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The Campbell County Observer SeptemberJune 21 17 - 28, - 24,2012 2011
www.campbellcountyobserver.net
“If it doesn’t have to do with Campbell County, we don’t care!”
One Book, One Community
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Reading from his novel ‘The Dark Horse’,Craig kept the audience entertained and laughing.”
Craig Johnson signs away as the line of fans snaked out across the library.
On September 14th the Campbell County Public Library held One Book, One Community ~ Meet the Author: Craig Johnson. There was a book reading and signing. Craig Johnson was very excited to be here, of course. It is an honor to have such an accomplished author hail from our state of Wyoming. Craig Johnson is the writer of the Sheriff Walt Longmire book series. Including books such as The Cold Dish, Another Man’s Moccasins, and The Dark Horse (Which received starred review from Booklist, Kirkus, Library Journal and Publishers Weekly. The Dark Horse was also named one of Publishers Weekly’s best books in 2009). His novel, Death Without Company was given the title of Wyoming Historical Association’s Book of the Year. The success of these novels, Obviously, did not go unnoticed by Hollywood. A television adaptation of Johnson’s books called “Longmire” made its debut on A&E just last July and is ramping up for a second season coming in 2013. Even with all that success under his belt, Craig Johnson still has time to visit Gillette. Longmire played on a projection screen was Craig sat at a table eagerly signing books for his loyal fans. Right off the bat I noticed that Craig was a very kind and jolly man. The lack of a microphone did not stop him from reading his book and answering questions as clearly and loudly as if he had one. Johnson is a very funny man and answered every question he got asked thoughtfully and thoroughly. “That’s what I do for a living; I sit in a room by myself with my imaginary friends and write about them.” His books really take people on wild adventures and yet, for those of us in Wyoming, we can feel a comfort of home as well. Craig will be in Gillette again on the 26th of October for a “Character Auction” which is where people can come and opt to have their name put into a book and decide what kind of character they desire to be. It was a very rare and special occasion.
2525 S. Douglas Hwy. 307-682-2525 1-877-601-2525
Photo submitted by Mike Carver – Owner of “Your Computer Store” next to Ice Cream Land on 3rd St.
Like the “Old West”
Two horses were seen outside of Pat’s Liquor, reminding Campbell County of the “Old West” days. Not too long ago, this kind of scene was very common, but is currently rarely observed. Many Campbell County ranchers still hold on to our recent history, and it was good to see a couple of cowboys stopping for a pint!
For subscriptions go to www.CampbellCountyObserver.net
Community
September 21 - 28, 2012
Campbell County Observer
Gillette-Campbell County Airport reports busiest-ever August
Gillette-Campbell County Airport ended the summer months on a busy note, reporting its highest-ever August traffic numbers. In August 2012, Gillette-Campbell County Airport welcomed 5,502 arriving and departing passengers, an increase of 5.4 percent versus 2011’s August, in which the airport served 5,216 travelers. Year-over-year, the airport’s traffic is nearly even; August’s passenger
totals bring the airport’s year-to-date carriage to 41,370 trending slightly above last year’s year-to-date total of 41,208. About Gillette-Campbell County Airport: The Gillette-Campbell County Airport is located in Northeastern Wyoming in a major energy producing part of the country known as the Powder River Basin. Gillette is at the hub of this basin, and the Airport serves the commercial ser-
vice and general aviation needs for a large portion of this corner of the state. The Airport sees approximately 56,000 passengers come through yearly and is currently served by Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Great Lakes Aviation to Denver, Salt Lake City, and Rock Springs, Wyoming. The Gillette-Campbell County Airport and tenants currently employ approximately 260 people in the surrounding area.
August 2012 Passenger Totals
August 2012 5,502
August 2011 5,216
% Change 5.4%
2012 Y-T-D 41,370
2011 Y-T-D 41,208
New Cub Scouts Pack in Campbell County
There is a new Cub Scouts Pack in Campbell County, headed up by Katie Peace. “We are so exited,” she said. “We will do camping, the car races, and all the good stuff.” Since 1930, the Boy Scouts of America has helped boys of cub scouts age. Parents, leaders, and organizations work together to achieve the 10 purposes of Cub Scouting: 1. Character Development 2. Spiritual Growth 3. Good Citizenship 4. Sportsmanship & Fitness 5. Family Understanding 6. Respectful Relationships 7. Personal Achievement 8. Friendly Service 9. Fun & Adventure 10. Preparation for Boy Scouts The Cub Scouts of America colors are blue and gold. They have special meaning, which will help boys see beyond the fun of Cub Scouting to its ultimate goals. The blue stands for truth and spirituality, steadfast loyalty, and the sky above. The gold stands for warm sunlight, good cheer and happiness. As a boy begins the Boy Scout Trail, he joins other boys his own age. He can start the scouting program from 6 (starting 1st grade) to 17 years old. The Cub Scout age program is for 1st graders through 3rd graders - Tiger cubs, Wolf scouts, and Bear scouts. After completing Bear scout requirements, scouts begin their Webelos program. The Cub Scout program has an Organizational Structure that puts boys into groups called dens with recommended size of from 6 to 8 scouts. Dens of boys in a community form a pack which is part of a district. The Bobcat rank is the first rank earned by Cub Scouts, no matter which grade they begin scouting. After earning the Bobcat rank, he then begins earning the rank of his grade. Cub Scouts have 12 Core Values: 1. Citizenship: Contributing service and showing responsibility to local, state, and national communities. 2. Compassion: Being kind and considerate, and showing concern for the wellbeing of others.
3. Cooperation: Being helpful and working together with others toward a common goal. 4. Courage: Being brave and doing what is right regardless of our fears, the difficulties, or the consequences. 5. Faith: Having inner strength and confidence based on our trust in God. 6. Health and Fitness: Being personally committed to keeping our minds and bodies clean and fit. 7. Honesty: Telling the truth and being worthy of trust. 8. Perseverance: Sticking with something and not giving up, even if it is difficult. 9. Positive Attitude: Being cheerful and setting our minds to look for and find the best in all situations. 10. Resourcefulness: Using human and other resources to their fullest. 11. Respect: Showing regard for the worth of something or someone. 12. Responsibility: Fulfilling our duty to God, country, other people, and ourselves. The Ranks and Age Groups are as follows: Cub Scouts - information about the cub scout program Bobcat Info - any grade Tiger Info - 1st grade Wolf Info - 2nd grade Bear Info - 3rd grade Webelos - 4th and 5th grade The Cub Scouts Pack 64 First Meeting Thursday 27th at First Presbyterian Church (511 Carey Ave._ at 7pm. Call Katie Peace at 670-5640 for more information.
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Who’s Brand is this in Campbell County? Answer from last week Don R. Hamm
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Community
Campbell County Observer
September 21 - 28, 2012
Campbell Co. Fire Dept. September 12, 2012
- At 9:06 am to Rocky Pt. Road for an EMS assist. - At 1:06 am to Dogwood for an EMS assist. - At 4:33 pm to W. 8th St. for an EMS assist. - At 6:03 pm to 2501 Dogwood for an automatic fire alarm. A pull station on the second floor was activated; there was no fire or smoke in the building. It is unknown who pulled the alarm. - At 6:12 p.m. to the 1300 block of Big Sky Street for automatic fire alarm activation. The alarm was caused from burnt food. - At 7:19 pm to rail road mile marker 5.3 near Wyodak Mine for a 1 acre grass fire started by a passing train. - At 9:03 pm to 3719 Foothills Blvd. for a residential fire alarm, units were cancelled en route. - At 11:44 pm to Buckskin Dr. for an EMS assist.
September 13, 2012
- At 5:35 AM to 2447 Beaver Dr. for a report of a carbon monoxide detector activation. Upon entering the residence no elevated reading of carbon monoxide were found. It was determined to be a faulty smoke detector, all batteries were replaced and one smoke detector was replaced by CCFD. - At 8:42 a.m. to HWY 59 near the gap road for a vehicle crash. CCFD responded to the scene and upon arrival found a 2 vehicle collision blocking the roadway. CCFD assisted with removing and caring for an injured occupant of one of the involved vehicles and contained fluids leaking from the vehicles. - At 10:26 to West 6th Street for an EMS assist. - At 11:50 to Wigwam Blvd for an EMS assist. - At 2:34 p.m. to 125 Escheta Lane for a structure fire. CCFD responded to the scene and upon arrival found a fire contained to the deck being extinguished by the neighbors who reported the fire. CCFD finished extinguishing the blaze and determined that the fire was caused by a lit cigarette butt that was discarded into a plastic container. The container had other butts in it that were ignited and eventually the fire melted the container and spread to the deck. Total damage was estimated at $1000 and no one was injured in the fire. CCFD has had several fires in the last couple of years caused exactly the same way and would like to remind smokers to dispose of butts in metal containers that are kept away from all burnables and are cleaned out regularly. - At 2:41 to the north landfill to monitor a controlled burn. - At 4:41 p.m. to the area of mile marker 132 on North HWY 59 for an oil tank fire. CCFD responded to the scene and upon arrival found a single tank on fire with approximately 160 barrels of oil inside. CCFD extinguished the blaze in approximately 20 minutes and all of the oil was kept in the containment berm. The fire occurred
when a welding torch ignited fumes venting from the oil tank. No one was injured in the fire and the total damage was estimated at $20,000. - At 5:07 p.m. to 608 Badger Avenue for a structure fire. CCFD responded to the scene and found a fire burning inside the kitchen oven. The fire was extinguished and contained to the oven. Damage is estimated at $500. - At 9:14 p.m. to 921 Mountain Meadow Lane for a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm activation. CCFD responded to the scene and upon arrival found CO inside the building ranging from 40ppm to 100ppm. The building was evacuated and ventilated until no CO remained inside. The source of the CO was determined to be exhaust from a generator used to power carpet cleaning equipment. - At 10:18 p.m. to 3702 Triton Avenue for an infant locked in a vehicle. CCFD responded to the scene and determined the infant was not in immediate danger. A locksmith was called and the infant was freed in approximately 15 minutes.
September 14, 2012
- At 10:48 AM to 1701 Carrington Avenue for a carbon monoxide check – no carbon monoxide detected inside the residence. - At 2:37 PM to the 4500 block of Tepee Street for a medical assist. - At 8:25 PM to the 1000 block of Warren Avenue for a medical assist. - At 11:37 PM to the 1700 block of Utah Street for a medical assist.
September 15, 2012
- At 2:35 a.m. to 710 Sako Drive for a carbon monoxide detector in alarm mode. Firefighters using a gas monitor detected 40 parts per million of carbon monoxide inside the single family dwelling. A positive pressure fan was used to rid the home of carbon monoxide. A Hookah (used to smoke tobacco) was determined to be the cause of the carbon monoxide. - At 12:18 p.m. to Prairieview Drive for an EMS assist. - At 2:06 p.m. to the area of the Kingsbury Road for a grass fire. CCFD cancelled en route when the fire was determined to be in Johnson County. - At 3:24 p.m. to Nogles Way for an EMS assist. - At 3:30 p.m. to Ventura Avenue for an EMS assist. - At 5:05 p.m. to HWY 59 MP 77 for a grass fire. Fire Crews contained the fire to 12 acres using water and foam. The cause of the fire is undetermined. - At 5:24 p.m. to West 3rd Street for an EMS assist. - At 5:55 p.m. to 1206 Liberty Lane for an automatic fire alarm (AFA) activation. CCFD was cancelled en route when it was determined to be a false alarm. - At 6:04 p.m. to railroad mile marker 5.3 on the Campbell Line for a grass
September 18, 2012
fire. CCFD responded to the scene and extinguished a small fire caused by sparks from a passing train. - At 6:38 p.m. to the area of Willow Street for a structure fire. CCFD responded to the scene and discovered an illegal controlled burn being conducted at 15 Willow Street. CCFD allowed the burn to continue and advised the homeowners of the partial burn ban restrictions and notification requirements.
- At 12:22 AM to North Highway 14 16 near Eagle Butte Mine for a 1 vehicle rollover with minor injuries. At 5:39 AM to Highway 50 and Force Rd. for a two vehicle accident with injuries. - At 8:02 AM to the 1000 block of Country Club Rd for a medical assist. - At 12:32 PM to 605 Recluse Road for some corrals on fire. - At 1:20 PM to Barber Creek Road (approximately 6 miles north of Interstate 90) for grass fire. Firefighters contained the grass/brush fire to approximately 11 acres. The fire was caused by an arcing wire to a transformer on a power pole. - At 3:06 PM to the address of Lot #11 at 300 Hillside Drive for a structure fire which occurred inside a mobile home. The cause of the fire was from a discarded cigarette out on the front porch. The home and its contents were a total loss. The home owners did not have insurance on the property. - At 7:04 PM to the 2500 block of Dogwood Avenue for a medical assist.
September 16, 2012
- At 10:15 AM to 200 block of Stetson Drive for a medical assist. - At 2:04 PM to 14 Double Tree Road for a cut natural gas line caused by a small excavator. Firefighters were able to clamp the one inch gas line without incident.
September 17, 2012
- At 4:24 AM to the 1300 block of Overdale Drive for a medical assist. - At 8:14 AM to the intersection of Four J Road and West Boxelder for a two vehicle accident with no injuries. - At 8:45 AM to the intersection of South Garner Lake Road and South Highway 59 for a four vehicle accident. - At 10:11 AM to the 900 Block of East 9th Street for a two vehicle accident. - At 2:22 PM to the address of 525 Lakeway Road for a fire alarm activation inside the building. Upon arrival of CCFD it was found that a pull station was activated inside the doorway. The reason for the activation was not found because no one confessed to pulling the pull station to activate the system. There was no fire in the building. The alarm system was reset back to normal operation and everyone was allowed to return to the building. - At 5:15 PM to Ptarmigan for an EMS assist.
