March 29-April 5, 2013 by C.C. Observer

BUY SELL TRADE

www.qualityautowy.net

GUARANTEED APPROVALS

307-682-3302 201 South Osborne, Gillette

$1.00

iot Publ r t a

ing ish

$1.00 Volume 3 • Issue 13

2008 F250 Ford Lariat 56K, V-10, All Options LIKE NEW!

$25,995 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID GILLETTE, WY PERMIT NO. 5105

The Campbell County Observer

www.campbellcountyobserver.net

June 17 - 24, 2011

March 29 - April 5, 2013

“If it doesn’t have to do with Campbell County, we don’t care!”

Guys Night Out By Nicholas DeLaat

Tuesday - Thursday 11 am - 10 pm Friday - Saturday 11 am - 11 pm Closed Sunday & Monday Happy Hour 3 to 6 pm Every Day

311 S. Gillette Ave • Gillette, WY 307-685-8055 Brad, Katie, Nathaniel, and Jenni Winter enjoy their ﬁrst meal at Old Chicago during the soft opening.

I always feel special when given free stuff from local and out of town businesses because they want me to report on an event. Though they do this with everyone in media, the thrill of feeling a little special has yet to subside, and last Saturday I got to enjoy another one of these types of events. But this wasn’t the usual concert or a benefit dinner; it was a soft opening of Old Chicago. I received a pass for four people, and planed on going with my wife and another couple. But, last minute babysitters being scarce, there was a change of plan…and not necessarily for the worse. Instead, my beautiful wife told me to invite the guys. So, it turned out to be a “guy’s night out” as it were. Joining me was Glenn Woods, newspaper columnist and radio talk show host, and two other good friends for the feast that was to come. And feast it was, we started out with a plate of great nachos followed by two pizzas that was specifically ordered by the manager for us. Now I have to take a minute and brag about one of his choices. I have never understood vegetarians, and the great pizza we received showed it. The name “meet my meat” speaks for itself. Meat, more meat, and even more meat! It was a carnivore’s heaven on a pizza, and we all know that meat lovers are plentiful in Campbell County! The atmosphere was more like you would find in a downtown of a major city, like Chicago. With specialties like the ‘world beer tour’ and more, Old Chicago is in the running to be a premier restaurant in Gillette. The vibrancy of the staff reflected from the smiles on their faces as they greeted you at the door, and continued through the night of service. The decorating was that of the bricks of old, without the traditional drop ceiling in most areas. The restaurant has a darker atmosphere perfect for dining with the staff’s personalities providing most of the light needed. It was a good night out with the guys, ending up at my “mancave” smoking a fine cigar after a wonderful meat, meat, and more meat dinner! Is there anything negative to say in this review? Yes, only one thing; that I can’t find a babysitter every night of the week to go eat meat, meat, and more meat!

Wyoming hay producers take three of top five places at World Ag Expo Three Wyoming hay producers placed in the top five in the alfalfa hay division at the 2013 World Ag Expo Forage Challenge, Feb. 12-14, in Tulare, Calif. In the alfalfa hay division, first place went to David Hinman of Hardrock Farms Inc., in Wheatland; second place was Daryl Tiltrum of Dipper Tree Sheep LLC, in Wheatland; and fifth place went to Kelli Hinman, also from Wheatland. Finalists were chosen from more than 90 entries submitted from the western United States. The competition challenged farmers to see who produced the highest-quality forage in the West. Entries were judged in

three categories: alfalfa hay, standard corn silage and brown mid-rib (BMR) corn silage. Cash prizes were awarded based on forage lab analyses, along with a visual evaluation of the entries by experts in dairy nutrition and forage production. First place winners in all three categories received $3,000 while second place winners were awarded $2,000. Wyoming producers have consistently won or placed extremely high for the last few years in both the World Ag Expo and the World’s Forage Analysis Superbowl in Wisconsin. For more information about Wyoming’s crop and forage program, con-

tact Donn Randall, program manager at the Wyoming Business Council, at 307.777.6578 or donn.randall@wyo. gov. The mission of the Business Council is to facilitate the economic growth of Wyoming. The Business Council, a state government agency, concentrates its efforts on providing assistance for existing Wyoming companies and start-ups, helping communities meet their development and diversiﬁcation needs, and recruiting new ﬁrms and industries targeted to complement the state’s assets. For more information, please visit www. wyomingbusiness.org.

Subscribe online at CampbellCountyObserver.net

Community

March 29 - April 5, 2013

Campbell County Observer

D.K. Wyatt unveils one tribe’s stunning tale of courage and survival New book follows the journey of the Kashites Tribe throughout the winter months as they seek refuge in the wolf cave

They say that survivors are not always the strongest; they are also the smartest and more often the luckiest. Author D.K. Wyatt pens a compelling story of a courageous tribe who lose everything but their lives after a horrible volcanic eruption unlike anything they ever witnessed, and who must now ﬁnd a sanctuary for the long winter months ahead of them. Highly intriguing and ﬁlled with adventures, Winter of the Wolf Cave gives readers a glimpse of the past and the perilous ordeal the ancient people had to go through in the name of survival. Set in Southwestern France in Circa 20,000 B.C.E., there is this small clan called Kashites which is an organized group of hunter-gatherers led by

their strong and wise leader, Talbot. After a horrible explosion at their winter home, they were forced to run for their lives, losing everything they had prepared for the hard months of winter ahead of them. Weak and weary after days of nonstop travel, they were terriﬁed to ﬁnd themselves in the middle of nowhere under a menacing rain. It is up to Talbot to lead his people to the safety and warmth of a shelter. They stumbled upon a cavernous cave where they stayed for the night, a place that will mean a great deal to their hearts. The clan has to go through a lot of trials and tribulations, bringing them closer together. Survival is the name of the game, and they have to face it every day. In the midst of the dan-

gers in the forest and the intricate tasks of hunting for food, scraping for useful herbs and fruits and gathering enough ﬁre woods, they come upon an interesting event that will change their lives forever. With the help of two wolf pups Talbot’s children rescued and nursed, the Kashites brave through the obstacles and stick together in order to endure and live on in those perilous times. A tale of admirable valor and an ultimate will to survive, Winter of the Wolf Cave gives the readers the right amount of action and adventure, and imparts to them the most important lesson for survival- unity, willpower, courage and ingenuity. For more information on this book, log on to www. Xlibris.com.

About the Author: D.K. Wyatt has been teaching sixth graders for the last 29 years and absolutely loves her job. She often tells stories as a way of keeping their attention because teaching ancient history to 11 and 12 year olds can be challenging at best. She began telling this story to them a few years ago so that they could connect with the hunter gatherers. With their unending encouragement, she ﬁnally wrote the story out, and now to their delight it’s a book that they can enjoy for years to come.

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

Reid Drilling, Inc. • Mineral Exploration Drilling • Coring • Monitor Wells

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

~ Ben Franklin

PO Box 236 • Wright Wy • 307-464-0035

Great Family Fun Year Round!

Frontier Center

Public forums focus on coming changes to disability program

The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) is planning a robust series of discussions about changes coming to programs offered for state residents with developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries. Currently, WDH provides services through an “Adult Developmental Disabilities Waiver,” a “Child Developmental Disabilities Waiver” and an “Acquired Brain Injury Waiver” using a combination of state and federal Wyoming Medicaid dollars. A law approved by the Wyoming Legislature and the governor earlier this year called for a redesign of current programs. Two new waivers are being developed: a capped “Supports Waiver” and a “Comprehensive Waiver.” Current waiver participants will be transitioned to the new waivers between January 2014 and July 2015. “We are looking to use existing funding to help more people in need of services who are currently on waiting lists while also making improvements that support independence and enhance the quality of life for participants,” said Chris Newman, Behavioral Health Division senior administrator with WDH. Newman announced a series of public forums, which are being offered together with the Wyoming Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, to discuss the waiver redesign effort: • Casper, April 4, 6:30-8 p.m., Parkway Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, Natrona and American rooms, 123 West E Street • Gillette, April 10, 6:30-8 p.m., GCM 120 Presentation Hall – Gillette College, 300 West Sinclair • Riverton, April 16, 6:30-8 p.m., Wind River Room 116 – Intertribal Center, Central Wyoming College, 2660 Peck Avenue • Evanston, April 17, 6:30-8 p.m., Evanston High School Seminar Room, 701 West Cheyenne Drive • Bridger Valley/Mountain View, April 18, 6:30-8 p.m., Uinta County School District #4 Board Room, 129 2nd Street

Carpet ress ExpDIRECT

The Cl os Thing est Whole To sale!

5700 S Douglas Hwy • 307-687-0261

OPEN BOWLING Every Day!

• Cheyenne, April 24, 6:30-8 p.m., Holiday Inn, South Fork and Shoshone ballrooms, 204 West Fox Farm Road • Jackson, April 30, 4-5:30 p.m., Teton County Commissioners Chambers, County Admin Bldg, 200 South Willow • Cody, May 1, 4-5:30 p.m., EOC Room in Park County Courthouse Addition basement, 1002 Sheridan Avenue “We realize many people may have questions about the planned changes,” Newman said. “We want to talk with current waiver participants and their families, as well as people on the waiting lists, about the new waivers’ design and gather input on services and preferences.” For service providers, two special forums are planned in Cheyenne on April 23. National experts will lead a discussion on changing service delivery to become more outcomes-based with a focus on increasing independence, self-sufﬁciency and quality of life. Providers are encouraged to RSVP for one of these sessions to Jamie. staunton@wyo.gov. More information and updates on the waiver redesign project are available online at http://www.health.wyo.gov/DDD/ index.html. Residents may also offer input through an online survey available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BHDWaiverRedesignSurvey or by sending an email to bhdmail@wyo.gov.

New Synthetic mAD Lanes!

Birthday Parties Christmas Parties Company Parties Fund Raisers Great School Discounts Very Reasonable Rates Full Restaurant / Bar Open Daily at Noon for Lunch Excellent Food & Beverages! Homemade Specials Full Service Pro Shop Check Us Out On

~ Leagues Year Round: 6 Different leagues ~ Youth League: Every Saturday 10 a.m. SIGN UP! Anytime! (Excellent Scholarship Program!)

~ Glow Bowling: Friday & Saturday Nights 9 - 11 p.m. ~ Non-smoking League: Sunday 7-9 p.m. ~ Non-Smoking: Sunday 1-3 p.m. ~ 9 Pin Tap Jackpot: Saturday Nights 8 p.m.

Clean, Fun, Fam Atmosph ily e Beautifu re! ll Remode y led!

4 Pool Tables • Jukebox • Dart Boards • 37” Flat Screen Monitors We touch your heart and stomach, before we ever touch your pocket book!

HealthSource & Progressive Rehabilitation

e c n a r u s In d e t p e c c A

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

Who’s Brand is this in Campbell County? Answer from last week Leroy B. Rassbach Revocable Trust & Terry D. Rassbach

PREFERRED PROVIDERS

• 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

COMING SOON!

To Advertise in this special supplement call 307-299-4662 today!

DON'T MISS OUT!

The Campbell County Observer Presents The Second Annual

SUMMER FUN GUIDE! 2

Community

Campbell County Observer

March 29 - April 5, 2013

“Honor Flight” documentary to be shown at Foothills Theater on April 25 “Honor Flight” is a heartwarming documentary about four living World War II veterans and a Midwest community coming together to give them the trip of a lifetime. Volunteers race against the clock to ﬂy thousands of WWII veterans to Washington, D.C. to see the memorial constructed for them in 2005, nearly 60 years after their epic struggle. The trips are called “Honor Flights” and for the veterans, who are in their late 80s

and early 90s, it’s often the ﬁrst time they’ve been thanked and the last trip of their lives. The 24-hour journey is full of surprises that deeply move all who are involved. It’s uncommon for World War II veterans to talk about the War, but the Honor Flight experience brings their stories out. Many veterans say, with the exception of their wedding day and the birth of their children, the trip is the best day of their life.

LYNNCO TRAINING Frank Lynn

The Gillette showing of the “Honor Flight” documentary will take place on Thursday, April 25 from 7:30 pm – 9:07 pm at Foothills Theater. Tickets are $11 and may only be purchased at http://www.tugg.com/go/tab0w7. For more information about this event and to spread the word about the “Honor Flight” documentary showing in Gillette, go to our Facebook page at https://www.facebook. com/events/545652052122434/.

Certified MSHA & Blaster Instructor 32 YEARS SURFACE COAL MINING EXPERIENCE

Call scheduletoy training to our day!

307.689.4189 msha.inst@gmail.com

Weekly Constitution Study

Celebrate National Arbor Day by planting trees Receive 10 free shade trees by joining the Arbor Day Foundation

National Arbor Day is Friday, April 26 this year, and the Arbor Day Foundation is making it easy for anyone to celebrate the annual tree-planting holiday. Join the Foundation in April and receive 10 free shade trees. By joining the Foundation in April, new members receive the following trees: red oak, sugar maple, weeping willow, baldcypress, thornless honeylocust, pin oak, river birch, tuliptree, silver maple and red maple.

The free trees are part of the Foundation’s Trees for America campaign. “These trees provide shade in the summer and gorgeous colors throughout the fall,” said John Rosenow, founder and chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “By the simple act of planting trees, one person helps create a healthier and more beautiful planet for all of us.” The trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time for planting in April

or May with enclosed planting instructions. The 6- to 12-inch trees are guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced free of charge. To become a member of the Foundation and receive the free trees, send a $10 contribution to TEN FREE SHADE TREES, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410, by April 30, 2013, or visit arborday.org/april.

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 4, Section 8. Approval or veto of legislation by governor; passage over veto.

Nominations due May 1 for 2013 Wyoming Woman of Distinction Award The Wyoming Council for Women’s Issues (WCWI) will accept nominations for its 2013 Wyoming Woman of Distinction Award until May 1. The award recognizes one woman each year who has had signiﬁcant positive impacts on women and families. This “once in a lifetime” award is for women who have impacted women and/or families in the areas of: education or employment, community outreach, health and wellness concerns, or legal issues. Any person or group may submit a nomination by sending a completed nomination form and materials listed below to the WCWI ofﬁce. Additional forms are available from the WCWI website, from any WCWI member, or you may photocopy this form. Nominees will be honored at a special ceremony in late summer or early fall. The nominee chosen as the Wyoming Woman of Distinction will be asked to supply a photograph. Materials to Be Submitted With Nomination Form: • One page summary of the nominee’s contributions towards any or all of the above attributes. • Three character and/or work/community letters of reference with full contact information. • One page biographical sketch of the nominee. • Other supportive materials may be included that provide examples or additional information. All materials should be legible. Nomination forms are available on the WCWI Website at http://wyomingwomenscouncil.org/w_of_d.html. Honorees will be recognized at a special ceremony in late summer or early fall. Bev Dye of Casper received the award in 2012 for her

Every bill which has passed the legislature shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the governor. If he approve, he shall sign it; but if not, he shall return it with his objections to the house in which it originated, which shall enter the objections at large upon the journal and proceed to reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of the members elected agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if it be approved by two-thirds of the members elected, it shall become a law; but in all such cases the vote of both houses shall be determined by the yeas and nays, and the names of the members voting for and against the bill shall be entered upon the journal of each house respectively. If any bill is not returned by the governor within three days (Sundays excepted) after its presentation to him, the same shall be a law, unless the legislature by its adjournment, prevent its return, in which case it shall be a law, unless he shall file the same with his objections in the office of the secretary of state within fifteen days after such adjournment.

nearly 30 years work through Casper College’s ABE/ GED Center. Read more about Dye here: http://wyomingwomenscouncil.org/news_woman_of_distiction_2012. html For more information about the Woman of Distinction award or for application forms, contact Chava Case at the Wyoming Business Council at 307.777.2823 or chava.case@wyo.gov. The Wyoming Council for Women’s Issues is a 13-member council with representation from each of the nine judicial districts and four at-large members plus an ex-officio member from WBC. Members are volunteers appointed by the Governor; activities in the areas of employment practices, educational opportunities, home and WCWI Survey News Conference community and legal rights and responsibilities are funded by the State Legislature. The Wyoming Business Council is the fiscal agent and supporting agency for WCWI. Its mission is to facilitate the economic growth of Wyoming. The state government agency concentrates its efforts on providing assistance for existing Wyoming companies and start-ups, helping communities meet their development and diversification needs, and recruiting new firms and industries targeted to complement the state’s assets. For more information, visit www.wyomingbusiness.org.

