the glenrock bird issue july 24, 2011

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Carrying The Right News... To The Right Places Volume #5: Issue 2 Glenrock & Rolling Hills Wyoming’s Sunday Morning Hometown Local News Newspaper

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The Official Newspaper of Rolling Hills

“A smile is an inexpensive way to change your looks.”-- Charles Gordy

all this... and so much more in your Sunday morning newspaper The Glenrock Bird

PO BOX 1207 Glenrock, Wy 82637www.theglenrockbird.com

NEW NUMBER!! 307-359-8681SPECIAL THANKS TO COWBOY

STATE FREE PRESS

Governor Mead Celebrates

Strong Energy Partnership

with Canada at Seventh Annual

Cheyenne Frontier Days

BBQ ReceptionCHEYENNE, Wyo. – To cel-ebrate the important partnership between Wyoming and Canada, Governor Matt Mead and Cana-dian Consul General Dale Eisler will co-host the Seventh Annual Cheyenne Frontier Days Bar-beque Reception on Thursday, July 28, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The event—including part-ners EnCana Oil & Gas USA and Suncor Energy—will be held during Cheyenne Frontier Days at the Sponsors’ Tent in Frontier Park. Invited guests in-clude Wyoming’s political, busi-ness and community leaders. The United States and Canada have the largest bilateral trading relationship in the world. Since the implementation of the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement in 1989, two-way trade in goods and services has more than dou-bled. Based on 2010 data, total two-way trade in goods and ser-vices between the United States and Canada reached $630.1 bil-lion and supported more than 8 million U.S. jobs, includ-ing16,800 jobs in Wyoming alone (Statistics Canada). The same year, two-way merchan-dise trade between Wyoming and Canada totaled 1.8 billion, making Canada the Cowboy State’s largest trading partner, purchasing more of Wyoming’s exports than any other country. The purpose of the reception is to grow this mutually beneficial relationship, as well as engage area leaders to discuss opportu-nities for increasing trade and in-vestment between Wyoming and Canada. The Consulate General of Canada in Denver actively engages Wyoming’s state and local leaders to raise awareness about Canada’s leadership posi-tion on bilateral issues, such as border security, trade and North American energy security. For more information about the event, please contact Renny MacKay, Communications Director for Governor Mead, at (307) 777-7437 or (307) 274-5870(mobile). For more information about the Govern-ment of Canada’s representation in the four-state Rocky Moun-tain region of Colorado, Mon-tana, Utah and Wyoming, call (303) 626-0640 or visit the web-site at www.denver.gc.ca.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

STEVE LAHOCKI!

Hey Daddy you’ve turned 71!

Your daughter and son sure are stunned!

Heck we sure want you to still have good times

and so Daddy as the “old” saying rhymes

be careful when runnin to have all that fun

so you don’t hurt those bones that have turned

71!

We love you, Daddy and we miss you and wish

you a very Happy Birthday!!!!

Love, Sandy and James

by Susan R. Stoltz

To me, horses and freedom are synonymous. ~Veryl Goodnight There has been lots of press lately on the substantial round-ups of this nations wild horse population by the Bureau of Land Manage-ment or BLM. And when I say substantial I tend to lean toward massive. The political issues surrounding this problem run deep, and we can suffice it to say that, overall, big government has once again allowed lobbyists and hapless mismanagement to prevail in an issue that surrounds not only the horses but a symbol of the Ameri-can West. Round-ups are being conducted in the most inhumane way possible, with helicopters that literally run the hooves off of many of the horses. Broken limbs and miscarried foals are the byproduct of this terrible practice. The pro’s and con’s of round-ups such as this abound. Most horse enthusiasts would agree that, should the wild horse popula-tion gain in numbers to the point that the land cannot sustain them, some sort of humane population control should be met. But they would also be the first to point out

that the way it is currently being accomplished is neither humane nor kind. What the government doesn’t want you to know is that they’d rather use the land desig-nated to the preservation of the horses for mining, oil, gas and large corporate ranching. Let me make a distinction – the ranching of the government ilk is far and away different from the western ranching seen by the true Ameri-can cowboy and rancher. The BLM federal agency that oversees public lands in Amer-ica’s west is the dominant land-holder and, unfortunately, he who has the most makes the rules. What the government forgets is that the public land belongs to the people and should not be sold to the highest bidder. Many of the wild horses that have been incarcerated in holding fa-cilities are sent over the border to Mexico for slaughter and export of the meat to foreign countries for consumption. Senator Con-rad Burns, a Republican from Montana, piggybacked a rider into legislation making it easier to sell horses for slaughter and human consumption. With little fanfare and no knowledge of the American people, the fate of our wild horses changed forever.

Serving man in war, mobility, productivity, agriculture, devel-opment of all kinds, the Horse is by far one of the largest contribu-tors to the enhancement of civi-lization. Some repayment for a cooperative life of servitude. Wherever man has left his footprint in the long ascent from barbarism to civilization we will find the hoofprint of the horse be-side it. ~John Moore Whether you are for or against rounding up this nation’s herds, it’s undeniable that the American wild horses are seen as a symbol of our freedom. It reminds us of grace, power, nobility, strength and beauty. It is truly one of the most recognized symbols of the American west. Their loss would be unimaginable. The American horse is making its last stand. I intend to stand with it.

EXTRA! EXTRA!THOSE GROCK MARLINS

GO UNFEATED AGAIN!

Back Row- Eric Leach, Coach, Urian Moreno, Skyelor Stewart, An-drew Albrandt, Kaden Decoteau, Dakota Reynolds, Brooks Brown-ing, Tyler Kelley. Front Row- Alex St. Gelias, Tucker Bopp, Lucas Daniels, Noah Halsey, Ian Arnold, Weston KnightNot Pictured: Archer Young. Photo courtesy Eyvonne Browning

Marlins go UNDEFEATED… AGAIN!

With the highest score at 15-8 taking it all from Lusk, the Mar-lins stayed undefeated this sea-son. "Each member contributed to all the wins" stated Marlin Mom Eyvonne Browning of Glenrock.

The players, working together rotating positions from pitch-ing, to catching and fielding all played a major part in proving they are the best baseball team for the 2011 AA baseball sea-son. Playing teams from the sur-rounding areas including three Douglas teams, teams from

Wright and of course Lusk.

The Marlins ended each game with scores similar to the whomping good score they gained in beating Lusk. The re-sult? Walking away with a win on every game this season.

"They batted well and will have great success next summer" stated Browning. "We hope for more kids to show interest early as registration begins in Febru-ary."

Congratulations Marlins! Way to go fish! Er… I mean… way to go!

Making Its Last StandAmerica’s Wild Horse

Photograph by Suzanne R. Sylvester

Susan R. Stoltz is an author and Journalist for the Glenrock Bird Newspaper in Wyoming. Suzanne R. Sylvester is an outstand-ing photographer and tours the country photographing America’s horses in all walks of life. More of her photography can be seen on her website www.ssylvester.comBoth are working together on a se-ries of children’s books that can be seen on www.sharkeypup.com

Sunday July 24, 2011 The Glenrock Bird

Kindergarten Registration!

Kindergarten Registration will be held March 30, 2010 at 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Grant. All 4 and 5 year-olds, whose birthday falls on or before September 15th are invited to attend. Registration consists of (1) an informational Parent Orientation, (2) Completing and/or turning in re-quired paperwork, and (3) The child’s visit to the class-rooms. Parents need to bring current immunization re-cords and an official and original birth certificate. All documents will be returned at the end of the evening. This is a wonderful introduction for your child and we look forward to meeting you and showing you around our exciting classroom!

Registration packets are available now at the Grant El-ementary office, and will also be available on the night of registration. Please return completed paperwork at Registration. All students who are registered by April 1st will be entered in a drawing for free backpacks load-ed with school supplies! For more information, please call 436-2774.

Announcements

Alcoholics Anonoymous Meetings in Glenrock at The Senior Center East Door

(thrift store entrance.)Monday nights at 7pm - 8pm

THE BIRD HAS RELOCATED FROM ITS TEMPORARY OFFICE IN THE BRONCO BUILDING

TO ITS NEW HOME IN THE HOTEL HIGGINS.

We are right on the street to the left of the main entrance of the Higgins down the stairs under the small green awning.

