To the voters of Weston, Niobrara and Goshen Counties

I have attended forums in Torrington, Lusk and Newcastle for candidates for House District # 2.

I have listened to Representative Slagle say that property taxes need to be cut and school funding is bloated and the state constitution needs to be amended to allow our school’s funding to be slashed.

It’s easy to believe the rhetoric and drink the kool-aid.

But then you need to ask yourself if property taxes are cut, what services in Niobrara County need cut? Property taxes are the funding mechanism that fund our tax districts and the operation of our county government.   In Niobrara County we have a hospital district, weed and pest district, soil conservation district, senior citizens district and a fire district.  I’m proud of our districts that provide services to my community.  Lately it has been comforting during a tough fire season to arrive at a fire and there are 6x6 fire trucks with 1500 gallon tanks, quick attack units, and tenders.  I commend the present fire board and past members that have had the foresight to equip us with such great equipment it sure beats the milk cans soaked with gunny sacks my grandfather had in the back of all our pickups when I was a kid.  Also, in Niobrara County the commissioners fund the Carnegie Library and our fairgrounds out of the 12 mills of general fund money.  These institutions are the cornerstones of community pride in our county.  

I served as a county commissioner in the early 1990’s.  I can remember the stress in May and June trying to figure out how to make the budget dollars stretch for the coming year to meet the needs of our citizens.  It isn’t any easier today for our commissioners, I’m sure.   

As a property owner in Niobrara and Goshen Counties, I’m proud to pay the property taxes that our ranch and businesses pay. 

Mr. Slagle, answer the question, what do you cut out of the county governments in your district?

In regard to your statements that school funding is bloated and inefficient.  I’ve walked into schools in eastern Wyoming as a wrestling official for twenty years and a wrestling coach for the past thirty years.  What do we cut out of school funding?  Do you cut sports, FBLA. FFA, Music, Speech and many other activities?  Lusk sent more young people to the national FBLA convention than any school in our state. The Upton FBLA team won the 5th place Champion Chapter award at the National contest also.  The State FFA President the past year was a young lady from Lusk.  Upton’s FFA chapter was the State FFA chapter of the year.   

Mr. Slagle, how do you justify the statement you made in Newcastle at a meeting that teacher’s salaries were too high and need to be cut?  REALLY?  In the business world that I make my living, I’ve met so many wonderful people.  People that are intelligent, honest with integrity that can’t be questioned but the finest people I’ve ever known are the folks that taught me, my three sons, and now my grandchildren!  The teachers I know are dedicated to the advancement of our children.  I’d say teachers are underpaid.  

Mr. Slagle, answer the question, what do you cut out of the school districts budgets in House District #2?

Regarding amending the state constitution that mandates what school funding legally must be, if that happens this is in my opinion what will occur: CONSOLIDATION.  There won’t be a school in Hulett, Upton, Lingle, Southeast, Meeteetse, Ten Sleep, Hanna, Midwest or Kaycee.  We will lose our rural school in Lance Creek.  Be careful what you ask for, you might not like the consequences. 

Mr. Slagle you have made the statement that you will not vote for any bills that increase state spending.

You voted against reimbursing foster parents for the increased food costs they have incurred while taking in foster kids.  You voted against reimbursing St. Joseph’s Children’s Home for the increased costs due to inflation that house troubled youth.  How do you justify denying extra funds for increased costs to foster parents and St. Joseph’s?

To the citizens of House District #2, please vote for the responsible, reasonable and realistic J.D. Williams

Thank you 

J.D. Wasserburger, Lusk