08/19/08 Wyoming Democratic Party Daily News Roundup
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Aug 19, 2008 Posted by Lauri Elbing
EDITORIAL: Primary voter turnout: Wyo can do better
“…Two years ago, the lack of contested Democratic races was singled out as the main reason for the lack of voter interest in the primary. The same complaint could be registered this year. Gary Trauner is unopposed for the party's U.S. House nomination, and the two Democratic contests to oppose Republican U.S. Sens. Mike Enzi and John Barrasso haven't generated much excitement. Some Wyoming Democrats may be tempted to switch parties, so they can help the GOP choose Trauner's opponent. It's difficult to determine how such a move might affect the Republican primary, because there's no general consensus about who would be a tougher foe for Trauner in the general election. Because of the interest in the GOP's four-way U.S. House race and the hard-fought campaign between front-runners Mark Gordon and Cynthia Lummis, independents who wish to vote in the primary will most likely register as Republicans, at least temporarily. The fact that one has to register as either a Democrat or Republican to vote in the primary irks many independents, but at least Wyoming law allows people to make the change on election day. In the last two weeks of the campaign, both Lummis and Gordon have run negative advertisements against each other. It's unfortunate, but such campaign tactics are sometimes credited with getting more people to the polls. The driving force is not necessarily to vote for a candidate, but to cast a ballot against his or her rival, who has been portrayed as someone who isn't worthy of the office. We'd like more people to recognize that it's one's civic duty to vote, so we can see more Wyoming residents cast ballots today for the right reason. In any event, we'd like to see attack politics go unrewarded. If it's perceived that negative campaigning makes the difference in an election, the more negative campaigns we'll likely see in the future -- and that doesn't serve the public well.”
Wyo hay producers enjoy strong prices
“Hay prices remain strong this summer as Wyoming growers enjoy extra water from good snow pack while drought continues in other areas of the country.”
Pine Mountain site of next 3-D survey
“Devon Energy Co. officials are proposing to conduct a small seismic survey near Pine Mountain as part of the company's ongoing natural gas exploration work in southern Sweetwater County.”
In Our Opinion: Get out and vote today
Wholesale prices rising at fastest pace since 1981
“ Wholesale inflation surged in July, leaving prices for the past year rising at the fastest pace in 27 years, according to government data released Tuesday.”
Democrats Hope To Advance In Senate Primary
“Both of Wyoming's Senate Seats are on the line this year and today democrats will be asked to select the challengers for the state's two incumbent Republicans.”House Republicans Wrapping Up Campaign
“The Republicans running for U-S House got in some last-minute campaigning today (Monday) before tomorrow's primary election.”“Laramie citizens have 12 hours today to exercise their voting rights. Polls are open today from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. for the 2008 primary election. To find voting locations, visit http://www.co.albany.wy/.”
Residents cut back July water use another 15 percent
Gillette’s water conservation program has had another successful summer so far, saving 15 percent more water than last July” and that’s after adding 433 more water customers.
Lower than usual turnout expected for Tuesday’s primary
With the primary election just a day away, Campbell County officials are worried voter turnout will be lower compared to past elections.
County OKs tax again
County commissioners narrowly passed a resolution Monday to send a proposal to raise the sales tax an additional 1 percent to November’s general election ballot.Town Council endorses housing-fee increase
The Jackson Town Council on Monday unanimously approved a proposal to increase the payments developers must make when they do not meet their full housing-mitigation requirement.The vote: Primary election on Tuesday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The “election season” officially kicks off on Tuesday with the state-wide primary election, and citizens are encouraged to exercise their right and civic duty and participate in the selection of their Municipal, County, State, and Federal representatives. Voters can view sample ballots printed in this paper, as well as a list of polling places.
Gunbarrel Fire expected to expand
A weather change from occasional rain to hot and dry days likely will bring an increase in Gunbarrel Fire activity this week, fire managers said Monday.Feds pay $100K to remove Sweetwater bridges
A bridge removal contract for $100,000 that was awarded before the Gunbarrel Fire destroyed Sweetwater Lodge will go forward.Absentee ballots up for Tuesday's primary election
Tuesday is primary election day with polls open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. across Park County.“…Though voters can only cast ballots based on their party affiliation, voting in the primary is an important step in the democratic process. It allows each party the chance to decide who will best represent them in the general. In the case of the County Commission, for all practical purposes, it is the election. Anyone who says the primary election doesn’t matter should reconsider.”