Our new offices are BEAUTIFUL and everyone is wel-come to come by and check out our new digs!

Thanks to the Hotel Higgins for the beautiful office space.

For those of you looking for office space, contact Judi Colling at 307-436-9212.

CLICK IT, OR GET A TICKET. WHP AND LOCAL PD WILL BE HANDING OUT TICKETS IF YOU ARE NOT WEARING YOUR SEAT BELT. NO IF’S, AND’S

OR BUT’s!

The Wyoming Senior Olympics will be held

in Cheyenne this August 10-13.

Participants from the United States and

Canada that are age 50 or better by Dec.

31, 2011 are eligible to compete in more

than 30 events. Registration forms to

participate in the games are available at

the Cheyenne Family YMCA or online at

www.wyseniorolympics.com

The games are open to spectators and we

look forward to having everyone take part

in the games. Participants, Volunteers, and

spectators are all welcome.

As Wyoming’s college rodeo coaches converge on the Na-tional High School Finals in Gillette this week, they will be recruiting top student athletes who waver between going to college and turning pro right out of high school.

The most ambitious competi-tors will want to ride on the college and Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association circuits at the same time. And many of those may follow some of Wy-

oming’s top young cowboys to Texas, where the pro rodeo sea-son is longer and richer than in the Northern Rockies.

“I do hear kids say they want to go to Texas and pro rodeo,” said Dan Mortensen, a world cham-pion saddle-bronc rider and the interim head rodeo coach at Northwest College in Powell. “I know it’s really tempting to

head off to the pros. The ones who are winning in college are probably good enough to win pro rodeos, too.”

Case in point: JR Vezain of Cowley, who won last month’s College National Finals Rodeo bareback competition. With $29,000 in winnings, he is a top contender for rookie of the year on the PRCA circuit.

“I never wanted to go to col-lege,” said Vezain, the 2009 national high school bareback champion, as he stripped sev-eral yards of tape from his fore-arms after riding last month for Vernon College at the CNFR in Casper.

“I just wanted this,” said Vezain, 19, waving at the arena and the crowd. “I didn’t want to sit in a classroom. I wanted to rodeo.”

But the 2010 valedictorian of Rocky Mountain High School turned his back on Wyoming colleges and accepted a full scholarship to Vernon.

“I went to college in Texas be-cause I heard it was easy to pro rodeo from there,” said Vezain. He might not have gone to Ver-non if Tyler Willis, a bull rider from Wheatland, and Kaleb Asay, a saddle bronc rider from Powell, weren’t already en-rolled at the school near Wichita Falls.

“I didn’t commit to going there until March of my senior year,” he said. “It was easier to decide because Tyler and Kaleb were already there. They told me it was a good place to go.”

Like Vezain, Asay won state and national rodeo titles in high school and dreamed of going pro. Unlike Vezain, he spurned college and headed out on the PRCA tour as soon as he turned 18.

“I wanted to be rookie of the year [on the PRCA] and be young when I won it,” said Asay, who is now 22. “I didn’t want to wait to win it when I’m the age I am now.”

After winning the saddle-bronc competition at the National High School Finals Rodeo in 2006 and the International Fi-nals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Okla. in 2007, Asay set out to test himself against the best.

He won more than $23,000 in his first year on the PRCA cir-cuit and finished first among saddle-bronc rookies in 2008. He cinched up his rookie-of-the-year buckle when he was 19.

Asay says he might never have gone to college if he hadn’t suf-fered a serious injury and fallen in with a friend who was riding and studying at the same time.

He cracked two vertebrae in his lower back during his rookie

season in the PRCA but kept riding through the pain. The next year he hurt his back again when he was bucked off a horse after the whistle in Odessa, Texas.

“I was having a tough time coming back from my broken back,” Asay remembers. “So I was working on a ranch in Colorado for a friend of mine. He talked to me about going to Vernon.”

The friend was Jace Hildreth, a fellow saddle bronc rider who had spent a year at Vernon al-ready. As the two rodeo riders roped and doctored cows on the Hildreth ranch outside of Gun-nison, they talked about rodeo and school.

“I had tried to recruit Kaleb right out of high school,” said Bobby Scott, the Vernon rodeo coach. “He got back in touch with me, but Jace was the one who recruited him. In the end, it was one of my students who convinced Kaleb to come to Vernon.”

Asay won the saddle bronc title at the CNFR as a freshman in 2010 and graduated from Ver-non this spring.

Wyoming coaches recognize that they will lose some top competitors, like Asay, to the southern schools.

“It’s a bit of a disadvantage to be here,” said Rick Smith, the head rodeo coach at Central Wyoming College in Riverton. “We are not in the proximity of a major airport. If those guys are able to make money in the

Kaleb Asay, of Powell, seen at age 17 in a file photo, won the saddle bronc riding cham-pionship at the 2006 National High School Finals Rodeo in Springfield, Ill. (Ruffin Pre-vost/WyoFile)

A bull rider hangs on during the 2009 Xtreme Bulls event in Cody. (Rob Koelling photo)


CASPER – Poaching a tro-phy elk in Wyoming will cost an Oregon man more than $35,000.The Wyoming Game and Fish Department said to-day James S. Robinson, 60, of West Lynn, Oregon, was convicted Monday in U.S. District Court in Casper of

felonies.Judge William Downes fined Robinson $20,000 and or-dered he pay $15,000 in restitution to wildlife law enforcement in Wyoming, as well as $100 in special as-sessments or court costs.Downes revoked Robinson’s hunting privileges in the United States for five years and ordered him to give three speeches a year about wild-life conservation, and the consequences of his violating the law during three years of supervised probation.And Robinson will have to make five public service an-nouncements under the di-rection of law enforcement authorities.Mike Ehlebracht, the Wyo-ming Game and Fish Depart-ment’s Investigative Unit supervisor, received the tip in

January 2010.A concerned citizen reported a trophy bull elk being ille-gally taken in October 2005 near Ten Sleep.Ehlebracht’s investigation found that Robinson ille-gally killed an elk with 6-by-7-point antlers that score around 350 points on the

Boone and Crockett scale.Robinson violated Wyoming law by illegally killing the bull elk but the case also became a federal violation when the illegally taken meat and mounted head and ant-lers were transported across state lines.Federal charges were filed against Robinson, a real es-tate developer, in Septem-ber 2010. Robinson pleaded guilty in a plea agreement negotiated with his attorneys.Robinson could have re-ceived up to five years in fed-eral prison, $250,000 in fines and three years of supervised probation following impris-onment.

Elk Poaching in Wyoming Costs Oregon Man $35,000

James S. Robinson, 60, of West Lynn, Oregon, was convicted Mon-day in U.S. District Court in James S. Robinson, 60, of West Lynn, Oregon, was convicted Monday in U.S. District Court in Casper of felonies for illegally killing this elk in 2005. Photo courtesy Cowboy State Free Press.

North Platte River Flows Will Continue to be Lower

by Russ Dalgarn The Converse County Emer-gency Management Office would like to inform the pub-lic of the following updated information in regards to the North Platte River.The United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBOR) be-gan reducing the flows from the Gray Reef Dam into the North Platte River earlier this month. Incremental re-ductions began taking place on July 15. The reductions will continue through today, Sunday July 24. Total flow will be reduced to 4500 cubic

feet per second (CFS). This will be a 3000 CFS reduction from the present 7500 CFS. Citizens should still take ex-treme caution in using the North Platte River as the river is still running high and swift. Citizens should always wear a personal floatation de-vice as well as be aware of re-duced height where the Platte River flows under bridges. This is a very dynamic situ-ation. All of the above infor-mation may change.

pros, they want to be able to fly to the rodeos.”

Even so, Smith has recruited some of the best riders in Wy-oming, including Seth Glause, a saddle bronc and bull rider from Rock Springs, who won Wyoming State titles in 2005 and 2006.

It helped that Smith was him-self a saddle bronc rider who competed in the NFR and had known Tom Glause, Seth’s fa-ther, for 30 years.

“Wyoming has a lot of talented kids, especially in rough stock events,” said Smith. “Seth had friends at Riverton. If you can get one kid to come, you can often convince others to come to your program.”

Glause transferred to Oklaho-ma Panhandle State Universi-ty, in Goodwell, for his junior year. He won $92,000 in 2008 to qualify for the NFR.

