Campbell County Observer

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The Campbell County Observer ZZZ FDPSEHOOFRXQW\REVHUYHU QHW www.campbellcountyobserver.net

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Week of April 1513- 22, May - 20,2011 2011

Photographed by Justin Hillius

John Fritz of Campbell County put up the American Flag and the POW/MIA Flag the day that the Navy SEALS shot and killed bin Laden. He said that “It was the proudest day that the United States of America has seen in decades.â€? It has been awhile since he put up a ag. “It costs too much because of the wind. Your replacing a ag a week.â€? Now he says that he bought U.S. made stitched ags and will never not have one on his agpole again.

Gillette College Graduation

“Health Buddies� Support for Medicaid Clients

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. To submit a quote of the week go to www.campbellcountyobserver.net include your name with the quote to be featured in the paper.

By Keary Speer

There are many milestones in a person’s life. Those deďŹ ning moments that make people who they are and manage keep that person from ever returning to who they once were. Everyone knows what these milestones are and share some, or all, of them. These things would be your ďŹ rst date, your ďŹ rst car, high school graduation, your wedding day, having a child, etc. For 163 Gillette residents, one of those deďŹ ning moments came Friday, May 6th when Aging and Disabilities Conference for they walked across the stage to Set accept a GED, certiďŹ cate, or college diploma Cheyenne at thea 21st Gillette College CommenceWith theme of “Powering toward the ment Activities. future,â€? the 2011 Wyoming United for Theand Powder River Brass Quartet Aging Disabilities conference willperbe formed the pre-processional and proheld May 3-5 in Cheyenne. cessional musichosted for thebywalking graduThe conference, the Wyoming ates. They were followed by the National Department of Health’s Aging Division, Anthem sung beautifully by one of the will be held at the Little America Hotel and graduates themselves, Patrick Webb. Resort. Conference sessions After a few words from two ofwill thecover NWaCCD variety of topics Wyoming related to the human (Northern Community VHUYLFHV RI Board DJLQJ PHQWDO KHDOWK College Ă€HOGV District) members they and substance abuse, and disabilities, presented the President’s Award to a including disabilities. surpriseddevelopmental recipient. TheDeShara keynote/banquet speaker will behonDr. “Deeâ€? Washington was Walter Bortz. is one of America’s ored with theBortz award for her outstanding academic accomplishments as well PRVW GLVWLQJXLVKHG VFLHQWLĂ€F H[SHUWV RQ as her in the community, aging andinvolvement is a clinical associate professor programs, and University. other school acofsports medicine at Stanford tivities. DeShara is also a part of thethe Phi Additional session topics include Theta Kappa honors program. It was Wyoming Aging and Disabilities Resource not untilGreen the end of the presentation of Center, House Living, Accessing this award that they called her name. 66, 66', %HQHĂ€WV 'HYHORSPHQWDO Shock had washed over her and she Disabilities Panel: Shifting to Selfslowly made her way up to the stage. Direction Plans, her Multicultural Aging, She brieCare y thanked mother and sisMedication Use and Abuse, Healthcare ters and walked proudly off the stage.

ciation to the graduates for their betterment of themselves and therefore the great state of Wyoming. Along with words of wisdom he told a story of hope and achievement in which his grandfather overcame a stutter and the exile by his public school to become a state senator. Having such an inuential and successful speaker present at the ceremony hopefully left an impression not only on the graduates, but on the audience as well. Reform, Reverse Mortgages, and the The Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Jon Connolly, presented a Aging/Mental Health/Development total of 163 degrees and certiďŹ cates. Disabilities Panel. CertiďŹ catessession were presented to 11 A GED pre-conference the morning graduates, 3 of which came from the of May 3 from 9 to 11 a.m. will cover Even Start/Wyoming Family Literacy emergency preparedness. A postProgram. session CertiďŹ cates conference on of MayCompletion 5 from were presented to 33 graduates. There 12:30 to 5 p.m. will cover emergency were 58 Associate of Applied Science preparedness training in detail. graduates, 49 Associate of Science The conference registration is $150of graduates, and a mere 5 fee Associate before April 24 and $175 after Aprilgradu25. Arts graduates. Along with these Online registration is available at http:// ates, the University of Wyoming Outguest.event.com/d/ldqb91/1Q. For reach presented 4 Bachelor’s degrees more information about attending the and 2 Masters of Business Administraconference please call University the Aging Division tion degrees. Regis honored atone 1-800-442-2766 send anofemail to person with a or Bachelor Arts-Elementary Education degree. wyaging@health.wyo.gov. the ceremony, the Class The After conference is sponsored in part of by 2011 the was asked to a reception at theMental college Wyoming Department of Health’s to celebrate their successes and acHealth and Substance Abuse Services complishments with everyone around Division, the Wyoming Department them. of Health’s Development Disabilities The NWCCD President, Dr. Paul Division, and AARP. Young wrote it best when he said, “The Contact: Kim Deti achievement of a college diploma or Phone: 307-777-6420 certiďŹ cate is a major life milestone. Rewww.campbellcountyobserver.net gardless of major, a college diploma Wyoming’s 32nd Governor Matthew signiďŹ es persistence, sacriďŹ ce, self-disH. Mead honored the ceremony with his cipline, intellectual accomplishment and presence to give the Commencement that graduates have the ability to set an Whatoff I like Campbell County long-term is the Sky. speech. He started withabout a funny animportant goal and achieve ecdote about <RX¡OO QHYHU Ă€QG RQH EHWWHU GXULQJ WKH ZHDWKHU a young girl who came to it in spite of the obstacles we all know the Governor when he was visiting a will arise along the way.â€? Graduates of school. She asked if he were the “realâ€? any degree ² -RUGDQ 6ROHL will remember this deďŹ ngovernor and, if so, what can he do for ing moment in life and go forth to better her about bullies pushing her down on our society and that is something to be the playground. He offered his appreproud of.

Aging and Disabilities Conference for Cheyenne

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Is a Doctor In?

Contact: Kim Deti Wyoming Department of Health, will staff Phone: 307-777-6420 the project. These nurses will monitor “Health Buddiesâ€? to Support Wyoming information submitted by patients and By Sara Painter Medicaid Clients FDQ Ă DJ FOLHQWV IRU IROORZ XS LI WKH\ Certain selected Wyoming EqualityCare detect potential problems or increased (Medicaid) clients are beginning to symptoms of concern. “Depending on be onfor theaway to the shortage of the physicians. thatthey reauseMedical “Healthdoctors Buddyâ€?may devices costcase and patient’s For needs, becoming an endangered species. Inson, the next big push is for the Doceffective connection to enhanced may call that patient to discuss their stead ofcare making them spe- condition tor of Nursing (DNP) degree, medical as part of aa protected new Wyoming or theyPractice may help ensure the cies, however, the government is spearwhich will require four years of college, Department of Health effort. patient visits a doctor,â€? Bush said. heading a movement that may well lead experience as a registered nurse, and The new Healthy Together Health “The Health Buddy system has been used to their extinction, replacing them with four years of advance practice educaBuddy Project, designed especially for fortion. a number of years in other programs what are currently considered mid-level It is planned that by the year 2015, the Wyoming EqualityCare (Medicaid) such as the Department Veterans medical practitioners. all nurse practitioners andofnurse anesprogram, will connect certain clients to $IIDLUV ZLWK WHUULĂ€F UHVXOWV Âľ %XVK VDLG to Physician assistants (PA) and Nurse thetists entering practice will have medical professionals will directly been proventhe to DNP. reduce the number Practitioners (NP) are who commonly called “It’s have obtained Those currently monitor health statusThey usingaretelehospitalizations and costs associated “Doctorâ€?their in clinic settings. not ofpracticing with either an MSN or certiďŹ health technology. with managing illnesses.â€? medical doctors. cate will not chronic be required to obtain the TheA Health a small, easy-tonoted the initial project is limited medicalBuddy doctoris who receives his Bush DNP for continued practice, but willtobe education in the United inStates typi- 100 grandfathered in. use device that is placed a client’s patients. “Because we are interested cally spends four years four in better “Advanced appear to home and is attached to ina college, phone line. patientpractice care andnursesâ€? cost avoidance years in medical school, and completes be the wave of the future, due to health The system asks patients a series of through improved prevention, we are a minimum three-year residency of care reform and major efforts the individualized and interactive questions. focusing on cases with the highestby rate working in a hospital. Depending on the ofAmerican Association of Colleges “For patients, it basically involves logging expense and use,â€? he said. “We hopeof completing the phone residency The Wyoming State inspecialty, to a computer over the line can so toNursing. expand the program should welegislature see the take many more years. The degree is has a bill in the works (SF0098) which that you can answer important questions good results we expect.â€? Doctor of Medicine (MD). will, in fact, mandate hospital privileges every day about your health condition,â€? The Health Buddy effort is part of the A physician assistant spends four for advanced practice registered nurssaid Dr. James Bush, Medicaid medical Healthy Together program offered to all years in college and typically two to es. It will also require that hospital bydirector with the Wyoming Department EqualityCare clients at no cost. three years in an accredited PA pro- Wyoming laws regarding staff admission and staff ofgram. Health. “The system also allows for The program, which is operated by APS The degree is Physician Assisprivileges “make any provision needed sharing important data such as blood Healthcare, support tant (PA). to comply provides with the one-on-one relevant governmenpressure readings or sugar levels.â€? a nurse, educational materials A nurse practitioner spends four years from tal regulations.â€? “For example,and we know Medicaid the self-management of in college typically two toclients three to encourage Whatever your opinion on the qualiďŹ who have experienced heart failure and help incare coordinating years obtaining a master’s degreearein health cations of health providers, care make nursing (MSN). The exception being, in among frequently candidates for expensive multiple providers. Healthy your opinion known to your state reprethe 1980s, nurse practioners were ex- Together sentatives and provides senators, EqualityCare as well as to hospital readmission. This is both costly also pected to obtain an MSN, but those al- clients your with local information hospital administration and WR RXU SURJUDP DQG GLIĂ€FXOW IRU WKH SDWLHQW on weight loss, ready practicing with a certiďŹ cate were the hospital board of trustees. It is to endure so we want to help them smoking cessation and how to adoptas grandfathered in. Thestays degree is Nurse healthy important for them to have your supavoid future hospital or complex lifestyles. For more information Practitioner (NP). as it Together is for them to know if you are procedures,â€? Bush said. onport Healthy please contact APS It has been stated that Nurse Practiagainst it. Either way, let them know “With this program, we can set up a Healthcare at 1-888-545-1710 extension tioners are vital to being able to provide where you stand on the subject. Health Buddy device in a heart patient’s 7089 or visit www.WYHealthyTogether. health care to citizens, due to a critical home,â€? Bush continued. “Using the com. Health Buddy, the patient can answer The Health Buddy devices are provided daily questions about medications and by Robert Bosch Healthcare Inc., a potential symptoms such as shortness of leading provider of innovative tele-health breath or weight gain.â€? For more information, please Patriot Publishing is asystems. smallEdie publishing busi- or $36 +HDOWKFDUH QXUVHV DQG FHUWLĂ€HG FDVH contact DeVine at 415-365-8543 managers, a contract the visit www.bosch-telehealth.com. nessunder starting upwithright here in Wyoming. We

