One of the two front-pagers for today...
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Legislators from all over the world have made their way into Carbon County politics to represent the area in the state Senate, but only two have earned street-name status in Rawlins.
On Tuesday night, Sen. Bill Vasey, D-Rawlins, spoke about the history of Carbon County politics at the Carbon County Higher Education Center’s “The Power of Place: Legacies of Carbon County” lecture.
Briefly reviewing the long list of state senators, Vasey said he stuck to the Senate because there were simply too many commissioners, city councilmen, school board officials and House representatives to talk about.
Looking at the Senate, Vasey highlighted several key figures. Among them were John Mahoney, serving in 1907 and 1909, and W.W. Daley, who had a 10-year stint in the Senate from 1915 to 1925. These were the fellows whose last names became street signs.
Interestingly, neither Vasey nor local historian Dan Kinnaman could give a reason as to why these gentlemen were bestowed with such an honor. However, Kinnaman wagered a guess. “Maybe just the times they lived and the times (the city) was making additions,” he said. “Whoever was making the additions may have thought it was something to do.” He pointed out that Daley Street was more likely named after W.W. Daley’s father.
The Daleys were a wealthy family who dealt in sheep. In fact, the William Daley Company was one of the largest livestock dealers in the area in its time and was started by the elder William Daley. He was a politician and businessman and was also a man with connections. So much so that he hosted Theodore Roosevelt at his ranch during Roosevelt’s bid for vice-president. “He was an outstanding guy, no doubt about it,” Kinnaman said.
William Daley’s son, W.W. Daley, filled his father’s shoes and more. In his 10 years in the Senate, he saw beneficial laws passed including the state highway system, the Workingmen’s Compensation Act, and educational and banking laws.
According to the August 27, 1929 issue of the Rawlins Republican, “(W.W. Daley) introduced the bill creating the state flag and flower at the request of the Daughters of the American Revolution and fathered the bill for memorial hospitals throughout the state.” The newspaper listed W.W. Daley as a “public-spirited man in Rawlins,” one of a series of men given the title as the newspaper’s editor sought to inspire more individuals to contribute to the community.
The Daleys were well-established in the United States and only became more so when they rooted themselves at their ranch not far from Rawlins.
John Mahoney was of a different blood. Mahoney immigrated from Ireland with his brother Tim. “Either to eat or go west, they joined the military,” Vasey said. Tim fought Apaches in the southwest while John served in Meeker, Colo., fighting in the Meeker Massacre or Battle of Milk River, depending on what side you’re on. There, he found a partner that would cause him trouble until the day he died — a bullet.
When he was out of the service, John Mahoney went into agriculture, Vasey said. He became a landowner of vast proportion, having lakes and dams named after him. He was also a civic man and served as part of the agriculture committee. “It’s the American story,” Vasey said. “An immigrant in Boston who took the train west to where he wanted to be.”
Beyond illustrating the lives and personalities of Carbon County’s historical characters, Vasey also answered the question of why Wyoming is as conservative as it is. “Grant, Hayes, these guys were Union presidents, Republicans,” Vasey said. “Wyoming was created after the Civil War, so its officials were appointed under Republicans.”
Vasey went on to discuss the top issues of the Senate during his tenure. Triple trailers on trucks, voting redistricting, the location of the penitentiary, tort reform, gun control, abortion and gay marriage have been the most emotional issues, he said.
He answered questions about recent decisions regarding school funding, water issues, possibilities for levies and speed control for trucks on the interstate as well as mentoring the youth in politics.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
GED scores are up
... and front pager no. 2 for the day!
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
The bar is set a little higher at the Carbon County Higher Education Center for those seeking General Educational Development diplomas, and, as a result, the center has seen higher scores.
Higher scores mean more options for those who have not received a high school diploma, CCHEC’s Adult Center for Learning Director Bunnie Mursko said. She said CCHEC wants to produce as many Hathaway scholars as possible. Issued through the state, the scholarship provides a financial reward to eligible students to attend the University of Wyoming or any Wyoming community college.
With the Hathaway Scholarship as a goal, the staff at CCHEC has adjusted its focus and strategy to push its GED candidates toward higher scores and future opportunities.
CCHEC seeks to make the GED more important in the eyes of those hoping to earn their diploma. The GED is a battery of tests in math, science, writing, social studies and reading that, upon successful completion, credits an individual with high school proficiency in the subjects.
Mursko said when she initially arrived at the higher education center two years ago, her GED candidates wanted to simply finish the test as soon as possible. Now she coaches candidates to be less satisfied with lower scores.
“We’ve been working harder to get them to understand that achieving a higher score gives them better opportunities,” Mursko said. The center hopes it can open candidates’ eyes to the possibility of college.
Additionally, CCHEC has sought to increase its one-on-one time. Mursko encouraged this because “(the GED) helps them for the rest of their lives.” She said she’s had candidates from Lander and Green River. Both people had testing facilities nearby, but chose to take advantage of the atmosphere and attention provided at CCHEC.
