Don’t judge Fremont County without knowing us

Secretary of State Chuck Gray’s recent letter to the Fremont County Commission misses the mark about our county’s five commissioner districts. I’m disappointed he didn’t take the time to visit our county, ask questions and learn more about our unique situation before he passed judgement from afar.

Opinion

First, regarding the constitutional questions he raised: I am no lawyer and I’m sure the courts will weigh in, but I find it ludicrous that a case regarding a zig-zag congressional district in Louisiana about African American voters is applied in one-size-fits-all way to sovereign tribal nations that have had their geographic homeland —the Wind River Indian Reservation — guaranteed by the U.S. government since the Fort Bridger Treaty of 1868 — long before Wyoming statehood, even.

In Fremont County, we have very different circumstances: Two sovereign governments, different water and wildlife management codes, tribal courts, road departments, law enforcement and more. It’s complicated! Also, most of our tribal citizens live in a fairly geographically compacted area (by Wyoming standards) within the communities of Fort Washakie, Ethete and Arapahoe.

But the core question that Secretary Gray neglects is this: What governance system best serves the people of Fremont County? What system helps ensure our county commissioners effectively deliver services and be accountable to our county residents?

After having served as a commissioner under the current system, I would say that our five-member districting ensures governance that is closest to the people, most accountable to our residents and can deliver the best efficiency and programs for everyone. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than what we had before. So what is broken that Chuck Gray wants to fix?

Fremont County is nearly 6 million acres in size — larger than eight U.S. states — with dispersed communities differing in demographics, economies and cultures along with large areas that are rural and agricultural. Include in that mix the 2 million-acre Wind River Indian Reservation, tribal residents that represent over 20% of our population, and a maze of tribal agencies and interconnected laws. We have eight school districts that reflect these diverse geographies and cultures.

I was elected to represent the general Lander and Hudson area on the commission. People saw me around town, cornered me in the supermarket, and knew I had to be accountable to them. I knew far less about Riverton and was grateful for the insights of that area commissioner, as he knew that community best. Altogether, we worked for everyone in the county, while we sorted out our differing perspectives, and I think that mix made us better.

And one of the most important perspectives we needed at the commission table was that of our tribal residents. I can’t count the number of times we turned to our fellow county commissioner from the Wind River Indian Reservation for advice or guidance on topics related to the tribes, or, we didn’t even know that we needed that advice! The reservation voice helped us have more information and make better decisions.”

In Fremont County, we know that we are interconnected with each other. Our healthcare and ambulance services are impacted by Indian Health Service funding as well as the distances to Dubois. Our law enforcement people have to figure out jurisdictions with both the Bureau of Indian Affairs police and the FBI. Our watersheds, wildlife and emergencies such as fires will cross many agency and political boundaries, and we need these systems of communication and coordination.

Fremont County is covered by 4 ½ designated state representatives in the Legislature — why shouldn’t we have similar coverage in the county for similar geography? Our unique circumstances are complicated and different from any other county, so don’t judge us from afar, especially if you haven’t walked in our shoes. Let’s focus on fair and effective local governance, not nationally-driven, cookie-cutter political “fixes.”

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