REGIONREGION TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021 POWELL TRIBUNE • PAGE 5 Longtime Sen. Hank Coe dies at 74 BY CJ BAKER Thursday, Coe’s longtime legislative col- be from the park to a pothole; Hank had all NOTICE Tribune Deputy Editor league and friend, former state Sen. Eli the numbers to call,” said U.S. Sen. John Bar- Bebout, R-Riverton, called his death “quite rasso, R-Wyo., a former colleague of Coe’s in Annual Meeting ank Coe, who long represented Park a loss.” the Legislature. County in the Wyoming Legislature, “He loved Wyoming, he worked hard for Of course, not all of his actions were wel- Shoshone Irrigation District Hdied Thursday after a battle with pan- his constituency, he worked hard for the comed by constituents. creatic cancer. state, just a great American,” Bebout told In his last two terms, Coe faced stiff op- The 74-year-old was “a terrifically great WPR, adding that Coe “was what everybody position and criticism from the Big Horn Wednesday, February 3, 2021 — 10 a.m. man from Cody, Wyoming,” Gov. Mark Gor- should try to be in terms of public service.” Basin Tea Party, the Wyoming Gun Owners don said last week. U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., said Coe’s group and more conservative members of Heart Mountain Building Coe dedicated the majority of his life to presence will be deeply missed. the Republican Party — particularly after he Park County Fairgrounds in Powell public service. He assisted various organiza- “Hank Coe was a friend and a role model to led an unsuccessful effort to strip then-Su- tions, like the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, all who met him,” Cheney said in perintendent of Public Instruction Guest Speaker: Ily Nunn of Nu Locating while spending eight years as a Park County a Friday statement. “He lived an Cindy Hill of most of her powers commissioner, 23 years as a volunteer exceptional life and leaves behind in 2013. But Coe prevailed over Corbett Tunnel scan findings firefighter and 32 in the state Senate, serv- a remarkable legacy of selfless two challenges to win his seventh ing from January 1989 through earlier this leadership and service on behalf and eighth terms. Lunch is furnished by Bank of Powell and First Bank of Wyoming month. When Coe announced his retirement of the people of Park County, and State Sen. Brian Boner, R- from the Legislature last year, the senator our entire state.” Douglas, described Coe as both a said he was “eternally grateful to the people State Superintendent of Public pillar of the Wyoming Senate and of Park County who put their faith in me to Instruction Jillian Balow also is- a good man. represent them for so many years.” sued a statement, calling Coe a “I remember when I asked him Across his decades in politics and in lead- friend, mentor and colleague. She for advice as a new legislator and ership positions, Coe had an outsized impact described him as “always gener- he replied, with a twinkle in his on the state as he worked to improve Wyo- ous, always kind.” Balow specifi- HANK COE eye, ‘Just vote the way I do and ming’s education system and commercial air cally noted Hank’s work leading you’ll be fine,’” Boner said. “I will service, among other efforts. the Senate’s Education Committee, saying he miss his sense of humor, kind heartedness From the halls of Congress to state industry did so “with a keen sense of the business that and dedication to our great state.” groups to his former colleagues, condolences would keep Wyoming schools moving in the Boner was chairing Thursday’s Senate and remembrances poured in as word of right direction.” agriculture meeting when the news broke of Coe’s death spread across the state last week. His work included helping develop the Coe’s death. Visibly emotional, the senator The Senate agriculture committee was Hathaway Scholarship program, which has led the committee in a silent prayer and then holding a virtual meeting Thursday after- helped thousands of Wyoming students at- took a break, before resuming the hearing. noon when member Sen. Jeff Wasserburger, tend in-state colleges. “I think Sen. Coe would have liked for us to R-Gillette, cut in to announce with “great “I’ve had some other successes and some continue with the people’s business,” he said. sadness … that the great Sen. Hank Coe has other things that stick out, but nothing quite “May God be with him and his