2005_annual_report

2005

CAMPBELL COUNTY

A N N U A L R E P O R T

CAMPBELL COUNTY COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE Message From The Campbell County Board Of Commissioners The year 2005 was another in a long list of record setting years for Campbell County. For the first time ever the assessed valuation reached the 3 billion dollar mark. Coal production once again set new records. Gas and oil development continued at a record pace. New construction happened as fast as contractors could make it happen.

Three new mine mouth power generation facilities began to emerge in 2005.

WyGen II broke ground at WyoDak east of Gillette.

Basin Electric will build a new plant north of Gillette.

Two Elks Power Generation continues its efforts to build a new power plant in the Wright area.

At the county level, this year saw the completion of a 60,000 sq. ft. addition to the court house. The grand opening was held in November. With a lot of undesignated area, unfinished area, and ample current area for all the court house functions, our court house needs should be addressed well into the future.

A new public health facility broke ground late in the fall. Completion is expected in the first half of 2006.

The library is undergoing the third and final phase of remodeling. Some addition-

al area is gained through the enclosure of what was the court yard.

With an eye toward the future, the voters approved a special use tax to fund construction of a 123,000 square feet multiple use events center to be built at Camplex. Construction will commence in the spring of 2006.

Construction is anticipated to take about 18 months.

The Fire Department is in the design phase of a new main fire station and maintenance facility, and hope to begin construction in 2006.

All of these major construction projects are exciting to see happen. The philosophy of addressing infrastructure needs during good economic times has and continues to serve our area well.

sion regulations are being evaluated to make sure the planning and development we do today does not create problems for future citizens.

Our detention facilities have been expanded to the limit of what they were designed for. The number of inmates housed set new records regularly in 2005. A jail expansion is looming in the near future.

Law enforcement experienced increased demands for their services. All the social services that strive to meet the needs of our community have noticed the impacts of many new people coming to our little comer of the world.

In August tragedy struck the southern end of our county when a tornado touched down in Wright.

Two of our citizens lost their lives, and over 60 families lost their homes. A number of other homes and buildings were damaged.

With great blessing and opportunity also come extraordinary challenges.

Our planning department saw a record number of new developments come before them. The tremendous need The outpouring of help in for workers in our indus- the form of labor, machintries has created a shortage ery, food, clothing, supof available housing units plies, and money from our either to buy or rent. The citizens, our industries, and newest building codes were our region was truly gratifyadopted to keep ing to see. In pace with the a few weeks, CAMPBELL COUNTY world in conthe trash struction tech- COMMISSIONERS OFFICE was all gone, 500 S. Gillette Ave nique and qualand new 682-7283 ity. Our subdivimanufac-

Cover illustration by JR Study, The News-Record Advertising Staff of José Contemplating the Mystery of the Universe by Artist Dixie Jewett - Dayton, Oregon 2

Campbell County Commissioners (left to right): Roy Edwards, Alan Weakly, Craig Mader, Chris Knapp, and Marilyn Mackey stand in front of the Court House’s new facade.

tured housing was in place.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency personnel sent to help with the disaster said they had never seen a community work together and cooperate to deal with a natural disaster as well as the people of Wright and Campbell County did.

The very best asset and greatest value of Campbell County is not the vast mineral resources, the outstanding facilities, or the wonderful economic opportu-

nity that exists here. As the Wright disaster so vividly highlighted, the best thing about our county is the generous people that live and work within its borders.

As elected officials, we tip our hats to the people who live and work here. You are the reason our community is the lighthouse that it is.

You are the reason this is a desirable place to live.

Thank you, and may God continue to bless Campbell County.

CAMPBELL COUNTY BOARD MEMBERS AIRPORT BOARD

COMMISSIONERS

LIBRARY BOARD

Gary Garland-President Hugh Bennett-Vice President Amy Hetzer-Treasurer John Kennedy-Secretary Robert Lowery JAY LUNDELL, DIRECTOR 686-1042

Marilyn Mackey -Chair Craig G. Mader Christopher R. Knapp Roy Edwards L. Alan Weakly

Jan White-Chair Christine Parravano EngelVice Chair Nancy Squair-Treasurer Bill Carson Dale Belden PATTY MYERS, DIRECTOR 687-0009

BUILDING CODE APPEALS BOARD Arlyn Magnuson Chairman Daryl Orbeck–Vice Chair Larry Long Van Ewing Micky Shober MIKE COLEMAN, DIRECTOR 682-1970

CARE BOARD Lynne Chastain Lori Jones James E. Brown Valerie Kettrey Chirstopher R. Knapp Michael Surface Patrick Carpenter Doris Fassero Stasi Shippy

CHILDREN’S DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES Linda Jennings-Chair Clifford Knesel-Vice Chair Ralph Palmer-Treasurer Alice Bratton-Secretary Jennifer Peterson EARLENE HASTINGS, DIRECTOR 682-2392

CORRECTIONS BOARD Sheriff Bill Pownall Judge Dan Price James B. Kelly Denise Fuller Chief Richard Adriaens William J. Edelman Cathy Anderson Ginny Bettendorf Buddy Morman

FAIR BOARD Charlene Camblin Chairman Kevin Geer-Vice Chairman Linda Lynch-Sec./Treas.

David Robinson Sharon Rinker BETTY A. HOUGH, COORDINATOR 687-0200

JOINT POWERS FIRE BOARD Steve Thomas, Chairman Dave Daigle Dave Foreman Matt Avery Joe Robidoux Tom Johnson Sam Saunders GARY SCOTT, CHIEF 682-5319

PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER Dr. George McMurtrey 682-7275

PUBLIC HEALTH BOARD Barbara Underwood - Chair Dr. Robert W. Barelman Vice Chairman Gene Balzer Dr. David A. Beck Susan Hooker. Rhp NOLA WALLACE, DIRECTOR 682-7275

PUBLIC LAND BOARD W. Todd Hoese-Chair Anne Ochs-Treasurer Rod Smith-Secretary Chuck Land Jack Faublon Gregg Blikre Greg Lindblom DAN BARKS, GENERAL MANAGER 682-0552

PARKS & RECREATION BOARD

Eugene RoutledgeChairman Tom Schrupp Sharon Stock Larry Steiger Wade Burr DAVE MCCORMICK, DIRECTOR 682-7406

ROCKPILE MUSEUM BOARD

Tanya Daniels, Director 682-7281

ROAD & BRIDGE Gary Lowry, Director 682-4411

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

Bobbie Veatch-Chairman Kathy Kintz-Secretary Bernadette BarlowTreasurer Leland Turner Fred Harvey BOB KOTHE, DIRECTOR 682-5723

Charlotte Terry, Director 687-6355

PLANNING COMMISSION

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONERS

Robert Ostlund- Chairman Scott Benson-Vice Chairman Susan McKay Jim Nielson Vicki Schlautmann MIKE COLEMAN, DIRECTOR 682-1970

WEED AND PEST BOARD James McCue-Chair Ted Edwards-Vice Chair David A. Shippy-Treasurer Charles Tweedy-Secretary Leslie Drake ALLEN MOONEY, DIRECTOR 682-4369

As of Feb. 11, 2006

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EXTENSION SERVICE

Phil W. Harvey, Manager 682-7860

HUMAN RESOURCES

Robert P. Palmer, Director 682-7283

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Mike Coleman, Director 685-8061 County Landfill 682-9499 Building and Planning 682-1970

JUVENILE PROBATION Susan L. Cahill, Esq., Director 682-0746

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT David King, Coordinator 686-7477

CAMPBELL COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE The year 2005 has kept Susan Saunders and her staff at the County Clerk’s office extremely busy.

The titling department consists of six full time employees. This part of the Clerk’s office handles titling of motor vehicles and filing of personal, federal and state tax liens. Motor vehicle titles issued totaled 20,595 in 2005. The Clerk’s office saw an increase in titling new vehicles again this year. The Campbell County Clerk’s office issued 336 marriage licenses in 2005.

The County Clerk’s office

also issues malt beverage and catering permits for county-wide functions.

with various business and residential subdivisions.

Two employees work in the payroll/accounts payable section of the Clerk’s office.

They handle all areas of payroll from enrollment of new employees to issuing payroll checks and payment of all taxes and benefits associated with payroll. An average of 364 employees received paychecks from

The recording section (vault) consists of six full time employees. This section deals with oil and gas leases, royalty deeds, warranty and quit claim deeds. Mortgages, oil and gas liens are also filed in this part of the Clerk’s office along with overriding royalties, affidavits of heir ship, survivorship and notary public, military discharges and powers of attorney. The land records department have been busy

CAMPBELL COUNTY

CLERK’S OFFICE 500 S. Gillette Ave 682-7285

this office. On an average there are approximately 500 accounts payable checks issued per month. We also have one full time employee responsible for the budget process and financials.

The Election Department has received their new election equipment and is currently been trained on the system. The new system is an optical scan system with attached touch screen.

We are all excited for our updated system.

The Clerk’s office collected over $687,299 in revenue for 2005 for the recording of

various instruments, titles, marriage licenses, and miscellaneous receipts.

The County Clerk’s office is currently researching the implementation of computerizing our grantor and grantee records along with our receiving books.

We feel this will be more time efficient for the public and for our office.

The employees in this office take pride in their work and continuance of friendly and efficient public service and excellent public record keeping.

CAMPBELL COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE The Campbell County Coroner’s Office started in January of 2005 with 12 investigations and ended the year in December with 11 investigations. Total number of death investigations in ‘05 was 92, up over 8% from 2004.

I have been asked over the years to include various statistical data and have added a few more for this year. Statistics can be broken down by several categories including age, manner of death, gender and seat belt use, etc. The following is a breakdown of the death investigations:

Manner of Death

Natural 61 - unchanged Accidental 8- up 30% Traffic deaths 13 - up 30% Suicides 4 - down 40% Homicides 3 - up 300% SIDS 3- up 300% Undetermined - 0

Seat Belt use in traffic deaths -

Other statistics include:

Avg age of deaths - 58.4 yrs old, down 1.6 years from 2004.

In 2004 males 55%, females 45% Traffic deaths increased 30% from 2004 Suicide 2004 - 5 males avg age 48.2, 2 females - avg age 39.5 Overall avg age 45.7 4 - Firearm, 3 - Drug toxicity 2005 - 4 males avg age 30.25 1- Firearm, 2 Hanging, 1 CO (Carbon Monoxide) Toxicity Homicides - up 300%, 2 males, 1 female SIDS - up 300% Accidental - 2 Industrial, 1 CO Toxicity, – 2 Tornado, 2 ATV’s, 1 Fall Alcohol related traffic fatalities - 1, Drug related - 1

6/12 belted 6/12 unbelted 1 motorcycle - helmeted

0

5

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As always, I would like to thank all of the very valuable people who assist the Coroner’s Office in the performance of our duties. Many people and organizations work together to help make this office successful in our commitment to the citizens of Campbell County. I greatly appreciate their assistance and time. I would like to thank my deputies Rita Mashak, Allen Todd and Nikki Johnson for their help. My thanks to all the personnel with the Campbell County Sheriff’s Department, Gillette Police Department, the Campbell County Fire Department, Campbell County Memorial Hospital staff and EMS personnel, Dr. Woodward, Campbell County doctors and assistants, Wyoming Hwy Patrol, Wyoming Crime Lab Personnel, Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigations, Dr. Pat Allen and Dr. Stephen Cina of Forensic Pathology Consultants of Loveland, Colorado and Dr. Habbe from Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota. Without the assistance from all involved, we wouldn’t be able to provide the service to our citizens. Thanks again.

Tom Eekhoff - Coroner.

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20

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Frequency by the time of the day called: 0001-0800 - 25 0801-1600 - 34 1601-2400 - 33

CAMPBELL COUNTY

CORONER'S OFFICE 600 W. BOXELDER 687-6179

CC CLERK OF DISTRICT COURT Our office staff is very pleased with our newly remodeled and expanded work space, and we invite you to come in to take a look. We are located on the north end of the second floor of the courthouse in Suite 2600.

become a citizen to this great nation has to answer correctly. On December 16, 2005, seven people were naturalized in Campbell County. The Honorable John R. Perry presided over the ceremony. The District Court’s Office coordinated the ceremony and completed the paperwork for all applicants. Organizations involved that made this ceremony successful and memorable were American Legion Auxiliary who provided refreshments for the reception, and each new citizen received an American Flag; Daughters of the American Revolution presented souvenirs; and Uptown Sound performed musical entertainment.

The look of our office may have changed but our goals remain the same. With our highly trained and skilled staff, we continue to strive to help each and every person who walks into our office in a professional, efficient and respectful manner.

Public dealings with the court can be extremely difficult and emotions can run high. They need not only our compassion, but also our respect.

To accommodate the growing Leadership Conference in Memphis TN with fellow Wyoming County Clerks needs of our community and our increased work load, we are pleased December 31, 2005 - Passports are now required to welcome an additional district court judge. In September, 2005, Judge, Michael for all travel (air/sea) to or from the Caribbean, N. “Nick” Deegan joined Judge Dan R. Price II Bermuda, Central and South America. and Judge John R. Perry to better meet these December 31, 2006 - Passports will be required for all travel (air/sea) to or demands. from Mexico and Canada. December Divorces can be difficult for children and our 31, 2007 - Passports will be required for Sandcastles Program is designed to help them all air, sea and land border crossings. cope with their feelings. Children are grouped To obtain a passport you can pick up an with peers their own age, and they learn how to application in our office. For the most talk about their thoughts and fears and realize current and up-to-date information they are not alone. Children learn about how please visit website, travel.state.gov. divorce affects their behavior and are taught What is the Supreme Law of the constructive ways to handle their emotions without misbehaving. Sandcastles is facilitated by United States? How many changes local school counselors and they are personally or amendments are there to the Constitution? What are the thirteen trained by M. Gary Neuman, L.M.H.C. original colonies? These are just a few of M. Gary Neuman is the founder and creator of the many questions a person wanting to the nationally recognized Sandcastles Program for children. He is a licensed mental health counselor, a Florida Supreme Courtcertified family mediator, and a rabbi. His work has been featured on National Public Radio, Dateline, Good Morning America, the Today Show, Oprah, the View, and elsewhere. His first training of counselors and court staff in Gillette was in 1999 with his return in February, 2005.

Passport laws have changed.

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 implemented the following changes:

The Secretary of State’s Office generates a random computer list of possible jurors for our county. This list is compiled of names from drivers’ license records and voter registration lists. Jurors

Judge Price and Santa Perry “Who’s your Santa?”

are summoned by our office to serve in District Court trials. Jurors are required to either appear four times, serve on a jury trial, or complete their four-month term.

Campbell County High School students enrolled in the Mentorship program---and interested in learning about court procedures can ask to work in our office. This semester’s student was Chelsea Officer. Chelsea learned about our legal system, clerical duties, filing system, office equipment, and observed court hearings including criminal sentencing and jury trials.

CAMPBELL COUNTY

CLERK Gary Neuman, founder of Sand Castles™ Program 5

OF

DISTRICT COURT

500 S. Gillette Ave Suite 2400 682-3424

CAMPBELL COUNTY TREASURER’S OFFICE Responsibilities in the Treasurer’s C o m m i s s i o n e r s handles the review office include the licensing of motor have both agreed to of the applications vehicles, the collection of sales tax, advance the Campbell and the issuance the collection of property taxes, the County Land Board of the refunds. distribution of revenues received to up to 7.5 millions Applications can be the proper entities, the accounting dollars each to help turned into our office of the revenues and disbursements, fund the project. The or mailed to the the registration of mobile machinery, last capital facilities State of Wyoming. the movement of mobile homes, and tax we had was for The applications the payment of bonds issued for the the Gillette Campus, must be received by hospital, the school, and the county. and it took two and the first Monday in Shirley Study was re-elected as a half years to raise June and refunds Back Row: Jackie, Becky, Marilyn, Ronda, Yvonne. Middle Row: Rachael, Sue, Janelle, Marlo, Campbell County Treasurer in 2002 $9,596,691. are issued in August.

Sheilah, Cathy. Front Row: Pat, Cassy and will continue to employ thirteen This year the state The County Treafull time employees who share the surer’s office has a temporary worker plates from registration fees. The issued refunds to 18 added criteria is: responsibilities of the office.

Campbell County residents for a total decal that went into effect January • The applicant must be a resident of $3,674.77.

By the end of June 2005, our 1, 2004. It is provided for temporary at the time of application; office collected and distributed workers employed in the state for less The remodeling of the County • The license plates may be put on Treasurer’s office is just about $253,238,347 to various governmental than 90 days. These can be issued on any motor vehicle except a motor completed. We now extend into the entities. The distribution of these cars, pickups, motor homes, motorhome or bus; funds is dictated by Wyoming cycles, trailers, and house trailers. old County Assessor’s office. We have • Application must be made prior Statutes. enough stations at our counter for They cannot be issued for commerto 30 days before the vehicle’s all our employees and also enough cial vehicles.

The decals are good A voter-approved Capital Facilities annual renewal month; room for future growth.

Tax was passed May 3rd, 2005 to for 90 days and the fee is $35.00. No • The exemption can only be person shall be issued more than one raise twenty-two million for a multiThe employees of the Campbell granted for one vehicle owned by decal in a twelve month period. purpose event center at County Treasurer’s office will the applicant. the CAM-PLEX The tax continue to strive to serve their Effective July 1, 2005, increase of one quarter CAMPBELL COUNTY legislation added a customers with efficient and friendly T REASURER ’ S W.S. 39-13-109 which deals with percent went into effect service throughout the year to provision to exempt OFFICE on October 1, 2005. residents who meet the property tax relief was extended come.

500 S. Gillette Ave The City of Gillette and eligibility requirements again in the legislature through 682-7268 the Campbell County for Disabled Veterans 2008. The State of Wyoming now

CAMPBELL COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY-FAQS

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CAMPBELL COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY “Libraries promote the sharing of knowledge, connecting people of all ages with valuable information resources. These dynamic and modern institutions, and the librarians who staff them, add immeasurably to our quality of life.”

