOVERNMENT Friday, January 24, 2014

- Joint Appropriations Committee at Capitol Building Room 204 Cheyenne, Wyoming TBA

Saturday, January 25, 2014

-NEWY Municipal Leaders Regional Meeting at City Hall 2nd Floor Community Room 8:30 a.m.

Monday, January 27, 2014

-Library Board Meeting at Campbell County Public Library 1 p.m. -Wright Town Council Meeting at Town Hall 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

-City Council Work Session at City Hall 2nd Floor Community Room 6 p.m. -Planning Commission Meeting at City Hall Council Chambers 7 p.m. -Eggs & Issues at Cam-Plex Energy Hall 6:30 a.m. – 8 a.m.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

-Public Input Meeting for Gillette Rail Spur Utilization Study at City Hall 2nd Floor Community Conference Room 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Friday, January 31, 2014

-Campbell County Rockpile Museum Traveling Exhibit “Please Give Us One More Boom”: Oil and Gas in Wyoming Open Now – February 28th -AA Midday Serenity Group 2910 S. Douglas 12pm -AA Out to Lunch Bunch Group 2910 S. Douglas Hwy 12pm -AA Happy Hour Group 2910 S. Douglas Hwy 5:30pm -AA Grupo Nuevo Milenio 6:45pm -AA Hopefuls Group 2910 S. Douglas Hwy 8pm -AA Last Call Group 10pm -Serenity Seekers of Narcotics Anonymous at 2000 W. Lakeway Rd. 7 p.m. -Wright Alcoholics Anonymous at Park Community Center 6:30 p.m. -Little Tikes at the AVA Community Center 10 a.m. -Heritage Christian School Benefit Dinner & Auction at Cam-Plex Wyoming Center Equality Hall 4:30 p.m. - Sage Valley Jr. High Musical “Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr” at Cam-Plex Heritage Center 7 p.m. -Furniture Refinishing & Project Workshop and CONSIGNMENT EVENT & SILENT AUCTION Open to the Public at Cam-Plex - Central Pavilion 8 a.m.- 9 p.m. Saturday, February 1, 2014 -Alcoholics Anonymous 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. 5:30 p.m. -Alcoholics Anonymous 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. 6:45 p.m. -Alcoholics Anonymous 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. 8 p.m. -Serenity Seekers of Narcotics Anonymous at 2000 W. Lakeway Rd. 7 p.m. -PALS (People Actively Living Single) at Village Inn 10:30 a.m. -Teen Dungeons & Dragons at Campbell County Public Library 10 a.m. -Teen Open-Play Gaming at Campbell County Public Library 1 p.m. -Wii Play 4th -6th grade Saturday at Campbell County Public Library 1 p.m. -Sage Hopper Radio Control Flying Club at flying field on Boxelder Road (East past Cam-plex, Fox Park and Equestrian Center Call Bob for details 299-8149 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. -- Sage Valley Jr. High Musical “Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr” at Cam-Plex Heritage Center 2 p.m. -Furniture Refinishing & Project Workshop and CONSIGNMENT EVENT & SILENT AUCTION Open to the Public at Cam-Plex - Central Pavilion 8 a.m.- 9 p.m. Sunday, February 2, 2014 -Campbell County Rockpile Museum Traveling Exhibit “Please Give Us One More Boom”: Oil and Gas in Wyoming Open Now – February 28th -AA Morning Spiritual Group 10:15 a.m. -Alcoholics Anonymous 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. Noon -Alcoholics Anonymous 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. 5:30 p.m. -Alcoholics Anonymous 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. 8 p.m. -Serenity Seekers of Narcotics Anonymous at 2000 W. Lakeway Rd. 7 p.m. -Furniture Refinishing & Project Workshop and CONSIGNMENT EVENT & SILENT AUCTION Open to the Public at Cam-Plex - Central Pavilion 8 a.m.- 9 p.m.

Find the Solution on Page 18

Award Winning Tattoo Artist 308 S. Douglas Hwy • 307-670-3704

Bear’s Dry Cleaning Naturally Clean Dry Cleaning & Laundry Valet Service

Total Project Management Agriculture, Construction, Oilfield Jill Rasmussen

B.A.S; M.P.M. - Project Management

15 Years Experience

Outsource Solutions Call for information - No business is too small or large

Cell: 307-257-4594 Email: rasmussenjillian@yahoo.com Serving ND, MT and WY

Carpet ress ExpDIRECT

The Cl os Thing est Whole To sale! LLC

Tile, Vinyl, Laminate and Carpet Will meet or beat any advertisers price! 1211 South Douglas Hwy • M-F: 9-5:30, Sat: 11-4 us online at: carpetexpressdirect.com 307-257-4205 Visit

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

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

Community

January 24 - 31, 2014

Campbell County Observer

Public Workshop The Airport Board will be holding a workshop January 29, 2014 at 9 a.m. in the airport cafe. The workshop is to discuss a rent-a-car wash facility and future airport construction projects.

“When you are too scared to stand up to government for fear of job loss (happens locally), property loss (locally and nationally), loss of rights (nationally), or loss of life and your ability to live it; your government is at that point your enemy.” -Nicholas De Laat

Surplus Unlimited 801 Carlisle • 682-9451

Public Employee of the Week By Holly Galloway roy Clements is our County Assessor. His deputy assessor is Hazel Vassar. “The Campbell County assessor ofﬁce collects real data on both real and personal property,” said Clements. Real property is land, buildings, and houses on that property. “Personal property would be anything that would be used for your business, like chairs, trucks, desks, equipment, and what is needed to help a business make money,” Clements stated. His ofﬁce will then make a decision on the value of the real or personal property for taxes. Clements has taken classes through the IAAO to understand and get bet-

ter in his work as an assessor. Everyone who works in his office is a certified appraiser. Property identification, areas of the town or county, and condition of the home are important to the county assessor’s work. Vasser said, “Mobile homes that are not attached to the property are also considered personal property.” The county assessor looks at mass appraising, where as a private appraiser look at the individual property. “We are typically toward the lower end of market value when doing our appraisals,” Vasser said. The marketplace is used to assess value as well as the county mill levies. The County Assessor is

5 TV’s

elected to office every four years. Clements was elected to office seven years ago, so that means this office will be up for election in November. He plans to run for re-election. Clements started in the oil fields doing assessments, then came into the county office when another employee retired. There are eleven employees in the Assessor’s Office. Clements is the only male in the office. Employees’ time working in the office range from one year to 38 years. “Each year, the whole county is reassessed,” said Clements. “The State Department of Revenue tweaks the standards each year,” said Vassar.

$10 ets Buck

Food Appetiz ers

Lakeside Bar Domestic Beer $2.75 at Kickoff $2.50 at 2nd Quarter $2.25 at Halftime $2.00 at 3rd Quarter

The Working Man And Woman’s Bar Where Your Shift Change Is Our Happy Hour!

Lakeside Liquor and Lounge 409 E Lakeway Rd, Gillette, WY 82718 (307) 682-8100

The Wright place to Live... Shop... Work!

Wright Auto Parts, Inc. 111 Rampart Drive 307-464-0133 800-560-0133 wrightauto@collinscom.net

Alan Waner, General Manager 350 Reata Drive • Wright, WY 82732 (307) 464-6161 • cell (308) 289-6083 alan@wrighthotel.com

Full Service Mechanic Shop SERVICE TRUCK AVAILABLE

Recreational Light Truck Car Semi-Truck Trailer & Agricultural Tires

Alan Waner, General Manager 300 Reata Drive • Wright, WY 82732 • (307) 464-6060 alan@wrighthotel.com

24 HOUR SERVICE

1213 Elkhorn Drive Wright, WY Office: 307-464-1450 Cell: (307-359-0683

Community

Campbell County Observer

January 24 - 31, 2014

Oil and Gas Supervisor State Engineer Issue Guidance Letter on CBM Well Transfers for Domestic and Stock Use

oal bed methane wells are wells drilled into a coal seam to capture and produce gas. The process includes pumping water to the surface to release the gas. As gas production subsides the wells are either reclaimed, or in some cases can be converted for use as a water source. Although coal bed methane wells are scattered throughout the state, the majority of wells are in northeast Wyoming. As agency directors in charge of managing the State of Wyo-

ming’s non-federal mineral and water resources, the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Supervisor Grant Black, and the State Engineer Patrick Tyrrell have written a guidance letter to explain the details of the proper conversion of coal bed methane wells for domestic and stock use. Landowners may be approached by CBM well operators with an offer to transfer well to the landowner and at the same time allowing release of the WOGCC

bond on the well(s) and possibly the operator of the responsibility of plugging, abandoning and reclaiming the well. There are other cases where a landowner is interested in taking responsibility for an orphaned CBM well and converting it for use as a stock or domestic well. “These conversions, at their core, are something we support”, say Supervisor Black and State Engineer Tyrrell. “It makes use of an existing asset, can provide water for people and animals, and can have posi-

tive beneﬁts for wildlife, including sage grouse”. The questions become those of scope, process, and information. Questions for consideration include: How many wells should be converted in a deﬁned area? What do the landowner and operator have to do with both our agencies to make sure the conversion is acceptable? What happens to the wellbore, and any associated liability, if turned over to a landowner and never recompleted or fully plugged and aban-

doned? Converting wells without analysis and proper approval will lead to potential liabilities for landowners and the potential risk that may be imposed upon mineral and groundwater resources. The guidance letter will be posted on the web site of the two agencies. Links to both sites can be found on the State of Wyoming website. The guidance letter is two pages with an additional page as an attachment listing the steps and actions necessary to transfer a well.

In My Garden... By Kathy Hall Campbell County Master Gardener khgardenhelp@gmail.com January: Plant selection Terminology and confusion So by now, you have been studying those seed catalogs from top to bottom and there are some things you just don’t understand. Terminology! I find that there is an awful lot of confusion, in this day and age, as to all the plant /seed/garden terminology and what those terms actually mean. A few things you may need to know are that our latitude is approximately 43.75 degrees. Some plant descriptions actually refer to what latitude it grows best at. We are also considered Growing Zone 4b. The USDA actually updated its growing zone map recently to reflect the changing temperature data and trends. These next few terms I have seen abused and misunderstood but are defended vehemently by huge numbers of people, so please think about what a term actually means before jumping on a bandwagon and yelling to the world. GMO – Genetically Modified Organism: these can be anything but we will stick to plants. These plants or seeds have been modified in a lab at the cellular level. This is usually done to change performance of a crop such as corn to be tolerant of an herbicide so that weeds can be sprayed over the top of the corn without damaging the corn, but destroying the weeds. This allows closer planting, larger harvests, etc. Several crops have been modified for different reasons; this was just an example. I am not condoning or condemning GMO. I think there is great potential there but also great risk. Each must make their own ‘informed’ decisions as to where they stand on the subject, but please be tolerant of others’ views. This is one of the hottest topic issues I have seen lately. Hybrid plants: These are the offspring of two different plants, usually crossed to combine the best qualities of both into the next generation. Example: Cross pollination of tomatoes to develop disease resistance, more uniform fruit, hardier more vigorous plants and earlier production. The seeds saved from hybrid plants will not grow ‘true’ to the parent they were saved from. They can revert back to the original plants crossed showing different characteristics from both. Hybrids are created using very exacting techniques and must be recreated yearly so the seed and plants can be a little more costly. One piece of information I giggle at regularly are the claims that planting two varieties together will give you a combined result. Example: I plant my beefsteak tomato beside my roma and get meatier beefsteaks shaped like a roma. Cross pollination does not affect this season’s crop. It affects the seeds so next

season you will get interesting results. Open-pollinated: OP plants will produce seed that is ‘true’ to the parent. If you save seed from an OP plant (as long as nature hasn’t cross pollinated it) you will get a copy of the parent plant. These are the plants that you can save seed from for next season. You do need to have some controls in place though. Don’t plant more than one variety of a plant that can cross with another. Planting that OP zucchini next to an OP acorn squash and saving the seed for next season could give you quite a surprise. (I had pumpkin skinned spaghetti squash with pink ﬂesh one year. I learned!) Heirloom: These are normally OP plants that have a history. Their seeds can be tracked for several generations in families or villages. History is their key. Nearly all Heirlooms plants are OP but not all OP are heirloom. Organic: Organic is not a variety of seed or plant. It has nothing to do with the genetics of a plant. It is the process in which a plant is grown or a seed is produced. Maybe it should be labeled ‘all natural’. With the scare of pesticides and herbicides in our foods, many are opting to go organic; growing as naturally as possible with no (or minimal) chemical or unnatural processes. The use of natural fertility, pest control, etc. is said to make the plants (and food) healthier and safer. Unfortunately there are numerous ‘control’ agents and fertilizers that are approved organic that remain suspect. It is not an exact science and there is quite a bit of wiggle room on the terminology accepted. I am not against organic - I just think that it is a bit of an open can of worms. What is organic to one is not to another. Growing as safely as possible has always been a good practice. I cannot claim that I even attempt to grow organically. I fertilize my plants when necessary with man-made concoctions. I also use any compost and manure (another touchy subject for some) I can get my hands on. I do not spray for disease and insects indiscriminately preferring to let nature take its course and opting for such as light row covers when applicable but if my crop is threatened I will take action. I have been trained and was licensed in the state of Wyoming for nearly 20 years as an applicator so I know that proper application of chemicals is no more dangerous to our environment then you driving your car to work. Hopefully this will end some of the confusion surrounding several of the more prominent terms you will deal with when gardening. Next week we’ll get a bit more plant speciﬁc. Happy gardening everyone!