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Community

MIKE ARGUE, President of ABATE

ABATE to hold motorcycle awareness parade

Family Literacy Walk-a-Thon

By Sandra Boehler

By Keary Speer

Lines of people in red t-shirts could be seen walking and running on Lakeway and 4-J Road Saturday, May 7th for the 6th Annual Family Literacy Walk-a-thon. Over fifty men, women, and children registered to participate and either walk 3 miles or 6 miles for the cause sponsored and organized by the Energy Rotary Club. Though there was no competition in time finished, because everyone started on their own time, there were definite winners in money raised beforehand. Shirley Beckett would be the individual to take home a trophy for raising $450 on her own. All participants were rewarded when they finished with a chili lunch provided by the Prime Rib. Even Start was a federally funded program until recently. They lost their funding and are being forced to change their name to Wyoming Family Literacy. That may not be a bad thing, however, considering it will eliminate all confusion between Even Start and Head Start. They are now a grant funded program and rely heavily on these fundraisers to keep their program alive. Their mission statement is, “Empowering parents to give their children the best possible start in life.” It is a program that helps parents

receive their General Education Diploma (GED) while providing their children, ages 0-5 years, with quality, educational childcare. In order to participate in the program the parent must take adult education courses, early childhood education courses, parent education courses, have parent and child time (PAC) at least 2 hours per week, and are required to have home visits regularly. The goal is to help families and parents graduate from high school in order to encourage their children to do the same. They do not want children to become a product of their environment influenced by their parents and are putting the proper tools in the hands of the parents to help prevent that from happening. The program is also largely ESL (English as a Second Language) based. Of Hispanics in Wyoming, 44% drop out of high school. However, of the people who participate in the program, there is a 94% graduation rate. Three of which participated in the Gillette College graduation Ceremony the day before the fund-raising event. This particular event helped raise a grand total of $7,001.00 which will go to paying the staff for providing family literacy sessions throughout the summer. More donations are expected to come in shortly as well.

Wyoming Family Literacy can be found in the old Hillcrest School building. They are a grossly underfunded and under-recognized organization that can always use community support. To help donate go to the Campbell County School District web site and search, “Families” to get a pledge form. Results for teams: 1st place went to Meadowlark Elementary with donations totaling $535; 2nd to Nutrition Services of Campbell County School District - $390; 3rd to Campbell County Public Library - $385; other teams: Cottonwood Elementary - $336; Campbell County Abstract - $200; Hillcrest Elementary - $170; Chapter V, P.E.O. - $65. There were seven teams altogether consisting of 41 walkers and they raised $2,081. Energy Rotary Club members, besides organizing and sponsoring the event, raised a total of $995. Results for Individuals: Individual participants numbered 52 and they raised funds of $3,925. 1st place went to Shirley Beckett with donations totaling $450; 2nd place to Helen Mathes with $450; 3rd place to Stephanie Bowker with $365; 4th place to Ileana Salas with $200; and 5th place to Lisa Geer with $190.

CCMH Summer Youth Volunteer Program begins June 9 Campbell County Memorial Hospital’s (CCMH) Summer Youth Volunteer Program begins June 9, 2011. Interested youth ages 12-17 years should contact Bridget Vanderpool, Volunteer Coordinator at 688-1536 by Friday, May 13 to complete an application and schedule an interview. Applications are also available online at www.ccmh.net and click on the dropdown Ways to Give. Interviews will conclude May 25th. Orientation and training takes place June 9. All interested youth volunteers, even those from previous years must complete an application and schedule an interview.

“Completing the application gives youth additional practice and the interview process allows me to meet the veteran volunteers”, said Bridget. The program has limited a limited number of slots available. Youth volunteers perform duties such as delivering meals, beverages and books, greeting patients and families, assisting nursing and support staff, working with children and Pioneer Manor residents and other healthcare related services. “It’s a great way for young people to learn the value of helping others,” said Bridget Vanderpool. “And it’s fun for the kids too.”

Interested youth must be the minimum age of 12 by June 1, 2011, be able to volunteer at least three hours each week - excluding vacations, and have transportation to and from the hospital. Volunteer shirts/uniforms will be provided. The Summer Youth Volunteer program concludes August 18 and an appreciation reception is scheduled for August 23. For more information call Volunteer Services office at 688.1536.

May is motorcycle awareness month and on Saturday, May 14, A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments (A.B.A.T.E.) will sponsor an awareness parade. “This year we are going to line up at the Sports Bar at 9 am. with departure time sometime after 10. From the Sports Bar will we head onto Warlow Drive, then right on to Burma Road, left on to 2nd street, and then right onto Hwy 59 to the fishing lake,” said Mike Argue, President of the organization There will be a free public picnic sponsored by the GRO (Gillette Riders Organization) following the parade. “There is no parade permit for this so all traffic signals and laws must be obeyed by all motorcycles participating in the event,” he added The main focus of this group is to fight for the rights of motorcyclist in our area and in the nation. We pay close attention to any legislation aimed towards motorcycles and or their riders. We inform our members of the goings on in the legislation and encourage them to call, write, or email the legislators to get their voice heard. The organization also has a Christmas fund. “This is probable our biggest event,” stated Argue.” Every year we partner with the Council of Community Services and open the A.B.A.T.E Toy Store. We open this store for 3 days right before Christmas and let Moms and Dads come and do some shopping for their children. These families are less fortunate can really use the help we provide.” A.B.A.T.E. holds several other events throughout the year to benefit bikers as well as the community at large. Saturday is a chance for folks to watch the parade and pay respect to an organization that believes in giving back to the community.

To answer the question of week go to www.campbellcounty observer.net Submit your answer and your name to appear in the paper.

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2

Community Local Veteran of the Month By Sandra Boehler

Virgil Moss, a very intriguing man, was found at the Hometown Veterans breakfast, last week. He was born and raised in Campbell County April 13, 1924. His parents later moved to Montana. It was always a desire of Virgil to return to his parents ranch to work the land and animals he loved so dearly. However, as he puts it, God had a whole different plan for Virgil’s life. He does admit he has enjoyed his travels and adventures in life. Mr. Moss was 19 years old when he joined the U. S. Army. He trained at Camp Hale, CO, which is at 9,800 ft. Virgil went to communications school and learned Morris Code. He then served in Italy starting in February 1945 as a forward radio transmitter. It was Virgil’s job to scout the enemy and send information back to the troops behind him so they could find and push back enemy soldiers. Virgil was lead by General Hayes through the mountains in their attacks. He remembers a victory which took their troops four days to take two points, Riva Ridge and Mt. Belevader. It had been at a stand off for nine months. He was traveling with a five man crew. The lieutenant and Virgil made it to their destination, however, three others were hit and injured and could not go on to fight. Virgil was knocked out on his way up the mountain and were left alone. After coming to, knowing he could hit a land mine, he pushed on, using his gun as a cane to assist him. He knew his radio was needed and, therefore, would not give up his struggle. At dawn, he saw someone approaching. Not sure if it was the enemy he was ready to fire. Thankfully, it was his Lieutenant. The Lieutenant took Virgil’s radio and, once

again, left him alone. He watched enemy soldiers carrying the dead. He had no food and little water as he wandered around heading down the mountain to where he knew troops would be. He arrived at a base where he wit-

ticed his loaf of bread was gone. Virgil can’t remember how but he found his Lieutenant. He feels God aided his trip to the Lieutenant. They fought their way to Pole Valley where, Virgil says, he had the scariest experience of his life, “the burning bush”. He stated an angel spoke to him telling him to “get across the river or he would die.” They joined another crew which was traveling across the river in Duks, a vehicle with the capability of traveling on land and water, to the other side of the river. There, they had the last stand at Brennor Pass. At this victory they took 3 Star General Von Senger prisoner. Virgil and a buddy stayed in a Muslim Palace where they rode bicycles and relaxed. From there, his travel took him to Trieste which lies between Yugoslovia and Italy. Virgil shipped home in the fall of 1945. He wrote a letter to his parents requesting to come home ad work on the ranch he so missed. However, there was no room for him to join the family ranch at the time. Virgil was discharged November 27, 1945 and went on to work in Colorado Springs, CO at Pikes Peak Roofing. He enjoyed square dancing and it was there he met his dance partner whom he married. He has lived in many areas throughout his life, including a year in India doing missionary work. Virgil has written 20 books on his life experiences. He states “God wrote them I just penned them.” If you are as interested to hear more on these adventures you can now find his books at the Campbell County Library. He can be found at the Hometown Veterans Breakfast on May 31.

nessed U.S. heroes stacked like “cord wood.” Virgil was fed and got some much needed rest. He took a loaf of bread and proceeded back up the mountain to find his fellow soldiers. He sat on a German built trench to rest and eat some of his bread. He heard the sound of a German 88, a large German gun shot, approaching which landed at the trench. He was unharmed but no-

Campbell County Public Health offers Community Stop and Drop event The Community Stop and Drop is a multi-agency event to promote safe and responsible recycling. This event, held at Campbell County Public Health (2301 S. 4-J Road), coincides with National Seat Check Saturday and will be held Saturday, May 14th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public can drop off unused or unwanted prescription medications, consumer electronics and Powder River Shredders will also be on site to shred sensitive documents for individuals (no businesses). Look for volunteers in orange shirts when you arrive at Public Health on Saturday.