– President George W. Bush

Your Campbell County Public Library System in Gillette and Wright - continued its quest to share knowledge and connect people in 2005.

Children’s story times, a variety of community education classes, business and genealogy research, homework help, and programs featuring authors, musicians, poets, and living historians all combined to create an atmosphere ripe for patrons to learn and share.

Our excellent staff worked hard to provide a neutral ground and a welcoming place, where people found solace and information to help them in their search for answers.

Janet Tharp (left), CCPLS Interim Children’s Librarian (January November ‘05), was named the April Campbell County Employee of the Month. The award was presented by Gina Carpenter.

2005 Highlights

making crafts, and having “down time” were common sights.

• Installation of a new Radio Frequency • The Gillette children’s Ident i f icat ion summer reading program Device tracking saw an increase of 600 system was the attendees during its weekly “project of the “Dragons, Dreams, and year” at CCPLS. Daring Deeds” events.

Each item in the • Wright Branch Library library’s 155sustained minimal t housa nd-plusdamage in the August piece collection tornado and assisted was tagged with victims by waiving faxing a radio frequency and lost book fees, and ident if icat ion Becky Eischeid, CCPL Circulation Poets of all ages shared their original poems at a offering free hugs. sticker to increase Specialist, works on the Radio poetry reading hosted by Rod McQueary and Sue security, reduce Frequency Identification Device • Wright Branch Library Wallis during National Library Week. project at CCPLS. checkout time offered more programs CCPLS Director Patty Myers-WLA and improve the than ever before for both Recording Secretary. organization of library collections. young and old. The Christmas • The Wyoming Library Association program had over 200 in attendance • Self-check-out came to your library Children’s/Young Adult Section ñ a new record. in November. It is now possible to presented a framed print from the quickly and easily check out your • Dana Urman, CCPL Outreach children’s story “How I Became a own materials at your library in Services Specialist, and Janet Pirate” by Melinda Long to CCPL in Gillette.

Tharp, CCPL C h i l d r e n ’s • New and improved Services library cards Specialist, became available in received recSeptember. The new ognition as stand-out design Campbell can be programmed C o u n t y to pay for copies and Employees of computer print-outs CCPLS volunteers worked nearly 2,000 at your the Month for WBL.jpg - Suann Litaba, WBL Services Specialist, with one swipe. libraries in 2005 and had fun doing it! gets down with kids attending storytime at the January and • The genealogy Wright library.

April, respectively. page of your library’s web site was • Volunteers worked nearly 2000 accessed for its “Births, Deaths, and memory of Children’s Librarian Deb hours at your libraries over the past Marriages” index by people from Bruse who passed away in 2005. year. Projects ranged from hanging nearly every state in the union and • The Library Foundation, Inc. contraveling exhibits, to placing mailing around the world. tinued to support Campbell County labels on the library’s Public Library newsletter, and watering System in 2005. plants at WBL. Through the sale • CCPL Reference Librarian, of book bags, phoAra Anderson, was tocopies and the selected as chair-elect for yearly book sale, the 2006 Wyoming Library the group was Association meeting to able to assist in be held in Gillette. Other the hosting of propublic librarians who will grams, provide serve as officers for the holiday decoraThe Young Adult Department saw its first full year of operation in CCPL’s basement in ‘05. The coming year are Lalia tions for the librardepartment has become a safe haven to local Jagers-Paraprofessionals ies in Gillette and teens.

Section chair, Mary Wright, and add Gillis-Paraprofessionals • 15,128 patrons made use of the new to the exemplary Dana Urman (right), CCPLS Outreach Specialist, was named Secretary, Sue KneselYoung Adult Department during its fine art collecCampbell County Employee of the Children’s/Young Adult first full year of operation. Teens tion.

Month in January. Del Rae Cox Section chair, and doing homework, playing games, presented her award.

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CAMPBELL COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE 2005 STATISTICS During 2005, the County Attorney's Office prosecuted 197 felony offenders, who were charged with 335 felony

by Jeani L. Stone, Campbell County counts. The Deputy County Attorneys & Prosecuting Attorney assigned to District Court had eleven The County Attorney's Office is jury trials, up four from the previous responsible for the prosecution of crim- year. In addition the felony attorneys inal offenses occurring in Campbell filed 103 probation revocations, up 78 County and represents and advises the from the year previous.

In addition, there were 7,254 misvarious county entities in civil matters.

The County Attorney's Office is located demeanor offenses in 2005, a decrease from the previous year of roughly 2,000 in the basement of the Courthouse.

Jeani Stone was elected Campbell offenses. The 7,254 misdemeanor County Attorney in 2002 and has com- offenses in 2005 represented a twelve pleted her third year of a four year percent increase in cases as compared term. Bill Edelman serves as the Chief to the year 2003. The 2,000 fewer offensDeputy Attorney. Jack Sundquist, es appear to be directly attributable to Charlene Edwards, Carol Seeger, traffic related citations with only 5,687 Stephanie Turner, Bill Eichelberger traffic related citations, as compared to and Wendy Bartlett serve as Deputy 7,606 the year previous. During 2005, County & Prosecuting Attorneys. The law enforcement resources were chaloffice has seasoned attorneys with a lenged, as there has been a shortage combined total of 112 years of practic- of law enforcement personnel. Law enforcement has been trying to recruit ing law and 62 years in prosecution. a number of applicants from outside the area in an attempt to fill the positions.

Non-traffic related offenses increased during 2005. There were 540 individuals charged with Driving While Under the Influence, an increase from the year previous of 447 Driving Bill Eichelberger, Carol Seeger, Bill Edelman, Jack Sundquist, Jeani While Under the Influence Stone, Charlene Edwards, Stephanine Turner & Wendy Barlett defendants. The 540 individuSupport staff during 2005 includ- als represent approximately 200 more ed Myrna Clark, Lyla Fevold, Jessica Driving While Under the Influence DeMott, Toni Ellis, Carolyn Waldrop, arrests than 2003. The Deputy County Sandy Dewey, Debra Jennings, Jackie Attorneys assigned to Circuit Court Adair, Lorene Stricker, Tammy Evans, participated in 13 jury trials, up from Heather Carnahan, Jeannie Ferrin, five the year previous. Wendy Bartlett Doug Marler, Christi Williams and and Stephanie Turner assisted in the Jill Hampleman. In June 2005, Lorene prosecution of individuals appearStricker was recognized as the County ing in front of the Honorable William Employee of the Month for her 19 years S. Edwards and Honorable Terrill R. of service as a Legal Secretary with the Tharp.

There were 231 new Juvenile Court County Attorney's Office.

The Crime Victim Office expanded cases in 2005, an increase of 56 from during the past year, with the addition the previous year. Of the 231 new juveof an Assistant Crime Victim Witness nile cases, 78 were for delinquency, 39 Coordinator position to assist in the for child in need of supervision, 48 for increasing number of victims and neglect, 41 for probation revocations, witnesses seen in the office. Cherilyn and 25 contempt of courts.

The Civil Department continued to Thompson, Susan Andrews and Monica Eskew staff the Crime Victim Office in be busy, advising the various county entities, collecting delinquent taxes, the County Attorney's Office.

In addition, the County Attorney's and handling involuntary commitment proceedings.

Office supervises the Campbell County and City of Gillette Juvenile Diversion ALCOHOL, METHAMPHETAMINE & and Early Age Intervention Programs. OTHER DRUG RELATED ACTIVITY The Juvenile Diversion and Early Age With the prevalence of drug and Intervention Programs are a collabo- alcohol abuse in Campbell County, ration between the County Attorney's the courts and Campbell County Office, Sheriff's Department and Police Attorney's Office were overwhelmed Department. In late fall 2005, the with the devastating toll those subJuvenile Diversion Program expand- stances have upon this community.

During 2005, two methamphetamine ed and began the Teen Intervention labs were discovered in Campbell Program to assist at-risk teens in our County. The Wyoming Health community who are exhibiting out- Department announced in November, of-control behaviors and who have 2005, that Northeast Wyoming, combeen slipping through the cracks. prised of Campbell, Johnson, Sheridan, The Juvenile Diversion Office staff Weston and Crook counties, led the consists of Deputies Gene Ferrin and state in the number of methamphetTom Walker of the Campbell County amine arrests made by the Division of Sheriff's Office and Erica Wood. The Criminal Investigation Drug Teams.

The region's 51 arrests, topped Central Early Age Intervention staff consists Wyoming, consisting of Converse, of Jimmy Hilliard and Officer Randy Natrona and Niobrara counties, by Monk of the Gillette Police Department. two. Chief Deputy & Prosecuting Teresa Kirkpatrick serves as the two Attorney Bill Edelman continued in his appointment as a Special Assistant programs' assistant.

500 S Gillette Ave, • Ste B200 Gillette, WY 82716 307-682-4310 307-687-6441 (fax)

United States Attorney during 2005.

During 2005, ecstasy related drug cases made an appearance in Campbell County. Nine defendants were successfully prosecuted for their involvement in an ecstasy drug ring in Campbell County. All nine defendants were convicted of felony offenses as a result of the conduct.

With the newly created Drug Endangered Child criminal statute taking effect in July, 2004, the number of individuals prosecuted under this statute has reached an alarming number, in the short time of its existence.

From July, 2004 through December, 2004, four individuals were prosecuted for exposing their children to methamphetamine. In 2005, 29 individuals were charged under the Drug Endangered Child criminal statute, a significant increase from the year previous. Through collaboration with local law enforcement agencies and the Department of Family Services, both criminal and neglect petitions have been filed on parents who expose their children to methamphetamine. Fiftyone children were removed from their parents' care as a result of neglect due to methamphetamine exposure during 2005.

In December, 2005, Kiel Hicks was charged with aggravated vehicular homicide following his arrest for driving while under the influence resulting in the death of another. A trial is pending.

AGGRAVATED ASSAULTS, VIOLENT OFFENSES & PROPERTY CRIMES During 2005, the County Attorney's Office filed aggravated assault on 21 defendants. One of those individuals was Michael Kelly who was convicted following a jury trial for aggravated assault. Kelly then pled guilty to a second count of aggravated assault and was sentenced to 6-16 years in the Wyoming State Penitentiary. In addition, Daniel Ross was convicted of aggravated assault for dragging Deputy Keith Graves with his vehicle.

Ross received an enhanced sentence under the Wyoming habitual offender statutes and received 17-50 years in the Wyoming State Penitentiary.

In January, Susan Janes was sentenced to 35-70 years in the Wyoming State Penitentiary for forgery, following a lengthy criminal history for Janes.

In June, Bill Edelman successfully prosecuted Russell Martin with Attempted Second Degree Murder following a jury trial. Martin was convicted following testimony of him taking a hammer and striking his wife in the head, resulting in serious injuries to her. Martin received a sentence of 50 to life.

In August, Wendy Bartlett successfully prosecuted, and a jury convicted Carlene Feagan for vehicular homicide in the death of Ivan Snell.

In October, Steven Brown was sentenced to 10-20 years for aggravated robbery for his participation in a robbery of Budget Inn. The case was handled by Deputy County Attorney Jack Sundquist.

On November 26, Bryce Chavers was found dead at his home. First Degree Murder and Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder charg8

es are pending against Kent Proffit, Sr., Jacob Martinez, Chris Hicks and Michael Seiser as a result of an investigation by the Campbell County Sheriff's Department. On December 23, the body of Jeremy Forquer was discovered. Forquer's death was believed to have occurred on October 28, 2005, and Kent Proffit, Sr., Jacob Martinez and Chris Hicks have been charged in his murder. Trials are pending.

SEXUAL ASSAULTS, SEXUAL OFFENDERS & DOMESTIC VIOLENCE During 2005, 17 counts were charged with first, second or third degree sexual assaults compared with 21 the year previous.

In March, Matthew Ruby was convicted of two counts of third degree sexual assault and one count of indecent liberties following a jury trial.

Ruby received a 10-30 year sentence in the Wyoming Penitentiary.

Bill Edelman, Chief Deputy County & Prosecuting Attorney was responsible for sex offender assessments and classifying seven sex offenders residing in Campbell County in 2005. Overall, there have been 83 offenders rated.

There are currently 13 pending classification hearings.

In 2005, 239 domestic violence victims were served by the County Attorney's Office, which was comparable to the year previous. These offenses included Family Violence Battery, Stalking and Protection Order Violations. In addition, two felony battery charges were filed in 2005. Wendy Bartlett and Stephanie Turner were the Deputy County Attorneys primarily responsible for the successful prosecution of domestic violence. Domestic violence dismissal rates have remained consistent throughout the past several years, with the number one reason for a dismissal being a lack of cooperation by the victim.

Gillette saw its first signs of organized gang activity during 2005. A number of vandalisms and destruction of property offenses were reported, and the juveniles indicated that they were associating as a gang. Five juveniles were filed as delinquent children in Juvenile Court for their involvement in graffiti painting around Gillette.

CRIME VICTIM OFFICE Cherilyn Thompson, Susan Andrews and Monica Eskew, Crime Victim Witness Coordinators for the County Attorney's Office, were responsible for assisting victims and witnesses throughout the criminal justice process. In August 2005, the County Attorney's Office received a grant to hire an Assistant Crime Victim/Witness Coordinator. Monica Eskew was hired and serves in that capacity. The Crime Victim/Witness Coordinators are instrumental in collecting restitution information from victims of criminal acts. The Circuit and District Court continue to enforce and collect restitution orders for victims.

JUVENILE CASES Jeani Stone, Charlene Edwards and William Eichelberger prosecuted juvenile cases in 2005. Juvenile court cases involve neglected and delinquent chil-

dren and children in need of supervision. There were 231 juvenile cases that proceeded in juvenile court, compared to 177 in 2004 and 203 in 2003.

Of those, 78 were delinquent children, compared to 77 delinquents in 2004; 39 children in need of supervision, compared to 19 children in need of supervision in 2004; 48 neglect proceedings, compared to 33 neglect proceedings in 2004; 41 revocation proceedings, the same number as the year previous; and 25 contempt of court proceedings, compared to 13 contempt of court proceedings in 2004. The number of juvenile cases increased by 56 from the year previous, with neglects, Child in Need of Supervision and Contempt of Court allegations against non- compliant parents accounting for the greatest increase. Court ordered treatment, counseling, probation, community service and the importance of education are emphasized in juvenile court.

Neglect cases resulting from parents under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances, or who have exposed their children to the potentially fatal ingredients in methamphetamine continued to be prevalent in 2005, and of the 48 neglect cases, 26 were specifically related to methamphetamine abuse by parents.

Jeani Stone served as the chairman of the community Child Protection Team coordinating efforts to provide services for at-risk families and juveniles. In April, 2005, Jeani Stone was presented the Prevent Child Abuse Wyoming, "Knighthood of the Child Award" for her efforts in the area of child abuse and neglect.

In 2005, the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program opened their new facility on the corner of Third Street and Carey. The building facilitates court ordered visitation exchanges and provides visitation that is court ordered through neglect and abuse cases. As part of a collaborative effort to make the facility available for forensic interviewing of physically and sexually abused children by law enforcement, Jeani Stone, applied for and received grant funding for audio equipment for the interview rooms. The facility is child friendly and intended to lessen the impact to children in such interviews. In addition, six individuals from law enforcement and the Department of Family Services received intensive training in interviewing children. Two local pediatricians attended training on medical examinations of children who have been sexually or physically abused.

In addition, the Youth Emergency Services House kicked off a campaign to raise money for a new campus for their services.

CIVIL DEPARTMENT Carol Seeger, Deputy County and Prosecuting Attorney, handled the majority of civil issues for the County Attorney's Office. The Civil Department was busy during 2005, advising the County Commission on issues ranging from Two Elks funding, revision of the Land Use Plan, and fire board issues.

In addition, Charlene Edwards advises the Sheriff's Department on various issues, including jail policies and procedures. The County and City

CAMPBELL COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE continue to discuss the possibility of a joint dispatch center and the County Attorney's Office continues to be involved in those discussions.

In January, 2005, electronic bingo was ruled to be "gambling devices" and prohibited under law. As a result, Campbell County establishments with these machines were asked to remove the machines from their premises.

Carol Seeger handles the Title 25 involuntary commitment hearings involving individuals who were suffering from a mental illness who posed a danger to themselves or others and who required court ordered treatment.

During 2005, there were 79 individuals detained on Title 25 involuntary holds, with 19 of them resulting in Title 25 actions being filed, there were 57 detained the year previous. During 2005, the County Attorney's Office assisted in negotiating a contract with the hospital for reduced rates for the County for the Title 25 placements.

COMMITMENT TO THE SYSTEM The County Attorney's Office actively participates on the Sexual Assault Response Team, Child Protection Team, Adult Drug Court, Juvenile & Family Drug Court, Child Support Authority Board, Campbell County Community Corrections Board, Underage Drinking Coalition, and Coalition Promoting a Drug-Free Community, to name a few.

In January, 2005, Richard Adriaens was appointed Chief of Police following Ric Paul's retirement.

In January, 2005, the County Attorney's Office was one of the first departments in the Courthouse to move into their newly remodeled space. Construction throughout the Courthouse continued through 2005.

During 2005, jail overcrowding and an overloaded criminal justice system seemed to be evident. Many agencies and individuals looked toward alternative options to deal with the overcrowding and overloaded system. Home arrest, electronic monitoring, split sentencing, and drug court programs were utilized to combat the overcrowding issues at the jail. In June 2005, a study reported that Gillette leads the major Wyoming cities in growth over four years. The study indicates that from 2000 to 2004, Gillette grew 13.3 percent, attributable to the continued growth of energy development in the area. In January, 2006, the jail experienced its highest number of incarcerated individuals over a weekend.

