The News Editorial: A few notes on election and community

It is Tuesday night and we are waiting for results from across the state to come in as the secretary of state and superintendent of public instruction races right now are too close to call.

Washakie County had its results printed out for those of waiting in the courthouse just after 8 a.m.

I would like to congratulate those who advanced to the general election. Austin Brookwell appears to be the county’s next sheriff, barring a write-in Democratic candidate.

Morgan Martinez appears to be joining Terry Wolf and Aaron Anderson as a county commissioner.

There were several write-ins for council seats so there could be some contested races there in the November general election. We will know more on Friday.

When I voted Tuesday everything seemed to be running smoothly. I remembered my ID and I thought back on the first time I voted in person rather than absentee and I had taken my ID in thinking I would need it. After all, I needed it to register to vote, why would I not need it to prove it was me voting.

But until the legislature recently put in the Voter ID law, we did not have to show ID at the polls.

While I was there no one seemed to have an issue, it did not seem to slow down the process at all.

Congratulations to all of Tuesday’s winners. Whether your candidate won or not, we must support our local, county, state and federal leaders. We must hold them accountable but let us not try and tear them down but instead lift them up. It is far easier to do a good job when you have support than when you know people are trying to drag you down.

I would also like to say thanks to everyone who ran but did not advance to the general election. You have a heart for your community, county and state and that should be applauded. You were willing to sacrifice time to serve your community and that should be applauded.

I hope for those who did not win Tuesday that they will be looking for ways to serve their community. There are many volunteer boards, organizations, events and services that could use a helping hand.

As an oddity for the election in Washakie County, 213 people voted for a man who had withdrawn from the state superintendent of public instruction. Thomas Kelly came in third among five candidates.

His withdrawal was announced in this newspaper. Signs were posted at the polling places. Now there is the possibility that all 213 of those were absentee ballots that came in before he withdrew but I think it is statistically impossible.

I think some voters did not take the time to read all the notes posted while they voted.

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Last Wednesday I had the opportunity to tour Unique Precisions with owners Gus and Paola Minicozzi, along with Governor Mark Gordon, WDA officials and Rep. Mike Greear.

It was refreshing to hear the Minicozzis share their excitement about living in Wyoming and in Worland specifically.

They are already planning their entry for the Christmas Parade of Lights. They had an entry in the fair parade. They and their employees have purchased four homes in the area.

We welcome the Minicozzis and their manufacturing plant Unique Precisions Industries to Worland.

I hope their excitement will be contagious and residents can see our community through their eyes, see how much the community offers its residents.

Sometimes we take for granted that our cost of living is relatively low compared to so many other places, we take the freedoms we have in Wyoming for granted.

We joke that the problem with a small community is everyone knows everyone, but really isn’t that why we live here?

Thank you Minicozzis for choosing Worland and for your enthusiasm.

--Karla Pomeroy