KERM/KGOS Regional News

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KGOSKERM Regional News111009

Blessed by all seven presidents, the Wyoming Community College Strategic Plan was formally delivered to a joint legislative committee meeting on November 5^th by the Wyoming Community College Commission. By statute, the plan had to be approved by four of the state’s seven community colleges. The idea for a statewide community college strategic plan originated more that two years ago with the governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on community colleges, and was incorporated into legislation in 2008. By the following summer, a task force was up and running with recommendations on how to guide the community college system, recommendations that became part of House Bill 114 in 2009. Although some concern remained among community college presidents and their boards over loss of independence, the strategic plan was driven by the reality that these community colleges now derive 60 percent of their revenues from the state, to the tune of $85 million dollars last year.  Over time, there has been a gradual shift from exclusive reliance on local boards and revenues, to a combination of local control and state oversight/funding.  As one college presidents was quoted, although the plan is more collaborative than centralized, he and his board could live with it. In the larger picture, no doubt all seven community colleges and their boards will need to wait for the details to emerge to see just how well it will serve their missions. Jim Rose, executive director for the WCCC, said he’ll be working closely with the colleges in developing templates and procedures that will be used in prioritizing construction projects and which colleges will offer what programs. Rose hastened to add, the commission won’t be dictating to the colleges.    

In addition to plans for the Goshen County observation of Veterans Day, we encourage you to look for ways to honor veterans as you travel this Wednesday November 11^th. It makes no difference if you are at the State Capital City of Cheyenne or at The Oregon Trail State Veteran’s Cemetery in Evansville, or anywhere else in American, watch for and be willing to take time to remember all active military and their families and all those who have served.

Well it’s just a little over a month away, but now is the time for you, your group, church or organization to start planning your entry into this year’s Christmas Parade. The Torrington Merchants Association has already met and chosen a theme for this year’s Christmas Parade. It will be “Silver Bells.” Other committees are working to find ways to make your time spent in downtown Torrington fun and exciting. Hats off to the Torrington business leaders for their efforts in making our home town Christmas Shopping experience one to long remember. As further plans are made available to us, we will be passing them on to you, our listeners.

The House of Representatives passed a health care bill over the weekend that U.S. Senator Mike Enzi said would actually increase the cost of health care for most people in Wyoming and the nation, while adding “one of the largest bureaucracies money can buy”. People in Wyoming know that if something costs a trillion dollars, it’s not free. No amount of smoke and mirrors is going to hide that said Enzi. One of the most astonishing things about this plan, it won’t lower health care costs. If this bill passes, people across the country will be asking themselves next year, why am I paying so much more for health care that isn’t any better than what I already had? Enzi said a trillion dollars buys a lot of bureaucracy and the House majority spared no expense with their health care bill. The joint Economic Committee House Republican Staff and the House Republican Conference put together a chart showing how the House health care plans have grown increasingly cumbersome. Health care reform can happen without costing taxpayers a trillion dollars and adding a mega-bureaucracy. It’s still not too late for the Senate to make meaningful, common sense changes that benefit regular folks stated Enzi.