During 2005, lawmakers continued to explore the effectiveness and expansion of problem solving courts in Wyoming.

In May 2005, Officer Rebecca West received the Governor's Law Enforcement Award for her detection and prevention of drunk driving.

In July, 2005 a new statute was put into place by the Wyoming Legislature making it a criminal offense for adults to host teen drinking parties.

In September, the Honorable Michael Nick Deegan was appointed to a newly created third District Court Judge position. Due to an increase in caseload by the criminal justice system, the Legislature approved creating another position. Judge Deegan serves as a District Court Judge, along

with the Honorable John R. Perry and Honorable Dan R. Price II. COLLABORATION OF EFFORTS The County Attorney's Office continues to be active members of the Sexual Assault Response Team and newly formed Domestic Violence Task Force. Jeani Stone, Bill Edelman, Cherilyn Thompson, Susan Andrews and Monica Eskew serve as the County Attorney's Office representatives on the Sexual Assault Response Team. Wendy Bartlett, Stephanie Turner, Christi Williams, Susan Andrews, Cherilyn Thompson, Monica Eskew and Jeani Stone serve on the Domestic Violence Task Force.

During 2005, several agencies have assisted the Campbell County Attorney's Office in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The Campbell County Attorney's Office acknowledges the cooperation and excellent job done by the Gillette Police Department, the Campbell County Sheriff's Department, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Division of Criminal Investigation, Campbell County Fire Department, and the Department of Family Services in the investigation of cases and assistance given to the County Attorney's Office.

ADULT DRUG COURT 500 South Gillette Ave, Ste 2500 Gillette, WY 82716 307-687-6470 307-687-6374 (fax) The Adult Drug Court Program is funded through grants provided through the State of Wyoming and Campbell County. During 2005, the Adult Drug Court Program shifted from the County Attorney Office's supervision to that of a board. The County Attorney's Office serves as a member on that board. The Adult Drug Court staff includes Kathy Williams, Coordinator; Doug Marler, Drug Court Clerk; and Jon Mau, Drug Court Case Manager.

Jon Mau, Kathy Williams & Doug Marler

Positive behaviors are rewarded, while relapses are dealt with quickly and effectively through the court system.

The program deals with all aspects of an offender's life, including mental health, family and employment, with the hope of modifying the offender's behavior and reducing recidivism of alcohol and substance abuse offenses.

All participants are gainfully employed and contribute to the cost of the program. Campbell County Adult Drug Court is unique in that it deals with both misdemeanor and felony offenses, including Driving While Under the Influence and Delivery and Possession of a Controlled Substances.

DRUG COURT SCREENING As of Dec. 31, 2005 • 7349 individuals have been screened • 6,222 not eligible for the program (for whatever reason) • 1,127 met the criteria to participate • 81 have been admitted 25 are still active in the program • 13 were active in the program but failed & “dropped out” • 43 have graduated

Adult Drug Court began in February, 2002 and since its inception has screened 7,359 clients of which 1,127 clients were program eligible.

Eighty-one clients have been accepted into the program, with 43 successfully completing only the program. Of the 43 graduates, three of them have been re-arrested for a drug or alcohol related offense. Preliminary statistics indicate that the Adult Drug Court program is effective in changing behaviors and indicate overall achievement of drug court clients.

JUVENILE DIVERSION PROGRAM 500 South Gillette Save, Ste B300 Gillette, WY 82716 307-687-6311 • 307-687-6441 (fax) The Juvenile Diversion Program's mission statement is to turn mistakes made by first time juvenile offenders into an educational opportunity and decrease recidivism of criminal activity. The Juvenile Diversion Program focuses on modifying a juvenile offender's thinking patterns, curtail their criminal activity, improve school performance, improve parent/child communication, boost self- esteem and encourage positive decision making. The Program offers juveniles a record of no conviction if they complete the six to twelve month probation program under the supervision of the Diversion Officers.

The Juvenile Diversion Program is a collaboration between the County

The Adult Drug Court is a courtsponsored intensive, supervised rehabilitation program that provides an alternative to traditional incarceration and sentencing. Drug courts integrate alcohol and substance abuse treatment with the criminal justice system. The program utilizes a residential facility, intensive supervised probation, electronic monitoring, regular drug and alcohol testing and a comprehensive counseling component to address the underlying causes of alcohol and substance abuse.

Back row: Jeani Stone, Campbell County Attorney, Participants are required to Tom Walker,Erica Dove, Gene Ferrin. Front row: attend Court regularly where they Connie Scigliano, & Teresa Kirkpatrick are held accountable by the judge.

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Attorney's Office, Campbell County Attorney and the Juvenile Diversion Sheriff's Department and Gillette Team were presented an award for Police Department. The Juvenile their support of the Youth Victim Diversion Team consists of Deputies Impact Circles, which educates youth Gene Ferrin and Tom Walker, of the on the harmful effects of alcohol and Campbell County Sheriff's Department, controlled substance use.

The Juvenile Diversion Officers conand Erica Wood. Jimmy Hilliard, and Gillette Police Officer Randy Monk tinue to participate in Camp Postcard. serve as the Early Age Intervention During 2005, 14 at- risk fifth and sixth Officers. Teresa Kirkpatrick served as graders are invited and attend Camp the office assistant. Connie Scigliano Postcard with the Diversion Officers. is the Community Service Supervisor who works closely with these two pro- EARLY AGE INTERVENTION & TEEN INTERVENTION PROGRAMS grams. In July, 2004, the City of Gillette 500 South Gillette Ave, Suite B300 approved adding two City Police Gillette, WY 82716 Officers to the Juvenile Diversion 307-687-6311 • 307-687-6441 (fax) Program. On August 30, 2005, Officer Randy Monk filled one of these posiIn addition to the Diversion tions in the Early Age Diversion Program, an Early Age Intervention Program.

To be accepted into the Juvenile component is also available to youth Diversion Program, juveniles must 5-12 years of age, who are experimeet eligibility requirements and com- encing difficulty in school and are plete a screening process. Youth who exhibiting disruptive behaviors. The have not been convicted of a previous program focuses on parenting, anger crime and who otherwise qualify for management, conflict resolution, and the program must submit to random self esteem. Youth do not have to be drug and alcohol testing, maintain a involved in the court system to bencurfew, complete a corrective thinking efit from the services of the Early Age course, community service, maintain Intervention Program.

The Early Age Intervention Program good grades, and often times seek outencourages parents to attend parentside counseling services.

Statistics revealed that since the ing classes and counseling with their program's inception in September, child. Contact with the school, siblings 1999 through December, 2005, 2,437 and parents is a key component of the juveniles have been screened. Of those, program. Involvement in community the program has admitted, 563 juve- activities is explored. niles. In 2005, 127 juveniles participated in the program, with 83 juveniles completing, 18 failing, and 26 juveniles still in the program. The juvenile diversion program has a 91 percent success rate for juveniles successfully completing the program.

Of the 29 juveniles who failed juvenile diversion in 2004 and 2005, 70% of them failed due to drug or alcohol use Connie Scigliano, Jimmy Hilliard, Bill Elger, while on the program and 30% failed Teresa Kirkpatrick and Jeani Stone due to not complying with program During the past year, the number rules or committing a new criminal of youth serviced by the Early Age offense.

Intervention Officer has increased sigThe Diversion Program utilizes cor- nificantly. The Early Age Intervention rective thinking, a theory based on Program serviced 68 youth and their Dr. Stanton Samenow, which focus on families since the inception of the decision making skills within youth Early Age program. Forty-two juveand retraining the thinking process niles were admitted to the program in of youth to hold "themselves" more 2005. One juvenile failed to complete accountable for their actions. We have the program. The program has had had great success with these classes a ninety-seven percent success rate as the recidivism rates of youth on for juveniles successfully completing.

Diversion in the last six months have The City of Gillette began funding a position for an Early Age Officer in decreased.

The Juvenile Diversion Program August 2005.

The Early Age Intervention is currently in its fifth year of operation and is seeing remarkable gains in Program was recognized on Dakota changing criminal thinking and reduc- Territory News for its summer proing recidivism. The Diversion Officers' gram which incorporates lessons in backgrounds are unique to many other growing fruits and vegetables at the programs in the United States as ours local Community Garden.

In late fall, 2005, the Diversion has both members of law enforcement and those trained in counseling. A Program developed and began the key component of the program is to Teen Intervention Program which is improve communication within the designed to help at-risk juveniles who family. After completing the diversion are exhibiting out-of-control behavprogram, over 75% of the participants iors.

Both Juvenile Diversion and Early believed that the Juvenile Diversion Program helped to improve commu- Age Intervention Program work nication among family members. In closely with the Campbell County addition, education and maintaining School District, the Campbell County grades are emphasized and improved Sheriff's Department, Gillette Police following the corrective thinking class Department, and the Campbell County Attorney's Office. and the diversion program.

In March, 2005, Campbell County

CAMPBELL COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS

MEDICAL CARE

The Campbell County Sheriff Department continues its fight against drugs. In 2005 the Campbell County Sheriff Department continued its efforts in educating the community in the effects of drug abuse. The Campbell County Sheriff Department is the sole provider of DARE officers educating elementary and junior high students about the consequences of getting involved with drugs and alcohol. The Sheriff has devoted five officers to teach this important program to all the students in the elementary and junior high schools.

DRUG ARRESTS Charge

Arrests

Possession Marijuana-Misdemeanor With intent to deliver controlled substance Controlled Substance without Prescription Amphetamine/Stimulant Controlled Substance - Misdemeanor Barbiturate/Depressant Heroin

61 22 1 19 11 1 1

Delivery of Marijuana

1

Deliver Controlled Substance to Person Under 18

8

Manufacturing/Controlled Substance

2

Manufacturing/Delivery Methamphetamine/Amphetamine

10

Obtain Prescription Fraud

6

Use/Under Influence of Drugs

20

Conspire/Deliver Controlled Substance

17 Total

183

In addition to educating the students, the sheriff department is also busy educating the community’s parents, teachers, social workers and medical staffs about the harmful effects of methamphetamine.

The Campbell County Sheriff Department has two officers present the methamphetamine awareness lecture to local parents and professionals who want to learn more about the dangerous epidemic.

They also are busy educating local CAMPBELL COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

600 W. Boxelder 24 hr Non-Emergency 682-7271 Emergency 911

businesses on creating drug free work places. In 2005, they gave approximately 40 lectures on the effects of methamphetamine.

Knowing that education alone will not solve the problem, the sheriff department has four officers assigned to the investigation of the selling and distribution of narcotics.

Two officers are working for the Northeast Drug Task force unit, investigating drug trafficking in the northeast corner of Wyoming. Two more officers are dedicated solely to investigating those in Campbell County.

Health Services coordinate and monitor a comprehensive health care system for Detention Center offenders. Each of the four nursing staff offer primary care services through on-site health clinics and mental health services. Facility staff include a contract Physician, Physician’s Assistant, four Registered Nurses, and one part time Medical Records Clerk. Three Mental Health Care Counselors are contracted to provide services.

FOOD SERVICES

Three food service workers and a supervisor staff the jail’s Food Service Division. This staff is responsible for supervising jail inmate workers and the preparation of all meals served to the inmate population. In 2005, the Food Service Division prepared 132,912 meals.

COMMISSARY SERVICES

CAMPBELL COUNTY DETENTION CENTER

The jail, after its remodel in 2004, was designed to house 128 inmates. In January of 2006, the population rose to an all-time high of 165 inmates. The average daily population in 2000, when the facility had a housing capacity of 101 beds was 88 inmates. The average daily population for the first three weeks of January 2006 was 152 inmates.

Although, the jail has seen a huge growth in inmate population, at the close of 2005 and beginning of 2006, safety and security for staff and inmates have not caused any restriction on taking prisoners into custody.

10

Inmates may purchase hygiene items, snacks, writing materials, soft drink beverages, and multiple other items that do not jeopardize the safety and security of the jail.

The profit that is obtained from this program is used toward inmate programs or items that specifically benefit the offender population.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

The Detention Center has a family of dedicated volunteers.

These volunteers are instrumental in maintain ing the successful

operation of several in- house programs available to the jail population. The programs include weekly Bible study, Sunday worship services, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and crisis counseling.

INMATE WORK PROGRAM

Inmate service is utilized in a variety of ways at the Detention Center. Such as, providing services to local government agencies and nonprofit organizations. They provide labor within the detention facility as their priority assignments.

Priority assignments performed by the inmate workers are gardening, car washing, snow removal, lawn care, painting, and housekeeping.

Both male and female inmates are allowed to participate in this program. Some of the agencies that utilize the services of inmate workers are the Ice Barn, Rockpile Museum, Library, Courthouse, CAM-PLEX, and Council of Community Service.

COURT SECURITY

The new area provided for Court Security, in the courthouse expansion, has provided many improvements and enhancements that were not available before. In the past, the bailiffs had to unload prisoners in the alley behind the courthouse and walk them up the stairs to the second floor small holding area with a few cells. Most of these areas were open to the general public.

Now there is a 1,400 square foot area with continued on page 11

CAMPBELL COUNTY FAIR OFFICE HAVE FUN - PLAY of young and old FAIR was the theme alike. Play with for the 2005 Campbell Gravity showcased County Fair and FUN with some of the was had by all who best motorcycle attended. The Fair riders in the nation. kicked off the week on Brenn Swanson Tuesday with Williams roved the grounds & Ree (The Indian entertaining with and the White Guy) in her delightful the Heritage Center costumes and stilts.

Theater. They were The Pet Stop was followed by a week that there for the kids was jammed full of great to pet a variety of entertainment, from domestic animals. livestock shows to some The Energy Town of the best free stage entertainment Pro Rodeo was held on August 5th and available.

6th, with some of the best cowboys The Free Stage in the nation entertainment included competing on the the Kenny Bradberry Band great Burch Rodeo and the Doo-Wah Riders, Stock. Clown Kevin two great bands that are Higley entertained favorites on the Fair circuit. in the arena. The The Mapapa African Coal Country Acrobats performed in Fiddle Contest the plaza. This amazing was held in Energy group combined Chinese Hall on Saturday, acrobatic feats with East followed by the African musical traditions Neighborhood and were truly amazing.

Barbecue, which Danny Conner and his was sponsored Reptile Adventures also by the methane appeared on the plaza. He producers.

The entertained and educated people of all Campbell County Fair Demolition ages with his love, knowledge Derby was held on and respect for the amazing Sunday followed by a and intriguing animals in CAMPBELL COUNTY performance by Herb FAIR BOARD his show. Bill Crowley was Dixon, the Harley back this year drawing Comedian in the Heritage 1635 Reata Drive 687-0200 his amazing caricatures Center.

Some new events added to the Fair this year were the Draft Horse Competition, Pocket Pets in the 4H Division, an open class furniture refinishing competition in the Energy Hall and a special division for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to showcase their projects.

The Schoeppner Shows Carnival was on the grounds during the Fair to the delight of the younger citizens.

The Youth Livestock Sale was held on Monday night and was a huge success. 4-H and FFA participants sold 157 market animals for a total of $342,372.10. A big thank you to all the buyers who come out year after year to support the youth of Campbell County.

The 2006 Fair is taking shape with some wonderful entertainment already scheduled, including a return visit by Michael Mezmer,

Hypnotist. The Calgary Fiddlers will also be performing on the Free Stage.

Schoeppner Shows Carnival will be back this year with even more rides for your entertainment. Watch for a full schedule of entertainment in the future. Be working on your projects to enter in the 2006 Fair. More information and Fair Books will be available in May, 2006.

CAMPBELL COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE 2005 FACTS AT A GLANCE Animal Control Calls for Service ............................... 1,461 Busiest Day of Week .............. Friday Busiest Subdivision ..............Mohan Speeding Tickets ........................ 421 DWUI ........................................... 229 Minor in Possession of Alcohol 124 Driving w/Suspended License .. 238 Total Citations Issued .............2,300 Jail: Booked Adult Females ....... 649 Jail: Booked Adult Males ........ 2,561 Total Responses to Calls for Service ............................. 11,001 Town of Wright Calls for Service .................................. 656 Warrants Served ...................... 1,576

continued from page 10 seven holding cells, an attorney visiting room, small booking area, and six work stations. The areas leading from the holding cells to the six court rooms are secure and closed to the public, as well as the sally port in the parking garage, where the prisoners are unloaded/ loaded directly to the holding area.

Included as part of the courthouse expansion is a new state of the art video surveillance system. This 11

system is capable of viewing 24 been increased recently because cameras at a glance of the 80 or so of the continuing increase in the cameras which are in place. The number of courts, cases being system also is capable of zooming heard, and number of prisoners in on a particular area with a click being transported to and from the of the mouse. All sensitive areas courthouse. such as the courtrooms have alarms and cameras, and deputies can CCSD DISPATCH CENTER STATISTICS be summoned TYPE OF ACTIVITY 2002 2003 2004 2005 easily if there is a problem. The Non-Emergency Calls 81,679 96,503 101,447 105,181 bailiff staff at the 911 Calls 12,501 11,793 6,346 13,687 courthouse has Total Phone Calls 94,180 108,296 115,481 118,868

GILLETTE/WRIGHT/CAMPBELL CO. FIRE PROTECTION The Campbell County Fire Department is the only Joint Powers Fire Board in the State of Wyoming and is comprised of four (4) appointees from Campbell County, three (3) from the City of Gillette, and one (1) from the Town of Wright. The Joint Powers Fire Board provides fire suppression, hazardous materials response, wildland operations, technical rescue, and a countywide first responder program to all the citizens within Campbell County including the City of Gillette and the Town of Wright.

The department operates as a combination fire system with a minimal career staff, and emergency services predominately provided by volunteers. Twenty employees, fifteen career firefighters (two assigned to the Town of Wright), three support staff, and two mechanics provide support for 195 volunteers. The career staff is responsible for emergency response Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. In addition to their emergency responsibilities, each career firefighter provides specialty services in inspections, investigations, public education, firefighter and industrial training, hazardous material expertise, emergency preplanning, logistics, wildland management, and environmental crime investigation.