Consumer Electronics Bring in: computers (Hard drives will be destroyed), TVs, monitors, printers, stereo systems (no speakers) Remember: 70% of heavy metals found in US landfills come from discarded electronics. Consumer Electronics Recycling is sponsored by ProTech Computing.

What you can bring in: Prescription Drug Take Back Bring in: old pills (unwanted or expired), vet or pet drugs, over-the-counter medicine, vitamins, medical patches or creams. Do not bring in: needles & sharps, mercury thermometers, oxygen containers, chemotherapy/radioactive substances, pressurized canisters, or illicit drugs. **Please conceal or remove any personal information, including the Rx number on the container by covering it with black permanent markers. Markers will be available at the Stop & Drop location.

Document Shredding Powder River Shredders will be on site to safely destroy sensitive materials with secure confidential shredding for personal paperwork - no business or commercial papers will be shredded. Identity Theft is the fastest growing crime in the U.S.

National Armed Forces FreedomRide Wyoming

The National Armed Forces FreedomRide is an annual nationwide event created in 2010. Wyoming is joining to honor our past and present US Military and to remind Americans of our military’s service to the people of the United States. Saturday May 21, 2011 is for all those wishing to pay their respects to America’s Veterans...whether you ride a motorcycle, drive a truck, a race car or a go-cart...everyone is welcome! Registration begins at 8 AM at the Gillette National Guard Armory, with breakfast being catered by Pokey’s and kickstands up at 10 AM. The ride will proceed to the Buffalo Veterans Home, then onto the Sheridan VA Hospital and returning that evening to enjoy a fun filled night at Jakes Tavern including dinner. All proceeds above costs will go to Hometown Veterans; an organization

What’s Going On? Friday, May 13 - Artist of the Month, Mae Gill, CCPL - Wyoming Junior High Div. of HS Rodeo, 1 - 6:30 p.m., Wrangler Arena, Camplex - NADAC Dog Trials Camping Form, 9 a.m., Barn 3, Camplex - Gillette High School Rodeo, 11 a.m. 6 p.m., Morningside Park, Camplex Saturday, May 14 - Campbell County Centennial Display, CCPL - 4th - 6th Grade Wii Play Saturdays, 1 - 4 p.m. at CCPL - Teen Open Play Video Gaming, 1 - 4 p.m. at CCPL - NADAC Dog Trials Camping Form, 9 a.m., Barn 3, Camplex - Gillette High School Rodeo, 7:15 a.m. - 6 p.m., Morningside Park, Camplex - Pre-PAW Performing Arts Workshop, 1 - 4 p.m., Heritage Center, Camplex - Rotary Ball, 5:30 p.m. - 1 a.m., Energy Hall, Camplex - Mule Deer Foundation Banquet, 5 11 p.m., Wyoming Center Equality Hall, Camplex - Thar’s Ranch Sorting, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., East Pavilion, Camplex - Gillette Riders 3rd Annual Picnic, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Dalby Park Sunday, May 15 - One on One Computer Classes, CCPL - NADAC Dog Trials Camping Form, 9 a.m., Barn 3, Camplex - Gillette High School Rodeo, 7 a.m.(?), Morningside Park, Camplex - Thar’s Ranch Sorting, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., East Pavilion, Camplex Monday, May 16 - Artist of the Month, Mae Gill, CCPL - CCSD Secondary Strings Concert, 7 p.m., CCHS N. Auditorium Tuesday, May 17 - Teen Yu-Gi-Oh Card Game Club, 4 6 p.m. at CCPL - Twin Spruce Choir Concert, 7 p.m., Heritage Center, Camplex - Wyoming Reads, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. (Private Event), Camplex - RCM Spring Barrel Race, 5 - 9 p.m., East Pavilion, Camplex Wednesday, May 18 - Teen New Volunteer Sign up, CCPL - Campbell County Centennial Display, CCPL - Story Time, 11 a.m., Wright Public Library - GALI Annual Tour and Meeting, Private Event, Camplex Thursday, May 19 - Teen New Volunteer Sign Up - Teen Anime Club, 7 - 8:30 p.m. at CCPL Friday, May 20 - Teens New Volunteer Sign Up - Choose Dance Recital, 7 p.m., Heritage Center, Camplex (CCHS) - Open MIC Night, 7 p.m., Brothers Coffee

$18 50/50 TEES S, L, XL $22 50/50 LONG SLEEVE $36 50/50 HOODIES

that provides support to local service members and their families. This is the first year for Wyoming to observe the FreedomRide; and the organization is seeking monetary donations to make this a smooth and awesome event. The money will provide the organization with the means to purchase food, t-shirts and patches to commemorate this event. Donations may be made at 1st National Bank of Gillette under Armed Forces FreedomRide. For more information please contact Keri Mann (Wyoming Coordinator) at 307-689-5006 or visit their websitewww.wyomingfreedomride.webs.com Keri will also be available at the Gillette Riders Organization Picnic. God Bless America and Our Troops!

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3

Community Many items discussed at Campbell Co. Cemetery Board meeting By Sara Painter The following are some of the topics covered and items discussed at the Campbell County Cemetery Board meeting on May 4, 2011. Darin Edmonds, Sexton, gave a detailed and useful tutorial on how to navigate the new Cemetery Board website. The rebroadcast of this board meeting will be available for a time on Gillette Public Access Channel 22. The board voted to allow the use of granite for base material in memorials; previously only concrete was allowed. New health insurance coverage for employees and board members was discussed, and was to be discussed in further detail in an executive session. There is a state statute regarding sold but unused spaces in a cemetery. If there has been a 25 year period with no activity, the spaces can be considered abandoned and go back into inventory. Before this can be done the staff has to take appropriate measures to contact the owners of those

spaces. There are 4796 sold but unused spaces in the Cemetery District at this time. The cemetery staff will go going through block by block to determine which, if any, spaces will go back into inventory. It is very important to keep contact information current with the Cemetery District. The board voted to purchase an ADA compliant sound system for the meeting room. The bid was awarded to American Radio & Hi-Fi, who has experience dealing with structures similar to the meeting room in Gillette. The sound system upgrade will be a benefit to the community. It can be rather difficult to follow the recorded meetings due to the quality of the sound system currently in place. Darin Edmonds later explained that this new ADA system will feed directly into the City of Gillette’s recording system. So, in addition to the sound being amplified in the meeting room itself, there will also be a much better sound quality on the recorded programs. There was discussion on the need

for, and the previous recommendation of, a Master Plan for the cemetery organization. It was called a road map, a tool, and a guide line, and seemed to be favored by several meeting attendees. One board member said that if the public asked them how a decision had been made, he would rather say they had experts to assist them in making decisions, rather than saying they had made an educated guess. Due to the absence of two board members, the vote on Water Well Number 5 was tabled until the next meeting. It is hoped that all board members will be in attendance at the next meeting to allow the six board members to vote on whether to move forward with the project. The proposed budget for fiscal year 2012 was discussed. Once again, the Cemetery District is not asking for all the money it is entitled to. Although state statute allows them to assess three mills, they have never done so.

May 5, 2011 - At 12:15 a.m. to the National 9 Motel for an EMS Assist. - At 2:46 a.m. to the Days Inn for an EMS assist. - At 12:36 p.m. to #9 Pineview Drive for a controlled burn that got out of containment. CCFD responded to the scene and extinguished an approximate ¼ acre grass fire. The burn was then turned back over to the property owner. - At 6:06 p.m. to 911 South Douglas HWY for a possible structure fire. CCFD responded to the scene and determined that a malfunctioning coal furnace was causing excess smoke and ash to be exhausted from the chimney. The excess smoke/ash led to a neighbor calling 911 reporting the building on fire. The owner was notified and they shut down the furnace until it could be repaired. - At 7:43 p.m. to the intersection of Skyline Drive and Westover Road for a vehicle collision. CCFD responded to the scene and upon arrival determined no one was injured and no hazardous materials were leaking from the involved vehicles. - At 9:04 p.m. to 905 North Gurley Avenue for an automatic fire alarm activation. CCFD responded to the scene and upon arrival determined that the alarm was caused steam from a shower. May 6, 2011 - At 9:39 AM to the 700 block of Richards Ave. for an EMS assist. - At 10:12 AM to the Prime Rib Restaurant for an automatic fire alarm activation, units were advised that child had pulled a pull station that activated the fire alarm. - At 2:06 PM to 1st Interstate Bank for a report of an automatic fire alarm. Upon arrival it was determined that the alarm was caused by construction dust in the duct work. - At 5:48 PM to North Sage Hill Rd. for an EMS assist. May 7, 2011 - At 2:59 p.m. to Tyler Avenue for an EMS assist. - At 10:45 p.m. to Wigwam Blvd for an EMS assist.

