Letters to the Editor

Tax Cuts Could Mean Service Cuts

Publisher — Sat, 31 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Tax Cuts Could Mean Service Cuts Publisher Sat, 10/31/2026 - 06:00

Dear Editor,

November 3 is only days away, and early voting is already open. The most important thing on the ballot is Proposition 1, which, if passed, will reduce residential property taxes by 50%. Here are some things you should know before you vote:

1. The idea for Proposition 1 started in 2024 with failed gubernatorial candidate Brent Bien. He could not get enough signatures to put the measure on the ballot that year, so it had to wait until now.

2. Meanwhile, the Wyoming legislature enacted five (5) new programs to give property tax relief to homeowners, including a 50% exemption for long-term homeowners, doubling the veterans’ exemption, a 4% cap on annual property tax increases, and a 25% homeowner’s exemption.

3. The 25% exemption was automatic for everyone in 2025 and opt-in in 2026. Fewer than 45% of eligible homeowners opted in, indicating there is less of a need for property tax relief than there was when Proposition 1 started collecting signatures.

4. In 2025 alone, the measures reduced property tax revenue by more than $215M.

5. Estimates of the impact of Proposition 1 are another decrease of $124.7 million dollars statewide, and a $81.3M decrease for public schools which get over 70% of their funding from property taxes.

6. Property taxes do not go to the State; they go to school districts, counties, and towns; therefore, even though the state has a very large “rainy day” fund, it could remain untouched.

7. If Proposition 1 passes, counties will be impacted differently, with counties like Campbell and Teton (where people complain the loudest about property taxes) feeling the impacts the least. This is evident by how differently the existing property tax cuts have affected less critical public services, like libraries. In Carbon, we have had to dramatically cut library hours and have only avoided branch closures because of donations. Fremont and Big Horn counties also made big cuts to their library systems. But in other counties like Laramie and Albany, property tax cuts will only mean they cannot expand existing library services.

8. Numerous groups, including the Wyoming Taxpayers Association, the Wyoming Education Association, the Wyoming Business Alliance, Wyoming REALTORS, Wyoming’s Community Colleges, and the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, to name a few, vehemently oppose Proposition 1.

9. Numerous County Commissioners, Governor Gordon, and Gubernatorial Candidate Eric Barlow all agree.

10. Many leaders of county resources, like the fire chiefs, conservation districts, school boards, and of course, library boards, have been working to “educate” the public about the potential repercussions of Proposition 1 without being able to come right out and urge people to vote against it.

11. Proposition 1 only covers an owner’s primary residence (not the land underneath), and only if she lives there more than 6 months out of the year and has lived in Wyoming more than one year. This actually translates to about a 40% cut for eligible homeowners—less than they would get if they went with the long-term homeowner’s exemption.

12. Renters will receive no relief from Proposition 1 because residential rental property is not eligible and even if it were, it would be up to landlords to pass on the savings to their tenants (yeah, right).

13. There is NO PLAN for covering the lost revenues to local governments and schools. Since most will not be able to provide the same services with less money, reductions in services are inevitable.

14. People in charge of critical services like fire protection have stated that Proposition 1 will result in fewer services because they have NO alternate sources of operating revenue.

On social media, I have heard people say local governments are lying when they warn services will be cut—they will find the money to keep things as they are; they just won’t waste as much. I think the best answer to that is to look at what has already been cut, and our library system is the best example, having lost 53% of its revenue. What waste can people actually point to? I’ve not heard of any specific service that we should do without.

People point out that governments will just have to use their reserves, but what happens when they are gone? I know that Carbon County has a reserve fund, and I don’t know if I agree whether it could have spared any from that fund to keep the library better funded, but I do agree that it is wise for the County to have an emergency fund to keep operating despite an actual funding emergency. Proposition 1 will create an emergency, use up everyone’s reserves, eliminate services, and leave nothing for future genuine emergencies. Degradation of services is, therefore, inevitable. Please vote “NO” on Proposition 1 and please ask your friends and family outside of Carbon County to do the same.

Sincerely,

Adelaide Myers,

Saratoga

Why I Voted the Way I Did

Publisher — Sat, 24 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Why I Voted the Way I Did Publisher Sat, 10/24/2026 - 07:00

Dear Editor,

More often than not, people don’t particularly care about understanding why others vote the way they do. After all, voting is a deeply personal and subjective matter that, in all fairness, is nobody’s business but the person casting the ballot. Despite this reality, I’ve deliberately broken my longstanding tradition of keeping my voting decisions to myself. I am sharing why I voted the way I did on several measures on this year’s ballot. My hope isn’t necessarily to change anyone’s mind, but to encourage my fellow voters to seriously consider their positions before casting their ballots on November 3.

