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Dear Editor, This is a shout out to the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, church leaders, school fund raising organizers and even the City of Green River. This is a letter about community. We are a community not only by the physical boundaries we live in, but also a community of good people. We care about our city. We care about our neighbors. We do care about our neighbors and neighborhoods, but we don’t always have time to lend that extra needed hand. That helping hand when someone, due to health or unforeseen circumstances, can’t care for their pro...
As the campaign season heats up throughout the summer, candidates are talking more about how they would work within the office they’re elected to. For many candidates seeking election as the next governor of Wyoming, this has inevitably led to discussions about the state’s economy and spending. We’re disheartened to see the Republican candidates continuing to talk about the importance of belt tightening without discussion of widening the tax base to support services provided by the state. We’re not arguing against fiscal respons...
On Feb.18, State Auditor Cynthia Cloud made us refile our open records request for the state checkbook and then charged us $8,000 in fees. But production has been slow. At this pace, we’ll receive all the records by 2048. Why would it take 30 years to produce just five years of state spending? Wyoming receives an “F” in transparency from the Center for Public Integrity in Washington, D.C. This should be embarrassing for Wyoming elected officials. It shouldn’t take a search warrant, subpoena, or litigation to force open the state checkbo...
It is exciting to see newspapers and others—inside and outside the State of Wyoming—talking about spending transparency. The people of Wyoming pay for our government with hard-earned dollars, and the ability of any interested citizen to “follow the money” is vital to accountability, public trust, and good government. Some private sector advocates say it well: “Every Dime. Online. In Real Time.” During my tenure as your state auditor, I have worked to lay the foundation for this initiative. First, we had to make certain that we are actually tr...
If you’re looking for more customers for your business, you might want to consider the world’s largest purchaser: the U.S. Government. You might be surprised at what federal, state and local governments are looking to buy from Wyoming small businesses. Here are 10 products and services government agencies are looking to purchase right now: Bread products: The Sheridan VA Medical Center is seeking sources to provide assorted bread products including 700 slices of Texas Toast, 625 hotdog buns and 312 English Muffins annually. Office rental: The...
As is evidenced by the large burned-out spot in Telephone Canyon, fire season has arrived in Sweetwater County. High temperatures combined with little moisture create a situation where the smallest spark can create a massive blaze. In Sweetwater County, it isn’t unusual for residents to see smoke obscure the clear afternoon sky. It isn’t unusual to see wild land firefighters hurrying along state highways and country roads to take on blazes in some of the most out-of-the-way areas in the county. In Rock Springs, residents routinely see a por...
Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives. — James Madison There are some within my industry who fear that the Wyoming Press Association has turned its back on the fight to secure the right of Wyoming’s citizens to access public documents, but that is not the case. As an association of community newspaper publishers— and Wyoming business owners— we have simply come to understand and acknowledge that transparency is not something that ca...
Cash flow issues seem to be a concern for many small businesses. They often stem from a limited understanding of the components of cash flow itself. The basic definition of cash flow is “the flow of money into and out of the business.” This includes income generated from sales activity and expenses from all of your operating costs. Hopefully your accountant told you after tax season, “Congratulations, you made a profit last year.” Even so, you might look at your checkbook balance and see that it is nearly empty. I am sure you are asking...
It’s easy for us to, week after week, find something to complain about. An ill-advised move by a governing body or an issue that has been overly debated. It’s also easy for us to look at something, decide it can be done better and write about that. However, it isn’t often we praise something. There are a few things in Green River worthy of praise. We think the city’s action on reworking its minor in possession of tobacco law is a good move. One of the largest issues schools across the nation have dealt with is the proliferation of discret...
As the political season kicks into gear, I figured it would be best to establish some rules for campaign messaging. Candidates can submit a campaign announcement, which will run depending on space. I aim to publish them before the upcoming primary election. Candidates can also submit one column for publication on the opinion page. Generally speaking, shorter columns will take precedence because I can place more in the space provided. Any additional candidate messaging will have to be purchased...
I, Dave Divis Sweetwater County Assessor, am writing to respond to Mr. Rubeck’s accusations against me and my office in his announcement to run for Sweetwater County Assessor. I would also like to point out a very significant statutory requirement to hold the office of assessor. Early on Rubeck states he “owns and operates The Fish Bowl Restaurant and Bowling Center,” which is true. Along with The Fish Bowl, Rubeck operates the restaurant at Rolling Green Country Club and also caters events across the county. Wyoming statute 18-3-106 state...
It was a beautiful day. At least for me anyways. It was in the 80s, a light breeze and barely a cloud in the sky. Since it was so warm, I decided it would be a perfect day for my boys and I to try out the new inflatable 10-foot pool I purchased for us to use this summer. We had already had the pool blown up and filled with water. All we needed to do was remove the tarp we had placed over it to prevent it from getting too many bugs in it and we were all set. The boys had already put their...
While it’s not yet officially summer, school is out, the temperatures are rising, and the water beckons. Be it the pool, the river, the lake, or even the splash park, one of the best parts of summer is water sports and swimming. In Green River we have a lot of pride in our namesake river and the Flaming Gorge that it pours into. And by all means, we should enjoy it. With that, it’s important to understand water safety and preventive measures. The stats on unintentional drowning in the Unites States are surprising and staggering. The risk is...