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Campbell County Observer
CampbellCountyObserver.net 5105 Tarry St. Gillette, WY 82718 (PP-1) Volume 2 Issue 38 The Campbell County Observer is published by Patriot Publishing L.L.C. in Gillette, WY every Friday. 5105 Tarry St. Gillette, WY 82718 Postmaster: Send address changes to 5105 Tarry St. Gillette, WY 82718 Candice De Laat - Owner/Publisher CandiceDeLaat@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Writers
Nicholas De Laat - Owner/Editor NicholasDeLaat@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Sandra Boehler (Charities/Fundraisers/Veterans Events) SandraBoehler@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Keary Speer - Editor KearySpeer@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Glenn Woods (Political Column) GlennWoods@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Anne Peterson - Advertising Sales Manager AnnePeterson@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Mike Borda (American History) MichaelBorda@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Robyn Brooks - Sales/Marketing RobynBrooks@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Jeff Morrison (Local History Contributor) JeffMorrison@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Dale Russell - Sales/Marketing DaleRussell@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Valarie Terry (Sports Writer) ValarieTerry@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Owen Clarke - Ad Design OwenClarke@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Amanda Wright (Government/Politics Reporter) AmandaWright@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Ken McCoy - Distribution Manager
Shawn Connors (Community Writer) ShawnConnors@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Clint Burton - Photographer ClintBurton@CampbellCountyObserver.com
James Grabrick (Where is This?) JamesGrabrick@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Weekly Weather Forecast Saturday,
Sunday,
Monday,
Tuesday,
Wednesday,
Thursday,
Friday,
Sept. 22
Sept. 23
Sept. 24
Sept. 25
Sept. 26
Sept. 27
Sept. 28
70/42
78/46
79/49
75/46
72/45
72/45
74/47
Rain: 0% Wind: E at 9 Sunrise: 6:49 Sunset: 19:00 First Qtr: 13:42 Day length: 12h 11m
Rain: 0% Wind: SSE at 9
Sunrise: 6:50 Sunset: 18:59 Day length: 12h 8m
Rain: 0% Wind: NW at 9 Sunrise: 6:52 Sunset: 18:57 Day length: 12h 5m
Rain: 10% Wind: SE at 10 Sunrise: 6:53 Sunset: 18:55 Day length: 12h 2m
Rain: 10% Wind: SW at 10 Sunrise: 6:54 Sunset: 18:53 Day length: 11h 59m
Rain: 10% Wind: W at 10 Sunrise: 6:55 Sunset: 18:51 Day length: 11h 56m
Rain: 0% Wind: S at 11 Sunrise: 6:56 Sunset: 18:49 Day length: 11h 53m
Weekly Weather Forecast Sponsored by
the y l p E Sim PLAC T S E B ve! to li
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Community
September 21 - 28, 2012
Campbell County Observer
Jewelry does not make the woman
But you gotta admit, it sure makes her look good.
307-686-6666
1103 E. Boxelder, Suite C Gillette, WY USA 82718
o t e m o H n o e Com RN TIRE
PJ Burns is shown with her winnings in this photo.
O H G I B
Multi-State Contest produces Gillette winner
Karl’s TV and Appliance recently turned 56 years old. To promote this event, prizes in the amount of $5,600 were given away to one lucky winner. Since Karl’s TV and Appliance spans 6 states, thousands of people entered to win the contest, but the name drawn was from Gillette, Wyoming.
PJ Burns won the contest and was able to go down to the store and select her winnings. She had $2,600 to spend in the store and $3,000 to spend at Splash City in Rapid City, South Dakota. “It really couldn’t have gone to anyone nicer” said Josh Croell, manager of the Gillette Karl’s TV and Appliance.
Monday - Friday: 7am - 5:30pm Saturday: 7am - Noon Gillette, WY 307-682-9411
CCMH granted area Trauma Hospital designation Campbell County Memorial Hospital, (CCMH) has received designation as an Area Trauma Hospital by the Wyoming Trauma Program, Wyoming Department of Health. The Trauma Site Review was conducted April 20, 2012, and the designation was awarded for a three year period. The goal of Wyoming’s statewide trauma system is to reduce injury, disability and death for all ages. Trauma is the leading cause of death for those between the ages 1-44. The trauma program is housed in the Department of Health’s Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS). An Area Trauma Hospital is an acute care facility with the commitment, medical staff, personnel and specialty training
, IN C.
necessary to provide primary care for the trauma patient. The Trauma Program has an established Trauma Team to respond to trauma patients and consists of: general and orthopedic surgery, anesthesiology, emergency physicians, registered nurses, laboratory technicians, pre-hospital care providers (EMS), radiology technicians, respiratory therapists and social services/ pastoral care. The Wyoming legislature passed legislation enabling the development of a statewide trauma system in 1993. The Area Trauma Hospital designation demonstrates the organization’s commitment to quality patient care for the community and citizens of Wyoming.
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Campbell County Observer
Community
September 21 - 28, 2012
Farmers markets have big economic impact on Wyoming Submitted by Kim Kittle Wyoming Business Council
Evening on the Mountain by Barbara C. Kuxhasuen
CAM-PLEX Heritage Center invites to the public to meet the artists of Scotch and Watercolor Society
CAM-PLEX is pleased to invite you to meet the artists of the SCOTCH and WATERCOLOR SOCIETY on Thursday, October 4th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Artists will speak about their art at 6:15 p.m. This artist reception is free and open to the public. The exhibit will be installed in the Heritage Center Gallery from Tuesday, September 4 , 2012 through Friday, October 5, 2012. The Scotch and Watercolor Society consists of 5 active Casper, Wyoming, area painters using watermedia in a wide variety of individual approaches, stylistic interpretations, and diverse levels of subject matter. The artists are Barbara Barella, Holly Bryson, Barbara C. Kuxhasuen, Skip Larcom, and Michele McDonald. The society has been meeting and exhibiting since it was founded in 1972. They critique one another’s works each month. Individually, they struggle to find better ways of expressing and transmitting their thoughts, while collectively they discuss concepts regarding what makes a good work of art. They present all levels of subject matter - representational, abstract, and non-objective themes in order to appeal to a wide variety of tastes. Sharing enthusiasm for watercolor and watermedia paintings has bound them together
socially and professionally. By coming together as a group, they are more able to effectively exhibit and organize shows. They also enjoy the sharing of ideas, techniques, methods, and materials. Individually, the Scotch and Watercolor Society members have been and continue to be represented in many national and regional juried shows. What are they all about? A shared passion for producing and exhibiting their watercolors and expressing their feelings through this exciting and
versatile medium. For more about the SCOTCH and WATERCOLOR SOCIETY go to www.scotchandwatercolor.com For more information contact the CAM-PLEX ticket office at 307-6828802. CAM-PLEX’s website: www. cam-plex.com. GALLERY HOURS are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Gallery doors are open during Heritage Center events and by special appointment. The CAM-PLEX office number is 307682-0552.
Farmers markets throughout Wyoming contributed over $1 million to the state’s economy in 2011, according to data recently compiled by the Wyoming Business Council Agribusiness Division. The information, collected by the Agribusiness Division and run through an economic impact model by David “Tex” Taylor from the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, found that direct sales of $800,000 also generated secondary sales of nearly $250,000. The results are based on responses collected by the Business Council from 14 of the 44 farmers markets operating in Wyoming. “Farmers markets are a tremendous resource for a community,” said Kim Porter, farmers market and education program manager at the Business Council. “Not only do they provide a fun social event for communities, but also economic revitalization. It’s amazing to see that nearly one quarter of Wyoming farmers markets are impacting the state’s economy by more than a million dollars a year.” The study also found this economic activity supported the equivalent of nearly 10 annual jobs in the state’s economy with labor income totaling nearly $244,000. The average annual earnings per job are estimated to be over $25,000. The approximately 10 annual jobs generated by Wyoming’s farmers markets represents nearly 20,800 hours of employment with a wage rate of nearly $12.00 per hour. The farmers market season runs roughly from June to October with some winter markets available. To find a farmers market in Wyoming visit http://www. wyomingbusiness.org/program/farmers-markets/1302. For questions regarding farmers markets in Wyoming and the farmers market program, contact Kim Porter at 307.777.6319 or kim.porter@wyo.gov.
Kiwanis Club sponsoring Hunters Party on Sept. 29 The Gillette Kiwanis Club is sponsoring its 17th annual Hunters Party on Sept. 29, 2012 at 6:oo pm. at Camplex Energy Hall. The proceeds benefit the citizens of Campbell County. The grand prize is a 2012 CAN-AM Commander XT side by side furnished by Action Motor Sports. Other raffles include a ten gun Gun Board, various other gun raffles, lots of door prizes, silent auction items and a special table raffle. A free hot dog/chili feed is planned with a cash bar and soft drinks. Bring the kids and come have a good time. For more information call Pat at 660-3948.
Cabbage by Barbara Barella
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Dr. Taylor Haynes Giving his presentation (above) and answering a question to Rick Kobielusz after the presentation (left).
Dr. Taylor Haynes talks with concerned citizens At an informal gathering Tuesday night, September 18th 2012, Dr. Thomas Haynes talked with a handful of concerned citizens about the constitution and their rights. Over the course of an hour and a half, Dr. Haynes talked about how there are and will be amendments to the constitution and how it will affect our lives. Some of the changes are not well known to the public and
he wants the people to be aware of them. The most common change in our rights has been the Obama Care insurance program. Dr. Taylor Haynes ran for Wyoming State Governor in the last election in 2010 and has decided to run again in the 2014 election. Taylor was a write in candidate Dr. Taylor has worked tirelessly to inform and educate his fellow ranch-
ers about such issues as eminent domain legislation, endangered species activities and protection of property rights. Dr. Hayes is continuing a tour of Wyoming enlightening other communities in the charges and our rights. Hopefully he will be able to return to our community and give another presentation in the future.
5
Submitted by James Phillip Grabrick
Where is this picture taken? Answer from last week Campbell County Courthouse
Where Is This Picture sponsored by:
September 21 - 28, 2012
Comics
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Campbell County Observer
Campbell County Observer
Comics
September 21 - 28, 2012
To submit a quote of the week go to www.CampbellCountyObserver.net
Solutions from 2 weeks ago
We want to get it Write. Oops we mean Right. The Observer strives to make news reports fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, Contact us at nicholasdelaat@campbellcountyobserver.com
7
Community
September 21 - 28, 2012
Campbell County Observer
Road Construction Update Madison Pipeline - Lane Closures for Westover Road and Southern Drive Rock Road will be closed approximately 2 weeks beginning Sept. 18
The City of Gillette’s Utilities Department would like the public to know that work is progressing on the parallel Madison Pipeline. There will be lane closures in town, as well as a road closure on Rock Road for the installation of the pipeline this week.
Westover Road (Right lane closure near Burma Avenue)
The right turn lane on westbound Westover Road at Burma Avenue will be closed while crews work on horizontal directional drilling beginning Friday, September 14th for approximately four weeks. Drivers should
keep an eye out for machinery and construction workers in this area.
Southern Drive (Lane closures)
Crews will be boring steel pipe along Southern Drive, east of Enzi Drive. In addition, crews will also be installing pipeline along Southern Drive from Highway 50 eastbound. This means for 3000’ both eastbound lanes of Southern Drive will be closed for from Monday, September 17th through September 21st, and this lane closure will ‘travel’ east as the crews install pipeline. The two northern lanes of Southern Drive will be used for two-
way traffic, and the speed limit will be reduced to 45 MPH. Please watch for machinery and crews in this area and give construction workers a brake.
Rock Road
Rock Road will be closed for approximately two weeks beginning Tuesday, September 18th while crews install the Madison Pipeline and bore under Highway 50 to continue the Madison Pipeline east on Southern Drive. People who use Rock Road are asked to use an alternative route (Force Road) during the Rock Road closure.
Come in and see our great selection of rifles!
Warden’s Corner
I have been visiting with area landowners the last few weeks and most of those discussions have revolved around how dry we have been this summer. Many areas of the county have seen little rain for several months and big game populations have dipped a bit. Usually these conditions are hardest on the youngest and oldest in the population and it may take several years to realize the loss of those animals in the population. Some landowners have told me they have cut their hunter numbers because of fewer animals and concerns over fires on their land. A positive attitude and perseverance should pay off for hunters that are willing to work a little harder for a place to hunt this fall. Good Luck!
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8
Community
Campbell County Observer
Goodbye old Recreation Center, Hello new Pioneer Manor
There has been a lot of talk about the rezoning and use of the Old Recreation Center’s property; some good and some not so good. The Hospital Board has done their research, looked at properties, held meetings and even had a public question and answer comment night for the public. Thursday night, September 13th, several community residents, which included Hospital Board members and Pioneer Manor residents, gathered at the Senior Center to learn more about the plans and visions of the New Pioneer Manor.
Brook Bahnson Hospital Board Chair The large room was filled with tables and chairs for the young and the elderly attendees to sit comfortably while they listened to Hospital Board Chair member Brook Bahnson explain some of the misconceptions about the New Manor. He pointed out the good and the bad as well as the fact that right now the old facility has lived well past its time and that we are in need of a new Health facility.
Nancy Tarver Hospital Board Vice Chair Vice Chair member, Nancy Tarver, pointed out that with the new facility we would feel more like we were in a hotel or our own home than like we were at a hospital or nursing home. The plans were laid out on papers that anyone could have and look at. It showed the 6 different wings and the underground parking garage. You could see the border of the property being separated from the cemetery by a long row of tall trees. The Lasting Legacy Park still stands next to the home with plenty of trees and grass as well as park benches and walking paths. Brook Bahnson
said one goal is to get the elderly residents to be able to see the city alive and to feel connected with the busy day to day living that goes on around them. A couple of the other properties that had been considered were the Camel Lanes and Green Tree Crazy Woman Campground properties, The Hayden Property along with the Campbell County Road and Bridge property and some private property on the edge of town. Each of these propertied was decided against for different reasons. Although the campground and bowling alley are close to the hospital the elevation and work that needed to be done was considered as not an option, also an agreement couldn’t be reached on the campgrounds value. Brook stated that if anyone could come up with better site suggestions they would definitely consider the new options. After Brook Bahnson was finished explaining the Hospital Boards plans, the audience was able to ask questions or make comments. A few concerns were brought up such as what will happen to the memorial trees lining the edge of Lasting Legacy and the Old Recreation Property and the skate park. Brook stated that at the Hospital Boards expense the trees will be moved, along with the plaques, and transplanted in other areas of the park. If a tree does not survive the move the tree will be replaced at no cost to the family. All the families with trees planted in memory of a loved one will be contacted as to the move and how they feel about the tree being moved. An employee of Pioneer Manor stood up and explained to the audience how long she has worked at the Manor. She stated that if the Manor gets a new home she will be there at that site as she has been here at the old facility. Another concern was whether the cost of building the new heath care facility would increase the cost of living for the Manor residents. Brook Bahnson says they do not set the fees, that the insurance and Medicare usually set the fees but he believes it will not affect the current cost of living for the residents. Several other members of the audience voiced their opinions and asked their questions. The community came to be involved and showed how involved they wanted to be. Monday night, September 17th 2012 the City Council was doing the 3rd and final reading on rezoning the Old Recreation Center property. Many people filled the council chambers, some prepared with fact boards and props and some with their voices and opinions. Brook Bahnson and Nancy Tarver represented the Hospital Board. The Planning Commission was present also. Two community residents, Sandy Schmidt and Vicki Kissick were present and supported the rezoning ordinance. Vicki said she had realized that she hadn’t heard the Co-op’s opinion and decided to visit with the long time business that borders then old Recreation Center’s property. She claims that Co-op said that of all possible neighbors they would look
forward to having the New Pioneer Manor next door. With Co-op having their nursery and other departments they could include the health care residents in some activities. Juanita Ellis stood up when it was her turn and made a single sentence statement that brought a few chuckles to the room. “You can’t push a wheelchair through the grass, you just can’t.”