family.” passed.” like Hathaway,” Coe said last year. A public visitation will be held from 5-7 The committee members, including Pow- Those who spoke at a Park County Com- p.m. Friday at Ballard Funeral Home in Subscribe today and receive a ell Republicans Tim French and R.J. Kost, mission-hosted event on Jan. 19 also praised Cody. Then at 11:15 a.m. Saturday, the com- bowed their heads in silent prayer for Coe Coe’s work on behalf of his constituents. munity is invited to gather at Cody’s Christ and his family. “He called me regularly when it was issues Episcopal Church for a procession to River- Free 2021 Photo Calendar! Speaking to Wyoming Public Radio on related to the park [Yellowstone], but it can side Cemetery, where Coe will be laid to rest. ($12.99 value) Call 754-2221 or stop by our office at 128 S. Bent St. Transportation officials look to improve Thermopolis Quality Inn pedestrian safety near Cody Middle School The Wyoming Department of Cody and surrounding commu- in the future as the City of Cody painting a crosswalk on the Transportation is recommending nities. However, since the most grows,” he said. “Doing ‘some- highway, nor simply installing a comprehensive study of how to recent construction of Big Horn thing’ just to do something when a flashing sign,” Hallsten said. create a safe crossing on Cody’s Avenue in 2007, major housing it’s not the right thing would set “We would be concerned with busy Big Horn Avenue, which developments have been built pedestrians and drivers on a installing an arbitrary at-grade doubles as U.S. Highway 14-A north of the highway. Unfortu- course for failure.” crossing that would give a false within the city. nately, WYDOT says, long-range In October, WYDOT, the City sense of security to a pedestrian A study of the transportation pedestrian mo- of Cody and — especially with the five lanes needs is the proper path forward bility planning school officials that a pedestrian must cross, op- in order for WYDOT, the Cody was not in- ‘This planning effort met to discuss erating speeds of vehicles on Big ❤ Two Nights Lodging school district and the City of cluded as part will ensure the crossing issues related Horn Avenue, the fact that Free- Cody to provide safe long-term of the housing to pedestrians dom and Robert streets don’t ❤ pedestrian highway crossings developments. is safe and will function and the Free- line up from the south to north, Dinner for Two near the Cody Middle School, “We will at its inception and in dom/Big Horn and the east-west orientation of said WYDOT District Engineer be working Avenue inter- Big Horn Avenue, which results ❤ Pete Hallsten. to come up the future.’ section. They in sight issues with sunrise and Swimming for Two “Our immediate proactive with short- and agreed to sunset.” ❤ Chocolates ❤ Champagne ❤ Flowers action will be to articulate a long-term so- Pete Hallsten conduct an Any future highway cross- more-defined plan for vehicle lutions. A com- WYDOT District Engineer extensive ing, whether with via a traffic management,” Hallsten said. prehensive WYDOT-fund- signal or a pedestrian overpass, Two Free Drinks at the New Q Lounge “This plan must include school study must be performed to help ed traffic study between the would come with impacts to ad- traffic, vehicular traffic and all partners — WYDOT, the city, intersection of the Big Horn jacent landowners, driving pat- 00 pedestrian movements on both the school district — select the Avenue and Wyo. Highway 120 terns, pedestrians and mobility, Tax not included sides of the highway,” he said, correct type of highway crossing and the intersection of Big Horn WYDOT says. $229 “so science-based engineering at the correct location,” Hallsten Avenue and Beacon Hill Road. “Each of these options must Your First Choice Inn Thermopolis, Wyoming! decisions can be made.” said. These efforts are ongoing. be vetted to allow the most ap- 307.864.5515 Off er expires Feb. 28, 2021 Big Horn Avenue (U.S. 14-A) “This planning effort will “We don’t believe a decision propriate, least invasive and has historically been a major ensure the crossing is safe and based on safety and good engi- safest crossing for all users,” the route that links businesses to will function at its inception and neering would involve simply department said in a release. DECEMBER 2020 BRIEFLY ACHIEVER Recognition for Academic Excellence Residents make school donations Critchfield