The department maintains 87 fire department units that are distributed around the county.

Administrative services and emergency responses are driven by the amount of population and growth in the community. Last year, the department responded to over 2,000 calls.

The busiest days of the week for emergency responses are Thursday’s

(329 calls) and Monday’s (299 calls) and the busiest times of the day are 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Fire Department Volunteers

America’s volunteer fire service is deeply woven into the basic fabric of our nation. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there are close to 800,000 volunteer firefighters across the United States, and a majority of the nation’s geographical area is protected by volunteer fire departments. Of all the fire departments in America about 73 percent are all-volunteer, but the fastest growing type of fire service is the combination department, a mix of career and volunteer firefighters, like Campbell County.

Our department is very dependant on our volunteers. All of our one hundred and twenty volunteers assigned to structural fire stations in Gillette and the immediate area are certified firefighters by the State of Wyoming and cover all the certification levels from basic firefighter to advanced fire officer. Last year, volunteers donated over 28,000 hours for training, emergency response, and community activities. Since 2000, their volunteer contribution exceeds 190,000 hours.

That consistent contribution of time and effort frees up millions of dollars each year in career wages that can be reinvested in other community infrastructure, social programs, and minimizing the local tax burden.

The amount of time that volunteers have to participate in the fire department is also driven by the growth of the community. When the local labor market is tight and private industry cannot allow their employees to leave, volunteer hours decline, and that places more demand on the career firefighters to cover calls that are typically handled by the volunteers.

The most 12

recent study of volunteer hours was completed in 2005, and the base of the comparison is the pre-energy boom of 1996-1999. The average hours for the three-year period were 31,051 hours per year.

Campbell County School District.† This training provided information regarding common causes of fires in educational facilities, how to react to them, and the appropriate use of portable fire extinguishers.

A 2005 success story – CCFD Training Division provided fire safety training to the RENEW staff members on a regular basis. In December 2005, one of the RENEW homes experienced a kitchen fire, while dinner for the residents was being prepared. The staff of Retention of volunteer firefighters three notified the fire department via is a substantial concern for the fire 911, evacuated all of the occupants service. It is estimated that the national safely and extinguished the fire before retention rate average of volunteer it became too large to extinguish firefighters is approximately four with a portable extinguisher. Their years per person, per department. The actions, as a direct result of training, Campbell County Fire Department has protected the lives of the residents and an individual volunteer retention rate significantly limited the damage to the four times that of the national average. structure.

The Inspection Division is responsible for visually inspecting Division Reports local businesses, daycare facilities, In 2005 the CCFD Training Division and public schools to insure they provided 296 training opportunities to comply with the adopted fire codes CCFD members for a total of 6,740 hours and are safe for the general public. of training. This training included There are two inspectors to look at basic skills training in structural all the businesses in the city, county, and wildland firefighting, advanced and the Town of Wright and complete level training for firefighters and fire pre-construction plan reviews. officers, and specialized training in the Beginning in March of 2006, fire areas of hazardous materials, vehicle department engine companies will extrication, helicopter operations, and assume a number of routine fire response to terrorism events. inspections, such as preschools, The CCFD Training Division public schools, convenience stores, provided basic fire safety and fire motels and community target hazards, extinguisher training to approximately allowing the inspectors to follow up on 2,000 individuals from local industry, correction notices and concentrate on predominately from the methane gas plan reviews and new construction. and coal industries. The goal of this Public Education provides training is to allow for better decision information and planned activities making in the event of an emergency. to improve community awareness in Results include fewer employee preventing fires and enhancing fire injuries and faster reporting of accurate safety. More and more, our Public information, such as location and type Education is focusing on all hazards to of emergency. On site improve the general safety employees have the CAMPBELL COUNTY of the public. knowledge to either FIRE DEPARTMENT During 2005, 471 people attempt to fight the 200 Rohan Ave • 682toured our downtown fire or evacuate and 5319 station; provided fire safety wait for emergency classes for 1,508 people, responders. participated in career days at our In December of 2005, the CCFD local schools, participated in a number Training Division provided fire of community events like the 4th of safety and fire extinguisher training July and the Pumpkin Festival, and to the entire custodial staff from the continued on page 13

GILLETTE/WRIGHT/CAMPBELL CO. FIRE PROTECTION continued from page 12 attended a number of official business openings in the community.

The Wildland Division is working on a new design for wildland apparatus that will reduce the cost of new fire apparatus. These trucks are specially designed and built to deal with grass and timber fires.

Campbell County Fire Department is the host for the Wyoming Regional Response Team Number 1 that is designed to respond to large hazardous

material incidents in the five northeastern Wyoming counties. Those include Sheridan, Johnson, Campbell, Crook and Weston counties. The funding for the unit is from Wyoming Homeland Security, and the primary team members are provided by the fire department, supported by qualified individuals from other communities within the response area. Additional functions are to deal with any events of bio or chemical hazards and to offer expertise in dealing with the aftermath of weather-related events that cause

environmental damage.

2006 Department Goals and Objectives

The fire department has four significant goals for 2006.

1. The main capital priority for the department is a new main fire station and maintenance facility. The current facility is over 30 years old.

2. The Joint Powers Board of Directors will be reviewing the department’s strategic plan to ensure that core

elements address the growing need for services in the community.

3. Restructuring and recruiting new members to maintain our level of service in our wildland response program.

4. Review career staffing levels and implement a volunteer diversification program to expand the number of fire department volunteers. This program will solicit new members based on their ability to provide specialized services like hazardous materials.

CAMPBELL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT The Campbell County Health numerous other services. There were Department, Division of Public Health 2,146 home visits and 610 visits in other Nursing Service provides direct services settings made in Fiscal Year 2004-2005. in the areas of communicable disease, Communicable Disease: Services for prevention, and health promotion; the prevention of diseases and promotion maternal and child health; pre-admission of health. screening for nursing home placement; This program includes all and home health care for all ages. It is immunization clinics, including also the local provider for many Wyoming infant, child and adult immunization, Department of Health programs. Most flu and pneumonia clinics, world services are provided free or at a reduced travel immunization and any special rate. Some of the services are funded by immunization clinics. It also includes grants or contracts. All funds received the throat culture program, HIV testing are deposited to the county treasurer and counseling, communicable disease toward the annual budget. follow-up and referral. During Fiscal Services provided are categorized Year 2004-2005, 2,350 throat cultures into specific programs. Following is a were sent to the state lab, 288 people summary of those programs: Adult obtained HIV testing and counseling, Health: Nursing care of the chronic and/ and 10,387 individuals received or stable adult in the home, office or 15,012 immunizations, including clinic setting. This includes the various 6,444 flu immunizations. World travel adult clinics, home or office visits under immunizations administered totaled physician order, and special grant and 359 and 814 tuberculosis skin tests were contract programs. Personal care by the administered.

Home Health Aide may be included in Home Health: This program provides the plan of care. Staff provided 2,594 skilled nursing service and personal care home visits and 834 other setting visits to the individual in the home setting in Fiscal Year 2004-2005. under physician order. Seventy nine Maternal/Child and Family: Services home health visits were made. to the mother before, during and after Public Health is no longer certified pregnancy, care of the infant to twelve by Medicare and Medicaid as a home months, the child and support to the health agency, but is a licensed home parents. health agency through the Wyoming This program includes home and office Department of Health. visits for the infant and parents, referral Long Term 101: This is preadmission to appropriate state and local agencies. review for the long-term care facility and It also includes the Best Beginnings the Home and Community Based Services and presumptive eligibility programs, (HCBS) Medicaid functional assessment providing services as the for eligibility. One nurse to the Children’s hundred thirty CAMPBELL COUNTY Developmental Center, the nine home visits, HEALTH DEPARTMENT Nurse Family Partnership 225 visits in DIVISION OF PUBLIC Program, Welcome Home HEALTH NURSING SERVICE other settings for visits, Children’s Special Long Term Care 416 W. Juniper Lane 682-7275 Health Program and assessments and 13

409 HCBS visits for skilled nursing and personal care were made in this year.

Clinics and classes: Adult Health had 1,417 participants, Communicable diseases had 13,959 participants, Maternal and Child health had 247 participants and the office drop-in clinic had 3,681 participants. Total participants in each program.

Counter-terrorism and All Hazards Response: This program was added in January 2003. Prior to that time all terrorism related education and activities were included in the Miscellaneous programs. Staff also attended education programs and participated in committees related to terrorism and hazards. July, 2004, a Public Health Preparedness and Response Coordinator was hired through a Homeland Security Grant. One thousand four hundred fifty three hours were spent by the coordinator in CounterTerrorism activities including meetings, education and presentations.

Miscellaneous Programs: This includes all community activities not directly associated with specific programs, such as general education programs regarding services provided by Public Health; participation in meetings and other community groups and activities; telephone calls, information and referral to other agencies and services; and other activities and services

as needed. Continuing education for the staff is also a part of this program.

Community Service time spent in these activities was thirteen thousand sixty eight hours.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): This program is contracted with the Wyoming Department of Health to provide nutrition counseling, and supplemental food packages to eligible clients.

Pregnant, breast feeding or postpartum mothers, infants and children up to age five who meet nutritional, health and financial criteria are eligible for these services. The Campbell County active enrollment as of 12/05 is 964 individuals.

This program is staffed by a supervising nutritionist who is also a registered dietitian, a part time nurse or dietitian and an office manager.

The agency is governed by the Campbell County Board of Health. The nursing policies of the agency are reviewed and approved by the Professional Advisory Committee, including the county Health Officer.

The big event of this department is the ground breaking for the new Health Department building on 4-J Road, south of the library as everyone is looking forward to having the space needed for all our activities.

CC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY 2005 became the year that all the training, classes, emergency agency exercises and preparedness were put to the test. August 12th, 2005 was the day of the Wright Tornado. Presidential Disaster Declaration (PDD) #1599.

In the world of emergency management, an emergency/disaster event that meets the criteria to result in the issuance of a PDD is comparable to the AFC or NFC Championship games, if not the Super Bowl itself. Going back into the 60’s when such declarations started, the State of Wyoming has only had a total of seven PDD’s...including two in Cheyenne, one for the 1979 Tornado and the 1985 flood. All others in Wyoming were for winter storms (2) and flooding (2). Officials from FEMA with years of experience in communities struck by disasters were surprised at what they found when they came to Wright and Campbell County.

First, as they did the damage assessments and prepared the paperwork necessary for a decision by the President on whether to declare it a disaster, they noted they had more “pressure” from un-named high levels of government to quickly process the data than they’d ever previously experienced.

They wondered aloud, “Who do you folks know in Washington?” (You can answer that question for yourself!)

Secondly, they were amazed at the

Katrina both told me that in all their years of working for FEMA, they had never seen such organization in local response as they found in the Wright tornado. They said usually when they arrive, they have to spend the first couple of weeks mopping things up and getting things organized. Instead, they found a can-do attitude among the people, with everyone helping one another and excellent preparedness and response on every level.” As the skies darkened that Friday afternoon in August at the end of Sturgis Bike Week, everyone was going about their usual

rain and hail. As shocked residents picked their way out of the debris, emergency responders raced to provide help. Wright’s deputies, ambulance personnel and firemen established a perimeter and began looking for victims needing immediate help.

Fire, ambulance and law enforcement help began flowing to the scene from Gillette, and four mine rescue teams mobilized and assisted. Wright’s Disaster Action Team of the American Red Cross set up a shelter operation at the High School. Fourteen residents were taken by ambulance to Gillette,

activities. For fire and law enforcement officers in Wright, that meant taking up spotter positions to watch the clouds, and at about 4:45 in the afternoon, their watchfulness paid off as they were able to get the sirens sounded before a half-mile wide twister began grinding it’s way through town. The tornado was on the ground for nearly two miles, beginning in the rangeland and fields northwest of Wright before crossing Highway 387 to wind it’s way through the Cottonwood Mobile Home Park, across the elementary school and library, and then up through the stickcan-do attitude of the victims and the built homes before crossing over the community. When they arrived, they ridge and picking up one final mobile found people who were making things home in the Noonan Addition and happen, rather than waiting for the demolishing it by slamming it back to ‘Feds’ to tell them what to do or provide earth. Workers at the Black Thunder them handouts. and Jacob’s Ranch Mines sought Third, as Katrina and Rita slammed shelter as the system moved towards into the gulf coast area, a number of them, and it’s not known if it was the FEMA workers assigned to our disaster same twister, or possibly a sister spun told us they were quite fortunate to be off from the storm, was responsible working in Wyoming rather than in the for sand-blasting the miners as they hot, muggy devastation took shelter. The storm of the hurricanes. system did generate Kathy Novak of the several other funnels CAMPBELL COUNTY Salvation Army EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT and tornadoes over the noted “Two FEMA next two hours, but no AGENCY people that I met up other damages were 1000 S. Douglas Hwy. with again when I recorded.

After the 686-7477 was in Mississippi for twister, then came the

and ultimately two fatalities were recorded.

As darkness fell, search efforts in the debris were suspended for worker safety, and everyone hunkered down for the night. Direction of the emergency response was transferred overnight from the Command Post (which had originally be set up in the elementary school’s parking lot inside the Fire Department’s Hazmat Van) to an emergency operations center, which was established in the Public Safety Building. For one week the EOC was staffed around the clock, and after two weeks, it stood down as it’s coordination function was no longer needed. Campbell County’s Emergency Management Office was heavily involved in the disaster response...but that was a coordination job, working with the various agencies and the public, not in “Managing” the response. The role of emergency management is to be a resource, offering suggestions to the decision makers, knowing the next steps necessary in the response process, the inevitable paperwork, and who to contact for what kind of equipment/ manpower/expertise. The job is one of coordination, not management.

CCEMA Coordinator David King was heading to a nephew’s wedding dinner

14

when the disaster occurred, arriving on-scene about two-hours after the twister struck. After working 30 hours without sleep, he spent his first-ever night in jail...bedded down in the Wright Public Safety Building’s solitary cell. He remained in Wright around the clock for three days, and then worked daily out of the EOC for fourteen days straight. For his efforts, he was recognized by the Campbell County Chamber of Commerce with one of two “Citizen of the Year” awards they handed out at their annual banquet.

The biggest job after a tornado is cleanup/debris removal so residents can begin to resume a more normal life. Volunteers came from all over.

The first Sunday after the tornado, 247 members of the LDS churches in Northeast Wyoming descended on the town, armed with trash bags, gloves and a willingness to help. They were the largest organized group, but many other volunteers also gave of their time and effort over the next month...collecting the countless bits of pink insulation which dotted the landscape and marked the tornado’s path, along with other debris and personal belongings. By September 12th, Wright was picked clean, and it was truly amazing to see the difference.

Some numbers from the disaster: FEMA • 280 people have registered with FEMA for assistance • 170 were referred to the Individual and Household assistance program • 76 have been approved for a total of $471,499.21 • 86 were ineligible • 7 withdrew applications • One is pending • 48 of the 60 FEMA Trailers were occupied • Some families are beginning the transition from the FEMA trailers into their own homes/mobile homes American Red Cross • 10 Disaster Action Team Members from Wright responded • 28 DAT members from outside of Wright were deployed • Red Cross brought in 3 Emergency Response Vehicles • Provided direct assistance to over 100 people • Provided 4,500 meals and snacks Salvation Army • Signed up and coordinated activities of 475 volunteers who provided 4,981 logged hours of clean-up efforts.

• Additionally, another 247 volunteers from the LDS Church provided

continued on page 15

CC CAM-PLEX MULTI-EVENT CENTER CAM-PLEX Multi-Event Facilities entertaining musicals of Broadway’s had a constant bustle of events in golden age.

2005, welcoming well over 300,000 A sellout performance of The visitors, for 1,425 facility usage days.

Standards was the highlight of our Arts This year was a big year for the in Education Series. The Standards as Campbell County Public Land Board well as Ball In The House were two and CAM-PLEX as voters chose to a cappella groups that delighted our move forward with the new event younger generations and gave them facility. This facility will provide positive messages. Classic stories such 123,000 sq. ft. of space for local, state, as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, regional and national events.

Bunnicula, Guess How Much I Love The CAM-PLEX Heritage Center You and Stinky Cheese Man were hosted an array of brought to life on stage for events from New the younger students.

York Broadway The 15th Annual CAMproductions to PLEX Winter Western Arts in Education in February provided a performances. This variety of entertainment state of the art theater for the community. The offered community Coors PRCA Rodeo, Town members and and Country Trade Show, surrounding areas FREE Stage Shows in the opportunity to Central Pavilion featuring see productions such Rob Staffig, Team Roping, as Steel Magnolia’s, 3D Barrel Racing and Stock the funniest play to Dog Trials were just a few of ever make you cry. the activities that drawing This was followed large crowds. If you missed by the naughty 2005, be sure and check and heartwarming our schedule for February Broadway musical 2006!

The Best Little Gillette and CAMWhorehouse in Texas. In The Mood PLEX hosted one International and brought a retro 1940’s musical revue four National RV Rallies during the with the music that moved summer of 2005. a nation’s spirit and helped In the midst of CAMPBELL COUNTY win a war. The Broadway many large events, CAM-PLEX Series for 2005 concluded the highlight of July M ULTI-EVENT CENTER with Mame, one of the 1635 Reata Drive 682-0552 was the National High liveliest, happiest and most School Finals Rodeo.

Ticket Office 682-8802

We tip our hats to the over 800 volunteers that braved the heat and the rain to make this another successful rodeo year.

An estimated $5,000,000 was brought into our community’s economy during this event. We will see the high school cowboys & cowgirls return in 2010- 2011.

