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.”
I believe the comments of Ms. Kessler are on the mark. We have a system that works and we should treasure that. Outside interference that demands change, without understanding the complexities of the situation, does a disservice to the people of Fremont County.
I have worked in Frmont County, primarily for the Wind River Inter Tribal Council, for 25 plus years. During that time I have observed the partnership that is required to maintain communication and the progress desired by all. Disrupting this system, that is working, is a disservice to everyone and is not indicative of good leadership.
Arbitrary changes to the system is disrespectful, if not illegal, when it directly impacts sovereign nations, the Eastern Shoshone Tribe and the Northern Arapaho Tribe.
Respectfully,
Joseph Henry, EdD.
Thank you!
Thanks Ms. Kessler for your piece. After reading this you’ve made it pretty obvious that Chuck Gray doesn’t possess a fraction of your knowledge of how Wyoming, and specifically Fremont County, works and just another reason why he doesn’t belong in state government much less as our next representative in Washington. When voters realize that Trump doesn’t care about Wyoming and all of his MAGA followers, in and out of politics, have lied to them maybe a miracle will transpire and this state will return to the decent place that I grew up. Knowing that people like Ms. Kessler are still involved gives me hope… thank you.
I don’t know why anybody would want Childs Play Chuckie in any authoritative or regulatory role – Fremont County or the State of Wyoming. Extremely under qualified with interior motives, Gray is soooo Wrong for Wyoming. Watch out, Fremont County, Chuckie will want to gather the rest of your private information and send it off to Chump
Ms. Kessler’s makes an excellent case for Fremont County’s current districts, but she avoided the elephant in the room: race. The Louisiana case was about getting rid of a majority black district that overwhelmingly votes for Democrats; get rid of the district, get rid of a democratic held seat in congress. It is the same with Gray’s MAGA inspired racist redistricting. Democrats do well in the district that includes the reservation, so it needs to be redrawn to include more white voters and fewer Native Americans. One would think that in Wyoming, where Republicans control nearly all seats in the legislature, this would not be an issue. Not with Chuck Gray and the MAGA racists. Seeing Ivan Posey, the only Native American in the legislature, sitting in the chamber is infuriating to them.
I’ve never been a fan of at large representation and was glad when FreCo moved to House and Commission districts. When candidates are all running for a block of at large seats instead of having individual races with candidate A explaining why they are a better option than is candidate B, you wind up with a beauty contest where everyone avoids pointing out any of their opponent’s shortcomings for fear of looking like the bad guy. Instead of the best candidates getting elected after vigorous debate, usually it’s the smarmiest who do. That of course was not why districting was instituted some years back, it was done to guarantee tribal representation on the commission and in the house. As it turned out Keja Whiteman got elected to the commission as an at large candidate, to some degree proving that protected districts weren’t necessary after all.
While I disagree in principle with racially driven districting, I’ll make the argument that having reservation districts makes sense for reasons beyond race or culture. The fact that, as Ms. Kessler pointed out, the 2 tribes are sovereign entities, and that they exist in a homogenous geographic area with clearly defined boundaries argues for inclusion of the Res in one district.
As for Little Chucky Cheese’s meddling, he can go pound sand. He is only pandering to the Trumplodyte culture warriors who endlessly seek more manufactured grievances to whine about.
He’s too busy licking dumpy’s feet.
Well-said, Ms Kessler! You’ve seen first-hand the value of our current CC and legislative districting systems.