Compared to state averages, “CCHEC has come up tremendously,” Wyoming GED Administrator Carolyn Chelsvig said. “They’ve taken the time to individualize their program and have seen their scores go up and up and up.”
In December 2007, according to a monthly report by Chelsvig, CCHEC candidates scored almost 100 points higher in social studies and reading than the state average. The center’s averages were below the state’s in writing and math by about 50 points. Information was unavailable for CCHEC’s science standings.
Mursko expressed a hope that the numbers of those taking the test will go down while scores go up. “Trying to get the GED is not easy,” she said. “It’s really easier to stay in school and get the diploma than to do the battery of tests.”
She said most students come in for intense tutorials for one or two months before they tackle the GED. They can try for the GED after a pretest and a practice test. Often, candidates begin the testing or tutorials, but do not go on to finish their GED. Last year, 27 out of 48 people received their GED.
When asked why this might be the case, Mursko said lower-income pupils often can’t afford the testing and tutorial fees. However, when they can, they often strive more than medium-income candidates. “The higher the income, the less likely they are to finish,” Mursko said.
With its new goals and new tactics, CCHEC has reached new heights. Of the 27 who earned their GED last year, 23 attained scores that met Hathaway Scholarship targets. Eleven scored 500 or above, enough to meet the opportunity range, which allots $800 per semester. Six hit the honors range at 540 or above, qualifying them for the $1,200 per semester allotment. Another six reached the performance level, scoring 575 or above to earn $1,600 per semester toward college courses.
The figures show increasing scores throughout the past two years. In 2005, CCHEC had 34 who tested with nine of them at the opportunity level, three at honors and another three at performance. The majority of test-takers passed with a score of 499 or below in 2005.
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
The bar is set a little higher at the Carbon County Higher Education Center for those seeking General Educational Development diplomas, and, as a result, the center has seen higher scores.
Higher scores mean more options for those who have not received a high school diploma, CCHEC’s Adult Center for Learning Director Bunnie Mursko said. She said CCHEC wants to produce as many Hathaway scholars as possible. Issued through the state, the scholarship provides a financial reward to eligible students to attend the University of Wyoming or any Wyoming community college.
With the Hathaway Scholarship as a goal, the staff at CCHEC has adjusted its focus and strategy to push its GED candidates toward higher scores and future opportunities.
CCHEC seeks to make the GED more important in the eyes of those hoping to earn their diploma. The GED is a battery of tests in math, science, writing, social studies and reading that, upon successful completion, credits an individual with high school proficiency in the subjects.
Mursko said when she initially arrived at the higher education center two years ago, her GED candidates wanted to simply finish the test as soon as possible. Now she coaches candidates to be less satisfied with lower scores.
“We’ve been working harder to get them to understand that achieving a higher score gives them better opportunities,” Mursko said. The center hopes it can open candidates’ eyes to the possibility of college.
Additionally, CCHEC has sought to increase its one-on-one time. Mursko encouraged this because “(the GED) helps them for the rest of their lives.” She said she’s had candidates from Lander and Green River. Both people had testing facilities nearby, but chose to take advantage of the atmosphere and attention provided at CCHEC.
Compared to state averages, “CCHEC has come up tremendously,” Wyoming GED Administrator Carolyn Chelsvig said. “They’ve taken the time to individualize their program and have seen their scores go up and up and up.”
In December 2007, according to a monthly report by Chelsvig, CCHEC candidates scored almost 100 points higher in social studies and reading than the state average. The center’s averages were below the state’s in writing and math by about 50 points. Information was unavailable for CCHEC’s science standings.
Mursko expressed a hope that the numbers of those taking the test will go down while scores go up. “Trying to get the GED is not easy,” she said. “It’s really easier to stay in school and get the diploma than to do the battery of tests.”
She said most students come in for intense tutorials for one or two months before they tackle the GED. They can try for the GED after a pretest and a practice test. Often, candidates begin the testing or tutorials, but do not go on to finish their GED. Last year, 27 out of 48 people received their GED.
When asked why this might be the case, Mursko said lower-income pupils often can’t afford the testing and tutorial fees. However, when they can, they often strive more than medium-income candidates. “The higher the income, the less likely they are to finish,” Mursko said.
With its new goals and new tactics, CCHEC has reached new heights. Of the 27 who earned their GED last year, 23 attained scores that met Hathaway Scholarship targets. Eleven scored 500 or above, enough to meet the opportunity range, which allots $800 per semester. Six hit the honors range at 540 or above, qualifying them for the $1,200 per semester allotment. Another six reached the performance level, scoring 575 or above to earn $1,600 per semester toward college courses.
The figures show increasing scores throughout the past two years. In 2005, CCHEC had 34 who tested with nine of them at the opportunity level, three at honors and another three at performance. The majority of test-takers passed with a score of 499 or below in 2005.
Employee benefits prove beneficial
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Riding the waves of ups and downs in hospital employee health care, Memorial Hospital of Carbon County has reached a crest as hospital board members review possible increases to the employees’ premiums or deductibles in the next year.