Bar J Wranglers at CAM-PLEX Heritage Center Please join the CAM-PLEX Heritage Center staff for the presentation of Bar J Wranglers on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. At the end of the day the Bar J Wranglers will take your troubles away as they take you down memory trail with songs, stories, comedy, yodeling, ﬁddling and more! Some folks call it a western music show; some call it a stand-up comedy show with masterful cowboy music; others call it the best musical experience in the west. Call it what you want to - the fact remains - Bar J Wranglers from Jackson

Fitness Monthly

Win at skinny! Submitted by Barb Hammerquist - All Dimensions Fitness

To be skinny - no weight loss necessary! What!? That’s right; skinny is a feeling not simply a weight. Most people who report weight loss talk about how their middles feel skinny. Why? Where does this good feeling come from? I think it is because when a dieter cuts the calories and cuts out bad foods their stomachs begin to feel better. They are less bloated (a feeling of extension and fullness) and maybe even a bit hungry which is a feeling stemming from less amount in the gut. I call this good sensation “being ahead of the game”. Ahead in the game in weight loss. At this point the dieter can use the motivation of feeling good and move forward into actual weight loss. It’s a bit like getting ready for a road trip. Before you actually begin to drive toward your destination you gas up your vehicle. The bigger question is how to get to “getting ahead”. It may take more than cutting down in how much you eat and

Secrets for Generating a Second Income Submitted by StatePoint Media In today’s tumultuous economic times, extra income is not just a luxury, but a necessary safety net, according to many financial experts. “Relying solely on a single employer to make ends meet is a surefire way to end up struggling, as so many Americans do,” warns Kimberly Palmer, senior money editor for U.S. News & World Report and author of the new book “The Economy of You: Discover Your Inner Entrepreneur and Recession-Proof Your Life” (AMACOM). “Being your own boss, part of the time, can be a fulfilling way to overcome job insecurity.” But do you have what it takes? Whether one’s passion is baking cupcakes or designing logos, Palmer discovered when researching her book that there are certain qualities that successful entrepreneurs tend to have in common: • They know exactly what motivates them, and it often starts with a big loss or other major event in their lives. • They choose entrepreneurial pursuits that line up with longstanding interests, and skills. • They minimize their expenses in both

Hole, Wyoming, deliver some of the purest harmony, best musicianship and funniest ranch humor ever seen on stage. As soon as the Bar J Wranglers take to the stage, listeners leave behind their busy life and settle into a time long ago - a time of the singing cowboy. For more information on the Bar J Wranglers go to www. barjchuckwagon.com. Due to generous local sponsorships reserved seating tickets are only $17. For more information, contact the CAM-PLEX Ticket Ofﬁce at 307-682-8802 or visit our website at www.cam-plex.com.

their professional and personal lives, while finding ways to invest in their venture. • They rely heavily on online communities of similarly minded people. • They actively promote their brands through social media and other grass-roots marketing efforts. • They master time management strategies that enable them to maintain full-time jobs along with their side ventures (and the rest of their lives). • They find ways to be resilient in the face of inevitable setbacks. • As their businesses grow, they support other small shops and start-ups by outsourcing tasks, which further enhances their own businesses. And they often find other ways to give back. • They derive a deep sense of financial security and fulfillment from their businesses, far beyond money. More information about “The Economy of You” can be found at www.byKimberlyPalmer.com. Thinking about taking the plunge? Saying “yes” to today’s money-earning opportunity without over-planning or over-investing at the outset is a low-risk way to get started.

cutting out high processed bad foods. Preparing your environment may need to come ﬁrst. Clearing out the refrigerator and cupboards is an example of working smarter not harder and a great prep move! Part of the planning may also include having the right foods available for consumption or at least not having the wrong foods so readily available, so a trip to the grocery store for protein and nuts is highly recommended. Another area of planning may be preparing your leisure space, like your living room. If I don’t feel comfortable sitting on the sofa to enjoy a cup of green tea because the living room is a mess then I might hang out in the kitchen around the food, because I don’t feel relaxed sitting in a dirty living room. One right meal or snack may begin your journey to feeling good in your middle and then you may just keep winning your way to weight loss and feeling skinny!

allDimensions FITNESS CENTER 24 Hours • all 24 Four Hour Access • all Levels of Membership • all Smoothie Bar • all Customer Service • all Personal Training • all Nutritional Consultations

718 N. Hwy 14/16 Gillette, WY 82716 (307) 682-5700 alldimensionsfitness.com

Community

January 24 - 31, 2014

Campbell County Observer

Hope’s Haven Dear Readers, Welcome to “Hope’s Haven”. Hope: to believe, desire, or trust. Haven: any place of shelter and safety; refuge. “Hope’s Haven” is a column that will be ﬁlled with life testimonies from real people just like you. God’s grace, mercy and love will weave through each testimony that is printed in this column. The text of the articles submitted will be left in the writer’s original verbiage (we will spell check and do minimal grammar correction). If you would like to share the good news of how God’s grace has blessed your life please send your testimony to: praiseGod@CampbellCountyObserver.com

“Glorious Sunrise”

Slowly the blackness fades to grey; night purged by the pursuit of day. From the sky, stars fade until gone, clouds of color adorn the dawn. The horizon proceeds to blush. Warmth and light from the bright orb gush; Casting shadows across the land, bringing glory to our Lord’s hand.

NOW THAT WE’VE CAUGHT YOUR EYES! If you like our paper? Please take time to check out our Advertisers! They support us so please support them! Thanks for reading our paper! The Campbell County Observer Staff. iot Publ atr

Join us Sundays at 10:30 AM #3 Industrial Dr. Pine Haven Wy. 689-8326

Come Holy Spirit Need to market your business? This space could be yours!!

Mail this form, along with payment, to our office at 707 W. Third St. Gillette, WY 82716

Call for details Anne Peterson 307.299.4662

Vineyard Christian Fellowship 686-2485 585 Westside Dr Gillette, WY 9 am - Men’s Study/Fellowship, 10 am - Vineyard Cafe Opens (Coffees/Pastries), 10:30 am - Worship and the Word, 6 pm - Various Activities Prince-peace Lutheran Church 682-4509 203 W Flying Circle Dr Gillette, WY Sat 5:00 p.m. Sun 9:00 a.m with Education following First Baptist Church 682-4816 501 S Gillette Ave Gillette, WY Sun. 10:45am Sunday School for All Ages at 9:30am Holy Resurrection Orthodox Chr 122 S Gillette Ave Gillette, WY Sat 5:30 PM - Great Vespers Sun 9:00 AM - Orthros 10:00 AM - Divine Liturgy Mike Morrison Ministries (307) 685-2272 2 W McKenzie Rd, 82716 Gillette, WY Tuesday night Bible Study 7:00 - 9:00 Saturday Night 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Central Baptist Church 686-6680 1170 Country Club Rd Gillette, WY (1.6 mi) Sun 7:00 AM Men’s Bible Study 9:30 Worship Service 10:00am 11:15am

Westside Baptist Church 604 W 10th St Gillette, WY

Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran 682-2543 1010 W Beaver Dr Gillette, WY (1.5 mi) Sun. School 10:00am Service 11:00am 6:00pm

Church Of God Of Prophecy 682-3505 1303 W 4th Ave Gillette, WY Sun.Service 8:00am 9:30 Sun. School, 10:45 Worship 6:00pm Worship

Antelope Valley Baptist Church 686-4080 2801 Antler Rd Gillette, WY (5.6 mi) Sun. 9:00am

New Life Wesleyan Church 1000 Comanche Ave Gillette, WY Church Of Christ 682-5642 1204 T-7 Ln Gillette, WY Sun. 9:15 and 10:45

First Assembly Of God-family 682-1602 601 Carey Ave Gillette, WY (0.4 mi) Sun. School 9:30 Service 10:45

Calvary Missionary Baptist Chr 682-2528 600 Longmont St Gillette, WY Sun. Bible Class 9am Worship 10am 6PM

St Matthew’s Catholic Church 682-3308 1000 Butler Spaeth Rd Gillette, WY (1.4 mi) Sun. 8:00am & 10:30am

Christian Church 100 E Flying Circle Dr Gillette, WY Sun 10:30am

Sunrise Worship Center 682-3319 901 Apricot St Gillette, WY (1.1 mi) Sat 5:00PM Sun 9:00am & 11:00am 5:00PM Spanish Mass

Cornerstone Church Of God 682-3316 406 S Brooks Ave Gillette, WY Sun. School 9:30 Service 10:45

Emanuel Southern Baptist Chr 1851 Chara Ave Gillette, WY (2.1 mi)

First Presbyterian Church 686-6429 511 Carey Ave Gillette, WY 9:15 am Sun.School-of-the-Bible 10:30 am Worship

High Plain Community Church (307) 685-0044 3101 W Lakeway Rd Gillette, WY (29.7 mi) 9am and 11am Sun. Worship 7pm. Wed. Worship

Family Life Church 682-7264 480 State Highway 50 Gillette, WY Sun 9:15 AM - Children’s Church and Worship

Trinity Lutheran Church (307) 682-4886 1001 E 9th St Gillette, WY (1.0 mi) 8am and 10:30am Sun. 9:15am Sun.School

26 Weeks - $25.00 52 Weeks - $50.00

Name Address Phone Number

Gillette Christian Center 686-7738 6201 Swanson Rd Gillette, WY Sun. School: 9:15-10am. Sunday Service 10:15 am

Seventh-day Adventist Church 682-8465 901 Apricot St Gillette, WY Sabbath School: 09:30A Worship Service: 11:00A

The Campbell County Observer

Subscribe Now

Roadway Alliance Church 687-1083 811 Hemlock Ave Gillette, WY Sun.Service: 9 am

Grace Bible Church 307-686-1516 4000 Collins E Rd Gillette, WY Sun. School 9:00 Worship 10:00am Evening Service 6:00 PM

ing ish

“Create in me a clean heart, oh God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 This past week, was given an opportunity to make this Psalm my own. For some time now, I have been on a “spiritual high”. God’s blessings rained down daily on me; I enjoyed time in The Word, prayer, fellowship and a natural outflow of praise. As I was joyfully soaking up the blessings, a storm was brewing on the horizon. Before I even saw the clouds, the storm overtook me. I was caught so unaware, it was as if I was standing alone against the steel-grey abyss. The cold wind of despair prickled my skin as rain pelted me. The “storm” outside of me caused a storm of rage within. Just like the disciples who were in the boat with Jesus when the fierce storm overtook them, I wanted to cry out “Lord save me! I am going to drown!” (Matthew 8:23-27) Did you catch that little prayer? Lord save me (faith), I am going to drown (fear). We cannot speak the language of faith and fear at the same time from the same heart. I had a choice, I could look at the storm and have fear or I could look at Jesus and have faith. “Fear is looking at God through your circumstances, faith is looking at your circumstances through God.” - Unknown A wind of rebuke followed by a wave of reassurance calmed my stormy heart. Faith; I choose faith. Once again, I ask God to create (in His almighty power) . . . in me (for me, as a gift) . . . a clean heart (free from the taint of sin/anger). I ask, like David, that God would renew a right spirit (constant, firm, not yielding to temptation) within me. Your Sister in Christ, Lexi from Gillette, WY If you find yourself or a family member overtaken by grief, fear or loneliness remember you do not have weather the storms of life alone. Email praiseGod@campbellcountyobserver.com for a list of Christ centered churches in your area.

By Logan (15 yrs.) from Gillette, WY

“Clean Heart”

To Pay with a Credit/Debit Card, please call our office at (307) 670-8980 or visit our website at www.CampbellCountyObserver.com

Mike Morrison Ministries (307) 685-2272 2 McKenzie Rd Gillette, WY 7pm Sat. Worship 7pm Tues. Bible Study Jericho Baptist Church (307) 686-5626 211 S Brooks Ave Gillette, WY 10am Sun. School 11am Sun. Worship 6pm Sun. Worship 7pm Wed. Worship First Church Of The Nazarene (307) 682-2562 3222 Watsabaugh Dr Gillette, WY Sun. School 9:30am Worship: Sun. 10:45am Wed. Worship 7pm First United Methodist Church 686-7339 2000 W Lakeway Rd Gillette, WY Family: 9:15am Sunday Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (307) 682-4296 804 Emerson Gillette, WY 10am Sunday Open Door Church (307) 685-8180 111 E 2nd St Gillette, WY 10am Sun. Worship 6:30pm Wed. Worship Jesus Christ of LDS 555 Wright Blvd. Wright, WY 9am Sun. Worship Jesus Christ of LDS 2903 Aqllen Avel Gillette, WY 9am Sun. Worship 11am Sun. Worship Jesus Christ of LDS 1500 O’Hera Gillette, WY 9am Sun. Worship 11am Sun. Worship

Our Roots

Campbell County Observer

The 2014 WW, Inc. Writing Contest the Long and Short of It! ot a masterpiece tucked away in a drawer? Is a brand new idea playing around in that grey matter between your ears? Enter the 2014 Wyoming Writers Writing Contest! In addition to the usual categories—children’s, adult short stories, nonfiction, traditional poetry, and free verse—WW, Inc., is offering a chance to write it “Short and Sweet.” Tell us a short, short story in no more than 1500 words; write flash fiction at 500 words or fewer (genre is your choice, but keep it clean!); or entice our judges with limericks (rhymed quintets— again, keep them clean!). The length and style of this category fits well into our way-too-busy lives! Here’s what we’re looking for and the entry fees for each category: 1) Adult fiction—5000 words maximum—$20 for one member-submitted entry, $15 for one additional entry; $25 for one non-member entry, $20 for a second entry. 2) Children’s/Juvenile Fiction—3000 words maximum—$15 for one member-submitted entry, $10 for one additional entry; $20 for one non-member entry, $15 for one additional entry. 3) Nonfiction—Personal experience and memoirs; journalism articles—3000 words maximum—$15 for one member-submitted entry, $10 for one additional entry; $20 for one nonmember entry, $15 for one additional entry. 4) Traditional poetry—40 lines maximum (up to three poems per entry, one page per poem)—$10 for one poem, $3 each for up to two additional member-submitted poems; $15 for one non-member poem and $3 each for no more than two additional po-

ems. 5) Free Verse—40 lines maximum (up to three poems per entry, one page per poem)—$10 for one poem, $3 each for up to two additional member-submitted poems; $15 for one non-member poem and $3 each for no more than two additional poems. 6) “Short and Sweet”—1500 words or fewer for a short, short story ($15 for one member-submitted story, $17.50 for a non-member submission), No more than 500 words for Flash Fiction ($10 for one member-submitted piece, $5 each for up to two additional entries.; $15 for one non-member piece, $7.50 each for up to two additional entries.), with the same entry fees and limits for standard rhymed quintet for Limericks. If your entry comes out on top, in any category, you win: 1st Place—$50; certificate noting placement; possible publication in WW, Inc.’s newsletter, The Wyo-Writer, and/or on WW, Inc.’s website. 2nd Place—$30; certificate noting placement; possible publication in WW, Inc.’s newsletter, The Wyo-Writer, and/or on WW, Inc.’s website. 3rd Place--$20; certificate noting placement; possible publication in WW, Inc.’s newsletter, The Wyo-Writer, and/or on WW, Inc.’s website. Manuscript preparation: Each entry must be accompanied by a typed cover sheet, on 8 ½” X 11” white paper, with the following information: 1) Category entered 2) Title of work 3) Number of lines for poetry; word count for fiction and nonfiction 4) Author’s name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address

Use standard manuscript format: one-inch margins around, with only title and page number included in the header/footer. Author’s name must not appear anywhere on submitted copies of the manuscripts. Begin title and double-spaced copy for short, short fiction, flash fiction, short stories, or articles halfway down the page, preferably using 12-point, Times New Roman or Courier font (no fancy fonts or colors, only standard white typing paper, please!). Secure pages with paper clips, do not use staples. Do not use any kind of folder or binder. Poems may be single-spaced and each should be kept to one page. Do not exceed the 40-line maximum for each poem. Submit two copies of each typed entry and keep copies of all you submit, entries will not be returned. Include a self-addressed, stamped postcard for acknowledgement of receipt, listing the names of submissions for this contest. All entries must be previously unpublished, not submitted or under contract elsewhere at the time of submission, and original to the author submitting the work. Do follow these guidelines or your work will be deemed ineligible. Also, should fewer than five (5) entries be received for a single category, WW, Inc., reserves the right to cancel the category for the 2014 contest but will refund entry fees. Entries must be postmarked no later than March 15 and mailed with appropriate entry fees (make checks to Wyoming Writers, Inc., note “contest entry fee”) to: Katie Smith, WW, Inc. Writing Contest, 13287 Hwy 59 North, Gillette, WY 82716.