The City of Gillette’s Utilities Department announces an update on the Stonepile Creek Sanitary Sewer Project. The intersections of 1st Street/Emerson Avenue and 1st Street/Kendrick Avenue will both be closed for paving. Carey Avenue will be open for business access. And 1st Street from 1,250’ east of Burma Avenue to 650’ west of Rohan Avenue will be closed for paving from Tuesday, May 10th through Tuesday, May 24th. Business access will be maintained. These closures are for the Stonepile Interceptor Phase IIB project, which is funded in part by the Optional 1% Sales Tax. For more information contact Public Information Officer Joe Lunne at (307) 686-5393.

Channel 18 provides many services

Campbell County Fire Department May 4, 2011 - At 5:09 PM to the 700 block of Granite for a residential fire alarm, units were cancelled en route. - At 9:09 PM to 7th and Richards for a motorcycle vs. full size car accident with one injury. - At 10:23 PM 1901 Energy Ct. for an elevator emergency alarm, upon arrival nothing was found.

Update on Stonepile Creek Sanitary Sewer Project

May 8, 2011 - At 9:34 AM to the 2600 block of South Douglas Highway for a medical assist. Responding fire units were cancelled by enroute. - At 9:57 AM to the 7100 block of Robin Drive for a medical assist. - At 12:11 PM to the 5200 block of Rocky Point Drive for a medical assist. - At 12:17 PM to 601 Tyler Avenue (Birchwood Apts.) for a fire alarm. A fire alarm pull station was activated by an unknown person(s). There was no fire. The fire alarm was reset. - At 3:23 PM to the 1000 block of Church Street for a medical assist. - At 5:01 PM to the 100 block of Mesa Drive for a medical assist

By Sara Painter Channel 18, Gillette’s education channel, provides services such as providing live coverage of graduation ceremonies. You can also purchase DVDs of graduation ceremonies (Campbell County High School, Westwood High School, or Gillette College), or of the prom. They also provide rebroadcast of these events and other educational events such as CCHS Scholarship Night. There are short programs for teaching kids how to draw, and even a show called Kids a Cookin’, which teaches kids how to prepare nutritious meals. The public service announcement feature of this channel provides a schedule of upcoming school sports events with time and location. It lists, one at a time,

May 9, 2011 - At 10:40 a.m. to 2804 Hackathorn Lane (SGS Minerals Services of North America) for a structure fire. Employees discovered the fire and evacuated ten employees out of the building safely. Three rooms and a portion of a hallway suffered extensive fire damage. The whole building suffered heat and smoke damage. The metal building measures fifty feet by one hundred and thirteen feet. SGS Minerals analyzes minerals (processed coal samples). An employee was removing a protective cap on an acetylene bottle with a wrench when the control valve to the acetylene bottle was inadvertently partially opened by the wrench and caught on fire. Fire investigators are working on identifying the ignition source. The building is owned by Mr. Ray Webb and is insured. Preliminary fire damage estimate is $150,000 to the building and several hundred thousand for laboratory equipment. Acetylene gas is very flammable and accelerated the fire spread in the building. SGS Minerals is able to use other laboratory equipment and are open for business. - At 11:59 a.m. to Mercantile Drive for an EMS assist. - At 12:24 p.m. to Rockpile Blvd for an EMS assist. - At 3:45 p.m. to the area of Burma overpass for a vehicle fire in the engine compartment. The fire was extinguished by the vehicle owner prior to Fire Department arrival. There was less than $500.00 damage to the vehicle. - At 5:50 p.m. to the area of the I-90 overpass on HWY 59 for hazardous materials leaking from a vehicle involved in a crash. Upon arrival CCFD determined there were no hazardous materials leaking from the car and no action was needed. - At 9:07 p.m. to Miranda Avenue for an EMS assist.

all of the elementary schools with contact information for the school, including the name of principal. It gives information about the times of classes offered at Gillette College (in QuickBooks, for example), small two day, two hours each day classes. Currently this channel is also displaying electrical safety posters, including the name of the student who drew it and the school they represent. Gillette Public Access is a tremendous service to our community. Be sure to contact them and express your appreciation for making it so convenient to share in events that you cannot attend in person.

Question of the Week What conspiracy theories have you heard about Osama Bin Laden’s death? “That the U.S. Planted a look alike body, he is still alive. I don’t believe it though.” - Dale Keaton “That he has been dead since as early as 2002.” - Mike Kraft “I heard that he is still alive, and working for the CIA, and that this is just an election stunt.” - John Hornseby

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4

Community Should Wyoming/Campbell County participate in SAVE? By Sara Painter The law requires business owners to obtain proof that every employee is eligible to work in the United States. However, there is no mechanism in place in Wyoming or in Campbell County to verify that a business owner is a United States Citizen, or is eligible to work in the United States. Forty percent of our illegal immigrants initially arrived in the United States legally, and just never left, according to Carl Rusnok, Public Information Office for the central region of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). The estimate is that there are currently over 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States. Illegal immigrants enjoy greater protection of privacy rights than are granted to United States Citizens. Photos of United States citizens, details of their crimes, and the street address where they live, are posted on the Internet for the entire world to see. However, the information as to whether a person is a United States citizen or an illegal immigrant, that information cannot be

revealed unless the person in question signs a waiver giving permission for the release of that information. In fact, the person in question cannot even be investigated by authorities unless they are caught in an illegal act. A local law enforcement officer said, “I always thought being an undocumented immigrant was an illegal act.” However, he acknowledged that ICE does promptly respond when any illegal immigrants are apprehended due to any violation of the law, even a minor one such as driving without a license. Although they do a great job in deporting illegal immigrants, ICE places a priority on criminals, rather than on noncriminal illegal immigrants. “Of the more than 392,862 deported in fiscal year 2010,” Rusnok says, “195,772 were criminals.” At thinkexist.com Rusnok is quoted as saying, “Anybody who is in this country illegally runs a risk, When you have limited resources you have to prioritize running down criminal illegal aliens.” When asked about that quote, he laughed and

said, “Yes, that sounds good. Print that one.” He is also credited with saying, “With the number of illegal aliens, we can’t drop our criminal prosecutions to handle administrative arrests. We have to prioritize.” Some states and cities do have laws that require physicians (prior to being licensed in the state), and business owners to be verified through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, an information service that determines immigration status so that only entitled applicants receive federal, state, or local licenses or benefits. If you would like to see Wyoming and Campbell County participate in SAVE for physicians and business owners, as well as for citizens who receive other federal, state, and local benefits, contact your state legislators, county commissioners, mayor, and city council. Whether you favor amnesty for all undocumented aliens, or proof of citizenship, citizens can make a difference.

River Basin coal-leasing challenge By Bill McCarthy

By Sara Painter

A federal judge issued an opinion Sunday rejecting a lawsuit brought by environmental groups hoping to stop the sale of coal leases in the Powder River Basin. Wildearth Guardians, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Sierra Club brought a civil lawsuit challenging the federal government’s decision to authorize the leasing of U.S. Bureau of Land Management ground in northeastern Wyoming for coal mining operations. The claims challenged the BLM’s March 25, 2010, decision to authorize the leasing of the West Antelope II tracts for possible coal mining. The area is adjacent to existing mining operations. But District of Columbia District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly found Sunday the claims are without merit. Named as defendants were Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The state of Wyoming intervened on behalf of federal government, defending the potential leasing. Others who

County Clerk’s office, the rule is you must have Wyoming plates within 30 days of arriving here, or immediately upon employment. Other programming examples include car racing from Thunder Speedway; Powder River Symphony concerts; Democracy Now (political discussion), and Army News Watch (current events in the US Army). Currently playing is a rebroadcast of the Chamber of Commerce meeting with guest speaker Governor Matt Mead. Gillette Public Access provides an amazing service to our community. Contact them and let them know how much you appreciate having access to meetings and events that would otherwise not be available to you.

Gillette Riders Organization to hold free public picnic The Gillette Riders Organization would like to extent an invitation to the public: On Saturday May 14, 2011 they will host the Third Annual Picnic from 11AM to 3PM at Dalby Park. Free hamburgers and hot dogs will be served for all who attend. The organization consists of area bike organizations coming together to promote events for the public. Last September, this group was the organizers responsible for bringing the “American Traveling Tribute Wall” to Gillette. Many of you went out to see this amazing monument that visited our town. It was an honor for Gillette to show its support to all Veterans from all stages of war-time. The parade they hosted was enjoyed by several citizens.

