CASPER, Wyo – Welcome to the Summer Solstice edition of Oil City Speaks! There were some scorching temperatures throughout the week but there is plenty to do in the Casper area. More is happening this weekend, including more rodeo performances at the College National Finals and a variety of solstice celebrations.
In this week’s Oil City Speaks! We take a look back at some of the hot takes, thought-provoking views and heartwarming comments Readers have responded to our stories about everything that happened around Casper and Wyoming.
During Tuesday’s city council meeting, Craig Burns, an official with the Casper Police Department and president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lounges No. 6, told Casper City Council that some officials within the police department are frustrated that the city is not freezing wages and allowing their pace . After wage freezes in the city in the summer of 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, wage increases are set to resume.
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While the job of a police officer can have its challenges at any time, the police have been scrutinized across the country since the assassination of George Floyd. Law enforcement agencies in the United States have reportedly struggled with recruiting new officials and have seen waves of retirements and departures since Floyd’s murder, the Associated Press reported.
While polls tend to show that most Americans see the need for police reform, a majority also oppose the so-called “Defund the Police” movement, and supporters of this movement sometimes say that “defund” was the wrong choice of words and that they believe more to reconsider the funding of the police.
In any case, Flaco points out that the police officers are not in an easy position. Whether it is the public debate on police issues or simply the nature of some of the things officials deal with that are not always easy for them.
People have different opinions about what a reasonable salary level is. Councilor Steve Cathy pointed out Tuesday that Wyoming energy workers who may have been laid off may have difficulty finding work. Councilor Shawn Johnson noted that public service jobs are subject to the whims of a community’s budgetary position, but that law enforcement positions can provide some job security even when there is no money available for a raise.
Whatever your thoughts on how much police should be paid, it may be worth clearing a few things related to such a discussion. Some commentators said raise shouldn’t be granted because the Casper Police Department spent too much money on new equipment or vehicles.
But the decision to buy new cars or equipment is not up to individual officials. These recommendations are made by the management within the department and ultimately approved or rejected by the city council. Individuals may or may not consent to such purchases, just as they may or may not consent to certain law enforcement operations that the department performs.
To take an example from another area, if the Natrona County’s School District Board of Trustees (which is completely separate from Casper City Council) approves a school construction project, it doesn’t mean that every teacher believes it’s the best way to use the funds is. If teachers asked for a raise, would you say it shouldn’t be granted because the school district approved a construction project that you think is unwise?
Perhaps you would still do that and which questions are relevant for the use of taxpayers’ money is of course up to you when you express your opinion or vote in the polls. What do you think? Do you agree with Flaco that the city should consider raising wages for police officers? Or do you think this is not the time to think about it?
Some commentators point out that the project is too expensive at a time when revenues are uncertain. Some say the project is not necessary at all because the students can just walk across the street.
When the school board approved the project, one of the reasons for creating a level of security so that students don’t have to leave the main building when going to the sports center for physical education or other activities.
Whatever you think of the project, it is worth remembering that funding for the project comes from the state school building funds that have been allocated to the district, and as Sheri points out, the raised walkway project is not one which was recently approved.
What do you think of the perspective Greg offers? Are there any programs that you have cut or whose funding has been cut because the government is dealing with a tight budget that is worrying you? What are these? If you reject the sidewalk project, what do you think should have been done with such funding instead?
- Let’s stick with talking about money problems and look at another one thought-provoking comment. This one comes in response to a story about the Natrona County Commissioners approving a resolution to hold a special election in November calling on voters to support a special cause, a temporary “sixth cent” sales and use tax :
If voters approve the proposed six cents sales and use tax, it would help fund two specific projects: the repair of a roughly 7-mile stretch of pipeline carrying drinking water to Edgerton and Midwest, and the renovation of Midwest Avenue on the Downtown Casper from Walnut to Poplar Street.
Jamie’s comment stands out because she recognizes that while the six-cent tax would be temporary, this approval could set a precedent for city, town, and county leaders to ask voters to approve future six-cent projects.
Some readers have suggested that the sixth cent tax be made somehow permanent, which is impossible (or illegal) under current Wyoming law. Jamie takes a more nuanced view that while the tax would be temporary, it could set the tone for future proposals. What do you think?
John refers in his comment to Bill Gates, the founder of TerraPower, one of the companies behind the technology for the new sodium reactor. The sodium reactor would be a sodium-cooled fast reactor and has been touted by proponents as an advance on existing nuclear power plant technology.
However, the Union of Concerned Scientists says in an “Advanced” Is’t Always Better report that it is far from clear that the sodium reactor is an obvious improvement over existing water-cooled nuclear reactors.
Johns take hot points out that people could fall for the hype surrounding bold claims about new technology without doing enough research to determine whether or not those claims are actually true. What are your thoughts? Did you find out about sodium technology? Other readers suggested that the Union of Concerned Scientists might have a catch on nuclear energy in general, though the organization says it sees its potential benefits and does not speak out directly against nuclear projects in general.
What questions do you have about nuclear energy? Do you particularly support the sodium project? Do you think Wyoming is the place to be?
The bouldering park is being built in Crossroads Park near the Adventure Playground, another donation from the Rotary Club to Casper. The Casper area has some great outdoor climbing opportunities in the form of locations like Fremont Canyon, which is considered world-class crack (or “trad”) climbing by some in the climbing community. There are also some boulders on Casper Mountain that are frequented by climbing enthusiasts.
But Casper has limited climbing opportunities in town. The 5150 Rock Gym, which used to be a place where new climbers could learn the sport or seasoned climbers could train in the winter, announced in May that it would close on May 30th.
Fred highlights the Rotary Club’s timing in bringing the bouldering park to Casper, which at least offers climbers a place in town to meet and have fun. This is heartwarming!
Caspers Kavin Hoff, Alcovas Trace Stevenson and Evansville’s Grady Longwell will travel to Des Moines to represent Cowboy State at the National Junior High Finals Rodeo from June 20-26.
While that’s cool in itself, it’s fun to see them selected while the College National Finals Rodeo is in town. Maybe people will see these kids at future rodeos in the Casper area when they grow up. Fran’s supportive comment is also a classic Heart warmer and shows that kind of mutually uplifting community spirit that we love to highlight in Oil City Speaks!
The Casper area definitely got off to a busy start this summer. It is heartwarming to see people out and about and have a good time.
It is heartwarming to see people all find community in the Casper area. Casper Pride, downtown concerts, solstice celebrations, rodeo or whatever, the community really seems to have something for everyone.
- That’s all of Ölstadt speaks for now! Disagree with everything we said? Large! Feel free to join the discussion about what is happening in our community by commenting on stories posted on Oil City’s Facebook page. Have a great day!
Why are we putting this Oil City Speaks story together?
Oil City News is about covering the people, places and events that shape the community we love. We strive to provide informative stories for our readers and we value dialogue about the Casper community and Cowboy State.
What makes a valuable online discussion? It’s no secret that readers are sometimes suspicious of the “dreaded” comments (on stories posted on Oil City’s Facebook page). Comments can seem frustrating at times, but they can also allow people to share their perspectives, add more information for readers to consider, or give people a chance to celebrate their community together.
That’s why we’re bringing you with us Ölstadt speaks, a selection of notable reader comments from our local coverage. It is important to us that you care about your community, and we want to take the time to recognize comments that we notice. We also offer some fact checks for comments.
We are not here to monitor your comments or views. Comment Policy: We welcome comments that express any viewpoint on our posts – positive or negative – but we reserve the right to remove posts that contain inappropriate language, links to sales items, hate speech, personal attacks, threats or not belong to the topic.
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