The year saw many new faces taking office within the county.
New county commissioners, a new sheriff, a new county clerk, and county assessor took their oath of office at the beginning of the year. However, not all county vacancies were a result of the 2018 election. Don Van Matre, a respected member of the board of county commissioners, died after a long battle with cancer.
Issues impacting the county included a debate about a truck stop proposal outside of Jamestown and an increase in the county’s lodging tax.
New officials take office
The 2018 elections led to a number of new people taking the reigns of county offices. Republicans Roy Lloyd and Jeffery Smith were placed on the Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners, while Republican Cindy Lane became Sweetwater County Clerk and Republican John Grossnickle assumed his elected position as Sweetwater County Sheriff. Democrat Dave Divis became the Sweetwater County Assessor.
Don Van Matre passes away
Don Van Matre, a long-serving Sweetwater County commissioner and a former mayor of Green River died in May. Van Matre was remembered by many for his catchphrase “it’s another day in paradise” and for the thoughtful and respectful approach me made when working as a county commissioner, even when he disagreed with other commissioners.
“He was always agreeable when we had a disagreement,” Sweetwater County Commissioner Wally Johnson said.
Van Matre was appointed to the role in 2010 and had served as the head of the county’s Veterans Service Office prior to the appointment. Van Matre’s death resulted in the Sweetwater County Republican Party being tasked with submitting three candidates to fulfill the remainder of his term. Those people were Island Richards, Lauren Schoenfeld and John Kolb. Schoenfeld was selected by the commissioners in a 3-1 vote, with Johnson breaking from the rest of the group to support Richards.
District court judge retires
District Court Judge Nena James retired from the bench in October, after serving for 18 years. James started her law career in 1974, when she opened a law office in Sweetwater County. She was appointed the county’s justice of the peace, a precursor to the current role of circuit court judge, in 1975. She decided not to apply for the circuit court judge position when the state phased out its justice of the peace jobs in 1981, opting to focus on her private practice. In 1989, she became the municipal court judge in Rock Springs. She was appointed to serve as district court judge in 2001.
“It was hard because I didn’t have any help and a full-time case load,” she said about the first few months as district court judge.
James calls her work with juveniles and in domestic relations some of the highlights of her career. Specifically, she thought the work with juveniles was meaningful because of all the agencies involved dedicated to improve outcomes for children. She also was the judge for Rock Springs High School’s attendance court, which reviewed work and attendance of students she had seen in court.
“I believe we really did save the education of quite a few kids,” James said.
James said she plans to continue residing in Sweetwater County. Her replacement, Judge Suzannah Robinson, was appointed in October.
Truck stop proposal approved
Throughout the year, much of the area’s attention was focused on a proposal to build a truck stop west of Green River, near Jamestown. The Love’s Travel Stop proposal was ultimately approved by both the county’s planning and zoning board and the Sweetwater County commissioners, many residents living near the site Love’s will build the truck stop voiced concerns and opposition to the proposal. However, others think the truck stop will open up future possibilities for further development in the area.
Plant closures announced
Rocky Mountain Power released the results of its integrated resource plan, which called for the early retirement of coal-powered units at the Jim Bridger Power Plant and the Noughton Plant near Kemmerer. The company later announced it is eyeing a 2023 closure date for Unit 1 at Jim Bridger. The announcement was met with heavy criticism from local leaders and an investigation into the methodology used in RMP’s study was launched by the Wyoming Public Service Commission.
Lodging tax increased to 4 percent
Another event tied to election ins 2018 was the increase in county-wide lodging tax to 4 percent. The increase took place in April. The tax supports the promotion of tourism within the county and pays for marketing efforts focused out of the area.
“Tourism is a huge part of our local economy,” Jenissa Meredith, executive director of the Sweetwater County Joint Travel and Tourism Board, told the Green River City Council Tuesday night.
Aircraft visits airport
A B-17 Flying Fortress made a stop at the Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport in June. The aircraft, dubbed the Sentimental Journey, had a number of visitors recalling their own stories while serving in the armed forces. Deer Trail Assisted Living in Rock Springs sent veterans living at the facility to see the aircraft, a group that included a 96-year-old veteran who originally flew on missions in B-17 and B-24 aircraft in World War II. Vern Peterson served as a radio man and gunner during the war, flying dangerous missions over Germany. During one mission he was involved in, he was certain he and his crew would be killed, but credited the pilot’s skill with bringing the B-24 they were in back to base.
“I’m glad to see one like that all in one piece,” Peterson said with a smile when talking about the B-17. “We won the war, that makes me feel good.”
Peterson died Oct. 9 at Deer Trail Assisted Living.
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