Dear editor:

The head of our Republican vetting committee, Richard Jones of Wapiti, admitted that voting records or statements of candidates WERE NOT considered, and their responses to the party platform questionnaire WERE NOT a determining factor, for party endorsement. He also admitted that they DID NOT, “evenly compare every candidate." So what criteria exactly, were used by the 56 (out of the 100) voting precinct committee members, to endorse candidates?  

They endorsed short-time Cody resident Karin Richard, who has vehemently railed against county government spending UNLESS it could be for her personal priority; the animal shelter. She claims our commissioners make decisions “behind closed doors,” when the minutes of every meeting are posted in the newspapers. Any other action would be available by a Freedom of Information Act request, including from the Wyoming County Commissioners Association. 

They endorsed short-time Cody resident Tim Lasseter, who paradoxically boasted to me; “I am  the most humble man you will ever meet.” He then posted a graphic picture of his aircraft dropping his bomb on Park County.  

These two have ZERO history of experience or service benefiting Park County! 

The precinct vetters also endorsed local legislator Sen. Dan Laursen, who is in favor of government eminent domain for water projects, and the massive expenditure for the shooting complex in Cody. He was an incompetent sponsor of the gender bathroom bill a year and a half ago.  Fortunately, other legislators passionately backed it. He said a new senior center should not be built by the government. What “government funding” was he referring to? He has since backtracked, blaming Dossie Overfield for asking him a question that “caught me off guard.”

Do not be impressed by groups campaigning for these three candidates, claiming a “74% increase in spending” by our current commissioners, unless you have been opposed to post Covid federal resources being spent for a new garage and ambulance in Powell, our new library, repairs of a 70-year-old bridge to avoid a more expensive future full replacement of the bridge, updated 30-year-old HVAC systems in our courthouse buildings, replacement of outdated lighting in all county buildings to save on utility bills for years to come, and other cost-saving projects. They did NOT grow government. There was NO added staff. There has been NO increase in county commissioners' salaries for seven years. 

The precinct vetters completely disregarded local candidates Lloyd Thiel, county commissioner for seven-and-a-half years, and Duncan Bonine, current vice chairman of the Park County Planning and Zoning Commission with a total of nine years, who have been effectively serving Park County residents.  

Vote for these candidates of known character, experience and dedication to Park County.

Kay Anderson

Powell