Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
WORLAND - The Washakie County Commissioners approved a resolution in support of Operation Green Light during their regular meeting on Tuesday.
Commissioner Terry Wolf, a veteran, said he heard about Operation Green Light at a recent meeting of the National Association of Counties. He said he reached out to the American Legion to see if they were interested, and they are and now he was bringing it forward to his fellow commissioners.
Wolf read about the program from information on the NACo website, "America's counties have a long and proud history of serving our nation's veterans, a legacy that continues to this day as we work with our federal, state and local partners to ensure that the former service members in our communities have access to the resources they need to thrive.
"This coming Veterans Day, the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers (NACVSO) invite the nation's 3,069 counties, parishes, and boroughs to join Operation Green Light and show support for veterans by lighting our buildings green from November 7 to November 13. By shining a green light, county governments and our residents will let veterans know that they are seen, appreciated and supported."
Wolf and Commissioner Morgan Martinez will be contacting local stores that sell lights to see if they could provide some green lights for businesses and residents for Operation Green Light.
The resolution approved Tuesday states in part, "The residents of Washakie County have great respect, admiration, and the utmost gratitude for all of the men and women who have selflessly served our country and this community in the Armed Forces; and the contributions and sacrifices of the men and women who served in the Armed Forces have been vital in maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by our citizens; and Washakie County seeks to honor these individuals who have paid the high price for freedom by placing themselves in harm's way for the good of all."
The commissioners said they would work with Building Maintenance Supervisor Tom Schmeltzer to see how they can best illuminate county buildings in green Nov. 7-13.
In a letter to be given to the businesses seeking their support, the commissioners wrote, "Since the tragedy of September 11, 2001, our nation's voluntary military force members, and their families, have made immense sacrifices for our safety and security over a two-decade period. Similar to the sacrifices of previous generations of our armed forces, this service to country also often results in significant stress to many of the veterans who served in times of war and conflict. We want to make sure our veterans and their families know that their service mattered, that we are grateful for their sacrifices, and that it is now our turn to make sure they are served by their county government and our community.
"In addition to lighting county buildings, residents and businesses are encouraged to participate by simply changing one light bulb in their house to a green bulb. This can be an exterior light that neighbors and passersby see, or an interior light that sparks a conversation with friends.
"By shining a green light, we let our veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported. While this event is focused around the week of Veterans Day (Nov. 7-13), participants are encouraged to continue shining the light year-round. Residents can share their participation on social media using the hashtag #OperationGreenLight."
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business Tuesday the commissioners:
•Agreed to support increasing the salary of deputy county attorney position to not more than $72,000. County Attorney John Worrall said Deputy Attorney Anthony Barton, who is unopposed to be elected the next Washakie County Attorney has struggled to find a new deputy attorney. According to a legal notice published Aug. 18, publishing the salaries for Washakie County employees, as a deputy attorney Barton currently makes $58,600 annually.
•Heard from Schmeltzer that the City of Worland Public Works Superintendent Nick Kruger informed him that the concrete gutter in the parking lot between the library and city hall is damaged and needs repaired. Preliminary estimates are about $20,000 with the city providing the labor. Per the agreement between the city and the county maintenance costs for the parking lot are shared.
He also reported that the city ordinance officer has notified him that the weeds in the lot at Eighth and Robertson need to be taken care of per city ordinance. He said the lot has been sprayed twice and weeds cut twice.
When asked he said he has not used sterilant on the property but would inquire with Weed and Pest Supervisor Jarrod Glanz.
He also reported that they would be mounting a wall heater in the northern room of the Washakie County Library because the heat does not get to that area and "we've got to do it or we're likely to freeze that room up."
•Went into closed/executive session three times during the meeting, once with Worrall for potential litigation, once to interview county planner candidate Angela Parker and once with Glanz. No action was taken following the sessions.
•Agreed to write a letter of support for TCT as the company applies for a ReConnect 4 grant to upgrade fiber to remote and rural areas.
TCT CEO Richard Wardell told the commissioners that the grant, which is due in early November, includes two projects in Washakie County east of Ten Sleep and south of Ten Sleep. He said it will upgrade existing lines for Tri County Telephone.
Also included in the grant project is an area on the Emblem Bench and the east side of Lovell.
The project in Washakie County does build out most of Ten Sleep except north toward Hyattville and west around the Ten Sleep Brewery and new subdivision.