“I used my time in Riverton to learn and get better,” Glause said at the Xtreme Bulls com-petition in Cody on June 30. “The coach let me pro rodeo at Panhandle. Craig [Latham, the Panhandle State coach] let me choose the college rodeos I wanted to go to.”

Smith was happy to see Glause leave Wyoming and ride for his old friend, Latham,

the Panhandle coach. “If Seth goes to Oklahoma, then we don’t have to compete against him in our region,” Smith said. “I try to send all of my best kids out of the region af-ter they graduate.”

Great rodeo talents have come to Wyoming for college, of-ten to learn from a particular coach or pursue a specific field of study. Shane Proctor attended Northwest College from 2002 to 2004, where he competed in timed and rough stock events.

In an interview just minutes before his winning ride in the Xtreme Bulls competi-tion in Cody, Proctor said he went to Northwest because Gavin Gleich, a former NFR bull rider, was assisting head coach Del Nose.

“I also liked Northwest be-

cause they had a great wres-tling program and I wanted to learn to coach wrestling,” Proctor said.

Proctor later went on to star on the Professional Bull Rid-ers Circuit, where he is ranked

15th, and on the PRCA, where he was first on the bull-riding prize money list at press time.

Proctor competed in many pro rodeos as a student in Wyo-ming. “We couldn’t fly out of Cody because it was too

expensive for poor college students, so we would go to Billings or drive to Denver,” he said. “You had to be really dedicated, but you could still make it to a lot of rodeos.”

Mortensen, who attended

Northwest as a student, sees more in college rodeo than the chance to go pro.

“It’s possible to make it to the NFR as a student,” he said “I did it. I tell students that I did it and they can, too. But I also got a college degree from Montana State.”

The package he presents to students includes an indoor arena and practice on the same bucking stock used in the Cody Nite Rodeo. But, he says, the best part of the deal is the opportunity to get a quality education.

“You rodeo your whole career knowing that it could be over in an instant,” he said. “The kids who are coming here for rodeo need to get their de-grees.”

Smith, the Central Wyoming coach, agrees. “It’s the total package that matters. I’ve been to the NFR, so I have some credibility with the kids and I know something that I can teach them. But the school matters, too, the edu-cation. So does the arena, and the scholarship. In the end it comes down to what you can offer them.”

For some students, the op-portunity to stay at home is as important as the chance to compete in pro rodeos.

“It’s about half and half,” said Tyler Willis, a two-event state champion from Wheatland. He went to Vernon on the ad-vice of a friend from northern Colorado, against whom he’d competed all his life. He be-came the PRCA bull-riding rookie of the year in 2009. “They’re recruiting a lot of Wyoming people, but some go to a Wyoming school no matter what.”

Eric Gewecke, a roper and saddle bronc rider from Gil-lette, went to Sheridan Col-lege to room with his best friend, Tyler Jacobs, a calf roper. After two years there he took a year off rodeo, at-tended Gillette College and worked to save money.

“I saved my eligibility so that I would have something to of-fer a 4-year coach,” he said. In the fall, he’ll rodeo for the University of Wyoming.

“A lot of guys go to Texas and do well down there,” he said. “I’m hauling horses, so Texas is too far. I’m only gone four and a half hours. I can still go to Rapid City and the Denver

Stock Show. I can come home to hunt in the fall. And all winter I’m going to practice roping in that heated indoor arena.”

In the end, the reasons to leave Wyoming and the reasons to

stay can be very similar. And coaches don’t always have the last word. Talented riders fol-low their friends.

Gewecke stayed in Wyoming to room with a friend. Kaleb Asay went to Texas with a new pal he met on a ranch. Tyler Willis followed a boy-hood friend to Vernon. Willis introduced his coach, Bobby Scott, to JR Vezain.

“Rodeo cowboys want to have fun,” Asay said. “You go where your pals are. You spend so much time and work so hard, you don’t want to rodeo with people you don’t know.”

Ron Feemster is Visiting Pro-fessor of Journalism at the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media in Bangalore, India, and previously taught journalism at Northwest Col-lege in Powell. He has report-ed for The New York Times, Associated Press, Newsday, NPR and others.

A pro competitor tries his luck in Cody at the 2009 Xtreme Bulls event. (Rob Koelling photo)

Matt Wznick of the Northwest College rodeo team competes in a preliminary round of team roping during the 2007 Trap-per Stampede Rodeo in Cody. (Ruffin Prevost/WyoFile)

Bull fighters work to protect a fallen rider during the 2009 Xtreme Bulls competition in Cody. (Rob Koelling photo)

PYATT’S PIECES

GRADING ON A CURVE

by Mike Pyatt

With the recent cheat-ing scandal that rocked the At-lanta school system, where more than 200 educators, teachers and principals were implicated in the most far reaching mendacious behavior in recent history, all in-volved were given an ultimatum: quit or be dismissed. The Gide-on Elementary School principal quickly denied any wrong doing. However, state investigators re-ported 178 teachers and princi-pals changed student scores to spike higher test scores. Georgia Governor Deal weighed in and said that when educators fail to uphold their public trust there will be consequences. It was appar-ently an “orchestrated” attempt to change the student’s scores, according to a local prosecutor, who accused a group of teachers who allegedly met at a private home and spent hours changing test answers. There will be no pau-city of excuses for such behavior from internal and external de-fenders. Some unions will claim the pressure to raise standardized test scores are to blame, or the “No Child Left Behind” legis-lation bears some culpability. Many states have struggled with administering standardizes tests that reflect an accurate assess-ment of student performance. Wyomingites will recall our own PAWS testing and a few pro-

gramming miscues by Pearson Education. However, to their credit, no such accusations were ever leveled against our educa-tors or legislators. In 2010 more than 200 students at the Central Universi-ty of Florida admitted to cheating on a mid-term exam. Professor Quinn determined from statisti-cal analysis and investigatory techniques that mass cheating had occurred. All the students were required to “retake” the test. Over simplifying the issue, “grading on a curve” is an attempt to level the playing field, generally for the lower perform-ing student. Rather than “flunk-ing” a majority of the students who scored dismally on a test, when only a few have higher scores, the teacher “grades on a curve”, rescuing those who per-formed poorer than the top scor-ers. There are benefits and drawbacks to “grading on a curve”. However, it has been re-ported over the years that many husbands have secretly con-fided they are grateful for being “graded on a curve” by their spouse-to-be when it came to af-firming their erstwhile marriage proposal. A new survey out by the University of Connecticut reports that 95% of students re-sponded affirmatively that they had indeed cheated in school over the past year. The report failed to clarify if that cheating was a one time event, or ha-bitual. Some may commend the young scholars for their candid, yet nonchalant response of com-mission. Others argue, that since

there is no longer a stigma or consequence attached to such behavior, it is likely to continue unchecked. Cheating, is , of course, not restricted just to the classroom. Its realm is virtually boundless. For example, cheat-ing on taxes, “fudging” on the expense report, or cheating in relationships, to the extreme be-havior of cheating on our spouse that we vowed to cherish. With the advent of the computer and a vast array of social websites, the degree or extent of on-line cheat-ing by either party is unquantifi-able. Yet just as dangerous and reprehensible. Few, if any, are ex-empt from the “cheatin side” in a lifetime. The salient issue, it strikes this writer, is whether it is a moment-in-time or a way of life. Such hackneyed excuses of “most everyone does it” or “my spouse drove me to it” will in no wise expunge our foul deeds. For those who are unwilling to confront such destructive, pro-tracted behavior, they may seek a modicum of solace in the hope that God “grades on a curve” for cheating. A review of the Scriptures pokes a hole in that balloon of nebbish thinking that has stranded too many souls on a shipwreck of ruin. No one said it better than Ole Hank, in 1953, “Your cheatin’ heart will tell on you.“ What do you think?

