GOSHEN COUNTY – The Goshen County Commissioners convened for its second April meeting on April 18 at the Goshen County Courthouse. Chairman Michael McNamee was present with fellow commissioners Aaron Walsh and Justin Burkart. 

Cindy Kenyon, the coordinator for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Community Partnership (TANF CPI) program, presented the current contract amendment to the commissioners. 

“(TANF CPI) is a grant program through the state and then various community entities are sub-recipients from the county,” Kenyon told the commissioners. “This year we have $53,000. This money will serve 290 people with emergency food through the Caring and Sharing Food Bank and educate students with children at EWC (Eastern Wyoming College). At St. Joseph’s it funds parenting classes for parents of children who are institutionalized at St. Joseph’s.”

Kenyon also said they help Goshen Youth Alternatives to pay staff and buy office supplies. They usually provide funds for the preschool in LaGrange, however, this year the preschool has received other funding.

“We voted to just continue with the same amount of funding as is, so each entity will get the same budget as last year,” Kenyon explained. 

The commissioners voted to approve the current contract amendment.

During County Treasurer Leticia Dominguez’s report, she discussed the county’s cash report and 2022 taxes. The deadline to pay taxes is May 10. 

“We are doing the tax relief program this year, again,” Dominguez said. “That’s something that people can apply for up until June 1. That does give them some of their taxes back, but they won’t get that back until August.”

Those who are interested can go into the courthouse and get an application. 

During the public comment section of the meeting, Barney Reece and Ron Stuckert spoke to the commissioners.

Reece, a resident from VanTassel, made a request for the county to consider closing part of the VanTassell Road between Torrington and VanTassel in the winter. 

“This winter has been an exceptionally severe winter and there have been several people that have been marooned on that road,” Reece said. “We would like to see if there is some way that Goshen County and Niobrara County can work together [to prevent this from happening again].”

Reece said that many people either get directed to that road by GPS or purposely go that way to get around closed roads. One day this winter, she said Niobrara’s search and rescue had to go and dig at least four different people out. Reece explained the weather can be vastly different between Torrington and VanTassel.

She would like to see the counties work together to close the road. This would mean having a sign outside of Torrington and VanTassel warning travelers the road is closing in so many miles and having signs marking the road closed to thru traffic at the designated spot. 

“[The people who go on that road in bad conditions] are expecting us to put our lives in danger to go dig them out of a snowbank,” Reece said. “It seems the only way you can get through to people is through their checkbooks. If they go around the sign, you can charge them the $750 fine.”

Reece said even though it will probably not keep people from taking that road if they’re really determined, at these there would be a consequence for it. 

“I don’t want to see a life lost because of stupidity,” Reece said.

After much discussion, the commissioners agreed that this is something they are willing to consider. At this time, the counties’ road and bridge departments will need to come together and discuss the issue.

After thanking the commissioners for their time, Reece said she will be going to Niobrara County’s next meeting to continue the discussion.

Stuckert requested the commissioners look into regulation issues regarding the Lewis feedlot. He said since he and his wife moved next to the feedlot in 2006, the feedlot has been in violation of several regulations, including, but not limited to, the number of cattle, permits, wastewater removal and proximity to residence. As the feedlot’s neighbor, Stuckert said living there is all too often miserable.

McNamee said they have been made aware of a permit process for the facility through the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) that is expected to be finalized in August of this year. 

“All we’re asking is for some due diligence and to have things done right,” Stuckert said. 

After a long discussion, the commissioners agreed that regulations for all feedlots need to be followed, however, at this time they will need to monitor the issue more. As the overseeing organization, it is first up to the DEQ to ensure the permit regulations are followed. The commissioners will need to consult the county’s attorney for legal advice before getting involved in any way. 

The county’s cash report and 2022 taxes. The deadline to pay taxes is May 10. 

“We are doing the tax relief program this year, again,” Dominguez said. “That’s something that people can apply for up until June 1. That does give them some of their taxes back, but they won’t get that back until August.”

Those who are interested can go into the courthouse and get an application. 

During the public comment section of the meeting, Barney Reece and Ron Stuckert spoke to the commissioners.

Reece, a resident from VanTassel, made a request for the county to consider closing part of the VanTassell Road between Torrington and VanTassel in the winter. 

“This winter has been an exceptionally severe winter and there have been several people that have been marooned on that road,” Reece said. “We would like to see if there is some way that Goshen County and Niobrara County can work together [to prevent this from happening again].”

Reece said many people either get directed to that road by GPS or purposely go that way to get around closed roads. One day this winter, she said Niobrara’s search and rescue had to go and dig at least four different people out. Reece explained the weather can be vastly different between Torrington and VanTassel.

She would like to see the counties work together to close the road. This would mean having a sign outside of Torrington and VanTassel warning travelers the road is closing in so many miles and having signs marking the road closed to thru traffic at the designated spot. 

“[The people who go on that road in bad conditions] are expecting us to put our lives in danger to go dig them out of a snowbank,” Reece said. “It seems the only way you can get through to people is through their checkbooks. If they go around the sign, you can charge them the $750 fine.”

Reece said even though it will probably not keep people from taking that road if they’re really determined, at these there would be a consequence for it. 

“I don’t want to see a life lost because of stupidity,” Reece said.

After much discussion, the commissioners agreed that this is something they are willing to consider. At this time, the counties’ road and bridge departments will need to come together and discuss the issue.

After thanking the commissioners for their time, Reece said she will be going to Niobrara County’s next meeting to continue the discussion.

Stuckert requested the commissioners look into regulation issues regarding the Lewis feedlot. He said since he and his wife moved next to the feedlot in 2006, the feedlot has been in violation of several regulations, including, but not limited to, the number of cattle, permits, wastewater removal and proximity to residence. As the feedlot’s neighbor, Stuckert said living there is all too often miserable.

McNamee said they have been made aware of a permit process for the facility through the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) that is expected to be finalized in August of this year. 

“All we’re asking is for some due diligence and to have things done right,” Stuckert said. 

After a long discussion, the commissioners agreed that regulations for all feedlots need to be followed, however, at this time they will need to monitor the issue more. As the overseeing organization, it is first up to the DEQ to ensure the permit regulations are followed. The commissioners will need to consult the county’s attorney for legal advice before getting involved in any way. 

The next meeting of the Goshen County Commissioners will take place Tuesday, May 2 at 9 a.m. in the Goshen County Courthouse at 2125 East A Street.