named to Missouri There were multiple donations to canned goods, butter, trail mix and Park County School District 1 an- gift cards to families in need at West- State University’s dean’s list nounced at the school board’s regular side Elementary School. Katie East- For her academic excellence in the fall 2020 semester, Jan. 12 meeting. man donated $300 to Powell Middle Fantasia Critchfield of Powell was among 5,300 students Those gifts included $5,000 from School for families in need while Vicki named to Missouri State University’s dean’s list. an anonymous donor to Parkside El- Dougherty donated $30 for clothes and Undergraduate students like Critchfield must take at ementary School. Meanwhile, Union shoes for children in need. least 12 credit hours and maintain at least a 3.50 grade Presbyterian Church gifted the el- The donations were accepted by the point average (on a 4.0 scale) to qualify for the prestigious Hailee Hyde ementary and middle schools caps board on behalf of the students and list. Missouri State University, based in Springfield, Mis- The December student of the completed a program in personal and gloves, and The Market at Powell staff, and appreciation was expressed souri, is a public, four-year school. It had a total enroll- month for Powell High School is se- progress through the Church of Je- (formerly Mr. D’s) gave turkeys, to the donors. ment of 24,163 students as of last fall. nior Hailee Hyde. Her GPA is 4.15, sus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She maintained while taking concurrent was also added to the honor bee for classes at Northwest College, earning finishing 40 hours of community UPCOMING CLASSES · REGISTER TODAY! 10 credits in precalculus and calcu- service, and she completed seminary lus. She is the daughter of Robert training in her freshman through ju- BEGINNING YOGA and Jennifer Hyde, and will graduate nior years. 6:00 pm · Mondays & Thursdays from PHS in May. Hailee’s work in the community in- ZOOM Hailee has been on the academic cluded projects for National Honor honor roll for three years, earning Society; highway cleanup, fundrais- HOW TO WRITE YOUR LIVING WILL letters academically, for National ing, making and delivering chocolate 6:00 pm · February 18 Honor Society as a junior, basketball roses and four hours per month of CENTER FOR TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT CLASSROOM as a sophomore and junior, in track personal service. She served as a vol- as a freshman and sophomore and in unteer at Powell Valley Healthcare INTRO TO MICROSOFT WORD cross country as a sophomore, junior summer food program, her church’s 1:00 pm · February 22 and senior. Additionally, she was community nativity, for the Loaves CENTER FOR TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT CLASSROOM named the Jim Miller award recip- and Fishes community food drive ient as outstanding girl, for dedica- [pre-COVID] and as a junior leader INTRO TO MICROSOFT EXCEL tion to the track team, setting a good at the girls’ camp. 1:00 pm · February 24 example and for her attendance. She also prepared packages for CENTER FOR TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT CLASSROOM As a sophomore, Hailee was named soldiers as part of Skills USA, and Pro-Life March & Rally the most improved athlete for her goodie baskets for her basketball To commemorate 48 years of legalized slaughter of over SMARTPHONES FOR SENIORS performance in cross country. In teammates. Hailee has served as a 65 million innocent unborn children. 9:00 am · February 24 her church, she was recognized in high school ambassador and was CENTER FOR TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT CLASSROOM 2018 for young womanhood, having part of EROCNE, the jazz choir. Saturday, January 30, 2021 NAT’L PARK PRESENTATION: GEORGE WASHINGTON Promoting Excellence in Education 11:00 a.m. 6:30 pm · February 24 Meet in front of the Park County Courthouse. NWC · FAGERBERG BUILDING · ROOM 70 March to Riverside Cemetery memorial for the unborn. Transportation will be provided back to courthouse. 245 E. First • Powell • 307-754-2201 Soup luncheon to follow at VFW, 808 12th St., Cody, WY. Information: Sheila, (307)527-5965, Donna (307)254-2482 Donations appreciated. Call for more details or visit our website! VISIT US ONLINE AT: Park County Right to Life nwc.edu/pvce · (307) 754-6469 PO Box 3044 • Cody, WY 82414 WWW.POWELLTRIBUNE.COM