This picnic is a great way to get out and meet some local people. Nothing to buy, just good time to eat and visit. If anyone is interested in the “National Armed Forces Freedom Ride,” a nationwide ride to show our support for veterans, taking place on May 21, 2011, they will have spokespeople there to give you information on what the ride entails. You will be able to order a t-shirt if you choose. Please come out to enjoy lunch and a beautiful afternoon. If you are watching the A.B.A.T.E. Awareness Parade just follow the group as they will end the parade at the picnic site. For more information you can visit their website gro2010.org.

intervened on the side of leasing the lands were Antelope Coal LLC, and the National Mining Association. The leases have been under consideration for years. Antelope filed an application with the BLM on April 6, 2005, requesting that public land adjacent to Antelope’s existing coal mine in Campbell and Converse Counties. Antelope asked that about 4,746 acres of land within the Powder River Basin containing about 429.7 million tons of coal be offered for competitive lease sale. On March 25, 2010, the BLM decided to divide the land into two separate tracts—designated as the “West Antelope II” tracts and to offer each tract for lease at separate, competitive sealedbid sales. In the course of reaching this decision, the BLM prepared a controversial Environmental Impact Statement. Submitted by the Cowboy State Free Press - Go to the Cowboy State Free Press Website at http://thewyonews.net

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Sun Safety important for Wyoming’s Children

May is Skin Cancer Awarness Month The Wyoming Department of Health wants children to learn good sun safety habits to help avoid developing skin cancer later in life. “Just one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person’s risk of developing melanoma when they grow older,” says Jessica Perez, outreach coordinator for the Wyoming Comprehensive Cancer Control Program with the Wyoming Department of Health. “The time to learn about and start practicing sun protection is in youth, when safety behaviors can be established for a lifetime,” Perez continued. Because children spend a large amount of the sun’s peak hours at school, schools can play an important role in skin cancer prevention. According to Perez, the most recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that fewer than 47 percent of schools encouraged students to apply sunscreen before going outdoors. To help increase awareness and en-

Scholarships for Campbell County High School (CCHS) students are up from 124 last year to 132 this year. The dollar amount also increased from $223 thousand to $260 thousand this year. Carmen Heer, who is in charge of the scholarship program at CCHS, said the full listing with names and details of the awards will be available within a couple of weeks. Heer explained the increase in scholarship dollars happens when, for example, individual businesses organize special events, with the proceeds designated to go to scholarship awards; also, when families sponsor scholarships in remembrance of loved ones. For more information on how to contribute to a scholarship, call 307-686-1239, and ask for Carmen Heer. Watch for the complete listing of awards which will be coming soon.

Federal judge rejects Powder

Channel 31 offers important information Channel 31, Public Service, provides a continuous supply of information including meetings and events, as well as other programming. The announcements include a selection of events available through the Campbell County Parks and Recreation Center, as well as Campbell County Public Library events. The meetings notices include support group times and places as well as random meetings such as Meeting Singles, if you are age 45 to 105. It also reminds citizens of the law that requires all resident vehicles to display Wyoming plates within a certain period, provides the definition of what conditions make you a resident, and states it includes you if you apply for public assistance. According to the Campbell

Scholarships for students at Campbell Co. High School

hance school policies surrounding sun safety in the state, the Wyoming Comprehensive Cancer Control Program created the Wyoming Sun Safe Schools of Distinction Program in 2007. Since that time, 40 schools have been recognized with the award. “Our goal really is to present every school in Wyoming with the Wyoming Sun Safe School of Distinction title and award,” Perez said. To earn the honor, schools must incorporate school-based sun safety in three areas of concentration: Sun Safety Education, Promotion of Sun Protection Measures, and Evaluation. Once each school in a district is awarded for their Wyoming Sun Safe School status, the district shall receive an award for its comprehensive approach to prioritizing the importance of sun safety. For more information, or to apply online for the Wyoming Sun Safe Schools of Distinction award, contact Perez at 307-777-7362 or visit www.fightcancerwy.com online.

5

Community Campbell Co. Memorial Hospital board discusses name change By Sara Painter In March, after moving many of its employed medical providers to under one roof at the main hospital, the Campbell County Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees had planned to find an “umbrella” name to use, such as Campbell County Clinics, rather than continuing to use the individual names each clinic had been started up under. At the April hospital board meeting, Brian Peshek, MD, a hospital-employed physician, when asked for his input regarding a name change for his Sagebrush ENT practice, replied, “As long as you give good patient care, in my opinion, the name isn’t that big of a deal.” Monica Morman, MD, another hospital-employed physician, spoke out against the name change of her hospital-owned practice. She has worked very hard to gain name recognition for her practice, and stated unequivocally that a “stigma” is attached to the words “County Hospital.” The fact is, Campbell County Memorial Hospital (CCMH) has grown into, at the very least, a multi-million dollar industry despite the “stigma” of that name. What is more interesting than a potential name change is the concept that hospital- employed providers may have

the power to change a decision made in March, by the Campbell County Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees, that whatever the name would be, it would have “Campbell County” in the title. After Dr. Morman’s input, that is no longer set in stone. During her speech Dr. Morman said, “At this point, we are at a point where you know the institution, the hospital, has really asked us to market. We’ve really been trying to capture the industry business that’s here in town.” Capturing the industry business in Gillette does support CCMH’s strategic plan, of which the Number 1 Goal is: “Recruit and retain physicians and mid-level providers to meet community healthcare needs and enhance CCMH’s business strategy in recapturing market share and financially supporting CCMH’s department overhead by providing referral business.” Due to the way the hospital is organized (non-profit), they do not have to pay taxes. As Trustee Joe Hallock has pointed out, they do openly compete with privately owned specialties and businesses. In addition, they are coowners of at least one for-profit enterprise (Powder River Surgery Center). Independent physicians have com-

plained about the use of taxpayer funds for advertising for hospital-employed physicians, voicing that they are having to pay to promote their own competition, and possibly funding their own demise. The hospital received over $18 million of “taxpayer money,” disbursements from the Campbell County Treasurer’s Office, from July 2009 through June 2010 . Our hospital is a wonderful facility, but where would our community be without freedom of choice regarding healthcare providers, including the option of an independent physician. If, in fact, the hospital is able “to capture the industry business that’s here in town,” how many physicians will have been forced to leave our community to make a living elsewhere. Contact the Campbell County Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees and let them know where you stand on this issue that is of great importance to our community. Trustees at this time are Chairman Alan Mitchell, MD; Brook Bahnson; Harvey Jackson, Nancy Tarver, Joe Hallock, George Dunlap, and Sara Hartsaw, MD. Their contact information is available online at http://www. ccmh.net/About_Us/Board_of_Trustees.aspx.

Campbell County Cemetery Board covers many topics at meeting These are some of the topics covered and items discussed at the Campbell County Cemetery Board meeting on May 4, 2011. Darin Edmonds, Sexton, gave a detailed and useful tutorial on how to navigate the new Cemetery Board website. The rebroadcast of this board meeting will be available for a time on Gillette Public Access Channel 22. The board voted to allow the use of granite for base material in memorials; previously only concrete was allowed. New health insurance coverage for employees and board members was discussed, and was to be discussed in further detail in executive session. There is a state statute regarding sold but unused spaces in a cemetery. If there has been a 25 year period with no activity, the spaces can be considered abandoned and go back into inventory, after the staff has taken appropriate measures to contact the owners of those spaces. There are 4796 sold but unused spaces in the Cemetery District at this time. The cemetery staff will go going through block by block to deter-

mine which, if any, spaces will go back into inventory. It is very important that you keep your contact information current with the Cemetery District. The board voted to purchase an ADA compliant sound system for the meeting room. The bid was awarded to American Radio & Hi-Fi, who has experience dealing with structures similar to the meeting room here. The sound system upgrade will be a real benefit to the community. It can be rather difficult to follow the recorded meetings due to the quality of the sound system currently in place (muffled, not loud enough, hard to hear). Darin Edmonds later explained that this new ADA system will feed directly into the City of Gillette’s recording system, so in addition to the sound being amplified in the meeting room itself, it will also be much better sound quality on the recorded programs. There was discussion on the need for, and the previous recommendation of, a Master Plan for the cemetery organization. It was called a road map, a tool, and a guide line, and did seem to be favored by several meeting attend-

ees. One board member said that if the public asked them how a decision had been made, he would rather say they had experts to assist them in making decisions, rather than saying they had made an educated guess. Due to the absence of two board members, the vote on Water Well Number 5 was tabled until the next meeting. It is hoped that all board members will be in attendance at the next meeting, to allow all six board members to vote on whether to move forward with the project, due to the cost involved. The proposed budget for fiscal year 2012 was discussed. Once again, the Cemetery District is not asking for all the money it is entitled to. Although state statute allows them to assess three mills, they have never done so. The Cemetery District isn’t one you think of on a daily basis. Take the time to contact them and thank them for not only keeping our cemeteries beautiful, but also for not collecting all the tax dollars the law would allow.

Campbell Co. Memorial Hospital to hold quarterly health education luncheon May 17 Campbell County Memorial Hospital’s (CCMH) quarterly health education luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday, May 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Campbell County Public Library, Wyoming Room. It’s All in Your Hands: Portion Control and Healthy Eating Go Hand in Hand, features guest speaker Heidi Gillette, Registered Dietitian, who

will talk about the roles that portion sizes and balancing carbs play in today’s active lifestyles. Participants will enjoy a special lunch with products from Heaven to Earth, formerly SusAnn’s Fine Foods, and a summer fashion show featuring men’s and women’s fashions from Butterfly Boutique, Lasting Memories and LC,

Love Couture, and can register for several doorprizes,.Special products from Heaven to Earth will also be available for purchase. Registration is only $10 per person, or save $10 by purchasing a table for eight. Call 688.1580 to register or for more information.

We want to get it Write. Oops we mean Right.

Governor Mead speaks at Gillette College graduation Wyoming Governor Matt Mead was the guest speaker at the graduation ceremony for the Gillette College Class of 2011. His message focused on do not accept what you are told you cannot do. He told a personal story about his grandfather, Cliff Hansen, who had been sent home from school as “uneducable” due to a stutter that impeded his ability to communicate with anyone other than family members. Because Cliff’s parents did not accept that he was uneducable, they sent him outside the state to achieve his education as well as to obtain help in mastering his stutter. Clifford Hansen returned to Wyoming, where he eventually became the 26th governor of Wyoming and subsequently a United States Senator for two terms. “Don’t accept can’t. You don’t know what you can do until you try,” said Governor Mead. “If we had accepted “cannot do that,” we wouldn’t even be a country. If we had accepted “cannot do that,” we wouldn’t have made advances in medicine, automobiles, and space travel. Do not put limitations on yourself or on your dreams. This is a world of possibilities.” He also said that in this world of possibilities is this great state of Wyoming, and he encouraged graduates to pursue their careers or their further education within the state of Wyoming. He acknowledged that graduates may become discouraged with career or further education, and when that happens, he encouraged them to see the opportunity before them, the door that has been opened because of their education. His entire message was vital to everyone, not just to the graduates he was honoring on Saturday night. Especially his closing, which was, “Make your future the very best you can.” Congratulations to the Gillette College Class of 2011.