January 24 - 31, 2014

“This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or exercise their revolutionary right to overthrow it.” - Abraham Lincoln Provided By the

Harry Kimbrough Home Selling Team

RE/MAX Professionals 907 E. Boxelder Road Gillette, WY 82718 www.HarryKimbrough.com

To place a classiﬁed ad, email us at Classiﬁeds@CampbellCountyObserver.com Include name, phone, e-mail and physical address. For more information go to www.campbellcountyobserver.net

A Trail to Nowhere By Jeff Morrison

Due to circumstances beyond my control, the writing of “Invasion (Part II)” has been delayed by a week. I thoroughly intended to submit it at the last minute, but my editor, who is a real stickler for deadlines, refused to print it. No matter how hard I pleaded, he wouldn’t budge. I offer my most humble apologies and promise to get it in next week’s paper. – JM Just as soon as gold was discovered in western Montana in the mid-1860s, trailblazers, both famous and obscure, began charting roads to the area. The demand was high for a fast, yet safe and easy path to bring prospectors and their families to the gold ﬁelds and let freight wagons return to civilization with the riches they harvested once there. Such a road was never really established during the gold rush years. The ﬁrst route used, which followed the Oregon trail to the vicinity of Salt Lake City before turning north through present-day eastern Idaho, while safe enough for inbound settlers had two drawbacks. It took nearly a month longer to reach Bannock and Alder Gulch than any other established trail, and it also became infested with robbers over time. Jim Bridger had established a trail that ran up the west side if the Big Horn Mountains, but even though it was relatively safe from Indian encounters, there was very little potable water and sparse grazing, which made it a livestock killer. The Bozeman trail, which was the fastest route with the best available grass and water, was hotly contested by Indians who took exception to white settlers trespassing on their best hunting grounds. A water route was also available via the Missouri River to Fort Benton, however navigating the Missouri turned out to be very hazardous, and most of the riverboats used for this purpose ended their careers as one of the hundreds of rotting wrecks along the way. By early 1865, a new trailblazing entrepreneur, Colonel James A. Sawyers arrived on the scene, determined to establish an even faster route to Montana gold. Unlike previous trailblazers, who scouted their trails alone or with one or two others, Sawyer had brought along a survey

engineer, Lewis H. Smith, with a veritable army of 53 civilians 15 wagons and 45 oxen, just in his own party, 5 additional emigrant wagons, 36 freight wagons belonging to C. E. Hedges and Company, along with the army – an escort of 143 soldiers from the 5th U. S. Volunteers and a detachment of cavalry, led by Captain George Williford. Whereas Jim Bridger and John Bozeman could only proﬁt from the trails bearing their names by convincing wagon trains to hire them to guide them across their trails, Sawyer had secured a sizable government grant just for building his road. From the onset, Sawyers had been discouraged from entering the Powder River country by the military. General Patrick E. Connor was launching his three-pronged punitive campaign to subdue the increasingly hostile plains tribes who had been making travel along the Bozeman trail exceedingly hazardous. The last thing he needed was a civilian road building crew presenting a target of opportunity for the Indians and becoming a siphon of military assets that could be put to better use elsewhere. Sawyers, perhaps because payment of his government stipend was contingent on actually building a road, was not to be put off. In June of 1865 he left the mouth of the Niobrara River in presentday South Dakota, and pointed his wagons due west toward Powder River. The expedition made agonizingly slow progress in the sand hill country of the Niobrara. By late July, Williford’s men were running desperately short of rations and the expedition had barely reached the badlands of the upper White River. Williford sent 15 men south to Fort Laramie for provisions and the expedition struggled ahead. By August 9th the party had reached the Belle Fourche, where it was decided they should

angle northwest to Powder River. Thirty two miles of waterless, rugged hills ﬁnally convinced Sawyers and Smith that this route would not make a very good wagon road and they turned the expedition back to retrace their route to the Belle Fourche. On August 13th they pitched camp on Bone Pile Creek, about ten miles south by southwest of present-day Gillette. Little did Sawyers know the real trouble was about to begin. Nathaniel Hedges, a 19 year old partner in the freight wagons, was about a mile from camp when he was surprised by a party of Cheyenne warriors and killed. The Indians drove off some horses and disappeared. After recovering the body, the expedition moved a few miles downstream and established a more secure camp, with the wagons circled and a corral established for the livestock. It was in this corral that they buried Hedges in a shallow grave. Being concerned that the Indians would dig his body up, his grave was concealed by driving the livestock over the site until it could not be distinguished from the rest of the hoof-torn corral. The expedition was attacked the next day by a larger force of Cheyennes who attempted to drive off

the livestock. The roadbuilders and their military escort drove the Indians off, but the warriors kept them pinned down behind the wagons for the remainder of the day. On the morning of the 15th, the expedition was greeted by the sight of 500 more Indians on the surrounding hills. They settled in for a prolonged siege. The battle ebbed and ﬂowed throughout the morning with neither party able to inﬂict casualties on the other. Around noon the Indians asked the expedition for a parley. Both sides sent an interpreter to negotiate terms. One tradition has it that the interpreter for the Cheyennes was George Bent, the half-indian son of William Bent who had established Bent’s Fort in southeastern Colorado. Sawyers, thinking to bribe his way out a bad situation, offered the Indians a wagon load of supplies, ignoring the warnings of Captain Williford. After some deliberation the Cheyenne warriors agreed to trade the wagon for safe passage. They did not, however speak for the late-arriving Lakota warriors who showed up after the supplies in the wagon had been dispersed and demanded their share. The expedition was once again attacked by the disgruntled Lakotas

just as it was moving once again. In the ensuing melee, troopers Anthony Nelson and John Rawze, of the Dakota Cavalry were killed, along with two Lakota warriors. The Indians eventually withdrew. The expedition buried Trooper Nelson the same way they had buried Nathaniel Hedges, but the body of Trooper Rawze was never found. At this point, Captain Williford put his foot down and turned the expedition southwest to the newly established Fort Connor (soon to become Fort Reno) on the banks of Powder River near Pumpkin Buttes. The expedition remained within the safety of the fort until September, when it travelled north up the Bozeman Trail, this time under the protection of the 6th Volunteer Michigan Cavalry. Bad luck continued to dog Sawyers’ expedition and this time it came from a large party of Arapaho Indians who, after being attacked for no reason by General Connor four days earlier on the Tongue River, were not in a good mood and believed Sawyers’ expedition to be military reinforcements. They attacked the wagon train which once again went into a defensive circle and was besieged for 13 days. During this time expedition members mutinied and de-

posed Sawyers as expedition leader. The new leaders decided to turn back to Fort Connor but had only made a few miles before meeting a relief force led by Captain Albert Brown. Sawyers convinced Brown to help reestablish his leadership of the expedition before turning north once again. This time the expedition made it to Virginia City without any further encounters with angry Indians. In establishing a viable alternative route to the gold ﬁelds, Sawyers’ Road was a colossal failure. No one ever retraced the route, and for good reason: due to the rough terrain in which the trail ran, it was not a time-saver, there was very little in the way of good water for livestock and the Powder River country, as Sawyers found out the hard way, was teeming with Indians who had no wish for their hunting grounds to become a “super-highway” for white settlers heading west. Although not considered a major engagement in the annals of western American history, the battle of Bone Pile Creek is the only documented armed encounter between Indians and U. S. Army troops taking place within what is present-day Campbell County.

The Local “Our Roots” Column is sponsored by

· Auto · Preferred · SR22’s · Home · Renters · Life · Health

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

January 24 - 31, 2014

Campbell County Observer

#1 In Sports Equipment In N.E. Wyoming!

Cole Sports Report Provided by Cole Sports

Located on the corner of Gillette Ave and 4th

Wrestling Results Rapid City Westside Tournament Sunday, January 18, 2014 Gillette Touch of Gold Results

Blaize Burrow Logan Mendoza Logan Johnson Landon Hofer Tayce Lake

Bantam

1st Place 2nd Place 2nd Place 2nd Place 2nd Place

Midget

57 lbs 55 lbs 53 lbs 49 lbs 44 lbs

Garrett Halder Brodee Hofmeister Jacob Olson Joshua Olson Isaiah Huus

3rd Place 3rd Place 2nd Place 1st Place 1st Place

95 lbs 90 lbs 75 lbs 76 lbs 90 lbs

Sean Mitchell

1st Place

109 lbs

Schoolboy

Whitewood Tournament Sturgis, SD • Saturday, January 17, 2014 Gillette Touch of Gold Results

Tot (6 under)

Kellen Friesen Brayden Peralta

4th Place 4th Place

31.2 lbs 44 lbs

Blaize Burrow Logan Mendoza Logan Johnson Tayce Lake Johnathan Peel Hayden Friesen Landon Hofer Cason Loftus Cort Catlin Ryder Voight Tarver Zebroski

1st Place 1st Place 1st Place 3rd Place 2nd Place 3rd Place 4th Place 1st Place 2nd Place 1st Place 1st Place

57 lbs 55 lbs 53 lbs 44 lbs 70lbs 57 lbs 49 lbs 45 lbs 60 lbs 51lbs 41 lbs

Teryn Zebroski Tegen Zebroski Wyatt Peel Grady Edwards Lane Catlin Logan Werner Dorion Grams Kolton Miller

2nd Place 2nd Place 3rd Place 2nd Place 1stPlace 1st Place 1st Place 4th Place

51 lbs 52 lbs 80 lbs 54 lbs 75 lbs 60 lbs 65 lbs 76 lbs

Bantam (7/8)

Midget (9/10)

Garrett Halder 2nd Place Brodee Hofmeister 3rd Place

Jace Walters Isaiah Huus

95 lbs

Novice (11/12)

Dawsen Hayden

1st Place 65 lbs 1st Place 90 lbs (Double Bracket) 2nd Place 90 lbs

Sean Mitchell Joshua Olson

1st Place 1st Place

Schoolboy (13/14)

Jacob Olson Isaiah Huus Bryton Peel

109 lbs 75 lbs (Wrestled Up) 2nd Place 76 lbs (Wrestled Up) 3rd Place 90 lbs (Double Bracket)

Cadet (15/16)

1st Place

137 lbs

Gillette Peak Results Intermediate (13/14)

Warren Carr

1st Place

95 lbs

Pronghorn B-Ball Round-Up Pronghorns vs. Western Wyoming College

Gillette College won its 16th game in a row, beating Western Wyoming on the road, 88-78; moving to 17-2 6-0 on the season.

Women:

Pronghorns 65 Western Wyoming Community College 67

Men:

Pronghorns (22) 88 Western Wyoming Community College 77

Photo by Paul Caey

Seamus Casey from Peak Wrestling, a Triple Crown Champion, placed in all three styles at the Cheyenne Braves Border War Tournament.