Campbell County Observer

CampbellCountyObserver.net 5105 Tarry St. Gillette, WY 82718 (PP-1) Volume 3 Issue 13 The Campbell County Observer is published by Patriot Publishing L.L.C. in Gillette, WY every Friday. 5105 Tarry St. Gillette, WY 82718 Postmaster: Send address changes to 5105 Tarry St. Gillette, WY 82718

Caregiving Seminar on April 6

Pioneer Manor long term care center is sponsoring Caring for the Caregiver on Saturday, April 6 at the Health Science Education Center at Gillette College, 3801 College Dr. The seminar is free and open to anyone who provides caregiving services for someone, or those interested in caregiving information and resources. The program is designed with identical morning and afternoon sessions, with a lunch and keynote speaker for both sessions. The morning session starts at 9 am with lunch at noon. The afternoon session starts with lunch at noon until 4:30 pm. Presenters include: Mary Barks, CCMH Patient Relations Manager; Carmen Harrison, RN, BSN. Campbell County Public Health; Jonni Belden, RN, BSN, Pioneer Manor Administrator; Melisa Haddix, BS, MSW, CCMH Hospice and Home Health; Reverend Toby Holt, Harvest Presbyterian Church; and keynote speaker Bernadette Meade, DO, Geriatric Medicine. In addition to the presenters, groups and organizations that provide caregiving resources will have information on their services, and a resource binder will be provided to each participant. Call Pioneer Manor at 688.7000 to register.

Sponsor our “Weekly Constitution Study” for only $30.00 per week!

Candice De Laat - Owner/Publisher CandiceDeLaat@CampbellCountyObserver.com

Writers

Nicholas De Laat - Owner/Editor NicholasDeLaat@CampbellCountyObserver.com

Sandra Boehler (Charities/Fundraisers/Veterans Events) SandraBoehler@CampbellCountyObserver.com

Anne Peterson - Advertising Sales Manager AnnePeterson@CampbellCountyObserver.com

Glenn Woods (Political Column) GlennWoods@CampbellCountyObserver.com

Bill Stone - Advertising Sales/Marketing BillStone@CampbellCountyObserver.com

Mike Borda (American History) MichaelBorda@CampbellCountyObserver.com

Falica Valdez FalicaValdez@CampbellCountyObserver.com

Jeff Morrison (Local History Contributor) JeffMorrison@CampbellCountyObserver.com

Kimberly Jones- Sales/Marketing KimberlyJones@CampbellCountyObserver.com

Amanda Wright (Government/Politics Reporter) AmandaWright@CampbellCountyObserver.com

Owen Clarke - Ad Design OwenClarke@CampbellCountyObserver.com

James Grabrick (Where is This?) JamesGrabrick@CampbellCountyObserver.com

Clint Burton - Photographer ClintBurton@CampbellCountyObserver.com

Weekly Weather Forecast Saturday,

Sunday,

Monday,

Tuesday,

Wednesday,

Thursday,

Friday,

March 30

March 31

April 1

April 2

April 3

April 4

April 5

53/25

50/21

36/26

49/35

46/33

56/36

60/33

Rain: 20% Wind: NW at 12 Sunrise: 6:47 Sunset: 19:26 Moonrise: 23:47 Moonset: 8:36 Day length: 12h 39m

Rain: 10% Wind: N at 15

Sunrise: 6:45 Sunset: 19:27 Moonrise: none Moonset: 9:26 Day length: 12h 42m

Rain: 30% Wind: ENE at 14 Sunrise: 6:44 Sunset: 19:28 Moonrise: 0:51 Moonset: 10:23 Day length: 12h 45m

Weekly Weather Forecast Sponsored by

Rain: 0% Wind: SSE at 15 Sunrise: 6:42 Sunset: 19:30 Moonrise: 1:48 Moonset: 11:26 Last Qtr: 22:38 Day length: 12h 48m

Rain: 0% Wind: NW at 20 Sunrise: 6:40 Sunset: 19:31 Moonrise: 2:37 Moonset: 12:34 Day length: 12h 51m

Rain: 10% Wind: NNW at 14 Sunrise: 6:38 Sunset: 19:32 Moonrise: 3:19 Moonset: 13:43 Day length: 12h 54m

Rain: 10% Wind: WNW at 14 Sunrise: 6:36 Sunset: 19:33 Moonrise: 3:55 Moonset: 14:53 Day length: 12h 57m

the y l p Sim ACE L P T BES ve! to li

307-682-0201 BEAUTIFUL MOVE IN READY HOMES

Only 1.5 Miles South off I-90 on Hwy 59.

Community

March 29 - April 5, 2013

Campbell County Observer

Campbell Co. Fire Dept. March 21, 2013 - At 8:37 p.m. to South HWY 59 for a one vehicle rollover. Crews were cancelled en route after Campbell County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived on scene. - At 10:15 p.m. to West 6th Street for an EMS assist. - At 10:52 p.m. to Ledoux Avenue for an EMS assist. March 22, 2013 - At 7:05 AM to 3703 Lunar Avenue for a fire alarm. The resident called in and stated it was a false alarm. - At 10:48 PM to the 1200 block of Green Avenue for a medical assist. March 23, 2013 - At 1:17 AM to mile marker 143 on East Interstate 90 (by Rozet Exit) for a one vehicle rollover accident. A Ford Pickup rolled onto its roof in the median. There were no injuries and no visible fluid leakage coming from the vehicle. The roadway was icy due to snowing. - At 11:31 a.m. to Glock Ave for a carbon monoxide detector alarm. Carbon Monoxide was found to be present in the home with the highest levels in the attached garage. A car that had left the garage several hours earlier was the apparent cause. Firefighters ventilated the house, then checked the gas-fired furnace and found no further evidence of CO in the house. - At 6:58 p.m. to assist EMS at the Adon Rd/I-90 westbound on-ramp. March 24, 2013 - At 2:43 PM to 310 Skyline Drive (Kum & Go) for a gasoline spill in the parking lot. Firefighters applied a hydro carbon eating en-

zyme to the spill that was less than a gallon. - At 8:09 PM to Coal Train Road for a medical assist. Responding fire units were cancelled by Sheriff’s Deputies. March 25, 2013 - At 2:29 AM to the 3200 block of Watsabaugh Drive for a medical assist. - At 4:40 AM to Coal Train Road for a medical assist. - At 8:07 AM to Rodeo for an EMS assist. - At 8:50 AM to Vivian for an EMS assist. - At 10:47 AM to 604 S. Osborne for an automatic fire alarm, units were cancelled en route. - At 3:31 PM to the Gillette Technical Center for an automatic fire alarm, a company was conducting maintenance on the system and accidentally activated the system, the system was fully restored. - At 6:30 PM to 1633 Pathfinder Circle for an automatic fire alarm, upon arrival it was determined that smoke from cooking set off the alarm, the residence was ventilated and the fire alarm was restored. - At 7:07 PM to the area of Park Lane for a reported fire, it was determined to be a controlled burn that was not called into the Sheriff’s Office. March 26, 2013 - At 2:38 AM to Tate Ct. for a medical assist. - At 9:52 to 2 Prairieview Court for a smoke odor inside the residence. The odor was found to be coming from a freezer in the garage (no fire). The freezer was unplugged. - At 11:44 AM to the 4300 block of Olive Avenue for a medical assist.

- At 9:52 a.m. for the report of a hot electrical smell in a residence. CCFD personnel found a burnt motor on a freezer. No fire or damage was noted to the residence or the freezer. The residents had unplugged the freezer prior to the Fire Department arriving. - At 1:18 PM to 1909 Cypress Circle for a carbon monoxide check. No carbon monoxide found in the residence. - At 2:36 PM to 500 Church Avenue; Lot 37 for a fire alarm. Smoke from blowing out candles activated a smoke detector (no fire). - At 3:52 PM to 48 Moran Ranch Road for a small grass fire. Firefighters contained the grass fire to a quarter of an acre. A control burn started the grass on fire. - At 7:54 PM to Elk Valley Road for a medical assist. - At 11:10 PM to the intersection of Bighorn Drive and Bison Avenue (Wright) for a vehicle rollover. Upon arrival no assistance needed.

Your ears will be burning Hey, these diamond studs are hot!

307-686-6666

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

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.

GREENE ENTERPRISES, INC. WELL SERVICING EXCELLENCE

PO Box 1686, Gillette, WY 82717 (307) 682-7380

Complete Oil Well, CBM and Water Well Service

2012 Service King

Services Include: • Completions • Re-Entries • Work Overs • Rod & Tubing Jobs

Auxillary Equipment • Circulators • Tanks • Power Swivels • Water Trucks • Winch Trucks • Fork Lift • Pipe Racks • Light Plants

2012 Falcon

Capable of fulfilling ALL your service needs! 4

Community

Campbell County Observer

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service releases report to help guide greater Sage-Grouse Conservation objectives The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is making available a final report that is designed to help guide the efforts of the States and other partners to conserve the Greater sage-grouse with a landscape level strategy that will benefit the species while maintaining a robust economy in the West. The report, prepared by state and federal scientists and sage-grouse experts, identifies the conservation status of the Greater sage-grouse, the nature of the threats facing the species, and objectives to ensure its long-term conservation. The final report is a collaborative state and federal effort to evaluate species conservation before the Service is required to make a decision in 2015 on whether to propose protecting the species under the Endangered Species Act. The draft report was submitted for scientific peer review, and the Service addressed those comments in the final version. The intent of the report is to provide State, Federal, local and private entities with permitting or land management authority information to support conservation actions for the sage-grouse. Such ac-

tions might involve modifying or amending regulatory frameworks to ensure the long-term conservation of the species by avoiding, minimizing, or mitigating the threats to the species, or focusing voluntary conservation efforts in ways that will benefit the species the most. “The range of the sagegrouse is broad and encompasses areas with different habitat needs. We commend the Western states for providing their knowledge and expertise in helping us outline the conditions that will ensure the long-term viability of the Greater sage-grouse,” said the Service’s Director Dan Ashe. “Addressing those needs will take the collaborative efforts of federal and state agencies, non-governmental entities and Tribes. This report is an important step in our collective efforts to protect, manage, and restore sagebrush habitat for the benefit of sage-grouse and the health of this important landscape.” The final Conservations Objectives report is based on scientific principles of conservation biology and uses information and conservation strategies provided by the States to identify

key areas of habitat across the species’ range, as well as the threats operating within each population that need to be mitigated to conserve the species over the long term. Given the differences across the sage-grouse range, the report allows ﬂexibility for States or other agencies to determine and develop the measures that will best achieve conservation success. Greater sage-grouse are found in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, eastern California, Nevada, Utah, western Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming and the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. A large ground-dwelling bird, the decline of the sage-grouse population has been a result of primary threats such as habitat loss and fragmentation due to wildﬁre, energy development and invasive plant species. The birds currently occupy approximately 56 percent of their historical range. Based on a 12-month status review pursuant to the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service determined that the listing of the species was warranted but precluded by higher priorities.

The final report is available on at http://www.fws. gov/mountain-prairie/species/birds/sagegrouse/ The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow our tweets at www. twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/ usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq

City of Gillette releases 2012 Annual Report

The City of Gillette releases the 2012 Annual Report. The 2012 Annual Report covers highlights from each Department - including information on the Madison Pipeline Project, City Finances, Police Department and Public Works. The report is meant to be an easy to read “snapshot in time,” featuring ﬁnancial and statistical data that highlight the services the City of Gillette provides its customers. Want to know how many people visited the City Pool in 2012? Or what the

total asset book value of the City was in 2012? Or how much the Capital Facilities Tax had raised (as of 12/31/2012) to fund the second Madison Pipeline Project? The 2012 Annual Report provides information on those topics and many others. (For the record, the answers are: 35,443 people visited the City Pool; the City’s total asset book value in 2012 was $332,549,460; and the Capital Facilities Tax had raised a total of $34,319,612 towards the total $110 Million to fund

March 29 - April 5, 2013

Rocky Mountain

DISCOUNT SPORTS

8am-9pm Mon.-Sat. 9am-6pm Sunday 4706 S. Douglas Hwy. Gillette, WY 82718 Ph: 307-686-0221 Fx: 307-686-0265

g Fishin Spring ies! l Supl

Call for your free estimate! 307-696-7465

We've Got You Covered!

ALL NON-SMOKING

For Your Dining Pleasure!

the project.) Administrator Carter Napier initiated the annual report in his ﬁrst year with the City in 2011. The 2012 report covers similar information and has been expanded to cover information such as: The Madison Pipeline Project The Optional 1% Sales Tax Water Efﬁciency Development Services Projects and Statistics The City of Gillette’s Annual Report is available online as well as at various locations around City Facilities.

113 S. Gillette Avenue • www://gillettechophouse.com

www.jakestavern.com LIVE Music FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHT 8:00 PM

Coming up at Jake’s: Featured Crime Larceny (March 5-11)

Crime Stoppers needs your help in solving a larceny that occurred at 1912 Ratcliff Drive between March 5th and March 11th. Within this time frame unknown suspect(s) stole a 2009 black ﬂatbed Yacht Club trailer that contained two Yamaha Mountain Max snow machines. Descriptions of the snow machines are blue with yellow trim and purple with black trim. 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.

Men & Women’s Apparel Plus Sized Women’s & Big & Tall Men’s

Handcrafted Accessories 307-363-4360

116 Gillette Ave

Wishing Everyone a HAPPY EASTER!

Confidential • Courteous • Convenient • Clean

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

Mar 29-30 Apr 5 - 6 Apr 12-13 Apr 19-20 Apr 26-27

Method Systems Crossed Timbers Grease Monkeys 32 Below Face Lift

Daily 4:00 - 7:00 PM

Every Sunday & Monday

5201 S. Douglas Hwy. Gillette, WY 82718 (307) 686-3781

March 29 - April 5, 2013

Comics

Campbell County Observer

For advertising space and prices go to www.CampbellCountyObserver.net or email us at CampbellCountyObserver@gmail.com

Campbell County Observer

Comics

March 29 - April 5, 2013

To submit a quote of the week go to www.CampbellCountyObserver.net

Solutions from last week

We want to get it Write. Oops we mean Right. The Observer strives to make news reports fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, Contact us at nicholasdelaat@campbellcountyobserver.com

Community

March 29 - April 5, 2013

Campbell County Observer

April is Alcohol Awareness Month Alcohol Awareness Month was founded by in 1987 by NCADD (National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence) to increase public awareness and understanding of the addictive diseases. As a primary provider of Substance Abuse Treatment and Education, Central Wyoming Counseling Cen-ter wants to highlight the importance of understanding alcohol and it’s related illnesses. Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive, and genetically predisposed disease, that is fatal if untreated. It effects individuals, families, employers, educators and the community. Addictive disorders are highly treatable, and millions of people live healthy, happy and productive lives in recovery. This April highlights the important public health issue of underage drinking, a problem with devastating indi-vidual, family and community consequences. With this year’s theme, “Help for Today, Hope for Tomorrow,” is aimed at educating people about the treatment and prevention of alcoholism. CWCC wants to create aware-

ness and to encourage individuals and families to get help for alcohol-related problems. Alcohol use by young people is extremely dangerous—both to themselves and to society; and is directly associated with trafﬁc fatalities, violence, suicide, educational failure, alcohol overdose, unsafe sex and other problem behaviors. Annually, over 6,500 people under the age of 21 die from alcohol-related injuries and thousands more are injured. • Alcohol is the #1 drug of choice for young people, and kills more young people than all illegal drugs combined. • Each day, 7,000 kids in the USA under the age of 16 take their ﬁrst drink. • Those who begin drinking before age 15 are 4x’s more likely to develop alcoholism than those who begin at 21. • More than 1,700 U.S. college students are killed each year (4.65 per day) as a result of alcohol-related injuries. • 25% of U.S. children are exposed to alcohol-use disorders in their family.