Meeting Minutes

Campbell County Commissioners Next meeting is May 17, 9 a.m. City Of Gillette Next meeting is May 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Council Chambers (201 E. 5th St. • Gillette, WY 82716)

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6

Public Pulse Letters to the Editor

Open Article of the Week

“Fair Tax vs. Flat Tax, vs. Federal Income Tax” Our spending is a big problem, and our tax system just as large. Tax laws will fill bookshelves and more. They are bountiful enough where no tax attorney (or IRS agent) could possibly know all of them. They empower governments too much. Property taxes for example allow the government to take your paid off property for not paying taxes. Some taxes are a necessary evil though. We need police, fireman, courts, streets, water, schools, etc. The problem is and has always been how to pay for them? Below I highlighted the current tax system vs. two semi-recent proposals and what they are. Are one of these the solution? Federal income tax: Continuation of 16th Amendment. Extremely complex with over 20,000 pages of regulations Tax attorneys and IRS does not fully understand 225 billion dollars in compliance costs yearly Taxes Savings, labor, investment, and production multiple times There is a question of whether the current tax code violates the principle of equality Places larger tax burdens on US exports and fails to neutralize tax advantages for imports Requires dossiers, audits, and collection activities including judgments that result in funds stripped from personal bank accounts, usually from struggling people Requires an enormous cost of the IRS agency, with the ability to collect warrants, and act as agents making people into criminals Over 6.1 billion hours per year in required man-hours for compliance Hidden, embedded in prices, and incomprehensible. Taxes are withheld from paychecks. Flat Tax: Continuation of the 16th Amendment HR. 1040 would impose a 17% flat tax

By David Sevis on income Cost of filing is reduced and much simpler Imposes a tax burden which is still hidden in the price of goods and services. Taxes exported goods and does not tax foreign imports to the US. Still requires personal files, dossiers, audits, and collection activities Reduces interest rates 25-35% The IRS is retained with a reduced role Man-hours required for compliance will be significantly reduced. Reduced tax rates will improve simplicity and will improve compliance. Retained in a different form. Both employee and employer will still pay 7.65% each into Social security National production increases. The business component of the flat tax and payroll taxes are hidden and would be embedded in prices. Taxes are still withheld from paychecks.

istration, where it leveled off and grew according to our nation’s spending habits. Because we already use this tax system, we know the complications, dangers, and economic impact of this design. Basically, the fair tax is a set sales tax on new items. You do not pay taxes on used items, services, production steps, income (business or personal), only when you buy that new item from the store. If you never buy new, you won’t pay taxes. If you buy the newest and most expensive car on the market (and you can afford it), you will be paying much more taxes. Taxes will then be your choice, but there will be no way to dodge them, and there for no need for an IRS to regulate compliance. Overseas buyers would have to pay this also. The Flat tax is a set income tax for all classes of individuals; let’s just say as an example 17%. There would be no tax brackets, no returns, and no complicated laws. 17% across the board for everyone including overseas companies operating in the United States. Social Security FICA payroll taxes would remain in place to help fund the social services needed. Everyone would pay the same percentage based on income regardless of class. Would also significantly reduce marginal tax rates. I heard about the Observer’s Open article section, and thought this would be good for my first submission. I enjoy the fact that you encourage common people to be their own journalists. I hope to be able to submit one again within a couple months. Thank you for this opportunity.

Fair Tax: Will repeal (through Constitutional process) the 16th amendment Individuals do not file, and businesses only need to deal with sales tax returns. HR. 2525- Employees receive 100% of pay. Social Security and Medicare funded from the consumption tax revenue. No personal forms are filed. Believed that the fair tax will increase productivity and produces significant economic growth Taxpayers pay same rate and control liability. Tax paid depends on life style and material choices. Foreign companies are forced to compete on even terms with U.S. companies Does not directly tax individuals IRS would be abolished Makes U.S. companies competitive against overseas companies. Very easy to understand. The income tax started out nearly flat in 1913 then grew out of control with top rates over 90% until the Kennedy admin-

Editor: You’re Welcome! We want the community to be as involved in this paper as possible. Thank you for writing a fact based article, as we will not print opinion articles for the open article section. Opinions are reserved for the letters to the editor. Mr. Sevis brought up a great point on this alternate tax possibility. Write to us, how do you feel about the tax laws, and how can we make it better?

Our Public Servant

All opinions in the Public Pulse section are not necessarily the opinions of the Campbell County Observer

By Karen Waters

When Alexandria Johnson, 19, graduated Campbell County High School this year, she did not really have a career in mind. “I was thinking, maybe college, maybe mines. Hopefully Black Thunder.” While working a city auction with her step-dad, she became aware of City West and found herself at City Hall looking at the seasonal work ads. “All they had was the Police department and this,” she said, perking up, “This [working for the Parks Division] is fun. Everyone is nice. My boss is extremely nice. The people [public] are nice. Everyone treats you, well, nice. They value your opinion. That’s great because I have some strong opinions and, I hope, some good ideas. And I like how I can always get ahold of a supervisor by phone.” Johnson also appreciates the trust she and her co-workers are given. “We are trusted to do our jobs. Trusted to get the job done in a timely manner. There are rules but they are for our safety.

Everyone [every city department] gets seasonals. Safety has to sign you off on everything. That’s ok. That’s safe.” Her favorite jobsite is Dalby Park. “Pretty much we clean everything,” she says, bouncing in her seat, “Every morning we walk the lake, clean out the trashes, clean the bathrooms but we always watch out for the little kids.” “One day,” she continues, with added excitement, “I found this really huge goldfish. It was carp size with a three prong tail. It was dead so, I had to get him. It was really fat, too big for my garbage grabber! I had to get it by the lip,” she suddenly squirmed. “It was icky! But, I got ‘em,” she added, smiling with pride. While mine work will always be a possible future, for now, she is happy. “It’s good money,” she says smiling broadly. “It supports me. It pays the rent, the truck payment, insurance, gas. I like being active, it makes the day go by fast.”

Dear Editor: I would like to respond to Mr. James Johnston’s letter in the Newsrecord. He said that it is shameful that Wyoming is one of the seven States without some kind of smoking ban. Good. I am not a smoker and I hate the smell of it. However, we call ourselves the last Free State for a good reason. If you own the business, it is your choice how you run it. If you want to let people smoke, then that’s ok. You won’t have my business. But smoking bans are nothing but taking away property rights. Next are you going to say what I can and can’t do in my home that I bought and paid for? If I pay and run this business, it is mine, not yours. The government needs to stay out of any private ownership affairs. Our Bill of Rights is law and is not supposed to be interpreted for convenience. Most of the Bill of Rights are essentially protection of property. If you want a nanny state without individual freedom, move to California. John Shertzer Editor: “We fought a war because our lives and property were being looted and destroyed. I will ever dread a man or a government who assumes that force must be used, and, when he believes he knows how best to run another’s property.” - Thomas Jefferson Dear Editor: I really like your newspaper. You are really trying to make our community look good. Keep it up, I have just ordered a subscription. Jason Flannegan Editor: We will. There are many improvements to be made, but we have performed leaps and bounds already. Please get involved by answering the question of the week, open article section, and letters to the editor. The most help you can give is the word of mouth that we need. Thank you for your subscription. Dear Editor: It is good to see Mr. Glenn Woods’ article. First, he knows what he is talking about. Second, we have a local political show host writing a local political column. What do I care for someone who is from N.Y. City? Keep it up Glenn, love your show. Keith Jenson Editor: Glenn is a good writer and knows his information. He is just as much a part of this newspaper as the owners. Your right, having a local personality write for a local newspaper is only right. Dear Editor: When are we going to learn? Wyoming has the highest spending per person, the biggest population percentage that works for government, most spending per student at the schools, etc. Yet we let our politicians around the State call us Conservative? We need to reevaluate our thinking. Chris Johnson Editor: You are right; however there is always more than meets the eye. We have high spending because of our low population. We also have no income tax. We have many advantages that other states don’t have. We should take all of this in account. Also, there is always the option of running for office yourself, which is the only way to really make the change you would like to see with government.

