Dear editor,

This past election ushered in a level of ugliness and nastiness never before seen in Goshen County politics. A large measure of a person’s worth is based on how we treat others. Maybe that is the politics of Florida and California but that is not who we are or what we are here in Goshen County.

A new group emerged during this election calling themselves Wyoming Stockmen for Liberty. They are ruthless and hostile and will destroy a person’s standing in the community if it fits their agenda. We saw it in the flyers we received from them in the mail. This group set a new low in Goshen County Politics. They are based in Wheatland. They have a seemingly limitless funds available for their negative political ads and rhetoric. This radical group aligned themselves with the Goshen County Republican Party by endorsing a majority of the Republican candidates, two of which were highly unqualified.

One member of their group recently moved here from California and started a new business in Torrington. He ran for sheriff with their endorsement, having NO experience in law enforcement. After being soundly defeated in the primary, he was later heard on KGOS Radio condemning the Quarter Penny for Economic Development. The ad was paid for by Wyoming Stockmen for Liberty. Facts don’t matter to these people. His mindless rhetoric could have caused Goshen County to lose what has been a very successful Economic Development endeavor. He is just another example of people moving here from another state who think they know Goshen County, but don’t, and then want to change it by interfering in things they don’t understand.

It should be mentioned that shoppers from Scottsbluff and Lusk support the Quarter Penny when they shop Torrington. Also, the Lodging Tax is collected from people who pass through here and not from Goshen County residents.

Wyoming Stockman’s own numbers do not support doing away with the Quarter Penny. This is simple math. Their $2.318 million allegedly collected in 4 years translates to $579,500 per year. Lodging tax accounts for about $86,925 (15%). The difference between the two nets $492,575 for the Quarter Penny. The 2021 population of Goshen County was 12,537 so this comes to $39.29 per person. Not the falsely claimed megabucks in taxes. This amounts to the cost of eight gallons of diesel. PER YEAR. Or a good steak dinner.

It is asinine that Wyoming Stockmen for Liberty located in Platte County would urge voters to get rid of a highly successful Economic Development program in Goshen County. Their ignorance could have had a long-lasting and devastating effect.

Compare Wheatland’s main street to Torrington’s. There is no comparison.

Dennis Eisenbarth