That brings us to our deeply personal, and often controversial, subject taking center stage for Wyoming voters this fall: taxes. This election cycle, Wyoming voters, especially those of us in Carbon County, will see multiple tax-related measures on the ballot. Each deserves careful consideration, but I want to start with perhaps the most controversial: Proposition 1.

Proposition 1, a measure that has received considerable support from members of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, seeks to expand upon the property tax relief measures adopted in recent years. Under Proposition 1, qualifying homeowners would receive a 50% exemption on the assessed value of their primary residences for property tax purposes. Now, don’t get me wrong. Like many Wyoming residents, I DO NOT particularly enjoy paying property taxes, especially on property we already own. Frankly, it can be downright frustrating. But property taxes are a double-edged sword. As much as we may dislike paying them, we must also recognize that they provide crucial funding for many of the public services our counties and municipalities depend on every single day.

Property taxes help fund many essential services that we, as members of the public, rely on and benefit from every day. These include county road maintenance, important community resources for our children and elderly residents, such as public libraries and senior centers, and, perhaps most importantly, our public schools. As someone currently working toward my master’s degree in school counseling, I have already seen the frustrations many Wyoming schools and educators face with limited funding and resources. While passing Proposition 1 may provide additional property tax relief for certain qualifying homeowners, we must also ask ourselves: Is the potential financial benefit worth the risk of reducing funding for our children’s education and essential community services?

We have already seen how previous property tax reductions have affected our public libraries here in Carbon County. I fear that further reductions in property tax revenue could put even greater financial pressure on our libraries, senior centers, and, most importantly, the quality of education we provide for future generations. That is why, despite my own frustrations with property taxes, I voted against Proposition 1.

Now, some might argue, “There is a plan to make up for the lost property tax revenue. We’ll just raise sales taxes.” In principle, that might sound reasonable. However, I believe this approach raises another serious concern: the financial burden it could place on lower-income families and individuals already struggling to make ends meet. Unlike property taxes, which are tied to property ownership and assessed value, sales taxes are paid by everyone who purchases taxable goods. Raising sales taxes can disproportionately burden lower-income households, especially those who must spend a greater share of their income on everyday necessities. For that reason, I also voted against the proposed sales tax increase.

Proposition 1 is undoubtedly controversial, and I understand why many homeowners would welcome additional tax relief. It could offer personal financial benefits. However, I encourage readers to consider not only what they might save individually, but also what our communities could lose if local governments and public services lose significant revenue. For me, those concerns ultimately outweighed the potential savings.

Other controversial yet important measures on this year’s ballot include the 5th Penny Tax and the lodging tax. Before discussing these measures, I want readers to understand one thing: just because you hear the word “tax” doesn’t necessarily mean your everyday expenses will increase dramatically. In fact, some taxes, such as the lodging tax, are designed to collect revenue largely from out-of-state visitors who come to enjoy our wonderful state. The lodging tax applies to people who rent hotel rooms and other qualifying overnight accommodations, generating revenue that can help support tourism-related activities and community improvements. While visitors from outside Wyoming contribute to this revenue, Wyoming residents who stay in taxable accommodations also pay the tax. Consider a local example right here in Elk Mountain. Using lodging tax funding, the town purchased a brand-new digital marquee sign costing about $20,000. According to town officials, the community otherwise could not have afforded this improvement. It is a tangible example of how lodging tax revenue can benefit our small communities.

For most Carbon County residents who don’t regularly rent hotel rooms or other taxable accommodations, the lodging tax is unlikely to have much direct financial impact. Yet the revenue it generates can meaningfully support local projects and community initiatives. For these reasons, I voted to extend the lodging tax.

The 5th Penny Tax is another important measure appearing on this year’s ballot. I want to emphasize that renewing this tax would not increase the current sales tax rate. Instead, it would continue the existing 1% sales and use tax, which provides revenue to Carbon County and its municipalities to fund important local services and projects.

Take Elk Mountain, for example. Anyone who has spent a summer here knows just how miserable our mosquito seasons can be. Some days, you can hardly stand outside without feeling like the mosquitoes will carry you away! While that might sound humorous, mosquito control is a serious concern for our community, and funding from sources such as the 5th Penny Tax can help make these efforts possible. Without adequate funding for mosquito control, summers in Elk Mountain could become considerably less enjoyable for residents and visitors alike. This is just one example of the many ways local tax revenue can support our communities’ everyday needs.