To submit letters (less than 300 words) go to www.campbell countyobserver.net

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Public Pulse Bold Republic Weekly A Cold Winter’s Reality Slap By Glenn Woods

This was not supposed to be happening. Through the frosty window Todd watched the show and ice blowing sideways across his yard. Rolling clouds so thick it seemed as if was night. He tried to tell himself that Global Warming was causing yet another harsh winter. Yet he was no longer sure of the reasoning. If this was because of Global Warming then why was there no warmth? First they called it jGlobal Warming. Then they called it Climate Change. Then, Global Climate disruption. The scientist from the United Nations had come up with a new name for it, but he could not remember what it was. Nor did he care. He was cold, and the power was out… again. Through the snow and the dark, off on the horizon, he could see the standing hulks of the windmills that were supposed to provide his neighborhood with the power to keep his house warm. But, once again, their giant blades were not turning. It was always something. Too much wind. Too little wind. Too cold, causing the gears and the lubricants to freeze. From his vantage point the could just make out the ice that had gathered on the blades. Ice, which was not supposed to happen because of Global Warming, would either weigh down the blades, preventing them from turning, or change the aerodynamics of the blades with the same results. Many more windmill farms across the nation had been intentionally shut

down, though they worked just fine. How beautiful the Sage Grouse once was. But the grouse was now extinct, and several other species were endangered. The piles of dead birds that had been sucked into the vortex of spinning windmill blades had caused an outcry form his own people, the environmental activist that had pushed to have the windmills put up in the first place. Todd turned up the collar of his coat, shivering in the cold of his own living room, as he tried to block out the grinding complaints of his wife and kids. He cursed himself for the amount of money he had spent to fill his rooftop with solar panels. Those panels never paid for themselves, needing expensive battery replacements, and that last hail storm that took out almost half of them. Now, covered in ice and snow, and a cloudy sky the panels were not providing even a tiny amount of power to the house. A colossal waste of money. From his home, near the top of the hill, Todd could see most of the neighborhood. Normally he could, that is to say. But on this day, with the dark skies and the blowing snow, and there being no power in the entire neighborhood, every house was dark. Not a single light across the landscape. Not a single light, save for the house next door. Marvin Sterns was the Global Warming Denier and neighbor. Todd figured that he should have turned him in a long time ago when he saw the scrap metal

being delivered to his basement. Todd had fought hard with activist groups, liberal politicians, and bureaucrats, to have the local coal fired power plants made illegal and shut down. But now Marvin the Doubter was building one in his cellar. He was insisting that man had little if anything to do with Global Warming, or Climate Change, or whatever they were calling it this week. Marvin further insisted that he needed his illegal coal fired generator to provide power to his house when the windmills and solar panels failed. “They won’t fail,” Todd had insisted. Marvin laughed. “Two more homes just lit up,” Todd’s wife called out. “If they have lights then they have heat.” Todd turned to see the misery on her face. The expression from his kids was even worse. “I bet he’s charging them for the power,” Todd sighed. “That’s just greedy. We fought so hard to rid ourselves of that dirty power.” He looked back to her eyes. Her expression said it all. She was in agreement, but tonight the temperature would drop to twenty below. The children, much less the adults, would not be able to take it. Todd let out a heavy sigh, threw his convictions to the floor, and headed for the door. Passing through the garage was the quickest way to Marvin‘s house. But scooting around his electric car caused him to grumble again as he had not

been able to charge the batteries most of this past winter. How could he, with the windmills and solar panels out of commission. No matter. The snow was too high to drive the little car anyway. Marvin, however, was doing just fine getting around in his oversized SUV. “I’m not charging anyone just yet,” Marvin smiled. “Keep your money for now. When I need more fuel I’ll let everyone know and you can all chip in.” “I can’t thank you enough,” sighed Todd. He stood in Marvin’s toasty living room fighting the urge to take his coat off. His pride was causing him to work up a sweat. “Tell you what you can do,” said Marvin, “if you really want to help. You can forget arguing with me about all this global warming junk. How about you get with your friends, you know, those freezing environmental activist buddies of yours who might actually survive this night, and as soon as you are able to charge your little electric cars, and as soon as the snow is down enough so as you can dive them around town, join me in going to get that thing turned back on.” Todd followed Marvin’s finger as it pointed out toward a dark silhouette in the distance. The old power plant at the edge of town. The plant that Todd had fought so hard to have shut down over concerns of Global Warming. Or Climate Change. Or Global Climate Disruption. Or whatever they were calling it this week.

To listen to Glenn Woods morning radio show tune in to 1270am KIML Gillette Monday through Friday from 6 - 10 a.m.

Sports Report What’s Going On In Sports? Campbell County Camels Golf - Monday May 16th - Tuesday May 17th, Varsity Conference Championship in Cheyenne

Boys Soccer Standings 4A East

Team Conference Points Overall Points Laramie 8-0-2 26 10-1-2 32 Sheridan 6-4 18 9-5-1 28 Chey. East 4-5-1 13 6-6-1 19 Kelly Walsh 4-5-1 13 4-9-1 13 Chey. Central 4-6 12 6-7 18 Gillette 2-8 6 2-12 6

4A West

Girls Soccer - Thursday May 12th - Saturday May 14th, Varsity Regionals in Casper. Times TBA. - Thursday May 19th - Saturday May 21st, Varsity State Championship in Sheridan. Time TBA.

Team Conference Points Overall Points Riverton 9-0-1 28 13-1-1 40 Natrona 6-4 18 9-4 27 Green River 6-4 18 8-5-1 25 Rock Springs 5-4-1 16 7-5-2 22 Star Valley 1-6-3 6 3-8-4 13 Evanston 0-9-1 1 0-11-2 2

Boys Soccer - Thursday May 12th - Saturday May 14th, Varsity Regionals in Laramie. Times TBA. - Thursday May 19 -Saturday May 21st, Varsity State Championship in Sheridan. Times TBA.

Team Conference Points Overall Points Buffalo 4-0 12 12-1-1 37 Douglas 1-2 3 7-6-1 22 Newcastle 0-3 0 2-10-1 7

Track - Friday May 13 - Saturday May 14th, Regionals in Sheridan. Times TBA. - Thursday May 19th - Saturday May 21st, State in Casper. Times TBA.

Wright Panthers Track - Friday May 13th - Saturday May 14, H.S. East Regional in Sheridan. Times TBA. - Thursday May 19th - Saturday May 21, H.S. State Track in Casper. Times TBA.

Gillette Pronghorns Rodeo - June 11 through June 19, CNFR in Casper. Times TBA. Track - May 20th, National Finals in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Gillette American Legion Roughriders - May 13th at Spearfish (1-9 inning) at 6:30 p.m. - May 14th at home vs. Billings Scarlets at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. - May 15th at home vs. Billings Scarlets (1-9 inning) at 11 a.m. - May 20tha t home vs. Spearfish (1-9 inning) at 6:30 p.m.

Gillette Rustlers - May 14th at Miles City Outlaws at 1 and 3 p.m. - May 15th at Rapid City Post 22 Expos at 1 and 3 p.m.

3A Northeast

3A Northwest

Team Conference Points Overall Points Cody 3-1 9 7-5-2 23 Worland 2-1 6 7-6-1 22 Powell 0-3 0 3-10 9

3A Southeast

Team Conference Points Overall Points Torrington 4-0 12 7-6 21 Rawlins 2-2 6 4-9 12 Chey. South 0-4 0 0-11 0

3A Southwest

Girls Soccer Standings 4A East

Team Conference Points Overall Points Gillette 8-2 24 12-2 36 Chey. Central 7-3 21 10-4 30 Laramie 6-4 18 9-4 27 Sheridan 5-5 15 9-5 27 Chey. East 4-6 12 7-6 21 Kelly Walsh 0-10 0 3-11 9

4A West

Team Conference Points Overall Points Natrona 9-0-1 28 9-4-1 28 Green River 8-2 24 10-5 30 Riverton 6-3-1 19 7-5-1 22 Star Valley 3-6-1 10 3-10-2 11 Rock Springs 2-7-1 7 3-11-1 10 Evanston 0-10 0 2-11 6

3A Northeast

Team Conference Points Overall Points Buffalo 4-0 12 11-2-1 34 Newcastle 1-2 3 3-7 9 Douglas 0-3 0 2-10-2 8

3A Northwest

Team Conference Points Overall Points Cody 4-0 12 9-5 27 Worland 1-2 3 7-6 21 Powell 0-3 0 3-9-1 10

3A Southeast

Team Conference Points Overall Points Torrington 4-0 12 8-4-1 25 Chey. South 2-2 6 2-8-1 7 Rawlins 0-4 0 1-11-1 4

3A Southwest

Team Conference Points Overall Points Lander 3-0-1 10 8-2-4 28 Jackson 1-1-1 4 9-2-2 29 Pinedale 0-3 0 0-12-1 1

Team Conference Points Overall Points Jackson 2-0 6 10-2 30 Lander 2-1 6 9-4 27 Pinedale 0-3 0 4-9 12

3 Points for Win; 1 Point for a Tie

3 Points for Win; 1 Point for a Tie

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Sports Report

Bowling Results Juniors-52 Games 1st Place - Eagles Jacob Centner-78 Matthew Centner-75 Samantha Floyd-63 Sierra Taylor-63 2nd place-The Wild Kids Austin Kercher-75 Kassi Tennant-78 Gina Clark-72 Colton Galambas-48 3rd Place-Allie and the 3 J’s Justen Geer-75 Johnathan Gorman-60 Jeffrey Hawley-72 Allie Vincent-39 High Game-Scratch-Girl Jade Ehmke-183

High Series-Scratch-Boy JD Miller-722

High Average-Girl Gina Clark-139

3rd Place-Owned!(: Casey Mated-78 Haley Shackelford-69 Jessica Divis-78 Kelsey Benson-27

High Average-Boy JefferyHawley-174

High Game-Scratch-Girl Jessica Divis-247

High Series-HDCP Boy James Marshall-810

High Series-Scratch-Girl Jessica Divis-678

Most Improved Girl Haley Shackelford-9 pins

High Game HDCP Girl Kaila Geer-288

Most Improved Boy Jake Geer-18 pins

High Series-HDCP Girl Kaila Geer-782

High Average-Girl Jessica Divis-191

High Game-Scratch-boy Jacob White-279 Casey Maxted-279

High Average-Boy Casey Maxted-213

High Series-Scratch-girl Gina Clark-522

Most Improved Boy Cameron Griffin-18 pins

High Game HDCP Girl Sierra Taylor-249 High Series HDCP Girl Sierra Taylor-624 High Game-Scratch-Boy Jeffrey Hawley-296 High Series-Scratch-Boy Jeffrey Hawley-667 High Game HDCP Boy Justen Geer-270 High Series HDCP Boy Cameron Griffin-664 Most Improved Girl Sierra Taylor-13.71 pins