Subscribe Now

• Underage alcohol use costs the nation an estimated $62 billion annually. Reducing underage drinking is critical to securing a healthy future for America’s youth and requires a cooperative effort from parents, schools, community organizations, business leaders, government agencies, the entertainment industry, alcohol manufacturers/retailers and young people. Started in 1959, Central Wyoming Counseling Center is a non-proﬁt Community Behavioral Health and Sub-stance Abuse Treatment Center dedicated to helping residents of Wyoming. Started in 1959, Central Wyoming Counseling Center is a nonproﬁt Community Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse Treatment Center dedicated to helping residents of Wyoming. The Center receives funding through grants, foundations and private donors. All residents of Wyoming are eligible to receive services regardless of ability to pay.

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

BEST PRICE ON EVERY UNIT! Payments Calculated at 4.99% APR

1993 Chevy Cavalier

$2,997/N.T. $74 mo.

2003 Mazda 6

$7,907/N.T. $148 mo.

2005 Chevy Suburban 1500 LT

2005 Ford F150

2005 Ford F150 XLT

$11,952/N.T. $156 mo.

$9,940/N.T. $185 mo.

$17,978/N.T. $273 mo.

2005 Chrysler Pacifica Touring

2007 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT

2005 Nissan Altima 3.5 SL

2007 Hyundai Sante Fe

2006 Dodge Dakota

2006 Ford F150 XLT

2003 Nissan Centra SE-R

$11,913/N.T. $222 mo.

$17,929/N.T. $273 mo.

$5,904/N.T. $111 mo.

$9,981/N.T. $152 mo.

$21,977/N.T. $285 mo.

$15,963/N.T. $243 mo.

$15,969/N.T. $243 mo.

2007 Toyota RAV4 Limited

2007 Mercury Montago Premier

2008 Buick LaCrosse CV

2008 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71

2007 Jeep Commander Sport

2008 Toyota Tundra Limited

2008 Dodge Ram 2500

$15,960/N.T. $243 mo.

$10,967/N.T. $143 mo.

$9,912/N.T. $185 mo.

$26,954/N.T. $349 mo.

$13,908/N.T. $259 mo.

$28,968/N.T. $375 mo.

$30,987/N.T. $401 mo.

2006 Chevy Impala LTZ

2008 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer

2009 Toyota Camry XLE

2008 Ford F150 XLT

2008 Ford F250 SD Lariat

2008 GMC Canyon

2008 Pontiac G6

$8,928/N.T. $167 mo.

$21,977/N.T. $285 mo.

$19,931/N.T. $259 mo.

$16,926/N.T. $314 mo.

$28,969/N.T. $375 mo.

$17,971/N.T. $233 mo.

$10,946/N.T. $143 mo.

2008 Toyota Highlander Sport

2008 Volkswagon GTI

2008 Ford F150 Limited

2009 Chevy Impala SS

2009 Dodge Ram 2500 Laramie

2009 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali

2009 GMC Yukon XL Denali

$22,969/N.T. $298 mo.

$16,927/N.T. $220 mo.

$24,984/N.T. $379 mo.

$16,937/N.T. $220 mo.

$39,949/N.T. $517 mo.

$35,922/N.T. $465 mo.

$38,961/N.T. $504 mo.

2009 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71

2009 Dodge 2009 Saturn Aura Challenger R/T Classic

2010 Ford Escape

2010 Jeep Commander Sport

2010 Nissan Armada Platinum

2010 Toyota Tundra TRD

$31,938/N.T. $414 mo.

$29,907/N.T. $387 mo.

$8,924/N.T. $167 mo.

$13,987/N.T. $213 mo.

$21,942/N.T. $284 mo.

$35,938/N.T. $465 mo.

$31,948/N.T. $414 mo.

2010 Saturn Vue XR-V6

2010 Volkswagon Passat

2011 Chevy Impala LTZ

2011 Ford Fusion

2011 Ford Fusion Sport

2011 Kia Soul Sport

2011 Toyota Camry

$16,948/N.T. $220 mo.

$19,918/N.T. $258 mo.

$17,934/N.T. $233 mo.

$17,918/N.T. $233 mo.

$22,928/N.T. $297 mo.

$13,931N.T. $181 mo.

$16,929/N.T. $220 mo.

2012 Chevy Malibu LT

2012 Chrysler 200 LX

2012 Ford F150 Lariat

2012 Ford Taurus Limited

2012 Nissan Murano

2011 Toyota Corolla LE

1997 Ford Ranger XLT

$16,923/N.T. $220 mo.

$15,918/N.T. $207 mo.

$39,913/N.T. $516 mo.

$23,923/N.T. $310 mo.

$24,916/N.T. $323 mo.

$14,941/N.T. $223 mo.

$4,948/N.T. $65 mo.

1998 Mercury Mountaineer Premier

1999 Dodge Grand Caravan SE

2009 Kawasaki Versys

2006 John Deer 5425

2008 Massey Ferguson 596 4WD

$3,971/N.T. $53 mo.

$3,965/N.T. $98 mo.

$4,981/N.T. $122 mo.

$37,999 N.T.

$39,999 N.T.

I-90 Exit 10 • Spearfish, SD • 605-642-1900 • 1-800-657-8016 • prestigeautosales.com

Trades based on market vaule, less reconditioning costs. Dealer not responsible for misprints. Payments calculated with 20%down. N.T. = No Trade, Best Price. *All advertised low interest % rates W.A.C. & Beacon score of 839 or better! Sale ends March 30, 2013.

Public Pulse

Campbell County Observer

CAM-PLEX Heritage Center to present Jack and the Beanstalk Please join the CAMPLEX Heritage Center staff for the presentation of Missoula Children’s Theatre JACK AND THE BEANSTALK on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. The Missoula Children’s Theatre presents JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, an original adaptation of the classic children’s story. What happens when a young boy plants Wonder Beans in his own backyard? For Jack, it is the beginning of a great adventure. With a little help from P.T. Wonder and a Giant, Jack learns a valuable lesson about true happiness. This musical production also features a host of other characters, including the Elegant Harp, Jill, Mother, Milky White, the Farmers, the Merchants, the Circus Performers and the Wonder Beans. JACK AND THE BEANSTALK AUDITIONS will be held Monday, April

22, 2013 at CAM-PLEX Energy Hall. Those auditioning should arrive promptly before 4:00 p.m. and plan to stay for two full hours. Some of the cast members will be asked to stay for a rehearsal immediately following the audition. Approximately 60 roles are available for students. All students grades Kindergarten through 12th grade are encouraged to audition. Most students rehearse four hours each day and must be available for rehearsals after school and evenings April 22-27. For more information on Missoula Children’s Theater go to www.mctinc.org. Due to generous grant funding and local sponsorships, tickets are only $10 for Adults, $8 for Youth/ Senior/Military. For more information, contact the CAM-PLEX Ticket Ofﬁce at 307-682-8802 or visit our website at www.cam-plex. com.

Missoula Children’s Theatre will present Jack and the Beanstalk at the CAMPLEX Heritage Center on April 27.

When the Second Continental Congress declared rebellion against King George III, Benjamin Franklin was sent to Paris to enlist the support of King Louis 16th. It was a difﬁcult assignment, trying to get a king to help a group of anti-king reactionaries overthrow another king. The French monarch invited Franklin to play a game of chess. Franklin surveyed the various pieces – king, queen, knights – and made his move. It was a move that had never been done before, and has never been done since. But was it effective? Yes, absolutely. His move? He took the two king pieces off the board. “In America we have no kings,” he told his startled host. The two men then played the only kingless game of chess ever played. Months later, the king agreed to support the man whose candor had so impressed him.

17TH ANNUAL BANQUET

mined by a benchmark variable, such as the growth rate in TABOR, state GDP or the compensation of private employees. If state revenue grows in excess of what the cap allows for, the extra revenue would be repatriated to taxpayers. The amount of spendable revenue would be defined before the state’s appropriations process begins. It would no longer be possible for the state to grow its spending from a pre-defined baseline. There is no question that a spendable-revenue cap would necessitate significant reforms to the state’s appropriations process. This would open up for a zerobased budgeting model as well as potentially a new, more market-oriented model for funding our schools. It would also call upon our lawmakers to develop longterm priority mechanisms for government spending, asking the inevitable question: what are the essential functions of government?

April 27, 2013 • 5:30 p.m.

CAM-PLEX Energy Hall Banquet Ticket $40 - Adults, $30 - 14 and under • Served Dinner choice of: Ribeye Steak or Chicken Breast • Cash Bar • Door Prize Guns • Youth Gun Drawings

PRE-EVENT RAFFLE

Grand Prize: Custom Built AR-15 5.56/.223 Kimber Stainless Pro Carry II 45ACP First Prize: Kimber Custom II .45ACP

NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN.

For more information call:

307-660-5934 (Deb) or 307-660-9869 (Karen)

Tickets can be purchased at • Gun Traders • Rocky Mountain Discount Sports • T&T Guns & Ammo • Gillette Pawn & Gun • 4T Pawn

Tickets purchased by April 15 will be entered in the Early Bird Gun Draw Be sure to check out The Gillette Gun Club Show April 27, 28 and 29th!

Manila Asian Store Authentic Asian food products. We carry Filipino, Thai, Indo, Vietnamese, and Japanese. From Dry Goods to Frozen Foods. Hours: Mon-Sat 10am to 6pm

Penny Plan

Ending years of $1 trillion deﬁcits is possible with just a penny, according to Senator Enzi. Enzi introduced a bill that would balance the budget by cutting a single penny from every dollar the government spends each year for each of three years. The One Percent Spending Reduction Act of 2013, also called the “Penny Plan,” would balance the budget in 2016 by reducing federal spending each year by a total of one percent. Once the budget is balanced, the bill places a cap on total annual spending, equivalent to roughly 19 percent of America’s total economic output. Over the 10 year budget window, the bill would cut spending by approximately $6.1 trillion from currently projected levels. If the spending reductions required by the bill are not made by Congress, across-the-board cuts would automatically kick in until the necessary spending reductions are achieved. This would force Congress to debate the merits of every cut. “The Penny Plan is the injection of ﬁscal sanity that I hope all my colleagues can get behind. It makes sure everyone has some skin in the game and everyone feels a little pain,” Enzi said. “Let’s take a stand not just for the taxpayers, but for future generations that will have to pay for our inaction on our debts. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel if we are willing to act.”

What is the only kingless chess game known to be played in history?

Gillette

By Sven Larson - Wyoming Liberty Group in state government spending. TABOR has been tried in Colorado, with disappointing results: there is no discernible difference in state spending growth before and after TABOR was introduced. The other two models have not been tried yet. There is a fourth option, namely to cap on an annual basis the amount of revenue that the state can spend each year. The cap would still use some external benchmark, such as state GDP, compensation of private employees or TABOR to determine how much government can grow. One advantage in using a revenue-based cap is that it distances the cap from the tense question of what government should spend money on. As experience shows from Colorado, it is easy for a straightforward spending cap to come under ﬁre when legislators debate how to prioritize spending under the cap. A cap on spendable revenue would force critics of the cap to discuss taxation instead of spending, a topic more likely to engage the general public than a discussion over priorities in the state budget. A cap on spendable revenue would look something like this: It would apply to all state revenue, not just taxes. Over the past ﬁve years taxes have been about one third of total Wyoming state revenue. This puts severance taxes and federal funds under the cap. The amount of revenue that the state can spend each year would be deter-

Weekly Trivia Answer from Last Week

Benjamin Franklin and King Louis XVI

State Government Revenue Reform, Part 2 On Tuesday I explained that our state lawmakers have a strong urge to spend all money they have available: The problem with this legislative urge to always spend all the money available is particularly serious in Wyoming. In most other states the state government’s revenues grow more or less on par with the state GDP (at constant tax rates). Here, though, state government revenue tends to outgrow the state economy. I also noted that: When our state government’s revenues outgrow the state economy, we end up on a long-term track of unsustainably growing government. Admittedly, not all revenue is spent today – some goes into funds and contingency accounts – but the sole purpose of the saved money is to guarantee future state spending. Since more state spending, today and tomorrow, is unhealthy for our economy, we need structural reforms to rein in and ultimately shrink our state government. A structural leash on government spending is, simply, a cap on how much money government is allowed to spend each year. The bestknown version is the so called TABOR, or Taxpayers Bill of Rights, which ties the growth in government spending to the growth in state population and the rate of inﬂation in the state economy. Other spendingcap models would use the private sector’s compensation of employees or the state GDP as guidelines for the permissible growth rate

March 29 - April 5, 2013

107 E 3rd Street, Suite A ● 307-670-8713

Easter Egg Hunt!

for discounted drinks Starting an Noon!!

HOME OF THE ADULT DAYCARE CENTER

Until all are found! 9

302 E 2nd • Gillette • (307) 682-9442

Bud / Bud Light (Can or Bottle) $2.50 ea

Public Pulse

March 29 - April 5, 2013

Campbell County Observer m

nch.co

ing-Ra ZRock

www.E

FRE

Fre

Economic beneﬁts from limiting government: Part 2

By Sven Larson - Wyoming Liberty Group In the first part of this three-part series on the economic benefits of limiting government I explained that: Private sector jobs produce 2.3 to 2.6 times more economic value than state and local government jobs; Between 2007 and 2010 state and local governments added 4,600 workers to their payrolls in Wyoming, while the private sector cut away 11,300 jobs; If those extra government workers were instead private employees, our state GDP would be up to $373 million bigger than it is today. In other words, Wyoming would gain significantly from a balance shift, so to speak, from government to the private sector. Such a shift would take a lot of work on behalf of our legislators, and even more work from the citizens of Wyoming to bring about that change. But it can be done, and one way to do it is to follow the plan I suggested in a recent blog. If the numbers presented thus far on our burdensome government – including Wyoming having the largest government-to-private employee ratio in the country – are not enough, let me add yet another perspective on the cost of big government. Governments pay their employees generously, both in terms of salary and in the form of benefits. State and local governments in Wyoming are no exceptions. In 2011, the average state and local government worker earned an employee compensation of $55,854. That same year the average private non-farm employee in Wyoming earned $38,687.[i] For every dollar the private-sector employee earned, the government employee got $1.44. Is there an economic rationale for this difference? The short and distinct answer is: no. As I reported earlier, the average private employee is up to 2.6 times more productive than the average government worker. This means that the government worker

produces an economic value of 38 cents for every $1 of economic value produced by the private employee. The government worker is signiﬁcantly less productive and earns signiﬁcantly more than the private worker. In other words, we could bring down the cost of government just by compensating government employees based on the economic value they produce. What would that mean? To begin with, let us adjust the compensation of the average government employee down to the value of what he is actually producing. In 2011 state and local government employees produced an economic value of $49,033 per capita.[ii] That same year they earned $55,854 per capita in employee compensation. That is an overcompensation of 14 cents per dollar of produced economic value. These are average numbers and should be treated as such. There are individual sectors of government where workers come closer to their true economic value; there are also sectors where the gap between value and compensation is even larger than the average 14 percent. Nevertheless, these numbers give us a good picture of what we stand to gain from scaling back government – if only in such a humble way as adjusting employee compensation closer to what it is in the private sector. We are dealing with staggering numbers here. If all the 65,700 people that were employed by state and local government in Wyoming in 2010 were compensated at 100 percent of the economic value they on average produce, then Wyoming taxpayers would save $448 million. This is more than what the state took in from property taxes in 2010. [iii] But wait – there is more. Private sector employees do not get compensated at 100 percent of the eco-

nomic value they produce. Their employers have to pay taxes and set money aside for shareholders (whose investments they are responsible for) and for investments in preserving and expanding operations. Therefore, the average private-sector employee is compensated at 30 percent of the value he produces. Suppose, just as an experiment, that we lowered the average compensation of government workers to the same ratio of their produced economic value. All of a sudden they would earn $14,709 on average, hardly a proposal that would seem palatable to that many job seekers. While some shoot-from-the-hip libertarians may get a kick out of imagining police ofﬁcers, teachers and court clerks making just over $1,200 per month, it would be very irresponsible to reduce the burden of government this way. That said, the comparison between government workers’ compensation and the economic value they produce, as well as corresponding private-sector numbers, shows us how small measures can produce big gains for taxpayers. One of those small measures is to cap the compensation of government employees so that they cannot earn more than the value they produce for taxpayers. Notes [i] Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Compensation of Employee Data. See http://bea.gov. [ii] This value is estimated using Bureau of Economic Analysis data for state GDP, employment by sector and a calculated parity between GDP per private and government employee, respectively, for 2010. It is assumed that the parity is the same in 2011 as in 2010. [iii] Census Bureau: State and Local Government Finances by Level of Government and By State. Available at: http://census.gov.

ds l Foo Loca d Beef e F s s Gras aft Horse r and D bsite

Call

Come See Us For ALL www.EZRo r we to ou Your Spring Time Projects! Come for all ourducts ble pro

nch New Home • Remodelwavwa.EilZaRocking-RaSe w Garages • Pole Barns locally-p loca ed by Own unty R ell Co b p Cabinets • Decks www.Wyo Cam

nch.co

ing-Ra ZRock

www.E

FRESH RAW MILK Free information on

Cow Shares

Call 682-4808

ds l Foo Loca d Beef e s sF Gras aft Horse r and D bsite

www.EZRocking-Ranch.com e

rw to ou Come for all ourducts. ro le b a p anch.com avail ing-R ZRock .E w w w

See our other locally-produced foods at local her. c ed by Own unty Ran ell Co b p www.WyomingGrassFed.com Cam

We Lo Fres ve h Milk

FRESH RAW MILK Free information on

Cow Shares Call 682-4808

www.EZRocking-Ranch.com .com -Ranch ing ZRock

www.E

See our other locally-produced foods at www.WyomingGrassFed.com ds l Foo Loca d Beef e s sF Gras aft Horse r and D bsite

r we to ou Come for all ourducts. ro le b a p anch.com avail ing-R ZRock .E w w w

local her. c ed by Own unty Ran ell Co b p Cam

Yellowstone or Bust!

