EVANSTON — The Uinta County Democratic Party held its convention and caucus on Saturday, April 13, at the Evanston Depot.

The party solely nominated and voted for Pres. Joe Biden as their unanimous presidential preference.

They voted in favor of full delegate representation for the upcoming Democratic State Convention in Casper, on June 1, then fielded nominations. Party Chair Tim Beppler and his wife, State Commiteewoman Katie Beppler, were both nominated to attend and accepted. Party Vice President Debbie Tanner and her husband Dave were also nominated and accepted to attend. Wayne Morrow will also attend.

Several other party members were nominated but declined due to scheduling conflicts.

The next order of business was reviewing recent suggestions to update the party’s long-standing platform.

“This version of the platform has been used for a number of years,” Tim Beppler said.

Barbara Roitz proposed amending the platform by simplifying it and striking out several bullet points to make it more concise.

“I feel like we have tied our hands as far as growth as a party and candidates by being tied by so many individual line items. We could attract more moderate Democrats,” she said.

The proposal opened up a dialogue among those in attendance. Dave Tanner inquired whether an abridged platform would conflict with the state party’s platform.

“There are very specific provisions in our county platform,” Tim Beppler said, “but it would be very similar to the state’s.”

Kayne Pyatt, a member of the platform committee and a reporter for the Uinta County Herald, authored the updates.

“It was too loose,” she said, “too wishy washy. I like specifics for what I’m standing for. And I don’t think they’d be happy with the shortened version at the state level.”

Marilee Jackson was torn.  She said, “Simpler is better. I worry about the younger generation. [But] at this point in history, it’s important to scream from the rooftops what we stand for.”

Morrow spoke in favor of specificity, “Everybody’s had a platform until 2016, and look what we got. It turned this country inside out and backwards.”

Treasurer Eric Mander questioned the platform’s intentions.

“Something of less than 15% [are local Democrats]. Is the purpose of the platform to recruit Republicans to switch parties?”

Ultimately,it was decided by two votes to retain the platform and accept its resolutions. 

The long-standing platform is developed around three key principles — opportunity, sustainability and integrity. Within each key principle are several subcategories.

Items such as: “A fully-funded 988 prevention call line,” and “Expanding legal recognition of the medical needs of the transgender population” were added the health care platform.

Addendums emphasizing “public school” funding were highlighted under the education platform. “Equitable distribution of public and district funds to all educational, arts, sports, and extra-curricular programs within public school;” “Public money to be distributed to public schools only;” and “We oppose the indiscriminate banning of books in public schools and public libraries,” the updates read.

The party voted to amend the wording under jobs/employment regarding six-week maternity leave to “parental leave.”

Mental health resources were also prioritized under the social services portion of the platform.  Two new provisions read, “Halfway homes and alternative long-term care facilities for the mentally ill;” and “Support training for law enforcement to be able to recognize a mental health crisis in order to respond with appropriate actions.”

“Protection of the sovereignty of Native American lands,” was added to a lengthy list of government bullet points, as was the word “municipal,” in addition to county non-partisan election of offices. The party also stands for “Government support of substance abuse prevention programs, substance treatment programs, drug courts and restorative justice.”

Amendments were not made to several pre-existing platform items, including: immigration, quality of life, economy and taxes, agriculture, environmental/natural resources/energy, foreign policy and civil rights.