nite fi le for election B y A I D A T I N and Mark eterson have regis- GO ’s list of potential replace- Publisher tered as of Tuesday morning. ments. Schoenfeld and Thoman both Mark eterson is a former The filing period for can- sought to fill Commissioner Don Green River City Council mem- didates seeking public office Van Matre’s unexpired term fol- ber who has made unsuccessful started Monday, resulting in lowing his death last year. The election bids in mayoral and several Republicans seeking one two initially vied for placement county commissioner contests. of two positions on the Sweet- on a three-person list to be sent Only one person was listed water County Board of County to the commissioners by the as a candidate in the upcoming Commissioners. Sweetwater County GO . After Green River City Council elec- According to information from former Commissioner John olb tions. Sherry Bushman has filed the Sweetwater County Clerk’s and Island Richards were se- to seek election in Ward I, set- Office, three Republicans have lected, voting was tied between ting up a possible contest with filed to seek election to the Thoman and Schoenfeld. A coin incumbent Tom Murphy should board of county commissioners. flip was employed to break the he decide to seek re-election. Commissioner auren Schoen- deadlock, resulting in Schoen- feld, along with Mary Thoman feld earning the final spot on the Continued on A2 e d n e s d a y , a y 0 , 0 2 0 1 9 t h e a r 2 n d s s u e r e n i v e r Y 2 9 3 5 A d r s s e r i c e e q u e s t e d 1 5 0 Courthouse, city buildings re-open Mon. B y A I D A T I N Publisher P eople driving along Flaming Gorge Way Monday morning would have seen the line. Several people waited outside the Sweetwater County Courthouse’s south entrance on the first day the courthouse would open after an extended closure resulting from the COVID- 9 pandemic. Once inside, temporary employees met with visitors to find out what they needed to do and placed them into dif- ferent lines associated with different county functions. According to Garry Mc ean, the county’s human resources director, said nearly 20 people were lined up Monday morning, many of whom were there to register vehicles. U ntil further notice, visitors can only enter the building through the south entrance facing Flaming Gorge Way and are directed to exit from the entrance facing orth st West Street to ensure social distancing guidelines are fol- lowed. The Flaming Gorge Way entrance has better access for disabled people, necessitating the need to utili e that as the primary entrance. Mc ean said there was an initial imbalance between kiosks at the Sweet- water County Treasurer’s Office and the Sweetwater County Clerk’s Office, with A day at the gorge five plastic guards installed at the trea- surer’s office and two initially installed at the clerk’s office. He said this caused Residents have fl oced to the laming orge Reservoir recently to tae advantage of the great weather and an opportunity longer wait times for the county clerk’s to enoy the outdoors. Star photo by David Martin office, but was something they are work- ing to address. While there was an imbalance in line speeds, Mc ean said people at the courthouse were cooperative and under- Main Street takes ‘wait and see’ standing of the measures placed at the courthouse. He also said several residents also used disposable masks and hand sani- approach to Farmer’s Market ti ing stations provided to them while waiting at the courthouse. B y A I D A T I N would have had the vendor registration customer count is low. Another factor However, due to the added wait times Publisher packets sent to interested vendors by for vendors is if other nearby cities plan resulting from social distancing re- March, but hasn’t done that yet. to host the markets as well, because sponses the county has enacted, Mc ean As more summer events throughout “I’m ust debating with how to traveling to a region for multiple encourages residents to either utili e southwest Wyoming get cancelled due proceed with the Farmer’s Market,” she markets is a more cost-effective the online payment options the county to concerns of spreading COVID- 9, said. “It’s an uncertain time for sure.” decision than traveling to an area for has or conduct business and pay fees Green River Main Street still plans to Melvin said the difficulty comes in a single day. Melvin said she’s been through mail. host its popular Farmer’s Market in the event being similar to a grocery in contact with Chad Banks, manager Commissioner Wally Johnson said he July. store, but she has concerns with of Rock Springs Main Street, to find can’t say enough about the work county At least, that’s the plan right now. maintaining ade uate social distancing out what the city plans to do with its employees performed in getting the Jennie Melvin, Green River Main space for customers. She said other market. courthouse ready for public use, say- Street U RA administrator, said the accommodations, such as hand-washing She said there has been some interest ing many employees worked long hours organi ation isn’t sure what the stations and increased sanitation are in the Green River Farmer’s Market, prior to Monday’s opening. recommendations from the state will be not difficult to comply with. with some vendors contacting her about Municipal buildings in Green River in July. As such, Main Street is moving However, another concern arises with the market. opened the same day. ahead with the market, though only the potential response, as vendors may in a tepid fashion. ormally, Melvin not return to subse uent markets if the Continued on A2 Continued on A2 Absentee ballots do not need to be notarized B y A I D A T I N The initial confusion resulted Publisher from a February Green River Star article that erroneously reported Recent social media posts the ballots would need to be suggesting residents would need notari ed. The online article has to have their absentee ballots since been corrected. notari ed to mail them to the Absentee ballots are becoming Sweetwater County Clerk’s a topic for clerks around the state Offi ce are untrue, according to as August and ovember voting Sweetwater County Clerk Cindy may be impacted by the COVID- 9 L ane. pandemic. ane said she’s Should a resident want to vote anticipating more absentee ballots using an absentee ballot, they only than usual if restrictions and social need to send the completed ballot distancing recommendations to the county courthouse, where it are not relaxed in time for the will be tabulated with other ballots. elections. A2 www.greenriverstar.com Wednesday, May 20, 2020 Congratulations Chris Byrd! with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering We are so proud of you and all of your accomplishments! Dad & Tyna, Mom & Robert, and family Residents wait at the ground floor of the Sweetwater County Courthouse Monday morning after county of- fices opened to the public. Star photo by David Martin One filing for GR city council From A1 cil has one candidate. Rob Zotti will seek re-election to Bushman sought election to the Council two years represent Ward II. In Wamsutter, Sally Garwood has ago, but was defeated by Jim Zimmerman. filed to make an election bid for a seat on the town’s Congratulations Outside of Green River, the Rock Springs City Coun- Council. The filing period continues through May 29. James Bunderman! Behind you, all your memories Before you, all your dreams City Hall, rec center opens to public Around you, all who love you From A1 notes) for opening,” Clevenger said. Within you, all you need. Visitation at Green River City Hall wasn’t as heavy While some limitations do remain, Clevenger said he as the Sweetwater County Courthouse Monday. City expects pandemic policies to relax more in the coming Your hard work and dedication has paid off. Administrator Reed Clevenger said most city business weeks. Congratulations to our college involves permit seeking and other activities which can He also said he will meet with department heads graduate with an AAS in be done remotely or through scheduled appointments and staff in the future to determine how the city can with city employees. improve services for residents Electrical & Instrumentation Technology. He also said the opening of the Green River Recre- “Once the first week goes through, we’ll see if it con- We are so proud of you! ation Center went well. tinues to move smoothly,” Clevenger said. “We haven’t Love, Dad & Mom “There were some people who sent some (thank-you received any complaints.” Market doesn’t require a lot of planning From A1 Main Street the opportunity to Market is scheduled to begin July Melvin said the market doesn’t wait longer before moving forward 8 and is hosted every Wednesday take a lot of planning time to set with it. throughout the summer on up, which has allowed Green River The Green River Farmer’s Roosevelt Drive. FOR MORE LOCAL AND STATE INFO VISIT: https://sweetwater911.org/311 https://covid19.wyo.gov A www.greenriverstar.com Wednesday, May 20, 2020 International Day postponed S t a f f e p or through social media channels.