One of the strangest things about county elections is the fact that all of the county’s elected positions are partisan. For someone campaigning to be a county commissioner, this isn’t a problem. All you need to be a commissioner is a set of ideals you think will help the county and enough support from like-minded individuals to get elected. Experience isn’t necessary and sometimes, even frowned upon. Claiming a party affiliation makes sense here because belonging to a party says a lot about the candidate’s views on how the county should operate...
I usually run home from work every day, rain or shine. I started this practice over a year ago when we decided not to put any more money into the old car I was driving to and from work in. Sometimes I run to AND from work, but usually just home in the evenings after work. We had a mild enough winter in Rock Springs, so I did run in snow and cold but it really wasn’t that bad. It’s only 25 minutes home because even though I am not super speedy, it’s not quite 2.5 miles. To distract me from the hills I must run up, I look at my surro...
The Green River Animal Control Adoption fair held Saturday was a success. The adoption fair resulted in place 25 animals in homes, and 4 more who are being tested out for adoption with potential adopters. Out of 33 dogs total, there and only four left. There was a lot of support from the community and businesses to make this happen. From time to time Green River Animal Control is in a position to help out other animal shelters that are at capacity. Originally, 20 dogs were brought in from a shelter in New Mexico, and four from a shelter in...
The Sweetwater County Commissioners have no reason not to support horse wagering in Green River and should approve the upcoming request to for their support. The Town Bar and Grill seeks to install both off track horse race wagering and historic horse race terminals within the bar. The Green River City Council voted to support Town Bar and Grill’s request to Wyoming Downs LLC, the company which would provide both services to the bar. Cliff McCarlie, a representative of Wyoming Downs who spoke with us when after the request was heard by the c...
Dear Editor, I am glad to see the article about the solar farm in the Green River Star. I just wanted to clarify what I said was referring not to the BLM, but to the RSGA (Rock Springs Grazing Association) and Wyoming Game and Fish Department, who both spoke against this project at the planning and zoning commission meeting earlier that I attended. The BLM is still reviewing this project under the Environmental Assessment process, with a decision expected in June. Thank you for noting the short 15-day public comment period prior to the...
As he proudly walked across the stage ready to receive his diploma, I couldn’t help but wonder what life has in store for him. My youngest son John, 6, took part in his kindergarten gradation last week and I can still see the look on his face as he grabbed the microphone from his principal to declare that his most favorite thing about kindergarten was when he helped raise chicks. He’s my youngest and although I tried to hold it together and get into what I like to call “reporter mode” and jus...
The Sweetwater County Emergency Responders are hosting the fourth annual Battle of the Badges Blood Drive from June 11–14 in both Green River (June 11-12) and Rock Springs (June 13-14). This event is part blood drive, part competition. This year, the need hits close to home as a Jacob Carlson, a police officer in Casper, was critically injured this month in an officer-involved shooting. Carlson was shot five times and required a significant amount of blood due related to his injuries and multiple surgeries. He is still fighting for his life. T...
Wyoming’s roads have been deadly in May. The information signs spanning Interstate 80 between Rock Springs and Green River have attempted to drive home a few sobering statistics: 10 people have died on state roads since the start of the month and 63 percent of vehicle crash deaths involved people not using their seat belts. While attempting to warn people of the inherent dangers driving without being buckled in can bring is a way to use fear as a motivator for seat belt use and safer driving, the Wyoming Department of Transportation might be a...
Recently (April 25), a 10-minute interview on Riverton’s local radio station created a dust-up across the state. So far, Wyoming’s liberal news site, WyoFile, has written three articles about it. The Casper Star Tribune has published another three; and numerous other outlets around the state have weighed in. A full two weeks after the interview, new articles just appeared on May 10 and 11. Not only is the conversation ongoing, it is yet another one-sided lambasting of every Wyomingite who cares about what our children are being taught and how t...
The names of five firefighters were added to the memorial walls at the Wyoming Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Riverton over the weekend. Fifty nine surviving family members of thone named attended to lay a rose at the memorial and an estimated 100 firefighters were in attendance. Casper Professional Firefighters Pipes and Drums played at the memorial and U.S. Sen. John Barrasso served as a keynote speaker. Representing Green River Fire Department at the memorial were volunteer firefighters Tom Murphy, Bryan Carpenter, and Jaime Walgren and had...
My six-year-old son, John, started playing soccer for the first time and absolutely loves it. Which has left this mom wondering “Am I cut out to be a soccer mom?” So far, I have only missed one soccer practice because my oldest son, Matthew, had a school function I needed to take him to. After being at John’s practices and games, I have quickly come to the conclusion that not only do you have to be tough to play soccer, but you must be tough to watch it. The team, which consists of eight six y...
It’s National Police Week and a great time to show appreciation for our police force. The history of National Police Week began in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. This year, Green River’s Mayor, Pete Rust, signed the National Police Week Proclamation observing May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and calling all Green River residents to observe May 13-19 as Police Week. In recognition of National Police Week, law...