Pronghorn Basketball Home Schedule

Four home games remaining for the 20132014 Season: Wednesday, January 29th – Whites Car Giveaway vs. Northwest College at 5:30pm and 7:30pm Saturday, February 8th – DA Eldridge, Inc. Free Admission Night vs. Central Wyoming College at 3:00pm and 5:00pm Saturday, February 15th – Blue and White Night vs. Western Wyoming Community College at 3:00pm and 5:00pm Friday, February 21st – Sophomore Night vs. Casper College at 5:30pm and 7:30pm

Seamus Casey Becomes Triple Crown Champion Cheyenne Border War 3 Style Saturday, Jan. 17 and Sunday, Jan. 18 Gillette Peak Results:

Seamus Casey Triple Crown Champion Midget 70 lbs He got ﬁrst place in Greco, Folkstyle and Freestyle

Gillette Touch of Gold Results: Intermediate Keenen Wenzel Folkstyle 4th Place, Greco 3rd Place, Freestyle 4th Place

Peewee

Channing Wenzel Folkstyle 4th Place, Freestyle 2nd Place Tyler Wenzel Folkstyle 2nd Place, Greco 2nd Place, Freestyle 1st Place

What’s Going On in Sports? Friday, January 24, 2014

-Camel Basketball (SO/JV/V) at home vs. Cheyenne South 4 p.m. / 5:45 p.m. / 7:30 p.m. -Lady Camel Basketball (SO/JV/V) at Cheyenne South 4 p.m. / 5:30 p.m. / 7 p.m. -Camels Wrestling (V) at Chadron Invite in Chadron, NE -Gillette WILD Hockey at home vs. Billings 7:30 p.m. -Panther JV/V Basketball at home vs. Big Horn 4 p.m. / 7 p.m. -Lady Panther JV/V Basketball at home vs. Big Horn 4 p.m. / 5:30 p.m. -Panthers Wrestling at Lingle for Dogger Invitational 11 a.m.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

-Camel Basketball (SO/JV/V) at home vs. Laramie 10 a.m. / 11:45 a.m. / 1:30 p.m. -Lady Camel Basketball (SO/JV/V) at Laramie 10 a.m. / 11:45 a.m. / 1:30 p.m. -Camel Swimming (SO/JV/V) at home vs. Laramie 10 a.m. / 11:45 a.m. / 1:30 p.m. -Camels Wrestling (V) at Chadron Invite in Chadron, NE -Camels Wrestling (JV) at Moorcroft Invite -Gillette WILD Hockey at home vs. Yellowstone 7:30 p.m. -Panther JV/V Basketball at home for Wright Invite TBA -Lady Panther JV/V Basketball at home for Wright Invite TBA -Panthers Wrestling at Lingle for Dogger Invitational 9 a.m. -Pronghorn Men’s Basketball at Casper College 5:30 p.m. -Pronghorn Women’s Basketball at Casper College 3 p.m. -Pronghorn Cross Country at BHSU in Spearﬁsh, SD -Warriors 9th Basketball at Wright Invite TBA -Lady Warriors 9th Basketball at Wright Invite TBA

Sunday, January 26, 2014

-Gillette WILD Hockey at Yellowstone 4 p.m.

Monday, January 27, 2014

-Lady Eagles 9th Basketball at Rapid City Stevens 4 p.m. -Panther Developmental Basketball at Newcastle 5:30 p.m. -Lady Panther Developmental Basketball at Newcastle 4 p.m.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

-Camel Basketball (SO) at home vs. Rapid City Central 4 p.m. -Camels Wrestling (JV/V) at Rapid City Stevens 5:30 p.m. / 7 p.m. -Eagles 9th Basketball at Twin Spruce 4 p.m. / 5:30 p.m. -Lady Eagles 9th Basketball at home vs. Twin Spruce 4 p.m. -Panthers Jr. High Basketball at Newcastle 4 p.m. / 5 p.m. -Warriors 9th Basketball at home vs. Sage Valley 4 p.m. / 5:30 p.m. -Lady Warriors 9th Basketball at Sage Valley 4 p.m. / 5:30 p.m. -Lady Warriors 9th Basketball at Sage Valley 4 p.m. / 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

-Pronghorn Men’s Basketball at home vs. Northwest College 7:30 p.m. -Pronghorn Women’s Basketball at home vs. Northwest College 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

-Gillette WILD Hockey at Great Falls 7 p.m. -Warriors 9th Basketball at Rapid City Stevens 4 p.m. / 5:30 p.m. -Warrior 7th /8th A Basketball at home vs. Sage Valley 4 p.m. / 5:15 p.m. -Warrior 7th /8th B Basketball at home vs. Sage Valley 4 p.m. / 5:15 p.m.

Friday, January 31, 2014

Cheyenne Central 4 p.m. / 5:30 p.m. / 7 p.m. -Lady Camel Basketball (SO/JV/V) at home vs. Cheyenne Central 4 p.m. / 5:45 p.m. /7:30 p.m. -Camel Swimming (SO/JV/V) at Cheyenne Central 4 p.m. / 5:30 p.m. / 7 p.m. -Camels Wrestling (JV/V) at home SC vs. Laramie 5 p.m. -Camels Wrestling (JV/V) at home SC vs. Cheyenne South 7 p.m. -Gillette WILD Hockey at Great Falls 7:30 p.m. -Panther JV/V Basketball at Tongue River 3 p.m. / 6 p.m. -Lady Panther JV/V Basketball at Tongue River 3 p.m. / 4:30 p.m. -Panthers Wrestling at Greybull Memorial Invitational 10 a.m.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

-Camel Basketball (SO/JV/V) at Cheyenne East 10 a.m. / 11:30 a.m. / 1 p.m. -Lady Camel Basketball (SO/JV/V) at home vs. Cheyenne East 10 a.m. / 11:45 a.m. / 1:30 p.m. -Camel Swimming (SO/JV/V) at Cheyenne East 10 a.m. / 11:30 a.m. / 1 p.m. -Camels Wrestling (JV/V) at home SC vs. Cheyenne East 10 a.m. -Camels Wrestling (JV/V) at home SC vs. Cheyenne Central 1 p.m. -Panthers Jr. High Basketball at Buffalo for 7th Tournament TBA -Panthers Jr. High Basketball at Newcastle for 8th Tournament TBA -Pronghorn Men’s Basketball at Sheridan College 7:30 p.m. -Pronghorn Women’s Basketball at Sheridan College 5:30 p.m. -Pronghorn Cross Country at Air force in Colorado Springs, CO -Warrior 7th A Basketball at Buffalo Invite TBA -Warrior 7th /8th B Basketball at Sturgis 8:30 a.m.

-Camel Basketball (SO/JV/V) at

“I was passionate. I found something that I loved. I could be all alone in a big old skating rink and nobody could get near me and I didn’t have to talk to anybody because of my shyness. It was great. I was in my fantasy world.” -Dorothy Hamill

Surplus Unlimited 801 Carlisle • 682-9451

Weekly Sports Trivia Question Who won the ﬁrst American gold medal in a Winter Olympics? Look on Page 19 for the answer

"Supporting Campbell County Youth Since 1978"

307-682-4522 • proffice@vcn.com 310 S. Gillette Avenue www.powderriverofficesupply.com

Campbell County Observer

January 24 - 31, 2014

#1 In Sports Equipment In N.E. Wyoming!

Cole Sports Report Provided by Cole Sports

Located on the corner of Gillette Ave and 4th

Renegades Tourney By Audra Stumbaugh he U10 boy’s silver played a great tournament. They started a little slow but ended with the championship! In the first game, they played the Renegade boys to a 4-4 tie. The next game was against the Renegade girls gold team, where they mounted a good comeback after being down by three but ended up coming up a little short with a 5-4 loss. Next they played against the Edge girls gold team, which was a very competitive game with a final of 4-3. The second day started with a must-win game against the unbeaten Casper Blades team, which they were able to win in a back and forth match. The game winning shot came withone minute remaining for the 5-4 win to propel them to a championship game rematch with the undefeated Renegade team. The championship game was a great come-frombehind victory. The Renegades were up 3-2 by halftime. The second half was a superb defensive effort from our players and a great half of goalkeeping to hold them to 0 points in the second half, with our three second-half goals. We won the championship 5-3. Players were Caleb Howell, Logan Ullrich, Kyler Clouston, Kale Roswadowski, Jamen Kolata, and Peytin Wasson. The U10 girls’ silver won two and lost one. The girls made it to the finals but lost a heartbreaker in overtime. They still brought home a second place medal. Gillette Edge Silver U-12 girls went 2-2. They won against RCR yellow 4-2, won again against RCR red 8-5. The girls lost to Gillette Purple 5-1 in pool play but were still able to make it to the championship against Gillette Purple coming in second with a score of 3-4. The U14 Boys Gold Team went 2-2 in pool play this weekend and went on to the Championship game

against the U14 Girls Purple. The game went into OT with the golden goal being scored by Kylie Hatzenbihler on the Girl’s team with only 2v2 left on the court. The 2nd place team included: Logan MacKearney, Joey Jurewicz, Tyler Whitt, Hunter Castleberry-Nunez, Alex Choy, Kelsey Franz, Megan Phillips, Cristian Martinez, and Caden Carlson. The girls purple team included: Christina Lacek, Grace Roswadovski, Emma Jarvis, Kennedy Ayers, Kennedy Schomer, and Kylie Hatzenbihler. The Lady Camels took 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the High School Co-ed Divison, with Lady Camels 1 taking 1st place, Lady Camels 3 taking 2nd place, and Lady Camels 2 taking 3rd place. The championship game went into OT with the golden goal being scored by Emma Jurewicz with 3v3 left on the court. First place Lady Camels 1 team included: Marena Zeller, Samantha Phillips, Emma Jurewicz, Kiana Ayers, Kenisha Melanson and Melanie Aker. 2nd place Lady Camels 3 team included: Lori Storie, Ashley Wilcox, Ciara Nice, Taylor Wilde, Hailey Jensen and Jennette Anderson. 3rd place Lady Camels 2 team included: Kendra Sosa, Katy Traverso, Kristine Scheetz, Courtney Michael, Sonya Crone and Hailey Hatzenbihler. The Gillette Edge U13 Razor City Rascals entered the Renegade tournament excited about their chances. The Rascals for this tournament are: Nathan “Nater” Delgrande, Cole Deimling, Cameron Durgin, Isaac Howell, Nathan “NateDawg” King, Zachary Milliron, Aron “Mosquito” Molina, Tanner Smolick, and Ben Mosier, our guest player from the Casper Blades. In the ﬁrst game of the tournament, they drew the U14 Spearﬁsh SYSA CoEd team. They were a good

team and took an early lead in this match. However, the Rascals proved they do not go down so easily. In true Rascal fashion, the game was decided on a great unselfish play. Aron received the ball from Isaac, dribbled the ball down the left side of the court and crossed the ball in the air to an awaiting Zach, who in mid-air redirected the ball past the goalie. It was a great comefrom-behind victory and the Rascals outlasted Spearfish 4-3. In the second game, the Rascals took on the U14 Shooters boys’ team from Sturgis. The Rascals never trailed in this game and won convincingly 6-3. In the third game, the Rascals took on their younger sister’s team, the Gillette Edge U12 Gold team. There are siblings on both teams and neither team has played the other in any tournament. This was the fourth game for the girls and they were exhausted. “I guarantee that if we would have faced these girls in their first game, instead of their fourth, it would have been a completely different game” added Coach Milliron. The Rascals won 6-0. In the fourth game, the Rascals took on the Gillette Edge U14 Girls team. The

Gillette Wild Player Profile Submitted by Misty Kindt Alex King is a well known golfer in Gillette, but he is also known for his skill on the ice. This local enjoys eating steak, watching Happy Gilmore, and the Colorado Avalanche, and solving Rubik’s cubes when he is not on the ice. King is also interested in golfing, fishing, and disc golf. Winning the State Hockey Championship game is hi favorite memory and his most embarrassing moment was getting hit by his own teammates stick after a goal in Missoula. “The name on the front of the jersey represents who you play for. The name on the back represents who raised you. Do them both justice.” Glad to have you on the team, Alex!

Birthday: May 23, 1995 Hometown: Gillette, WY Position: F Height: 5-11 Weight: 195

Rascals could do no wrong and ended up beating the girls’ team and advanced to the Championship game. In the U14 Co-Ed Championship game, the Rascals faced a more determined Spearﬁsh team. This game was back and forth in the ﬁrst half with both teams scoring once. Both teams had opportunities but just could not capitalize and score. Half-way through the

second half, the Spearﬁsh team pulled ahead. The Rascals tried tenaciously for the last six minutes of the game trying to push one more goal. In the end, they came up a little short losing 1-2. It was a tough way to end the tournament, but the Rascals played very hard and gave it their all right up until the ﬁnal bell. “I’m so proud of how they played

so unselﬁshly all weekend,” stated coach Randy Milliron. Rascals scoring this weekend were: Aron (3), Ben (6), Cameron (1), Cole (9), Isaac (4), Nater (1), Tanner (2), & Zach (6). Assists this weekend were: Aron (1), Ben (1), Cameron (1), Cole (3), Isaac (5), Nate-Dawg (5), Nater (6), Tanner (3), & Zach (5).

Act of Sportsmanship by Camel Kids Wrestler Recognized by Liberty Mutual Deric Johnson of Camel Club Wrestling has been recognized as performing one of the “Top 10 Responsible Sports Moments” of 2013 by helping an opponent with Down syndrome win his first wrestling match. The “Top 10 Responsible Sports Moments” of 2013 were announced nationally today by Liberty Mutual Insurance Responsible Sports™ in partnership with Positive Coaching Alliance, celebrating acts of sportsmanship, selflessness, fairness and honesty from youth sports fields, rinks, courts, mats and pools around the country. In recognition, Liberty Mutual Insurance will award $1,000 to Camel Kids Wrestling. Thirteen-year-old Johnson was in need of a win on the mats, needing to improve his 3-12 record. While at a USA Wrestling tournament in March, Johnson was up against a young athlete with Down syndrome in the third-place match. Johnson’s opponent had never known the thrill of a victorious match, so Johnson decided a victory for his opponent would be more important than one for himself. He gave his opponent a solid match, but ultimately, it was his opponent who tasted his first career victory with a 7-0 decision to the cheers of wrestlers from both teams. “Liberty Mutual Insurance is a company that prides itself on responsibility in action, and these ‘Top 10 Moments’ remind us that youth sports is where many children learn positive life lessons,” said Anthony Storm, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Liberty Mutual Personal Insurance. “We applaud these youth athletes and organizations for their demonstrations of sportsmanship and integrity, and are proud to honor their responsible acts.” Throughout the year, Liberty Mutual Insurance

and PCA identified moments across the country that exemplified sportsmanship within local communities, highlighting each moment onResponsibleSports.com. The winning moments were selected by a panel of judges including PCA Founder, Jim Thompson, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist Picabo Street, and executives from Responsible Sports partner organizations. Each of the ten winning moments exemplifies the positive impact sports can have on children’s lives and demonstrates sportsmanship and responsibility. “As an athlete and mother of four sons who participate in youth sports, I know personally how important it is for kids to experience the best that sports have to offer in environments that encourage sportsmanship and responsibility,” said Picabo Street, a two-time U.S. Olympic medalist in alpine skiing, youth sports parent, and Liberty Mutual Insurance Responsible Sports ambassador. “The ‘Top 10 Responsible Sports Moments’ are a fantastic illustration of the positive life lessons that can be learned on the field of play. I am proud to celebrate these moments of winning both on and off the field, and commend these extraordinary organizations and athletes.” The “Top 10 Responsible Sports Moments” is part of the larger Liberty Mutual Insurance Responsible Sports program, powered by Positive Coaching Alliance. Liberty Mutual Insurance Responsible Sports is a community-based program that provides resources, tools, tips and advice for volunteer youth sports coaches and parents. For more information on the “Top 10 Responsible Sports Moments” of 2013 and Liberty Mutual Insurance Responsible Sports, visit ResponsibleSports.com or Facebook.com/ResponsibleSports.

