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Wyoming recently passed House Bill 17 through The House. This bill was sponsered so that sexual assault victims can obtain an order to keep their attacker away. Currently, victims of domestic violence and stalking can get a Protection Order but not sexual assault victims ( unless the assault was part of domestic violence). Unfortunately HB 17 was amended recently. Originally the bill would allow orders to last a year. But now, The House amended it so that the order expires in 3 months if the perpetrator is not charged or found guilty of sexual...
Thanks to the voters, the Saratoga Town Municipality will realize quite a transformation Tuesday. Three new members will be sworn in to serve our community – E.J. Glode as mayor and Will Faust and Richard Raymer as councilpersons. This will be the biggest change in leadership in over eight years. The community should be excited for the change as these new public servants, all with strong community ties, take the reins at town hall. The newly elected are not without experience as all were members of the Saratoga/Carbon County Water and Sewer Joi...
Generosity shines through during this time of year. The Festival of Trees was no exception. Forty-three donations were made to the annual festival of trees and business people and residents of Saratoga and the Platte Valley pulled out their checkbooks to support this great event. The festival is in its 11th year and is still going strong. Every year, the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce hosts the event and it continues to attract people and donations. Considering the fact that other communities around the state has tried this and...
We are the Cowboy State for many reasons. This past weekend, four of Carbon County’s cowboys were recognized for their contribution to the state of Wyoming as ranchers. Wyoming is so cowboy, we have a Cowboy Code of Ethics. Wyoming was the first state to adopt a Code of Ethics in March 2010. • Live each day with courage • Take pride in your work • Always finish what you start • Do what has to be done • Be tough, but fair • When you make a promise, keep it • Ride for the brand • Talk less and say more • Remember that some things aren’t for s...
Late last week, the town of Saratoga completed the first part of the pedestrian bridge project. The project consisted of setting the 150-foot bridge over a span from Veterans Island to the inlet near the hot pool. Since 2009, the pedestrian bridge project has been the center of controversy in the town. Many have referred to it as the “bridge to nowhere.” Others have simply called it a waste of taxpayers’ money. Regardless of what you think of the project itself, you have to give kudos to the personnel who placed the bridge last week. Town...
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, next to skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. The annual campaign promotes early detection by having mammograms and monthly self examinations. There are several websites that explain how to do self examinations. The National Breast Cancer Foundation’s website www.nationalbreastcancer.org has a lot of information about breast cancer, including the types, treatment, myths and more. Did you know there are several types of breast cancer? M...
Saturday, Sen. Mike Enzi will be in Saratoga to award the Purple Heart to Robert James. To be awarded a Purple Heart, one has to be harmed by something that is meant to injure during wartime. It has been several years since a member of the armed forces was awarded a Purple Heart in the Valley. With tensions so thick after the beheading of two American journalists and the beheading of a British journalist, war in Syria is most likely eminent, and Americans once again find themselves on high alert. Everyday service members are in harm’s way or h...
How many votes should a councilperson have on town issues? This is a question that has come up at town meetings and during the election forums sponsored by the Valley Service Organization. Most candidates at the forums agreed there is not a problem as long as they vote the same way on the board as they do on the council. Citizens and town board members don’t always agree. What has caused concern is the potential for a council member who serves on a board to disagree with a board recommendation and vote against it. The council member then has i...
Editor Kudos goes out to Union Wireless and Carbon County School District 2 for bringing in Craig Conrad to not only speak with the students but to share with families during the back to school picnic. I hope that the students got as much out of what he had to share as this parent did. I am going to borrow a quote that he used that night “When it gets darkest the stars come out” this is translated to mean “Don’t lose hope”. I think that all of us have experienced those darkest nights in our lives, and if it wouldn’t have been for the stars s...
The Saratoga Sun has been following the recent, sometimes heated, discussions at South Central Wyoming Emergency Medical Services (SCWEMS) Joint Powers Board (JPB) meetings with interest. Everyone who lives in this area is affected by the availability of timely and effective ambulance and first responder services. It appears to the Saratoga Sun that SCWEMS is experiencing growing pains, and needs to learn some lessons about the accountability of their actions. An article in the Aug. 6, 2014 edition of the Saratoga Sun shows SCWEMS is now...
Big changes are coming to the Saratoga Sun. Perhaps you have seen our ads about some of the changes. The place where we have printed our paper for many years is closing down their press. It came as a shock to us, but as newspaper people, we adjust to change. We looked at several options and starting next week the Casper Star Tribune is printing our paper. Technology makes this possible, as we have been sending our paper up to the current printer by FTP (File Transfer Protocol). What this change means for our readers and our advertisers is a...
