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Newcastle, Wyoming
June 11, 2015     News Letter Journal
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June 11, 2015
 
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editor@newslj.com news letter journal June 11, 2015 -- 3 reation center. Prior to the meeting on Wednesday, Bonnar said he was encouraged after he contacted Spencer to see if he would take a second look at the rec- reation district's proposal to pilot a program for a Recreation Director and provide a couple of community enhancement projects, and indicated that Spencer is willing to meet with the group to discuss options this Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. at the WCSD #1 Administration Building. Bonnar said the proposal to the WBC sought $500,000-- in allotments of $100,000 a year for five years-- to establish a community wide recreation director who would oversee facilities and schedule their use. "We already have all the facilities a recreation center would offer. What we lack is connectivity," explained Bonnar. He said Spencer doesn't think the WBC can support such an effort with funding, but he does think some other foundations in Wyoming may be able to, and indicated a will- ingness to facilitate conversa- tions to help Newcastle pilot a program for small communities in Wyoming. However, the second half of the proposal from the recreation district involved approximately $250,000 for the completion of the walking trail and bike network, and another $150,000 for a pair of tennis courts to provide the community an avenue it has been without for about a dozen years, informed Bonnar. Suggestions of ideas to enhance the Kozisek Aquatic Center were also included in the proposal. "We include some ideas of perhaps making the outdoor deck more hospitable with umbrellas, furniture and some nice things there. Maybe a mother would want to hang out all day and tan while the kids run in and out of the pool all day, making it a little more user friendly," he indicated. Bonnar expressed some hope that the WBC could provide funding for those portions of the project through a grant program. "Mr. Spencer told me that the half of it (dealing with con- from page 1 struction) he believes is eligible for the Business Community Enhancement grants," he told the group. Those grants would require a 50/50 match, and B0nnar said he believes the community may have already secured that much in terms of resources for the bike and walking trails. The grant money-- which can be for up to $500,000~ would help to complete the bike and walking paths, build the tennis courts and enhance the aquatic center. Wyoming Business Council grants are funded quarterly and a decision could come on a grant application shortly after September 1. Local resources could then be directed to creating a full-time recreation director, using the existing funds of the Eastern Weston County Recreation District and the City of Newcastle's recreation funds, along with support from other local entities who wish to par- ticipate. Bonnar said he thinks Spencer and the Business Council can help pull every- thing together. "We just need to put some money figures in front of him. Then we can focus on what local resources we have now to hire a director and staffthese facilities, so they are more accessible and more available with a director that can promote programs and the use," Bonnar said, indicating a desire to change a common perception that "there is nothing to do here." Spencer told Bonnar he would have to find organizations other than the WBC to assist with the pilot of a program to install a Community Recreation Director. Bounar thinks such a pilot would provide an opportu- nity for rural communities who need a practical alternative to a physical building to house all recreational activities in, and he believes if Newcastle can be successful he felt other towns in the state could benefit from implementing similar initia- tives. The direc.tor would be an employee responsible for organizing, coordinating and managing all facilities in the community, and the programs currently offered-- including scheduling. The director would also be the direct supervisor of lifeguards, volunteers, referees and all part-time and seasonal staff and instructors. LaCroix explained that the Kozisek Aquatic Center already has an office space, a phone, the pool and a workout room and would provide a good starting place for community recreation staff to be based out of. "Lately we have been explaining it as trying to utilize the programs we have already built up, and the director would be that central person to orga- nize or help," LaCroix sug- gested. The community director would continue the relationship WCSD #1 already has with the city during the summer, when the Double AACES afterschool program provides summer recreational activities for the youth of the community. There would also be a community usage schedule handled by the director, including not only the facilities at the school district but also the