Commission hears from Youth Alternatives Director

The Hot Springs County Commissioners heard their first report from newly appointed Youth Alternatives Director, Barb Rice, during their meeting last Friday.

Rice said things are going well with the program and while she's setting certain times to actually be in her office, she's also working with the courts, being there for the kids going through the system and learning all the ins and outs of the job.

She's currently working with the Wyoming Highway Patrol to bring in their "25 Alive" program that helps young drivers understand their responsibility behind the wheel, including no drinking and driving or texting and driving.

One concern she expressed to the commissioners was in regards to municipal court, which goes through the Town of Thermopolis.

So far, municipal court has not been going along with the mandated single point of entry process for juveniles. Municipal fines can be handed down for a number of offences including DUI and tobacco issues.

While she's making some progress with municipal court, she is concerned that municipal court is more concerned about revenue.

"If it is, its too bad, because our first priority is to help the kids," Brad Basse, commission chair said. "That's what the diversion program is meant to do."

County Attorney Jerry Williams echoed Basse's concerns.

"I hope it changes," Williams said. "I think we're making some progress. We could actually take them to court about it, as an option."

Basse indicated he'd like to see Rice take a shot at it first and see how things go.

"How is this in the best interest of the kids," he asked.

Williams said he hasn't spoken with mayor Mike Mortimore as of yet, but will talk with him soon if things don't work out with police chief Steve Shay.

In other business, the commissioners heard from Emergency Management director Bill Gordon regarding the recent poisonings of domestic dogs in the Meeteetsee area.

Gordon said the Bureau of Land Management is offering a reward for information on the poisonings and urges anyone recre

ating with their dogs in that area to be extra cautious.

"That's pretty close to home," Gordon said. "It wouldn't take much to cross over into Hot Springs County."

We've all enjoyed a fairly mild winter this year, bringing into question how run-off and river flows will be for the summer, especially for farmers in the county.

According to Gordon, Boysen Reservoir is currently at 88% and said irrigation from the river should be fine this year.

In addition, Gordon said he's not promoting a fire ban yet as things are fine for now, but does day wind and higher temperatures could change that idea in a very short time.

Sheriff Lou Falgoust and deputy Daniel Pebbles approached the commissioners for the go-ahead to purchase a new sheriff's vehicle to replace one of the Jeeps currently in use.

Pebbles said, through research and personal experience, they've found one of the Jeeps they're using has what is called a "death wobble" that is an immediate safety concern for any of the employees driving the car.

It has been seen by a mechanic and has been deemed un-fixable as the vehicle still has the same issue, even after having all manufacturer recommended work done on it.

Falgoust and Pebbles presented two quotes on a new vehicle to the commissioners, saying it would be mid-September before actual delivery and no payment would have to be made until then.

The commissioners agreed the issue is one of safety for personnel and gave the go-ahead for the $20,000 expenditure.

Things are going well with construction at the new Hot Springs County Airport, however, there has been one snag that arose through the State Fire Marshall's Office.

Originally, the plan was to remove the fuel tank from the current airport and move it to the new facility west of town.

Unfortunately, according to the fire marshall's office, the tank only meets two of the three criteria to receive the permit to move it and the permit was denied. The criteria the tank did not meet was that it is not fire retardant.

Now GDA Engineering will need to go over everything with the fire marshall again to ensure all the procedures are followed and see if there is any chance the tank can be moved to the new location or if a new tank will have to be purchased.

The commissioners will be holding budget work sessions May 5 and May 12. The next public meeting of the commissioners will be April 21 in the County Annex.