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PAGE 6 www.thermopir.com July 23, 2020 from page 1 HSSP View from above Visitors take in the terraces in Hot Springs State Park on a warm summer eve- ning. There have been reports this summer of some people wandering off the designated walkway. Visitors are reminded to stay on designated walkways, paths and trails in Hot Springs State Park. Owners of the Days Inn, said the initial investment group that built the Days Inn is getting older and they have been trying for several years to sell the hotel. While they have been try- ing to get a long-term lease from the state, they do have a good working relationship with the state and they have been very transparent about their actions. They do question whether or not anyone will actually fill out and RFP as it will take a professional to work their way through the entire thing. In addition, they are concerned no one will bid because of the caveat that the property reverts to the state at the end of the con- tract term. Even the members of the committee are concerned 90 days is not enough for anyone to complete the RFP. Mike Messenger, counsel for both the Days Inn and the Star Plunge, said they would actually like to see the time extended until June 30, 2021. Committee chair, Ogden Driskill, said the RFP is com- ing out now, but he would like to see a five-year agree- ment with the two entities and give them time to make a good attempt at filling out the RFP. Messenger told the com- mittee there has been no one who has expressed interest in the properties at this point so it will probably come back to the original concessionaires, adding the Days Inn had an interested party, but after looking at the RFP they were scared off. “The RFP is going for- ward,” Driskill said. “If there is not an acceptable RFP, we will create a bill that will be more effective. We’re not here to force them out of business and I am very open about this. Whatever comes out, it will be enforceable from both sides.” Some members of the com- mittee felt it was unfair that two of the park properties have contracts that go into 2043 and 2047 while the re- maining ones have nothing. “All four were offered the same contract,” Driskill said. “Two accepted it and two turned it down. They signed a contract knowing what the outcome would be.” Agreement negotiations are always on the table, even after a contract is signed. If either party is not following the contract, it will be up to the legislature to do some- thing about it. Star Plunge owner, Ro- land Luehne said he just wants a fair lease. “The RFP is a monster,” he said. “Its very unfair. If we do what the state wants here, no one is going to want to put another dollar into these places.” State Parks Deputy Direc- tor Nick Neylon pointed out the term of the agreement is part of the RFP. Anyone fill- ing one out can put in how many years they want the lease for and then it is up to them to figure out what they need to put back into the business to make sure they get their money back. “Profit is up to the winning bidder,” Neylon said. At the conclusion of the meeting, committee mem- bers embarked on tours of the two properties to see how things stand with improve- ments before calling it a day. those traveling from other states, so there was less flack from local campers. Going forward, the committee would like to be able to give Wyoming residents a week head start with reservations. Another idea was setting aside a percentage of spots for Wyoming residents only, but they are unsure that would work. Crunching numbers shows there were 8,254 camping nights for out of state visitors while Wyoming residents made up 13,156 nights. In revenue, the numbers come out about 50/50 as the out of state fees are higher. A reason the bill is critical at this time is the committee would rather keep the lights on and keep everything running smoothly than end up having to use the fees for capi- tal construction, build a bunch of new stuff, then end up having to close everything up because they cannot pay their workers. The main goal is to eliminate the use of money from the general fund. The committee understands the state has revenue concerns again this year and this bill would give the state parks system the ability to increase fees to offset those reductions. The committee discussed the fees through- out the system and find