Send questions or comments to Mike:[email protected]


Last Thursday evening a large crowd of residents settled into their seats at the Glenrock Li-brary to hear the story of the Pony Express from former Na-tional Pony Express Association president Les Bennington. Ben-nington's vast knowledge of not

only Glenrock's Deer Creek Sta-tion but the life and legacy of the Pony Express kept guests talking long after the presentation had come to an end. Bennington's lecture marked the fifth in the six part summer lecture series, a col-

laboration between the Glenrock Historical Commission and the Glenrock Library. Paul Pidde, Glenrock Library branch manager, stated that the summer history program had drawn large numbers for a li-brary event. He expressed a de-sire to continue the lecture series for at least another two seasons. This summer, the focus was on local history (“One Town Many Stories.”) Speakers and attend-ees alike suggested additional speakers for next season also ex-perts on Glenrock, Deer Creek and Converse County history. This year's program will con-clude Thursday July 21 at 6 P.M. with a presentation by Kathy Patceg. Patceg is Glenrock's community development direc-tor and the lead advocate for the restoration of the Commerce Block building on Birch Street. Thursday she will share her vast knowledge of Glenrock's down-town, its history and the lengths being taken to preserve its future. The lecture is free and everyone is invited to attend.

Pony Express Success: The Glenrock Lecture Series Does it

Again

Les Bennington presents the story of the Pony Express at the Glenrock Library

Wyoming Workplace Fatality Rate Decliningby Dustin Bleizeffer

Wyoming’s workplace fatal-ity rate improved from worst-in-the nation — 17 fatalities per 100,000 workers in 2007 — to fourth-worst in 2009, according to an AFL-CIO report, passing the “worst” distinction to Mon-tana, Louisiana and North Da-kota where many drilling rigs migrated during the same period.

But before Wyoming leaders and employers claim victory over such a poor past performance, safety officials are warning that workplace fatalities could spike again when drilling and con-struction activity returns to Wyo-ming.

“More than half of the 16,000-plus jobs lost in Wyoming were in natural resource development and construction, and these bear the most dangerous occupational risks,” Wyoming state occupa-tional epidemiologist Timothy Ryan told WyoFile in a recent interview.

“My concern is that people are going to look at this and say ‘problem solved,’” Ryan contin-ued. “Well, no. When the econo-my picks back up in construction and mining, and oil and gas picks up, so goes the fatality rate.”

HIGHER FINES, FEWER FA-TALITIESOn January 5, Kyle Rooke, 42, of Drummond, Id., was struck by drilling mud when a stand-pipe valve failed on a drilling rig south of Pinedale. The drill-ing mud caught fire, according to the Wyoming Occupational Safety and Health Administra-tion. Rooke died before medical responders arrived at the scene.

A Wyoming OSHA investiga-tion revealed several alleged safety violations. Rooke wasn’t wearing flame-retardant cloth-ing, and had the rig operator — Unit Drilling Co. — conducted a “protective equipment assess-ment” the company should have realized that flame-retardant clothing was necessary for the job Rooke was performing, ac-cording to Wyoming OSHA.

The investigation, according to OSHA officials, also found improperly functioning equip-ment related to the accident that should have been repaired, re-placed or removed. As a result of those and other safety violations on the rig, Wyoming OSHA is-sued several citations to Unit Drilling Co., totaling $23,250 in fines. The company has until July 13 to contest the citations or agree to pay.

“Normally, they contest,” said J.D. Danni, program manager for Wyoming OSHA .

Unit Drilling Co. didn’t return WyoFile’s requests for com-ment.

That $23,250 figure is substan-tially higher than Wyoming OSHA has issued in the past for violations related to the death of a worker. The four workplace fatalities that Wyoming OSHA investigated in 2010 resulted in a total $9,125 in fines, accord-ing to federal OSHA documents. That’s an average $2,281 for vio-lations contributing to the death of a worker.

By comparison, in April an 18-year-oldWorland man was fined more than $9,000 for il-legally killing a trophy mule deer. The national average OSHA penalty for safety vio-lations related to a workplace fatality in 2010 was $17,105. Only South Carolina, Nevada, Montana and Alaska had av-erage fatality-related penal-ties lower than Wyoming’s in 2010.

“Industry here agreed the fines could be higher and we, ad-ministratively, followed fed-eral OSHA’s lead in raising fines,” said Danni.

Danni explained that the po-tential for higher OSHA fines began this year, mostly as the result of trimming several credits a company could earn based on past performance and other factors.

Other steps are being made to improve workplace safety in Wyoming. In June approxi-mately 200 companies within the oil and gas industry formal-ly signed an alliance with Wy-oming OSHA. The Wyoming Oil and Gas Industry Safety Alliance (WOGISA) seeks to raise safety awareness, iden-tify best practices and share training resources. Already in the works is a training program for “first-line” supervisors.

The group meets Wednesday (July 13) from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs. The meeting is open to the public. (Download the agenda at the bottom of this article.)

But whether Wyoming em-ployers and Wyoming OSHA are actually on course to sub-stantially improve workplace safety is still in serious ques-tion.

A 2010 study by the Wyoming

Department of Employment’s Research & Planning division, “Employment Change and Im-pacts on Workplace Fatalities in Wyoming,” found that the number of workplace fatalities in Wyoming closely tracks the number of people working in the state. Analysis of employ-ment and workplace fatalities spanning the 18 years from 1992 to 2009 suggests a 1 per-cent increase in employment is associated with an increase of 2.4 fatalities annually, accord-ing to the study.

For another representation of workplace fatality trends, safe-ty officials look to the fatality rate — or number of deaths per 100,000 workers. In 2007, near the peak of Wyoming’s energy boom, the state’s workplace fa-tality rate was 17 per 100,000 workers — more than four times the national average of 3.7 for the same year, accord-ing to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

In 2008, Wyoming’s work-place fatality rate improved to 11.6 per 100,000 workers, compared to the national aver-age 3.6.

In 2009, Wyoming’s work-place fatality rate improved to 7.1 per 100,000 workers, com-pared to the national average 3.5.

Wyoming has improved its workplace fatality rate. How-ever, Ryan warned, that may have more to do with the fact that Wyoming’s job losses were in drilling, mining and construction — those jobs most prone to workplace fa-talities.

“If you look at fatality rates, it looks like things are improv-ing,” said Ryan. “But if you look at the number of hospi-talizations, amputations and burns — the total number inju-ries has gone down, but not the rate. Amputations have gone up.”

Ryan said that while voluntary efforts such as WOGISA are an essential step toward stem-ming workplace injuries and fatalities, it’s likely that those numbers could spike again in correlation with a resurgence in energy development in Wy-oming.

“Tim is absolutely right,” said

Chuck Dobkins, safety and se-curity specialist for Williams Exploration & Production in Gillette. “When the price of gas comes back, and the econ-omy comes back in full-force, you’re going to bring a mass of workers into the state. For those smaller companies that need help, this (WOGISA-OSHA alliance) is a good op-portunity to get those compa-nies the help they need and be prepared.”

A large part of the WOGISA effort is to encourage large companies and corporations that can afford good safety pro-grams to share those resources and share their knowledge.

“It’s a heck of a lot better now than it was five years ago,” said Dobkins. “I think we got a better handle on it than we ever have.”

State and industry official be-lieve the biggest stride they can make toward reducing workplace fatalities is to ad-dress the use of seatbelts and driving habits. In the state’s preliminary analysis of work-place fatalities, officials found that many of the deaths are the result of vehicle accidents. In 2008, 71 percent of the work-ers who died in vehicle ac-cidents in Wyoming were not wearing seatbelts. Ryan said when he talks to the WOGISA membership at its meeting this week in Rock Springs, he will recommend the industry insti-tute employee shuttle services to and from worksites where possible.

“You’re taking a good portion of the guys off the road that don’t need to be on the road af-ter working a long shift,” said Ryan. “The model is there, and it has been proven to work, with the coal mines in the Powder River Basin.”

CARROT VS. STICKIn 2009, Wyoming lawmakers and industry leaders were de-cidedly against a proposal to raise penalties for safety viola-tions related to workplace fa-talities. They also defeated draft legislation that would have restored citizens’ right to sue third-party operators for their proven negligence lead-ing to the injury or death of a contract worker.

Continued on pg. 6

I’m Just Sayin.... Columnist - Susan R. StoltzTHE NIGHT HAWK

Susan is owner/editor of Women Out West Magazine, featured speaker at writers conferences nationwide including Women Writing the West, Ozark Creative Writers and Writing the Rockies. As a freelance writer Susan hasbeen featured in Open Range Magazine, Cactus Creek Daily and on the website of the National Association of Baby Boomers. Photo © Amanda Smith

I’m Just Sayin...