Primary polls open at 7 a.m. this Tuesday
“Fremont County’s typical large voter turnout is expected this Tuesday, Aug. 19, when Wyoming’s primary election is conducted.
Polls across the state will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. This year’s primary features high-interest races at the state and local level, including a four-way battle for the Republican nomination for U.S. House of Representatives….”Candidate roster grows for non-partisan board seats; filing goes through Aug. 25
“As of late Friday, 27 candidates have filed applications for various open seats on boards of Central Wyoming College, school districts and other positions since candidate filing opened on Aug 6….”
Planet Jackson Hole - News by Planet Jackson Hole
State and Local Primary Election Results Here
Today's Primary To Narrow Congress Race
Wyoming primary voters today will set the stage for a rare general election that features races for each of the state's congressional seats, including two U.S. Senate seats dominated by Republicans for decades and an open spot in the U.S. House
$28 Mill In Wind Farms Gears Up
Tetra Tech, Inc. was awarded two wind energy projects totaling approximately $28 million to start engineering, procurement and construction in Wyoming
Wyo Gov: "Useable" Energy Should Be Focus
Gov. Freudenthal told a conference that attention should be focused on useable energy, rather than raw energy, accounting for production costs & output
CO Becomes Leader In Wind Energy
By quadrupling wind energy production, Colorado utility company has now become the largest wind provider in the US, influencing other states
Devon Energy Co. officials are proposing to conduct a small seismic survey near Pine Mountain as part of ongoing natural gas exploration work
Jailing Youth Costly, Study Says
Wyoming should re-evaluate jailing youths for minor offenses, a new report argues, because jail is the most expensive option for handling juveniles
Sen. Biden Believed To Be Obama VP Candidate
(Video coverage)
“We’ll be posting a few thoughts and photos from yesterday’s Jackson Hole Music Festival — and what a scorching good time it was — but first let’s put the message of the music into action. Tuesday is a primary election that will shape the Jackson Town Council and decide several community initiatives — a completed path segment (yay!) and $53 million jail (nay!) among them. Anyone who lives in Teton County may vote. YOU NEED TO HAVE LIVED HERE ONLY A MINUTE to cast a ballot, and can register at the polls. Bring a driver’s license or some proof of identification. Those who may have to work long hours tomorrow can fill out an absentee ballot at the county clerk’s office, at the corner of Willow and Simpson streets, until 5 p.m. today. A list of polling places is posted here. We’ll be following up with some last-minute information on a couple of candidates, for those looking to get informed. Rando Steve and Rando Kitty over at TetonAT already have compiled a backcountry skiers’ voting guide. Ben Harper and Robert Randolph came to Jackson Hole and sang of revolution and positive change. Voting in local elections is an important, and easy, first step. We can change the world, with our own two hands.”
K2TV - KTWO - Casper Channel 2 or 6 and Cheyenne Channel 8
The Wyoming Department of Health is reminding parents that august is a good time to vaccinate their families. State Health Officer, Doctor Brent Sherard, says vaccines are an excellent healthcare investment. Most vaccines are given during the first five to six years of life, and boosters are recommended throughout life. Wyoming provides vaccines at no cost for children from birth to 18.
“Wyoming farmers are receiving higher prices for their products this year. But, it is costing them more to produce them. Farmer Butch Clifton of Powell says his costs for diesel, fuel, fertilizer and workers has increased tremendously over the past few years. To save on fuel costs, farmers are growing more fuel-friendly crops and combining operations to reduce the number of trips over their fields.”
Sen. Barasso Wants Changes With Endangered Species
“U.S. Senator John Barrasso says he supports changes in the federal Endangered Species Act that would clarify the delisting of recovered species. Barrasso cited the grizzly bear and the gray wolf as examples of recovered species whose delistings were held up....”
Primary Election
Tuesday- Wyoming voters will head to the polls to decide who will be on the November ballot.Low Voter Turnout Expected For Primary Election
Despite several hotly contested races, election officials are expecting low numbers at the polls Tuesday.Wyo. home price appreciation slows
The troubled national housing market may be affecting Wyoming.Gunbarrel fire getting new life
“Warmer, drier weather is giving new life to a wildfire burning east of Yellowstone National Park.”