January 24 - 31, 2014

Campbell County Observer

#1 In Sports Equipment In N.E. Wyoming!

Cole Sports Report Provided by Cole Sports

Located on the corner of Gillette Ave and 4th

Cow Sense and Big Hearts Featured at Ranch Sorting National Championship Qualifier By Kristen Hebestreet good cow pony is quick on his feet and goes right to the cow, but Wyoming horsemen agree the best have a big heart. The Ranch Sorting National Championship qualification held January 11 at the Cam-Plex featured good and great cow ponies during team penning competition. One rider worked offense and picked a particular number cow from small herd to move to another pen, while the other worked defense and kept the rest of the cows out of that pen by blocking the gate. Numbered one through ten, the cows are supposed to be directed across the line in a randomized numerical order, said ManDee Moore of Douglas. However, the cows will figure out ways to cheat. Like any other best cow pony, Moore’s six-year-old mare, Rummy, has heart. A horse with heart is one who will keep going against all odds, Moore said. “She’ll take a hit, if necessary,” she said. “If you’re sorting a big cow or a little cow and they’re not respecting her, she’ll stand right there.” Some people were on the same ranch horses on which they worked cattle, said Stacey Thar, a RSNC organizer. Others already competed in horsemanship events such as pole bending or barrel racing, and cow penning was another thing to do with a horse. But unlike barrel racing and pole bending, cow penning requires actual cows, and not all horses like those other four-legged animals. A good cow pony should be “cowy” – interested in cattle, said Connie Wright, Gillette. “They are drawn to cows,” she said. “… They are smarter than your average bear.” But Wright said her 27-year-old gray quarter horse -“What’s His Name,” also known as “Cowboy” – is the epitome of a good cow horse because he has the drive to never quit. Anyone could ride him, she said, and he was still quick in spite of his age. “He has the biggest heart,” she said, and it was impossible not to get all misty-eyed right there with her. The other horses in the pasture might disagree with that assessment, since Cowboy liked to be in charge and wasn’t above enforcing it. In this case, “heart” is not about love and romance. A horse with heart has strength of character. The flea-bitten, gray Cowboy had been a working ranch horse at the Barlow Ranch for many years, she said, and the semi-retired horse had been a gift from Glen Barlow of Barlow Ranch on the condition she continue to work him. While Cowboy was part of a two-forone special because Wright bought another horse, most of the horses there were more pricey. “I can’t tell you how many dollars there are in this building,” Wright said, as she looked around the indoor arena. Unless the horse was tied up and facing the wall, many ponies at the arena watched the others work cattle with as much interest as any judge. These horses either liked cattle or liked to see them moving around. One sorrel stared off into space and rotated his ears while he waited for his teenage rider to quit texting – but there were cows in his line of sight. Stacey Thar organized the RSNC event along with her husband, Zane Thar. The couple has been running this Campbell County event since 2007. It is more of a family event than a cutthroat competition. The couple’s seven-year-old son, Cade, said he learned almost everything about riding horses and working cattle from his parents. He’s been riding for so long, he and his mom just look at each other and shrug when asked when it all started. One starting point might be when the Thars bought Sassy from Dick Schofield of Gillette, who called up the family to say he had the perfect pony for them. Like many equine acquisitions, the Thar family was not planning on buying a horse at that time. Sassy, now ten, was too spirited for most young riders,

but at only 12 hands tall, she was too short for experienced horsemen. Since Cade had been on horseback since before he was born – Stacey said she was riding when she was “out to here” with him - riding before he could walk, so Sassy was a good ﬁt for him. “We were surprised how much talent she had,” Stacey said. The little mare turned out to be an all-around cow horse. There’s some story about Cade going between her ears and his ten-year-old brother Coy holding up his hands and shouting “Field goal!” when Cade hit the ground. Then Sassy bolted early on in the partnership and the reins blistered Cade’s hands, but Stacey blames “pilot error” for that one. Sassy also sometimes bites cows “on the butt,” Cade said, which is not good. Perhaps on behalf of the cows, Stacey decorated on Sassy’s own haunches with green glitter for last year’s RSNC event. Cade said that would not happen again. But without the green glitter advantage to hypnotize those cows, how can Sassy be a good cow pony? “I’ll bet she’s got a real big heart because she’s sometimes sassy and sometimes nice,” Cade said.

Coy Thar, 10, in the foreground on his horse, Mr. Chewy,is seen here demonstrating how he and his brother, Cade Thar, 7, (cutting a cow in the background) work together at the RSNC qualiﬁer

2013-14 Adult Basketball League Standings C1-League 2 Guys Deco/Nelson Auto Glass Don N Moe’s Exhaust Independent MDH Black Cat Construction Cloud Peak Physical Therapy R R Services Rangeland Estates LLC Little 58

W 7 7 5 4 3 3 3 1 0

L % 0 1.000 1 .875 2 .714 3 .571 4 .429 4 .429 5 .375 7 .125 7 .000

C2-League Trecoby Services PreCorp The Green Tops Lowham-Walsh Dirty D & The Boys Carter Law Catﬁsh The Pain Train Basin Electric Global Heat Transfer

W 6 5 4 4 4 4 1 1 0

L % 0 1.000 1 .833 2 .667 3 .571 3 .571 3 .571 5 .167 6 .143 6 .000

D1-League RMS Powder River Energy Corp Western Services Winnelson GSC Project Works PCA Premier Home Mortgage BNSF

W 5 5 4 3 3 2 2 1 1

L % 0 1.000 1 .833 2 .667 3 .500 3 .500 3 .400 4 .333 5 .167 5 .167

D2-League Eastside Ballers Nelson Brothers Browning Electric Bobcat of Gillette Anadarko Petroleum Living Rock Church Felony Ink Tattoos City of Gillette Bearcats

W 5 5 4 3 3 2 2 1 0

L % 0 1.000 0 1.000 1 .800 2 .600 4 .429 3 .400 4 .333 4 .200 6 .000

E-League Wyoming Lawn Pro The Family Gillette College Rodeo Team Viking Enterprises Bennett Construction The “Posse” L&H Industrial Contractors Supply

W 6 5 5 3 2 2 0 0

L % 0 1.000 0 1.000 1 .833 2 .600 4 .333 4 .333 6 .000 6 .000

Women’s League Little 58 H & S Well Services Buckwheats Gillette College Rodeo Team Amped Electric/Cherry Berry Dagwood Red Hots

W 5 4 3 3 2 1 0

L % 0 1.000 1 .800 2 .600 2 .600 3 .400 6 .143 5 .000

Connie Wright with her cow pony, “What’s His Name.” The 27-year-old gelding still works cattle and bosses every horse in the pasture, she said.

Find the Solution on Page 18

To place a classiﬁed ad, email us at Classiﬁeds@CampbellCountyObserver.com

Gwyn Slattery, 8, socializes with her grandfather, Jim Slattery, 68, at the Ranch Sorting National Championship qualiﬁer held Jan. 11 at the Cam-Plex.

Competitor checks his iPhone before entering the ring.

Include name, phone, e-mail and physical address. For more information go to www.campbellcountyobserver.net

Public Pulse

Campbell County Observer

January 24 - 31, 2014

Good News from Wyoming’s Labor Committee Submitted by Maureen Bader – Wyoming Liberty Group he Labor committee refused to act as a pawn of special interests, and this is great news for the citizens of Wyoming. A few months ago I wrote a series of articles explaining how Wyoming’s Labor Committee was considering two bills to block the construction of physician-owned hospitals in the state. These bills, brought to the committee by Sen. Charlie Scott, materialized as a result of lobbying by Casper’s Wyoming Medical Center (WMC). Seems the WMC, afraid of the competition, tried to use the power of government to prevent a group of doctors from building a new hospital in Casper. But both these bills violate Wyoming’s constitution. During the 2012 election, Wyoming citizens passed overwhelmingly an amendment to the Wyoming Constitution to

enshrine their right to make their own health care decisions. That means that people are free to pay, and health care providers are free to receive payment for services without penalties or ﬁnes. True, Wyoming’s legislature can place reasonable restrictions on those freedoms, but preventing hospital construction hardly seems reasonable. In addition, Wyoming’s constitution now says the state is supposed to protect Wyoming citizens from undue government infringement, not become the infringer itself. Wyoming citizens want to make their own health care decisions, and to do that, they must have access to care. Preventing new hospital construction would close off the free market escape valve and force people into politically connected hospitals. Those hospitals, protected from competition, would have no incentive to improve service or lower costs.

Meanwhile, discouraged doctors would look for other options; reducing hours or leaving for states that better appreciate their skills. This would mean people in Wyoming would wait longer and longer to see fewer and fewer doctors. We know this because in the Canadian single payer paradise, few doctors take new patients. In rural areas, fewer than 35 percent of doctors take new patients while in urban areas fewer than 20 percent of doctors take new patients. During the Labor committee meeting, these bills were laid back and a third, designed to place a moratorium on new hospital construction, died. This means the new hospital in Casper will go ahead. Even better, it was revealed during the meeting that three more new hospitals are in the works; one in Jackson, Rock Springs and

Gillette. This is great news for the citizens of Wyoming. Why? Because more competition in the health care sector will mean more choice, improved service and lower costs. Competition forces incumbents to sharpen their pencils and this can have fantastic, if unintended consequences. An Oklahoma City surgery center started posing surgery prices on line, started a bidding war, and patients started coming from Canada. In fact, Canadians are well known for travel to the United States for timely health care. Why? Because socialist-style health care means virtually unlimited demand and very limited resources, and this results in health care rationing and waiting lists. Remember, access to a waiting list is not access to health care. People in Canada suffer and sometimes even die while

waiting for medical services. In 2005, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the province of Quebec’s health care law prohibiting private medical insurance violated Quebecers’ right to life and security. In the opinion of one of the justices, “the long waits at hospitals can result in deaths and that private health care prohibited by the Quebec Acts would likely have saved those lives.” Competitive, wellmanaged hospitals in Casper could mean medical tourists to the city and could even help the entire Casper economy as people from Canada and all over the United States travel there for health care services. Wyomingites should take heart that many legislators are in favor of competition in the health care sector and are able to resist special interest group lobbying. This bodes well for the upcoming legislative session.

What is Common Core? By Holly Galloway

Jeff Hymas of The John Birch Society was in town recently to discuss the Constitution and Common Core. He travels the state giving this presentation. He claims that hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent to start Common Core, or the standards of Common Core, in Wyoming. Hymas used quotes by Lenin, Aristotle, and Washington about education to demonstrate how important educating the next generation is to both freedom loving people and to those who want complete control of the minds of the population. In one of the four founding documents that started this great Nation, entitled the Northwest Ordinance, a brief note about schools states that religion, morality, and knowledge are what should be taught in schools. Hymas believes that today we are not allowed to teach this in our public schools. “Education is the sharing of time tested truths with the next generation,” said Hymas “All legislative powers are invested in the congress,” Hymas quoted from the federal constitution. This means that congress is the one who will write and pass laws. This role cannot be given to any other branch of our government. “There is never mentioned in this constitution anything about education,” stated Hymas. The tenth amendment of the constitution states that the powers not delegated to the United Stated by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States are reserved for the States respectively, or to the people. This amendment is a huge reason why the John Birch Society believes that education is the responsibility of the parents of students, the local communities, and with the State being the last (and least) part of that responsibility. “According to the constitution if the federal government passes a law about education, we do not have to abide by it,” said Hymas. Even our Wyoming constitution states that the legislature or the superintendent of public education shall have no power to prescribe text books to be used in public schools. “Our government is not our master, it is our servant,” said Hymas. But he claims that the opposite is being taught in our schools. The people are “servants of government” is what many people in this country believe. The constitution gives government certain powers. “Our rights come from God, not the government,”

said Hymas, and, “parents have the obvious duty to educate their children.” But often times parents give their obvious duty away to the government and accept what the government wants to teach their child. “My authority, my money, my kid so therefore it is my duty to be accountable,” said Hymas. The state is trying to say the opposite that children are the states and the taxes we pay are the states so the state has the authority and if the kid does not come up to the bar it will be the parent who is held accountable. The parents should hold the strings, not the state. The federal government got involved in education in the 1960’s by creating more problems than they solved. “Under President Jimmy Carter the department of Education became a cabinet position,” Hymas said. Reagan tried to get rid of this office, but did not succeed. “Government creates problems and believes that it needs to put more government in it to fix the problem, but it only creates more problems,” said Hymas and “well intentioned programs are flat on their face right now because they do not work.” His first point about Common Core is that he questions that Common Core is a State led initiative. The State Legislature is the only branch we the people give power to make laws. “Dozens of State Legislatures have told (Hymas) that they had nothing to do with common core.” “That destroys the whole republic of a state legislature,” said Hymas. Also, many local school boards have been told by the state that they have to comply with these standards that local educators had no say in what they are. In 1997 the legislatures decided to delegate power over education to the state board of education. In article seven of the State of Wyoming constitution, the voters never gave the legislature the power to delegate power to an appointed board of education. The second point that Hymas talked about was the notion that common core is only a set of standards, not curriculum. “There are three federal laws that state that the federal government cannot have anything to do with curriculum,” Hymas said, and “standards control curriculum.” Assessment tests are written towards the curriculum and in helping students pass the assessment test. If a student passes an assessment test they have met

the standards written by the federal government at the Department of Education. State standards were written for the ﬁrst time here in Wyoming in 1997. Hymas believes “that Wyoming put together standards in 1997 to qualify for federal money.” “Standards don’t necessarily produce,” Hymas said. Another quote that is often told by superintendents of schools is “that you can choose any curriculum you want as long as it meets standard core,” said Hymas. Similar to “Henry Ford’s stating that you can have any color of car you want as long as it is black.” A third point about common core that Hymas presented was that Wyoming would lose its federal money if the state did not accept the common core standards. “Title One funding is contingent upon ac-

cepting common core, and common core is money for free breakfasts, lunches and after school programs,” said Hymas. Another federal education program that is a “train wreck” is No Child Left Behind. Many states are trying to get a waiver to get out of this program. The federal government is willing to give these waivers as long as states sign onto Common Core. Wyoming adopted Common Core Standards in 2010 without changing anything on the document and without much public input. Wyoming has yet to sign up and pay for the testing arm of Common Core. “Federal strings are attached to Common Core,” said Hymas. “Data collecting will happen with Common Core,” said Hymas. “We have a P-20 data system in Wyo-

ming right now.” It is called the SLDS, or the State longitude System and it is being built right now. P-20 means preschool through high school, four years of college and the ﬁrst four years someone is in the work force or until they are twenty six years of age. “The Department of education will say that they are not collecting the data, the states are, and they (the states) are sharing it with us,” said Hymas. All governmental entities can access this information. This in Hymas opinion “goes against the fourth amendment of the Constitution of the United States,” which states, The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated. The science standards in

common core have been re-named Next Generation Science Standards. Hymas and other concerned citizens have attended meetings encouraging committees to not adopt this new name of common core science standards. “There is a lot of grass roots energy against common core and the state is aware of this,” said Hymas. Wyoming citizens opposing common core is one of the grass root group’s people can contact. They are online at this name. There are many other online sites that can be searched to learn what common core truly is. Hymas encourages Wyoming citizens to educate your selves about common core and to share what you learn with your friends and family. He also believes that parents and citizens should make a plan.