The President Writes a Book About Bullying From Personal Experience

I find it curious that the POTUS (President of the United States) has recently released a book about bullying. Set aside the fact that we pay him to run the country not sit in the oval office and write chil-dren’s books - I find it curious that he has become the nation’s great-est perpetrator. No matter what the source used to look up the meaning of the word ‘bully’ every definition is similar. A person who uses strength or power to harm or intimidate those who are weaker. And who, in this nation are the weakest? The elderly and the infirm, and those with disabilities. These are the very people who can do little to alter their current situation. This past week our president took the podium and threatened our seniors that he would withhold their checks. “I cannot guarantee that those checks go out on August 3rd if we haven’t resolved this issue,” Obama said. “Because there may simply not be the money in the coffers to do it,” Obama said. Seriously? There was enough money in the coffers to offer a ‘stimu-lus package’ that failed so miserably that the economy is where it is at the present moment. There seems to be enough money in the cof-fers to pay an entire government full of elected officials who aren’t doing their jobs. There seems to be enough money in the proverbial coffers for the POTUS and his family to take extravagant vacations, give money to countries that hate us, feed, clothe, house and medi-cate 20 million illegals, but not make certain our veterans get their paychecks? So tell me Mr. President! Who’s the biggest bully on the block? Let’s threaten one of the largest segments of voters who are dependent upon the government for their retirement pay so you can get exactly what you want. Are you stomping your feet and throwing a tantrum at the same time? Experts advise authors to ‘write what you know.’ The POTUS wrote one about bullying – he’s proven himself skillful and knowledgeable with the subject matter. I’m Just Sayin……


laboration between the Glenrock Historical Commission and the Glenrock Library. Paul Pidde, Glenrock Library branch manager, stated that the summer history program had drawn large numbers for a li-brary event. He expressed a de-sire to continue the lecture series for at least another two seasons. This summer, the focus was on local history (“One Town Many Stories.”) Speakers and attend-ees alike suggested additional speakers for next season also ex-perts on Glenrock, Deer Creek and Converse County history. This year's program will con-clude Thursday July 21 at 6 P.M. with a presentation by Kathy Patceg. Patceg is Glenrock's community development direc-tor and the lead advocate for the restoration of the Commerce Block building on Birch Street. Thursday she will share her vast knowledge of Glenrock's down-town, its history and the lengths being taken to preserve its future. The lecture is free and everyone is invited to attend.

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Pony Express Success: The Glenrock Lecture Series Does it

Again

First Human West Nile Virus Re-ported for 2011

An adult male from Goshen County is the state’s first re-ported human West Nile virus (WNV) case for 2011, according to the Wyoming Department of Health. “We can’t consistently predict what may happen with West Nile virus from year to year,” said Dr. Tracy Murphy, state epidemiologist and acting state health officer with the Wyoming Department of Health. “Many factors affect the transmission of the disease.” Murphy noted Wyoming has had human WNV cases reported as early as May and as late as October with late summer and early fall as the typical peak times. “The season is not over, and in fact is relatively early for West Nile virus. It remains important for people to protect themselves,” he said. Most people infected with WNV never develop symptoms. Among those who become ill, symptoms include fever, head-ache, body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph nodes. A very small percentage of infected per-sons develop West Nile neuro-invasive disease (i.e. meningitis or encephalitis) with symptoms such as severe headache, fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorienta-tion, coma, tremors, convulsions and paralysis. The Wyoming Public Health Laboratory offers free WNV testing for healthcare providers

with suspected cases in their pa-tients. The “5 D’s” of WNV prevention include: 1) DAWN and 2) DUSK - Most mosquito species prefer to feed at dawn or dusk, so avoid spend-ing time outside during these times.3) DRESS - Wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt outdoors or when mos-quitoes are most active. Cloth-ing should be light-colored and made of tightly woven material.4) DRAIN - Mosquitoes breed in shallow, stagnant water. Re-duce the amount of standing water around homes by draining and/or removing it.5) DEET - Use an insect repel-lent containing DEET (N, N-di-ethyl-m-toluamide). When using DEET, be sure to read and fol-low the label instructions. Other insect repellents such as Picari-din (KBR 3023) or oil of lemon eucalyptus can also be effective. Last year Wyoming had 6 hu-man cases and no deaths report-ed. There were 12 human cases with 1 death in 2009; 10 human cases with no deaths in 2008; 185 human cases with 2 deaths in 2007; 65 human cases with 2 deaths in 2006; and 12 human cases with 2 deaths in 2005. More information about WNV is available online www.badskeeter.org or by calling 1-877-WYO-BITE.

New Winter Plan for Yellowstone

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – In com-ments sent to the National Park Service, Governor Matt Mead, advocated for a winter-use plan that allows more people to visit Yellowstone National Park dur-ing the winter months. The Gov-ernor’s comments push for more visits by snowmobile per day than proposed by the Park Ser-vice and for allowance of non-commercial snowmobiling. In the letter to the Superinten-dent of Yellowstone, Daniel Wenk, Governor Mead wrote, “I have been vocal and direct about my position – I want to see as much reasonable use of Yellow-

stone as possible. Access to the Park is important to Wyoming’s economy and especially to the communities that support and surround it. I also view higher visitation as necessary for Yel-lowstone and the National Park Service (NPS). People must have the chance to experience the Park – summer and winter – for the NPS to fulfill its mission of providing opportunities for enjoyment and to create an affin-ity for this special place, which benefits all National Parks into the future.”

WYO 130 closed due to flash floodingWyoming Highway 130 (Snowy Range Road) is closed east of the highway’s junction with WYO 230 near Saratoga, where flash flooding early Tuesday washed out a section of the highway about 25 feet wide resulting in four fatalitiesThe Wyoming Highway Patrol reports the fatalities occurred when one vehicle drove into the washout. One emergency vehi-cle responding to the area to as-sist in evacuating campgrounds due to the flooding also drove into the washout, but the driver was able to escape unharmed.The washout occurred when de-

bris carried down by runoff from torrential rain clogged the drain-age culvert at milepost 55.8, resulting in the water washing away the pavement around the culvert.Patrol Sgt. Steve Townsend said a plane from the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office is flying over the area this morning searching for any additional vehicles affected by the flooding.The highway closure currently is between mileposts 36 and 68.The floodwaters will have to recede before highway repairs can begin. WYDOT District En-gineer Pat Persson said the U.S.

Forest Service has given permis-sion to haul materials from a site nearby and equipment will be staged at the location so repairs can begin as soon as the water recedes sufficiently.Persson said the highway will be reopened as soon as possible, but it could take until next week for the work to be completed.

WYO 130 fatal flashout takes lives of four family members

Four fatalities from one fam-ily have been confirmed from a single vehicle that drove into the washout caused from flooding at Brush Creek near Ryan Park. At least two vehicles have been confirmed to have been washed downstream from the creek crossing. The driver of the second vehicle was rescued by other motorists. Two victims have been transported to Carbon County Memorial Hospital in Rawlins. It is believed that debris from torrential rains blocked large culverts that run under WYO 130 causing water to weaken the roadway. The Ryan Park area had expe-rienced heavy rain beginning around 7:00 p.m. in the evening until around midnight. The Carbon County Sheriff’s De-partment and Carbon County Emergency Management were in the process of alerting and evacuating campers from the North Brush Creek, South Brush Creek and Lincoln Park Camp-grounds located upstream from

the washed roadway in the Med-icine Bow National Forest. Troopers in the area report that USFS roads #100 and #227 have also been washed out with one bridge being washed away on USFS road #100 upstream. A fixed wing aircraft from the Car-bon County Sheriff’s Office is flying over the area this morning searching for any additional ve-hicles affected by the flooding. Names of the fatalities are not being released at this time pend-ing notification of next of kin.