September 21 - 28, 2012
Joke of the week Submitted by Kyle Davidson Q. What do a tornado and a Wyoming divorce have in common? A. Someone always loses a trailer.
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Mayor Tom Murphy `Mayor Murphy stated at one time that, “ The Hospital Board has done its work and let the community know what is going on, and we do need a new facility desperately, and that they have looked at all their options and have tried to do the best they can, that this is the best alternative coming before us. Even their consultant said it was a wonderful spot, all things considered. The County Commissioners have requested the zoning change because that is what they have to have done in order to have a facility like that created so we have some elected officials that are in charge of building us a facility that have done their work for almost 2 years. They have contacted the County Commissioners because they have a property the size to build it on. Now we are just being asked to do the zoning change. We are not deciding or telling the Hospital Board where they can build the New Manor. This is just an ordinance to decide rezoning of the property itself.” Tom Johnson approached the podium with posters and a metal baseball bat which he set down across the podium’s top. The council was curious as to what presentation he had concerning the rezoning ordinance. He pointed out that the Old Recreation Center closed its doors In March 2010 and was rezoned C1 commercial at that time. In the end the City Council voted yes at a 5-2 vote. Some were happy with the outcome as well as some were disappointed. When asked about his thoughts after the meeting, Brook Bahnson said,” We are happy with the way it turned out and the people that were opposed brought forth a lot of good opinions and a lot of good view points. And with that we hope to encourage a good stimulation of conversation and interaction of the community as well as a different governmental from the educational part. The School District, County Commissioners, City Council as well as the Hospital board was a good involvement of all these entities and we really appreciate everyone’s input and consideration in our search for a good location to put the Health Care Facility. There were quite a few people opposed. They seemed to have one strong leader and I commend his efforts to bring all the issues to the forefront. We have to learn to accept ‘no’ sometimes and that is hard to do. But that is kind of where it was at, so the board went ahead with what we felt was the best location and that is the old Recreation Center site. Basically, where we are at now.
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Brook Bahnson answering questions
9
Community
September 21 - 28, 2012
Campbell County Observer
Wyoming Medicaid received $614,000 in pharmaceutical settlement Wyoming Attorney General Greg Phillips and his Medicaid Fraud Control Unit announced today that Wyoming received over $614,000 dollars in a national settlement against McKesson Corporation. Under the terms of the settlement, GSK has agreed to pay over $151 Million to settle claims that McKesson violated the Federal False Claims Act by reporting inflated pricing data for a large number of prescription drugs, causing the state’s Medicaid program to overpay for those drugs. Medicaid is funded jointly by the federal government and Wyoming. The drug pricing data at issue in this settlement concerns the “Average Wholesale Price” (AWP) benchmark used by most states, including Wyoming, to set pharmacy reimbursement rates for pharmaceuticals
dispensed to Wyoming Medicaid beneficiaries. Wyoming alleged that McKesson, one of the largest drug wholesalers in the country, reported inflated AWP pricing data to First Data Bank (FDB), a publisher of drug prices, thereby inflating many AWPs that are used by Wyoming to set reimbursement. In April, the federal government settled the federal portion of this lawsuit for over $187 million; this agreement recovers the state Medicaid share for Wyoming. The suit was filed in US District Court in New Jersey. To date, federal and state governments have also recovered more than $2 billion from drug manufacturers that were alleged to have reported inflated AWP information to FDB and other publishers of drug prices. The Wyoming Medicaid Program will receive over $614,000. After
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reimbursing the federal government for its contribution, the program will retain $252,969.91. That money will go directly back into Medicaid funding for the State for future expenditures. The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is the only Wyoming law enforcement agency dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of Medicaid fraud. The Unit helps raise awareness as well as investigates and prosecutes provider fraud and abuse of residents in Medicaid-funded nursing homes. Anyone wishing to report suspicions regarding any of these concerns may contact the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in Cheyenne (307) 777-3444 or (800) 378-0345. Medicaid fraud information can also be found on the Attorney General’s web site: http:// attorneygeneral.state.wy.us.
Obituaries
Luella Beth Cuchine, age 65, of Gillette, Wyoming died on Thursday, September 13, 2012 at Campbell County Memorial Hospital due to multiple health issues. A private family service has taken place. Luella Cuchine was born to LaVera and Joseph Magnan on March 23, 1947 in Brainerd, Minnesota. She had siblings that she loved dearly and always smiled when she talked to them.
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After moving to and graduating from high school in Anaconda, Montana, she met and married the only man she would ever live and had a daughter, Vermae Danielson of Gillette, Wyoming. She said the words “I love you” to her daughter every day of her life and were the last words she said in her daughter. The other two men in her life were her son-in-law, John Danielson of Gillette and her only grandson, Nicholas Danielson. Luella considered John “the best of men” and Nicholas “her most valued treasure”. She loved displaying any photograph or memento of her family that she could manage to fit on any horizontal/ vertical space in her home. Luella lived and loved with courage and her whole heart. She was loved by family and friends and will be missed by all that knew her.
Memorials and condolences may be sent in Luella’s name in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 W. 5th Street Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or condolences via the internet at www.gillettememorialchapel.com.
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Community
Campbell County Observer
September 21 - 28, 2012
Fishing Report Submitted by Mike and Roxan Smith Empire Guesthouse, RV Park & General Store Fishing at Keyhole is still good and should continue to improve into fall if trends from past years hold true. Fall fishing can be some of the best of the year as walleye and crappie school up and go on a feeding frenzy preparing for the long winter. Late last fall some fishermen reported catching 50-100 walleye a day. The crappie fishing was just as good with some real slabs being brought in. We saw one 16 ¼” crappie last fall that was only ¼ lb short of the state record. So remember, if you catch one 16” or better it could be a new record, and it needs to be weighed on certified scales and witnessed. Paradise Foods in Pine Haven has been good about weighing fish. I’ll put together something that tells you how to go about qualifying a fish for a state record and have it at the Empire Guesthouse in case you catch one. I’m sure there are some new record crappie in Keyhole just waiting to be caught! If you catch one, bring it by the Guesthouse for us to witness and take pictures of and we’ll pay $100 when it’s certified. I love seeing Keyhole take records away from Glendo. This past weekend, the Northeast Wyoming Walleye Association held its fall walleye tournament at Keyhole and almost every team brought in a limit of
walleye 15” and over. No fish over 20” were taken, but lots of good eaters. All teams reported catching a lot of fish under 15” also. This past month, walleye fishing has been the best we’ve seen in the 5 years we’ve been here. Most teams were pulling worm harnesses on 1 ½ 2 ounce bottom bouncers baited with night crawlers. Best depth has been in the 6’ – 10’ range. It sounds like everybody was using a different blade color so color may not be too important, right now. Water temperatures were in the low 60’s for the tournament on Saturday. Once temperatures drop down into the mid 50’s, the bite should switch over to minnows. You might try a few minnows now, and it could get some bigger fish. Reports of yellow perch have also been excellent. Most have been caught by walleye fishermen. A few fishermen targeting them are taking big numbers. They say they seem to be getting bigger weekly. They should provide lots of fun for ice fishermen this winter. Between the perch, walleye and slab crappie, this could be a great winter for ice fishermen. I’m not wishing for the lake to freeze over anytime soon. I’d like to see a long cool fall. Late fall you have the lake almost to yourself as the skiers, tubers, jet skiers are
gone and a lot of fishermen are hunting, so if you want some great fall fishing, plan a few trips in October and November. Call or stop by the Empire Guesthouse for up-to-date fishing & waterfowl reports. The $100 winner of the Empire’s Biggest Bow-Killed Carp Contest was Brad & Nathaniel Winter of Gillette at 16 lb. 10 oz. Good job, guys! Also, don’t forget duck season starts Sept. 22nd. Be sure to go by the Post Office and pick up your Federal duck stamp. Also, you need to get your H.I.P. number. You can do this online at the Wyoming Game & Fish site. There are not a lot of ducks on the lake yet, but a few flights of blue-wing teal are being reported. Keyhole seems to attract migrating ducks and it’ll be a few weeks before we see any big numbers of them. Once they start, it should be a good season. Most of the stock ponds have good numbers of local ducks on them and will provide some good shooting. Jump shooting small ponds can be exciting and a good way to get a mess of ducks and geese. Bring your harvest of ducks and geese by the Empire Guesthouse for pictures and you’ll be entered in our Monthly drawing for prizes from the Empire General Store in Pine Haven.
NEWWA’s chili feed (above) at fall tournament
Ryan Barkley from Gillette (left) with his prize, Ugly Stik Junior fishing pole set
Alpin Hong to perform at CAM-PLEX Heritage Center
This photo, taken by Cody photographer F.J. Hiscock in 1909, shows a group of people at the entrance to Shoshone Cavern shortly after its discovery. Among the group was William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, standing at center with his distinctive goatee. This photo is on the cover of UW History Professor Phil Roberts’ new book, “Cody’s Cave: National Monuments and the Politics of Public Lands in the 20th Century West.” (Wyoming Division of Cultural Resources, State Parks and Cultural Resources Department)
UW History Professor tells story of Cody Cave’s Shift from National Monument to Hole in Ground Submitted by the University of Wyoming University of Wyoming History Professor Phil Roberts has published a new book exploring a little-known chapter in Wyoming history. The book -- “Cody’s Cave: National Monuments and the Politics of Public Lands in the 20th Century West” -- examines the 1909 establishment of Shoshone Cavern National Monument near Cody, and its subsequent loss of national monument status. “The case of Shoshone Cavern is a story of both success and failure for a policy embraced by many Westerners who sought to gain local or private control over the vast federal lands,” Roberts writes. “However, the politics of the transfer don’t play into the narrative of federal-state conflict and, thus, historians have ignored the story.” Shoshone Cavern, located on Cedar Mountain west of Cody, was discovered in January 1909 by Ned Frost, a well-known local rancher, while he was hunting bobcats. After being designated as a national monument by President William Howard Taft later that year, the cave -- described as one of the deepest in North America -- was neglected by the National Park Service. Local and state officials convinced the federal government in the 1950s to turn the property over to the city of Cody for development as a tourist attraction. But those efforts failed, and the cave was transferred to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in 1978. Today, the cave is basically a hole in the ground with a gate over it to prevent access, largely forgotten even by locals, Roberts says. In addition to describing in great detail the discovery of the cave -- along with the
failed attempts to develop it as a tourist attraction, and the political wrangling over its ownership -- Roberts places Shoshone Cavern in context with conflicts over public lands and preservation played out in other places such as Devils Tower, Yellowstone National Park and South Pass City. “The story is a cautionary tale for those who may believe that federal designation equates with permanent protection for a site they may cherish,” he writes. “But it is also a reminder to local communities who may believe federal agencies cannot manage local lands as well as local communities can do it.” Published by Skyline West Press in Laramie, the book is available in bookstores and museum shops statewide. A UW faculty member since 1990, Roberts has served as editor of “Annals of Wyoming.” He is co-author (with his two brothers) of “Wyoming Almanac,” now in its fifth edition, and his edited textbook, “Readings in Wyoming History,” is in its fourth edition.
Please join the CAM-PLEX Heritage Center staff for the presentation of ALPIN HONG with special guests THE GILLETTE CHAMBER SINGERS on Thursday, October 4, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Hong brings an incredible residency program to the community; previously working with the Junior High choir students, the CCHS bands, and The Gillette Guitar Guild, while providing educational outreach for elementary students. Whirlwind American tours and performances across the globe have earned pianist, Alpin Hong, the reputation as a modern day Pied Piper. His combination of stunning technique, emotional range, and rare humor continues to bring audiences young and old to their feet. The New York Times lauded his “crystalline energy…clear and persuasive ideas…and remarkable breadth of coloration” and called him “a pianistic firebrand” in a review of his standing-room only New York recital debut at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. Other critics have raved about Mr. Hong’s performances: “Hong’s warmth, charm and seemingly boundless energy were contagious, and he brought those qualities in abundance to his per-
formance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 37 in C minor with the Mobile Symphony Orchestra,” praised the Mobile Press-Register. The Idaho Statesman said, “Hong cut a magnetic physical presence and charmed the audience with engaging, powerful movements that were fun to watch. Throughout the piece he and the orchestra showed a wonderful give and take.” Rooted in extensive classical training and a background in skateboarding, snowboarding, martial arts, and video games, Mr. Hong is a creative force unmatched in his youthful vivacity and boundless energy. His astonishing ability to connect to people of all ages, experiences, and backgrounds distinguishes him and shapes his evolving performance style. The Ocala Star-Banner called Mr. Hong “Classical for the iPod generation.” For more information go to www.alpinhong.com. Due to generous grant funding and local sponsorships, tickets are only $6 for Adults, $4 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.