they have some “wig- gle room” before reaching the caps previous- ly set on state and out of state options like camping, visitors fees and annual camping fees. Although they discussed eliminating the annual passes, they did not take any ac- tion that direction. Senator Ogden Driskill said, “Its time for a re-set on a lot of things,” while talking about law enforcement within the parks. How many calls do they get that need an absolute law enforcement person? Game and Fish are law enforcement within the parks. Sheriff’s offices may be a long way off and the system has to take care of things as best they can, however, things can get out of hand very quickly, especially in park ar- eas that have more of a party atmosphere. The Territorial Prison in Laramie was also part of the day’s agenda. The committee said it is something that is definitely worth saving. Originally, the pris- on had been privately owned and those own- ers could not make a profit so it was turned over to the state. Not wanting to see it destroyed, the state puts in about $350,000 a year into the run- ning of the prison. The payoff is a $900,000 impact on Laramie with jobs and services, making it the most profitable historic site, making more than some of the smaller parks. from page 1 Committee photo by Jeb Schenck C hurches The Thermopolis of FEDERATED COMMUNITY CHURCH 6th & Big Horn • 864-2524 Pastor Ross Kershaw Presbyterian-Methodist Sun., 8 AM Sunday Worship Sun., 9 AM PTL Sun., 10:30 AM Sunday Worship Wed., 6:15 PM Youth HOT SPRINGS CHRISTIAN CHURCH 1102 Broadway • 864-3321, 864-5619 Pastor Daryl Lottman Sun., 9:30 AM Sunday School Sun., 10:30 AM Sunday Worship Service Wed., 6:30 PM Wednesday Evening Bible Study FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 310 South 6th St. • 864-3171 Pastor Tony Newhouse Associate Pastor Caleb Howe Sun., 9:45 AM Sunday School Sun., 11 AM Sunday Morning Worship Sun., 11 AM KDNO Broadcast (101.7 FM or livestream fbcthermopolis.org) Sun., 6 PM Sunday Evening Service Wed., 7 PM Bible Study & Youth Meetings RISEN SON SOUTHERN BAPTIST 342 Amoretti St. • 864-4115 Pastor Brian Johnson Sun., 9:30 AM Sunday School Sun., 10:45 AM Sunday Morning Service Sun., 6 PM Evening Service Wed., 6 PM Awana Wed., 6:30 PM Prayer Meeting Wed., 6:30 PM Youth Groups LIVING WATERS ASSEMBLY OF GOD 318 North 8th St. • 864-3677 Pastor Mike Muench Sun., 9 AM Adult Sunday School Sun., 10:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship with Children’s Ministries Wed., 6:30 PM Wednesday Bible Study with Children’s Ministries Peace Joy Love ST. 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Sat., Wed. & Thurs., July 25, 29 & 30 after large animal shows Over the Hill Showmanship Test your livestock showmanship skills or nominate someone else. $5 to nominate and $10 to get out of it! Be serious or have fun, livestock will do the judging! Wed., July 29 • 6:30 p.m. Pet Parade Children and adult divisions! Come dress up with your favorite pet (dog, cat, horse, sheep, chicken, etc!) Fair Theme: Raising the Steaks! Thurs., July 30 • 5 p.m. Chili Cook Off Come enjoy some great chili, red and green! Vote for the best chili for the People's Choice Award! Test your cooking skills by partici- pating in the cook off! Lots of yummy food for $8, includes dessert! Fri., Aug. 2 • 1 p.m. Parade of Champions All fair participants are invited to ride through town. Everyone is a winner at Hot Springs County Fair! Fri., Aug. 2 • 5 p.m. Livestock Stall Decorating Contest All livestock fair kids are invited to deco- rate their stalls. Show the buyers how creative and how proud of your project you are. Judging will be at the start of the buyers dinner. CaSh PRIZES! CaSh PRIZES! All events at HSC Fairgrounds. For more info call 864-9213 Sponsored by the FFA Alumni The Hot Springs County COVID-19 Incident Man- agement Team has reported that county COVID-19 posi- tive tests recently grew from 9 to 11. Contract tracing for the two recently positive indi- viduals is being performed. Individuals who may have been exposed will be notified and evaluated. Situation reports will be posted on Tuesdays and Thursday at www.hscoun- ty.com. For daily information visit health.wyo.gov. If you are having COV- ID-19 like symptoms and are uninsured, COVID-19 testing and the office visit costs will be covered under the Federal Cares Act. Two additional HSC COVID-19 cases