recreational facili- ties managed by the city, such as the parks and ball fields. "I hope this group gets a little bit bigger. I believe the county has some assets, I think the Osage Service and Improvement District has an asset that we can tie in, and I think the Senior Center is an asset that we can tie into for some of these things. But (it would be nice) to have one person to know which of these assets are available when, which assets are suited for what," Bonnar said. Moving ahead with a Community Recreation Director will happen after it is determined how much money the combined effort can make available. Then decisions will need to be made regarding who will be on the hiring committee, and who would oversee the director. The hope is that all of the finan- cial aspects and plans will come together in the next few months so the group will' be able to hire someone for the new position in the fall/ -,;~ " : It only makes sense in small communities like this. It is long overdue that we start working together," Councilwoman Hunt commented. from page 1 runs between their home and barn-- where the county road used to exist prior to being moved in front of their current residence. Commissioner Randy Rossman, who has grappled with the ease- ment issue for a number of years, explained to fellow commissioners that the county road existed in its current location before the family moved their house closer to the road. Unfortunately, the anticipated increase in traffic on the road has created concern for the property owners. "There was no problem until the Wyoming Club," declared Rossman, and Commissioner Tracy Hunt agreed, noting that the current belief that the proposed Wyoming Club development is definitely going to occur has prompted the couple to raise an issue with the road and the amount of traffic projected to travel along it. Commissioner Marty Ertman professed that former County Attorney Don Hansen informed the commission the last time the subject was broached that he was personally against the request to install speed bumps due to the "amount of liability that comes with them," and the commissioners dis- cussed a number of other potential problems that could arise due to the obstructions in emergency situations involving fire trucks and ambulances. Hunt added that not only is there a liability and emergency issue, but that a large number of people would probably be angry if the bumps were installed. That said, he also expressed a level of understanding for the property owners concerns. "I am sympathetic with their problems," announced Hunt, and the commissioner came to the conclusion that they did not have enough infor- mation, specifically when it came to the liabilities and legalities surrounding speed bumps, to make a decision at their June 2 meeting. County Clerk Cheryl Kregel was instructed to schedule the topic on the agenda for their June 16 meeting so the discussion could continue and a decision could possibly be made. Commissioner Marry E~an:raised issues over the drug dog recently obtained by Sheriff Bryan Colvard money reeeivedth private donations. She said she is con- cerned over tiabili~ ff something ~ere:to:go :~ong with the dog that will be used by both the Weston County Sheriff,s Offieeand:the Newcastle Police Department. Colva~ assured her there would be no issues involving the dog, that is actually owned by the Weston County Peace Officer's Ass6eiafioni:i expt~ning that liability insurance is ::taken care of throug[a Wyoming's ~al: Govemmenf I~iabiii~: P~[. He said that many drug dogs throughout the state are owned by organizations and not the eommissioaers weat :into exe -: tire session to discuss Malto Camp: and possible litigation regarding camp Curie), the request imme ately after entering the commissioner s meeting room, aM did not profide any information to suggest Which SpeCie issue involving could result in litigation. : :: : " : i * Delia,representing ~e NorthEast Wyoming Economic Develo Co.option C), approached: the:Wes on County Co issioners to :p opose :a part in which the county would pay a one fee and the commission would receive help preparing among other thugs. C0neems were raised by Commissioner M~ Er~an d~e to previous arrangement :the'e0mmiSsion had with NE~EC, the commission put the past behind mission at the June2 meeting. / response to that mediation by June 12: The commission also Business Counei s Northeast Direetor~: Da~e Spencer, allowing him to contac! to get an update on the situatiom The WBC Events Center to :be constructed: FS 38 i TR, ER '12995 BG 55 ~lr ~ Sr "~lr ~I~""" ~ M~17N "l couldn't be more ~ Ph"'~'I~M"~AW HANDHELD BLOWER happy with the ~ up, i"urts stroncl and is "This blower is very reliable, has good power and s pretty darn tough." - user Kendali13 ~l~ cate$ l~rod ct~ ha ar !{~ ill a the United Stales - user Smitty44- "Tin glad I went with the 170-- the price and reliability are outstanding," - user prutsmanbros93 2 9 W Main St Newca Newca lardware,com z S -. News Letter Journal 14 W. Main, Newcastle (307) 746-2777 t