Thanks to a collaborative effort between state, federal and private entities, Wyoming ensures America’s National Treasure will open on time

Wyoming has set an example of how to deal with federal budget cuts by putting into action the “Code of the West.” Simply put, this “Code” consists of behaviors and rules that center around hospitality, fair play, loyalty, and respect for the land. As Yellowstone National Park struggled with the nearly $1.8 million budget cut due to sequestration and ways they could alleviate the impact on visitors and gateway communities, they chose to delay plowing roads this spring; which in turn would have delayed the opening of the East Gate from Cody and the South Gate from Jackson by two weeks. “The delays would not have been good for our local or state economy,” said Scott Balyo, executive director of the Cody Chamber of Commerce, “Almost immediately upon hearing that the East Gate would not open on time we began working with local and state partners to find a solution.” Governor Matt Mead along with mayors and private businesses in the gateway communities of Cody and Jackson met to discuss possible solutions. Collectively they agreed that the potential revenue loss from a delay would have real financial consequences, especially on small business owners. Governor Matt Mead led the discussion by saying, “We value our national parks as the true assets they are, not only to Wyoming’s economy, but to the nation’s economy. Yellowstone is internationally recognized and by delaying the opening we not only lose the opportunity to generate millions in revenue but we lose the opportunity to host visitors who might be experiencing this natural wonder for the first time.” Gateway communities in particular are an integral component of the national parks system and rely heavily on the traffic generated from their national and international draw. In addition to providing a supporting role, these communities provide air service, lodging, restaurants, outfitter and guide services and other activities that enhance and enrich the national park experience. Jeff Golightly, executive director with the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce reiterated, “Jackson Hole as a community takes stewardship of our national parks very seriously. The idea that our nation’s first national park would not open on time for the world to enjoy was something we felt compelled to avoid. The Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board and the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce felt it was our responsibility to protect our local tourism economy so we backed the plan right away by committing one time funds.” Governor Mead offered equipment and personnel to assist with plowing efforts while the gateway communities pooled their resources, began fundraising and came up with money to fund the operation. Wyoming’s entrances to Yellowstone Na-

tional Park will open as previously scheduled. The East Gate from Cody will open on May 3, 2013 and the South Gate from Jackson will open on May 10, 2013. Superintendent Dan Wenk agreed to start plowing from inside the park while Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) crews make their way from the east and south gates to complete the snowplowing operations. WYDOT plows will be donning a large banner that reads “Yellowstone or Bust” based around a summer road trip campaign that the Wyoming Office of Tourism is currently rolling out. Diane Shober, Director of the Wyoming Office of Tourism attests, “Wyoming represents the iconic cowboy and not just because we’re a Western state, but because cowboys stand for something, they are entrepreneurs and they live by the simple basic values that lie at the heart of the cowboy way. This is what the “Wyoming, Forever West” brand is all about.” As the Wyoming Office of Tourism gets ready to launch their national summer campaign, the goal remains to promote Wyoming as a vacation destination to domestic and international visitors while increasing revenue for stakeholders and the state of Wyoming.

ABOUT

• Yellowstone National Park (YNP) received 3.4 million visitors in 2012. Source: National Park Service reports • Trafﬁc through the East Gate in the ﬁrst two weeks of May in 2012 totaled 11,500 people in 4,200 cars. The estimated local economic impact for Cody is $2 million for that time period. • At the South Gate in Jackson, 17,553 visitors passed through during the entire month of May generating an estimated $2.3 million. • Tourism is Wyoming’s second leading industry. In 2012 travelers generated $3.1 billion in direct expenditures to the State of Wyoming. Source: 2012 Economic Impact Report • Xanterra Parks & Resorts of Yellowstone will open all lodging and visitor services as scheduled • East Gate from Cody opens May 3, 2012 • South Gate from Jackson opens May 10, 2012

Who’s Brand is this in Campbell County? Find out in next week’s Campbell County Observer

Monday - Friday 9 am - 9 pm • Saturday 9 am - 5 pm

Governor Mead:

Interior cannot meet budget reduction by taking state’s share of mineral revenues will be $10,616,442.00 with the possibility of more withholding in August and September. Under federal law, Wyoming is guaranteed 50% of the revenues from mineral leasing on federal lands in this state. Governor Mead has sought advice from the Attorney General’s Ofﬁce on recourse available to the State of Wyoming for this impending federal action. All options are being considered. “When the State reduced its budget by over 6% it did not achieve its reductions by withholding mineral revenue due under state leases. That would be taking someone else’s property. Similarly, the De-

partment of Interior should not be able to meet its budget reduction by taking mineral revenues which belong to the states under the law,” Governor Mead said. Governor Mead is also concerned about the timing of the March letter which addresses federal action set to begin immediately. He said, “This is no way to achieve adequate notice or give our State an opportunity to respond before the action is underway. As far as communications go, this method of passing along signiﬁcant information that greatly impacts Wyoming gets a grade of F minus or worse. It is not acceptable.” State Treasurer Mark

Gordon said, “The opportunity to take a lot more of what the states are properly owed proved to be too tempting to the federal government. We are using every means necessary to make sure our state is made whole.” Governor Mead is consulting the Congressional delegation and neighboring states that are similarly affected, as well as Attorney General Greg Phillips.

Obituaries

STACEE RABERN

condition at the time. she had quite a magic ability to change a person’s life in an instant. She was not a complainer, better described as tough as nails. Stacee was a bright light, had the laughter of a crowd, listening to the funniest comedian. Stacee is survived by her mother and step dad: Janine Uttenhove and Walter of Moorcroft, Wyoming; father: Dick Rabern of Newcastle, Wyoming; special friends: Bill and Cindy Graham, and Lori and Kevin Schram of Gillette, Wyoming; uncle, Clint Fordyce(Gnene, Garet and Jozelle) of Faith, South Dakota; aunt, Jolene Deveraux, (Craig, Abi, Coop and Jake) of Newcastle, Wyoming; and by many many friends. She was preceded in death by maternal grandparents: John and Glenda Fordyce of Newcastle, Wyoming. Memorials and condolences may be sent in Stacee’s name in care of Walker Funeral Home, 410 Medical Arts Court, Gillette, Wyoming 82716. Condolences may also be sent via the website www.walkerfuneralhome.com.

NADEAN BRADY A memorial service/open house for Nadean Brady was at the Campbell County Senior Center on Monday, March 25, 2013 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. Funeral services were at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at Vernal 3rd Ward Chapel in Vernal, Utah. Burial will follow in the Vernal Memorial Park. Nadean Brady, age 85, of Gillette, Wyoming died at Campbell County Memorial Hospital of natural causes. Nadean, known to her family and friends as “Nade”, was born in Vernal, Utah on January 15, 1928, the daughter of Guy K. and May Ann (Corless) Samuels. She grew up in Vernal and graduated from Uintah High School. After graduation she worked as a receptionist and bookkeeper. Nadean married Leon L. Brady on January 19, 1946, in Vernal. She spent her life as a wife and homemaker, caring for her three beloved daughters: Calleen, Jeaneen and Darlene. The family moved to Gillette, Wyoming in 1968. Nadean was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She was a founding member of the Ladies Petroleum (Petro-Coal) Club, and she enjoyed the friendships made with the Daughters of the Nile marathon bridge players and her competitors in duplicate bridge. Nade enjoyed playing golf, bowl-

ing (including trips with her team to many national ﬁnals), pheasant hunting with friends, trips to Deadwood, South Dakota, and any and all card games at the Campbell County Senior Center. She treasured visits from her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Nadean is survived by her husband, Leon Brady of Gillette, Wyoming; daughters: Calleen Pettey of Vernal, Utah, Jeaneen (Drue) Dryden of Gillette, Wyoming, and Darlene (Tom) McLaughlin of Charlotte, North Carolina; grandchildren: Brittany (Shawn) Lane of Northglenn, Colorado, Cole (Heidi) Dryden of Copenhagen, Denmark, Janessa (Brett) Truss of Bossier City, Louisiana, Derek Pettey of Vernal, Utah, Brady and Ryan McLaughlin both of Charlotte, North Carolina; and six great-grandchildren and many wonderful, loving, lifelong friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Jay and Kenneth, and sister, Karma Ray (husband Michael) Bethune. A memorial has been established to beneﬁt the Bridge Players at the Campbell County Senior Center. Memorials and condolences may be sent in Nadean’s name in care of Walker Funeral Home, 410 Medical Arts Court, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or condolences via the internet at www.walkerfuneralgillette.com.

Funeral service for Stacee Rabern was at 2:00p.m. Thursday, March 28, 2013 at First Baptist Church Pastor Steve Stene officiating. Stacee Rabern, age 31, of Gillette, Wyoming passed away early Monday morning, March 25, 2013, peacefully in her sleep, at home. Stacee Ranae Rabern was born October 8, 1981in Newcastle, Wyoming the daughter of Richard Rabern and Janine (Fordyce) Uttenhove. She lived a full and happy life. She so enjoyed all her friends from BOCES and RENEW. Stacee loved her family and anyone who came to visit her. She was fortunate to have the most caring people near her all her life. Because of those special people, Miss Stacee got to experience life first hand. Whether it was boating, fishing, playing in the park, going to dances and movies or just hanging out with friends. Stacee truly loved her life and all those who touched it. She was diagnosed with Retts Syndrome at the age of 5. This proved to be a very big challenge, as it was a very unknown

For advertising space and prices go to www.CampbellCountyObserver.net or email us at CampbellCountyObserver@gmail.com

Why Is It? (a/k/a The Advertising Poem) A man wakes up after sleeping under an advertised blanket, on an advertised mattress, pulls off advertised pajamas, bathes in an advertised shower, shaves with an advertised razor, brushes his teeth with advertised toothpaste, washes with advertised soap, puts on advertised clothes, drinks a cup of advertised coffee, drives to work in an advertised car, and then, refuses to advertise, iot Publ believing it doesn’t pay. atr Later when business is poor, he advertises it for sale. Why is it?

ing ish

Governor Matt Mead is evaluating a letter sent by Director Gregory J. Gould of the Department of Interior, Office of Natural Resources Revenue, to the State Treasurer’s Office. The correspondence is dated Friday, March 22 and was received on the afternoon of Monday, March 25 by the State Treasurer’s Office. In his letter, Director Gould indicates that, beginning in March 2013 and continuing through July 2013, over $53 million dollars of mineral revenue payments payable to the State of Wyoming will be withheld under sequestration. The monthly amount withheld

March 29 - April 5, 2013

Public Pulse

Campbell County Observer

Public Pulse

March 29 - April 5, 2013

On the Contrary... On the Contrary is a column in debate format originated by the Campbell County Observer. The opinions expressed in this debate do not necessarily reﬂect the opinions of the writers of this column, the Observer staff, or of the Observer itself. To show two sides of a debate, many times one of the guest columnists or regular writers may be playing devil’s advocate. This article is not to push political agenda’s or opinions, but to show both sides of the debate. To become a guest for “On the Contrary” email us a request at CampbellCountyObserver@gmail.com

Nicholas DeLaat

Glenn Woods

The Issue: The U.S. Supreme Court and Proposition 8

The Sides: Nicholas (Newspaper Publishers) is debating on the side of the of the State, and Glenn (Newspaper Columnist and Radio talkshow host) is debating the side of the Federal Government. Nicholas: The Supreme Court turned from the issue of banning same-sex marriage to whether the federal government can deny benefits to those already married, questioning for the second consecutive day whether proponents of traditional unions have authority to bring their case to the nation’s highest court. At issue is the Defense of Marriage Act, a 1996 law passed overwhelmingly by Congress and signed by President Clinton that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. At the time, no states had legalized same-sex marriage, but now nine states and the District of Columbia have done so -- and legally married gay couples are being denied federal spousal benefits. Lawyers on both sides of the issue faced pointed questioning Wednesday from nearly the entire panel of justices who took issue with a range of matters, from the federal government’s decision to no longer defend the law -- declared unconstitutional in lower federal courts -- to the authority of a congressional panel to take up the law’s defense. Glenn, you are playing devil’s advocate on this week’s debate and arguing the side of the Federal government’s ability to decide on the issue. Tell me why? Glenn: AW why did I volunteer to take the Devil’s Advocate on this one. Well here we go. Nick – I’d like you to imagine that you are married in one state, but then you move to another state and that marriage license does not apply. What the nations needs is one national law on marriage. But that is a battle for another time. Right now we need to focus on California. There laws are the issue, and, apparently, they cannot settle it in the state. So they have gone all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. When a state can’t handle it, sent it to the Feds. Nicholas: Bout time you take the Devil’s advocate on one. Now, this article is not about whether people should or should not enter in homosexual unions recognized by the state, it is whether or not the Supreme Court should back the State of California or overturn it’s Proposition 8. Now, I know you believe in the Constitution, and in my opinion, this matter is clearly defined. According to the U.S. Constitution Amendment X which states “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” Now, since this was not a law defined in the Constitution, it is not supposed to be overturned when created by the State. Glenn: Yeah but when does the Federal Government care about “State’s Rights?” No, really, they don’t. And what do the lawyers care? That’s why this is up in front of the Supreme Court. If anyone cared about these things the case would have ended in California. The precedent of I DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION has been set. Nicholas: Does that mean it is right? Look, we are a nation founded by principal and built on laws. Whether the laws are right or wrong, we must as Americans follow the law. This means everyone. Yes, I know that people buy, manipulate, and go around laws (mostly seen by our government officials), but in order to remain a great and just country we must as a people follow the law. If you want the law changed, you go through the process (as defined by law) to change it. It has been done many times in our nations short history before, and can happen again. But the Constitution is still the supreme law of the land. Glenn: I never said it was right. None of this is right. But this is how it is, unless we, the people, change things back to the way it should be. So what do you do when things are not as they should be, but are how they are? Well, I guess you have to deal the cards as they are dealt. …. Hey, Nick, do me a favor,as I mix my metaphors like that again… reach over and smack me. Now, as for the will of the people, if things were running as they should be run, this would not be left up to the will of the people through a direct vote. We are not a democracy. We are a republic. That means that the direct vote of the people of California should not count. They need to elect the people who make the changes they want. Nicholas: True, and that is why our founding fathers