The larger point is that renewing the 5th Penny Tax would preserve an existing revenue source rather than create an entirely new tax. It would let our county and municipal leaders keep funding services and projects that might otherwise be difficult to afford through their regular budgets. For these reasons, I voted in favor of continuing the 5th Penny tax.

As I mentioned earlier, some of you may not care much about what I’ve said here or why I voted the way I did. And that’s okay. That is your right and your privilege. I’m not here to tell anyone how they should vote. I just ask that you take the time to consider these measures seriously, do your own research, and understand what is at stake before casting your ballot. I truly believe the decisions we make in this election could have lasting consequences for our communities, our children, and Wyoming’s future. My greatest concern is that if we don’t fully understand those consequences, our future may be far more uncertain than many of us realize.

Sincerely,

Brett Larson

Say No to Prop 1, Yes to Local Control

Publisher — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Say No to Prop 1, Yes to Local Control Publisher Sat, 10/17/2026 - 07:00

Dear Community Members & Voters,

Ballot item Proposition 1 – Why vote “NO”

Proposition 1 is marketed as “modernization,” but Wyoming voters should look closely at what it actually does. The measure shifts authority away from local communities, creates new costs without clear funding, and leaves taxpayers holding the risk.

Wyoming has always valued local control. From Encampment to Casper, communities know their needs better than distant decision‑makers. Prop 1 undercuts that tradition by centralizing power and sidelining the people who manage schools, infrastructure, and public services every day. That’s not modernization—it’s overreach.

The financial picture is just as troubling. Prop 1 opens the door to new spending obligations without explaining how they’ll be paid for. Wyoming taxpayers have seen this pattern before: vague promises up front, real costs later. In a state where budgets are already stretched, voters deserve clarity, not blank checks.

Most importantly, Prop 1 doesn’t solve the problems Wyoming faces. Economic diversification, rural support, workforce development, and infrastructure resilience require targeted, community‑driven solutions — not a one‑size‑fits‑all restructuring of authority.

Rejecting Prop 1 isn’t rejecting progress. It’s insisting on accountability, transparency, and respect for Wyoming’s long‑standing commitment to local decision‑making. Voting no keeps the door open for a better, clearer, community‑focused plan that truly reflects Wyoming values.

Please vote “NO” on Prop 1,

Sincerely,

Kathy Beck – Saratoga Community Member

Carbon County Libraries Carve Their Own Future

Publisher — Sat, 10 Oct 2026 22:00:00 +0000

Carbon County Libraries Carve Their Own Future Publisher Sun, 10/11/2026 - 00:00

In his July 2026 ‘On Brand’ address, Governor Mark Gordon reminded us of a quote made by Teddy Roosevelt in 1903: “People of Wyoming, I believe in you and in your future.” Governor Gordon then expanded on the sentiments of President Roosevelt: ‘He was not saying that to people who lacked courage, were reluctant to engage, or were happy to let things happen to them. He was talking about people who carved their future from what was given to them.’

I cannot hear these words without thinking of our Carbon County Library System. In July of 2025 and July of 2026, the library system was handed low appropriations from the Carbon County Board of Commissioners (BOCC). I do not know the hard decisions that brought on this low funding; I cannot speak to the motives of the BOCC; I can speak to the courage and vision that was shown by the library community to continue providing library services to seven communities across this county.

Courage was required to not react with bitterness and self-righteousness. Libraries are a hallmark of democracy; libraries are non-discriminating; libraries do offer books and services like printing in communities that would not have these services except at the library; libraries do provide entertainment when television and the internet grow old; libraries do promote reading and literacy. If you want to hear more about how wonderful libraries are, get a cup of coffee and do a Google search. It took courage to not slide down the slippery slope of blaming someone else and cutting services.

Vision was required to step back, evaluate, and make the future of library services in Carbon County a reality. When BOCC gave funding for 60 open hours per week, our Partners program turned that into 101 open hours. When BOCC was unappreciative of the work done by administrative staff, library users didn’t repeat the rhetoric. Vision was required to say, “Citizens of Carbon County built this library system and citizens will support the library system when BOCC will not.” That vision was not wrong.

Library supporters have carved their future until January 31, 2027. Open hours across the System will remain at the levels they now enjoy. Friends of the Library in Little Snake River Valley, Saratoga, and Encampment have made sure of that. The Town of Elk Mountain said ‘yes’. With grants the libraries in Hanna and Medicine Bow are open. Rawlins Library still has Storytime because of donations.

