Albin News Readers,
One of the important events that happens this time of year is that the Wyoming legislature is in cession. Wyoming is unique in that it is one of the few remaining states that has a true citizen legislature. Instead of having a group of professional politicians with personal staffs, Wyoming's legislature is mostly made up of people who work full time and legislate part time. This is the way that our US government started out and we are lucky to be living in a place where it's still this way!
Our representative for this area, newly elected John Eklund, has been attending the current legislative cession. John said that that he had a half week of training before coming into this cession and has now finished his first full week in legislature. John feels that it is an incredible honor and a privilege to have been given the position of representing this district in the Wyoming House of Representatives. Although he says he's on a steep learning curve now, he has been watching the older legislators and is starting to get a feel for how things get done. John is on the ag committee and has already helped on a bill that will prevent health inspectors from shutting down community pot lucks and bake sales. “At this point, they could shut down about any funeral in the state” John said.
When asked if he's gained a respect for the process by which the state is governed, John said he definitely has for several reasons. First of all, their formal way of proceeding lets the different view points be debated thoroughly and civilly while allowing individuals to consider each other as colleagues not enemies. Second of all, many of the people who help govern Wyoming, have left their regular jobs to help out and have taken a pay cut to do so. In addition to that John said most people don't realize how hard these people work to address all of the year's issues in just a few months time. Finally, the LSO office, which has a staff of non-partisan attorneys to help craft the bills, is one of the best of the nation. Many states have separate LSO offices for the different political parties. John feels all of these things have helped Wyoming to be a well-governed state.
John also wanted me to encourage people to come see where the magic happens. The legislature will be in cession in the capitol building in Cheyenne Monday through Friday until the first week in March. The best time to watch is from 10 am to noon.
Also in community news, the American Legion Auxiliary had their annual dinner January 12. Attending were Mr. and Mrs. Robert Anderson, Allison Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. George Wayne Jacobsen, Mr. and Mrs. Ron Alson, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Al McDermott, and Mr. and Mrs. Howard Romsa. The next meeting will be February 9 at 2:00 pm. February is cookie month for the Cheyenne VA.
The tickets for the Feb 4th community play are now on sale at the Albin Community Center. Adult tickets (15 and older) are $6, kids (5-14) are $4, and kids (4 and under) are free.
In ag news, it's the time of year when farmers and ranchers get together and discuss things that need discussin. The Colorado Farm Show, the National Western Stock Show, the National Cattleman's Beef Association Annual Convention, the Kenny Haas bull sale, and the McConnell Angus bull sale are all happening this week and next week. These events are a great time for producers to pull themselves out of the picture frame so they can see the whole picture.
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