Why advertise in a weekly newspaper? 1. Local weekly newspapers are the most trusted form of media! 2. Over 3 out of 4 readers spend more than 15 minutes reading their weekly Newspaper! 3 More people read a local weekly paper than any daily newspaper on any day! 4. Local weekly newspapers have a large readership prole because the whole family reads them. Each newspaper has many readers and each section targets dierent economic, social and age groups. All local weekly papers appeal to all sections! 5. Most people that read a weekly community newspaper do not read any other local paper, however most people who read other papers read a weekly newspaper as well. Why waste your advertising budget?

Stay with the tried and tested The Campbell County Observer.

For all your advertising needs call us today! (307) 670-8980

Public Pulse

January 24 - 31, 2014

Campbell County Observer

Should Wyoming Adapt Katie’s Law? It’s Up This Session for a Vote. But Does the End Justify the Means? By Nicholas DeLaat

ext up on our Wyoming Legislative bill agenda is SF0047, otherwise known as Katie’s Law. Katie’s Law, also known as the Katie Sepich Enhanced DNA Collection Act of 2010, is a proposed federal law to provide funding to states to implement minimum and enhanced DNA collection processes for felony arrests. The bill is named after Katie Sepich, who was brutally attacked outside of her New Mexico home in August 2003. She was raped, strangled, her body set on fire, and abandoned at an old dump site. Katie’s attacker’s skin and blood were found under her fingernails. This DNA profile was sent to the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) where officials hoped a match would be made. A DNA match identified Gabriel Adrian Avila, who had been arrested in November 2003 for aggravated burglary and was serving time in the New Mexico Corrections System since November 2004. After being confronted with his DNA evidence, Avila subsequently confessed to the murder of Sepich. The experience of Katie’s parents, Jayann and Dave Sepich, in bringing Katie’s killer to justice motivated them to advocate for legislation that would expand the use of DNA to arrest and convict criminals: On February 4, 2010 Congressman Harry Teague (D-NM) introduced H.R. 4614. The bill has 11 co-sponsors: • Rep Gerry Connolly (VA) • Rep Martin Heinrich (NM) • Rep Tim Holden (PA) • Rep Steve Kagen (WI) • Rep Suzanne Kosmas (FL) • Rep Ben Ray Lujan (NM) • Rep Betsy Markey (CO) • Rep David Reichert (WA) • Rep Thomas J. Rooney (FL) • Rep Adam B. Schiff (CA) • Rep Anthony Weiner (NY) On May 18, the bill was passed in the House by a vote of 357 to 32. In the Senate side, S. 3805 was introduced by Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) on September 20, 2010 and co-sponsored by Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO), Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM). 24 states have passed Katie’s Law or similar programs. • Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Florida • Kansas • Louisiana • Maryland • Michigan

• Minnesota • Missouri • New Mexico • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Virginia • Vermont In an interview aired on America’s Most Wanted, President Obama expressed his support for the legislation, saying that “it is the right thing to do,” and that “this is where the national registry becomes so important, because what you have is individual states — they may have a database, but if they’re not sharing it with the state next door, you’ve got a guy from Illinois driving over into Indiana, and they’re not talking to each other.” Some opponents argue that this policy is an invasion of privacy or a violation of civil rights. Others comment that since DNA contains sensitive genetic information it is quite different from fingerprints. A federal district court, in the United States v. Pool, upheld that the federal statute allowing collection of DNA samples prior to conviction for inclusion in the national DNA database does not represent a violation of constitutional rights. In issuing its ruling, the court specifically held that the collection does not represent a violation of 4th Amendment rights. The court also dismissed claims of violations of 5th and 8th amendment rights. High courts in Maryland, and Virginia, also ruled that DNA upon arrest does not violate the Fourth Amendment. Maryland later reversed itself. Wyoming’s version is now in bill format and will be in front of our legislature. On this bill, I personally have not formed an opinion yet. Sponsored by Senator Nutting (R-Laramie) and Representative Esquibel (D-Laramie), this bill has the basic good intentions of solving the horrific crimes performed by the most evil people in our society. The woman that this bill is named after, Katie, and the story of her death, says it all. I only hope that the man caught will get a very slow death penalty. The reason I can’t make a decision to support this bill? Well, it is the government collection of DNA. I’m not saying that there shouldn’t be collection, but in this bill there will be collections on people who may not be harmful to society. So, I am going to name the list of offenses presented for mandatory DNA collection as introduced in this bill, and draw my own line. I would suggest that you write your legislators with where you want the line to stand. After all, catching the atro-

cious and sick individuals who perform the worst acts in our society is always a good thing, undeniably. But what crimes that we are collecting the DNA for is where I must draw the line. The Wyoming Bill reads: Every person arrested for or charged with a violation of W.S. 6-2-101, 6-2-104 through 6-2-108, 6-2-201 through 6-2-203, 6-2-302 through 6-2-304, 6-2-313 through 6-2-318, 6-2401, 6-2-502, 6-2-506, 6-2-702 through 6-2-707, 6-3-101, 6-3-102 or 6-3-301, and every person convicted of a felony is in custody in this state as a result of a felony conviction shall provide a DNA sample for analysis to determine identification characteristics specific to the person. 6-2-101. Murder in the first degree 6-2-104. Murder in the second degree 6-2-105. Manslaughter 6-2-203. False imprisonment 6-2-302. Sexual assault in the first degree 6-2-303. Sexual assault in the second degree 6-2-304. Sexual assault in the third degree 6-2-313. Sexual battery 6-2-314. Sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree 6-2-315. Sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree 6-2-316. Sexual abuse of a minor in the third degree 6-2-317. Sexual abuse of a minor in the fourth degree 6-2-318. Soliciting to engage in illicit sexual relations ________________________________ (Above this line, I agree. Below This Line needs to be amended out.) 6-2-106. Homicide by vehicle; aggravated homicide by vehicle 6-2-107. Criminally negligent homicide 6-2-108. Drug induced homicide 6-2-401. Robbery; aggravated robbery 6-2-502. Aggravated assault and battery 6-2-506. Stalking 6-2-702. Human trafficking in the first degree 6-2-707. Patronizing a victim of sexual servitude 6-3-101. Arson; first degree; aggravated arson 6-3-102. Arson; second degree 6-3-301. Burglary; aggravated burglary “And every person convicted of a felony” according to this bill. As far as sex offenders and child sex

offenders, I would actually encourage saving money on DNA testing and just give them the death penalty, but since we are talking about this bill, I support their DNA being taken whole-heartedly. My question for the crimes below the line falls with the cracks in our court system. Homicide by vehicle, negligent homicide, and others doesn’t necessarily mean that this was a dangerous person. Maybe he will be when he gets out of prison, but that is a different matter. Sometimes the courts and prosecuting attorneys simply want to make examples of good people, and the charge isn’t necessarily deserved. Think if you were defending your life and had to shoot a bad guy, but you were still charged with criminally negligent homicide - should you be forced to give up DNA for doing the right thing? Though I loathe stalkers, many people are charged with stalking just by a frivolous report or out of vengeance from an ex. There are also many more crimes considered felonies that really should be. Not that I support prostitution, but sixty years ago in Gillette, human trafficking was part of our downtown bar business (anyone know the story of Gillette Mayor Roy Montgomery?), and there can be good justified reasons for trafficking… sometimes. Basically, I like the idea of Katie’s law in Wyoming. I just think that when we look at what crimes we will collect DNA evidence from we should look at some of the possibilities of flaws in the system. Two things still concern me however. One is the fact that the system is proven to have many cracks and no longer charges by an individual case by case basis, and we should never trust government with too much power. Second, though all of these laws are originally created for good purposes, how long until our state government will abuse it, an abuse which even recent history proves is inevitable. I do think that every one of our legislators should however, ask themselves one thing. Yes, we want to catch these criminals, but at what cost? Just because other states found the law to be constitutional doesn’t make it so. Granted, no elected or non-elected official follows the law of the constitution anymore anyways, but that doesn’t mean we can’t start. The end can never justify the means, and we cannot give up our rights at any cost. Is this bill against Amendment IV of our U.S. Constitution? That should be the real question when the vote comes.

(Have your own opinion on the issue? Write us a letter to the editor at: 1001 S. Douglas Hwy B-6 Gillette, WY 82716 or email one at: CampbellCountyObserver@gmail.com)

Legislative Update What Bills are up during this year’s Wyoming Legislative Session? Every week, the Campbell County Observer will keep you up to date on new bills introduced throughout this year’s legislative session. Below is the initial list. If you would like to read the entire bill, go to http://legisweb. state.wy.us/2014/billindex/BillCrossRef.aspx?type=ALL This website us updated daily before and during the legislative sessions. Remember, your government is only as powerful as you let it be, and to inform yourself is to create a just government. Also on the Legislative website is contact information for your local Senator or Representative. Bills introduced so far in the Wyoming House of Representatives as of Wednesday January 15, 2014 H.B. No. 0039 Financial advisory council membership. Sponsored by: Joint Appropriations Interim Committee AN ACT relating to administration of government; modifying membership of the financial advisory council; and providing for an effective date. H.B. No. 0040 State employees’ and officials’ group insurance-membership. Sponsored by: Joint Appropriations Interim Committee AN ACT relating to administration of government; providing boards of cooperative educational services an option to participate in the state employees’ and officials’ group insurance plan; modifying provisions relating to voluntary participation by nonstate employers; specifying participation and contribution requirements and procedures and implementing payment mechanisms for participating boards; and providing for an effective date. H.B. No. 0041 Emergency medical technician pension plan. Sponsored by: Joint Appropriations Interim Committee AN ACT relating to the emergency medical technician pension plan; providing for funding of plan from fire insurance premium taxes; amending obsolete and inconsistent language; and providing for an effective date. H.B. No. 0042 School facilities appropriations. Sponsored by: Joint Appropriations Interim Committee AN ACT relating to school facilities projects; providing appropriations for school facility projects for the biennial period July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2016; providing definitions; requiring reporting; and providing for effective dates.

H.B. No. 0043 Children in need of supervisionage. Sponsored by: GINGERY AN ACT relating to children in need of supervision; increasing the age limit for purposes of children in need of supervision provisions; amending applicability of court orders; amending a definition; and providing for an effective date. H.B. No. 0044 Credit card fraud. Sponsored by: GINGERY AN ACT relating to crimes and offenses; modifying the definition of credit card for purposes of the offense of unlawful use of a credit card; clarifying application of the definition; and providing for an effective date. H.B. No. 0046 Public employee pension plans-contributions. Sponsored by: Joint Appropriations Interim Committee AN ACT relating to public employees; increasing employee contribution and employer contribution in certain plans under the Wyoming Retirement Act and under The Wyoming State Highway Patrol, Game and Fish Warden and Criminal Investigator Retirement Act; increasing employee contribution under the Firemen’s Pension Account Reform Act of 1981; providing appropriations; and providing for effective dates. H.B. No. 0047 Government royalty revenues-definition. Sponsored by: BERGER AN ACT relating to government royalty revenues; providing a definition; and providing for an effective date. H.B. No. 0048 Fishing with artificial light. Sponsored by: BAKER AN ACT relating to fishing; providing for use of artificial light or lighting devices while fishing; providing for rules and regulations; and providing for an effective date. H.B. No. 0049 Marihuana possession. Sponsored by: BYRD AN ACT relating to marihuana possession; amending penalties for marihuana possession as specified; and providing for an effective date. H.B. No. 0050 District court filing fee. Sponsored by: GINGERY AN ACT relating to courts; increasing filing fee for district court civil actions; and providing for an effective date.