Joke of the week Submitted by Andrew Raney
Who’s Brand is this in Campbell County? Find out in next week’s Campbell County Observer
Detroit’s New Team
11
Public Pulse
September 21 - 28, 2012
Tax hikes ahead? Be prepared By Fidelity Investments A slew of tax breaks are expiring and some new taxes taking effect. See what’s in play. The only thing certain about the tax code these days is, well, the uncertainty of it all. If Congress doesn’t take action before the end of the year, federal tax increases will go into effect next year, raising levies on income, capital gains, dividends, wages, gifts, estates, and more. Here’s an overview of some of the key tax policy issues to keep on your radar screen. Lower tax rates are set expire at the end of 2012 Most observers agree that Congress is going to have a hard time addressing tax and budget issues before the November elections, says Shahira Knight, Fidelity’s vice president of government relations. “More likely, action will wait until a lame duck session of Congress, or 2013, and that’s
unsettling for investors and the markets,” she notes. “It may be a roller coaster ride as key deadlines approach.” So where does that leave you as a taxpayer and investor? “A good approach is to be prepared for a range of possibilities, and to start now,” says Jim Buza, vice president of guidance and advice for Fidelity. “That’s really what you should do in any climate, but it’s especially critical now.” To get started, use our tax calculator to the right to estimate how you might be impacted. The tax cuts enacted by Congress in 2001 and 2003— often referred to as the Bush tax cuts—provided a broad range of tax relief, including lower tax rates on income, long term capital gains, and qualified dividends. We dodged the expiration of these lower taxes back in 2010 when Congress extended the tax cuts for two years (through 2012).
Now cuts are set to expire on December 31, 2012, and any action will likely come down to the wire as it did in 2010. It’s difficult to predict what will happen, but three scenarios are possible: 1. All the tax cuts could expire if Congress and the president fail to reach an agreement before December 31. In this case, the new Congress could act in 2013 to reinstate some of or all the tax cuts. 2. The tax cuts could be extended temporarily, giving Congress time to act on a permanent solution—possibly by reforming the tax code. 3. Some type of compromise could be reached in the lame duck session, with some taxes extended or modified and others allowed to expire. How tax rates are set to change in 2013 Here’s how taxes could rise in 2013.
Based on current federal laws, the 2013 federal tax rates will automatically go into effect on 1/1/2013 unless new legislation is changed. One area of uncertainty is income tax rates. Without action, the 25%, 28%, 33%, and 35% tax rates will increase, and the 10% tax bracket will go away. The tax rates on long-term capital gains and qualified dividends, which are currently 15% (0% for taxpayers in the lowest two income brackets) are also set to change. Without Congressional action, the long-term capital gains rate would revert to 20% for most taxpayers and to 10% for those in the 15% income tax bracket in 2013. Qualified dividends, meanwhile, would go back to being taxed as ordinary income, so for some investors, the top tax rate could rise to 39.6%. Estate and gift taxes also were part of the 2001 tax cuts.
For 2012, beneficiaries have to pay estate tax on amounts over $5.12 million at a top rate of 35%. The exemption is scheduled to revert to $1 million in 2013, and the top rate will increase to 55%. The limitation on certain itemized deductions (known as Pease, named for the congressman who helped create the legislation) and the phase-out of personal exemptions (known as PEP, personal exemption phase-out) also need to be addressed. These provisions have the effect of further increasing the tax rate of people in higher income tax brackets. PEP and Pease are currently suspended, but they will come back in 2013 unless Congress acts. A long list of other taxes could also be impacted. For example, without congressional action, the child tax credit will be reduced, and marriage penalty relief will expire, as will a host of tax benefits for edu-
cation, adoption, and dependent care. The prevailing sentiment among lawmakers in both parties, according to Knight, seems to be to avoid increasing taxes on middle-income households—but the definition of middle income hasn’t been agreed upon. The president defines it as single tax filers with incomes below $200,000 and joint tax filers with incomes below $250,000. Others have said the line should be drawn at $1 million, notes Knight. The real disagreement is about what happens to taxes affecting higher earners with incomes above these levels. However, if Congress and the president gridlock and fail to act, the tax cuts will expire for everyone—including middle- and lower- income families. The real debate is about taxes for higher earners If tax cuts for higher earners are allowed to expire...
*PEP and Pease are provisions that gradually reduce personal exemptions and itemized deductions at higher income levels. They have the effect of adding up to 1.19% to a taxpayer’s marginal rate. Many tax provisions have already expired and need to be extended Several popular tax provisions expired at the end of 2011. These provisions have routinely been extended in the past, but because of the tight budget situation, lawmakers will be scrutinizing them more closely, and some of the provisions may not be renewed. Here are a few of the items on the bubble: • The option to deduct state and local sales taxes on your federal return instead of state and local income taxes. • The ability to make tax free individual retirement account (IRA) distributions to qualified charities at age 70½. • Various energy efficiency tax credits.
• The ability to deduct mortgage insurance premiums on your federal tax return. The alternative minimum tax (AMT) patch is another item that has yet to be renewed for 2012. Without it, the exemption amount will drop to the 2000 level of $45,000 from last year’s $74,450 for couples filing jointly. If that happens, about 31 million taxpayers would have to pay at least some AMT in 2012, compared to 4 million in 2011. New taxes from health care reform Among the many provisions of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 are tax increases on higher earners to defray the cost of the legislation. Unless the health care reform law is overturned in its totality by the Supreme Court or changed by Congress, the tax provisions will take effect in 2013. First, the employee’s share of the Medicare payroll tax will increase to 2.35% from 1.45% on wages above $200,000
(single filers) and $250,000 (joint filers). Second, taxpayers will owe a new 3.8% tax on their net investment income (including interest, dividends, capital gains, annuities, royalties, certain rents, and certain other passive business income) on modified adjusted gross income (AGI) above $200,000 (single filers) and $250,000, (joint filers). This new 3.8% tax will be imposed on the lesser of a taxpayer’s net investment income or on the amount of their modified AGI above those amounts. How to prepare “All these tax provisions, and many others, will be in play as the end of the year approaches and Congress debates how to address the nation’s budget challenges. Rather than try to predict how the debate will turn out, your time probably would be better spent focusing on sound tax planning that can serve you well in multiple scenarios,” says Buza.
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Campbell County Observer
How to get your political opinion heard Submitted by StateNews Media For most Americans, politics can feel like a spectator sport, especially in an election year when so much news is devoted to the horse race. But there are many ways average citizens can take active and engaged roles in local, state and national politics. “We can’t just watch from the sidelines,” says Loren J. Enns, author of, “The Sword of Liberty,” a new novel which tells the story of an America where the government has been compromised by a cabal of debt-addicted politicians who must be stopped by regular citizens relying on the power of the Constitution. “Our founders gave us the emergency authority to reign-in the federal government.” Here are some ways you can make your political voice heard: • Vote: According to Census statistics, only 63 percent of citizens ages 18 years or older voted in the last presidential election. Every election you should go to the polls and take your children with you, so they learn an important civics lesson. • Learn: Read history books to gain perspective and insight. Study the Constitution thoroughly and know your rights. Use Internet search engines to read up on everything from our founding fathers to current issues. “In fact, a long forgotten clause in the U.S. Constitution, Article 5, can be used to reconvene the Constitutional Convention of 1787 in order to bypass our government and ratify amendments,” says Enns, who is advocating for a new Constitutional Amendment to establish a national initiative process by which citizens could vote on federal legislation and a national recall process by which they could remove congressmen, senators and even the president from office.
• Meet Your Politicians: Did you know many politicians host open office hours when citizens can visit and have questions and concerns addressed? Find out when visiting hours are and make an appointment. Prepare by writing out what you plan to say. If meeting in person is not possible, write, call or email. • Stay Informed: Be an educated activist by keeping up with current events. Get news about the economy, health care, taxes and other issues that affect you from a variety of unbiased sources. “For example, today our national debt is skyrocketing toward $16 trillion,” says Enns. “And every taxpayer’s share is $139,000, with many therefore believing the government is driving America towards bankruptcy. And regular citizens actually can help change this.” • Organize: There is strength in numbers. Get your friends together and start an organization. From the Occupy Wall Street movement to the Tea Party, recent years have seen grassroots organizations rise to national prominence. You can use online resources like Facebook and Twitter to quickly and inexpensively disseminate information about your events and issues you care about. “Years from now, when history books are written, what will they say about you?” asks Enns, whose new novel “The Sword of Liberty” is being published in paperback and as an eBook, available as a free download through November 6th from Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble and www.theswordofliberty.com/ purchasebook.htm. If you don’t like the status quo, don’t be a passive complainer. Get involved and make a difference!
WyLiberty Attorneys argue for Preliminary Injunction for Free Speech
Wyoming Liberty Group attorneys Benjamin Barr and Stephen Klein attended a hearing before Judge Scott Skavdahl in Wyoming federal district court, arguing for a preliminary injunction in the case Free Speech v. Federal Election Commission (FEC), yesterday. Judge Skavdahl took the arguments under consideration and noted the importance of issuing a timely decision. “The FEC’s attorneys believe that Free Speech is a political committee, and that it should register and file regular reports with the agency just to speak,” said Klein. “Free Speech wants to speak frankly about issues and how they relate to candidates, but does not have the money to pay for accountants and election lawyers to help them navigate the FEC’s red tape. This kind of speech regulation violates the First Amendment.” Free Speech filed suit in June, following an inconclusive advisory opinion from the FEC that did not answer whether or not Free Speech must register
and report. Although the FEC commissioners could not agree on whether or not Free Speech was regulated, the FEC could still bring an enforcement action if Free Speech did not comply. “It’s not a grant of immunity,” noted Judge Skavdahl. “That the FEC cannot give sensible guidance about basic elements of federal election law while insisting that every American carefully follow its rules is absurd,” said Barr. “Real penalties, criminal and civil, exist if you speak ‘too much’ or in a manner deemed incorrect by the Commission. We are confident that the First Amendment will protect Free Speech and grassroots speakers nationwide from this sort of abuse.” Barr and Klein represent Free Speech, a Wyoming grassroots group that wants to discuss numerous issues this fall through newspaper, radio and television advertisements, but is unsure of what regulations it must follow under federal election law.
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Public Pulse
Campbell County Observer
Dear Editor, Just like everything else the government gets their hands on, the social security program is based on how it will benefit THEM. The Social Security Act was signed by Franklin D Roosevelt on August 14, 1935. Taxes were collected for the first time in January 1937 and the first one-time, lump-sum payments were made that same month. (Emphasis on the word TAXES) Regular ongoing monthly benefits started in January 1940. America was built on hard work, individual freedom, and exceptionalism. At one time, Americans were taught to work hard and excel. Opportunities were endless and only limited by the mind. Being wise in your investments, you would prosper. It’s not that way anymore. The government now tells you that, “You didn’t build that” and unfortunately, they may be right. No one REALLY earns anything anymore. If you want that brand new car or big screen TV, you get it on credit and then pay it back with a monthly percentage added on top of the original price of its already depreciated value. How convenient, is that? Here’s my point. The government has learned how to do the same thing as creditors with the exception that it is taken from you BEFORE it even reaches your hand and is a form of TAX. In return for taking your hard earned money, they promise to take care of you in your elder years by giving you a meager monthly paycheck. If it were possible, it would be wiser to invest that same money in a PROTECTED savings account. Depending on several simple variables, the return could be a thousand-fold or more! (Even then, is there such a thing as a protected savings account anymore?) Within the last few years, millions of Americans had the bottoms drop out on their 401K retirement plans. Why? More government intervention and manipulation of a “free”(?) market. THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STOP MEDDLING IN EVERY CORNER OF OUR BUSIINESS AND LET IT’S CITIZENS DO WHAT THEY DO BEST. Produce, build, invest, and prosper as individuals! Let the free market work! The Social Security program is failing and everyone knows it. There are only so many times you can fix something until the time comes when you can’t fix it anymore. Admit defeat, scrap the program and allow people to make their own personal decisions about retirement.... and health care.... and labor laws... and the price of gas... and... (the list goes on.) David Pahl From Publisher Nicholas De Laat: I couldn’t agree with you more. My personal stance is having the option to opt out of social security.
Letters to the Editor
I do not like the age requirements, as they are about the age when most of my family deteriorates in health and dies. This means that I will be paying in my whole life with little or no reception from that pay. If I could, I would opt out. I have already proven that I am better with investing than our government, so I would like to keep my money to do so. However, if given the opt. out choice, this would also mean you could not receive benefits in old age if you screw up. This is called individual freedom and personal responsibility. Dear Editor, What if humans were killed for sport and mounted on walls? It was very upsetting, and sickens me to see all these beautiful creatures plastered on People’s walls, especially one where I saw an elephant tusk in front of the fireplace, not to mention the legs of the elephant that are now stools in his home. I can’t believe this person had the audacity to say it has little to do with the kill, and he just likes being out seeing all God has created. He needs to see the movie “Echo: An Elephant to Remember.” These elephants have feelings similar to humans; they weep, revel, rage and grieve. I understand that hunters enjoy their sport and usually eat what they kill, and don’t decorate their homes with ashtrays made out of gorilla hands and elephant stools. Imagine if the tables were turned. Linda Huskey From Editor Keary Speer: It seems a little naïve to think that all people intend to hunt because they like to torture animals or are in any way enjoying the suffering. A person with an elephant tusk is probably breaking the law, as it is illegal to own one. I am not sure how they would have smuggled something like that into America. That is called poaching; there is a law that already tells us it is wrong. This person would not be the majority of hunters. Hunting is not for trophy in most cases, it is for sustenance. Killing one elk will feed my family of four for a year. I, personally, have never hunted but appreciate the value it brings to my family. Furthermore, I get sadder when I think of what the cows, chickens, and pigs have to endure when they are bred for slaughter for corporations. At least the hunted get to live a life in the wild and die an arguably quick death. Plus, you know they are probably more “organic” than anything labeled as such in the supermarket. You can’t turn the tables on what is natural. Tell a caveman not to hunt because it is “mean” and we would not be here right now. However, we do have to fall prey to many other atrocities, one of them be-
ing “man,” as well. From Publisher Nicholas De Laat: I hunt, eat meat, fish the way we have (with better technology and equipment) for thousands of years. Comparing the natural food chain to killing humans is borderline insane. Though I believe that you may not be insane, you are over-exaggerating and not seeing the whole picture. You are the kind of people who has the audacity to compare one of our Presidents to Hitler, or the current recession to the Great Depression. This makes you not listened to and even dumb in everyone’s eyes. Well, maybe you are insane… Dear Editor, I have been listening to Mr. Wood’s radio show and his complete rhetoric about the Chicago Teachers Union Strike, and stating people with money want to reform education, so why shouldn’t we let them? I say thank goodness the union is serving as a breakwater for all these “reforms.” There is no evidence that these reforms will help. In fact, there is much evidence to the contrary. New, more complex teacher evaluations and more student assessment take valuable time away from the real work of teaching and learning. They also cost money. Teaching to the test does not develop the strong, innovative thinkers needed in today’s workforce. We already know what the test results will be anyway. Students living in high poverty will score the lowest. Teachers who teach these students will score the lowest. Instead of addressing the problem we run around in circles looking for who to blame. Countries that have found their way out of this losing game, such as Finland, have tried a different road — respect and support teachers. Now there’s an interesting reform. Tim Nelson From Publisher Nicholas De Laat: So you are saying that you support zero accountability? AND you support public sector unions? Public sector unions is one of the major economic problems in our country. I have a question for you, how much good are the teachers in Chicago doing the children now? Here is another, how can a public sector union contribute to political campaigns ethically? One more, is it morally ok to go on strike during a recession with so many private sector people out of work? And even one more, what percentages of
September 21 - 28, 2012
these teachers send their children to private school? I know the answer to these, call me after you research them yourself so we can talk about it. Dear Editor Mitt Romney will score points with many voters by rejecting calls for new gun laws in the wake of the mass murder in Aurora. He’s absolutely right that existing laws did not prevent this tragedy from happening. Fortunately, such tunnelvision “logic” was rejected every time (overzealous, big-government) legislators updated or strengthened laws against robbery, kidnapping, murder, rape and child molestation. Currently, there is no law against voting for a circumspect candidate with more common sense and compassion than Romney. Even if there were such a law, it would be a matter of honor and civic responsibility to break it. Robert Pohowsky From Publisher Nicholas De Laat: How many times do I have to make the same arguments…here is one. The laws do not prevent crime, just allow for enforcement and punishment. Enforcement officers cannot prevent crime, they can only respond to crime after it has happened. Crime prevention starts with the individual American in multiple ways. These including being good parents, teaching good work ethics, teaching good morals, and arming yourself against criminals. If someone comes in my house to rape my wife, the police will not be called until after the crime has been committed. Her best crime deterrent therefore is the pistol she keeps and the training she has received to stop the crime before it happens by putting this violent horrific criminal’s soul where the courts cant, and therefor defending herself and our children from the crime and criminal. Removing guns is removing the right to selfdefense, plain and simple.