designed our Republican system the way they did, a group of people electing representatives according to their morals, ethics, and beliefs of how the law should read. But there are other aspects of government. Take changing our State Constitution here in Wyoming for instance. It takes a proposition of a written bill, then the passage of 2/3rds of both the Senate and House filled with our elected representatives and finally signed in by the Governor. But unlike common law the citizens of Wyoming have to vote the constitutional amendment in by 50%+1 of the registered voters. The voters can also change a law enacted by their elected representatives by putting their own law on general ballots and voting on them and avoiding the legislative branch altogether in certain states. Glenn: But again you talk about the way it should be. Not the way that it is. So how do you work within the system we have? Like it or not this is in front of the U.S. Supreme Court? What now? You know, playing Devil’s Advocate makes me need a hot shower in bleach, with a steel scrub brush. So, Nick, get things back to the way it should be when we are dealing with a messed up state like California? Nicholas: Ok, ‘should be’ compared to ‘is’ is a cause for worth fighting for. Now define ‘should be’? Is ‘should be’ defined as how to ignore the law of the land, or is ‘should be’ defined as to follow the law of the land and change it through the defined process? Let’s get out of the philosophy behind the justification of law, and just go by what it says. Again, the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” Now, marriage laws are not delegated to the United States (i.e. Federal Government) by the Constitution, and therefore are reserved for the States and the Citizens. Therefore, by the Supreme Court of the United States taking this case on is unconstitutional as defined by our Supreme Law Of The Land. Now that we have defined clearly that it is not the Supreme Courts business, we have shown that it is a State’s Rights Issue. Now, the State of California has decided through their elected Legislature and then by the popular vote by the people that they did not want to recognize homosexual marriage. Many States have voted for it through the proper channels of their individual Legislatures and then popular votes by their own citizens, which is clearly defined as part of our process in the States. You were right, we are not a Democracy, a definition I hear so many times from people ignorant of their own government workings. But as you know, we are also not a Republic. We are a Democratic Republic, a combination of the two to provide as many of the checks and balances defined by our founding fathers during the great compromise. So by our definitions of the letter of the law and the supreme law of the land the Supreme Court of the United States is wrong for taking this case, and will be wrong for overturning California’s decision (which itself can be overturned if the citizens wish through the correct process). This should have ended in the State Supreme Court, and if enough citizens then want to overturn the law through a voter and legislative process in their state, that is a viable option. As president Regan famously said once when discussing States Rights, “vote with your feet.” Whether you think California’s Proposition 8 is right or wrong, the current catastrophic process of unconstitutional activities by people who took an oath to support and defend the document, and the demand for overturning the proper procedure acted upon by masses of people consciously and unconsciously ignorant of the Constitution should make every American living in a free society sick to their stomach, whether that freeman and freewoman is homosexual or not. Glenn: Well said.

Campbell County Observer

“Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain - and most fools do.” - Benjamin Franklin Sponsor the Quotes and get 4 small ads/week for only $50/week!

Campbell County Observer

Public Pulse

March 29 - April 5, 2013

Letters to the Editor Government spending

Dear Editor, Just recently, I read two articles about government related spending that I feel compelled to comment on. One article talked about how the current high unemployment is affecting the number of teachers that are being hired by schools. The other article told about $119 million in grants, from the U.S. government to ﬁght obesity in the United States. I am probably one of the most politically liberal members of my family, but even I have to speak out against such clear wasteful spending by our government! What is the great unknown about obesity? I do believe that a very small percentage of obesity is caused by real medical problems, but the over-whelming cases are simply due to over-eating and a gross lack of exercise! How in the name of common sense can parents and grandparents expect their children to stay in good shape when the “in-thing” to do is to stay in front of the television, the computer and the cell phone?! If the government is truly concerned about obesity, then taxpayer dollars need to be spent to greatly revive the “physicaleducation” part of school life! Our local and national governments are trying to create “near geniuses” out of our children at the expense of little to no “physical-education”! What happened to the common sense balance of physical education and mental education that was so prevalent during the 1940’s through the 1970’s?! In closing, I will say that the answers to the questions about obesity have very, very common sense answers! The difﬁculty is going to be whether parents and grand-parents are going to take charge of this greatly growing problem and force their children to get some “physical exercise”! Timothy Tim Monroe Bledsoe

Budget alternatives

Dear Friends, For the first few months of fiscal 2013, our federal government borrowed $4.8 billion every single day to support its spending habits. This irresponsible and unsustainable practice emphasizes the severity of our nation’s fiscal situation. Last week Americans were presented with two alternatives – two very different road maps – for our country’s future. Thursday the House passed Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) House GOP Budget. The House GOP budget balances within ten years without raising taxes. It cuts $4.6 trillion from the deficit over the next ten years by eliminating wasteful government spending, addressing the real drivers of our debt, and slowing the growth of spending. This budget outlines responsible, pro-growth solutions to spur our nation’s economy including expanded domestic energy production and common-sense tax reforms. This week, for the first time in four years, Senate Democrats are expected to vote on their budget. This budget never balances. And in stark contrast to the House Republican plan, the Senate Democratic Budget proposes nearly a trillion dollars in additional tax increases combined with further defense cuts to reduce the deficit by only $1.85 trillion over ten years. President Obama is expected to issue his budget in April – over two months behind schedule and just shy of an expected request to increase the debt ceiling on May 19th. I have great faith that the GOP budget can renew America. It’s my hope that in the coming months both the Senate and the House can reach an agreement that puts Americans back to work, encourages private sector growth and works toward financial stability for our country. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you soon! Sincerely, U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis

Looming political ﬁrestorm in Wyoming Dear Editor,

While most of the U.S. continues to languish in the four straight years of Obama’s economic quagmire, and small businesses across America brace for the next debilitating phase of Obamacare to hit, the state of Wyoming has remained comparatively unscathed by the ﬁscal woes of the nation. The pace of Wyoming’s economy is slower than it was prior to 2009, but the job situation is certainly not as depressed as elsewhere in the country. The downside of the Cowboy State’s historical resistance to prevailing societal upheavals is that this has often given its citizenry the false sense of security that it might be completely immune to the maladies of modern America. This in turn creates a dangerous vulnerability to subtle encroachments. Frequently touted as “the most Republican state in the nation,” it might be assumed that conservatism would be uncontested as the prevailing political force. Yet, that is hardly the case. In truth, the enduring and near monopolistic dominance of the Republican Party in Wyoming politics has resulted in the inevitable pitfalls of

one-party rule. Far from remaining conservative or advancing an agenda based on the concerns of the people, the Wyoming GOP long ago degenerated into a totally self-serving elitist “club,” growing increasingly corrupt and out of touch with its base. Beginning in 2010, and escalating during this past legislative session, these dynamics are now reaching critical mass. In particular, the state education bureaucracy has, over time, been maliciously redirected from its original purpose, which was ostensibly the instruction of children, and has mutated into a big-money pipeline by which state funds are shuffled from one special interest to another. Consequently, exorbitant and unnecessary expenditures within the highest levels of the state government have gone largely unnoticed by the average citizen who is rightly concerned that the proper academic training of the next generation ensue, and therefore is willing to accept associated costs. The scheme has continued on this basis for years, and many entrenched politicians fully expected it to continue operating on that basis for the foreseeable future. To the dismay of these people, a competent and courageous individual did enter the political fray, for the specific purpose of addressing the misconduct in the Wyoming education system, and implementing workable fixes wherever possible. Cindy Hill, the previous Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction, ran for that office in 2010 with the sole intention of returning it to its proper function, and thereby refocusing state energies and resources on the proper recipients, the children. Yet, from the start, she encountered scathing opposition from the highest levels of state government, including “Republican” Gov. Matt Mead. Despite the opposition, she persisted, implementing bold reforms and cutting costs in the process, while garnering significant improvements in standardized test scores. Having been elected by an enormous margin, her popularity with the people on Main Street has continued from the beginning of her tenure, and one might presume that she would easily sail through to a second term. Unfortunately, the prevailing political “machine” in Wyoming, though “Republican” in title, has once again proven itself to represent something far different from its façade of conservatism. In so doing, it fully revealed stronger ideological similarities to the abhorrent monstrosity of government in Washington than the defining principles of the American Heartland. During the recently adjourned Wyoming legislative session, the outrageous statute Senate File 104 was rammed through the process, to be immediately signed by Mead. Simply stated, SF 104 completely guts the office of Superintendant of Public Instruction, and transfers those responsibilities to an appointee of the governor. The occupant of that position, previously chosen at the ballot box, has now been supplanted by just another one of the governor’s favored minions. In a manner completely analogous to Barack Obama’s installation of unvetted and unaccountable “Czars,” Mead and his collaborators in the Legislature engaged in a brazen power grab, by which they restored their control of the state’s $1.9 billion “education” budget. Concerned citizens can expect to see their children’s academic wellbeing relegated to inconsequential status, while untold sums of tax money disappear once more down unspecified rat holes. This has been “business as usual” for many years, and its devotees and beneficiaries see no reason for things to change. However, the good people of Wyoming, who are indeed conservative at the grassroots level, are making it abundantly clear that they have no intention of accepting this situation. Having stridently voiced their disapproval during the brief period that SF 104 was whisked through the legislative process, they are now in the process of collecting signatures for an unprecedented referendum to annul the detestable statute. And throughout the state, citizens are gathering to discuss how, in the 2014 election cycle, they can properly hold accountable those responsible for it. Meanwhile, though Cindy Hill has been relieved of virtually all of her authority and responsibilities as education superintendent, she is not passively accepting her fate. A lawsuit was filed to overturn SF 104 on the grounds that it is indeed unconstitutional, and she has announced her intentions of challenging Mead for the governorship of Wyoming in 2014. If she succeeds in unseating him, she will be in a prime position to apply the manner of changes throughout the state that streamlined operations within the education bureaucracy so noticeably, despite the caterwauling from its entrenched occupants. That political maneuverings have degenerated to this level in state governments is reflective of the overall breakdown of the American system, from the White House down. The fact that in Wyoming such things have ensued wholly within the GOP is evidence of where the defining battle needs to be fought and won, if conserva-

tism is to prevail. Establishment Republicans, shocked by the intensity of public outrage over their chicanery, have gone into a fully defensive posture, desperately attempting to give SF 104 credibility by deeming it both “constitutional” and necessary. Though they continue to make vague claims of misconduct on the part of Hill, they have completely failed in every past attempt to officially discredit her, or the stunning successes she has achieved. Now, with the general public thoroughly angered over this flagrant usurpation of power, Mead and his cohorts are again looking to dig up any manner of “dirt” they can on Hill. In what is clearly an act of defensiveness and desperation, yet another cabal of Mead’s choosing has been empanelled to investigate her office. It might seem surprising to those who have not lived in Wyoming, and whose primary impression of it is a land of majestic beauty and unspoiled wilderness, that this state may indeed become “ground zero” for the ultimate clash between the underhanded and self-serving tactics of the “Ruling Class” and legitimate governance, as desired by “We the People.” Yet that is exactly how the current situation is unfolding. And if Hill does prevail, her triumph could set the stage for a political sea change throughout the nation. It is therefore small wonder that her opponents are so strident and venomous in their efforts to avert such a scenario. By Chris Adamo

Wake up People!

Dear Editor, It is time that we hold our congressman and senators accountable. Our local congressman Mike Maddness is at it again. This session he got Wyoming’s new gasoline tax ($.10 per gallon) passed, which he says we will not feel at the pump?? 70% of the people in Wyoming did not want this tax, yet the state and local politicians wanted the money. The politicians won again without the consensus of their constituents. Now Maddness is pushing an increase in the beer tax, because it is the lowest in the nation. What kind of rationale is that? If you want to increase beer tax revenues change the restrictive laws on brewing which limits the amount of beer brewed locally as well a sets minimums for small producers. This would increase tax revenues and open opportunities for small business to ﬂourish. As a small business owner I would appreciate less regulation, taxes and better use of my tax dollars. I am a person who moved to Wyoming because of lower taxes, minimal regulations and a reasonable cost of living. We need to keep our taxes low and have our representatives vote according to what the PEOPLE want not what Politicians want. I think what our legislators should be focusing on is ﬁguring out how to spend less and reducing regulation on industry and small business. Regards, John DeMatteis Buffalo, WY

“When the citizens are ignorant of government policies and elected ofﬁcials actions, than they deserve the result of that ignorance.” - Nicholas De Laat Sponsor the Quotes and get 4 small ads/week for only $50/week!

Letters to the Editor You may submit your letters to the editor the following ways: Mail your letter to 707 W. Third Street, Gillette, WY 82716 or Email your letter to: CampbellCountyObserve@gmail.com All letters must be under 250 words and must be signed with a valid name and telephone number. We reserve the right to not publish any letter for any reason. We will call you before printing your letter for veriﬁcation that you wrote it for two reasons. The ﬁrst is that we do not want to print a letter that has the wrong name on it, and the other is that it is the position of this newspaper that any public opinions or writings where the source is hidden is not worth being printed.

Weekly Trivia Answer from Last Week Where is “The Republic of Winston” located? Winston County, Alabama

The “Republic” of Winston (Winston County, Alabama) was one of several places in the Confederate States of America where disaffection during the American Civil War was strong. In Winston County, this opposition became violent and had long-lasting political consequences—deep enough to generate a legend after the war that the county had seceded from Alabama. Winston County is located in the hilly terrain of North Alabama. Its shallow soil is highly unsuitable for plantation-style agriculture, and thus the county was never home to very many slaves. The 1860 US Census shows there only 3,450 white residents in the under populated county, and just 122 slaves. Winston’s residents were mainly poor farmers who viewed the Confederacy with suspicion, fearing it was meant to maintain the political control of the wealthy planter class. Winston County’s representative at the January 1861 Alabama Secession Convention was Charles Christopher Sheats, a 21 year old school teacher. He refused to sign Alabama’s ordinance of secession, even after it had been passed by a vote of 61 to 39. Sheats became so vocal in his opposition that he was ﬁnally arrested. On his release, he became a leader of a pro-neutrality group. Later, he would become an open supporter of the Union and spend most of the war in prison. Many Winston County residents refused induction into the Confederate Army, and some spoke openly of organizing troops to support the Union. The worried state authorities moved to enforce obedience through conscription and loyalty oaths, which only made matters worse. A meeting was held at Looney’s Tavern, where a series of resolutions were passed. These stated that the people of Winston County had no desire to take part in the war and intended to support neither side. One resolution declared that if a state could secede from the Union, then a county could secede from the state. Richard Payne, a pro-Confederate, laughed with delight. “Winston County secedes!” he shouted. “Hoorah for the Free State of Winston!” From Payne’s remark was born the legend of the “Republic of Winston”. In April 1862, the Union Army invaded north Alabama. Many of the pro-Union Winstonians enlisted in Union Army’s new 1st Alabama Cavalry Regiment. While the Union 1st Alabama Cavalry would play a heroic part in the war, they did so generally outside of Alabama. Winston County itself was suffering from its own internal war. Confederate Home Guards in the county were poorly disciplined and often used their uniforms as excuses to settle old grudges. The Union men responded by forming their own irregular bands, and by the end of the war Winston County had been largely devastated by its own people. After the war, Winston County became a bastion of the Republican Party in Alabama, in sharp contrast to the overwhelming support for the Democrats in the rest of the state. Winston’s unique history has become the basis of a small tourist industry, which includes an outdoor drama loosely based on the events. A passenger boat named the “Free State Lady” plies the waters of nearby Smith lake. “Dual Destiny”, a memorial statue of a young soldier dressed half as a Union troop and half as Confederate, is frequently photographed