On February 1, 2027 the second session of the Partners program will start. My desire for this column is not a review of how the program operates; for that information contact me at director@carbonlibraries.org. Just as important, continue to support the organizations listed above who support your library.

In closing, I would like to reflect on Governor Gordon’s words I quoted above: ‘He was talking about people who carved their future from what was given to them.’ Remember to vote ‘no’ on Prop. 1. Carving our future should not include shortchanging our local governments.

Jenita Calton

Interim Library Director

Carbon County Library System

Why I resigned from the Library Board, Part II

Publisher — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Why I resigned from the Library Board, Part II Publisher Sat, 08/15/2026 - 07:00

Dear Editor,

A decade or so ago I heard some troubling things about the way the Board of County Commissioners was handling the Library System during its last budget crisis. I don’t remember what my beef was, but I reacted by passive-aggressively canceling my account with a business owned by one commissioner who was particularly outspoken on the matter. She called my cell and demanded to know why.

Then we talked a while, and “I came away with a different point of view.” Despite what I’m about to say, I still believe she genuinely cares about the Library System, and is doing what she thinks is best to save it.

Over the last 13 months, I spoke with her frequently. She offered advice, ideas and a can-do attitude. She and I agreed that it’s best to “choose grit instead of quit.” She even helped us get a grant that helped save Hanna and Medicine Bow’s branches. We’ve talked (and yelled) for hours and even hugged it out. Her involvement could be frustrating, though. She had a habit of praising me to my face and blaming others (but never herself or the BOCC) for our difficulties. She’d thought the Friends groups should pony up, and the towns needed to put some “skin in the game” if they wanted to keep their libraries. She thought the towns had the money (they don’t). But then she’d blame me and the Library Board behind my back.

In our last conversation, the morning I resigned, we talked about a plan the Board had set forth in our last budget proposal—which was smaller than what we got last year because the BOCC told us it had to be. We figured that with $159k from the BOCC and more than half of what’s left of the System’s rainy-day savings we could keep the core staff that are necessary for the System to work as a system: the director, IT/courier, acquisitions manager, and programming manager positions. All branches rely on these positions, not just Rawlins. We told the BOCC that if they only gave us so much, we would need help from the towns, Friends groups and grants to staff their branches. I still don’t know how the Board plans to pay for front-line staff (the people who check out your books) in Rawlins. On average, front-line staff cost the System about $25 per hour that a given location is open. We had no choice but to ask Friends groups, towns, and grants to fund their branches in fiscal year 26’-27’ to the extent they can afford. But we continued to remind the everyone, especially the BOCC, that fundraising is not a sustainable funding model.

She told me our proposition was wildly unpopular, and most of the towns thought we might as well have shut them down—they were considering quitting the System and running their own municipal libraries like Sinclair. She said several had already approached the State Librarian about joining the WYLD consortium as independent libraries. I’m not going to go into the details, but that’s easier said than done. She said I might as well quit trying and let the towns figure it out—she said Sinclair people are “happy as skunks” with their unstaffed repository of donated books.

But when I talked to these people, they said, basically, “No, that’s her idea, not ours. We don’t want to go it alone.” Then the other day, I saw her do it in black and white. She responded to a Facebook comment from a person who thought all of the locations were going to be open only 5 hours a week. She said:

“This is NOT ACCURATE information. Representatives of the Library Board, without official approval of a budget from the Library Board, asked the County for $159,000, to fund only the main branch in Rawlins.” The branches, she continued, “would have to fundraise on their own for their staffing by securing donations from local funding sources. The amount determined by someone was $25/hour. There is no way these funds can be raised in all the outlying communities, so it was essentially the Library Board closing them without making a formal decision to do so. The County Commission bought into, literally, the $25/hour proposal giving $30,000 for only the outlying libraries to be used for their staffing needs.”

She is also incorrect. The model we proposed is specifically designed to support the branches, not to benefit only Rawlins. What would be the point of keeping all of the admin positions if we really expected the branches to close? We were not closing branches without making a formal decision. We were warning the BOCC of the consequences of their decision to repeatedly tell us to expect even less than we got last year.

Their so called “donation” of $30,000 did not come out of their personal pockets, it came out of their appropriation with strings attached. But they do not have the authority to order the Library Board to spend any amount on any branch other than Rawlins. Besides, 5 hours a week at every branch would actually cost $39k ($45k if you included the Rawlins), but the math isn’t the problem. It’s not the BOCC’s job to craft the System’s budget. Just like it’s not the Library Board’s job to ask why the BOCC’s emergency fund is over $1M and growing, or why they have money for this or that, but their 25% loss of revenue somehow translated to a 53% budget cut to the Library System.