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Featured Crime Robbery (Sept. 12)
Crime Stoppers needs your help in solving a robbery which occurred on September 12 2001 at approximately 2100 hours. A white male armed with a semi-auto handgun entered the Big D Quick Shop located at Hwy 59 and Dove Rd. The male demanded money from the cash registers be placed in a plastic bag. The male remained in the store for about a minute and then fled on foot to the west of the store. If you have information that can solve this or any other crime please call Crime Stoppers at 686-0400 or the High School Crime Stoppers at 682-4185. You can remain anonymous and may earn up to $1,000 in reward.
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Public Pulse
September 21 - 28, 2012
Campbell County Observer
Taking a ride on the budget cut highway of dreams
Bold Republic Weekly
The Wyoming Department of Transportation Submitted by Maureen Bader - Wyoming Liberty Group
Wyoming Constitutional Amendment “B” By Glenn Woods Just in case you have lost track or did not hear, there are 3 proposed amendments to the Wyoming State Constitution. Last week I wrote to you about Amendment “A.” This week’s paper has more detail, including arguments both for and against Amendment “A”, but this week I want to have a closer look at the proposed Amendment “B” to the Wyoming Constitution. Before I go on I must tell you that I do not ever recall living in a state that had 3 proposed amendments in one year. I might be wrong but I can’t recall it. What bothers me a bit more is that no one that I have spoken to, including some experts on Wyoming law, even knew that there were 3 amendments on the upcoming November 6th ballot, so, if you did not know about any of this, don’t feel bad. Hardly anyone else did either. First, let’s take a look at the proposed Amendment “B.” 2011 STATE OF WYOMING 11LSO-0278 1 SJ0001 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. SJ0001 Right to hunt fish and trap. Sponsored by: Senator(s) Hicks and Driskill and Representative(s) Kroeker A BILL for A JOINT RESOLUTION proposing to amend the Wyoming Constitution by recognizing and preserving the heritage of Wyoming citizens’ opportunity to harvest wild birds, fish and game. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING, two-thirds of all the members of the two houses, voting separately, concurring therein: Section 1. The following proposal to amend Wyoming Constitution, by creat-
ing Article 1, Section 38 is proposed for submission to the electors of the State of Wyoming at the next general election for approval or rejection to become valid as a part of the Constitution if ratified by a majority of the electors at the election: 2011 STATE OF WYOMING 11LSO-0278 SJ0001 Article 1. Section 38. Right to hunt fish and trap. The opportunity to harvest wild bird, fish and game is a heritage that shall forever be preserved to the individual trespass on private property, diminish other private rights or diminish the duty of the state to manage wild bird, fish and game in such a manner that ensures adequate populations and sustained use. Section 2. That the Secretary of State shall endorse The adoption of this amendment will recognize and preserve the heritage of Wyoming citizens’ opportunity to harvest wild birds, fish and game. From that I am told this proposed Amendment would protect your hunting and fishing rights from groups such as PETA. In other words, no outside environmental groups can come into the state of Wyoming and force changes in our laws that would take away your right to hunt and fish. Writing an amendment, rather than a law, gives
Wyoming a brick wall of defense rather than the stick house that we would have if we simply passed a state law. It is much harder to Un-Amend the Wyoming State Constitution than it is to Un-Pass a law. So, if I am reading this right, it seems rather simple and straight forward: if you own your property than you may hunt and fish on it, just as long as you stay within state rules to prevent over hunting. Those rules/laws, are to be written by the state legislator alone, and no one else. What the rules are for federal land has always been and will always be up to the federal government. Even if you do not hunt you should be able to see this as a private property rights issue. I have to say I do like the way they framed this under the title of Wyoming Heritage. Taking away a Wyomingites right to hunt is taking away who we are. If we can grant “Heritage Rights” to the Indians then why can’t we grant them to the rest of us? We were not the first on this land, but for sure we have been here long enough. Oh I’m sure those animal rights activities will invent a thousand excuses to argue these points, but that is precisely the reason it is being offered up as a State Constitutional Amendment. Pass this amendment and they can yell all they want. There is not much they can do about it.
In the real world, when revenues aren’t high enough to cover costs, costs have to come down. In the government world, when revenues aren’t high enough, taxes have to go up. It’s time for government to join the real world and lower its costs, not raise taxes. Tipping his hat to real-world reality (a redundancy, but a necessary one these days), Wyoming’s governor, Matt Mead, has asked each state agency to cut eight percent from its budget. This cut, however, is a cut only in the government sense. It doesn’t cut the budget by eight percent; it cuts one, sometimes very small, part of the budget by eight percent. Worse still, some state agencies have budgets that do not come under the scope of the governor and legislators. As a result, a budget cut may be very small indeed. Wyoming’s Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is a good example. Whether it is accountable to legislators or not, an agency’s budget is made up of three sources: the general fund, federal funds and other funds. The general fund gets its revenue from a part of the sales and use taxes, severance taxes, state investment income, and a few other sources. Federal funds come from the federal government, and other funds come from every other way the government has figured out how to pick taxpayers’ pockets. According to WYDOT’s 2013-14 supplementary budget request, the legislature approved a 2013-14 budget appropriation of $270.3 million. That includes $86.5 million from the general fund, $44.8 million in federal funds, and $139 million in other funds, such as vehicle and drivers license fees, mineral royalties and fuel taxes. WYDOT’s eight percent cut is $2.6 million. But eight percent of $270.3 million is $21.6 million. That might look a bit like $2.6 million, but this is no typo. How did WYDOT arrive at an eight percent budget cut of $2.6 million? The only fund subject to this mysterious eight percent budget cut is the general fund, and WYDOT’s general fund for the 2013-14 biennium is $86.5 million. Eight percent of $86.5 million is $7 million, so how did they get to $2.6 million? Simple. The eight percent budget cut is not a cut to the 2013-14 biennium budget; it is a cut
to the 2014 general fund appropriation, excluding one time funding. So the easiest way to calculate the budget cut is to take the $86.5 million, divide by two, subtract one-time funding and multiply by eight percent and voila! An eight percent cut of $2.6 million. The cuts will come from reduced spending on WyoLink, airport improvements and highway improvements. But the 2013-14 budget appropriation of $270.3 million is only the budget that comes under the scope of the governor and legislature. WYDOT has other budgets that don’t come under the scope of the governor and legislature. In fact, according to WYDOT’s annual report, its 2012 budget is close to $545 million. That means, in a two-year period, WYDOT spends closer to $1 billion, not $270 million. That additional $730 million is not subject to budget cuts. So the $2.6 million cut is closer to 0.26 percent of WYDOT’s real biennial budget. This is more like a rounding error than a budget cut. To be fair, in WYDOT’s budget cut summary provided to legislators, it states that the $2 million reduction in highway improvements will be offset by “cutting other non-general fund budgets within WYDOT.” This means that the “amount of revenue flowing to highway improvements are held harmless by the proposed $2 million general fund budget reduction.” In other words, highway maintenance won’t be cut, something else in a budget not under the scope of the legislature will. How nice. But hold onto your wallet. It looks like the gasoline tax may go up by 10 cents per gallon on July 1, 2013 to offset what is paraded about as a draconian budget cut. Let’s face it - government has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. Budget cuts that resemble rounding errors show that this government is creating nothing more than a charade to fool people into believing it must raise taxes. This makes government the winner and the taxpayer the loser on this highway of dreams. It is time to wake up in the real world, cut costs instead of raising taxes and make the budgeting process transparent and accountable to the citizens of Wyoming.
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Campbell County Observer
Public Pulse
September 21 - 28, 2012
Constitutional Amendments A and C
Constitutional Amendments A and C will be voted on by Wyoming Citizens in the upcoming general election on November 6th. Provided are individual articles for and against these Constitutional Amendments for your information.
In support of Constitutional Amendment A By Douglas Gerard Constitutional Amendment A, the Wyoming Health Care Freedom Amendment, is a proposed amendment to the Wyoming Constitution that would preserve an individual’s right to make their own health care decisions. Our right to make our own health care decisions has been implicit in our republic since its inception. I believe our governments, both state and federal, exist and derive their power from the consent of the governed. As such, it is only proper that the people of Wyoming be consulted to explicitly preserve or yield any individual right to government. The two most frequently asked questions about the Health Care Freedom Amendment are, “Will it work?” and “Is it constitutional?” There are some that think a state cannot, by statute or by constitutional amendment, override a valid federal statute or mandate. In fact when the legislative battle over the amendment was underway, the Wyoming Legislative Service Office, the legislature’s legal experts, prepared a memo saying precisely this. If the idea that states can’t override federal law is true then, the federal government would always win. But the federal government doesn’t always win, as illustrated in the US Supreme Court by Horne v Flores where Arizona challenged setting its own educational preferences over federal objection, and Gonzalez v Oregon where Oregon won its challenge over federal objection concerning euthanasia. What does this mean for the Health Care Freedom Amendment? The answer to that can be found in the Wyoming and United States Constitutions. Wyoming’s constitution contains two relevant sections: (Article 1, Section 37) which declares that the Constitution of United States is the supreme law of land; and (Article 7, Section 20) which states the state legislature has “As the health and morality of the people are essential to their well-being, and to the peace and permanence of the state, it shall be the duty of the legislature to protect and promote these vital interests…”. The only
way these two clauses can coexist is if (Article 7, Section 20) reserves to the state primacy on health and health care statutes and regulation, by the tenth amendment of the United States Constitution. These two sections form a 122 year old tenth amendment claim with two significant consequences. First, the State of Wyoming has long held that health and health care are state issues reserved to the state by the tenth amendment. As such Wyoming has the power to make declarations, especially by constitutional amendment involving a vote of the people, to declare an individual right concerning healthcare. Second, the federal government cannot suddenly ride rough shod over “the duty of the legislature to promote and protect the health and morality of the people” because it now suits them to do so, regardless of any novel and expansive reading of the commerce, supremacy or taxing clauses of the US Constitution. When the two relevant clauses of the Wyoming constitution are combined with the US Supreme Court rulings, and a general election to ratify the amendment, it is clear that the Wyoming Health Care Freedom Amendment has a solid legal foundation. Consequently, we can clearly answer the questions “Will it work?” and “Is it constitutional?” with a well-grounded and legally supportable “Yes!” Others are asking “Do we need the amendment?” There are two groups that don’t like the amendment. The first group wants socialized medicine in the country. There is little that can help this group, as Ben Franklin said, “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little safety, deserve neither.” The second group dislikes the amendment on principle, making the argument that the ninth and tenth Amendment to the US Constitution already gives the state authority on health care. In a perfect world I’d like to agree with them. But we live in a world where the Chief Justice of the United States can twist the clear meaning of a
law into something it does not say to preserve the law’s constitutionality as Chief Justice Roberts did with Obamacare. Consequently we can’t rely on common sense to rule the day. I believe that the amendment specifically picks a fight with the federal government that Wyoming can and will win. Fundamentally Constitutional Amendment A, the Wyoming Health Care Freedom Amendment, is about what rights we as citizens will allow our government to take from us. If we are to take the unprecedented step of ceding the most personal of freedoms, our health care, to our government, what won’t we yield? If we are to remain a country where the government derives its’ powers and rights from the people, we must defend and exercise our rights, otherwise we lose the uniquely American form of government. We will devolve into a government that can be found throughout the rest of the world, becoming a country where our rights instead of being endowed to us by God are instead afforded to us as the government sees fit. Theodore Roosevelt said something similar 125 years ago in Dickenson, North Dakota: Here we are not ruled over by others as in the case of Europe; here we rule ourselves…When we rule ourselves thusly we have the responsibilities of sovereigns, not of subjects. We must never exercise our rights either wickedly or thoughtlessly; we can continue to preserve them in but one possible way, by making the best use of them. That’s why right here, right now we the people of Wyoming deserve the opportunity to decide as the sovereigns of our state if the right to make our own health care decisions is worth defending or yielding uncontested to the federal government. I believe in preserving our individual rights, our state and our country. I believe we should vote ‘Yes’ on Constitutional Amendment A, the Wyoming Health Care Freedom Amendment.