Public Pulse

March 29 - April 5, 2013

Campbell County Observer

Bold Republic Weekly I’m humbled by your ANGER! By Glenn Woods

Tuesday morning the 26th of March I posted the following on my Face Book page: IMPORTANT! Sorry folks but the radio station just let me go. I will no longer be hosting a radio show in Gillette Wyoming. The opinion of the owner and management of Basin Radio is that they need a host who interviews - giving no opinion of his own. I offered to stay on until they found such a person and even conduct the interview they want, but they did not think that I could or would. That is the Readers Digest version of what took place in the bosses ofﬁce right after I ended my show this past Tuesday. If Basin Radio thinks that a soft approach with a host that is not allowed an opinion but only allowed to conduct soft interviews - that is their right. KIML is their station and they owners and management has the right to do what they think is in the best interests of their station and their community. But as I have said many times, on air, “Make sure that if you are ‘Moving Forward’ you are going some-

place good.” After I posted the above message on Face Book my page was ﬂooded with angry listeners and advertisers. The page ﬁlled with well wishers and folks offering help, from all over the state, as far down as Cheyenne and as far over as Jackson Hole. As for out of town listeners? Tim from Tampa was NOT happy. There are other listeners in Florida, Virginia, California, and Texas that have called. Because of the internet feed and my YouTube video feed folks have been logging in from all over. While there are not a lot of these out of state listeners, they are out there, and their numbers have been growing. You regular listeners to the show know, you’ve heard them call. The best message I got, and I won’t say from whom, and it is NOT who you think it is, was from a County Morgue in Wyoming: “Dude, examining a decomp while listing to you was priceless. It will never be the same. We need you back on the air.” By 1pm there were appointments lined up for me to meet with -- ok all I will

say for now is that there are several job opportunities in front of me, right now. I’m just waiting to see how they develop. Yes, some of them are in radio. Now, let me pause for a moment here and tell you, honestly, I have never done this for ego. If you have met me in person you know what I mean. I just love what I do. Unlike many of you out there I’m not very good at “normal jobs.” I admire you out there who are. So you can imagine how it humbles me to get all of this attention. I see radio as a job. A great job. Not many

out there have as much fun as I do. Still, I’m a worker, just like you. It’s just that my job is in the public eye and gets me a lot of attention. The style of radio show that I do is called Personality Oriented. It is not a guest driven show. It is not a caller driven show. A station ﬁnds a loudmouth blowhard with a demented sense of humor, which would be me, and puts him on the air. That generates ratings. Ratings can be sold to advertisers generate revenue. Sure, hiring a guy like me does not please everyone. I say what I believe. My opinion is out there for everyone to hear. I welcome people to call in to agree or disagree. I welcome the debate. This makes people sit up and think. A free nation needs debate. A free nation needs someone to stir

the issues like a soup that makes people hungry for debate. That is why Talk Radio has been so successful as a format across the nation. In market after market the talk station is usually the top billing station, pulling in more revenue than the music stations in that market. TRUE - this means that the Talk Host, that would be me, will step on toes now and then. That is why I worked so hard to be fair and let those who I have upset, or those who just disagree with me, on the air with me to make their case. If we are going to have debate, and we need to, it needs to be a fair debate. YES we need to run some people for elected ofﬁcial positions. Yes we are going to make them angry by going after them. Yes that leads to angry phone calls and threats from people in

Randy the Builder 307-682-7598

Your home town builder building dreams since 1971.

high places. It’s called freedom of speech. That is the point of talk radio. If you can’t handle it, don’t open a talk radio station, or, do not become a talk show host. You don’t hire a political columnist for a newspaper and then demand that he have no opinion. You do not put hot peppers into your chili unless you can handle the heat. I do not hold any anger or malice against Basin Radio. I just think they made a bad choice. For those who left messages expressing anger over the cancellation of the show on Basin Radio, I am humbled by your anger. But stay tuned folks. I’m with some good people, and we are going to show them how it’s done…very soon!

ANDY CALL R ONTH’S IS M FOR TH M O! PRO

Radio Talk Show Host and Newspaper Columnist www.boldrepublic.com

Governor pleased Wyoming’s ﬁrst-in-the-nation Hydraulic Fracturing Rule upheld Governor Matt Mead issued the following statement after the order of District Judge Wilking afﬁrming Wyoming’s policy regarding the disclosure of hydraulic fracturing components. This policy was implemented by the Supervisor of the Oil and Gas Con-

servation Commission. “I am pleased that the Supervisor’s actions were afﬁrmed. Wyoming led the nation in requiring the disclosure of hydraulic fracturing components, these disclosure requirements were well done, and other states have fol-

lowed Wyoming’s lead in this area. “This decision recognizes the importance of a state-based approach to regulating hydraulic fracturing - one that balances this important method for producing energy with environmental protection.”

School trustees plan for future growth The capacity study for Campbell County School District #1 was completed on March 25, 2013. During the study, MOA Architecture and the district considered several possible scenarios to address capacity issues in the district. Of the ﬁve scenarios selected for ﬁnal consideration, MOA Architecture recommended Scenario #2 as the most cost effective remedy. Scenario #2 was described by MOA Architecture as: Move 9th grade into the high school system; South Campus is 9-10; North Campus is 11-12;

Renovate junior high schools to meet classroom capacity requirements; Build new K-6 elementary schools. Scenario #2 addresses the junior high capacity issue through 2020 and effectively addresses the growing needs of our elementary school population. The scenario maintains the current split campus system and a single high school in the district, but provides the district with the ﬂexibility to convert to two independent high schools when desirable and feasible for the district. It is important

that the South Campus renovation and additional square footage being recommended is utilized in such a manner as to prepare the district for two independent high schools in the future. During the March 26, 2013 Board Meeting, the CCSD Board of Trustees voted to concur with the ﬁndings of MOA Architecture that Scenario #2 is the most cost effective remedy. We look forward to continuing the process of addressing capacity issues in our district.

Weekly Trivia Question What was the only animal to be promoted to Staff Sergeant in the USMC? Look in next week’s paper for the answer ** Sponsor our American History Quiz for only $40 per week. That’s 2 ads per week! **

Patriot Publishing is a small publishing business starting up right here in Wyoming. We not only publish the Campbell County Observer and calendars, but anything in print. We will soon also have a monthly publication that we think you will enjoy. If you have a book and can’t get a major company to publish you, we are a new and American-owned publisher that may print your work. Please feel free to contact us at anytime with your idea.

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

Ninth annual Wyoming Disability Awareness Walk The 9thAnnual Wyoming Disability Awareness Walk is scheduled for Saturday, March 30th in the communities ofCasper, Cheyenne, Cody, Gillette, Newcastle, Sheridan, Riverton, Rock Springs & Worland. As a celebration of Disability Awareness Month (March), the community is encouraged to attend this family-friendly event and participate to help promote awareness of the contributions that people with disabilities bring to our community. Walkers

are encouraged to pre-register and will receive a free t-shirt. For more information and/or to register, please visit www.nowcapservices.org/aware. NOWCAP Services is a private, nonproﬁt organization that provides a variety of opportunities to individuals with developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries in Casper, Cody, Rock Springs and Worland. Visit NOWCAP Services at www. nowcapservcies.org and engage with us on Facebook!

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

Sports Report

Campbell County Observer

March 29 - April 5, 2013

It’s Donating Time Again

Coach Curry resigns After 605 career wins, 12 state championships and 30 years at the helm of the Campbell County High School (CCHS) boys basketball team, Mike Curry has stepped down as Head Coach as the Camels. Curry decided Tuesday, March 26th after a couple weeks of reﬂection following the Camels loss to Kelly Walsh High School in the 3rd place game at the 4A Wyoming High

School State basketball tournament to step down as the head man in Gillette. Curry had taken over the boys basketball Coach before the start of the 1983-84 season. Coach Curry surpassed the plateau of 600 career wins this season after the Camels defeated Cheyenne Central 58-46 on February 15th. Curry ended up with 605 career wins as the Head Coach of the Camels

after he guided this year’s team to a 4th place ﬁnish at the 4A State Tournament. Curry leaves CCHS as the winningest coach in Wyoming High School history as he showed the Camels the way to 12 State Titles in his 30 years at the helm of the perennial state champion Camels.

Soccer Rankings - Week 2 By Kevin Koile - wyopreps.com Both 4A polls saw some change, the 3A polls mostly stayed the same and the first national rankings have been released. The change-up in both 4A polls, in due to the fact that Laramie boys and girls got started on their schedule and made some impact. 4A Boys: The Plainsmen debut at #3 after going 1-1-1 last week. They tied former #1 Gillette and former #3 Sheridan. The tie opened the door for Cheyenne East to take over at #1, bumping the Camels to #2. The Thunderbirds acquired all but 1 first place vote. All top 5 ranked teams hail from the East Conference, as Central and Sheridan claim the final 2 spots. 3A Boys: #1 Jackson and #2 Lander were set to go against each other last week in Fremont County, to decide who would be

the unanimous #1…until Old Man Winter decided to send both of them home, so they could watch Team USA vs. Costa Rica battle it out on TV, in similar conditions. Buffalo and Worland hold steady at #3 and #4, while Star Valley checks in as the new #5. Boys National and Regional Rankings: The National Soccer Coaches Association of America has released its ﬁrst rankings of the spring soccer season. Jackson (2-0) is ranked #13 nationally. The Broncs are also ranked #3 in Region 3, which consists of teams from Wyoming, Utah, Iowa and Nebraska. Gillette (40-1, counting their win vs. Buffalo on Tuesday, March 26th) is ranked #8 in the same regional poll. 4A Girls: The voting polls closed before the ﬁnal whistle sounded, to signify

#2 Laramie’s win at #1 Natrona. The Lady Plainsmen are now 3-0, having won all 3 in a 5 day stretch on the road, vs. Gillette, Sheridan and NC. The Lady Camels dropped to #4, sandwiched in between #3 Central and #5 East. 3A Girls: Like the boys, the top 4 ranked teams are unchanged from last week. It’s Cody, Jackson, Lander, and Star Valley in that order. Buffalo takes the #5 spot away from Powell after beating the Lady Panthers last week. Girls National and Regional Rankings: No girls team from Wyoming is ranked nationally, by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. The Laramie girls (3-0 after winning at Natrona on Tuesday, March 26th) are ranked #7 in Region 5, which consists of teams from Wyoming, Idaho,

Colorado, California and Alaska. Stats Update: We are delaying the latest stat report because we are going to include the few games going on this week. There are no games scheduled for the Easter weekend, so we will issue a new stat report then.

“Golf is a game in which you yell “fore,” shoot six, and write down ﬁve.” - Paul Harvey Sponsor the Quotes and get 4 small ads/week for only $50/week!

NOW THAT WE’VE CAUGHT YOUR EYES!

ing ish

Weekly Sports Trivia Question Who was the ﬁrst person to introduce women’s basketball in the U.S.? Look in next week’s paper for the answer ** Sponsor our Sports Quiz for $40 per week. That’s 2 ads per week! **

I Buy Militaria Old Military Equipment

· Medals Gear · Field · Swords · Ammunition · Bayonets · Rifles · Pistols · Ordinance · Parts · Uniforms · Medals US · German · Japanese · British Italian · WW1 · WW2

ANY MILITARY FROM ANY ERA

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

The Campbell County Observer is now taking donations for our Readers Choice Scholarship. The Observer is hoping to raise $1,000.00 this year for a scholarship that will be given to a student from Wright (Panthers) or Gillette (Camels). Students will be presenting the Observer with an essay, which the readers will vote on their favorite and the most deserving. The only conditions are that the student must graduate from either Wright High School or Gillette High School and will be attending Gillette College in the fall. The scholarship will be put in their account at Gillette College by the Campbell County Observer. “We are the local newspaper, we take our community that we live and work in very personal. So we decided to do everything we can to keep the money local,” said Observer owner Nicholas De Laat. “And, community college attendees do not get the ﬁnancial help from scholarships at the same level as the kids going to Universities.” Observer owner Candice De Laat stated that “The money is donated by community, given to a young adult from our community, and spent on further education in our community…for our community. This is what we are all about, from the owners to the workers of our company.” The Campbell County Observer has donated over $68,000.00 in money, advertising, and product to help local charities so far in 2012. “And this in only our second year in business!” said Mrs. De Laat. “The more we grow, the more we give.” She does not, however, want to discount the most important part of giving to these local charities. “Our customers and subscribers are the glue that holds everything together. If you want to thank someone for all the giving, thank them. They deserve it most!” To donate to the Campbell County Observer’s Readers Choice Scholarship go to their website at www.CampbellCountyObserver.net or call (307) 670-8980.

Also Buying Antique Rifles and Handguns Need an apprasial? Give me a call!

Jeff @ 307-682-7864

The Campbell County Observer

Veteran Owned Business 15

PublicReport Pulse Sports

March 29 - April 5, 2013

Campbell County Observer

Weekly Sports Trivia Answer from Last Week Who has earned the nickname “The Herminator” in the skiing world?

Hermann Maier

Photo submitted by Jessica Van Woerkom - Jvan Photography

Missy West, Age 7, covering ﬁrst base! Practices are in full swing, thanks to the great weather.

World of Sports By Ted Ripko There are many things I notice on the road covering Campbell County High School sports and Gillette Roughrider baseball. There’s the feisty home crowd at Laramie High School, the disappointing officiating that always seems to occur at Cheyenne Central High School and the raucous crowd at Sheridan High School. Above all else I notice the tremendous Campbell County support by the parents of all of the athletes from Gillette. What I mean by this is how many parents give up their weekends and summer vacations to hit the road time and time again to see their kids take to the gridiron, hard court and diamond. Kirk and Lori Wasson, whose son Logan just finished his final year with the Camels basketball team, are on the interstates and highways in Wyoming each weekend because they want to be part of their sons experiences, “We have only ever missed one game of Logan’s since he began traveling in the 2nd grade and we do it to see him grow each time on the floor.” They cover more than 2,500 miles during just one high school season and upwards of 5,000 miles a year, including summertime travel to tournaments as far away as Los Angeles and Reno. With Logan graduating from Campbell County High School this May, don’t expect the Wasson’s trips to end any time soon Logan will be playing basketball for Jamestown University in North Dakota and you can be sure his parents will be there to root him on as usual. I don’t typically keep track of how many miles I have spent out on the road since

I ﬁrst began covering Wyoming high school sports, but now that I do the math, since the start of the Camels 2012 football season and up through the end of the Wyoming High School basketball season, I have traveled nearly 7,000 miles and times that by 7 seasons and you get close to 50,000 miles traversing this beautiful state. Now mind you some areas are more scenic than others, but you knew that. As a boy competing on traveling teams in California and Colorado in soccer and baseball I didn’t get to see my parents at my competitions and “Traveling” in my experience, was to places that were no more than 30-45 minutes away. My parents missed out on my competitions because I have 3 siblings who were also out on the road and didn’t want to play favorites. Do I wish they could’ve seen me compete more? Absolutely, but I understand the reasoning behind their decision. That’s why in my mind the support of parents in this community is so amazing. The Wasson’s aren’t alone when they hit the road. When Logan was a sophomore for the Camels state championship basketball, Taran Brown and Westin Hinkel’s, parents also found and now that both Brown and Hinkel are continuing to compete at the collegiate level the traveling hasn’t slowed down. Westin’s parents, Terri an Leo, not only currently hit all corners of the state of Wyoming to see their youngest son Camdin play soccer for the Camels and the state wide all-star “Team 307,” but now they ﬁnd themselves all over the nation following Westin’s efforts for the baseball team at Treasure Valley

Community College in Oregon, “The amount of miles we have covered is scary to think about,” said Terri. “We have been to Colorado, Minnesota, Nebraska, Montana and Idaho.” Besides wanting to see their kids compete, the Hinkels are also motivated by their kid’s dreams…not only does (traveling) give them the opportunity to see other teams and a high level of competition and the ability to be seen by other college coaches, but it’s also a great way to support our kids dreams,” added Terri. For Kris and Todd Brown, now that Taran has ﬁnished his redshirt freshman season for the University of California Santa Barbara Gauchos on the hardcourt, they’ve been all over the United States. They travelled to Anaheim, CA this spring to see Taran play in the 1st round of the Big West Conference Tournament. Other stops for the Browns included Phoenix, AZ, Denver, CO, Reno and Las Vegas, NV and to Santa Barbara multiple times. Money is a concern for all parents who decide to travel in support of their kids, but Todd and Kris make it work so they can share in Taran’s experiences, “Just to be there and support him and to experience the ups and downs and see (Taran) grow into an adult who can handle the adversity of what life can give you,” said Todd. “And to experience him chasing his dreams,” added Todd. The Brown’s, Hinkel’s and Wasson’s are just the tip of the iceberg. So many Campbell County parents dedicate their time in support of their kids dreams and experiences. but they are who I have been able to spend the most time with. While I’m on the road covering football, basketball

and baseball, I know there’s an outpouring of support from parents whose kids compete in volleyball, tennis, golf, track and ﬁeld, wrestling, soccer, dance and cheerleading and not to forget students involved in academic competitions. So, kudos to all of the parents who have made the decision to sustain their children and all of their endeavors! I also know that the families of Campbell County aren’t the only ones who spend countless hours out on the road in support of their youth. It is evident that communities all over this state have decided to make a commitment to their kids. I have had the pleasure of experiencing what this community has done ﬁrst hand and I like what I see.