Bills introduced so far in the Wyoming Senate as of Wednesday January 15, 2014 S.F. No. 0050 State miner’s health coverage. Sponsored by: Joint Appropriations Interim Committee AN ACT relating to the state miner’s hospital board and account; modifying board membership requirements; modifying benefit eligibility requirements; specifying that benefits from the miner’s hospital account shall be paid only after other available benefits for covered conditions; modifying and providing definitions; repealing obsolete provision; and providing for an effective date. S.F. No. 0051 Workers’ compensation coverage. Sponsored by: BEBOUT AN ACT relating to workers’ compensation; clarifying eligibility for elective coverage of corporate officers, members of a limited liability company, general partners and sole proprietors; and providing for an effective date. S.F. No. 0052 Campaign finance. Sponsored by: CASE AN ACT relating to campaign finance; providing for general election contributions to political candidates not participating in primary elections to occur before the primary election; and providing for an effective date. S.F. No. 0053 Unfair trade practices. Sponsored by: CASE AN ACT relating to trade practices; providing for removal of arrest photographs from websites as specified; providing for penalties; and providing for an effective date. S.F. No. 0054 Reports to the legislature. Sponsored by: Joint Appropriations Interim Committee AN ACT relating to reports to the legislature; modifying reporting requirements; codifying certain reporting requirements; repealing certain reporting requirements; and providing for an effective date. S.F. No. 0055 Hathaway student scholarship program-award increase. Sponsored by: Joint Education Interim Committee AN ACT relating to the Hathaway student scholarship program; increasing scholarship awards as specified; and providing for an effective date. Continued on Page 15

Public Pulse

Campbell County Observer

January 24 - 31, 2014

Dick McGinity is new University of Wyoming President Submitted by Gregory Nickerson – wyofile.com he University of Wyoming Board of Trustees appointed Dick McGinity president of the university today, following a vote of nine in favor and three against. The move drops the “interim” title from McGinity’s job as president, which he had held since the resignation of Robert Sternberg on November 15. Though no contract has been finalized, the trustees offer to McGinity includes compensation of $375,000 a year, along with typical benefits like a housing allowance and a university vehicle. The agreement appoints McGinity as president until June 30, 2016, and precludes a buyout of McGinity’s contract. Should either the board or McGinity decide that he not continue as president, he would have the option of returning to his former teaching position as the Bill Daniels Chair of Business Ethics. His pay in that job would be 5/6ths of his previous $240,000 salary as interim vice president for academic affairs, or about $200,000. Prior to the vote, trustees met in three separate executive sessions to discuss whether to offer McGinity the position and what the offer would be. When trustees opened a public session, trustee Scott Marsh introduced a motion to appoint Dick McGinity as president effective immediately. Discussion followed in which trustee Warren Lauer (Laramie) expressed his support for McGinity and praised him for how he has handled the job. “… for the length of time that you’ve been on the job of provost, and then taking over the duties of the president’s office, you have impressed one hell of a lot of people,” Lauer said. However, Lauer voiced concerns. ”I have reluctance, not with you, Dick McGinity, but I have reluctance about how we got here,” Lauer said. Trustee Brad Mead (Jackson) said he agreed entirely with Lauer’s comments. The trustees then moved to a vote in which trustees Lauer, Mead, and Howard Willson (Thermopolis) voted nay. That left the trustees with nine affirmative votes, the precise number needed to pass the motion to appoint a new president. Those voting yes were: Dave Bostrom Dick Davis Betty Fear Larry Gubbels

Jeffrey Marsh John MacPherson Dave Palmerlee Wava Tully Dave True “Having been in similar shoes to each of you in the past, these decisions are difficult,” McGinity told the trustees after they appointed him. “I will do everything I can to meet your expectations and the needs of the university and the entire board. Thank you very much for your trust and confidence.” Earlier in the day, trustees gathered input from the presidents of the faculty, staff and student senates. “Let’s not stampede this into moving too quickly,” said faculty senate president Colin Keeney. “I don’t think to just blatantly name (McGinity) president, as opposed to interim president for the time being, that wouldn’t play well.” Trustees also heard input from deans and vice presidents. Khaled Gasem, interim dean of the College of Engineering, felt that the university needed a president to project an image of strength to the state and the nation. That could be important for attracting candidates to several positions that are currently filled by interim deans and vice presidents. Others felt that the state legislature would look favorably on the university for naming a president. That could help as the institution approaches the Joint Appropriations Committee in the upcoming budget session to seek raises for faculty and staff, and continued support for the College of Engineering redesign. Donal O’Toole, a professor of veterinary sciences, wasn’t persuaded. “I can’t see what additional credibility it will give (McGinity) to the legislature if you remove the title interim,” he said. O’Toole also criticized Bostrom and Palmerlee for the hiring of Robert Sternberg. “That was a bad mistake, and I am fearful you are about to make another mistake,” he said. The major issue for faculty who spoke at the meeting was the concern that the trustees would ignore one of their own policies found in Article X, section 10-1 of their bylaws. That section states, “It shall be the policy of the Trustees to confer with an advisory committee from the University faculty and staff prior to the selection of a new President.” Marianne Kamp, an as-

WyoFile/Gregory Nickerson

UW Board of Trustees president Dave Bostrom, left, and new University of Wyoming President Dick McGinity. McGinity was appointed acting university president on November 15, 2013, after Robert Sternberg resigned. sociate professor in the department of History, asked the trustees to exercise “ethical leadership” by following their policy, evoking the term that became Robert Sternberg’s catchphrase during his tenure. ”That set of bylaws says you need to consult with a committee of faculty and staff before you make a decision about the president,” Kamp said. “I would urge you to model ethical leadership for our students so they understand that following process is a critical part of leadership.” Trustee Brad Mead described the situation this way: “We are considering deviating from policy and the argument is we need to deviate from policy because the situation is dire.” He asked Bill Gern, vice president for research and economic development, if he felt that the trustees had consulted with the faculty. “Not fully,” Gern said. Mead also asked Colin Keeney, Faculty Senate president, if he thought the trustees had consulted with a committee of faculty. ”Unless you consider me a committee of one, that wouldn’t be the deﬁnition of consulting with a committee,” Keeney said. Following the vote, Board of Trustees president Dave Bostrom said he thought

the board had sought sufﬁcient faculty input. “We’ve had lots of conversations with people, faculty and staff,” he said. “Has it been in a the consort of committee meeting? No it has not. … But in my mind we have had conversations. Do you consider that consultation? That’s in the eye of the beholder.” Bostrom did not think it would have been practical for trustees to organize a formal committee seeking faculty and staff input prior to the January meeting. The next trustees meeting is in March, after the legislative session ends. “We could have done a ﬁre drill and gone out and done other visits and called a special meeting, and it just wasn’t necessary or appropriate to do it,” Bostrom said. “There are going to be some faculty, staff, and perhaps students that are going to think it was not appropriate. The board discussed all of that and came to the decision that was made today.” University general counsel Richard Miller advised trustees earlier in the day that the board would not face any adverse legal consequences for not following the policy of consulting with staff. “We don’t feel in any way that we have violated any

bylaw,” Bostrom said. “The policy that was there was a policy that worked very well in ordinary times, but we are dealing in extraordinary times right now.” With the legislative session beginning February 10, 2014, Bostrom said he felt an urgency to demonstrate to the Joint Appropriations Committee and the legislature that the university had leadership in place. “When Dick McGinity visits with legislators they aren’t going to be questioning, ‘well who am I going to be talking to next year?” Bostrom said. Looking forward, Bostrom says he is excited to pursue the governor’s charge to make the university “tier 1″ in matters of importance to Wyoming. He emphasized that charge encompasses more than engineering, which has been the focus of attention and special projects funding from the legislature in recent years. “I am wonderfully optimistic about the future of the university and where we are going,” Bostrom said. “We are looking at and reviewing each program, each and every college, to make sure we are doing the best we can for the university of Wyoming. We are just starting to run.” McGinity declined to comment on the process that made him president. How-

ever, he did say he believes the trustees have good intentions. “As with all the rest of us, they want the best for university,” McGinity said. “Reasonable people can differ on what that might be, but they are all starting from the point of ‘how can we help this university be as good as it can be.’” McGinity said he will pursue three goals during his term, with the ﬁrst being providing a useful education to students. “We as a community want our students to leave here being able to compete in a global economy, and believe that they can learn and achieve as much as they wish to try,” he said. Other priorities for McGinity’s term include, “academic excellence, and research and production of PhDs, and commercial innovations that are valuable to the state,” he said. Finally, McGinity said he wants to develop a culture of “continuous interaction with the constituencies of the state” in order to serve their needs and those of the university. “I love Wyoming,” McGinity said. “The opportunity to help lead the university — the state’s university — for a period of time in pursuit of these goals, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime. It really is.”

Legislative Update... Continued from Page 14 S.F. No. 0056 State engineer-fees. Sponsored by: GEIS AN ACT relating to the state engineer; authorizing the state engineer to increase the deposit of certain fees for wells and groundwater developments into the water well contractors account as specified; and providing for an effective date. S.F. No. 0057 Reduction of boards and commissions. Sponsored by: Management Audit Committee AN ACT relating to boards and commissions; repealing the advisory council for innovative education, the governor’s food safety council, and the Wyoming education, planning and coordination council; and providing for an effective date. S.F. No. 0058 National guard service-governor’s authority. Sponsored by: Joint Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Interim Committee AN ACT relating to the governor’s authority; granting the governor the authority to call national guard members into specified types of federal service; providing time limits as specified; and providing for an effective date. S.F. No. 0059 Specific service signage on highways. Sponsored by: Joint Transportation,

Highways and Military Affairs Interim Committee AN ACT relating to highway signage; amending statutes related to the Wyoming department of transportation’s program for specific service signage; requiring a competitive bid process; allowing contracted entities to administer the program; and providing for an effective date. S.F. No. 0060 VIN inspection authority-game and fish. Sponsored by: Joint Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Interim Committee AN ACT relating to the titling of vehicles; granting authority to the game and fish to perform vehicle identification number inspections as specified; authorizing a fee for VIN inspections performed by game and fish law enforcement personnel; directing the deposit of the fee; and providing for an effective date. S.F. No. 0061 Veterans-resident tuition provisions. Sponsored by: Joint Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Interim Committee AN ACT relating to education; providing for resident tuition for military veterans at the University of Wyoming and community colleges as specified; providing a definition; and providing for an effective date.

718 N. Hwy 14/16 Gillette, WY 82716 (307) 682-5700 alldimensionsfitness.com

Public Pulse

January 24 - 31, 2014

Campbell County Observer

Bold Republic Weekly No Thanks to You, Mr. President By Glenn Woods ast week, in his weekly address to the nation, President Obama gave himself credit for the nation’s current energy boom. “Thanks, in part, to our all-of-the-above approach to energy, for the ﬁrst time in nearly two decades we produce more oil here at home than we buy from the rest of the world,” the President said. Well, how about: NO THANKS TO YOU, Mr. President? We know that the energy boom in North Dakota is only happening because the oil and gas that is being recovered is happening on private land, and so is out of reach of the ever- growing rules and regulations of most federal government agencies. We know for a fact that Wyoming would be having just such an energy boom, right now, if the BLM, the EPA, the Interior Department, OSHA, and so many other agencies were out of the way of local energy producers. All of the above, Mr. President? Let’s have a look at your war on coal. Let’s head out to the mines around Campbell County and ask how all those new government

rules and regulations are working for those who are now laid off. Why just Campbell County? Let’s have a look at the recent news out of Kentucky, where massive and onerous government regulations are shutting down those coal mines. Let me remind you, Mr. President, of your own words promising to bankrupt coal. Was that promise part of your “all-of-theabove” approach? Does “all-of-the-above” include shutting down coalfired power plants? That industry is suffering as well, due to increased regulations that come from your own administration, Mr. President. HEY, what about that Keystone pipeline that has been waiting for your approval, Mr. President? That sucker was slated to begin construction five years ago. Sure, I know that we are talking Canadian oil on that one, but the point is the same: When it comes to energy, the President of the United States wants put a halt to anything that has to do with fossil fuels. Funny, how money is taken from profitable gas and oil companies to fund the failing green energy sector. I wonder, how does that

work when the profitable companies no longer exist to artificially support the failing companies? Where will the green industry get the money to stay afloat? Mr. President, you and your Democrat friends continue to wrongly state that the oil companies get “subsidies” from the government. But they do not. A subsidy is when government writes a check to support and industry. No oil company in America

receives such a check. Rather, oil companies get to keep more of the money that they earned through tax breaks when they repair old equipment or buy new equipment. These are the same tax breaks, by the way, that all other industries in America get. It is the bankrupt and failing green energy sector, staffed by your cronies and friends, Mr. President, which gets free checks from the government. Mr. President, you cannot take credit for saving the very industry you have sworn to destroy. The oil industry, and other fossil-fuel industries in America, are only doing as well as they can do, despite your best efforts to shut

them down. If we are going to give credit to anyone for the success of the oil industry over the past few years, we must thank the private land owners in North Dakota for allowing production on their land. What I imagine offends you most of all, Mr. President, is the motives of those North Dakota land owners and the oil companies. PROFIT! Yes, Mr. President, despite your best efforts, crude oil in America is making massive proﬁts. This proﬁt making is good for America. It keeps our overall economy humming along. It keeps prices low. But most of all, it helps grandma and grandpa. That is because, despite

what you have tried to tell the American people, Mr. President, it is not rich, greedy, oil barrens that own the oil companies. Oil companies are owned by individual stock holders across the nation. So, when grandma and grandpa retire they are living off of the interest from their investment portfolios. That would include oil stock. Mr. President, I am sure that there were a few out there who actually believe your line that your “all-ofthe-above” approach was the reason for this recent boom. But for the record, most Americans understand that you have been anything but a friend to the hard working folks that fuel America’s engine.

(Have your own opinion on the issue? Write us a letter to the editor at: 1001 S. Douglas Hwy B-6 Gillette, WY 82716 or email one at: CampbellCountyObserver@gmail.com)

Bold Republic Column Sponsored By:

Randy the Builder 307-682-7598

Your home town builder building dreams since 1971.

NDY A R L L CA NTH’S O M S I FOR TH M O! PRO

Glenn Woods is a newspaper columnist and Radio Talk Show Host. You can ﬁnd him back on the air LIVE on 103.1 FM or 1450 AM. Can’t listen right away or not in the signal range? Go to BoldRepublic.com to watch the show live or listen after!