In support of Constitutional Amendment “C” Submitted by State Representative Keith Gingery - Jackson Hole/Dubois Speaker Pro Tempore - Wyoming House of Representatives State Representative Keith Gingery of Jackson Hole stated today that passage of Constitutional Amendment C on the upcoming November 6, 2012 ballot is important to the efficient operation of the judicial system in the State of Wyoming. Rep. Gingery pushed through a bill back in the 2011 Wyoming Legislative Session to place this Constitutional Ballot question on the general election ballot. Rep. Gingery stated, “I brought this bill idea forward to the Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Judiciary Committee back in 2010 when I was serving as the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. The Joint Judiciary Committee agreed to sponsor the bill in 2011 and the bill was successful in getting the required 2/3 majority in both houses of the Wyoming Legislature.” Wyoming has Circuit Courts to deal with misdemeanor crimes and civil actions less than $50,000.00. The District Courts deal with felony crimes and civil issues over $50,000.00. The Wyoming Supreme Court serves as the appeal court in Wyoming. The District Courts have a myriad of statutory duties. District Court Judges can be tied up in a jury trial for weeks at a time. To make sure that the judicial system continues to operate efficiently when the district court judge is devoting his full attention to a jury trial or other important matter, a District Court judge can utilize a District Court Commissioner. A District Court Commissioner is usually a senior and more experience attorney in the community who is willing to come over to the courthouse and
hear day to day issues. The District Court Commissioner does not make the final decision and only recommends the proposed action to the District Court Judge after the District Court Commissioner has heard the argument or received evidence in the matter. One of the highest uses of District Court Commissioners is in the area of involuntary commitments to the Wyoming State Hospital. These are patients that are suicidal or possibly having a mental health issue that needs to be addressed. To alleviate any stress on the patient and to make clear to the patient that the proceedings are not criminal in nature, the hearings are routinely held at the local hospital, so the patient doesn’t have to be transported to the courthouse. Many times, because these hearings come up quite suddenly and must be dealt with expeditiously, the District Court Judge asks a District Court Commissioner that the Judge has appointed to hear the evidence and make a recommendation to the District Court Judge. This greatly assists the District Court Judge in keeping his or her docket moving, but also assists the patients to have a consistent person who is experienced in hearing mental health hearings. Circuit Courts routinely use part time magistrates to assist them in their courts. Because Circuit Courts are a more recent invention, they are not mentioned in the Wyoming Constitution. However District Courts and District Court Commissioners are discussed in the Wyoming Constitution. Under the present wording of Article 5,
Section 14 there has been some interpretation that the only time a District Court Commissioner could be used is when the District Court Judge is out of town. In order to assure the efficiency and the movement of the court docket in district courts, it is important that the District Court Judge has the ability to appoint a District Court Commissioner at any time, even if the Judge is not out of town. The amendment would strike the following words from the current Article 5, Section 14 “in the absence of the district judge from the county or upon his written statement filed with the papers that it is improper for him to act.” And the amendment removes the word “chambers”. State Representative Keith Gingery stated “It is a very simple amendment, but it will allow for an efficient operation of the judicial system in Wyoming. It is really important for the voters to be fully educated on this matter, so they will feel comfortable voting on the issue. The concern is that sometimes when it is an issue that not everyone fully understands, they skip voting on that particular ballot issue. The problem with that is that the ballot question must pass by a majority of the electors voting in that election, not by a majority of those actually voting on that ballot question, so if a voter skips voting on that ballot question, it counts as a No vote.” To get placed on the ballot, 2/3 of each house of the Wyoming Legislature had to approve of the placement of the ballot question.
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Vote No on Constitutional Amendment A & C By Taylor Haynes
“We hold these truths to be self evident, that all Men are created equal, That they are endowed by their Creator with unalienable Rights, that among these Rights are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these Rights Governments are instituted among Men deriving their just powers from the Governed”….
Amendment A:
(a) Each competent adult shall have the right to make his or her own health care decisions. The parent, guardian or legal representative of any other natural person shall have the right to make health care decisions for that person. The term shall have implies first of all that the right of free choice in this matter or any other matter does not exist. Freedom of choice is a GOD given right. Therefore cannot be usurped by the State via legislative or any other action. We must not replace GOD with the Government. Who determines when a person is “competent?” See Amendment C. The second Fatal Flaw is, making healthcare a “right.” Healthcare is not a right it is one of the necessities we have the responsibility to provide for ourselves and our families. (b) The parent, guardian or legal representative of any other natural person shall have the right to make health care decisions for that person. Any person may pay, and a health care provider may accept, direct payment for health care without imposition of penalties or fines for doing so. What is an un-natural person? (c) The legislature may determine reasonable and necessary restrictions on the rights granted under this section to protect the health and general welfare of the people or to accomplish the other purposes set forth in the Wyoming Constitution. This ill-fated section clearly demonstrates that the legislature intends to replace GOD in granting and Restricting rights: Any action “granted “by the government is not a right but a privilege. It can be taken away as easily as it was granted. (d) The state of Wyoming shall act to preserve these rights from undue governmental infringement. Who determines what undue is? Article I, Section 7 of the Wyoming constitution; No absolute, arbitrary power. Absolute, arbitrary power over the lives, liberty and property of freemen exists nowhere in a republic, not even in the largest majority. Therefore the terms “may,” “reasonable,” “ necessary,” and “undue” are all subjective not precise. Thus they are arbitrary. Thus if passed the Amendment can be enforced subject to arbitrary interpretation. Some would insist that Amendment A is required to stop the “unlimited and numerous “police powers of the State. Beware; beware of this miss-interpretation. The police power is a “numerous and indefinite” authority left to the states (Federalist 45), subject to their citizens, their respective constitutions and the Bill of Rights in the U.S. Constitution. Currently there is no protection of health care freedom embodied in either the Wyoming or U.S. Constitution. This amendment must be ratified to prevent state-mandated health care (Steve Klein) This use is out of context out of context. The Federalist papers were written by the Framers of the Constitution for the United States. (Not capitalized for authenticity (James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay)) The Federalist papers were written to explain the need for the Constitution, first to New
York State and Virginia the two most influential States at that time. They were used widely by the other State ratifying conventions as well. The point made in Federalist 45 was to illustrate that if the Constitution was not ratified the police power of the state would be unlimited. The police power of the State to place restraints on the personal freedom and property rights of persons for the protection of the public safety, health, and morals or the promotion of the public convenience and general prosperity. The police power is subject to the limitations of the federal and State constitutions. (Black’s Law Dictionary 6th edition) Conclusion on Amendment A: This perhaps well intentioned but very poorly crafted Amendment must be voted down as it violates the Constitution of the united states and that of the State of Wyoming. We the people already have the God given Right to make choices. This Right is guaranteed by the Ninth and Tenth Amendments of the federal Constitution, and Article 1 Section1 and Section 7 of the Wyoming Constitution.
Amendment C:
Amendment C has a connection to Amendment A. Article 5, Section 14. District courts generally; commissioners. The legislature shall provide by law for the appointment by the several district courts of one or more district court commissioners (who shall be persons learned in the law) in each organized county in which a district court is held, such commissioners shall have authority to perform such chamber business in the absence of the district judge from the county or upon his written statement filed with the papers, that it is improper for him to act, as may be prescribed by law, to take depositions and perform such other duties, and receive such compensation as shall be prescribed by law. Adoption of Amendment C will expand the authority of district court commissioners to act in the stead of district court judges. (District Courts are a court of general jurisdiction- they can hear anything and are completely independent of legislative control. The legislature can only affect district courts through constitutional amendment.) Therefore the District court commissioners may hear cases of mental competency, and shelter care hearings. This is also ties in with #HB0025, Child protection shelter care and initial hearings. (AN ACT relating to children; amending provisions of the Child Protection Act relating to shelter care hearings and initial hearings; adding definitions; eliminating the opportunity to admit or deny allegations at a shelter care hearing unless an initial hearing is held in conjunction with a shelter care hearing; clarifying time to demand a jury trial; and providing for an effective date) #HB0028 Enrolled Act Text (Note: Amendment A, Amendment C and HB0025 are all from 2011 session) Thus if a child is removed from its parent(s) when no initial hearing has been held the parent(s) is/are denied Habeas Corpus under the fourth and sixth amendments of the federal constitution and Article 1 sections 4, 6 and 10 of the Wyoming Constitution. These Amendments purport egregious violations of our GOD given Constitutional Rights and must be voted down by We the people. Individuals can secure protection from these constitutional violations by sending by key elected officials a “Letter of Constructive Notice.” (See the website)
Sports Report
September 21 - 28, 2012
Campbell County Observer
UW Shotgun Sports team meet Olympic Gold winner
UW Shotgun Sports team meet Olympic Gold Winner Five members of the University of Wyoming shotgun sports team had the opportunity to meet and visit with Vincent Hancock, the gold medal winner in skeet at both the London and Beijing Olympics.
“Meeting Hancock was a great experience, he is a very down- to-earth guy and wasn’t afraid to talk hunting with us and take some time out of his day to converse with us,” said team member Allen Wellborn of Oakland, Ore. From left are Dan Asker, Soap
Lake, Wash.; Tanner Thorfinnson, Gillette; Hancock; Scottie Melton, Bumpass, Va.; Stephanie Sharp, Tarkio, Mo.; and Wellborn. The UW team competes in the Association of College Unions International clay shooting championships.
CCHS Camels celebrate another win against Kelly Walsh By Valarie Terry - Observer Sports Reporter
Mckenzie Schmidt serves a ball to the Lady Thunderbirds at Friday’s game where they defeated Cheyenne East.
Lady Camels Volleyball By Valarie Terry - Observer Sports Reporter After Kelly Walsh was a no show last week on Tuesday September 11th, the Camels High School Volleyball teams were more than ready to go up against Cheyenne East and Central on Friday and Saturday. The Lady Camels have won five out of their last six games. They started out the season winning in Sheridan. At the Camel invite they lost against Billings, MT but were able to secure two wins against Rocks Springs and Douglas. They later went on to beat Laramie, Cheyenne South and, most recently, won at home against Cheyenne East and Cheyenne Central. The Volleyball weekend
started on the 14th with a matchup against the Lady Thunderbirds. Sophomores started their game at 4pm and the Varsity teams ended the evening playing at 5:15. All the Gillette teams played very well and won their games going into Saturday’s matchup against the Lady Indians wining those games as well. The Lady Camels are looking amazing this year and have had many accomplishments for the team as a whole. The Coaches could not be happier with the Camels success thus far and have very high hopes that they will finish the season like the champs they are.
However the season is far from over, with Regionals and State about a month away the Lady Camels will be busy with a full schedule of games. Their next game will be this Tuesday for sophomore and Junior Varsity when they travel to Casper. Varsity and Junior Varsity teams will then head to Casper again on Friday and Saturday for the Casper Invite.
As Camel fans filled the bleachers and anxious players geared up for last Friday’s home game against Kelly Walsh, everyone was wondering would the winning streak continue? As the two teams took to the field the crowd went wild. This was an intense game from the start as both teams were determined to win. In the first quarter of the game, the Camels were able to score two touchdowns with the help of Matt Fogle. After a pass, by QB Jacob Tapp, Fogle was able to tip the ball and came down with the intercepted ball running it 38 yards into the end zone for the second touchdown of the game. Kelly Walsh was then able to score 21 unanswered points in their next two possessions leaving the score at 21 – 14 with less than 10 minutes on the clock for the first half. The Camels were determined to come back and gain control of the game. In the second half of the game, the Camels were able to rack up 27 more points against the Trojans. Offense played a great game and defense was able to rally up and hold
the Trojans offense with very little struggle only allowing the Trojans 39 yards in the second half of the game. The Camels won the game 41-21. The Camels will be playing in Laramie tonight hoping to win an historic 400th game for the Campbell County High School Camels Football Team. The Campbell County Junior Football league, coaches and players, were sitting in the crowd at last Friday evening’s game for their annual half time walk out. Coaches were seen sitting with parents and players for the first half of the game, cheering for young men they hope to have the chance of replacing in the future. The Junior Football league attends one game each year and at half time,
every team in the league walks out onto the field wearing their team’s jersey proudly. With a packed house, these brave young boys walked onto the field they might one day play on, and are introduced to Gillette’s football fans. One by one each coach is announced with his team and the crowd roars with proud parents and other game attendees. Parent and kids love doing this every year as it gives these little players the chance to be recognized as football players of Campbell County. “My son was so excited to have been a part of this special evening that he will never forget” said one parent from the CCJFL. There is no doubt that Gillette loves its football and the kids who play it.
Sports Trivia Question Who Completed Football’s First Forward Pass? Look in next week’s paper for the answer ** Sponsor the Sports Quiz. Get your ad/name here for only $50 per week **
What’s Going On In Sports? Friday, Sept. 21
• Wright Panthers Football VS Tounge River, 7pm, Wright
Saturday, Sept. 22
• High School State Tennis Tournament, Times TBA, Gillette • Wright Panthers Cross Country; Brittany Rentals Memorial, 10 am, Wright • Camel JV Football VS Sheridan, 11 am, Gillette
• High School Tennis Regional Tournament, Times TBA, Gillette • Camel JV Football VS Laramie, 1pm, Gillette • High School Tennis Regional Tournament, Times TBA, Gillette
Tuesday, Sept. 25
• Wright Lady Panthers Volleyball VS Glenrock, 4; 5; & 6 pm, Wright • Wright Panthers 9th grd. Football VS Newcastle, 4:30 pm, Wright Thursday, Sept. 27 • High School State Tennis Tournament, Times TBA, Gillette
Friday, Sept. 28
• High School State Tennis Tournament, Times TBA, Gillette
Saturday, Sept. 29
What’s Going On Sponsor
C&R Limo Service
Submitted by James Phillip Grabrick
Where is this picture taken?