Majors-52 Games 1st Place-Rolling Thunder Kaila Geer-66 James Marshall-75 JD Miller-78 Aaron Huyck-72 2nd Place-3 J’s N A T Johney Mikkelson-78 Jake Geer-63 Jakob White-72 John Miller-30

High Game HDCP-Boy JD Miller-310

Gillette Roughriders 2011 Riders Schedule Hitting Stats Player Matt Fogle Kadison Wass JT Zigray Gavin Reimer Turner Lofing Keegan Williams Austin Tennant Robert Markve Doyle Hanson Drake Kelley Dalton Cowen Westin Hinkel Alex King Mason Stillman Dalton McCann Wyatt Estabrook Andrew Kaufman Ty McCartney Jacob Groombridge Austin Zigray Zach Donahoo Dalton Young Andrew Youngs Taylor Murdock Josh Settelmeyer Ian Bridges

Position OF/C/P IF/P OF/P IF/P OF/P P C/P OF/1B/P UTL C/IF/P IF/P IF/P IF P OF P P/DH

G Inn PA 8 0 31 10 0 48 0 0 0 10 0 42 10 0 46 5 0 2 6 0 30 8 0 34 9 0 16 9 0 44 0 0 0 10 0 50 9 0 32 4 0 0 10 0 49 6 0 0 6 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

AB 23 36 0 29 39 1 20 23 13 30 0 35 29 0 40 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

R 8 15 0 7 13 1 9 9 6 15 0 25 7 0 23 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1B 2B 3B HR 3 2 1 0 7 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 1 0 0 10 6 2 4 1 0 0 0 8 1 0 0 4 1 0 0 3 1 0 0 7 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 13 1 1 1 8 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

RBI 7 9 0 11 34 0 6 3 2 15 0 14 7 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

BB 5 9 0 4 3 1 9 9 3 13 0 10 1 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Sac SO 1 8 0 4 0 0 1 6 2 3 0 0 0 6 1 3 0 4 0 6 0 0 3 1 0 4 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

HbP 2 3 0 8 2 0 1 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

RE FC SB CS OBP 2 1 3 0 .419 4 1 4 3 .521 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 4 0 .476 1 1 2 0 .587 0 0 0 0 1.000 3 1 0 0 .633 3 2 0 0 .441 1 1 1 0 .437 0 0 6 1 .614 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 9 0 .560 2 1 3 0 .406 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 6 0 .510 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .600 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Slg .435 .528 0 .310 1.128 1.000 .500 .261 .385 .833 0 .629 .414 0 .575 0 .333 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

OPS .854 1.049 0 .787 1.715 2.000 1.133 .702 .822 1.447 0 1.189 .820 0 1.085 0 .933 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Avg .261 .361 0 .276 .564 1.000 .450 .217 .308 .433 0 .457 .345 0 .400 0 .333 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Sports Question of the Week Are the Gillette Pronghorn Rodeo team (Men and Women) going to take the National Championship? “It will be tough. I think the women’s team will, but the men are pretty banged up. They still may pull it off for a VICTORY four our beloved Pronghorns though.” - Dale Keaton “It’s Wyoming Rodeo, of course they will win...You don’t get rodeo anywhere like you do here, we are the best.” - Don Madison “I think that “Cowboy Country” speaks for itself. Go Pronghorns!” - John Hornesby

“If you think it’s hard to meet new people, try picking up the wrong golf ball.” - Jack Lemmon

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.

9

Our Roots Immigration helped shape Campbell Co. Culture By Jessica Boynton

Jamestown By Mike Borda

On May 13, 1607, one of the most formative events in modern history occurred. On that day, Jamestown was founded and our American culture officially began to take shape. Showing the fortitude and resilience that would characterize the nation it helped form, the colonists that landed in Virginia undertook a great journey that even today we should never forget. Jamestown was the first official settlement in what European leaders called the “New World”. The Virginia Company of London, a company founded by the Royal Family to settle North America, had sent the settlers to this part of the world to spread the British Empire. Three ships departed England, the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery. These ships carried just shy of 200 colonists to a future they could hardly imagine. After they arrived, the man put in charge, John Smith, led them to the Chesapeake Bay, finally landing around the current city of Hampton, Virginia. Finding the James River, they sailed until they found a location to settle on. They eventually found an island, naming it Jamestown (after King James). The island suited the colonists well, providing a natural barrier against the indigenous people of the area, including the Powhatan, Algonquian, Siouan, and Iroquois tribes (although they were attacked early on, they managed to survive with minimal casualties). It also protected them from familiar threats, including the Dutch, French, and Spanish, who were also colonizing North America. The downfall of their location however,

was quickly revealed to them. The reason that they initially found no evidence of a current population was because the land proved extremely inhospitable. Located in a swamp, Jamestown had almost no land with which to farm. In addition, being an island (although it has since bridged into a peninsula) it had very little in the form of local wildlife for the settlers to hunt. This led to some instances of starvation, and many more instances of disease. Many of the settlers also had no experience in farming or hunting, and were therefore ill equipped for the harsh new life they found in the New World. With trading help from the nearby Powhatan Tribe, however they managed to survive. Jamestown grew late into the 17th Century, however, it was eventually replaced with bigger, more secure cities inland. The middle of the 18th Century, however, saw its eventual demise. Overshadowed by other settlements, Jamestown was eventually turned into farmland. The island did later play a role in both the American Revolution and the Civil War, providing a fort for Colonists of the former and Confederate soldiers of the latter. Following the Civil War, it remained largely unnoticed until historical preservation began in the 1930’s. The story of Jamestown remains the story of America. Although it was not easy, the colonists made the most of their surroundings, and found a way to survive. Four hundred and four years later, we are still working hard, and still showing the world that we, as Americans, can persevere through anything.

Campbell County has always been a target for immigrants seeking a better life. Ever since gold was discovered in the Black Hills in 1874, local residents have seen inundation after inundation of immigrants, and at least part of the population has always been more ‘camp-dwelling’ than residential. If this influx has been a constant in the history of Campbell County, what can we say of its effects on Campbell County culture? Not surprisingly, Campbell county was originally inhabited by Native Americans. The area was, in fact, a native american settlement until the gold rush. It was some time before a stable population could be established, and this was only accomplished through the active promotion of immigration. During its formative years, Campbell County and all of Wyoming were both dependent upon newcomers. Without them, the economies of local governments could not have become viable. Newcomers didn’t just come to Campbell County; their presence was requested. Even in current times, job vacancies inspire businesses to look outward for recruits. Wyoming businesses looked to Michigan, my homestate, for grateful workers when the economy there bottomed-out. When a boom comes, the top priority is filling seats, and those seats are advertised to anybody willing to apply. Historically and currently, Campbell County opens its arms to migrants from all over the country. A more divisive issue is that of another kind of immigrant: the promise of a better life also draws people from Mexico, Central America, and South America. In my experience, attitudes regarding these newcomers are far less favorable than those about more historical or more domestic immigrant waves. Whatever conclusions we draw from this population (and we may draw some in a later column), it suffices today to note that these immigrant populations have their own unique effect on local culture. It’s true that the immigration has shaped Campbell County culture. The jobs created by the energy industry are marketed primarily towards youths, and so the immigrations have resulted in an

“America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.” - Harry S. Truman

Classifieds Help Wanted

1972 GMC for sale. Torn down to frame. Body good. All parts there. Great restoration project. $750. Email NCQDeLaat@ gmail.com for information.

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2006 Cabella’s “Lowes Sun Cruizer” 20 ft. Pontoon 95 HP Mercury Outboard Motor (less than 50 hrs). Good Condition. Call 680-2982 or 696-7512.

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26 Weeks - $25.00

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Sporting Goods

Lost & Found FOUND: one large trampoline. Currently located at 5350B M&M circle. If yours, please pick up any day any time. If not yours, do not trespass.

Garage Sales/ Announcements Don’t forget about the neighborhood garage sale during Sleepy Hollow Days on the first Saturday in June. Many Sales. We will have one at 5105 Tarry St. Lots of good stuff.

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Like new Horizon Elliptical. $300 obo. Call 299-7058 for more info.

I Buy Militaria. Swords, uniforms, bayonets, medals, guns/parts, field gear. 6827864

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unusually young population. This population presents somewhat juxtaposed demands for a lively nightlife and for family friendly entertainment. Furthermore, workers for temporary contracts (the pipeline is a recent example) are very transient and often live in modern camp-towns. Their very temporary status decreases the small-town feel in the area because there are always fresh faces around. International immigrants additionally contribute elements of their culture that may seem exotic, although their presence in this area of the world dates back further than many people realize. So here we have a collection of newcomers who far outnumber any populations that could be called native. It could be tempting to worry that their influence has chipped away at true Campbell County-ness. However, it seems to me that Campbell County culture endures. The area, and in fact the entire state, has always been politically conservative and republican. The various booms have not affected this tradition, perhaps because youths and transients don’t tend to vote. A more careful look at the ideals held most firmly - the economic security of the region, the availability of jobs and the adoption of the American Dream - shows that these traits all endure. The changing population has not eroded these away. If fact, I’d argue that the changing population is exactly what maintains them. Campbell County is made up of people who were willing to leave the lives they knew in pursuit of the American Dream. These are exactly the kind of people who are willing to work to maintain a financially viable environment, and who are just plain willing to work. Ours is a community built upon wave after wave of newcomers, and it is exactly this tradition that defines us most of all. I’m a newcomer myself, and am possibly remiss in my coverage. What changes do you see and - more to the point, as change is a feature of any vital thing, including culture - in what way are these changes important? What do you see, Campbell County? The landscape is yours; I am merely a painter.

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