Mead, Salazar Hope to Delist Wolves by Dec. 30

by Bill McCarthy

CHEYENNE – On Thursday July 7, Wyoming’s governor and U.S. Secretary of the Interior said that they hope to have the gray wolf off the federal Endan-gered Species List in the state by December.Mead, Salazar and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe met this morning in Chey-enne. They held a news confer-ence afterward.In May, gray-wolf populations in Idaho and Montana were re-moved from the list with a notice in the Federal Register.Recovered populations of gray wolves were also removed from Endangered Species Act protec-tions in the Western Great Lakes. That includes Minnesota, Michi-gan and Wisconsin, and portions of adjoining states.But gray wolves remain protect-ed in Wyoming.Wyoming’s plan to treat wolves as trophy game animals in the northwest corner of the state near Yellowstone National Park but as predators in the rest of the state has been held up in federal litigation.Mead said an agreement is need-ed urgently because wolf num-bers continue to grow without a management plan, killing more big game and livestock.U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., announced Wednesday that she had placed a rider in an

appropriations bill that would prevent lawsuits and judicial review from stopping a deal be-tween the state and the federal government on a wolf agree-ment.Salazar said he is reviewing a number of riders within the ap-propriations bill and was not pre-pared to comment on Lummis’ proposal today.Mead said that the negotiators are still working on details to allow a “flex area” south of the Snake River Canyon that would serve as a winter migration corri-dor for wolves moving between Wyoming and Idaho.The idea is to allow the wolves to be treated as trophy game dur-ing the winter migratory months but as predators the rest of the year.Mead also said the negotia-tors are discussing how wolves would be allowed to be killed in areas where it is labeled a preda-tor.Under predatory status the ani-mals can be shot on sight and killed using a number of other methods even though it is not seen endangering livestock or committing other depredations.Ashe said the target population for Wyoming outside of Yel-lowstone National Park is 100 wolves with 10 breeding pairs.Mead said the rough estimate is that thjere are 340 wolves in Wyoming, not including Yellow-stone.

A New Reason to Hope:Enzi encouraged after

bi-partisan deficit plan meetingWashington, D.C. – U.S. Sena-tor Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., said there is a new reason to hope for a deficit reduction plan that sena-tors from both sides of the aisle can get behind.“This plan could be the way out of all the angry rhetoric coming from both sides,” Enzi said af-ter emerging from a bi-partisan meeting of about 50 senators Tuesday. “I’m sure there is not 100 percent agreement on all the decisions, but they realize that something has to be done. It sounds like a positive effort at a passable solution. I won’t be able to make a decision on it until I have read the bill, but I’m optimistic in light of the outline and explanation I’ve seen. I’m very much looking forward to studying the details.”Enzi said the group’s plan pro-vides “balance”, but emphasized that balance is not the same as compromise.“Compromise implies that you only make it half way to where either side wants to go. Balance says that they looked for the best of both sides and agreed on a combined plan that works together,” Enzi said. “I’m also hopeful this plan will empower congressional committees once

again to play the vital role they should play in budget and all legislative matters. Committees know the best ways to find sav-ings in the areas of their jurisdic-tion.”The group is led by Senators Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Mark Warner, D-Va., Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Kent Conrad, D-N.D. and Tom Coburn, R-Okla. The group plans to release details of its legislative proposal soon, but it is largely based on the work of the deficit commission headed by former Wyoming GOP Sena-tor Alan Simpson and leading Democrat Erskine Bowles. “The deficit commission led by Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles did a marvelous job in a very limited amount of time. The President in his State of the Union speech should have praised the debt commission’s work and emphasized the ur-gency of the problem. That would have set the groundwork for a budget that reflected the commission’s work. Those op-portunities came and went, how-ever. Fortunately, this group kept working on a joint solution,” Enzi said.


Governor Mead eager to present Wyo-

ming’s Case on Sage-Grouse

CHEYENNE, Wyo. –Wyoming has received notice that a judge in Idaho has granted Wyoming’s motion to inter-vene in sage-grouse litigation. Judge Lynn Winmill is hearing a challenge to the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision that listing sage-grouse under the Endangered Species Act is war-ranted but precluded by other higher listing priorities. Western Watersheds Projects is seeking a court order requiring the Fish and Wildlife Service to list sage-grouse. Wyoming asked to intervene to defend the Ser-vice’s determination that listing sage-grouse is precluded by oth-er higher listing priorities. Gov-ernor Mead has worked hard to maintain a state-based solution for protecting sage-grouse habi-tat. The Sage-Grouse Core Area Protection Strategy is set forth in the Governor’s Executive Order. Governor Mead has noted list-ing the sage-grouse would have very serious implications for Wyoming’s economy. Governor Mead said he is pleased Wyoming’s motion to intervene was granted. “No state has come close to what Wyo-ming has done regarding the protection of sage-grouse,” Gov-ernor Mead said. “Wyoming has more experience and more at stake than any other state so it is appropriate that Judge Winmill has let us into that lawsuit. We’re very eager to present the Wyo-ming case for his consideration.”

“I so enjoyed When the Dust Settled. It is a compelling read.”—Buck Brannaman, BUCK, Winner of the Sundance Film Festival Audience Award 2011 Inspiration for The Horse Whis-perer and Author of The Far-away Horses (Dayton, WY)— Tamara Littrell grew up a nomad, a product of her family’s cowboy lifestyle. On the move from ranch to ranch in Montana and Wyoming, she worked hard to earn the po-sition of her father’s right-hand man—along the way learning to rope, ride, chew tobacco, shoot a gun, pick a fight, and bury her feelings deep inside.

In this brutally honest and quick-witted memoir, Littrell re-veals the hard road to acceptance and the kind of heartache only family can give you. When the Dust Settled is an unforgettable story of loss, love, and redemp-tion—and what life is like after growing up cowboy.After the devastating death of her mother, Littrell, her sister, and her father embarked on a 1,800-mile pilgrimage to visit the places they had lived in over the years. It was during that dif-ficult journey when Littrell came face-to-face with her past.“It was in 2001, shortly after my mother’s death, and I had just begun writing my story,” says

the author from her home in Wyoming. “I had no intention of making it into a book but I found writing to be cathartic. It wasn’t until my dad passed away in 2010 that I felt ready to publish.”Jane Wells, a former book critic for the Louisville Courier Jour-nal, described the book as “gut-wrenching drama rising like a Montana sunset on a winter-washed prairie.” Littrell is also the author of a popular food and travel blog which can be found at www.saucedujour.blogspot.com. When the Dust Settled is her first book.

About the Author

Tammi Littrell, her husband Larry, and their two Chihuahuas, Elvis and Gracie, split their time between a catamaran in the Brit-ish Virgin Islands and their home in Dayton, Wyoming. To learn more about the author go to www.WhentheDustSettled.com.About Brown Books Small PressWhen the Dust Settled was pub-lished by Brown Books Small Press, a division of the Dallas, Texas-based independent pub-lisher Brown Books Publishing Group. For more information about the publisher please go to http://www.brownbookssmall-press.com/.

Growing Up Cowboy: Author Pens True-Life Tale, Finds Closure Through Writing

(workplace, from pg. 4)Despite being saddled with the worst-in-the-nation dis-tinction for workplace fatali-ties, the decision to emphasize voluntary collaborative efforts rather than inspection and en-forcement was emblematic of a pervasive attitude among industry leaders and state law-makers: “You get more done with incentives and voluntary cooperation than you do from being hard-nosed with inspec-tions and that sort of thing,” Sen. Charlie Scott (R-Casper), chairman of the Labor, Health and Social Services Commit-tee, told WyoFile.

Ken Lantta is owner of KDL Consulting, LLC, and a WOGISA organizer. Lantta formerly worked for Wyoming OSHA and said he worries that companies too often receive citations for safety infractions committed by employees.

“I would offer that most em-ployers are trying really hard to beat up and get rid of the hazards in their workplace, but the hardest nut to crack is the behavior of their folks,” said Lantta.

However, Lantta admitted, Wyoming OSHA rules do pro-vide for discretion in calculat-ing a fine, including factors related to employee vs. super-visor behavior. For example, had Wyoming OSHA been presented with evidence that Unit Drilling had conducted a

“protective equipment assess-ment,” that likely would have factored favorably in its cita-tions against the company in the death of Rooke.

Lantta also contends that higher OSHA penalties are not needed because there’s essen-tially no ceiling for how big of a fine the agency can issue, to the extent the violation war-rants it. He said federal OSHA, by eliminating credits used to reduce base fine amounts “raised the floor,” making it disproportionately tougher on small companies.

“I don’t know that penalties are the answer,” said Lantta. “Nobody looks back and says, ‘We’re glad Joe got killed.’ What we got to do is prevent accidents from happening in the first place.”

