Life is back to normal with the end of Cheyenne Frontier Days. Judy and I had a great experience again this year. We loved getting to meet people from all around the world and talking to people from Cheyenne who stopped us and said ‘hi.’ These interactions really fueled me during a long 10-day celebration. Thank you to everyone who volunteers during CFD. We all know about the CFD committee members, but there are so many others that also need recognition.
The CFD pancake breakfast is one of my favorite events each year. Our local Kiwanis Club has this event organized so well. I flipped pancakes in Big Red and it is always so much fun. The Boy Scouts catching the pancakes made me look good as my flips were not up to par. Afterwards, I spent time talking with the crowd, many who were in Cheyenne for the first time. They were having so much fun and could not believe it was a free event. I explained the Kiwanis Club is practicing in case we have an incident that requires mass feeding. Bob Mathews and his Country Club Band make the event extra special. I really love their music and the way they can play their instruments, and it helps that the elder Mathews taught generations of kids to play. The great part is the pancakes are yummy, too.
I am a huge Lainey Wilson fan after her performance on Friday night. I have always liked her music and her character on Yellowstone, but she brought so much energy to her performance that I have a new appreciation for her abilities. Perfect weather that night, and an amazing show.
The last parade of the season came with a few nice surprises. I was joined in my carriage by Governor Mike Sullivan, Senate President Ogden Driskill, and special guest Mark Daly – the Chair of the Senate of Ireland. Senator Daly was in Wyoming to visit with Senator Driskill, who invited Governor Sullivan as he is a former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland. It was fun to listen to the stories and share the amazing parade with our visitors. It was old hat for the governor as he rode in each parade during his 8 years of service. I enjoyed bragging about our city and the amazing volunteerism of our residents.
Saturday’s night show started out great, but the rain soon tried to spoil the evening. After more than an hour’s delay, the Thomas Rhett show started, and he did not disappoint. I was expecting a shortened show, but he played a full set. I especially enjoyed him playing his favorite song from each decade from the 1990s to today. It was a great sing along. The only real downside was my boots were covered in mud, but nothing Cameron couldn’t remedy in the morning at his shoeshine stand.
I really do love to watch rodeos. During CFD week, I spend most of my time talking with sponsors and guests, but on Sunday, Judy and I spend time sitting in our seats and cheering. It takes a score of 90 or better to win all the rough stock events, and just over 17 seconds for the barrels. It was a great day to be a rodeo fan. As we drove home, I was again filled with admiration and thanks for all the volunteers who make the “Daddy of ‘em all” the best outdoor rodeo in the world.
Cheyenne is blessed to be the home of the Union Pacific steam fleet. Big Boy No. 4014 came home during CFD, and the crowd was thrilled when it came steaming into town, whistle blowing. The world’s largest steam locomotive is massive, and the whistle is deafening up close. Ed Dickens looked right at home in the cab. I was also able to meet with the president of Union Pacific, Beth Whited. The UPRR founded Cheyenne in 1867, and that partnership is important still today.
Monday, I drove to Evanston for the Legislature’s interim Corporations Committee meeting. The committee was going to discuss many bills that deal with housing, and we had a bill for generation of electricity that was scheduled to be discussed. Our generation bill was held back until the October meeting, but the housing discussion was long and noteworthy. It was interesting to see the difference between legislators who believe the state needs to dictate to local governments and others who believe in local governments making local decisions. Senator Bill Landen from Natrona County stood up and supported local decision making. I was so proud of his support and understanding that no community in the state is the same and the best way to get the right decision is to leave it at the local level.
One bill looked at using government-owned land for residential housing. In many communities, there exists state and/or federal lands adjacent to municipal borders that might be perfect for housing development to help solve part of our housing crisis. The committee added some amendments suggested by the public and moved it to the next meeting. I think this has a real possibility to help.
Another bill would add a tool to help local governments get abandoned buildings either restored or torn down. I think every community in our state has a white elephant of an abandoned building that has proven tough to get solved. Representative Sherwood from Albany County brought the bill last year and the committee is working to improve it and bring it back next legislative session. It passed and I can’t wait to support it.
We asked the Legislature to study using Tax Increment Financing as another tool to support affordable housing development. It is a very complicated concept and the committee heard from many across the state who are hoping to use this tool in their communities. I appreciated the committee agreeing to continue working on the bill and I hope we will get a final bill approved in October. Wyoming needs more tools to support building more housing and more attainable housing.
Judy and I are spending most evenings watching the Olympics. We love watching our American athletes compete with the best athletes in the world. It is must-watch TV. U.S.A!!!