The 3rd Annual Rotary Wine and Microbrew Festival was held in Central Pavilion with approximately 800 attendees. CAMPLEX and the two Gillette Rotary Clubs joined together to host this charity benefit.

Mark your calendars - the next Rotary Wine and Microbrew Festival will be March 31, 2006!

The semi-annual CAM-PLEX Garage Sales have become an extremely popular community event. The fall garage sale is in October, and the spring sale is in April. The CAM-PLEX Garage Sales are the largest indoor garage sales in the region and have become an event thousands of people look forward to each season.

Throughout 2005, Energy Hall was host to numerous banquets,

bazaars, school events, meetings and conferences. Central Pavilion was kept busy with trade shows, craft fairs, gun shows, car shows, cat shows, and many other events offering a wide variety of entertainment. East Pavilion and Barn #3 were used continually for team roping, rodeo, barrel racing and general riding.

As we look to 2006, we look forward to events such as the World Horseshoe Pitching Tournament, the North American Dog Agility Championships, the National Saddle Club Association O-Mok-See, the National Cowboy Mounted Shooters Competitions and two RV Rallies.

The CAM-PLEX web site: www.cam-

plex.com has a complete schedule of events for the coming year. Please visit us there.

We continue to be thankful for the community’s support of CAM-PLEX. This is truly a facility to be proud of and the public’s involvement is what keeps your CAM-PLEX staff striving to enrich the quality of life in our community.

CC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY continued from page 14 1,976 hours of labor.

• These hours are understated, because many of the volunteers did not sign back in when they returned for additional days, and they know of at least 17 who were there everyday for at least one week, but did not sign in.

• Salvation Army’s Mobile Emergency Response Vehicle was on-site for two weeks to distribute snacks and water and provide office and counseling space 1,204 hours of casework and referrals, pastoral and emotional support • Received $9,593.29 in donations, all has been expended • Served 327 meals to victims and volunteers • Distributed more than 1,000 snacks and water to victims, volunteers and workers • Provided new school clothing for 34 children • 150 food boxes (1 weeks supply of food enough for a family of 4) • More than 80 rakes • More than 80 brooms 15

• More than 77 shovels • 2,015 clothes hangers • 12 regular clothes racks, 13 portable clothes racks (at the donation center) • 11 rolls of duct tape Wright Tornado Relief Center Have served 104 families (288 people) From the items donated by various individuals and organizations • Have been able to provide over 8,000 food items to residents • Have been able to provide over 10,000 non-food items to the residents • The Wright Disaster Fund has received over $450,000 in donations • All but slightly more than $85,000

has been disbursed to the victims Governor’s Office/State Officials/ Agencies/Congressional Delegation Can’t say enough about the support they provided. Their efforts made it go a whole lot easier than it could have.

They • Ran interference on DEQ issues for the landfill/debris disposal issues • Worked with the PSC and Qwest to resolve phone issues for the victims • Covered the cost of the Water Buffalo (PotableWater Trailers) provided by the National Guard • WyDOT provided equipment, manpower, road signs, etc.

• Picked up the $4,000+ tab for the use of the helicopter for two days continued on page 17

CAMPBELL COUNTY JUVENILE PROBATION During the course of 2005, the pace in the Juvenile Probation Office has continued to step up to address the needs of the increasing number of juveniles which were referred to our office from the Municipal, Circuit and Juvenile Courts.

The Juvenile Probation Office handled a total of 433 open cases, 300 of which were newly filed during the year. This represents a 34% increase in open juvenile cases since 2002 and a 27% increase in total open court cases. The breakdown between the Juvenile, Circuit and Municipal Courts is as follows:

Calendar Year 2005

Juvenile Probation Supervision: The backbone of our program continues to be supervised juvenile probation. A youth referred for supervised probation will be assigned to one of our Juvenile Probation Officers: Deb Lind-Adsit, Brenda Parks, or Felice Acosta.

Based on the facts of each case and the Order of Court, the juvenile’s supervision will be governed by a variety of terms and conditions which could include some combination of the following:

• Regular meetings between the probation officer, the juvenile and his/her parents; • Unannounced visits to the home, school or worksite; • Monitoring of academic progress and remediation, as necessary; • Attendance and participation in various types of counseling; • Attendance and participation in a substance abuse program; • Attendance and participation in the STARS program; • Participation in an approved extra-curricular activity; • Secure and maintain employment to pay Court-ordered restitution; • Assignment to a community service worksite; • Observe an assigned curfew; • Cooperate with house arrest or electronic monitoring; • Submit to random urine or breathalyser testing; • Refrain from contact with certain individuals; • Commit no new violations of law.

In cases which are referred through Juvenile Court, the juvenile’s parents/ guardians are also assigned to a variety of terms and conditions, which may include providing adequate supervision for their child, cooperation with the Juvenile Probation Officer and participation in a variety of treatment modalities.

Intensive Supervision Juvenile Probation: Unfortunately, not every youth referred for supervised probation is successful, and many require some further measure of intervention.

A significant development in increasing the intensity of supervision for selected youth has been the addition of an Intensive Supervision Juvenile Probation Officer (ISJPO).

With the addition of ISJPO in November, 2001, through grantfunding awarded by the Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant Program, the Juvenile Probation Office has been able to increase 16

the degree of supervision to certain high risk juveniles. For those youth who have not proven successful with the standard probation approach, the ISJPO provides “stepped up” services in an effort to avoid an out-of-home placement, sometimes by assuming daily supervision of the youth, and in other cases, by providing additional contacts in conjunction to those being provided by the original Probation Officer. In addition to the general terms and conditions of probation, intensive supervision may also include: • Daily contact with youth at school, work, community service or activity sites; • Weekly home visits; • Closed school campus; • Multiple drug testing per week.

In addition, the ISJPO, works closely with the YES House’s new Day Treatment Program, in a more concentrated effort to avoid placements. The number of community contacts with these juveniles illustrates the intensity of the program:

Electronic Monitoring: Use of electronic monitoring equipment is available for use in the Juvenile Probation Office and enables the ISJPO and Juvenile Probation Officers to maintain geographic awareness of a youth whose movements or activities may be restricted to certain locations or environments, such as when under house arrest.

Regardless of the Court of referral, or the level of supervision, the statistics demonstrate the high percentage of youth entering the system who are involved with tobacco, alcohol or drugs.

Cases involving alcohol and/

or other i l lega l substances include charges for DUI, Minor in Possession (of alcohol), a n d possession or use of illegal drugs. The break-out of these charges is depicted above.

Corrective Thinking Curriculum: The use of Corrective Thinking Groups, which are aimed at teaching youth to become more accountable for their actions and develop their decision-making processes continues into its fourth year.

The curriculum serves two major purposes. First, for juveniles returning to the community following an out-of-home placement, the program strives to reinforce training in pro-social and responsible thinking learned during the placement. For those youth not referred for placement, the program will address their thinking errors and reluctance to be accountable for their actions. In these instances, we will endeavor to provide the youth with the tools necessary to avoid future involvement in the criminal justice system. Boys and girls attend separate groups, with each group meeting once weekly for seven weeks. Groups are facilitated

by Deb Lind-Adsit, Connie Scigliano and Doug Carter.

Community Service: A crucial element of the probation process is to require that the juvenile make amends to either an individual victim

continued on page 17

CAMPBELL COUNTY JUVENILE PROBATION continued from page 16 or the community in general. To that end, probationers may be directed to make payments of restitution, court fines and reimbursement for Courtappointed counsel, as well as to perform hours of community service.

During the Year 2005, juveniles supervised by the Juvenile Probation Office paid monies or performed community service hours as follows:

Tobacco Education Group (TEG) Those juveniles who have committed a tobacco-related offense may be required to attend the Tobacco Education Group in addition to their community service requirement. The Tobacco Education Group, which includes elements of lecture, video, demonstration and discussion, aims to move the participant through the stages of preparation and action to quit tobacco use. The program is

In her capacity as C.S.S., Connie Scigliano provides service to both the Juvenile Probation and Juvenile Diversion Programs, assigning and supervising community service hour requirements imposed upon juveniles through the Municipal, Circuit, Juvenile and Juvenile & Family Drug Courts, as well as those which are a condition of Juvenile Diversion.

The benefits of this position are numerous. Court orders are being implemented and fulfilled in a more timely manner, serving as an ongoing reminder to our youth that these orders should be taken seriously, and saving the costs which accrue with delayed compliance. The position of Community Service Supervisor (C.S.S.) was created in the fall of 2000, through grant funding, but became a very vital Campbell County position in July 2003.

facilitated by Connie Scigliano and Brenda Parks and, since commencing in November 2003, has had 105 juveniles complete the program.

Juvenile & Family Drug Court–On April 30, 2002, the Campbell County Juvenile & Family Drug Court commenced operation with District Court Judge Dan Price presiding. Its mission is: to reduce substance abuse and related criminal behavior among non-violent youthful offenders, to strengthen family systems, to improve school performance by offering intensive supervised probation, individualized treatment and intervention services for juveniles and their families, to enhance public safety and assist in the development of productive and responsible citizens.

The program utilizes a “team approach” in which the Judge, County

Attorney, Public Defender, Probation, Department of Family Services, Substance Abuse Treatment Provider, Family Therapist and School District jointly address the needs of the substance abusing juvenile and his/ her family.

The Juvenile & Family Drug Court Program is voluntary, open to nonviolent, juvenile substance abusers between 13 & 17 years of age and their families, and focuses on juvenile crime involving the use or misuse of drugs and/or alcohol. Key elements include: • Weekly Court sessions with Judge Price and the Drug Court Team; • Substance abuse counseling at Personal Frontiers, Inc. with Joe Zigmund; • In-home family therapy provided

by YES House therapist, Jayson Zeller; • Intensive supervision probation and frequent random urinalysis testing handled by Doug Carter who is housed in the Juvenile Probation Office; • Use of immediate sanctions and incentives to address program successes and infractions.

To date, 26 juveniles and their families, for a total of 87 participants have entered into the Juvenile & Family Drug Court Program. There have been many significant program successes: • 8 Juveniles and their families, for a total of 30 participants have graduated • 100% of the juvenile participants are either in high school, graduated

from high school or obtained their GED • 50% of the eligible participants are enrolled in college • 85% of the juvenile participants have participated in an extracurricular activity or obtained employment • 75% of graduating juveniles have had no new arrests since graduation • 91.3% of juvenile participants have received 90 day sobriety medals • 91.6% of juvenile participants have successfully completed community services as assigned.

Although occasional setbacks are inevitable, thus far the program has demonstrated its effectiveness in strengthening family bonds and decreasing substance abuse in a manner not equally seen in traditional juvenile probation.

In the year to come, the Juvenile Probation Office will continue to work toward a program of balanced and restorative justice based on the premises that the disposition of juvenile offenders should always take into account the best interests of public safety; that juveniles should be held accountable for the harm they cause to individual victims and to the community at large; that a primary objective of providing treatment is to improve and develop the juvenile’s capacities and skills to live as a productive citizen; and to encourage the input of community citizens, including victims, and organizations in seeking improved solutions to juvenile crime.

CC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY continued from page 15 that first weekend City of Gillette • Provided Water Department Employees to help restore the system in the mobile home park • Provided two street sweepers to help clean up streets and the highway during the debris removal process • Provided six dump trucks and their drivers to help with the debris removal • Provided equipment and specialized manpower skills as needed • Provided all of these services at no

•

cost to Wright

Campbell County Agencies • Road and Bridge provided drivers and seven dump trucks and various other pieces of equipment for the debris removal • Road and Bridge also provided the flatbed semi which hauled equipment to Wright for the City of Gillette and the metal shear used to cut up mobile home frames • Landfill workers oversaw the collection, sorting and disposal of approximately 3,500 tons (7 million pounds) of debris • Personnel time at Wright and costs of private contractors, equipment 17

rental and disposal of hazardous waste came to just over $26,320.

Those costs were absorbed by the county.

Of course, 2005 wasn’t only a tornado for this office. Campbell County Emergency Management has continued to coordinate local use of Homeland Security Grant funds. Two weeks after the Wright Tornado, four agency representatives traveled to Ohio to take delivery on our new 30 foot converted Winnebago RV, which is now outfitted as a mobile command post. This unit will provide a mobile, central coordination work place, should emergencies occur. It can be called out by any of the local emergency

agencies, and has five work-stations in the front compartment and a small conference room in the back.

Emergency Management is also preparing for a move to a new office location at the Courthouse. Although no date has been set, at some point within the next several months you’ll find the office inside the County Commissioner’s offices at the courthouse. Emergency Management has been administratively assigned to the Commissioner’s Office for the past 8 years, but has been housed for the past six in the Rec Center complex at 1000 South Douglas Highway.

CC INFORMATION TECH SERVICE 2005 was a challenging, but prod- County’s grant specialist to track assets uctive year for Information Technology that have been purchased with grant Services. Daily operations management money. Nicki completed a project for the was taken over by Phil Harvey, while Assessors office which involved working executive direction was provided by with the State to migrate their property Mike Coleman, the Director of Public tax information to a new statewide Works. In addition to everyday duties Computer Aided Mass Appraisal and planned projects, Information system. Rocky was able to develop and Technology Services was responsible implement an online property search for planning, coordinating and moving application that is available to the public computers, printers and phones during via the County website. He also worked the courthouse remodeling project. closely with the State to migrate election This often required the installation of data from the old system to the new temporary cabling in order to provide Accenture software. users with continued connectivity Steve Danaher and Mike Porter of during interim moves. This was a multi- the network department stayed busy month, multi-stage project, but was throughout the year and implemented a completed with very little interruption number of additions and enhancements to the end users and the services they to the County network. The airport provide. control tower, airport operations The programming department saw building and the Ice Rink were brought the addition of Justin Penning, our online through the use of wireless Web Development Programmer. He equipment. Several servers were has redesigned the County website upgraded this past year to provide and is in the process of designing faster, more reliable access to data. and implementing a County Intranet. Connectivity to the County network While this will initially be an internal from remote locations through a VPN Information Technology Services (virtual private network) connection project, it does have the potential to was enhanced, and that ability has allow for a more streamlined approach been given to numerous employees to sharing news and information both and vendors. This allows employees to among and within all County agencies. access resources while away at training Bob Overman, Rocky Marquiss and and allows vendors to troubleshoot Nicki Simons, the AS400 programmers, problems without going to the actual completed a number of projects this location, thereby saving both time and year. Most notably, they migrated all money. In addition, access to County of the County’s financial data to a new email was configured and implemented iSeries midrange server. This new on the County website. With this system will reduce the feature, employees are annual cost of operations able to stay in touch with CAMPBELL COUNTY their office from any PC and provide much needed INFORMATION storage space. One of that has Internet access.

TECHNOLOGY Bob’s more significant Steve assisted the Library SERVICE projects this year involved with the installation of 500 S. Gillette Avenue modifying the Fixed their Radio Frequency 682-7860 Assets application to allow Identification Device inventory clerks and the system. This new system

allows patrons to check out books on their own without the assistance of library staff. He also worked closely with the State to assist in the installation and configuration of the Computer Aided Mass Appraisal server that is used by the Assessors Office. Mike has greatly enhanced County telecommunications with the first steps toward Voice over IP (VOIP) being taken. Several remote agencies are now using the technology with others planned for the coming year.

In addition, new phone systems were installed at the Recreation Center and Extension Office. Mike was also assigned primary responsibility of overseeing the installation of the network infrastructure during the Courthouse remodel. His ability to plan, work with multiple vendors, coordinate and troubleshoot was invaluable to the County during this project. System support continued to provide troubleshooting and assistance to end users. Many times this year they were asked to assist with the moving of computer equipment during the courthouse remodel and still provide support to the remote locations. They were instrumental in assisting with the installation of the new computers purchased this year. In addition to their normal support duties, each analyst has been assigned an area of support expertise. Rhonda Larmer handles FACTS (Fully Automated Courts Transaction System), and works closely with Juvenile Probation, the County Attorney’s Office, the Judges Office as well as both Crook and Weston Counties.

Vicki Burden is now overseeing the

administration of the RecTrac system for the Recreation Center and Beth Kirsch is our JD Edwards specialist. Beth helped to initiate the process of upgrading the County’s JD Edwards software to a new version which will allow users their choice of the traditional “green screen”, or the newer graphical “point and click” interface. Cathy Raney, the Geographic Information Systems Coordinator, was added to the Information Technology Services department late this year. Geographic Information Systems provided training for staff members from six County departments. A crime analysis Geographic Information Systems data browser specific to law enforcement needs and a mobile Geographic Information Systems data browser interface were purchased for the Sheriff’s Office. This procurement was conducted in tandem with planned deployment of Geographic Information Systems data in the field for Sheriff’s deputies. Touch screen information kiosks were also purchased for the Sheriff’s Office, Library, Parks and Recreation Department, and Assessor’s Office. The kiosks include a userfriendly interface that enables queries for easy access to commonly used data, including a newly created address point layer for every address in the Campbell County. 2005 also included a strengthening of a collaborative relationship with the City of Gillette Geographic Information Systems department. This relationship will reduce inefficiencies and duplications of effort and increase the return on investment for both entities

CAMPBELL COUNTY ASSESSOR’S OFFICE Last April the County Assessors office moved years to clean up the data, generate reports, run into the new addition of the Courthouse. We are assessment schedules and create the format for now at the south end of the courthouse on the tax notices. main floor, Suite 1300. The additional space is Our Geographic Information Systems (mapping) certainly a blessing.

Department is keeping busy with We made the transfer to the new all of the new subdivisions being appraisal system last October. With the created in the city and throughout CAMPBELL COUNTY help of the County’s ITS personnel and ASSESSOR’S OFFICE the county. Hopefully, in a short a lot of hard work from my employees, time the Geographic Information 500 S. Gillette Ave the conversion of data went reasonably Systems data will be integrated with 682-7266 smooth. It will still take a couple of our new appraisal software. With 18

that in mind, we will be able to provide more information to the public on the County’s web page, http://ccg.co.campbell.wy.us Once again, the assessed value of the county should reach another high; coal will be king.

