We the people

In Carbon County there are many small municipalities and that is part of their charm. Small populations can often mean that townspeople know each other and will help a neighbor in times of trouble.

This goodwill and cooperation is essential to a town’s character but, when it comes to participating on boards and even town councils, many residents don’t contribute.

“If we don’t participate in local government, and it is we the people, it effects every aspect of how a town runs,” Sue Jones, Carbon County Commission said. “Infrastructure, finances, planning and a town’s well-being are effected. The best way to understand how everything works is to participate.”

Jones said she passionate on the subject of participation by residents in their local government.

“Planning is critical and people need to pay attention if they care about their town,” Jones said. “There is real harm in not doing anything.”

Medicine Bow mayor Sharon Biamon is aware of the importance of Jones’ words. Currently there is only one person running for the four open council seats. Three weeks ago, Biamon was looking at what options were available if the town did not get any people on the council to form a quorum.

“I am not sure what to do if we don’t get some people willing to serve,” Biamon said. “We might have to dissolve the town and have Carbon County take over if we can’t enough for a quorum. A town can’t function without being able to pay bills and make decisions about infrastructure. It is really a sad situation.”

Biamon did talk to Jones about the situation, who in turn approached Carbon County Clerk Gwen Bartlett about the options.

Bartlett and Deputy Clerk Lisa Smith, who helps oversee Carbon County elections, looked into the question of what steps could be taken.

Title 15 of the Wyoming State Statutes addresses the creation of municipalities and formation of governments, but there is nothing to dissolve a town or any answer for a municipality that dosen’t have enough members for a quorum.

Smith said the county would not have any governing authority in this matter and that it would ultimately have to be a question for Medicine Bow’s attorney, Kelley Neville.

“If the town does not get enough members of a council for a quorum, we would have to review the election codes,” Neville said. “We would go over state statutes, ordinances and any other pertinent information to come up with a strategy to move forward.”

Biamon is heartened to know a solution will be figured out in time, but she said it is concerning that it is has been so difficult to get residents to run for council.

“We are a small town and the same people have been stepping up but, as time has gone by, these residents just aren’t able to commit again,” Biamon said. “Most were appointed because others left.”

Jones said this can be a problem for towns that have councils that are primarily appointed.

“In the case of Medicine Bow, all terms were up at the same time and residents that thought they were filling in really hadn’t planned on continuing,” Jones said. “In Medicine Bow, it was the perfect storm of all seats opening and not enough residents wanting to run.”

Because Jones believes that participation in local government is essential, she thinks all Carbon County residents should do so in some manner.

“There should never be a person running unopposed,” Jones said. “There should be representation on all the boards in the municipalities. Residents who don’t participate are missing out on contributing to the bettering of local government. Local government is key to our quality of life.”

Jones said she does understand that not all eligible residents can commit to being on boards and councils.

“But if you can’t do it, then you should encourage others to do so,” Jones said. “You have to shake the tree to find out who can.”

Jones laughed as she said she could teach a civics class in participation because she feels it is so important.

“This situation where you can’t find council members for a town government just shouldn’t happen because I don’t doubt, when it comes down to it, almost all residents love the place they live in and want the best for it,” Jones said. “It just shouldn’t be taken for granted that someone else will be on a board or run for council because there are a lot of open seats on boards in different municipalities throughout Carbon County and even some council ones. Especially if you care for your town, which I think many people do when it is all said and done.”

Karen Heath, Medicine Bow town clerk/treasurer, agrees with Jones assessment.

“Medicine Bow has fought too hard to survive over the years,” Heath said. “The residents do care about this town and I have faith it will work out.”

The Town of Medicine Bow will have an answer after November 3, but there is still a lesson to be learned; for local government to work, it has to have residents participating any way they can.