Skating into memory

The recently completed skate park at Key Club Park in Rawlins will be named in memory of Joshua “J.R.” Rodriguez. It has been more than a decade since his passing but emotions still run high when referring to J.R.

Mayor Terry Weickum spoke through tears about Rodriguez, “he was like one of our own kids.”

Rodriguez, who was born in 1984 and passed away in 2012, was described in his obituary as someone who would give his shirt off his back and as a friend to everyone.

Weickum said that Rodriguez loved skateboarding. “It was his passion”.

Vice Mayor Jacquelin Wells proposed naming the skate park after Rodriguez at an earlier this month.

At the October 18, 2022, meeting, Wells made a motion to name the skate park after Rodriguez. The motion was approved unanimously by the Town Council. A formal ceremony will be held in the future.

Fiscal Director Tom Sarvey reported to Town Council that the audit of Fiscal Year 2020/2021 had finally been completed. Harvey said he will prepare a report for the Council, with recommendations on allocation of the reserves.

Sarvey is the interim city manager as well. Sarvey informed the council that all water restrictions could be lifted for the remainder of the year. “Our tanks are at least 90 percent full. I think we’re in a really good position,” said Sarvey.

It will take five years and nearly $30 million to repair and replace the water infrastructure.

Gwendolyn Wade, Rawlins City Attorney, reports that she is working on four ordinances to amend city code.The proposed ordinances would amend city code to accept online Training and Intervention Procedures (TIPS) as an alternative to in person training. The Rawlins Police Department is currently reviewing the orinance.

An ordinance related to alcohol delivery, in the wake of DoorDash and Grubhub, is also being drafted. Regulations for alcohol delivery in Wyoming were officially codified by the State Legislature in 2021.

Wade is also working on an ordinance which would regulate tattoo and body piercing shops in Rawlins. Wyoming State Statute has very little regulating body modification, leaving it to local governments to regulate. The Rawlins City Council is considering such an ordinance at the urging of Twisted Delusions Ink, which opened in Rawlins in 2019.

The final ordinance Wade is working on would update nuisance abatement. Wade said she was working to streamline the ordinance while “still keeping property rights intact.”

The next meeting of the Rawlins City Council will be at 7:30 p.m. on November 1 at Rawlins City Hall (521 W. Cedar Street).