The BOCC’s order that the Library Board use $30k of an historically small appropriation to spend directly on branches means less support for those branches from admin staff that has already been cut back to the bare minimum. For them to give us less than we need and then say, “it’s not us closing branches, it’s the Library Board”.

I know she and the other Commissioners care deeply about libraries. In public they say they think the Library Board can find a way to keep all branches open on a shoestring. But in private, they’ve each given me some version of “funding seven libraries is not sustainable for the County; ‘they’ [County leaders in the 80’s] shouldn’t have built so many libraries in the first place.” I call on the Commissioners, especially the ones up for re-election, to say the quiet part out loud. The Republican Primary is August 18. I might reward Travis Moore and John Johnson for their candor with my vote, but they’re running unopposed, so it doesn’t matter.

Nobody wants libraries to close, not even the book banners. People want to control their libraries because they love them. But nobody wants to take the blame when we have to sacrifice public services people love for public services they need, like an ambulance that can take you 80 miles per hour down a smooth road to a local hospital when you’re having a heart attack.

Instead of pointing fingers, let’s focus on what we can change. Let’s start by voting “Heck NO” to Ballot Initiative #1 (which would reduce property taxes another 50%), and “Heck YES” to renewing the 5th Penny sales tax. Property taxes are why we have local governments, schools, libraries and everything else we take for granted until it’s gone. But even if Wyoming says “no” to Ballot Initiative #1, the Freedom Caucus will try to abolish property taxes in the next session.

Please register and vote. And please encourage people you know around Wyoming to vote for people who care about rural Wyoming, not Freedom Caucus extremists who will cut tax revenue just because. If you’re not sure who’s who, Common Sense Republicans for Wyoming PAC (www.commonsensewyo.com) has a list of candidates worthy of support. Our local slate for state offices (Davis, Thayer, & O’Toole) are not listed there because they are unopposed and not Freedom Caucus. Let’s vote the Freedom Caucus out statewide. And let’s stop bickering, and work together—for our kids’ sake—to keep our libraries open.

Sincerely,

Adelaide Myers, former chair of the Carbon County Library System Board of Directors

Why I Resigned from the Library Board

Publisher — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 17:10:00 +0000

Why I Resigned from the Library Board Publisher Sat, 08/08/2026 - 19:10

Dear Editor,

WyoGives Day was July 15. It is an annual fundraiser to benefit Wyoming nonprofits and to give donors an easy way to choose causes that match their values. Some participant organizations list donation matches or challenges that continue until they reach a certain goal. Only non-profits are allowed, so the Carbon County Library System could not participate directly, but through a 501(c)(3) sponsor, such as the Carbon County Library Foundation. I asked the Foundation to do so after I was approached by an anonymous donor who wanted to make a $15,000 WyoGives Day match for the System.

The Foundation agreed at first and applied to WyoGives to be part of the event. Unfortunately, the Foundation did not agree to list the $15,000 match unless it could retain control over how the funds could be used by the System due to fear that the funds might be used to cover operating costs. So, I suggested we could use the money instead to fund a public awareness campaign about two critical ballot issues in the coming election, and how those issues would impact the System. The Foundation regarded it as “lobbying” and again declined. It was too late to sign up with a different non-profit sponsor, so per the donor’s wish, the money went to a different charity without a match. The donor was disappointed at the lost opportunity to raise $30,000 for the System, as was I.

All county library foundations in the state are creatures of Wyoming statute, and they have restrictions on how they can use the principal of their endowments established by the 2008 Wyoming Library Endowment Challenge. The principal cannot be used for operating costs. This narrow restriction is reflected in the Foundation’s bylaws. But the bylaws do not restrict how the Foundation can use interest raised by the principal, funds raised before the Endowment Challenge, or funds raised through the Foundation’s ordinary annual fundraising events, like the Color Run and the Christmas silent auction.

The Foundation is also not restricted from receiving funds designated for the System and passing them on to the System unrestricted, or pursuant to the donor’s wishes. But the Foundation board (which has no term limits) decided it cannot do this. The Foundation board refuses to act as a “pass through” for donations, even though it has already done so. It used its Givebutter online platform just this Spring to facilitate a major fundraiser for the LSRV Friends of the Library group. Those funds may be used however the LSRV group chooses, including paying for the wages of the LSRV branch staff, should that be necessary.