“Watchdogs” Try to Commandeer FEC

HealthSource

Submitted by Steve Klein – Wyoming Liberty Group One of the few things Congress got right when it passed the Federal Election Campaign Act – thereby creating the Federal Election Commission (FEC) – was appointing an equal number of commissioners from both major political parties atop the agency. No matter what the agency’s bureaucrats want to do, they must usually answer to these political appointees. If a majority vote of four out of six commissioners cannot be achieved (that is, a passing vote with at least one vote from a commissioner of a different party), then the agency cannot act. This is important because campaign finance laws, by their very nature, give the FEC the ability to punish candidates and political speakers, or even criminalize politics. At the very least, the agency must be overseen by political appointees who answer to their party, and reach some bipartisan consensus when acting against an individual or group. This remains the bane of campaign finance “reformers.” While claiming to champion “our democracy,” they would prefer a speech czar who would vigorously investigate and pursue each and every one of their allegations of malfeasance. Since this is unlikely to happen officially, some have instead unveiled a new strategy: instead of letting the FEC’s commissioners oversee the agency’s staff of attorneys, they’ll try to make the attorneys oversee the commissioners. The Campaign Legal Center announced yesterday that it (along with other groups like Public Citizen) will sue the FEC for not finding a reason to believe that CrossroadsGPS, a large ad-

vocacy group, failed to register and report as a political committee with the agency. This means the FEC will not be pursuing an investigation into CrossroadsGPS (which would, by itself, probably cost the group tens of thousands of dollars, possibly more). The three Democrat commissioners voted in favor of ﬁnding a reason to believe, while the three Republican commissioners voted against. The FEC’s ofﬁce of legal counsel believed (as they tend to do) that further investigation was warranted. “The suit will argue that the FEC’s dismissal of the case following the 3-3 deadlock was arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion and contrary to the law.” Well, I’ll give them points for originality, but do not actually expect the case to go anywhere. The issues in this case are largely the same as our case Free Speech v. FEC, which is currently being considered for hearing by the Supreme Court. The issues in these cases are complex, and unnecessarily so. Basically, certain FEC commissioners, plenty of FEC attorneys, and the reform community have done everything in their power to obscure campaign disclosure laws to capture any and all forms of political speech and subject speakers to as much paperwork as possible.

and punish those who won’t comply. Unfortunately, the courts have not been helpful in reining back this allencompassing “disclosure.” Campaign Legal’s new case will give the courts another opportunity to examine the arbitrary and capricious (that is, vague and overbroad) FEC policies and practices that hinder and often completely silence large and small political groups, and in that sense it’s a good case. However, attempting to supplant the commissioners’ authority is a transparent effort to destroy one of the FEC’s most important safeguards. If they’re successful, there will be no need to have commissioners anymore. That just might be their goal.

PREFERRED PROVIDERS

Once “disclosure” was limited to speech advocating for or against federal candidates, but reformers remain concerned that speakers like Crossroads are getting their opinion out on various issues and even criticizing or praising candidates about their stances on them, which might in turn inﬂuence elections. Bring on the red tape,

& Progressive Rehabilitation

e c n a r u s n I Accepted

Stop in today and meet our staff: Wacey Coleman • Lesley Moser Sandra McIntosh • Jasmin Havelka Dr. Ashley Latva • Dr. Matt Arnio Dr. Bob McIntosh

307-670-9426

thebackdoctor@live.com

110 E Lakeway Rd. Ste., 1000 Gillette WY, 82718

Services Provided

• Chiropractic Manipulation • Dynamic Rehabilitation • DOT & Occupational Testing • Trigger Point Therapy

• Electric Muscle Stimulation • Ultrasound Therapy • Cervical Traction

OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8-5, Tuesdays 1-5, Fridays 8-1, Saturdays 10am-Noon

January 24 - 31, 2014

Hold the Congratulations for Congress

Editor, Now that Congress has its immense, $1.1 trillion bipartisan funding bill in hand, the media has been commending Congress for finally doing its job. This praise works only in the context of recent history, however. The bill that congressional leaders produced is hardly a triumph. Instead, it’s another example of Congress’s stubborn determination to deal itself out of the budgeting process. Before this current budgeting era, Congress used procedures that put the ideals of representative democracy into practice. It divided its responsibilities into policy development, which was in the hands of its various “authorizing” committees; and establishing funding levels, which was done by the appropriations committees in the House and Senate. They held hearings, debated furiously, accepted and rejected scores — if not hundreds — of amendments, and ultimately produced a series of bills for Congress to consider. The process didn’t work perfectly. It produced hiccups and grandstanding, and required a lot of negotiation and compromise. But it also spread the work of Congress among expert members, employed the capabilities of dedicated and knowledgeable legislators, and provided for deliberation, open debate, accountability, and a reasonably democratic outcome. No more. Now, continuing resolutions and omnibus bills lift responsibility from most members’ hands. They produce decisions, but not in an open, democratic process. They’re basically developed in secret by a handful of leaders and their allies and staff; allow very few, if any, amendments; sharply limit debate time; severely restrict members’ ability to study thousands of provisions; and require an up or down vote. Most troubling, they’re larded with policy decisions that in the old days would have been debated by the authorizing committees. Moreover, with omnibus bills, the truly difficult but crucial work that Congress needs to be doing doesn’t get done. It isn’t scrutinizing the budget of each department to look for programs and line-items that have outlived their usefulness. It can’t examine and analyze difficult policy questions carefully. It won’t question whether entire agencies and even departments still serve the purposes they were designed for. It isn’t even bothering to look beyond discretionary spending to consider reforms to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, which is where most federal spending goes. Congress no longer seems to know how to run a budget process. Most of its members have never experienced the traditional method. They just know how to hold their noses and vote up or down. Lee Hamilton

At First, no Bill of Rights — with a Reason

Editor, In terms of the Constitution’s meaning, I am always in agreement with Andrew P. Napolitano, but as a constitutional historian, I do take issue with his recent column syndicated in many papers, “A president who would mock the faith of nuns.” In the piece, Mr. Napolitano writes, “When the Framers were putting together the Constitution in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787, they knew the states would not adopt it without written guarantees that the new central government would respect natural rights.” The Framers knew no such thing that summer. They deliberately did not add a Bill of Rights to the Constitution because they thought it was both unnecessary and dangerous. It was unnecessary, they thought, because the new government that the Constitution created was one of expressly stated and limited powers. This government had the power to do only the things the Constitution said it could do, and nothing more. So, for example, since the Constitution did not give the government the power to cur-

Public Pulse

Campbell County Observer

Letters to the Editor

tail speech, there was no need to include language in a bill of rights that forbade the government from doing so. A bill of rights was dangerous, they argued, because no such list could possibly include every right the people possessed. Thus, the government might eventually conclude that the rights not included were rights the government could ignore. It was only after they submitted the Constitution to the states for ratiﬁcation, and the people mightily protested the lack of a written bill of rights, that the Framers realized what a mistake they had made in not including one in the Constitution. Then they quickly promised to introduce the Bill of Rights in the ﬁrst Congress created under the Constitution. BRUCE G. KAUFFMANN

Ready to Vote Against Cindy Hill

Editor, Upon her announcement declaring intention to be a candidate for governor in this election cycle, Cindy Hill declared as she did as a candidate for state superintendent of public instruction, “more at- will state employees who con be fired at any time.” I voted against the dictator before and I will do so again, if offered. Conservatives certainly have a fondness to refrain from democratic process, in favor of dictatorship. My primary lesson was Reagan’s firing of the striking air traffic controllers during his early presidency, as a negotiations strategy, what I have come to call, ‘serfdom,’ anything but democratic. The firing of any employee, without a formal hearing, is blame based in cowardice, rooted in the ego. Imagine a troop leader on a battlefield, coming across one of his wounded troopers saying, “you’re fired!.” Is cowardice a strength or weakness and does it support the needs of others. Perhaps this is too obvious when I say leadership exemplifies courage by taking responsibility, based in the spirit, as love. Does it matter which field of endeavor, where leadership applies, that responsibility is the due course of action? Aside of President Obama, this nation is in dire need of responsible leadership, to level the playing field of the great disparity which ails our nation today, while the elected juvenile delinquents play their win/lose blame game trip of the ego, in far too many segments of our culture. Who is responsible? There is no blame, excepting for ego posturing, however, the responsibility resides in your hands at the voting booth, should you awaken to the truth; cowardice inspiring irresponsibility, is not justice. Reagan? Roll over Beethoven, your comeuppance is long past due. DAVE FINK

Expand Medicaid to Protect Local Hospitals

Editor, Where does one start when discussing the Affordable Care Act (AKA Obamacare, ACA) and Wyoming politics? Our progressive delegation in Washington would like to see it disappear. Cynthia Lummis and others of the tea party shut the United States government down in a political ploy to defund the ACA by defunding the government. (The cost for this childish stunt was in the billions) Now we Wyomingites have many members in our own State Legislature doing all possible to not allow federal moneies in the form of Medicaid necessary to fund the ACA. This funding must come into the state to fund ACA for those in the very lowest of the poverty level. We have a local hospital, our Carbon County Memorial Hospital that ﬁnds itself in deeper ﬁnancial trouble every day. Some of this problem is because so many of the patients are what are known as, “self-pay patients.” hese are folks that do not have employer-paid insurance and are in dire need of health care. So much so is their need for health care they are willing to go into debt

to get health care at the only place possible, the emergency room at the hospital. The general public of Wyoming has put enough pressure on our Republican led egislature that the bill attempting to allow the Medicaid funding has now come out of committee and will be voted on the House and Senate ﬂoor, hence the reason for this letter. If you as the voting public of Carbon County believe that we need a viable hospital, contact your Senate and House members and let them know your feelings. The representative for Rawlins is Donald Burkhart, those living in the rest of the county have Jerry Paxton as their representative; your Senate member is Lawrence Hicks in Baggs. All the phone numbers and email address can be found on the Wyoming State Legislature web site. When Rep. Burkhart was asked to support the bill; his response was “well it has not come out of committee.” Not a very positive response. Why not something more reassuring such as certainly I will support Medicaid funding; it is necessary for our hospital to survive. If you want a hospital, call them and make your voice heard. DON CUIN

Republic vs. Democracy

Editor Where’s ours? A Republic is governed by a set of laws. After the Constitution was written, Benjamin Franklin said, “we have given you a Republic, if you can keep it.” A democracy is governed by majority rule and can easily slide into a dictatorship. Winston Churchill once said that “a democracy is one of the worst kinds of government.” We had a Republic. Where did it go? Lauretta Scobee

Benghazi Disaster

Secretary Clinton parroted those lines as did the president leading up to his speech at the UN two weeks later where he again repeated this lie to the world. Ms. Clinton claims no knowledge of the requests for increased security, is not mentioned in the reports and claimed security experts took care of security. I ﬁnd it hard to believe that with all the uproar in Libya at this time that Ms. Clinton was not given brieﬁngs on what was happening. If she wasn’t then, I believe she is just as incapable of managing this country as the current president. If she isn’t capable of managing the state dept. and ensuring the safety of those employees, how could she manage the entire country and ensure the safety of all its citizens? Did Ms. Clinton get a 3 a.m. call and respond with, “What difference at this point does it make?” Dale Rath

Answers needed in Benghazi Affair

Editor, I write for this newspaper, but today I am writing to you as a citizen of this country and a military mother. Over sixteen months ago our embassy in Libya was attacked and our ambassador and three other embassy workers were killed. At that time I had a son who was a Marine working at another embassy in another country. I am already a Gold Star mother, so when I say my heart literally went into my throat with worry for my Marine son you should believe me. The continuous lies we were fed by the White House in the week’s right after the attack were atrocious. My son informed me that a jet was less than one hour away from Libya and that they could have done a ﬂy over, but this was not ordered. I want to know: where was the President of this country during this attack that lasted over nine hours? Where was the secretary of state during this time? Who in the military gave the stand down order? Why did we not defend our citizens at this embassy? I want these questions answered and those responsible to be relieved of their positions. Holly Galloway

Editor, Bipartisan reports blame the U.S. State Dept., the military and the intelligence community for the disaster in Benghazi in 2012. In the months before the attack, numerous intelligence reports recommended higher security. The embassy made many requests to the state department for increased security. Some were answered “no” and others were ignored. State Government Seems to The military offered more security, but be Working Against Us Amb. Chris Stevens was afraid of offendEditor, ing his superiors and turned them down. Intelligent people can and do make stuIt seems intelligence and the military did their jobs. The end result was an attack pid mistakes. We all know this from personal experiby al Qaeda-linked entities that ultimately ence and from our reading of history. killed 19 people and injured 33. Such is the case of the behavior of our Yes, 15 people trying to investigate Benghazi have also been killed. Both Con- Wyoming governor, Mr. Matt Mead. He gressional reports agreed the attack was has made a horrible mistake in rejecting preventable. In June of 2012, the Red the federal government Medicaid expanCross and Britain pulled out of Benghazi sion plan. It is clear that Gov. Mead is not because of attacks. Reports of al Qaeda at all thinking of the people of Wyoming n flags flying in many parts of Benghazi were except for the wealthy of our population. I feel the same way concerning our ignored. With the upcoming anniversary of senators, John Barrasso and Mike Enzi, in 9/11, increased security should have been a no-brainer. But the 2012 election narra- their voting against extending the Unemtive being pushed was “Osama bin Laden ployment Insurance for American citizens. Clearly, they are with the governor in not is dead and al Qaeda is on the run.” President Obama and Secretary of considering the working folk of their state. Janet Cunningham State Hillary Clinton were briefed by Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the night of the attack, and how it was a terrorist attack by affiliates of al Qaeda. The FBI determined that there was no anti-Muslim video (AMV) demonstration as claimed by administration officials. Yet, United Nations AmAddress: Phone: Hours: bassador Susan Rice was 500 O-R Drive 307-682-9808 M-F 9-6 allowed to go on five TV Gillette Wy. 82718 @ 4J and I-90 Sat 9-4 interviews claiming it was an AMV demonstration that had gotten out of hand. In several speeches,

Quality Musical Instruments A Pleasure An Investment

Weekly Constitution Study

Every week, the Observer prints one article, paragraph, or section of either the U.S. or State Constitution for your information. Wyoming State Constitution, Article 1, Section 23. Education

The right of the citizens to opportunities for education should have practical recognition. The legislature shall suitably encourage means and agencies calculated to advance the sciences and liberal arts.