In fact, there is a “ceiling” for how much Wyoming OSHA can fine per violation. A se-rious violation can be up to $7,000 per violation, said Dan-ni. A willful violation (failure to comply with an OSHA re-quest to correct a hazard, for example) can be up to $70,000 per violation. Legislation con-templated in 2009 would have raised the ceiling to $250,000.

VOLUNTARY PROGRAMSLast week, an iWatch investi-gative report, “‘Model Work-places’ Not Always Safe,” found that many companies across the nation that are en-

rolled in state-level Voluntary Protection Programs enjoy the benefit of fewer inspections but still were guilty of seri-ous safety violations — many resulting in the death of work-ers. Part 2 of the series was published on Monday. Accord-ing to a review of Wyoming OSHA’s most serious cita-tions (“willful” and “repeat” citations), companies enrolled in Wyoming’s “Cowboy Vol-untary Protection Program” were not guilty of egregious violations during the past four years. However, the number of Wyoming companies enrolled in the program — and other voluntary programs at Wyo-ming OSHA — are remarkably few.

There are eight Wyoming em-ployers enrolled in the Cowboy Voluntary Partnership Program — a leadership status that al-lows large companies with exceptional safety programs to mentor other companies in their field.

That’s eight employers out of more than 17,000 in Wyoming.

Number of employers enrolled in Wyoming OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement Rec-ognition Program (SHARP): 81 out of 17,000-plus.

Number of employers enrolled in Wyoming OSHA’s Employ-er Voluntary Technical Assis-tance Program (EVTAP): 28 out of 17,000-plus.

Many more companies and their employees take advan-tage of Wyoming OSHA’s safety training courses in con-struction, excavation, crane safety and fall protection.

Danni said Wyoming OSHA has always pushed to convince more employers in the state to take advantage of free consul-tation visits, free training and other voluntary programs. But there is a perception that if an employer asks for a consulta-tion, he’ll get hit with hefty fines for violations OSHA dis-covers during an onsite visit.

Danni said that’s not the case. OSHA consultants simply ask the company to correct prob-lems, then offer advice on how to operate within OSHA’s safe-ty rules.

“OSHA is a four-letter word,” Danni said. “With some em-ployers you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink.”

Critics of such voluntary OSHA programs argue that it provides a public forum for those employers who are al-ready committed to worker safety, but they do not typical-ly attract bad or hazard-prone operators.

That’s where inspection and compliance efforts come in, said Danni. Despite Wyoming OSHA’s limited resources,

the agency directs its inspec-tion and enforcement efforts to problem industries and prob-lem companies.

“There’s always a rotten apple out there where you need com-pliance and show the stick. For employers that do want to do good, well, there are resources out there to help you,” said

Danni.

State epidemiologist Timothy Ryan said he hopes the WOGI-SA effort continues to grow in Wyoming.

“It will foster more safety. And the more companies that are involved and make a serious commitment to safety, their records will improve,” said Ryan. “Those others that don’t; one would hope the amount of business they get would be re-flected in their safety record.”




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Business Friendly vs. Fraud Friendly: Protecting the balance

Maxfield

By Max Maxfield, Wyoming Secretary of State

There has been much talk lately about business fraud in Wyo-ming. A recent article seemed to neglect the fact that Wyoming is the state that stepped up to take on business fraud in the first place. It was Wyoming who acknowl-edged some misuses of busi-nesses. It was Wyoming who had a white-collar crime team and wanted to help law enforce-ment agencies obtain informa-tion about who these lawbreak-ers were. It was Wyoming who worked to pass legislation to require companies to make in-formation about their key play-ers available to law enforcement. And it was Wyoming who said that is not enough; you must also have a “face of the company”, a human being, in Wyoming who can be contacted to obtain the required information. If you don’t do these things you can be sanctioned and if you intention-ally file false information it’s a felony.That new law which passed in 2009 through the work of the Wyoming Secretary of State’s Office and the Legislative Joint Corporations Committee, and supported by key individuals who knew about federal law en-forcement, put the squeeze on thousands of “paper only” com-panies.During the first year the law went into effect, over 4,000 compa-nies were dissolved or revoked.Were all of those unscrupulous? Probably not.Some may have just let their company go because the new requirements made it not worth holding on to their company.We have to be cautious because more government regulation can take out some potentially good businesses with the bad.Far from being lax, Wyoming’s law is one of the first to address this issue. And, as an aside, might I say that Wyoming was such a leader in this move against busi-ness fraud that Wyoming was invited to present to the U.S. Department of Treasury and the U.S. Department of Justice; and then was invited to present at a training session for federal agents.So why is Wyoming in the spot-light? I believe there are two rea-sons.First of all, Wyoming is a great place for business. We have pro-gressive business laws. Our tax-es are very low. The fees to form a company are very low and the bureaucracy is less; it takes less time to form a company here than in many states.The same good customer service that is incredibly attractive to good companies is also attrac-tive to those who intend to use their company for bad. Crooks are not necessarily unintelli-gent; they know it is cheaper and quicker to form companies here. So Wyoming is attractive to riff raff as well as to good business-es. However, in America, the law must be equally applied to ev-eryone. So if we make business law more costly, strict and cum-bersome for crooks, that means more costly, strict and cumber-some for everyone.When the laws were changed in 2009 there was great debate during the legislative process about the need to keep a balance between fighting fraud and not being too regulatory and oppres-sive to good businesses. That’s an immensely tough one.There seems to be a misunder-standing about what is required of businesses in the United States and in Wyoming specifi-cally. Each company is required to have a Registered Agent; someone who can be served with legal documents about a

company. Registered Agents of-ten work for many companies perhaps hundreds, just like a pri-vate accounting firm or a private attorney likely has hundreds of clients.Many companies all using one Registered Agent is not at all strange in and of itself. There are reputable Registered Agent Service companies in the Unit-ed States and in Wyoming that serve thousands of companies.

What makes the “little house on the prairie” odd is that immense research done by the reporting firm has turned up the “fact” that this particular Registered Agent seems to represent some compa-nies that have incredibly unusual connections and problems.There also seems to be misun-derstanding about the type of physical business structure.Is the fact that it was a single family house a violation? No, it is not any more unusual than a law firm which might buy an old house in a commercially zoned area and make law offices out of it.All that being said, do we think all the happenings by the com-panies represented by the Reg-istered Agent at the “little house on the prairie” are okay and am I defending them? Definitely not.I’m furious that businesses are using Wyoming’s good name for bad. It’s the same anger and concern that prompted me to di-rect my office to assist in obtain-ing legislative changes in 2008 when the business fraud issue first came to my attention. I will work with the 2012 legislature to further strengthen Wyoming’s business laws. We want fraudu-lent businesses out of the Cow-boy State.I believe the second reason that Wyoming is coming under attack about its business laws has to do with timing. There is a move underway by some members of Congress, not the Wyoming del-egation, to place more regulation on business. The Washington ap-proach calls for a one size fits all, additional layer of bureaucracy.Filing more papers is not the answer. People “hell-bent” on business fraud will file false in-formation. Those who think bad guys will fess up by filing a piece of paper listing the truth, are not living in reality.Wyoming has been outspoken about this proposed legisla-tion. Heavy paperwork burdens are tough for small-family and mom-and-pop businesses of which there are many in Wyo-ming. Somebody has to speak up for legitimate Wyoming busi-nesses.There are some interests nation-ally who have not liked Wyo-ming speaking up.Further, in this economy, is now the time for more, and costly, regulation? I think not.Although, there are some bad actors in the business world, and indeed there are, the solution is not to hit good businesses with a regulatory sledge hammer.Wyoming has many wonderful business men and women, and my job as Secretary of State is just as much to protect them as to make it hard for fraudulent companies.It is a challenging regulatory bal-

ance. Besides, legitimate busi-nesses will provide legitimate information but does anyone think crooks will provide accu-rate information?Do I, or anyone else, have the perfect solution to stopping all business fraud? Are you kidding me? If I did, we would be ap-plying that theory to all crime in America.Can state government regulate to the point that businesses won’t ever be used for bad; or that ev-ery company will provide all the services they advertised; or that the quality of work every com-pany does will be satisfactory? Of course not!But we can tenaciously keep chipping away at serious busi-ness fraud. And the way we do so is to require businesses to have a person onsite to provide information about key players. That gives law enforcement something to go on.Could we do other things to drive out fraudulent companies? Sure, the unpalatable choice is to make it not profitable by increas-ing business taxes and fees, but that approach hurts legitimate Wyoming businesses.We are also trying to find ways to strengthen statutes even fur-ther without oppressing good businesses. Right now, we are letting law enforcement take these bad actors on one at a time, case by case.Yes, it is tedious like all law en-forcement work. This issue is greater than one “little house on the prairie”; this is an enormous issue for the whole United States to grapple with; fraud and mon-ey laundering in an ever dan-gerous world versus businesses operating well to provide a solid economic basis for our country. Wyoming is just one player in this very, very complex design.I want Wyomingites to know that I remain firmly against fed-eral intrusion. This is a state is-sue. This is a difficult matter but I’m committed to eliminating fraud while remaining business friendly to legitimate businesses. I will continue to work against fraud. We will seek additional law changes if viable.After seeing the recent news me-dia, I just thought Wyomingites would like to know, as it’s been said – “the rest of the story.”

