Posted on 02/29/2004 12:35:42 PM PST by Theodore R.
Convention lets local Republicans discuss the issues By Becky Orr rep6@wyomingnews.com Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle
CHEYENNE - Laramie County Republicans supported platform issues Saturday that ranged from voluntary prayer in schools to keeping the job of county sheriff as an elected position rather than an appointed one.
In a room decorated with red, white and blue balloons bearing the Bush-Cheney ticket for 2004, the delegates heard from elected officials, including U.S. Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyoming, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Trent Blankenship and state Speaker of the House Fred Parady, R-Rock Springs.
Parady discussed state budget issues. "Education is clearly a strong Republican priority," he said, adding that "our commitment to education is unrivaled."
"Frankly, we need to declare victory and go home," Parady said, and get "the court out of the business of telling us how to run our schools."
Even though delegates had a full agenda, there was some time for fun. Tim Smith auctioned off a George Bush Top Gun action figure to raise money for the county party.
Speakers stressed the importance of recruiting Republicans statewide for local, county and state offices.
"Democrats are coming out of the woodwork, both in county and legislative races," state committee member Cindy Hill said.
"Make no mistake about it," Parady said. "Gov. (Dave) Freudenthal is intent on building the Democratic party in the state and he's intent on building a Democratic majority in this Legislature."
Delegate Jared Michaud, who lives near Burns, spoke up for school prayer. He said prayer is a "very necessary part of life." People on the other side of the political scale can show their beliefs, but students can't pray, he said.
"Not being allowed to pray is wrong," he said.
The delegates approved adding the word voluntary to the platform about school prayer.
Delegates defeated a measure calling for a statewide ban on smoking in public restaurants and bars. Bill Overling of Cheyenne introduced the idea. He said he's an ex-smoker and that it's time to worry about the health of people in the state.
But Viola Ose of Cheyenne said the ban would take away rights from business owners. She said she is an "avid nonsmoker - always have been and always will be," but she still opposed the ban.
Delegates approved a platform to encourage the Legislature to adopt laws recognizing marriage is between a man and a woman.
They also supported asking the Legislature to deny recognition of civil unions. Tim Smith spoke in favor of the platform, saying it would keep marriages strong.
The idea of keeping the office of county sheriff as an elected position rather than allowing county commissions to appoint the job narrowly won approval.
Robert Lucht of Cheyenne opposed it, saying that these hotly contested races usually come down to an effort by an undersheriff to unseat his or her boss. That's happened before in Laramie County, he said.
Delegates also approved a platform to allow a recall process of elected officials.
Rep. Wayne Johnson, R-Cheyenne, once supported it but now said he is opposed.
Colorado is always fighting a recall, he said, adding that he didn't want Wyoming to fall into the recall vengeance that exists in other states.
He sized it up in a humorous way: "If you're dumb enough to elect somebody for two years or four years, you're stuck with them. And if they're really bad, they'll commit a felony and you'll put them in jail."
The group elected Jack Mueller as a delegate to the national Republican convention in New York City and state Rep. Larry Meuli, R-Cheyenne, as the alternate.
State Rep. Becket Hinckley, R-Cheyenne, and Meuli said they will run for re-election. Johnson said he will make a formal announcement to run for Senate District 6, which means there will be no incumbent in House District 9.
Democrats on the move in WY!
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