Prices are at an all time high for coal in the Powder River Basin. Oil and Gas is also selling for high prices, adding to the total valuation.

There is a lot of talk in the Basin of new power plants; which will keep Campbell County in the upper tier of counties in the state.

CAMPBELL COUNTY ROAD & BRIDGE Road and Bridge, like the rest of compacted surface will help with the County has felt the impact of the dust emissions. That is why we ever increasing traffic, which is a sign import most of our aggregate from that Campbell County is growing. Johnson County. It is a very good While growth is important, so are quality gravel that packs hard and the daily duties of our Road & Bridge reduces dust emissions. We are still employees. Safety is our number one mixing our gravel with rotomill. priority. Public safety and operator We get rotomill from any source we safety seem to go hand in hand can. This mixture has become a very and it is a task that we accomplish valuable source of dust control. We everyday. resurfaced approximately 17 miles of Dust, Dust, Dust!!!!!! That seems road, 4 inches deep in 2005. We still to be a word that is at the top of use magnesium chloride (mag water), our vocabulary. The amount of dust applying it in front of residences produced is related to vehicle speed. along county roads. We continue to For example cutting average vehicle be proactive in the dust fight. With speeds from 40 mph to 35 mph will the continued support of companies reduce dust emissions by 40%, thus in the Basin, we can continue to the higher the speed, the more dust expand our resources and someday emissions we have to deal with. we just might get a handle on the Unpaved roads which dust problem. have proper crowns, In August, after the CAMPBELL COUNTY adequate drainage, a tornado in Wright, we ROAD & BRIDGE good mix of fines and hauled 331 loads of 1704 4J Road 682-4411 aggregate, and a well garbage in an eleven-

day period to the Black Thunder Mine. Our biggest challenge was finding tarps that would last for more than 3 loads.

Our crusher started out at our Hakert Pit in Johnson County, crushing 308,358 tons in 117 days. They then moved to our Ohman Pit II, off the Clarkelen and crushing another 115,104 tons in 48 days.

The annual MSHA 8-hour refresher training was done in February and CPR and first aid training was done in January and February. Training is an important part in our day-to-day operations.

End dumps were kept busy hauling scoria chips to our yard and our pile in Wright, hauling scoria, gravel, rotomill and our rotomill gravel mix to the yard and various roads. They spent hours sanding and plowing snow. They all attended a class on Snow and Ice removal 2 days before our spring storm in April. They were

prepared!!!!!!!

The belly dumps worked to get our Hakert Pit gravel hauled in from Johnson County to the yard, hauled gravel and the rotomill gravel mix out to the roads. They hauled sand from Casper to Bell Nob. The belly dump tractors are also used to move the crusher and our loaders, dozers etc.

Once again the sign crew was kept busy. They replaced signs due to vandalism and age. They cleaned culverts, and cleaned and replaced autogates. They also cleaned the bike paths and county parking lots after our many snow storms.

Our shop crew, as always keeps very busy trying to stay ahead of break downs. They keep the equipment running and autogates together.

From tires, oil, fuel and welding projects to finding the right parts, the shop crew can not be beat.

We look forward to serving you in 2006!!!

CAMPBELL COUNTY AIRPORT BOARD Fixed Base Operator Flightline, Inc. continues to provide aircraft maintenance, flight instruction, charter flights, hangar rentals, and aircraft fueling services. Flightline’s total fuel into aircraft increased by 5 percent over last year. For more information concerning their services call Flightline, Inc. at (307) 686-7000.

Air Traffic Control Tower The GCC Air Traffic Control Tower realized a decrease of 3 percent year over year in aircraft landing and takeoff operations. The control tower is staffed with veteran controllers who have more than 80 years of combined career experience.

Airline Service The GCC Airport had a total of 31,233 passengers utilize commercial air service from the airport in 2005, which was a 10 percent increase year over year. This increase doesn’t include the private and corporate air travelers using the GCC airport annually. Estimates of those using the Gillette-Campbell County airport total approximately 60,000 passengers this past year.

Last year the Campbell County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) received a grant from

the Wyoming Business Council for state air service enhancement.

CCEDC was successful in receiving a grant for $275,000 and but because of the strong response of raised the additional $91,000 of local passengers to the larger aircraft and funding required to match the state an aggressive marketing campaign, grant. The grant enabled CCEDC to the enhanced air service agreement negotiate an agreement with Great will continue well into the next year.

Lakes Airlines to provide local air Great Lakes Airlines offers three service with the larger 30 passenger round trip flights Monday through Brasilia turbo prop aircraft.

Saturday and two on Sundays to the The GCC airport also received a Denver International airport. For marketing and air service promotions flight reservations call 1-800-554grant from the Wyoming Department 5111 or visit their website at www. of Transportation’s Aeronautics greatlakesav.com. The GilletteDivision to help advertise and Campbell County airport continues market the upgraded air service. to offer free parking to air travelers.

Advertising and marketing Airport Grant efforts emphasized the and Aid In 2005, the larger aircraft, which CAMPBELL COUNTY GCC airport was added seating capacity, AIRPORT reimbursed $1,285,976 a flight attendant, and 2000 Airport Road for various projects restroom facilities with a 686-1042 through grants that view. The enhanced air were received from the service agreement with Wyoming Transportation Great Lakes Airlines was originally Department’s Aeronautics anticipated to last only a few months, Commissioners, and the Federal 19

Aviation Administration (FAA).

Typically, Federal grant projects are paid 95 percent by the FAA, 3 percent by the Aeronautics Division and 2 percent by local county match. The grants were used for Construction, Equipment, and Marketing projects.

Construction Projects In the early spring of 2005, S & S Builders completed construction of the Gillette-Campbell County airport’s new operations facility. The new facility was named the Fulkerson Airport Operations Facility, in honor of the Fulkerson family which was instrumental in the development of the airport.

On April 15, 2005 a public open house was held to honor the Fulkerson family. The Fulkerson family provided fuel sales, aircraft sales, charter flights, flight instruction, and maintenance from the World War II until the mid-1970’s.

The Fulkerson Airport Operations Facility is a multi-purpose facility and comprised of office space, sleeping rooms, restrooms, storage areas, maintenance shop, maintenance equipment, snow removal equipment, and fire truck.

UW CC COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OFFICE The University of Wyoming Campbell County Extension Service provides educational information and programs in the areas of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, 4-H and Youth, Horticulture, Cent$ible Nutrition and Economic Development. The Campbell County Extension office is located at 1000 S. Douglas Highway.

Janet Thompson, Horticulture Program Coordinator, A highlight for the Campbell County Cooperative Extension Service horticulture program was August 25, 2005 when the Master Gardeners hosted Dr. Paula Cushing, Ph.D., Curator of Invertebrate Zoology, to speak on arachnids (spiders).

Dr. Cushing is one of seven arachnologists in the United States. Their specialties are poisonous arachnids. She spoke at the Campbell County Memorial Hospital to doctors, nurses, and other health professionals at a noon luncheon, and at a public presentation at the Extension Office that evening.

Dr. Cushing explained why we do not have Brown Recluse spiders in Campbell County. However, the Black Widow spider is very common here. It is her bite that can, on occasion, cause severe reactions in some people. She also explained what other diseases could cause symptoms or reactions thought to be caused by spiders.

Both sessions were very well attended. The public enjoyed learning about arachnid habits. The physicians and other health care professionals were give information about the Brown Recluse, Hobo and Black Widow spider.

Despite the bad rapport with humans, arachnids are very fascinating. There are only a few considered poisonous, and they tend to only bite when provoked (cornered, laid upon, etc.).

Spiders eat insects and are fascinating to watch. For the most part, arachnids are our friends. If you find one, put them outside where they can continue their vigil against insects that bother us. If you have a reaction to a bite, seek medical attention immediately. Take the offending insect or arachnid with you for positive identification.

Lori Jones, Cent$ible Nutrition Program Educator, The Cent$ible Nutrition Program provides nutrition, food safety, and resource management education. The nutrition component includes learning what vitamins and minerals the body needs, which foods are good sources of the vita-

mins and nutrients. How to compare two different foods to choose the one that is most nutrient dense. Food safety education stresses how to avoid crosscontamination, safe thawing techniques, and the safest way to store food. Resource management includes planning menus, making a grocery list, and learning how to stretch your food dollars to last the entire month.

There were 157 families who participated in the Cent$ible Nutrition Program in 2005. In addition, through a partnership with Wright Community Assistance, 29 families participated in a Community Food and Nutrition Program grant that provided participants with food baskets for six months. During the program participants were required to attend Cent$ible Nutrition classes. The purpose was to increase fruits and vegetable consumption by making produce more readily available. For all participants, 47% increased their vegetable consumption, 42% increased their fruit consumption.

Other important skills learned include 49% planning meals in advance, 48% think more often of healthy choices when feeding their family, and 49% are reading and using the Nutrition Facts Label.

Lori Jones also received the Outstanding Nutrition Educator award at a state Cent$ible Nutrition Meeting in September.

Daun Martin, Family and Consumer Sciences 4-H & Youth Development and Family Resource Management Educator, Daun Martin, 4-H & Youth Development Educator for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) and Family Resource Management Educator has been involved in rebuilding the program after the absence of an educator in that position. Over 50 educational FCS programs have been offered to the youth of this county. With the support of Marilyn Mackey, 2005 saw the initiation of the FCS Sweepstakes that rewards excellence in the development of the various essential life-skills learned through participation in FCS projects.

Dr. Martin collaborated with Wyoming Extension professionals, youth and leaders from other counties to develop and present a human board game that teaches the connection between healthy food and activity choices and over-all good health.

This fun game was presented at the State Leaders’ Conference in February as well as to over 900 Campbell County youths throughout the year. Another grant funded activity that was educational as well as being fun was the development and 20

shop, a series of six classes were then held in Campbell County for local producers where they learned about risk management and the tools available to them to manage risk in their own operations.

Other activities for the year included an Ag and Natural Resources Expo coordinated with the efforts of the conservation district. More than 500 school youth participated in stations on topics such as erosion, wool felting, forestry, mining reclamation, food and nutrition and animals. Daniels is a member of a statewide issue team focusing on small acreages and has now put out its own publication called “Barnyards and Backyards” and an estimated 1500 acres in Campbell presentation of Kitchen Boot Camp at Campbell (also at Crook and Weston) 4-H Camps. The 2005 Stitchin’ Strategies Sewing Conference was well attended with more than 30 sewers receiving help and advice from 15 leaders in completing their fair projects. 15 PACT members qualified to represent Campbell County at State Fair, and all who were able to attend did, due to the generosity of the Fair Board and private contributions.

Daun Martin and Rindy West developed drop in programs for the schools that are tied to the schools’ state standards and high light information learned through 4-H participation. They went into a number of elementary and secondary schools to present these school enrichment modules and the response was enthusiastic. Daun was also involved with a team of Extension Professionals in writing and field testing a new 4H curriculum for youth in governance Wyoming Youth Leadership Education (WYLE) that will be published in 2006.

Sixty four Common $ense columns have now been written by Daun Martin to increase knowledge about ways of managing one’s finances responsibly.

These are on the UW Web site as well as published in a majority of the NE Area papers and others around the state. A Credit When Credit is Due class (sponsored by area banks) was held for 20 participants in March. In addition, Dr. Martin continues to offer family resource education to 25 small and large groups in the area.

Tanya Daniels, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, taught classes on a variety of topics dealing with agriculture. Wyoming Ag in the Classroom field trips and classes were taught to 100 children on topics including bull selection, water quality, range management, and wildlife habitat.

A Risk Management for Ag Families training was held in Campbell County for educators across a four state region.

Following this train the trainer work-

County were tested for nitrate which can be toxic at high levels.

Rindy West, 4-H/Youth Program Director/Educator, More than 350 4-H events were offered in 2005. Program development ranged from Farm Safety Puppet Shows to local grade school youth, to “Stay Up with 4H” nights teaching visual arts, character counts, teamwork and science to 4-H youth. Some popular events in the program in 2005 included the Geo-Scavenger Hunts using global positioning systems technology, a Natural Resource Fair open to the public, 4-H Junior Leader events, the Public Chili Supper/Bingo Party, the Winter Gala and the 4-H Carnival. 4-H hosted a booth at the Children’s Festival and taught approximately 3000 county youth how to stamp leather.

“Freedom Rings Again” member and leader training day took place in July.

Thirty four members and seven 4-H leaders reported knowledge increase in citizenship, parliamentary procedure, character counts, 4-H officer skills, working with personality types and teamwork.

UW CAMPBELL COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OFFICE AGRICULTURAL AGENT HOME ECONOMIST 4H OFFICE 1000 S. Douglas Hwy. • 682-7281

continued on page 21

CAMPBELL COUNTY ROCKPILE MUSEUM 2005 was a terrific year at the Campbell County Rockpile Museum.

New exhibits were planned and installed, important additions were made to the collections and attendance increased once again, despite high gas prices that discouraged tourists during the last half of the summer tourist season.

Collections:

A variety of interesting and important artifacts and archival items were added to the collections in 2005, including: • • A file cabinet of title abstracts will prove a useful tool for researchers in the future, • • A nearly flawless Grundig Stereo used in a Campbell County home nearly a half century ago, and • • Several items of early 20th century clothing helped fill out that segment of our collections.

Museum. The trips are successful Christmas Open House made possible by the offered the flavor of an old time generous cooperation holiday. of the landowners in The Education Department offered the Buttes area who students “A Day in the 1890’s School.” allow us access to the Students wore costumes from the landmarks. period and experienced a little old In early June, more than a hundred people boarded buses for a day at the historic Buttes. They were treated to a lecture at the Bison Kill Site and a hike to the top of Indian Butte for a spectacular view of the County. A visiting anthropologist confirmed that the stone enclosures on top of that Butte are in fact Indian fortifications.

2005 marked the 10th Anniversary of the Native American Artifact show at the Rockpile, and it was Board Member, Fred Harvey, discussing antique coins one of the biggest ever. An Antique Appraisal Fair offered patrons a free fashioned education.

1890’s School Kids

Elderhostel is an international program that offers a week long indepth experiences for people 55 and older.

Our local programs concentrate on the history and culture of the West with such activities as visits to historic sites and working ranches. More than two hundred individuals from all over the USA participated in seven programs during the past year.

Exhibitions:

Several temporary exhibitions were the focus of the exhibition program during 2005. “Fit to a T” gave Campbell County residents a chance to display their favorite example of that ubiquitous American icon - the printed “T” shirt. “Collection of Collections” featured collections loaned by local folks. The collections featured the rare, the common place and even the somewhat strange!

Elderhostel:

The Rockpile Museum houses the office of the local Elderhostel program.

Volunteers:

appraisal of their antiques by a panel of experts. Some visitors, like the owner of an original “Little Buddy” truck were delighted to learn they had an American treasure. A hugely

Programs:

The annual trip to Pumpkin Buttes and the Ruby Bison Kill Site, was a highlight for friends of the

Once again volunteers were the heart of the Rockpile Museum’s activities, offering thousands of hours of service, doing everything from greeting our visitors to programing the computer that runs the annual holiday light show.

CAMPBELL COUNTY ROCKPILE MUSEUM 912 W 2nd • 682-5723

UW CC COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OFFICE continued from page 20 Attendees heard real life stories from a serviceman who served in Iraq and nine 4-H members hosted a workshop on how to use parliamentary procedure in business meetings.

4-H Science based “Wonderwise” curriculums were delivered by West to more than 300 youth in five grade schools in Campbell County and included lessons in space geology, sea otter biology and rainforest ecology. Educational efforts in 4-H remain super strong and eighteen new 4-H leaders and forty seven new 4-H members were enrolled in 2005.

Campbell County 4-H brought in more than thirteen grants totaling more than $85,000 in 2005 to benefit the 4-H Clover Corrals project for urban youth and 4-H

education. Since the start of 4-H Clover Corrals operation during the summer of 2005, it has been used for more than twenty 4-H educational events and school agriculture tours. All youth educated or who used the Clover Corrals livestock facility reported an increase in the eight primary life skills needed for development including leadership and responsibility.

Representation of Campbell County 4-H in 2005 was high, as 4-H members were competitors or ambassadors at 21

38 state and national events throughout the year. Campbell County 4-H had over 100 youth participate in the Wyoming State Fair in 2005 and had the State Champion Junior Livestock and Wool Judging Teams. Additionally, the 1800 plus square foot , “Heritage of 4H and Campbell County” mural is one of the largest and most historic murals painted in Gillette and was made possible through the partnership with Jackson art and 450 4-H members, 200 4-H lead-

ers and over 400 4-H parents.

New volunteers in each of the program areas continue to come forward and this year alone, approximately 40 new volunteers helped in over 20 Extension Office programs. New marketing brochures have been made in each of the Extension areas along with radio programming to get the message about Cooperative Extension out.

Pat Christensen and Jacque Hanson, administrative assistants, complete the Campbell County Extension office staff.

The public is encouraged to stop by the local Extension office or call 682-7281 if they have any questions or would like a program presented related on one of the educational areas offered.

CAMPBELL COUNTY DEPT. OF PUBLIC WORKS

ENGINEERING ~ BUILDING ~ PLANNING ~ FLEET MANAGEMENT ~ SURVEYING ~ FACILITIES ~ SOLID WASTE The Courthouse Expansion and Remodel was completed in December 2005. An Open House and Flag Dedication Ceremony was held on November 15, 2005, with approximately 400 attendees.

THE COURTHOUSES OF CAMPBELL COUNTY Campbell County was formed from portions of Crook and Weston Counties and by an act of the legislature in 1911, which was effective January 1, 1913.

