KGOS/KERM Regional News

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KGOSKERM Regional News110609

Senate Western Caucus Chairman John Barrasso, Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Rob Bishop of Utah, and members representing 11 Western states, responded to a Secretarial Order administered by Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar that will require the DOI to apply new “climate change” policies to the department’s decision making process. This order will create regional DOI Climate Change Response Centers, that will apply existing and future land management agreements to a new set of restrictive regulations and mandates set forth by the DOI. Since this would bypass the congressional approval process, the DOI has unilaterally created a new set of restrictive regulations and mandates that will allow special interest groups with narrowly focused agendas to dictate current and future activities on federal lands, all in the name of climate change, said Congressman Bishop. Westerners will suffer the most from the increased regulatory burdens that will likely stifle energy development and lead to further job loss. I realize that Congressional action on climate change is not moving as fast as the Administration may want. However, businesses in the west are worried about potential court challenges and administrative action these new rules will allow to block all existing and future activities on federal lands in the name of climate change Barrasso reminds. Western Caucus members cited concerns that the Secretarial Order will hit Western states and put into question past and future management agreements related to oil and gas development, renewable energy development, recreational use, grazing, hunting on public and private property, and wildlife protection. Agreements made in good faith between States and the Department will now be subject to change and terms which will likely have a detrimental impact on public land users, to say nothing of potential additional costs to American taxpayers and far reaching impacts on our nation’s energy supply.    

Plans can now be announced for the Veterans Day Parade and various activities for Veteran’s Day, Wednesday November 11^th. The parade is set to begin just after a 10:45AM flyover. Brigadier General Don Haught, a Torrington native, will be grand marshal for the parade and the featured speaker at the Courthouse Ceremony following the parade. General Haught is the owner of Torrington’s Valley Plumbing business, and he is the Assistant Air Guard Adjutant.  Other participants in this year’s Veterans Day Ceremony include: several units from Warren Air Force Base; Units from Camp Guernsey; 90^thGround Combat Training Squadron of the U.S. Air Force in training at Camp Guernsey; and several military vehicles from the camp. The color Guard provided by American Legion Travis Snow Post #5. Units of the Wyoming Air National Guard and the Torrington High School Band will also participate. The Volley Firing Squad will be made up of members of the Wyoming National Honor Guard. Rusty Winget will blow taps. All Veterans wishing to ride on the Goshen County Veteran’s Float are welcome. You are asked to be at the corner of Main Street and 25^th avenue by 10:30AM.  The American Legion will be serving breakfast from 7 to 10AM and NFW Post 2918 auxiliary will serve a luncheon for all parade participants following the parade at the VFW Hall on west 25^thavenue in Torrington. All Goshen County Residents are encouraged to show your respect to those who have served by attending the parade on main street in Torrington, Wednesday Nov 11^th.   

We want to take just a couple of minutes to share some news of interest for our good friends in Lusk and review some upcoming events for next week.  Monday the 9^th, it’s Business after Hours at Bloomers from 5 to 7PM. You’re invited to come shop, enjoy some networking with other businesses and friends, have some refreshments and enjoy a little wine tasting; Tuesday the 10^thit’s the Niobrara Chamber Board meeting at 3:45 at the Chamber office; on Wednesday November 11^th, Veterans Day, City, County, State and Federal Offices will be closed to honor those who served. Wednesday night at 6:30 is Mexican Dinner night at the Lusk Elks. The $8 charge goes to the Veterans Committee and this reminder, at 2PM Wednesday, the Middle School Music Concert. If you have questions about any of these activities in Lusk, give the Chamber office a call at 307-334-2950.

Now is the time to start making your plans to join in the Goshen County Sheriffs Search and Rescue “Holiday Pet Picture with Santa” Project.  Make your Christmas more enjoyable with your animals this year by having their picture taken with Santa Claus.  Santa will be on hand next Saturday November 14^that the Horizons West location, 1000 East Valley Road in Torrington. Bring your pet out between 9AM and 2PM. All pets are welcome including large animals such as horses. You will be asked to keep pets leashed at all times.  You can choose from one of several packages priced $10 dollars up to $25 dollars, with all proceeds from sales going to the Search and Rescue team to help pay for food and medical expenses for dogs training and all associated costs.  You’ll find no better time to get your pet photographed with Santa and best of all; you will be supporting the work of the Goshen County Search and Rescue Team.