The Foundation has long held the belief that it can give money to the System for anything but operating costs. Operating costs are a lot of things, but the largest cost is staffing. The fear has always been that if the Foundation covers staffing once, the County will expect it to continue doing so forever. I get that fear. That’s why I’ve repeatedly pressed the County Commissioners not to take the fundraising we’ve done as sustainable.

The larger, underlying principle (that the Commissioners say they agree with) is that public services like libraries should be funded by public dollars (taxes); they should not have to rely on private donations. I agree with this principle, but the key word is “should.” In this time of chaos created by Freedom Caucus legislators who won’t stop at reducing property taxes—they want to abolish them—“should” has given way to “must.” And there is no dispute that the County must fund critical services such as law enforcement, road and infrastructure maintenance, emergency response services, etc. before they fund libraries, museums, and senior centers, etc.

I still respect that principle, but the System board under my leadership adhered to a higher priority: keeping the libraries open for the people that need them the most. Like kids. Kids did not ask for property tax cuts. Low-income parents did not ask for them. Their landlords aren’t passing property tax savings on to them as reduced rent. These people don’t care who is to blame for libraries closing; they’re too busy struggling to stay alive and give their kids a fighting chance at economic success that seems more elusive every day. If we close branch libraries in struggling towns, chances diminish for everyone who lives there.

And what’s worse, if a library closes and ceases to be part of the system, it is extremely unlikely it will reopen as part of the system again. A standalone library—even if it can be considered a true library rather than just a free book exchange—is far inferior to one that is part of a system, particularly one that is linked to a foundation. Closures and a very public bankruptcy of the System’s bank account were the goal of our former library director, who rage quit when the System board voted to look for funds elsewhere rather than close Hanna and Medicine Bow. The next thing she did was join the Foundation board … did I mention the Foundation board has no term limits?

Meanwhile, we on the System Board searched for solutions that would serve all Carbon County residents no matter where they live, even if we lacked the money to staff their branches at times. Three of the Foundation board members have been very helpful, bringing creative ideas, energy, and determination not to give up. One of those wonderful people even stepped up as our interim director—twice! She cautioned me against writing this letter. I recognize that the Foundation did not have enough time to make a decision. But I believe the WyoGives Day debacle is a symptom of how the Foundation’s line-in-the-sand about public vs. private funding for operating costs has become a psychological impediment rather than an actual one. The Foundation is in no way prohibited from passing funds through to the System unrestricted. If the state can get through its self-imposed funding crisis, and I believe it will, the System still needs money now to keep those branches from closing before we get over this fiscal hill.

If you read the Foundation’s bio on the WyoGives website, you can see why their “we won’t fund it if they won’t” attitude is counterproductive. It’s like refusing to feed your kids because the city turned your water off, then asking for money for groceries. It’s too negative. All about what the Foundation won’t support. Kind of a backwards way to go about asking for money, if you ask me. Unsurprisingly, they raised only $530 through WyoGives Day.

Don’t get me wrong, I love our library System, and I think everyone is truly grateful for the over $500,000 the Foundation has given to the System over the past decade. I did not want to leave the Board, but I felt the only way to say what I have to say and not risk retribution to the System was to step down before writing this letter. If this letter causes you heartburn, blame me, not the System.

I, as an individual, call on the Carbon County Library Foundation board to rethink its direction (and consider adding term limits for its members). I call on the Foundation to consider what it would do with all of the money it saved if the County could only afford to keep the main library open, if anything. And I call on the Foundation to take the helm on educating the public on the ballot measures, as the way they generously did with the System’s Centennial celebrations last winter. The System could not have managed that on the heels of a 53% budget cut.

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but I disagree with closing libraries to make a statement. I think there are better ways to get attention and influence the hearts and minds of voters. I think our kids deserve genuine effort, not infighting. If that makes me a traitor to my former profession as a librarian, so be it. I’d rather save libraries than be orthodox.

And what is so wrong with private donations for public services? I get that it shouldn’t be the norm, and if Wyoming voters do decide to defund their local governments and schools, then our System will have to shrink to one location—or none. Free public libraries exist in America primarily because of one wealthy Mr. Andrew Carnegie. Governments built their library systems up following his example, not vice versa. We must shed this sense of entitlement to government funds in times of great financial distress. Let the people who want to donate to save their libraries save their libraries with their donations. That’s what I was thinking when I wrote my checks.