The first Campbell County Courthouse was a small one-story frame building located near the intersection of 4th Street and Kendrick Avenue. This structure was used until January 1924 when Campbell County purchased the private residence of Mr. and Mrs. John T. Daly. This home faced Gillette Avenue and was located at the intersection of Gillette Avenue and 5th Street. It was a two-story brick building to which was added a reinforced concrete addition, housing the jail and vault on the first floor and a courtroom on the second story.

In the 1960's, it became apparent that the Daly home was no longer suitable as a Courthouse and planning was started for the construction of a new Courthouse by Eric J. Ohman, William B. Fitch and Wayne Davis, the Board of County Commissioners.

Henry Therkildsen was engaged as the architect for the new structure. In 1969, elections were held for issuing bonds in the amount of $900,000 to finance the construction and furnishing the new Courthouse.

The electors of Campbell County approved the bond issue by a 2 to 1 majority. The City of Gillette vacated a portion of 5th Street, additional land was acquired, and the construction contract was awarded to Spiegelberg Lumber Company, who commenced construction in the summer of 1970.

The new Courthouse was completed in August and was occupied in September 1971. It was a large and modern building featuring three courtrooms and housing all county offices, as well as the Division of Public Assistance and Social Services, County Extension Office and Public Health Services. Some of the outstanding features found in the

The old jail cells were removed and Courtrooms A & B were created, along with offices for Circuit Court.

On the main floor the Commissioners Chambers and the rear entry were remodeled. In the basement, remodel areas included the County Attorney and Engineering offices.

Numerous smaller remodels were done in the following years in order to improve the efficiency of the various departments. In 1999, the

new Courthouse included a television monitoring system of the jail which permitted continual viewing of all prisoners; a complete sound system in the main courtroom allowing the remarks of participants in any trial to be heard by all who were in the courtroom; an auxiliary generator plant which furnished electricity in the event of a power failure; and fireproof vaults assuring the preservation and protection of all county records. The entire Courthouse was attractive, well lighted, completely a i r- c ond it ione d , and fully carpeted.

The county purchased the adjacent land on the west side of the new Courthouse. County Commissioners directed the In 1983, the Parking Garage was County Engineer to have a Physical completed on this property in order Space Evaluation Study performed to provide parking convenience for for the entire Courthouse. the citizens of the County.

This study, completed in Construction of the North October 1999, concluded Addition was started in July 1980 and that all departments completed in the spring of 1982. This needed additional space. addition added 25,500 square feet at The Vault Addition was a cost of $1.8 million. The structure started in June 2002 and was constructed to completed allow additional floors in June CAMPBELL COUNTY to be added at a later 2003. This BUILDING date. & PLANNING DIVISION pr o v ide d In July 1986 a major m u c h 412 S. Gillette Ave remodel within the needed 682-1970 Courthouse began. vault space 22

for the County Clerk's office, future office space for District Court and, in the basement, three ice-storage units were added for improved cooling of the Courthouse in the summer months.

Schutz-Foss Architects were retained to design the current Courthouse Expansion and Remodel Project. Design nearly doubled the square footage of the Courthouse adding another 60,000 square feet. Van Ewing Construction was awarded the construction contract in the amount of $10.7 million.

Construction began in March 2004 with completion scheduled for December 2005. This expansion is projected to meet the needs of the County well into the future.

In addition to the Courthouse expansion and remodel, a new park was constructed on the south side of the building. Understanding the appreciation the community has for the City Art Council's Community Art Projects the Commissioners chose to sponsor art to be located in the new park. Currently, Jose "Contemplating the Universe" is proudly displayed.

Annually, the City Art Council rotates the artwork with new pieces for all to enjoy.

The Rockpile Museum has organized a display in the lobby of the courthouse depicting memorabilia from the early years. Items include the first checks written by Campbell County, photos of the earlier courthouses, Gillette's 1911 Voter Roll, Minutes of the first Board of Commissioner's

continued on page 23

CAMPBELL COUNTY DEPT. OF PUBLIC WORKS continued from page 22 meeting and other items of interest.

We encourage and welcome all visitors to the courthouse, whether you are here on business or if you just want to tour the building.

Completed projects include the Bicentennial Irrigation Project, the Lasting Legacy Storage Building, the Sheriff's Office Evidence Storage Building, the Force Road Reconstruction and the Kluver Road Bike Path. Numerous preventive and general maintenance projects throughout the County were also completed.

The Facilities Maintenance Division incorporated the Manager Plus Software program to track work orders, repair expenses, and scheduling of routine preventative maintenance. The program has proven to be an asset with time management and tracking of needs and services throughout County facilities. Utilizing this software will better enable the Division to better serve the needs of the facilities.

DIVISION OF BUILDING, ZONING & PLANNING

The Public Works Division of Building, Zoning and Planning is located in the same offices as Public Works at 500 S. Gillette Avenue, Suite 1500. Building and Zoning provides two (2) individual services to the residents of Campbell County who live outside of the incorporated areas of Gillette and the Town of Wright: Building Inspection and Zoning.

Using the recently amended Minimum Building Standards and Zoning Regulations, the division provides information and help in determining the applicable building codes for new construction, additions, and remodels and provides information regarding the appropriate zoning for a specific use of property.

BUILDING INSPECTION

The Building Inspection Division issues permits for the Minimum Building Standards adopted in Campbell County; this encompasses building permits, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and septic systems. Subsequently, inspections are performed by qualified inspectors for the work product of homeowners

as well as contractors.

The inspectors provide help and information regarding the minimum type of permitting and inspections required for many different types of construction and uses of buildings.

They answer questions, offer suggestions when appropriate, and help citizens to better understand the building codes and the permitting and inspection processes as they relate to construction. All services offered by this Division of Pubic Works is free of charge to the public.

FIGURE #2: BUILDING PERMIT & INSPECTION ACTIVITY PER YEAR YEAR

PERMITS INSPECTIONS

2000

1110

1800

2001

1152

2448

2002

1306

1593

2003

1383

1731

2004

1145

1708

2005

1166

1936

ZONING

Zoning is a means of regulating the physical development of land and the kinds of uses permitted for each individual property. Zoning regulations specify the areas in which residential, industrial, recreational, or commercial activities may take place.

They also specify the minimum land area, the density of development, height for buildings, types and number of animals allowed, minimum parking and open space requirements, as well as other applicable rules.

Zoning provides some assurance of compliance with the permitted use.

The Building and Zoning personnel provide help to individuals so they may better understand the Zoning Regulations as they apply to that person's property. They also review proposed development to insure that the proposed zoning district is appropriate for the intended use. This Division also responds to complaints of zoning violations.

PLANNING

County Planning's purpose is: • a. To promote the public health, safety and general welfare of the 23

present and future residents of Campbell County.

• b. To establish reasonable standards of design and procedures for subdivisions and re-subdivisions in order to promote harmonious layout and use of the land, and to insure accurate and legal descriptions and monumentation of subdivisions.

• c. To guide the public and private policy and action in order to provide adequate and convenient transportation, utilities, educational and other public facilities, parks, recreation, civil defense, fire protection, light and air.

• d. To avoid population and traffic congestion, air and water pollution, and flood damage resulting from inadequate land planning, including provisions for minimum area and width of lots and tracts, proper location and width of streets and roads, adequacy of water source and of sewage and solid waste disposal methods and adequacy of drainage and flood control facilities.

• e. To protect and preserve the value of land and buildings throughout Campbell County, to minimize the conflicts among the uses of land and buildings, and to safeguard the common interests of the public, the landowner and the subdivider.

cardboard, glass, steel, some plastics, aluminum, office paper, newspapers, and household appliances from our waste stream for recycling. The Landfill also recycles household used motor oil by using it for fuel oil for heat during the winter months.

We continue to compost yard waste, which will be used for closing Landfill #1 located on Westover Road. In the near future, the Landfill will begin an electronics- recycling program.

During the warmer times of the year, the Landfill maintains and operates a household hazardous waste facility.

This facility is used to store hazardous materials such as pesticides and paint until the items can be packaged and shipped to a proper storage facility.

We have trained employees who can recognize and deal with these household wastes, as they are a constant hazardous part of our waste stream. The household hazardous waste facility will accept products by appointment only, from May to September on Wednesdays and the first Saturday of every month.

The Landfill continues to adapt our operating procedures to facilitate new operating guidelines and new facilities. The Landfill completed the final closure of Landfill #1 by constructing a final cover system which incorporates the latest design techniques for preventing the

FIGURE #1: LAND SUBDIVISIONS & ZONING YEAR

SUBDIVISIONS

MINOR SUBDIVISIONS

ALIQUOT PARCELS

ZONING

VARIANCES

TOTAL CASES

2003

31

0

10

11

0

52

2004

11

36

7

29

12

95

2005

10

33

8

38

11

100

SOLID WASTE DIVISION - Landfill

Last year the Wyoming Solid Waste and Recycling Association recognized the Landfill for various aspects of operations. The Landfill was recognized for having the best transfer station and recycling operations in the State. The bale field was recognized as the second best in the State.

The staff at the Landfill continues to promote recycling and the proper disposal of community wastes.

Landfill staff, in conjunction with RENEW (Rehabilitation Enterprises of Northeastern Wyoming) provide the work force to divert batteries,

infiltration of water into the closed landfill. In addition, we have installed a Methane Extraction System to evacuate methane gas from the closed landfill, thus preventing groundwater contamination by our closed facility.

This will be the first methane system in the State of Wyoming and will serve as a model for other facilities to follow.

CAMPBELL COUNTY

LANDFILL DIVISION

909 Westover Road • 682-9499 CAMPBELL COUNTY

PUBLIC WORKS

500 S. Gillette Ave • 685-8061

CHILDREN’S DEVELOPEMENTAL SERVICES OF CAMPBELL COUNTY OUR VISION: To promote the value of every child. What Are Our Mission and Goals? All our services are guided by our Mission Statement: “The mission of the Children’s Developmental Services of Campbell County is to serve the community by providing comprehensive quality early childhood services for children and their families, in caring and compassionate integrated environments, so that all children may achieve their fullest potential as unique individuals in society.”

GOALS

• Will nurture each child in developing a positive self-image, knowing he/she is accepted as an individual, while maintaining a sense of belonging.

• Provide maximum opportunities to discover, explore and problems solve, in order to make independent choices within a developmentally appropriate and inclusive environment.

• In order for families to enhance understanding of child development, opportunities will be given to be involved in CDS-CC programs and greater community.

• Embrace a comprehensive vision of health in order to promote a wholesome lifestyle.

• Provide a high quality, safe environment to ensure each child’s right to learn.

• Honor each child and family’s cultural, linguistic, racial and socioeconomic diversity in order to increase the self-awareness of everyone.

• The Children’s Developmental Services of Campbell County shall serve the needs of children regardless of race, sex, color or national origin.

VALUE STATEMENT We believe in maintaining an organization built on integrity, that respects the value of each individual, and promotes personal and professional growth of all who are associated with CDS- CC.

The Board of Directors are committed to maintaining and promoting high standards of Early Childhood and Early Intervention services through quality staff in a state of the art early childhood program, and maintaining fiscal responsibility and integrity through proactive governance.

SERVICES PROVIDED: • What is Children’s Developmental Services of Campbell County? We are a non-political subdivision of County Government which provides early intervention/early childhood services for infants and preschool age children with disabilities and their families.

Without our services, many families would be at a loss as to where to turn for support and direction.

• We screen infants and young children birth thru five for delays in development.

• We provide evaluation and planning in partnership with families to design an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) or Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) for children demonstrating developmental delays that can assist the child in developing his/her full potential. Services are provided in a trans-disciplinary approach with an emphasis on collaborative consultation utilizing a diverse group of professionals including regular education teachers, special education teachers, physical and occupational therapists, speech/language pathologists, and the family.

• We refer to other specialists and agencies as may be necessary to meet the unique needs of individual children and families.

• We consult with families to help them meet the challenge of raising a young child with a developmental disability.

• We are the only agency licensed by the State of Wyoming to provide these services in our Region, which consists of Campbell County.

• We provide quality child care for children 2 to school age, of working parents, with priority given to single low income families and children with developmental delays. We are National Association for the Education of Young Children accredited and are a Wyoming licensed child care facility. The child care component provides an inclusive environment for disabled and non-disabled children to participate in regular classrooms, with adaptations made for disabilities 24

when needed. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that children shall participate in activities with an age appropriate peer group.

• We provide Early Head Start services for pregnant women, children birth to age three and their families, in homebased and interactional settings.

• We offer parenting classes throughout the year. Last year, 87 families participated. A total of 139 persons attended the “Causes and Effects of Child Abuse” panel discussion by community organizations, whose goal is preventing child abuse.

Three major service components: ** Early intervention for children birth to school age with developmental disabilities. ** Early education/child care for children 2 to school age. ** Early Head Start for pregnant women, infants and toddlers.

Who Uses the Services?

• This past year over 585 children were referred to Children’s Developmental Services’ screening and evaluation program. On the average, one out of four of these children are identified as developmentally delayed and in need of early intervention and related services. 182 children and families are currently participating in the early intervention component of the program. Services for children with disabilities has increased 56% since 2000. This past year, Children’s Developmental Services of Campbell County has continued a screening campaign “One before Two” in con-

junction with Child Development Services of Wyoming. The focus of the program is to encourage all families to have their child screened before the age of two.

• Early Head Start is funded to provide weekly home visits and twice monthly family interaction activities to 36 families who meet eligibility guidelines. Currently there is a wait-

ing list of 23 families. This past year, Early Head Start provided 1,188 home visits and 72 family interaction times to 59 pregnant women, children age birth to three and their families.

• The Child Care component is serving 66 children with a waiting list of 457.

All of our early intervention and Early Head Start services are provided free of charge to any child who qualifies for these services. A sliding fee scale is established for child care services.

• Parenting classes were provided 35 weeks of last year to a total of 82 families. The CDS-CC Foundation is presently providing funding for a meal before parenting classes. This enables the participating families to enjoy an unhurried meal together before beginning class-time.

Children’s Developmental Services of Campbell County has been in the business of serving families for over thirty three years and operates a variety of programs accessing local, state and federal funds for the benefit of children and families. It is the belief of this agency that when resources can be combined, yet allocated appropriately, it is a more cost-efficient and people-efficient way of doing business. The Children’s Developmental Services of Campbell County fulfills the function of being able to provide an array of services through one provider, in one building, utilizing a team of professionals and specialists.

This is collaboration in its truest sense.

Each component of services is not the sole support of all operational costs.

Children’s Developmental Services of Campbell County operates on sound budget principles, including equitable allocations to all funding sources.

Science has produced a compelling body of evidence that children who receive early intervention during a time when 90% of brain development occurs, have a significantly higher rate of success in school.

Services provided to children with delays during the preschool years greatly reduces, if not eliminates, ongoing problems that would need to be addressed at greater cost in public school.

The monetary return to the community is approximately 3.8 million dollars for 2005 (66 child care families income at a minimum of $10,946 per year equals $722,436.00; plus $3,102,358.93 in Children’s Developmental Services of Campbell County staff wages.)

CAMPBELL COUNTY WEED & PEST DISTRICT West Nile Virus (WNV) and mosquito consecutive year was found control concern most everyone in the northwest corner in the county. The number of the county. There were of cases of WNV no significant populations of were extremely mormon crickets found this year. low this year in Montana and Nebraska were both spite of a year with experiencing tremendous grasshopper more moisture than we have problems and in years past Campbell experienced the last four or five years. County had problems with a migratory Campbell County only had one human species of grasshopper out of Montana. case of WNV and four horses that tested A high point of the summer was a positive for the virus. I would like to tour into the weed capital of the west think that Weed and Pest has been (Montana). Several county weed board at least partially responsible for the members from Johnson and Campbell encouraging low rate of WNV. Campbell counties, as well as two representatives County Weed and Pest applied and/or from the Wyoming Department of cost-shared $97,000 worth of mosquito Agriculture and two state legislatures, larvicide within the county. Weed went on tour to an area in Montana and Pest employees applied mosquito where spotted knapweed, leafy spurge larvicide to all the water within a five and dalmatian toadflax (state-declared mile radius of Gillette. noxious weeds) have infested over three We did 24 forage certifications this million acres. Everyone who attended year as compared to two last year (it the tour felt the information gained rained). An adult grasshopper survey was extremely worthwhile. Spotted was done within the knapweed plants are being CAMPBELL COUNTY county and the most brought into our county WEED & PEST severe grasshopper every year with vehicle 213 Stocktrail Ave infestation for the second movement. The spread of 682-4369

noxious and invasive weeds affect the lives of everyone and our very mobile society is responsible for much of that spread. Our highway spraying crews are identifying and treating many individual spotted knapweed plants every year. Prevention is by far the least expensive and the most effective weed management tool that we have.

The energy boom that the county is experiencing is certainly having an effect on Campbell County Weed and Pest. We are having to compete with the mineral industry for part time summer employees, and we are finding it very difficult to hire enough quality help.

This is the first year in 23 summers that all of our county roads were not checked and adequately sprayed where needed. This is the second year that we have contracted the spraying of the state highways. We are having a problem with the interstate system in that the state highway mowing crews are mowing the shoulders ahead of our spraying crews making it very difficult for the spraying crews to see the noxious weeds. We will likely change

our contract specifications so that the interstate system gets sprayed earlier.

There are 945 miles of county roads and 724 miles of state highways within our county, all of which must be checked on both sides for noxious weeds and sprayed where needed.

In addition to the traditional methods of weed control, we are also using a biological approach with the use of insects and livestock grazing. We contracted the use of approximately 600 head of goats to graze leafy spurge on the Powder River. We have also been using insects of which some species have proven to be very effective in reducing leafy spurge infestations. We also have one 5 to 6 person backpacking crew which walks over 40,000 acres to find and spray scattered patches of leafy spurge in the canyons east of Powder River. The backpack crew treats approximately 70 acres of leafy spurge each summer. The cost per acre of spurge treated in this manner is quite costly but the cost is much more palatable if you think of it in acres protected rather than acres sprayed.