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by Bill McCarthy

CHEYENNE – The Wyo-ming Department of Health is reporting a sharp increase statewide in potentially dan-gerous human Campylo-bacter bacterial infections this summer. The department has identified 29 cases of Campylobacter infections in Wyoming residents statewide since June 1, which repre-sents a 4-fold increase com-pared to historical data for the same time period. At least six people have been hospi-talized. Nearly three-quarters of the case patients are male. “While the increase in these infections appears to be spo-radic with no single common source, it’s clear that animal-related illness is at least par-tially driving the increase,” said Kelly Weidenbach, epi-demiologist with the depart-ment’s Infectious Disease Epidemiology Program, in a statement.Campylobacter infection is one of the most common causes of bacterial diarrhea in the United States. Infected persons typically develop di-arrhea (sometimes bloody),

nausea, vomiting, stomach cramping, abdominal pain and fever for about one week.“This illness can be extreme-ly unpleasant, and can result in medical bills, missed work and loss of productivity,” Weidenbach said. “In some people, the effects can be life-threatening.”In rare cases people may de-velop serious complications such as Guillain-Barré syn-drome. The syndrome occurs when the immune system is triggered to attack the body’s nerves. It can lead to paraly-sis and usually requires in-tensive care.Public health officials attempt to interview each reported case of Campylobacter in-fection in state residents. Among patients interviewed to date, exposure to animals, especially cattle and dogs, has been common. “In many cases, the animals were noted to be ill with diarrhea when the person had contact with them,” Weidenbach said. “Several have been ranchers or individuals who recently attended a cattle branding and who were accidentally exposed to fecal material.”

Campylobacter infection is common in farm animals and certain pets. A single ill calf can shed millions of bacteria in its feces. Campylobacter bacteria are also common in the feces of ill puppies and kittens. Campylobacter of-ten causes illness in young animals, but infected older animals often have no symp-toms. Humans are exposed to the bacteria in the fecal mate-rial and then become sick.The Wyoming Public Health Laboratory, also part of the Wyoming Department of Health, performs genetic fingerprinting on the Cam-pylobacter bacteria found in ill residents. Lab personnel have tracked strains of Cam-pylobacter common to both humans and animals. These lab results, combined with patient histories, support the animal-human explanation for many reported cases.“We want residents to be aware of this increase in hu-man illness, and we want them to take actions to pre-vent illness among them-selves and their family mem-bers,” Weidenbach said.Recommended precautions

include:-Washing hands with soap and water before eating or other hand-to-mouth contact.-If ill with diarrhea, wash hands frequently to minimize the chance of spreading the illness to others. Campylo-bacter is transmitted in feces.Those ill with diarrhea who handle food for other people, work in a daycare/childcare setting or work as a health-care provider with direct pa-tient contact should stay out of work until at least 48 hours after the last bout of diarrhea or vomiting.Those who work or volun-teer where they have contact with animals should wear gloves while working and wash hands before moving to a different activity. Animals often have fecal material on their bodies. Wash hands thoroughly before drinking, eating or putting anything in the mouth.Avoid consuming unpasteur-ized milk or products made from unpasteurized milk. Raw milk is often contami-nated with fecal bacteria from the cows.

Campylobacter infections on the rise in Wyoming

Capitol renovation returning to

lawmaker agendaby Bill McCarthy CHEYENNE – State officials say $130-million-plus reno-vation of the Wyoming State Capitol will be back for serious discussion during this winter’s legislative budget session.“We are very willing to revisit the issue,” said Senate President Sen. Jim Anderson, one of the legislative liaisons to the State Building Commission.The State Building Commission met this morning in Cheyenne. It consists of the five executives elected statewide. It also has four liaisons from the Legisla-ture who include Anderson, R-Glenrock, and the chairmen of the House and Senate appropria-tions committees.Wyoming Treasurer Joe Meyer, a commission member, said years of discussing the renova-tion seems to have come to “an absolute screeching halt.”Meyer said an inability to reach an accord on who would control what office space when the reno-vation was completed hampered discussions, as well as the com-plexities and costs of temporar-ily moving offices elsewhere.The recession and the downturn in state revenue that accompa-nied it lowered the project as a priority, as well.“The maintenance crew is doing a dandy job keeping the building functioning,” said Rich Cathcart, state construction manager. But he said the 19th century building has serious problems that need to be addressed.Meyer said he is leaving office after his current term and deci-sions may not affect him person-ally.But he added, “Moving would

be tremendously difficult be-cause of the systems we have in place.”The Treasurer’s offices are in the state Capitol as are the gov-ernor’s, secretary of state’s and auditor’s. Legislators also say they need more room because of overflowing committee rooms and few places where lawmak-ers can work privately.Senate Appropriations Commit-tee Chairman Sen. Phil Nicho-las, R-Laramie, said he believed that the decision had been made to keep the current executive branch offices in the building.It will take extensive planning, Cathcart said, to coordinate moves out of the building for a year or possibly two without interrupting government func-tions.Cathcart said the state would likely have to build an office building, probably at the site of the old Safeway store on Pioneer Avenue near the Capitol. At least some of the building would have the flexibility be remodeled for whatever agency might need to use it and could be changed when the project was completed.The state has been looking to decrease the amount of space it leases and put state workers in state buildings and has been making progress toward that, Cathcart added. But because of funding variables and changing agency needs, he said, previous attempts at master plans have fallen by the wayside.“Let’s get over this and quit talk-ing about it,” Meyer said.

WHEN FUNNY

WASBy Ben Laffin Who doesn’t like a tale of ro-mance and interlude? If so, you’ll laugh at this one. Ted had been dating Lucy for months and he was getting se-rious about the relationship. In fact, he found himself thinking about “popping the big ques-tion”. Each time the thought entered his head, he felt pangs of anxiety. Not because he was uncertain, but because he wasn’t sure how Lucy felt. Oh, they had

talked about marriage in a global sense. Just not about them.Finally, he had garnered all of his courage one night and de-cided he would propose over the phone. If she said “No!” she wouldn’t see his disappoint-ment, or worse, his tears. As the phone rang for what seemed an interminable amount of time, he nervously waited. “Hello, this is Lucy!” she exclaimed. Ted hesi-tated briefly, then asked, “Would you marry me Lucy?” Unreserv-edly she replied, “Yes!” “Who is this?”

CONGRATULATIONS TO UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING

GRADUATES - SPRING SEMESTER 2011

July 11, 2011 -- The University of Wyoming accorded degrees upon the following students from Converse County at the completion of the 2011 spring semester.

The following degrees may be included on this list: BA (Bach-elor of Arts); BS (Bachelor of Science); BSCE (Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering); BSW (Bachelor of Science in Social Work); CERT (Certifi-cate); MS (Master of Science).For more information about the University of Wyoming, visit www.uwyo.edu.

Students are:Douglas Jaci J. Emerson BSW Craig Tyler Jepson BSCE Megan Tiffany Lisco BA Travis Ryan Miller BA James C. Roberts BS Amber Marie Taylor BA Jared James Wright BS

Glenrock Laura Ashley Dobler BA Kelly A. Fargen BS Meghan Diane Ferguson BA Roxanna G. Johnson BSW Jennifer Korb CERT Sarah Elizabeth O’Brien MS Heather C. Pauline BA

Rolling Hills Tara K. Anson BA


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the glenrock bird issue july 24, 2011

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