EDITORIAL: Public helped prod council into acting on trailer parking

Posted 4/9/15

Mayor Don Hillman appointed Councilmen Jim Hillberry, John Wetzel, Tim Sapp and Public Works Director Gary Butts Monday night to study trailer parking ordinances that other Wyoming cities have passed, and draft one for Powell.

The council has …

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EDITORIAL: Public helped prod council into acting on trailer parking

Posted

Thumbs up to the news that the Powell City Council is putting a plan in gear to enact a trailer parking ordinance.

Mayor Don Hillman appointed Councilmen Jim Hillberry, John Wetzel, Tim Sapp and Public Works Director Gary Butts Monday night to study trailer parking ordinances that other Wyoming cities have passed, and draft one for Powell.

The council has considered such a city law for two years but said Monday night they are acting because of an outpouring of comment from local residents. Hillman said he has had a “ton of calls” on the matter since the Powell Tribune published a story and photo on the problem with trailers and large vehicles obscuring views in the city.

We’re glad to have played a role in moving this ahead. The danger created by trailers and other vehicles that do not allow clear views of intersections must be addressed.

Thumbs down to the report that three dogs and other animals have been poisoned near Meeteetse in recent days.

It appears someone trying to eradicate wolves may have planted the killer chemical that led to the death of the beloved pets. We spoke with one of the people who lost a four-legged loved one, and the anguish in her voice was a clear indication of the pain that has been caused.

We hope the investigation determines who did this reckless act and they are appropriately punished. Poison must be handled and administered with great care, and it’s obvious that did not happen in this case.

Thumbs up to the life and legacy of John Patton, who was a Wyoming legislator as a young man and then again as an older, experienced politician.

Patton, a Sheridan Republican, died Sunday at 84. He first served as a state representative in 1961 and then again in 1965. From 1967-71, he was a state senator. The real-estate businessman, who also worked in the insurance business, made a comeback in 2009, serving in the state House until his death. He grew ill on Feb. 17 and never recovered before dying.

Gov. Matt Mead correctly termed him “a great public servant,” and other Wyoming leaders also had high praise for a man who was the chairman of the House Education Committee at the end of his political career.

“John Patton was a wonderful Wyoming man and a thoughtful, hard-working legislator who set a positive example for his colleagues,” Mead said. “He loved Wyoming and it showed in his service. “

Thumbs down to some Wyoming legislators who are all too eager to dip into the new revenue pool created by the Wyoming Lottery.

WyoLotto was launched less than a year ago. We agree with the decision by the Lottery board and its CEO, Jon Clontz, to pay off the start-up costs before distributing money to various funds, including local governments.

But we have heard the steady drumbeat of politicians who see the cash and want a cut. The latest attempt comes from lawmakers who are raising the idea, during this interim study period, of forming a gaming commission to oversee WyoLotto and, not coincidentally, direct some of the money to their governments.

The lottery was created without a dime of state money. WyoLotto borrowed $2.6 million to open its doors, market the games and get the ball rolling. We agree with lottery officials who want to pay off their debts before passing out the proceeds.

Thumbs up to the start of the baseball season, both locally and in the big leagues.

The days are longer and the weather warmer. We can hear the slap of a ball into a leather mitt and the resounding thwack of a well-struck ball coming off a bat.

Spring has sprung on diamonds in Powell and across the nation. Play ball!

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