Find out in next week’s Campbell County Observer
Where Is This Picture sponsored by:
We Make Any Occasion Special • Weddings • Birthdays • Out of Town Trips
Owners
Rose Schipansky 307-689-2065
Carl Christensen 307-696-9017
16
Sports Report
September 21 - 28, 2012
Campbell County Observer
Roller Derby Masquerade The Powder River Rousta Bout It Betties hit the track again in a face of with Helena Montana’s Hel’z Belles last Saturday night. The Betties opened their door at 5pm and started rolling at 6pm. The Betties were prepared to skate till the bitter end. The Betties had three skaters from the Coal Miners Daughter, Karma Suture, SINderella and AddyZaster, helped them fill their roster as well as women from A’Salt Creek Roller Girls. As excited fans filled the arena each team took their turn warming up on the track. The Betties spun off the night with a local singing the National Anthem and then the teams hit the floor ready to roll. The matchup was a pretty intense bout with the Hel’z Belles pulling out every thick from their bag. The Hel’s Belles were looking to win by any means possible trying to trick the Betties into numerous fouls. The Betties held their composure quite well and skated with pride and kept the tricks to the opposing team. The Betties, known for always playing a fare game skated hard and didn’t fall for their shenani-
gans. At every bout you will always see and hand full of volunteers on skates and off skates. Each home team is responsible for having NSO’s (non-skating officials) who keep score and help each team. Home teams are also responsible for getting volunteer referees to help at each bout. The Betties recruited referees, Cowboy Cruiser and EZ Judge It, from the Coal Miners’ Daughters to help at Saturday’s bout. Most of the referees are usually pretty knowledgeable and have experience, however, there are your green refs who come in and need a little more help in getting familiar with reffing a bout. There was a lot of confusion at Saturday’s game with the new refs but the Betties always found a way to keep the crowd entertained on those down times. The Betties are always a fair team and skate a clean bout with little to no injuries. Their opponent however played a little tricky at times with unnecessary antics. Nass T Vixen skated great in the bout but in the first half was forced out of
the game when she took an elbow to the face. While in the pack she was elbowed in the face by one of the Hel’z belle’s. She came off the track and was seated when the EMT’s were called to her aid. The bout was stopped for about five to ten minutes while EMT’s looked her over to make sure she didn’t need any further medical attention. She was later seen at the end of the bout, off skates, with her team on the sidelines showing them her support. The Betties won and despite all the confusion and antics prevailed with a score of 162-122. The Powder River Rousta Bout It Betties will be wrapping up their season with a bout at home against Caspers A’Salt Creek Roller Girls on October 6th at the Rockpile Ice Arena. This will be the first time the two teams will meet up in a bout on the Betties home turf. The Betties always have a theme for each bout and the season will close with a zombie theme. There will be a couple surprises in the half time show that will make this season closer a memorable one.
TwinKill Toes gives CMD member SINderella a pep talk before her first time ever around a derby track during a bout.
Jordan Thurston
Donny Scantling
Gillette Pronghorns Rodeo Team wins! Submitted by Will LaDuke - Coach
Riders took the arena by storm on the last day of competition as the top 30 rode it out for the grand title.
31st annual Fizz Bomb Classic Futurity By Valarie Terry - Observer Sports Reporter This Year’s Annual Fizz Bomb Classic Futurity was held in Gillette, WY. The Fizz Bomb Futurity is held in September every year. It is ranked 3rd in the nation for Barrel Racing Futurities. RCM Productions along with their major sponsor, Rodeo Rigs.com produced four thrilling days of barrel racing for rodeo fans and competitors. The event also held a pole bending Futurity competition and the infamous Fizz Bomb Dog Race. The Fizz Bomb competition is comprised of amateur, as well as professional, Barrel Racers all competing for the Futurity Champion Title. Every year, the competition brings in the best of the best with approximately 350 horses and 200 riders from all of the country. The stand was packed for all four days of the competition with family and friends of riders as well as rodeo fans cheering them on. The riders raced for 1st place
in the pole bending competition. Sue Kay Gorman from South Dakota came in first place with an average time of 40.737 taking home $685.00 worth of winnings for the weekend. Jordon Briggs from Texas came in 2nd with Judy Melvin from South Dakota coming in 3rd place. The 31st Annual Fizz Bomb Classic Futurity winner for 2012 was a much more sought after prize. As competitors saddled up each day of the competition you could sense a little nervousness in the air. The competition started on Friday and ended on Sunday with the top 30 going head to head. Each one rode like it was their last ride of their life becoming one with their horse and making it look effortless. Rider Hallie Melvin from South Dakota came in 1st place with an average time of an impressive 31.724. Following her was Brittany Pozzi with an average time of 32.125 and
3rd place went to Hallie Melvin with an average time of 32.287. On the last day of the event, there was an 8 am church service for people who had come in from different parts of the country. They then followed that with the Fizz Bomb Barrel Futurity top 30 short round. After the top 30 competed they opened up the arena for the Fizz Bomb Dog Race. The race was open to all dogs regardless of size breed of color from Chihuahua dogs to St. Bernards they all showed up ready to run their hearts out. They ran 4 separate races; small, medium and large dogs then they put all the dogs together placing the smaller dog ahead of the much bigger dogs for one all out race to the finish line. All in all it was a pretty amazing weekend in the rodeo community many going home winners regardless of placing first or last.
Gillette College Rodeo got off to its best start in school history this weekend at CWC college rodeo. The Men’s team lead by Donny Scantling of Buffalo Wyoming scored 765 total team points. The most ever in school history. The point total was good enough to edge out the University of Wyoming by 140 points. Six men scored points for the team. Donny Scantling 1st place Steer Wrestling 3rd place team roping Casey Brier 1st place Bareback Riding Dane Kissack 1st place Tie Down Roping Ace Thurston 2nd place bareback riding Wyatt Kramer 7th place Saddle Bronc riding Blake Williams 3rd place Steer Wrestling The Gillette College Girls team also had a very good showing this weekend taking second place honors. The team was led by veteran Jordan Thurston of Lance Creek Wyoming. The girls were a close second to University of Wyoming by 35 points. Four girls scored points for the team this weekend. Jordan Thurston 1st place Goat tying Kristi Steffes 4th barrel racing Crystal Hershey 5th breakaway roping Megan Belas 6th goat tying
“Golf is played by twenty million mature American men whose wives think they are out having fun.” - Jim Bishop
Central Rocky Mountain Team Points Men 1. Gillette College 765 points 2. University of Wyoming 625 points 3. Eastern Wyoming College 390 points 4. Northeastern Jr. College 325 points 5. Sheridan College 305 points 6. Casper College 285 points 7. Central Wyoming College 170 points 8. Chadron State College 170 points 9. Otero Jr. College 70 points 10. Laramie Co. Community College 60 points Central Rocky Mountain Team Points Woman 1. University of Wyoming 410 points 2. Gillette College 375 points 3. Northeastern Jr. College 330 points 4. Chadron State College 260 points 5. Laramie Co. Community College 135 points 6. Otero Jr. College 100 points 7. Central Wyoming College 77.5 points 8. Sheridan College 20 points
NANNEMANN BROTHERS AUTO INC. 1810 Gold Rd 307-682-9082 or 800-462-5673
Automatic Transmissions Rebuilt & Used Transfer Cases - Automatic & Standard Nationwide Used Part Locator Towing Available 2 Mi. N. on Hwy. 14-16
Sponsor our 4 quotes per week for only $50 per week. That is 4 small ads per week for only $50!
“Hometown Business Since 1975” 17
Classifieds
Campbell County Observer
Guns for Sale
Guns for Sale
Services
Czech CZ-82 Pistol. 9X18 Caliber, semi auto. High quality steel construction made for field use. 12 round capacity magazine, cock and lock style safety, super accurate polygonal rifled barrel. Comes with extra magazine, cleaning tools, and original issue military holster. Regular price $387.93, On sale with this ad for only $315.00. Call Wyoming Mountaineers 299-2084 and mention this ad.
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.
Homeowners and renters insurance for house, trailer, or apartments. Call Elizabeth Jones Agency 307-682-6520
Taurus Model 827, 38 SPL revolver. 7RND, 4” barrel, Stainless Steel. MSRP $664.00. Mention this ad and get MSRP for $350.00 (4 easy payments of $102.03) Wyoming Mountaineers, call or text 307-299-2084 D132-TFN
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
Taurus Model 827, 38SPL Revolver. 7rnd, 4” Barrel, Stainless Steel. MSRP: $664.00 on sale with this add $575.00. or make 4 payments of $163.20 each. Call Wyoming Mountaineers 2992084 and mention this ad. Remington model 770 Sportsman with 3x9 scope. 270 win. 22” barrel, black syn. Stock. MSRP $375.00. Mention this ad and buy same MSRP for $325.00 (or 4 payments of $95.40). Wyoming Mountaineers, call or text 307-299-2084 D132-TFN Savage Arms/Stevens Model 350 12 Ga. pump shotgun. 3” chamber, 28” barrel, 4+1 Capacity, Black soft touch synthetic stock. Screw in chokes comes with modified choke. Bottom eject makes this an excellent waterfowl and upland bird hunting gun. Regular price $294.95. On sale with this ad for only $250.00. Call Wyoming Mountaineers 299-2084 and mention this ad. Get a piece of history. Mosin Nagant Russian M91/30 Surplus Rifle. Very good to Excellent condition 7.62X54 Caliber. These are a very accurate rifle shooting 4” groups at 1000 yards. Open sights are adjustable to yardage with a push of a button. Great gun for hunting deer or elk very cheap ammo available for target practice ($85 per 440 rnds) Comes with military issue sling, sling pouches, bayonet, and cleaning tools. Retailing as high as $175.00 on sale with this ad $145.00. Call Wyoming Mountaineers 2992084 and mention this ad.
Gunsmithing Special of the week. Electrolysis Barrel Cleaning. Increase the accuracy of your firearm, get ready for hunting season or a summer of shooting fun. Most cleanings complete overnight and your gun is ready the next day. This week only $25.00. Call Wyoming Mountaineers 2992084 and mention this ad. Before you buy, make a call to get a quote. We can order any gun you are looking at and just may be able to save you a ton of money. Call for a free quote. $15.00 FFL Transfer Fee on all internet purchases. If you find that smoking great deal on the internet we transfer guns for only $15.00 per gun. Call Wyoming Mountaineers 2992084 and mention this ad. Colt AR-15, Sporty Target. Pre-ban, INCREDIBLY LOW SALE NUMBER. Great condition $1,500. (307) 6894339. D1-32-2V 1903 Springfield. 30o6 Cal. U.S. Military. $700 obo. Call (307) 682-7864
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.
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!
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
September 21 - 28, 2012
Autos, Trucks and Vans ‘76 Electra-Glide would consider trade on Pan or Knuck if ya know of anyone, ‘81 sent it to LA-S&S, 11.5to1 and dual-plugged to run regular-gas, had burn-out time at Hog-Jam! Ben 680.7464. 2004 Yukon Denali XL,6.0 Motor, Loaded $14,000 OBO 660-9351 2008 Hyundai Sonata LMTD, 40,000 mi. $13,500, Call 307-660-2532. 2000 Chevy Silverado 4x4 1/2 Ton Pickup. New tires, ext. cab, long bed. 148,000 mi. One owner. 307-6700858 or 303-250-4096 97’ Chevy Long Box Extended Cab. ¾ Ton, selling for Parts. $1,000 OBO. 307680-7431 1982 Chevy Ventura Van. 350 Engine, 400 Turbo newly rebuilt transmission. Interior in GREAT shape, has a working electric wet bar and built in cooler in back. Carb. needs re-jetted, other than that there are no problems. Must see. Asking $3,500 or best offer. Price:$3,500obo. Contact: 307-670-8980 1952 Chevy Dumptruck, hauls 5 tons of coal $1500 307-682-1172 1986 Toyota Tercel 4x4. $1050.00. Call 307-2995918
Yard Sale Garage sale - 2524 gallery view dr (crest view) Cloths of various sizes $0.50 for all articles of clothing with the exceptions of a couple items. Saturday Starting at 7AM
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.
Merchandise
Homes for Sale
1939 HA Selmer Trumpet $750 OBO. 687-1087 Exterior door with window, interior light fixtures, and computer supplies. E-mail Corsair115@yahoo.com
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.
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/ Five roasts and twelve pounds of hamburger for a flat rate. $150.00. All ranch raised beef. This is an approximate savings of 10% on the total. Contact Jason Walker at 307-686-0577 For sale: whirlpool refrigerator, brand new patio propane heater, still in box Cabela’s shower tent, large dining room dark blue/red rooster rug, 10” wet tile saw, treadmill. Call 682-6353. Kojac series One, two and three dvd $65.00 $98 value 307 - 670 - 1887
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 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.
www.EZRocking-Ranch.com
Two place aluminum snowmobile trailer. $1,600. 307689-0202
Home Appliances/ Furnshings Booth Table. L-shaped. With Chairs. Seats 6. $500.00 Call 299-4967 Three antique pressedbacked oak chairs. Excellent condition. $85 each. 6820042 Storage Unit Sale!!!!! Home stereo, car speakers, 2 dressers, mattress and box spring sets $20, chests, coffee table, chairs, end tables and much more. Call (307) 682-7864
Local Foods Grass Fed Beef and Draft Horses Come to our website for all our available products. www.EZRocking-Ranch.com Owned by local Campbell County Rancher.
CHURCH BULLETIN Evangelist John R. Van Gelderen Guest Speaker at
Jericho Baptist Church
Central Baptist Church
202 East 8th St Gillette, WY
(between the cemetary & Twin Spruce)
WELCOMES our new Pastor, Richard Prettyman.
Come meet Pastor Richard and his wife this Sunday!
September 30th thru October 5th Monday - Friday 6:30 p.m. Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Service Times:
Lord Revive Thy Work
Sunday School: 10:00am Sunday Morning Service: 11:00am Sunday Evening Service: 6:00pm Wednesday Evening Service: 7:00pm
- Habakkuk 3:2
18
Classifieds
September 21 - 28, 2012
Help Wanted Cook needed at Lu La Bells. Motivated and Energetic. Days Only. Apply at Lu La bells. 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. Powder River Mechanics is hiring one shop mechanic. Must be able to perform efficiently, but with the best quality in town. Relaxed work environment. Duties include repairing all domestic and foreign vehicles, atv’s, jet ski’s, motorcycles, boats, and more. Call Powder River Mechanical at 307-670-2037 to set up an interview. 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
Work Wanted Skidsteer with Operator. For all your Snow Removal and Dirt needs. Call Ken at 307680-5947
Apartments for Rent
Toys (ATV’s Boats, Etc.)