Sincerely,

Adelaide Myers, former chair of the Carbon County Library System Board of Directors

New Parks Director Invites Community to Help Improve Rawlins

Publisher — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 18:00:00 +0000

New Parks Director Invites Community to Help Improve Rawlins

Publisher Sat, 07/18/2026 - 20:00

Thank you, Rawlins!

I want to take a moment to sincerely thank the Rawlins community for the warm welcome you’ve given me as I begin serving as your Director of Parks & Recreation Over the past several weeks, I’ve been spending time learning about our parks, recreation facilities, cemetery, shooting ranges, sports complex, green spaces, and the many amenities that make our community special. I’m excited about the opportunities ahead and committed to making a positive difference. As we continue evaluating our facilities, I’m implementing a new tracking and accountability system for Parks and Rec, that will help us document concerns, prioritize projects, and ensure maintenance issues are addressed as efficiently as possible. I would love your help. If you notice damaged playground equipment, park maintenance needs, tree concerns, irrigation issues, vandalism, safety hazards, cemetery concerns, issues at the Rawlins Family Recreation Center, shooting ranges, sports complex, golf course, or any City maintained green space, please visit our city website and use the links at the bottom of the homepage and click on Concerns and Requests, then scroll down to Parks and Rec and select the area of concern that needs attention. Here is a direct link: www.rawlinswy.gov/concern Every report will be reviewed and entered into our tracking system so we can prioritize repairs and improvements based on safety, need, and available resources. Thank you for your patience as we continue improving our operations and building a stronger system of accountability. Most importantly, thank you for helping us protect and care for the community resources we all enjoy. Together, we’ll continue making Rawlins a great place to live, play, and recreate.

Respectfully,

Billy Hunt

Director of Parks & Recreation City of Rawlins

Save Our Libraries

Publisher — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 15:30:00 +0000

Save Our Libraries

Publisher Sat, 07/04/2026 - 17:30

To the people of Carbon County,

Please help us S.A.V.E. our libraries.

Three things will happen if the county does not increase funding for the Carbon County Library System when they vote in July.

1. Staff will be laid off leaving a smaller team to run libraries, host programs, get grants, and more.

2. There will only be 20 open hours per week at the Rawlins Library.

3. All branch libraries will close unless communities can support them financially.

The Board of County Commissioners is expected to not fund libraries to stay open at current service levels. Library funding has been cut by about 70% in the last five years. Libraries already rely on the foundation, towns, grants, and friends groups for more than $225,000 each year.

Did you know that last year Carbon County Libraries had over 43,000 visits and checked out more than 36,000 items? Libraries are more than places to borrow books. They are welcoming spaces where people connect, learn, and access resources that may not be available anywhere else.

How you can help save our libraries:

Support - Donate $25 for one hour of operation at any library at www.carbonlibraries.org

Advocate - Email or call your commissioners commissoners@carboncountywy.gov

Vote - Vote to protect property tax and sales tax.

Engage - Join a group to help fundraise.

Want to learn more? Visit www.carbonlibraries.org to read “Tax Dollars, Partners, and You” or reach out to the libraries directly at director@carbonlibraries.org or 307-328-2618.

Sincerely,

The Carbon County Library Foundation

County Libraries Face Uncertain Future

Publisher — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 13:30:00 +0000

County Libraries Face Uncertain Future Publisher Tue, 06/16/2026 - 15:30

Dear Communities,

The Board of the Carbon County Library System would like to share what is happening with funding and the future of our libraries. Although we all wish that we could go back and change the path we are currently on, the reality is that with reduced funding comes reduced services. But you can help us bring those services back! But first, let’s look at the numbers.

If the system receives approximately $140,000 from the County as expected the Board will make the following changes:

• Main library in Rawlins only open 20 hours a week

• Branch libraries closed unless communities are able to support them financially

• Reduced staff to purchase and process materials, less time for grants and projects, and less support for technology, marketing and programming county-wide

Please visualize these impacts with us: in 2015, the library system received over $600,000 from the County. In FY 2026-2027, we expect 77% less. In other words, if the budget passes as presented, the system will be operating on less than one quarter of the funds it had a decade ago—and if we adjust for inflation, it’s closer to six percent (6%). With just an additional $100,000 for the Library System, these impacts would be softened greatly, and we could avoid painful effects on our valuable staff. Unfortunately, they will bear the brunt of these impacts, and their communities will suffer accordingly.

