News
Sheridan Commission Opts to Not Fill Commission Seat
Published
1 year agoon
By
Aaron Palmer
Sheridan County’s Commissioners failed to select a replacement to fill a seat for an unexpired term on the commission vacated by former Commissioner Allen Thompson, who resigned effective August 1.
The commission, in a special meeting Tuesday morning, interviewed the three candidates, Michael Arzy, Bryan Helferich, and Holly Jennings, before entering into an executive session to discuss the candidates for the position.
Commission Chairwoman Christi Haswell explains what happened.
Haswell said there were those in attendance, including some from the Sheridan County Republican Central Committee, who made the recommendations of the three candidates to the commission, who were not happy with the outcome of the vote.
Haswell explained that the next step will be for the decision to be made by either District Court Judge Ben Kirven or District Court Judge Darci Phillips, who will have the option to choose from any registered Republican in Sheridan County.
According to Haswell, the judges are not required to choose a replacement from just the three candidates recommended by the Republican Central Committee.
Dennis Fox
August 29, 2023 at 5:15 pm
The commissioners failed the People of Sheridan County today. They failed to follow the law. They failed to do their job. What they gave us was lawlessness. It appears the administrative, “good-old-boy” establishment; is trying to subvert the law and disregard/negate the will of both the voters and the Republican Party Central Committee. The Board violated the will of the Majority. That will not be allowed to stand. An honest judge will simply instruct the Board to follow the law. “The Board Shall choose one of the three candidates put forward.”
Charles Cole
August 29, 2023 at 7:44 pm
So, Ms. Haswell, you were surprised at the lack of “civility” on the part of people who wanted you to do what the law clearly says you must do. How “civil” is it to thumb your nose at the law? I guess Wyoming isn’t insulated from lawlessness after all.
Dennis Fox
August 30, 2023 at 2:55 pm
They didn’t have the “option” not to choose a replacement from the three candidates chosen by both the voters and the Republican Party Central Committee. By failing to follow the law and do their job, they’ve opened themselves up to a world of legal, moral and ethical problems. And Holly Jennings was very close to being elected. Despite the inaccurate statement, by Ms. Haswell, the departed Mr. Thompson, only edged out Holly by about 2% of the vote. She’s logically and lawfully the “next man/woman” up. She was chosen by both the voters and the central committee. She is rightfully the new commissioner and the Board colluded to deprive her of that seat. Lawlessness will not be tolerated by the good citizens of Wyoming. Just watch what happens! Better yet, get involved. Write letters, post comments and let your voice be heard. It’s our gov’t after all!
mark steingass
August 31, 2023 at 7:23 am
Mr Fox your recent comments on the Sheridan Media forum bring your views of lawlessness into question above you have written “Lawlessness will not be tolerated by the good citizens of Wyoming.” BUT as recent as August 24, 2023 in a Sheridan Media article entitled “Barrasso, Lummis blast BLM’s Rock Springs Draft Resource Management Plan: “blatant land grab” you wrote…..”the authoritarian minority can only remain in power; as long as we allow. The day when the Majority of Americans have “had it” with the corruption, lying, stealing and cheating….approaches. Steal ’24 and ….”
Mark Steingass
August 31, 2023 at 10:33 am
this guy (Dennis Fox) talks out both sides of his mouth…I guess what he says on any given day depends on what kind of a mood he may be in…take your pick on what he is trying to communicate between any two given days of the week Sheridan Count Voters…this guy has been actively seeking to become a Sheridan County Commissioner for years…too radical…nor even logical at times
Peter Boyle
August 31, 2023 at 7:42 am
If you can’t make the tough decisions why should you be on the Board to make any decisions???
David C. Fisher, O.D., M.P.H.
August 31, 2023 at 7:59 am
It is a sad day and a very dangerous trend whether it be Sheridan County, Wyoming, radical states like California or the U.S.A. in general, when those in government weld their positions for there own self will, power and control. The commissioners decided to subvert the will of the people and their representatives in the Republican Central Committee by playing the judge card instead of following the intention of the legally designed governmental system that is in place to fill a vacant seat.
I left the communist state of California due to this sort of government practice in that state, a state where I was not listened to and my vote meant nothing. I expect significantly better behavior from elected persons in Wyoming and Sheridan. I think these commission members need to evaluate their actions and make them right.