The saying goes, “Wyoming is a small town with long streets.” This is inherent in the Cowboy State’s identity. Our state’s small towns make up its collective spirit and are …

My philosophy of stuff can be summed up this way: If I don’t need it or love it I don’t want it. It’s simple but not easy, mainly because of some deep-seated emotional issues I have. I’m only admitting them publicly because I know I’m not alone, not if the proliferation of storage units across the country is any indication.

Last month, Senator Cynthia Lummis voted to support the Providing Reliable, Objective, Verifiable Emissions Intensity and Transparency (PROVE IT) Act despite heavy lobbying from groups that oppose President Donald Trump’s America First trade agenda.

Each legislative session begins with a “state of the state” address from the Governor. Just like the president’s State of the Union address, the governor’s speech provides perspective on the Governor’s views on key issues, plans for the coming year, and sets forth his legislative agenda. It is an important moment for reflection about Wyoming’s current condition.

As I’ve journeyed across my district, meeting you in town halls, offices, and even grocery store lines, your voices have been loud and clear. Wyoming may be the state we are proud and blessed to call home, but it still faces critical challenges.

Videos of Joe Biden not knowing where he is or saying he just met with a French president who died 25 years ago are not so funny anymore. They’re tragic. And I can’t help feeling embarrassed and sorry for the president.

I think Congress could use a group hug right now. It would be hard to coordinate seeing as there’s 100 senators and 435 representatives. And the way they’re getting along right now they’re not likely to want to participate. Maybe an old-fashioned potluck would be more realistic. Nothing says “let’s be friends” like sloppy joes and Jell-O salad.

“What the world needs now is love sweet love, it’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.” These lyrics were written by songwriter Hal David and put to music composed by Burt Bacharach in the 1960s. The song was first released April 15, 1965, and sung by Jackie Deshannon and later by Petula Clark and Dionne Warwick.

Editor: What are we teaching our children? I was one of the referees that worked the Evanston and Star Valley basketball games in Evanston on Jan. 25. I must say that in my 32 years of officiating, I have never heard the kinds of language directed at me and my partners from a student section at a game. It was truly heart wrenching.

The Uinta County Service Extension Unit of the Salvation Army would like to extend to the community a warm, heartfelt and huge “thank you” for your support of that season’s Red Kettle Drive.

It’s a good thing Donald Trump doesn’t own one of the Super Bowl teams. If he did, people would already be rioting in the streets of Las Vegas, demanding that the NFL call off next weekend’s big game. The liberal media would be cheering on the rioters, as usual.

One of the many Taylor Swift songs I love includes a reaction to a seemingly angry or aggressive person on social media. “And I’m just like, ‘Hey, are you OK?’” Swift sings in response. I’d like to pose that question to a couple of people here. Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray gave me a call last Wednesday to complain about a news article we wrote about his Evanston town hall earlier this month. Here’s about how it started: Gray: There are several blatant inaccuracies in that story … do I need to get my lawyer involved? Me: How about we take a deep breath? He didn’t like that — bullies never do.

Editor: In the Jan. 17 Uinta County Herald’s “in our opinion” editorial about the “People’s Initiative to Limit Property Tax in Wyoming through a Homeowner’s Property Exemption” they say, it’s a “bad idea,” and if the initiative passes: “That means maintaining roads would be at a minimum; emergency services, fire protection would all be reduced; schools would have to cut staff, programs and reduce the number of out-of-town trips for sports and much more.”

Dear Rep. Harriet Hageman: It was with at first interest, and then dismay and sadness that I read the letter associated with your “Protect Our Rights” form that I received in the mail. I had hoped that I would have encountered a thoughtful discussion of the many issues before us as Americans in today’s world but instead was presented with a negative diatribe against the current administration.

The Uinta Community Service Center would like to thank the Uinta County Herald for the article regarding homelessness in Evanston, published in the Jan. 3 edition of the paper.

During and shortly after the Pandemic, much of Wyoming saw significant in-migration of people from other states. This movement of people into Wyoming was a result of our scenic beauty, rural nature, freedoms, and a general sense of restlessness in the nation.

Before you sign that petition circulating around the city, to lower property taxes by 50%, consider what those taxes provide and the probable consequences if they were cut in half. It may be tempting to want to pay less taxes but cutting that expenditure in half could bring disastrous consequences for you, your children and for your community.

Editor: The foundation of our Republican form of government rests upon the principle that elected officials represent the people, not reign over them as kings or queens. However, it’s becoming increasingly alarming to witness certain elected representatives embracing an attitude that borders on regal entitlement, detached from the very constituents they are meant to represent.

I heard there was another Republican presidential debate this week. I didn’t watch it — I’ve suffered enough, thanks. I don’t care how few political masochists tuned in to CNN Wednesday night to watch Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis engage in another meaningless debate.

I made just one New Year’s resolution for 2024. I resolved that this will be the year I finally accept myself as I am. I figure it’s about time. Plus I’m hoping it will make some other resolutions unnecessary.