This isn’t the whole financial picture, however. There are many other generous organizations, such as library nonprofits and towns, that have maintained or increased their financial support to the library over the last fiscal year. These angels plus spending down our savings are what kept our libraries open in 2025 and 2026. To read all about the library’s budget, please visit www.carbonlibraries.org or visit your local branch for a copy of “Carbon County Libraries: Tax Dollars, Partners, and You!”

As we prepare for a likely shortfall, we are asking everyone to help us SAVE the libraries! Here is how you can help:

Support your local library by donating funds to the library system, friends of your local library group, or the library foundation. A little girl in Elk Mountain recently asked her mother for more chores to earn money. “Why”, asked the mother, thinking she wanted to purchase a new toy or bike. She wanted to give the money to the library, and did so. Donate today at any library or at www.carbonlibraries.org!

Advocate for libraries with county commissioners, your fellow voters, and the state legislature by calling, emailing or speaking at meetings to help ensure that decision makers understand how important these services are to our communities.

Vote to keep important funding sources for local government including property and sales taxes. Make your voice heard with state and local officials, and at the ballot box. This is particularly important as we approach the election, because there WILL be a statewide ballot measure to reduce property taxes by an additional 50%. If the measure passes, the County will likely have no choice but to further reduce the library system’s allocation. Remember, the County is only required by statute to fund one library in the county seat—but not to any specific dollar amount.

Engage with local nonprofits that support the library. Encampment, LSRV, and Saratoga all have active Friends of the Libraries groups who raise funds to support their community branch library. Other organizations are also hosting fundraisers. The Carbon County Library Foundation enhances what libraries can offer by providing for programs, collections, technology, and opportunities that go beyond basic operations. All of these organizations welcome new members! We even have an open seat on the library board for someone who wants to be involved with our decision making. Could that be you?

If you have questions about the budget, our libraries, or anything else, please call or email the Board or our interim director, Jenita Calton. A former library staff member and active member of the Foundation, Jenita stepped in immediately to keep the system running when we lost our director. Without her, we would not have made it through the winter. She has also been instrumental in planning for the coming year amid significant uncertainty. Even so, we remain optimistic about the future and hopeful that our funding picture will improve. We are also pleased to announce that we have hired a permanent director, Jacob Ray, who will join us on June 1st from Alaska’s North Slope. We know he understands what “rural” means for a system like ours, and we look forward to his fresh perspective and ideas to sustain, grow, and improve service across Carbon County.

We ask you to please help SAVE our libraries. We believe that if we work together we will succeed!

Sincerely, Carbon County Library System Board of Directors

Please direct communications to: director@carbonlibraries.org, 307-328-2618 and/or adelaidemyers8080@gmail.com, 307-710-8080.

Resident Says OBC Gives Back to Valley

Publisher — Sat, 09 May 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Resident Says OBC Gives Back to Valley Publisher Sat, 05/09/2026 - 07:00

To The Editor

I try not to respond to others’ opinions too quickly....especially if that opinion somehow includes me and in my opinion isn’t very favorable. I recently read that there is a line of thinking that involves residents of OBC and implied that the motivation for living there was to be able to claim a deduction in property taxes and live comfortably someplace else....California was mentioned. If I didn’t believe that the person saying these words had the best interest of various communities at heart and was just speaking emotionally, I think my feelings would have been hurt.....well, they kinda were, in hindsight. I’ve lived at OBC for five years now and so I’m not eligible for the deduction. I’m not the only one. I know of several who are not, either because they are not old enough or haven’t owned a home there for 25 years and paid enough years of property taxes. To lump everyone in one big pot is not right. Additionally, claiming or not claiming the deduction probably isn’t at the forefront of residents and non-residential members of OBC. I certainly am not the spokesperson for the club, but speaking for myself, I would target a government and leadership that allow unfavorable legislature to continue to happen. I will also state that the support within OBC for the North Platte valley community is immense. Ask the organizers of the many community events, Toga Days and the Rodeo; or the financial supporters of the hospital, school activities, childcare center and libraries, or supporters of the fire departments and museums.

I am reminded of a song by the late Toby Keith, “How Do You Like Me Now?”. I am a Wyoming resident and able to vote. I’ve gone through the list of our leadership and asked that very question and in my opinion, I don’t. I see bickering, name-calling, backstabbing and alot of kingdom building....and some,(but very little) cohesive effort to work on behalf of our communities. There isn’t a whole lot I can do to change the state, but I am very proud to be a member of Carbon County, the North Platte Valley and OBC who supports it.”

Thank you for caring so deeply...I do too!

Ryta Sondergaard

OBC resident