Why advertise in a weekly newspaper?

iot Publ atr

ing ish

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 profile because the whole family reads them. Each newspaper has many readers and each section targets different 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

Austrian ski racer Hermann Maier made one of the most dramatic crashes in skiing history when he catapults 30 feet in the air, lands on his helmet and rams through two safety fences at an estimated 80 miles per hour on February 13, 1998. Amazingly, Maier suffered just minor injuries and walked away from the crash. Several days later, he won gold medals in the giant slalom and super-G events. Maier was born December 7, 1972, in Atlenmarkt, Austria. As a boy, he was trained by his father, a ski racer and ski school owner. As a teen, Maier was recruited to attend the Austrian national ski academy; however, he was sent home after a year and told he had no future as a professional skier because of his small size. Maier later became a bricklayer and taught skiing at his father’s school in Flachau, Austria. He competed in regional competitions before eventually earning a spot on Austria’s elite national team. Maier won his first World Cup race, a super-G, in February 1997 and began his domination of the skiing world the following season. In 1998, at the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, Maier was competing in the men’s downhill, an event he was favored to win, when he lost control during the seventh and eighth turns. He went flying into the air and made a cringe-inducing crash landing. To the amazement of those watching, Maier managed to get up and walk away with only minor injuries. Several days later he took home gold medals in the super-G and giant slalom events. Later that season, he won his first overall World Cup championship. Maier’s aggressive skiing style and ability to survive a seemingly fatal wipeout earned him the nickname “The Herminator,” a play on fellow Austrian Arnold Schwarzenegger’s movie character “The Terminator.” Maier won his second and third overall World Cup titles in 2000 and 2001. In August 2001, Maier was in a life-threatening motorcycle accident that led doctors to consider amputating his leg. Instead, he underwent major reconstructive surgery and missed the next two seasons of competition, including the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. He made a spectacular comeback in the 2003-2004 season and won his fourth overall World Cup championship. At the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, Maier won a silver medal in the super-G and bronze in the giant slalom.

1-888-824-2277 1-307-682-2277 810 E.Z. Street, Gillette, WY Directly Across From Walmart

Tax Returns... use them here!

Classiﬁeds

Campbell County Observer

Help Wanted Cook needed at Lu La Bells. Motivated and Energetic. Days Only. Apply at Lu La bells. “It’s just the right time.... for Avon”. By becoming an AVON representative, you help make your clients look and feel beautiful by selling them great products, while giving you the extra income to have a financially stable lifestyle. For information about this great direct selling opportunity call Sandi at 307-670-2724,an Independent Sales Representative for the World’s No#1 Beauty Company. Call today or email Sandi at wyavonlady@ yahoo.com Looking for CDL to work in North Dakota full time. Call 307-670-3629. PERSONAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED: We are looking for an Office Assistant. Duties include greeting clients, answering phones, and routing mail, data entry and retrieve,scheduling and calender maintenance,Ideal candidates will have proven customer service skills in an administrative setting and experience with Microsoft Office applications email resumes to akeelahanderson001@gmail.com IF INTERESTED Powder River Roofing, a growing company in N.E. Wyoming, is hiring full time roofers. Call 307-696-7465 for an interview. Personal Assistant needed to organize and help. Basic computer skills needed, must be good with organization. I am ready to pay $600.00 per week. Interested person should contact: deans995@ gmail.com Bl-32-2V Full Time Flooring Installers wanted. Must have experience. Bring resumes in to Carpet Express Direct on Hwy. 59 next to the Prime Rib Restaurant. Exciting new career. Unlimited income potential. Think you can sell? Call 307-2994662. We offer commission, fuel allowance, and much more. Sell in the Bighorn, Casper, Powder River, and Black Hills Area. Are you a friendly outgoing individual? Do you connect with people casually? Are you looking for supplemental income? Do you need to be in charge of your own hours? We are looking for an independent contractor for commissioned based ad sales. For more information call Sandra at 307-689-0028 or email at campbellcountytidbits@yahoo.com State Wide Sales people. Print Advertising Sales for new State-wide newspaper. Call 307-299-4662

Child Care Child Care in Sleepy Hollow. Room for 2 children. $20 per day per child. Call 307-257-2306.

Campers & Motor Homes 1997 32ft. Class A Motor Home. Sleeps 6, Only 31,000 Miles. Asking $17,000. Call (307) 660-7520. Large Private RV/Camper Lot for rent. Big yard, trees. All utilities available. $400 per month, $400 deposit. 1 year lease. Call (307) 6601007. 5th wheel camper for sale. Call Skip (307) 680-0073

Camping/Fishing Camper spot for rent $300 per month in Silver Hills 307680-8838 Minnows, crawlers, leeches, ﬁshing tackle, boating and camping supplies. Fully furnished cabin rentals, 50 Amp Full Hookup RV sites 5 minutes from Keyhole Reservoir in Pine Haven. Empire Guesthouse & RV Park 307756-3454. www.empireguesthouse.com

Home Appliances/ Furnshings Booth Table. L-shaped. With Chairs. Seats 6. $500.00 Call 299-4967 3 Propane Refrigerators 307-680-8838. D4-12-4h Three antique pressedbacked oak chairs. Excellent condition. $85 each. 6820042

Business Opportunities Looking for investor in local business. Call for Details. 307-257-2306. Exciting career available Now! No weekends, holidays, or nights. Unlimited income potential. 20% commission plus gas allowance selling print advertising. Call Anne Peterson (advertising manager) at (307) 299-4662 or email AnnePeterson@ CampbellCountyObserver. com Health problems? Try doTERRA certiﬁed pure essential oils. 307-680-0363. www. myvoffice.com/healingisbelieving

Services Homeowners and renters insurance for house, trailer, or apartments. Call Elizabeth Jones Agency 307-682-6520 RV Winterization starting at $99.95 at YOUR house. Call Randy at 307-660-3091 (b340-tfnh) Powder River Rooﬁng is N.E. Wyoming’s top quality roofing, with the highest safety standards in the area. Call for your FREE estimate today for metal/wood/shingle removal, install, and repair. (307)-696-7465. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Want To Get in Shape?Like to have Fun? Learn The Graceful moves of American Oriental Belly Dancing! The 3rd Sunday of every month. Call Leanna Tabatt 307-6808457 Looking to buy a new computer? Why waste the money? “Your Computer Store” has refurbished towers and laptops rebuilt right here in our store. Plenty of memory, disc space, and advice. Come by and see our inventory at “Your Computer Store,” where YOU come ﬁrst! 802 E. Third St next to Ice Cream Land Powder River Mechanics. We have the cheapest labor rates, but the best quality repairs in town. We offer full services on Foreign and domestic vehicles, ATV’s, Snowmobiles, motorcycles, jet ski’s, boats, and more. Let us put you on a Preventative maintenance schedule so your vehicles run miles past your warranty. Call for an appointment. 307-6967713. Avenue Mall - Over 30 vendors, come check us out! 217 Gillette Ave. Mon-Fri. 9AM to 7 PM, Sat. 9AM- 5 PM, Sun. 10 AM - 4 PM Computers have become like cars, and they need repaired. Want the best quality repair work in N.E. Wyoming? Bring your computer to “Your Computer Store.” Quality work at a quality price. “Your Computer Store,” where YOU COME FIRST 802 E. Third street next to Ice Cream Land. Auto insurance preferred and SR-22’s. Call Elizabeth Jones Agency 307-682-6520 Motorcycle and ATV insurance. Call Elizabeth Jones Agency 307-682-6520

Homes for Sale

Guns for Sale

Home for sale by owner in Western Way. Asking $239,000 for the 1,800 sq. ft. 3 bedroom 2 bath home with an unﬁnished basement and a two car garage. Fully fenced, large landscaped yard with a sprinkler system. Home is within walking distance to the new recreation center and the new elementary school that is being built. Please contact me at 307-670-1209 if you are interested.

With the current controversy of gun control you can expect changes. One of these changes will be permanently attached low capacity magazines. Make your current guns compliant to this regulation. Call for quotes on all your gunsmithing needs. Call Wyoming Mountaineers (307)299-2084 to get yours today.

For Sale. 3br Townhouse. 1.5 bath. 307-680-1449 (c139-tfnh) Tri-level house for sale 4 bed 2 bath $209,000 (307) 6701925. 40+ Acres 2 miles south of Wright 1999 Atlantic Oak Modular. $250,000 OBO Call 307 - 680 – 2374 Great House - 4 bedroom, 2 bath, computer room, huge island kitchen, ﬁreplace. Must see! call 307-687-0333 C1-23-tfn 3 bedroom 11/2 bath C1-39-tfnh

Townhouse 680-1449

FSBO 2,688 SF home on corner lot with fenced back yard. 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, upgraded kitchen, ﬁnished walkout basement, oversized garage. $259,000. 307-680-9180.

Merchandise 1939 HA Selmer Trumpet $750 OBO. 687-1087 Large Underground Tank. 307-680-8838

Fuel

Large and Small Band Saws call for info. 307-680-8838 18v Dewalt tools - sawzall, hammer drill, one battery and one charger. $150 obo. call (307)299-1382 Exterior door with window, interior light ﬁxtures, and computer supplies. E-mail Corsair115@yahoo.com Refrigerator (white) Great condition $100 307-2995918 Blue Dual Reclining Sofa. Good shape $100 Call 6802982. Can text photo if you like. Spyder Semi-auto paint ball gun. cal..68 Special Edition. Only used twice! New $300 For you $175 plus two canisters. Call 680-1302 If you are interested in purchasing Nutrient Rich Ranch Raised Beef grown locally, call 307-340-1108. Great Jerky http://www.rberlinger.jerkydirect.com/ For sale: whirlpool refrigerator, brand new patio propane heater, still in box Cabela’s shower tent, large dining room dark blue/red rooster rug, 10” wet tile saw, treadmill. Call 682-6353. Kojac series One, two and three dvd $65.00 $98 value 307 - 670 - 1887 Two place aluminum snowmobile trailer. $1,600. 307689-0202

Apartments for Rent

Heavy Equipment/ Trailers

1-5 bedroom units available for rent. Please contact Real Estate Systems of Gillette Inc at 307-682-0964 for all the updated details.

6x10 trailer. Great shape, ﬁts your biggest Harley. $1,400 obo. 299-4967.

Immaculate 1-2 bedroom apartments, fresh paint, and new ﬂooring. (no pets). Call for move-in special starting at $595 307-686-6488

1981 Circle J 4-horse Horse Trailer. New ﬂoor, paint and wiring. $2500 OBO Call 307 - 680 – 2374 1981 Circle J 4-horse Horse Trailer. New ﬂoor, paint and wiring done in shop class 2 years ago. No rust only used once since redone. $2500 or OBO Call 307 - 680 – 2374

Pets Basset Hound pups for sale; 9 weeks old; need shots. Rust and White and Tricolor $250.00; One Lemon and White female $300.00. Transportation cost additional if I deliver @ 25 cents per mile. Serious Inquiries Only! Please call 307-382-9282. 2 AKC Registered Bulldog Puppies for free, THEY ARE MALE AND FEMALE. IF INTERESTED CONTACT ( james.bernard10@live.com) 2 AKC Registered Tea Cup Yorkies Puppies for free. They are male and female. If interested contact james.bernard10@live.com D7-45-3H

Apartment for Rent in WindRidge Appts. Water/Trash/ Washer/Dryer. Air and Heat. 3bs/2bth. Must qualify for low income housing. $740.00/ mo. Call 307-685-8066 Foothills View Apartments Hot Move In Special! Cool, Clean, Quiet Apartments. A/C, 2 Bdrm. $695 1Bdrm. $595. Showing anytime Call 307-686-6488 C3-28-2v Apartments for rent. Foothills View Apartments. Clean and Quiet. One and Two bedroom units starting at $595.00. Call for showing andmove in special 307-6866488 (c3-42-3v) Spacious & new, 1, 2, &3 bdrm affordable apartments available now! Call 6858066. Washer and dryer in every unit. Private sunny patio or balcony. Special move-in rate, 1 bdrm: $694, 2 bdrm: $777, 3 bdrm: $888. Move in now and deduct $ 200 off ﬁrst month while special lasts. Call Konnie or Celeste at Highland Properties 685-8066.

Get a piece of history. Mosin Nagant Russian M91/30 Surplus Rifle. Very good to Excellent condition 7.62X54 Caliber. These are a very accurate rifle shooting 4” groups at 1000 yards. Open sights are adjustable to yardage with a push of a button. Great gun for hunting deer or elk very cheap ammo available for target practice. Comes with military issue sling, sling pouches, bayonet, and cleaning tools. Call Wyoming Mountaineers 2992084 and mention this ad. Chinese Type 53 Carbines 7.62X54R. These guns have been fully restored and are excellent shooters. They are a shorter model of the Mossin Naugant making them easy to carry through the brush and trees. Large caliber with plenty of take down power for the largest and most dangerous game. Ammo is still available and still very reasonably priced. This gun comes with a fold down bayonet permanently attached. Adjustable sights on an elevation ramp rear sight makes this package very versatile. permanently attached floor plate magazine holds 5 rounds with one additional one in the chamber. Call Wyoming Mountaineers (307)299-2084 to get yours today. A friend of mine called the other day and tells me he has 2 friends that are looking for some AR-15’s do I have any? I told him yes I do, They are M4 style scope ready models and priced at $695.00. Great, he says, They will be right over. They never showed up so a few days later I asked him if his friends were still interested. He told me nope, they bought them online for $1500.00. So, here they come with UPS, I still made my $15.00 for the transfer but while they were there they looked at the rifles I had in stock and discovered they were the same models they ordered with the same features and they could have bought 2 from me for the same price they paid for one they ordered. Don’t let this happen to you, Any gun, Any models, Any features can be ordered or built for a lower cost. Call for a free quote. Call Wyoming Mountaineers (307)299-2084 to get yours today. Wyoming Mountaineers now offers easy payment plans on any in stock firearm. Your debit card is your line of credit. Purchase any firearm that is in stock making 4 payments weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Processing fee and payment plan fee apply. Call Wyoming Mountaineers for more details. Call Wyoming Mountaineers 299-2084 and mention this ad. 1903 Springfield. 30o6 Cal. U.S. Military. $700 obo. Call (307) 682-7864 Gunsmithing Special of the week. Electrolysis Barrel Cleaning. Increase the accuracy of your firearm, get ready for hunting season or a summer of shooting fun. Most cleanings complete overnight and your gun is ready the next day. Call Wyoming Mountaineers 2992084 and mention this ad. Before you buy, make a call to get a quote. We can order any gun you are looking at and just may be able to save you a ton of money. Call for a free quote. $15.00 FFL Transfer Fee on all internet purchases. Call Wyoming Mountaineers 299-2084 and mention this ad.

March 29 - April 5, 2013

Toy Parts & Accessories

Autos, Trucks and Vans

Stock pipes for Sportster. 500mi. Stock pices for Dyna Wide Glide. 1500mi. Email baxtersmom62@gmail.com for info.

‘76 Electra-Glide would consider trade on Pan or Knuck if ya know of anyone, ‘81 sent it to LA-S&S, 11.5to1 and dual-plugged to run regular-gas, had burn-out time at Hog-Jam! Ben 680.7464.