As cross-country bicycling becomes more popular, towns like Saratoga are faced with a small dilemma of who is responsible to provide in-town campgrounds. Should the town of Saratoga provide an in-town campground for bicyclers who ride through our town? The Good Times Park behind the hot pool has been suggested as a place to have a campground for bicyclists. When most bicyclists are planning a trip across America, they just don’t decide to jump on a bike and start pedaling. They plan, prepare and research their route. Bicyclists should know t...
Tonight, the first of three candidate forums begin. All will be at the Platte Valley Community Center. The county candidate forum is at 6 p.m. tonight. On July 29 at 6 p.m., the Saratoga mayoral candidates will present their platforms. The Saratoga council candidates have their say on July 30 at 6 p.m. The Valley Service Organization hosts these forums during election years and they are invaluable for voters. This is an opportunity for you to weigh the candidate’s positions, past performances and future promises against newcomer’s ideas and pla...
When the Saratoga Sun’s Mike Dunn interviewed the retiring teachers this year, one theme was common. The teachers will miss the students. We are very fortunate to have the quality of teachers in our school district that we do. The teachers retiring this year are no exception. Their experience varies from 20 to over 40 years and in that time these teachers have seen a huge change in technology, school curriculum, superintendents, principals and school boards. It is not easy adjusting to a new boss every few years, or to explain to school b...
Many people who may be interested in running for office, may have too many fears about being in such a position. They may be afraid of the responsibility, or of too many people disagreeing with their ideas. They may also think their voice does not matter, or that no one would be interested in what they have to say. For anyone who has ever felt that way, it’s time to overcome those fears and realize that your voice does matter. Every voice counts and has worth in a small community. Many of the Valley’s younger residents may feel like they hav...
The political season is about to come into full swing. On May 15, people who want to run for office will register. That means these people will also be getting the word out about their platforms, goals and public appearances. Therefore, this is the perfect time to let the candidates, voters and supporters know the Saratoga Sun policies for election articles and advertising. • The Saratoga Sun does not endorse candidates. • All political ads must be prepaid. • Ads must include a disclaimer stating who paid for the ad, i.e. “Paid for by the Com...
Many times, adults forget to look at things and people from a child’s perspective. For instance, it would have never have occurred to us at the Saratoga Sun that children would be frightened of firemen. We, as adults, know they are there to help during a fire. To a child, a fireman in full gear may look like a giant yellow monster. Last week, the Saratoga Fire Department went to Saratoga Elementary School and gave a gear presentation in conjunction with a fire drill. One of the demonstrations included what a fireman looks like in full fire g...
The Saratoga Planning Commission has a difficult job in keeping up with modern technology. More and more workers are doing business in their homes, on cell phones, laptops and iPads making enforcement of regulations more difficult. Last month, the Planning Commission had an important discussion on the definition of “permitted – meaning allowed” and “permitted – those requiring a permit.” This is not the first, nor will it be the last time this important discussion has been on the table. The Saratoga Sun commends the commission for its efforts i...
Thanks to the Saratoga Town Council. After hearing public complaints, the council made changes to its agenda and meetings. Issues were discussed openly by council members. Employees of the town were asked to explain processes and procedures during its reports. The Saratoga Sun commends the Saratoga Town Council for this action. The town council plans to further change its agenda to have items from the public after report items and before business which allows the public to comment on what was discussed in the meeting. The only request the town... Full story
The Saratoga Town Council is in the second month of the new year and it is already facing criticism on how meetings are being conducted. The people want to be heard and that is understandable. During the election, voters shared their frustrations about not hearing discussion from the council before a decision is made. For important decisions, we feel the council should not only discuss matters, but also seek public comment whenever possible. It is not unlikely that a citizen may have a comment or idea that could be helpful in coming to a... Full story
Recently, the Saratoga Town Council and the Saratoga Planning Commission have taken action that appears to seek to limit public involvement at their meetings. In both cases, the reason given for the changes was to generate more productivity among the board and council members and allow them to be more effective at their jobs. The Saratoga Town Council removed “Items from the Public” from its agenda and at its meeting Tuesday announced the agenda item would only be included if people submitted their topic of discussion by the Thursday prior to... Full story
Circling an asphalt wasteland like a vulture waiting for that fleeting moment when a parking space opens, fighting the bargain-hunting hordes blocking the aisles and stepping into lines that feel like they have not moved since the last Black Friday may be fun for some people. Here in Saratoga, we feel lucky for the opportunity to walk into a distinctive store, go straight to the owner and ask about the new items in stock. Inside this year’s Christmas Candle special pullout, you will find local business owners donating their time and money to p... Full story