TORRINGTON – The Goshen County Commissioners convened for their first regular meeting of May on Tuesday morning, May 4, at the Goshen County Courthouse.
Lori Shafer and Joe Campbell with Farm Bureau presented the commissioners with a proposal to establish a resolution which would state the county’s opposition to President Joe Biden’s “30 x 30” program.
A document titled Guide to Fight the 30 x 30 Land Grab produced by the American Stewards of Liberty was provided to the commissioners by Shafer and Campbell.
“The 30 x 30 program is a plan advanced by radical environmental activists to permanently protect 30% of America’s land and oceans by 2030. The program is being advanced by the Biden Administration through Executive Order 14008, “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad” (86 Fed. Reg. 7,619), signed January 27, 2021.”
The document declares the order is an “unconstitutional policy shift, moving us from a nation founded on private property principles to one controlled by the administrative state.”
The resolution, which was ultimately signed and adopted by the commissioners, states “the Board herein wants to publicly express, in this non-binding resolution, support for the proposition that Executive Order No. 14008 is not in the best interest of the Western United States, which itself is home to over ninety percent (90%) of current federal lands and which Executive Order may inappropriately result in harm to local and regional economies.”
Shafer told the commissioners the goal of the program is to take control of 30% of America’s land and water by the year 2030, thereby taking it out of production and returning the land to its natural state under the guise of enhancing climate change.
“It appears to be a direct attack on agriculture,” she said.
Every state in the union will be affected and they would execute the land grab by taking federal leases from leaseholders and encouraging conservation easements on private property, according to Shafer.
“There is no constitutional authority for the government to do this,” Shafer said.
Shafer said she and fellow concerned citizens are seeking resolutions to get the matter resolved before it can occur. She also said she hopes to take the fight to Governor Gordon continue the fight against the land grab efforts from there.
She noted the executive order would affect approximately 681 million acres in the United States.
Chairman John Ellis said he was certain this would have an effect on the water in the Ogallala Aquifer as well, as the 30% of the water could be used for things other than agriculture.
“Goshen County is an agricultural county,” Ellis said. “We are here to represent the agriculture community…we want to be in a position to back the agricultural people in Goshen County…that’s why we are willing to sign this resolution.”
Ellis signed the order after it was approved unanimously by the board. County Clerk Cindy Kenyon signed the resolution as well in attestation.
Calvin and Isabel Hoy appeared before the commission with Goshen County Attorney Eric Boyer. The couple wished to discuss the issue of nuisance properties within Goshen County.
Boyer told the commissioners he had been made aware of several properties that were creating issues with cleanliness and safety throughout the county.
Isabel told the commissioners there are several unsightly and dangerous properties throughout Goshen County that she and her husband are concerned about. She explained how they spend a significant amount of time ensuring their property is clean and free of waste. They also noted the impact of the neighboring junk piles to their business.
She told the commissioners she believes the unkept properties in the county are creating a negative impact on community development and are also making a negative economic impact on the community as a whole.
“Torrington used to be the cleanest town in Wyoming…that’s not true anymore,” Shafer said.
Shafer asked the commissioners to look into the matter and consider appropriate action to address the matter.
Ellis told Boyer and the Hoys that this is a definite problem he is aware of.
“It’s raised its ugly head very starkly in South Torrington and it is a problem,” Ellis said. “With the attitude in Goshen County, zoning is not a route to go…we are going to have to look at some of these other avenues.”
One recommendation made by the Hoys and Boyer was to approached Goshen Economic Development and the Lodging Tax Board to discuss the matter with them. They also recommended establishing a committee to research and develop solutions to the problem.
The commissioners also announced the recipients of this year’s county scholarships. Noel Chapman was awarded a renewal scholarship while Thomas Heron, Jayce Myrtle and Calista Dugger were awarded three of the remaining scholarships. The county received a total of 10 applications for the scholarships.
Fire Warden Bill Law also appeared before the commission to present his report. During the recitation of his report, he indicated his belief there was no reason to initiate any partial fire bans at this time.
Law also informed the commissioners that Tuesday, May 4, 2021 was designated as International Firefighters Day. He said the Torrington Volunteer Fire Department illuminates red lights above a truck at the fire hall to honor the lives and sacrifices of firefighters. He asked them to be aware of the matter and consider lighting a red light to honor firefighters.
Law also asked citizens to be cognizant of their own property throughout the county.
“It’s a big help if people can maintain their property and keep equipment separated from building,” he said. “If we do get a fire, we can get firefighters and their equipment in and out without extra danger to the firefighters.”
He said it’s necessary work and is a great way to keep the property owners and firefighters safe. He encouraged people to keep up with property maintenance; keep weeks controlled, establish firebreaks, etc.
The Road and Bridge Department, District Court Clerk and County Clerk also presented their reports to the commissioners, which were all unanimously approved. The regular meeting adjourned and the commissioners entered into a budget discussion under a work session.
The next meeting of the Goshen County Commissioners will be Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at 9 a.m. in the Goshen County Courthouse.