Toy Parts & Accessories
1-5 bedroom units available for rent. Please contact Real Estate Systems of Gillette Inc at 307-682-0964 for all the updated details.
BOAT FOR SALE. 18ft 120 port jet outboard bass tracker for sale. Call 307-680-5947
Stock pipes for Sportster. 500mi. Stock pices for Dyna Wide Glide. 1500mi. Email baxtersmom62@gmail.com for info.
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 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.
Wyoming Country Party Convention The Wyoming Country Party would like to invite you to our first party convention. Thinking of running for office? We are looking for viable candidates. Find out more at Wyomingcountryparty.org. Want to come to the convention? The Wyoming Country Party convention is this Saturday, August 11th at 1pm at the Parkway Plaza Hotel in Casper. Paid for by the Wyoming Country Party.
Personals Interested in founding a Sherlock Holmes Society in Gillette? Contact gillettesherlockians@gmail. com for info.
Child Care Full Time babysitter available in Sleepy Hollow at my home. CPR Trained, accepting 2 children. Cost is $100.00 per week per child. Hours are 7:30am-5:30pm. Call 307-257-2306 for more information, and to meet and interview.
International Tractor 300 Utility For Sale. $2000 Artic Cat 4X4 2001For Sale. $2000 Call Bill 307 - 660 – 8563 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.
For Rent
Four 16 inch rims, five hole, with caps.$90 307 - 670 1887 Harley Accessories for sale. Call 307-670-8980. Ask for Tammy.
Campers & Motor Homes 1997 32ft. Class A Motor Home. Sleeps 6, Only 31,000 Miles. Asking $17,000. Call (307) 660-7520. Large Private RV/Camper Lot for rent. Big yard, trees. All utilities available. $400 per month, $400 deposit. 1 year lease. Call (307) 6601007. 5th wheel camper for sale. Call Skip (307) 680-0073
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
2 Bedroom Duplex, with one car garage, washer/dryer, no pets. $700rent/$700deposit. 307-689-0202 Room for Rent. Nice Room for Rent for one responsible person. $480.00 per month. 689-9358.
Tonneau Cover for sale! Cover will fit any pickup with an 8' bed, long wheel base - $125.00
Call 307-689-4189
Campbell County Observer
Heavy Equipment/ Trailers 6x10 trailer. Great shape, fits your biggest Harley. $1,400 obo. 299-4967. 1981 Circle J 4-horse Horse Trailer. New floor, paint and wiring. $2500 OBO Call 307 - 680 – 2374 1981 Circle J 4-horse Horse Trailer. New floor, paint and wiring done in shop class 2 years ago. No rust only used once since redone. $2500 or OBO Call 307 - 680 – 2374
Camping/Fishing Minnows, crawlers, leeches, fishing tackle, boating and camping supplies. Fully furnished cabin rentals, 50 Amp Full Hookup RV sites 5 minutes from Keyhole Reservoir in Pine Haven. Empire Guesthouse & RV Park 307756-3454. www.empireguesthouse.com
Produce for Sale Fresh local “Free Range” eggs. All natural, no animal by-products. No antibiotics. $3/Doz. 257-9049
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
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Our Roots
Campbell County Observer
September 21 - 28, 2012
SAG Awards at Esri UC honor outstanding applications of Geospatial Technology
History of Alaska
Campbell County, Gillette and Town of Wright among more than 170 organizations recognized for special achievement in GIS
By Mike Borda Although it was the 49th state to enter the Union, Alaska’s history is much deeper than the mere 55 years it has been a member of the United States. Dating back thousands of years, the history of Alaska spans many different cultures and times. It’s entry into American hands though, remains one of it’s most interesting events. Long a possession of Russia, the Alaskan territory wasn’t known for its riches. Instead, it was owned for the value of the pure land, inhabited almost exclusively by its native population. However, like with most cultures, the influx of new people caused great damage. Russian traders and trappers brought with them European diseases, decimating the native populations. In the 18th century, many countries tried to claim the land. Among them were Russia, Great Britain, and even Spain. While today it seems strange that the Spanish had a presence in Alaska, the Pacific Northwest was a new frontier for money hunting, and nearly every country with the means wanted to get their own claims to the land. The Russians held the land for the most part until the middle of the 19th century. By that point, they had lost the Crimean War to Great Britain, and were falling deeply in debt. They needed to sell land, and Alaska became one of their biggest bargaining chips due to the discovery of small amounts of gold. Following the Civil War, the United States government finally had the opportunity to purchase the land The debate on whether to purchase was heated in Congress, but Secretary of State William Seward argued passionately for the acquisition. The deal was completed on March 30, 1867 at a price of $7.2 million. Known by some as “Seward’s Folly”, it was not as critiqued as some think. The move actually had the approval of many Americans, who saw the value of Alaska’s natural resources. The actual ceremony celebrating the change of ownership took place in Sitka, Alaska on October 18. At that point, Alaska began a new era in its history, under American control. It started as a mainly military area, but in 1899, major gold deposits were found, and the territory exploded in popularity. Later, other resources were found, and the modern Alaska began to form. Alaska remained a territory through the beginning of the 20th century, even seeing some combat during World War II. The Aleutian Islands were the site of some of the earliest fighting in the Pacific theater. On January 3, 1959, Alaska became our 49th state. Alaska today is a far different place than it was in 1867. However, it was that time period that set the stage for an American future, and today it is a valued part of our country. Whether it is native living, adventure, or outdoors paradise, Alaska today proves that it was no “Folly” to acquire, but a tremendous asset.
“It is only when the people become ignorant and corrupt, when they degenerate into a populace, that they are incapable of exercising their sovereignty.” - President James Monroe Sponsor our 4 quotes per week for only $50 per week. That is 4 small ads per week for only $50!
Esri recognized more than 170 organizations during the Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) Awards ceremony at the annual Esri International User Conference (Esri UC) in San Diego, California last month. The SAG Awards acknowledge innovative and intelligent applications of GIS technology. “Each year, the SAG Awards highlight extraordinary achievements and efforts to improve our world,” says Esri president Jack Dangermond. “At Esri, we are always deeply impressed with the work of our users. This recognition
is well deserved for how they’ve applied geospatial technology to address the needs of their industries and communities. They are defining GIS best practices.” Organizations from around the world honored at the Esri UC span industries including agriculture, cartography, climate change, defense and intelligence, economic development, education, government, health and human services, telecommunications, and utilities. The GIS Cooperative of the county, city and town were nominated for the award from among all the users of Esri GIS software
in the state of Wyoming. The Cooperative was formed to establish a shared source of data for use by all of the governmental agencies throughout the county. The first priority of the group is to provide data needed by emergency services for both daily use and emergency incidents. The SAG Awards ceremony was held at the San Diego Convention Center on July 25, 2012. For more information about the 2012 Special Achievement in GIS Award winners, including project information and photos, visit esri. com/sag.
What’s Going On? Ongoing:
CC Public Library Used Book Sale, 9/21 - 9/26
Friday, Sept. 21
• Forget Me Not Floral Gourmet Open House, 8 am - 6 pm, 900 Camel Dr. Ste. E • Entreleadership Simulcast, 9:45 am - 5:00 pm, Gillette College • AVA Little Tikes, 10-11 am, 509 W. 2nd St. • Black Cat Ball, 6 pm, CAM-PLEX, Energy Hall • Kathleen Madigan, 7 pm, CAMPLEX, Heritage Center
Saturday, Sept. 22
• Farmers Market, 8- noon, Gillette College • Thar’s Ranch Sorting, 9-noon, CAM-PLEX, East Pavillion • Teen Dungeons & Dragons, 10 am, CC Public Library • Pilots for Christ Golf Ball Drop, 1-4 pm, Bell Knob Golf Course • Teen Open Play Gaming, 1-4 pm, CC Public Library • Kids Wii Play Saturday, 1-4 pm, CC Public Library • Holy Trinity Church BBQ, 3 pm, City Park
Sunday, Sept 23
• Thar’s Ranch Sorting, 9am-6pm, CAM-PLEX East Pavillion • Teen Dungeons & Dragons, 4 pm, CC Public Library
Monday, Sept 24
• Fall Hat Fashion Show, 11am, CC Senior Center
Tuesday, Sept 25
• Kids Storytime, 10:30 am, CC Public Library • AVA Preschool Art, 1-2 pm, 509 W. 2nd St. • AVA Gradeschool Painting, 4-5 pm, 509 W. 2nd St. • Teens Card Club, 4 pm, CC Public Library • One Book/One Community Book Discussion, 5 pm, Wright Branch Library • Adult Anime, 6:30 pm, CC Public Library
Wednesday, Sept 26
• Hiring Our Heros Hiring Fair, 9 am - 3 pm, Ramkota, Casper, WY • Kids Story Time, 10:30 am, CC Public Library • Kids Story Time, 11 am, Wright Branch Library • AVA Mommy & Me, 1-2 pm, 509 W. 2nd St. • Teens Early Release Gaming, 1-4 pm, CC Public Library • AVA Gradeschool Drawing, 4-5 pm, 509 W. 2nd St.
Friday, Sept 28
• AVA Little Tikes, 10-11 am, 509 W. 2nd St.
Saturday, Sept. 29
• Party in Pink Movin’ to End Breast Cancer, 8-11 am, Club Energize • Farmers Market, 8-noon, Gillette College • Cam-plex Garage Sale, 9am 3pm, CAM-PLEX Wyoming Center • Teen Dungeons & Dragons, 10 am, CC Public Library • Teen Open Play Gaming, 1-4 pm, CC Public Library • Kids Wii Play Saturday, 1-4 pm, CC Public Library • Kiwanis Free Hunters Feed, 6-10 pm, CAM-PLEX, Central Pavillion
Sunday, Sept. 30
What’s Going On Sponsor
C&R Limo Service
Thursday, Sept. 27
• Toddler Time, 9:30 am, CC Public Library • Kids Story Time, 10:30 am, CC Public Library • AVA Homeschool Art, 2-3 pm, 509 W. 2nd St. • AVA Gradeschool Kids Club, 4-5 pm, 509 W. 2nd St. • Kids Families & Jammies, 6:30 pm, CC Public Library • Teen Anime, 7 pm, CC Public Library
We Make Any Occasion Special • Weddings • Birthdays • Out of Town Trips
Owners
Rose Schipansky 307-689-2065
Carl Christensen 307-696-9017
The Quest for Bear Lodge Gold By Jeff Morrison
Prospectors are a stubborn breed. Whether they are seasoned professionals, enthusiastic amateurs, or good old-fashioned ne’er-do-well’s looking for a quick fortune – all seem to be possessed by a conviction that a mother lode exists in or under every stream, outcrop, hill, or mountain. And over the years a great deal of time, money, and labor has been spent in the search of the next bonanza. It had suspected that the Black Hills contained a great deal of gold deposits long before a military expedition under the command of Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer confirmed it in 1874. The resulting gold rush attracted thousands of skilled and unskilled prospectors to Deadwood Gulch and the surrounding area. By the1880s, most of the mining in the gulch had shifted from placer mining to underground mining. Prospectors began spiraling out to other parts of the Black Hills in search of more deposits. Eventually, they set their sights on Black Butte and the Bear Lodge Mountains in Crook County. Placer gold had already been discovered along Sand Creek, in eastern Crook County in 1876. It seemed reasonable that a rich lode was waiting to be discovered in the western Black Hills. Camps of prospectors settled in and began panning and digging shallow exploratory holes. At Black Butte, more silver and lead was discovered than gold.
In the Bear Lodge Mountains to the north, gold bearing ore was discovered, but extracting the gold from the ore required technology that hadn’t been developed quite yet. So the search for better lodes continued. Making a living by prospecting Bear Lodge gold was tough, but the prospectors optimistically gave their claims names that aspired to greatness, such as: the Mammoth Mine, the Sterling Mine, and the Eureka Mine. Few of these early claims progressed beyond a small pit. Still, every geological inspection of the area reported large quantities of the types of minerals and ores known to be infused with gold, and the discovery of a lowgrade gold vein was discovered on Warren Peak. Prospecting and low-budget mining continued through the 1890s and into the 20th century. In 1903, the Bear Lodge Mining District was established, and the various claimants began to consolidate and organize. Mining technology had progressed to the point of making the extraction process feasible. The Bear Lodge Mining Company and the Hutchinson Consolidated Gold Mining Company sank shafts and brought in milling equipment. For the next decade, local newspapers assured readers that the “big strike” was just a matter of time. But the big strike never happened. Much like the gold mining operations in the Big Horn
Mountains to the west, the Bear Lodge mining operations began to cost more money than they produced. By 1915, even the geological reports of promising ore lodes were wearing thin. Efforts to raise more investment capital failed. The Sundance Times sadly announced on December 22, 1915, “It is reported that the proposed deal for the Bear Lodge mining property by Cripple Creek parties will not materialize as negotiations were terminated before anything tangible was done.” In a half-hearted attempt to look at the bright side, the paper continued, “This is disappointing but no necessarily discouraging, as the Bear Lodge ores speak for themselves and ultimately capital will recognize the splendid opportu-
nities presented. Just when ‘ultimately’ will arrive has been the paramount question for years in this connection, but the Bear Lodge’s day will come as sure as faith.” One by one, the gold mines ceased operations and the various claims went into ownership limbo for several decades. The fact that gold, silver, and many, many other minerals existed in the Bear Lodge Mountains and surrounding areas was never in doubt. In 1949, thorium and rareearth mineralization was discovered but never exploited, as there was no available market at the time. More geological mapping and explorations by the Duval Corporation in the 1970s confirmed the rare-earth minerals, but ultimately the
project was abandoned in the mid-1980s. By that time, other companies began geological explorations nearby the Duval property. Most of those companies focused on gold exploration, and continued the hunt for a commercially viable lode well into the 1990s. Commercial gold mining is not likely to resume in the Bear Lodge Mountains, however. With the purchase of the Bull Hill area by Rare Element Resources, exploration has resumed in the Bear Lodge Mountains. But this time, the proposed mining operation is for rare-earth minerals – not gold. And given the demand for rare-earth minerals in today’s technology-based environment, the venture is assured to be far more lucrative.
The Local “Our Roots” Column is sponsored by
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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
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