CC HUMAN RESOURCES & RISK MANAGEMENT The employees of Campbell County repeatedly demonstrated their generosity and ability to respond to the needs of the community during 2005.

The Department of Human Resources and Risk Management had the opportunity to help coordinate some of those efforts.

When Wright was devastated by a tornado in August, the employees of Campbell County not only responded in professional capacities they also made personal donations to the recovery effort. In addition to monetary donations made to the American Red Cross and the Campco Wright Relief Fund, employees donated literally pickup loads of items ranging from kids socks and underwear to linens, bedding and household supplies to the residents in Wright.

This spirit of caring carried through the year resulting in 5,600 pounds of food being collected during the annual Campbell County Food Drive.

In November, 82 pints of blood were donated during the blood drive sponsored by Campbell County.

The Department strives to continue and enhance training opportunities for employees through coordination of training programs including: Rightto-Know, Productive Work Environment, Defensive Driving, Generations in the Workplace, and Violence in 25

the Workplace.

Promoting safety continues to be a priority for the Department. The Safety Committee instituted a safety incentive program in 2003. The goal of the program is to promote safety awareness through recognition of those departments working one full year with no lost time injuries.

Eighteen of the county’s 27 departments had no lost time accidents in 2005. Employees of the Airport, Assessor, Building & Planning, CAMPLEX, Commissioners, Clerk, Coroner, Clerk of District Court, Emergency

Management, Fair Board, Human Resou rces/R isk Management, Information Te c h nolog y Services, Juvenile Probation, Public Library System, Public Health, Public Works, Treasurer, and Weed & Pest all worked one full year with no lost time accidents.

Additionally, sixteen departments have worked three full years with no lost time injuries. Congratulations!

CAMPBELL COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCES AND RISK MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT 500 S. Gillette Ave. 687-6355

CAMPBELL COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION DEPT Our mission is to provide a variety of safe, modern and affordable Parks and Recreation facilities and activities that will enhance the quality of life by promoting good health and well being for all citizens and visitors in Campbell County.

Recreation Center Recreation Center Fitness classes are booming at the Recreation Center, and several fitness classes such as Power Flex, Balls, Bands & Weights, Variety Fitness, Kick Boxing and Cycling have local residents on their way to a healthier lifestyle. Many members have taken advantage of the reduced fee and have enjoyed exceptional fitness opportunities for as little as $9 a month.

The summer “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now!” road race series saw 615 walkers and runners in five races.

A Kid’s K race series is included each year, which makes each race a fun-filled family event. Several local sponsors made these races possible McDonalds, CCMH, Big O Tires, White-Davis Chevrolet, Universal Athletics and All Occasions’s Music Service. Other races during the year include the 5K Turkey Trot (160) and the Runner’s Resolution 5K (82).

Corporate Games is always a big event, and the 2005 games were no exception. Corporate Games offers friendly competition in several activities, including horseshoes, darts, water volleyball, kickball, billiards, bowling, inner tube water polo and the famous waterslide relay. The games were held the last two weeks of June, with a total of 10 teams involving over 357 adults.

The Annual Fourth of July Celebration provided the commu-

nity with events throughout the day on Monday, including an early morning Pancake Feed at the Fire Department, the Firecracker 4 Mile Road Race, Parade, Hot Dog Feed, Mud Volleyball, Tug of War, Redneck Contest and Kids Games.

The weather cooperated Tuesday evening for the largest fireworks display in Wyoming, held at the CAM-PLEX Multi Events Center.

KOAL 103.9 Radio choreographed music to highlight the “Festival of Freedom” theme of the day.

Other Special Events offered throughout the year by the Recreation Center include the Easter Egg Hunt, Downhill Ski Trips, Fly Fishing Lessons, Inflatable Nights at the Pool, Dog Obedience classes (141 participants), Jingle Bell Hike to Santa (over 200 kids and families) and the Secret Santa Program (460 kids).

Soccer and Kids Camp were the most popular youth programs.

Spring and Fall Soccer had 1,090 participants and Indoor Soccer had 123 participants. Kids Camp had an all time high of 467 participants in 2005, and with the need for more summer kids programs, look for that number to rise.

Other programs that continue to do well are 4th - 6th grade Youth Basketball, 1st - 3rd grade Bantam Basketball, Lil’ Slugger Baseball, Girls Softball and Youth Hikes.

Youth basketball had 382 kids, and Bantam Basketball had another 316, keeping pace with the year before. Lil Slugger Baseball stayed strong, with 91 participants, and Girls Softball stayed steady, with about 152 youth.

Adult sports had a total of 195 teams in 2005 compared to 189 in 2004, we are seeing a steady rise in the majority of our leagues. Softball was the only league that we saw a slight decrease in numbers. Volleyball, Basketball & Wallyball numbers have increased. Here are the comparisons between 2004 and 2005 team participation. Softball had 66 total teams, compared to 70 teams in 2004. Volleyball had a

total of 77 teams in the spring and fall leagues of 2005, compared to 76 teams in 2004, increasing the number of teams by 1 from a year ago. Wallyball brought in a total of 6 teams, 1 more than the previous year. Basketball in 2005 brought in 41 teams, increasing the number of teams by 2 from 2004. This year we had our 1st annual Gillette Power Volleyball Tournament, which brought in 5 teams.

The Recreation Center and Pool saw a total of 115,956 people visit the facility, an increase of 6,769 from 2004. The department has five major areas of recordable usage; the cardio room, racquetball/squash courts, pool, gymnasium, weight rooms and tanning.

Those areas had a total of 168,934 usages, an increase of 7,419. The gym was the most heavily visited area with 59,683 usages while the pool had 43,402 usages.

Aquatics Division

these new faces. Everyone has the opportunity to meet new friends along with keeping fit. The programs and events are many and varied. The Community is well informed on all activities and events.

Youth programs are a big part of the center’s year. Outdoor soccer is enjoyed by Kindergartners through Sixth graders. Sessions are held in the spring, and also Indoor Soccer is played in January and February. Pre-school Indoor Soccer was well received in its third year. There were 53 soccer players combined. The fifth year of Flag Football, in addition to adding Indoor Nerf Flag Football for the first year, had 52 youth.

Bantam Basketball, played by 1st through 3rd graders, had 32 youth, and 4th through 6th grade basketball had 40 boys and girls. Thirty one girls joined mini-volleyball, a program for 3rd through 6th grad-

The Campbell County Pool offered a variety of exciting water activities to increase wellness.

Such activities include lap and open swim. Two very popular events that took place are private rentals and birthday parties.

Other programs offered are water aerobics, scuba, lifeguard and water safety instructor courses for the public. In 2005 a total of 2,037 individual swimming lessons were provided. 1,699 attended special events and 44,003 visits were made to the pool and waterslide facilities. The largest and arguably the most popular attraction at the County Pool is the High Plains Thunder Run Water Slide.

Each summer from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, the outdoor slide is open for fun in the sun! As the summer comes to its depressing end, the pool offers some fun events to ease the pain.

The Fish N’Dip and Dog Daze of Summer gave patrons two last trips to the outdoor pool before returning to school.

Wright Recreation Center The population of Wright grew in 2005, and the Wright Recreation Center fortunately sees many of

ers. A gymnastics program was added in 2005, with exceptional success. BBQ’s, healthy snack socials, and swim parties, were held after the sports programs for the participants and their families.

The pool continues to offer swim lessons year round for all youth. The Center also offers CPR classes, Lifeguard training, First Aid, lap swimming, open swimming and Water Aerobics. Our giant submarine inflatable, Yellow Fellow, was in the pool one evening a week during school, and two afternoons a week during summer. This years pool usage increased by 300 to10,604. The pool is also utilized by the Swim Team. Practices are three times a week during the months of October through March.

Fitness classes have done well this year. Aerobics, Aerobic Kick Boxing (AKB), Water Aerobics, Weight Training, and Yoga are offered year round. Those holding memberships to the center are taking advantage of the classes at half price. Body Flex was introduced last year and continues with increased enrollment. A Wallyball

26

league was held in February and March, with three teams. Fitness workshops are held several times throughout the year inviting the public in to the facility for trial exercise classes.

Dive-in movies are one of the favorite special events offered throughout the year. Over 250 youth have attended these events.

The annual Easter Egg Hunt brings together the whole community and also visiting relatives. Through our facility, the community became involved with a Christmas cookie/candy exchange for a third year. Other special events held during the year included the Water Carnival, Fish & Dip, Preschool Halloween Party, Turkey Shoot Free Throw Contest, three bus trips to the Waterslide at the Campbell County Pool and one bus trip to the Campbell County Ice Arena in Gillette. Wright Days in August brought 26 participants to the annual 5K Fun Run/Walk and over 30 participants to the 3 on 3 Basketball Tourney. The “Skate/Bingo” family nights this year had enormous success with over 145 Adults and Youth attending.

Center usage for school activities continues to soar. This includes Jr./Sr High volleyball and basketball practices, games and tournaments. Use of the pool by Cross Country, Track, Wrestling teams and Physical Education classes, along with grade school swim lessons, gave us over 6,830 usages for the center, not including audience participation. The skate park will be enlarged in 2006 by a Recreation District Grant and the Town of Wright.

Junior High/Senior High Intramurals The intramural programs continued to offer students in 7th - 12th grade a great opportunity to play recreation sports. As the number of kids enrolling continued to increase, intramurals opened the 2005 year, with 53 students participating in Junior High Boys Basketball. The Spring Junior High Tennis and Soccer seasons ran concurrent and was a huge hit. The tennis program had 60 participants, while 46 boys and girls played in the soccer program.

It was a great spring for everyone.

Summer trips also brought a lot of fun for the kids. They went fishing, hiked around Devil’s Tower, enjoyed the Rushmore Water Park

continued on page 23

CAMPBELL COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION DEPT continued from page 22 and Evan’s Plunge. Throughout the course of the summer, there were 46 kids that participated in the day trips. The Fall and Winter sports seasons put closure on an already great year. Junior High Volleyball had 59 girls participate in the league and they were able to travel to the surrounding communities for a few games. Also this past fall, the intramural department acquired a new program. Mite and Mini-Mite Hockey was more successful than we could imagine. The program was broken into two different sessions running for eight weeks.

Overall, the program had 98 participants ages 5-8. As winter rolled in, once again, so did the basketball season. The Junior High girls program had 37 participants enroll, which were broken into four teams. The girls had a very good league and had a lot of fun. The high school intramural program also brought in more teams than previous years. The basketball league had 18 teams participate and were divided into two levels.

Parks Division The Parks Division maintains twenty eight parks and facilities, which served an estimated 589,468 people in 2005. Park use is calculated on a daily basis and represents people who use the parks for family reunions, weddings, picnics, exercising for their health, sporting events and casual relaxation.

2005 saw many great improvements to the parks. All playgrounds managed by the Department have been audited, and a schedule has been developed to phase in replacement of old and worn out equipment. Children playing on playgrounds should be able to enjoy themselves, use their imaginations to the fullest, learn to use good judgement while taking a little bit of risk in trying to negotiate the playground and expect a safe environment for play.

Parents should also not have to worry that dangerous play structures may injure their children.

Park playgrounds that received new equipment this year were Antelope Valley and Bicentennial Park. The Antelope Valley playground was purchased with grant assistance from the Gametime Corporation and features many new play events for kids including tunnels, multiple slides, climbers

and a small climbing wall. The surface of the playground is now a wood chip material which meets Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for public playgrounds.

The new playground at Bicentennial Park is the first playground of its type to be built in this region. The main feature of the playground is the “Mega Tower” which has a play height of 14’ with two tube slides exiting from that height. The tower is fully enclosed but boasts a lean out enclosure that allows children the opportunity see out over the whole park area as well as below from the top deck of the tower. The playground offers several other features including two climbing walls, a bridge connecting the tower section with another deck area, three more slides and all kinds of play structures to let kid’s imaginations run wild. There is also a smaller structure designed for children ages 2 to 5 that has slides and smaller climbers just like the bigger kids have to play on. The playground has a wood chip surface to make it accessible to people with disabilities and provide a safe fall cushion for the children.

Bicentennial Park saw many changes that enhance the safety and visitor enjoyment of the park The major improvement to the park was a new irrigation system for the ballfield area. The old system had been installed when the park was first developed and was not providing enough water to sustain adequate soil moisture for the turf grass.

The new system has more sprinkler heads, higher water pressure, larger pipe, and works with two existing water wells to improve water distribution over the whole area.

New ballfield lights were installed on three of the softball fields after one of the old light poles had rusted and fallen over during a wind storm. The new lights meet current American Softball Association standards for lighting and also provide better security lighting for the area. With the installation of the new lights and irrigation system, the outfield fences were moved back and provide more challenge for softball players. Also included in the ballfield improvements were three new scoreboards for the softball fields. The old scoreboards had braved several years of wind, rain and hail and repair parts were no longer available to keep them in working order.

The two Babe Ruth baseball fields now sport grass infields. The infield grass was included in the new irrigation project and will greatly improve the looks of the park, as well as provide a quality ball field for the young baseball players.

CAM-PLEX Park is an important piece of the County’s history, and preserving the area as a recreational site is a priority of the Department. Pine Bark Beetles began infesting some of the trees in the shelter belt due to the stress of the drought, so an insect management program was started in the spring to manage the pests. All pine, 27

juniper and spruce trees were sprayed with an insecticide in an attempt to catch the insects during their adult stage before they bored into the trees and laid eggs causing further destruction to the trees. This program will continue yearly for several more years in order to reduce the population of the insects.

Further work on the park included the expansion of the arboretum area. An educational grant was acquired through the Wyoming State Forestry Division to provide identification signs for the trees growing in the arboretum. Each sign lists the type of tree and growth characteristics of the tree.

In addition to the identification signs, the park staff were able to find planting dates of the tree groves throughout the park so historical tree signs were also placed telling park visitors when certain areas of the park were planted. The State Forestry Division also provided a sign for the arboretum that explains the benefits of trees in communities.

As mentioned earlier, the drought conditions have begun to take a toll on the overall tree health of many of the older trees throughout the park, so water lines were installed to provide for sprinkler irrigation of the shelter belt trees to help them through the dry conditions.

In an effort to continue improvements in neighborhood parks, several new trees were planted in Sleepy Hollow Park and a tree planting grant was acquired from the State Forestry Division to purchase twenty eight new trees for Antelope Valley Park.

With the help of residents from Antelope Valley, all of the trees were planted over two days and are surviving very well. Antelope Valley Park also saw the expansion of the irrigation system to get sprinklers closer to some of the drought stressed trees growing in the park.

Parks division staff also assist with several community events throughout the year, including the Easter Egg Hunt, Fourth of July activities, Celtic Games and CCHS athletic activities that are held in the parks.

With a goal of providing safe, modern and affordable parks and recreation facilities, the Parks Division staff is committed to maintaining and improving the parks for the enjoyment of the citizens of Campbell County.

Ice Arena & Rockpile Community Center The Campbell County Ice Arena provided many activities for skaters in Campbell County from public skating to hockey and figure skating. The arena increased ice usage by providing more daytime activities in the rink, including private skating lessons, use by pre school groups, public skating sessions when school is out and the Department’s ice skating lessons, which greatly increased over past years, seeing 107 kids who joined in. An estimated

33,000 people visited the arena in 2005, with hockey use as the largest user. Figure skating use is next with several private rentals, birthday parties and ice skating lessons, bringing up the remainder of the people who have enjoyed ice skating this past year.

Hockey tournaments continue to bring many families to Gillette on weekends, and figure skaters also hosted a figure skating exhibition, which also brought in several out of town visitors.

Although the arena cannot sustain ice in the summer months, the building is still used by groups to host company picnics, large parties and public sales.

The Rockpile Community Center hosted several wedding receptions, birthday parties, community meetings, dances and holiday parties throughout the year. The center also is home to the Soup Kitchen, which serves daily noon meals to less fortunate people. The Soup Kitchen is operated by the Council of Community Services. An estimated 24,000 people used the Rockpile Community Center in 2005.

Bell Nob Golf Course Bell Nob had an outstanding year that was marked with excellent playing conditions, opening of the par 3 and continued course improvements. Maintenance practices continue to build the quality of turf. The year was a success, with both green fee and memberships at the course up.

One of the highlights of the year was the opening of the junior course. The junior program created a great place for kids and beginners to learn the game Last year Bell Nob had 812 members, of which 112 were juniors. The junior clinic saw the participation numbers climb. Mens club had 262 participants, and the ladies club had 45 members. The total rounds for the year were 23,111.

The junior program education classes were a huge success and will continue both in the classroom and on the par 3 course.

Classes will run throughout the summer, and class size will be limited. Areas that will be addressed will be rules of golf, course etiquette and playing the game. All junior members who take the class will receive a discount on their memberships.

The 18 hole course settled into a greener season, enjoying the continued improvement from the enhanced irrigation system. Improvements this year were opening seven reconstructed tee boxes and adding fairway yardage plates. As always, the staff at Bell Nob continues to strive to improve each players golfing experience.

Campbell County Commissioner

Marilyn Mackey • 682-7283

Campbell County Commissioner

Campbell County Commissioner

Roy Edwards • 682-7283

Campbell County Attorney

Campbell County Commissioner

Chris R. Knapp • 682-7283

Campbell County County Clerk

Campbell County Commissioner

Alan Weakly • 682-7283

Campbell County Clerk Of District Court

Susan Saunders • 682-7285 Craig G. Mader • 682-7283

Nancy Ratcliff • 682-3424

Jeani Stone • 682-4310

Campbell County County Coroner

Tom Eekhoff • 687-6179

Campbell County Treasurer

Shirley Study • 682-7268

Campbell County Sheriff

Bill Pownall • 687-6160

Campbell County Assessor

Jerry Shatzer • 682-7266