Rare ﬁnd. 1969 Pontiac Motor. 390 HP and 470 ft. torque stock from factory. Aluminum edelbrock intake goes with motor. Best offer takes it home. 307-6220825 (a1-39-tfnh) 1999 Vortec 350 Intake and heads. Make offer. 307-6220825 (a1-39-tfnh) Four 16 inch rims, ﬁve hole, with caps.$90 307 - 670 1887 Harley Accessories for sale. Call 307-670-8980. Ask for Tammy.

For Rent 2 Bedroom Duplex, with one car garage, washer/dryer, no pets. $700rent/$700deposit. 307-689-0202 Ofﬁce and Retail space for rent Marlins 685-4452 or 685-8100 For Rent Single Bedroom House in Silver Hills 307680-8838. C2-12-4h Room for Rent. Nice Room for Rent for one responsible person. $480.00 per month. 689-9358.

Toys (ATV’s Boats, Etc.) BOAT FOR SALE. 18ft 120 port jet outboard bass tracker for sale. Call 307-680-5947 2008 Harley Dyna Super Glide, custom 19k miles blue $9,680 Marlins 685-4452 or 685-8100 2013 Custom Harley Hardtail Bobber all new $9,500. Marlins 685-4452 or 685-8100 International Tractor 300 Utility For Sale. $2000 Artic Cat 4X4 2001For Sale. $2000 Call Bill 307 - 660 – 8563 94 Mazda MX3 for sale. $1500 obo. 307-670-2037 1988 Honda Gl1500 for free if interested contact me at ( james.bernard10@live.com ) 2010 Polaris 550 eps with less than 100 miles, books for $8,000. make and offer. Call Steve Terry at 307-2992992 Chopper - Custom built frame, s&s engine, carb, etc. 80ci. Evolution engine. Wide glide front end. Low. Torn apart down to frame. Have all parts, could be built in two days with under $200.00. Asking $5,500 or best offer. Price:$5,500obo. Contact: 307-670-2037 1981 Harley Davidson FXBSturgis, 1st dual-belt drive to commemorate Hill-Climb @ Sturgis, Jack-Pine Gypsies rally started in ‘41, 50th anniversary model. 12K on straight-up original paint, new Moetzler’s driven-by beefed Shovel, 102hp at wheel. Perfect in every aspect, serious inquiries only, loan is $15K and value of over 25K. Ben 680.7464, 3-other older bikes and this has to go to the right person! Custom Harley Soft tail. Being built, need to sell now. Almost ﬁnished. Chopper, built in Sturgis, SD. Asking $5,500 and will help you build it. HAVE ALL PARTS! Call 257-2306 Boat for Sale with trailer. Needs work. Call 670-8980 for info.

2008 Dodge Charger AWD Hemi, loaded Black $18,000 books for $22,500 Marlins 685-4452 or 685-8100. 2006 Dodge Mega Cab 4x4 Laramie 102,000 miles $16,000 307-689-7290 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora. Black. Leather interior. Good condition. 87,400mi. Power everything. Front wheel drive. New tires. Call Charlene 307-660-7316. 1993 Chrysler LHS for sale or trade. Needs tie-rod and alignment. Runs good. $1,500.00 OBO. Email KevlarGrease@gmail.com 1994 Plymouth Voyager for sale or trade. Runs/ looks great. 188,000 miles. $2,000.00 OBO. Email KevlarGrease@gmail.com 1996 Nissan Pathﬁnder 4x4. New BF Goodrich Tires, Runs good. $1,200.00. 307299-4662. (a141-tfnh) 2004 Yukon Denali XL,6.0 Motor, Loaded $14,000 OBO 660-9351 2008 Hyundai Sonata LMTD, 40,000 mi. $13,500, Call 307-660-2532. 2000 Chevy Silverado 4x4 1/2 Ton Pickup. New tires, ext. cab, long bed. 148,000 mi. One owner. 307-6700858 or 303-250-4096 97’ Chevy Long Box Extended Cab. ¾ Ton, selling for Parts. $1,000 OBO. 307680-7431 1982 Chevy Ventura Van. 350 Engine, 400 Turbo newly rebuilt transmission. Interior in GREAT shape, has a working electric wet bar and built in cooler in back. Carb. needs re-jetted, other than that there are no problems. Must see. Asking $3,500 or best offer. Price:$3,500obo. Contact: 307-670-8980 1952 Chevy Dumptruck, hauls 5 tons of coal $1500 307-682-1172

Miscellaneous Licensed daycare now open. Spots available full-time and before and after school. Close to Rozet school and the post ofﬁce. Monday through Friday 6:30am to 6pm. Ages 3 and up. Call 307-299-1915 Bring your catch by the Empire Guesthouse for photographs which may be published in this newspaper with our ﬁshing reports. Along with that, the Guesthouse staff will be awarding monthly prizes for those that let us photograph them and their catch. It doesn’t have to be a trophy to enter and there will be special prizes for those 12 and under. Carp shooters are also welcome to enter. Check with the Guesthouse for more details. ACE will reduce your appetite and give you energy. The natural way to lose weight. www.facebook.com/AcePill 660-2974

Personals Interested in founding a Sherlock Holmes Society in Gillette? Contact gillettesherlockians@gmail. com for info.

2002 Jaguar x type 3.0 v6 22mpg cty 34 hwy 135000 hwy miles all maintenance current. New coils, plugs wires. Call Chris at Carpet Express Direct.

Produce for Sale Fresh local “Free Range” eggs. All natural, no animal by-products. No antibiotics. $3/Doz. 257-9049

Made Fresh Daily

Wanted to Buy I Buy Militaria. Swords, uniforms, bayonets, medals, guns/parts, ﬁeld gear. 6827864 Wanted: Old Batteries. Call 307-670-1675. D4-30-8P WILL PAY CASH FOR CAMPERS. Call Scott (307) 680-0854.

Cinnamon Rolls for pickup or delivery. Call Sandi 307-670-2724

Our Roots

March 29 - April 5, 2013

Campbell County Observer

History of Motion Picture By Mike Borda

Today our feature films are full of highly paid celebrities and eye-popping special effects. The root of this art medium, however, can be traced back more than a century to the very first motion pictures. Film has become an American tradition, and its history shows that real life can indeed have just as many interesting back stories as the movies themselves. The history of the motion picture can be traced back hundreds of years, back to early flip-picture books that “played” a story for its viewer. However, even the modern film elements go back farther than most would think. In 1872 a scientist named Eadweard Muybridge devised an experiment at a California farm where he took 24 pictures from 24 cameras placed at spaced out intervals, designed to capture a horse in full gallop. What they found was that the rapid succession of pictures played out to be like real life, showing the horse

gallop in real time. This development went further due to the work of inventors like Thomas Edison, who (along with others working independently) had developed motion picture machines of his own, which he called the Kinetoscope. The Kinetoscope was successful at first because it allowed the viewer to see previously captured images, played through the machine with a motor. It was the first of its kind to have widespread commercial success, and expanded throughout the world. However, the modern motion picture was still not at hand, because Edison was unable to link his moving images with sound. Theatres that had sprouted up to handle the masses wanting to see this new technology took matters into their own hands, often hiring bands to play directly over the films, providing live musical accompaniment. Once the music problem was temporarily solved, motion pictures soared into

popularity, and companies began emerging that would do nothing but produce these films. An industry was being born, and large players like Universal Film Manufacturing Company (now known as Universal Studios) emerged. In 1926 a company called Warner Bros. began marketing the “Vitaphone” system, which added pre-recorded sound into the actual film and skyrocketed them to success. During the 1930s and 1940s the film industry boomed into the American mainstream, producing “blockbuster” films like The Wizard of Oz and Citizen Kane, transforming literary works and radio stars into movie history. From there, we know the rest of the story - today it is one of the world’s largest industries. The history of film is a long, interesting tale that shows us that American industries can truly be homegrown, and the ideas and dreams of a few can transform the hopes of the world.

“Don’t expect to build up the weak by pulling down the strong.” - President Calvin Coolidge Sponsor the Quotes and get 4 small ads/week for only $50/week!

The Spirit of the Lakota (Part 3) By Jeff Morrison No account of the life of Crazy Horse would be complete without discussing the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Even though the Oglala chief was most certainly an active participant in the 1876 battle, his leadership decisions (if any) and most of his actions remain unclear today. But his name, which was mostly unknown among whites prior to the battle, became forever linked to the fate of George Armstrong Custer and his immediate command on that hot, mid-summer afternoon. As a war leader, Crazy Horse’s personal crowning achievement was the Battle of the Rosebud, in which he and about 1,500 warriors under his leadership fought General George Crook to a standstill ten days prior to the surprise arrival of Custer and the 7th Cavalry. At the Little Big Horn, he was but one warrior among many who fought to protect their families and in so doing handed the U. S. Army its most devastating loss incurred in the history of Indian warfare. His role in the battle has grown substantially over the years until it is almost impossible today to separate reality from fantasy. Several present-day historians often claim that the Indians at the Little Big Horn had better arms and better leaders than the 7th Cavalry. Both assertions are highly debatable. Before a battle or raid, a war chief or council of war chiefs would lay out a battle strategy that often went awry soon after the shooting started. During the ﬁght, the chief had to lead by example, charging at the enemy and hoping that some of his warriors would follow. The Lakota and Cheyenne were very good at decoy-and-ambush tactics and excelled at lightning quick raids against an unwary foe. When it came to defending their villages, however, they usually ended up retreating into the hills and ceding their belongings to the enemy. The Battle of the Little Big Horn proved to be the exception to the rule. There was nothing planned out in their defense that day. There was only a frenzied reaction to the soldiers attacking the edge of the camp. As for leadership, very little was necessary. Crazy Horse, himself, may have missed most of the early ﬁghting. The Oglala were camped at the far end of the giant village, nearly four miles from where Major Reno and his troops attacked. Quite a few historians maintain that Custer was lured into a trap, but most

of the Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho admitted after the battle that they were taken completely by surprise. According to most sources, it was the Hunkpapa war chief, Gall, who routed Reno and his three companies, causing them to flee across the river to the high bluffs on the opposite side. Although some historians try to write Crazy Horse into the picture at that time, it is most likely he and his warriors were still gathering their ponies from the hills west of the valley at that point. After Custer and his five companies made an attempt to attack the middle of the village and were repulsed, the consensus of archeological evidence, combined with Indian testimony in later years, seems to indicate he turned north, possibly to make a fighting withdrawal out of the area, or possibly to dig in on higher ground like Reno had done earlier in the battle. At some point, it is believed he tried a second time to cross the river and was turned back to make a stand on the knob that now bears the name, Last Stand Hill. It was at this point that Crazy Horse, leading nearly 1,000 warriors charged up from one end of the ridge, sweeping everything in his path, while at the same time, Gall and his warriors hit the remaining soldiers from the other side. When the dust settled, Long Hair and what was left of his command were dead. For the rest of the evening of the 25th and much of the next day, the Indian warriors did their best to annihilate the rest of the 7th Cavalry, dug in on Reno Hill, while their women prepared the village for travel. Not much is told of Crazy Horse’s contributions during this time. He was present at the Wagon Box Fight and saw firsthand the futility of attacking soldiers who were dug in and well supplied with ammunition, even when the odds were 10 to 1. It is pure speculation on my part, but I think it more than likely that Crazy Horse was among those who counseled to leave the area before General Terry and the rest of the Dakota/Montana Column arrived to rescue the 7th. The Indians split up after the battle, mainly because a village of that size could not provide sufficient fodder for their livestock for any extended length of time. Crazy Horse and his band stayed in the vicinity for a while before making his way east ahead of a pursuing General Crook. After the Battle

of Slim Buttes in September, Crazy Horse moved west for the winter, camping along the Tongue River. When the freezing and exhausted remnants of Cheyenne chief, Dull Knife, stumbled into their camp that winter, Crazy Horse took them in and gave them what comfort he could. The Cheyenne had been surprised in the night by soldiers under Colonel Ranald MacKenzie, and had been forced to abandon their village and all their belongings in subzero weather. On the morning of January 8, 1877, it was Crazy Horse’s turn to be surprised in his camp, when the village was awakened by cannon fire, this time from the troops under General Nelson Miles. Although Crazy Horse directed several attempts to flank the soldiers, it proved to be a futile effort. When Miles eventually gained the high ground, Crazy Horse was forced to withdraw; leaving most of the village lodges and supplies behind, and the Battle of Wolf Mountain was over. By spring, Crazy Horse accepted the inevitable. He could no longer avoid the White Man and live a secluded life in Powder River Country. Through many parleys and couriers he arranged to surrender to General Crook at Camp Robinson early that spring. As part of the negotiations, Crook promised to give Crazy Horse his own agency anywhere he chose. The Oglala chief’s first choice of locations was very near present day Gillette, where he could remain in the Powder River area and be as far from the White Man’s culture as possible. Eventually he was persuaded to pick an area much closer to Camp Robinson, where the Army could keep an eye on him. As it turned out, General Crook reneged on his promise of an

agency. For the next four months, Crazy Horse lived at peace with the White Man. His wife suffered from tuberculosis and received treatment from Dr. Valentine McGillycuddy. A genuine friendship soon developed between the Oglala war chief and the doctor. But rivalries and inter-tribal politics soon turned into deadly hatred among his own people. He had been on bad terms with Red Cloud ever since the latter chief had become a believer in making peace with the whites shortly after the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868. Both Red Cloud and fellow agency chief, Spotted Tail, viewed the arrival of Crazy Horse as a threat to their prestige and standing. Even the Army seemed to be overly solicitous to a man who had fought them bitterly up until a few months earlier. When the charismatic young Oglala began attracting a cult-like following among the younger warriors, jealousy became deadly hatred. The opportunity to put Crazy Horse in his place came in the form of a mis-translation. In August, Army officials were keen on recruiting Crazy Horse and many of his followers for scouts against Chief Joseph and the Nez Peirce. Crazy Horse and a Miniconjou war chief, Touch the Clouds, were called into a council that included Lieutenant William Clark and three interpreters, including Frank Grouard, who had been invited due to his close connection to Crazy Horse. Both Crazy Horse and Touch the Clouds were extremely reluctant to join the campaign, explaining that they had vowed never to fight again when they had surrendered. But the lieutenant persisted until, according to interpreter Billy Garnett, an exasperated Crazy Horse finally agreed, saying that he would “fight until all the Nez Pierce are dead.” Grouard, whether it was an honest mistake or fulfillment of some unknown vendetta, told the lieutenant that Crazy Horse had said that he would fight “until not a white man is left.” Touch the Clouds, seeing the reaction to Grouard’s translation by the

other two scouts demanded to know what Grouard said. When Garnett repeated the statement for the Miniconjou, the chief lashed out at Grouard verbally and called him a liar in no uncertain terms. Grouard became indignant and would not admit to making a mistake. He stormed out of the council in a huff, while the other interpreters explained to the lieutenant what had happened. But the damage had been done, and the Army officials around Camp Robinson became suspicious of Crazy Horse. Crazy Horse’s Indian enemies poured fuel on the fire a month later by feeding General Crook a lie that Crazy Horse was planning on assassinating the general during another upcoming council. Crook doubted the report but decided to be cautious. He postponed his visit and ordered the post commander to bring Crazy Horse in for questioning. Crazy Horse fled Red Cloud Agency and made his way to Spotted Tail Agency, several miles east. Once there he agreed to return to the Red Cloud Agency under the custody of Lt. Jesse Lee, the agent in charge of Spotted Tail Agency. On his return to Camp Robinson, a large crowd comprising of supporters and non-supporters alike, had gathered to witness the arrest of Crazy Horse. For his part, the Oglala war chief seemed unaware of his pending arrest until he was led to the guard house. Accompanying Crazy Horse was Little Big Man, an old friend and ally who turned out to be anything but. When it became clear he was going to be jailed, Crazy Horse panicked and attempted to flee. Little Big Man grabbed his arms just as the guard stabbed him in the lower back with a bayonet. As it was obvious Crazy Horse was dying, he was taken to the adjutant’s office nearby. Dr. McGillycuddy was summoned to see what could be done for the dying warrior. Crazy Horse refused to be placed on the cot and was laid on the floor instead. Somewhere around midnight, the Spirit of the Lakota died.

The Local “Our Roots” Column is sponsored by

· Auto · Preferred · SR22’s · Home · Renters · Life · Health 18

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