Facing a series of years of “catastrophic claims” by employees, hospital officials now seek to adjust rates to bring hospital finances back on track. The changes could affect the hospital’s stance as one of the best health care providers in the state, a position it uses for recruitment and hopes to maintain.
“We’ve had some catastrophic claims that have really pushed premium costs to the hospital way up,” Human Resources Director Beverly Young said. She said the claim amounts have been increasing throughout the last few years, with last year marking the pinnacle.
The hospital currently has the “Cadillac plan” of hospital health benefits in the state, Young said. But the hospital has been lucky to be staffed with primarily healthy employees throughout the past few years.
Large claims create an increased risk factor in the eyes of the hospital’s stop-loss carrier, an outside firm that contracts yearly to cover expenses that exceed the hospital’s cap of $60,000 per claim.
Each time a claim goes over the hospital’s predetermined cap, the stop-loss carrier reimburses the hospital accordingly for amounts in excess of $60,000. It simultaneously raises a flag to consider a rate increase for services.
Currently, hospital board members are faced with a rate increase that must be carried over to the employees in the form of either a higher deductible or higher premiums. Health plan payments go up and down, Young said. “The good years with higher premiums pay for the bad years.”
Board members plan to collect employee feedback and incorporate it into their decision. The board hopes to find a solution that maintains the hospital’s position as offering some of the best health coverage in the state for hospital employees. Young said the feedback is scheduled to be delivered at the next board meeting on Feb. 28.
Times staff writer
Riding the waves of ups and downs in hospital employee health care, Memorial Hospital of Carbon County has reached a crest as hospital board members review possible increases to the employees’ premiums or deductibles in the next year.
Facing a series of years of “catastrophic claims” by employees, hospital officials now seek to adjust rates to bring hospital finances back on track. The changes could affect the hospital’s stance as one of the best health care providers in the state, a position it uses for recruitment and hopes to maintain.
“We’ve had some catastrophic claims that have really pushed premium costs to the hospital way up,” Human Resources Director Beverly Young said. She said the claim amounts have been increasing throughout the last few years, with last year marking the pinnacle.
The hospital currently has the “Cadillac plan” of hospital health benefits in the state, Young said. But the hospital has been lucky to be staffed with primarily healthy employees throughout the past few years.
Large claims create an increased risk factor in the eyes of the hospital’s stop-loss carrier, an outside firm that contracts yearly to cover expenses that exceed the hospital’s cap of $60,000 per claim.
Each time a claim goes over the hospital’s predetermined cap, the stop-loss carrier reimburses the hospital accordingly for amounts in excess of $60,000. It simultaneously raises a flag to consider a rate increase for services.
Currently, hospital board members are faced with a rate increase that must be carried over to the employees in the form of either a higher deductible or higher premiums. Health plan payments go up and down, Young said. “The good years with higher premiums pay for the bad years.”
Board members plan to collect employee feedback and incorporate it into their decision. The board hopes to find a solution that maintains the hospital’s position as offering some of the best health coverage in the state for hospital employees. Young said the feedback is scheduled to be delivered at the next board meeting on Feb. 28.
County foes clash heads Thursday
Times staff report
The Hanna Elk Mountain Medicine Bow Miners clash with the Encampment Tigers Thursday in Hanna to determine seeding for the upcoming regional basketball tournaments.
The girls face off at 4:30 p.m., while the boys hit the court about an hour and a half after the girls finish.
“This game could determine who goes into regionals second or third,” said HEM coach Jackie Jones about the girls game. Encampment lost to Cokeville in Wednesday’s make-up game, putting them just behind the Lady Miners in the standings.
The two teams mirror each other in terms of how they use posts and guards, Jones said. She expects a “good game,” reminiscent of the last. The Miners won by six in the first game.
Clif Jones hopes his boys will shoot the ball as they continue to move beyond the Matt Larson-Justin Palm duo. “Sometimes a missed shot is as good as a pass,” Clif Jones said. Then Larson and Palm can get their share of offensive rebounds to go back up for points.
“They are one of the best teams in the state,” Clif Jones said of Encampment. “Last time we played, we were never even in the game with them. They’re going to be the No. 1 seed going in.”
The Miner boys need to win once more before the regular season ends to guarantee they are out of the pigtail game in the regional tournament. Clif Jones is looking toward the team’s final game against Little Snake River Valley for that win. “We won’t know the final order until the last game is played,” Clif Jones said. “We’ve still got a lot of basketball to play.”
The Hanna Elk Mountain Medicine Bow Miners clash with the Encampment Tigers Thursday in Hanna to determine seeding for the upcoming regional basketball tournaments.
The girls face off at 4:30 p.m., while the boys hit the court about an hour and a half after the girls finish.
“This game could determine who goes into regionals second or third,” said HEM coach Jackie Jones about the girls game. Encampment lost to Cokeville in Wednesday’s make-up game, putting them just behind the Lady Miners in the standings.
The two teams mirror each other in terms of how they use posts and guards, Jones said. She expects a “good game,” reminiscent of the last. The Miners won by six in the first game.
Clif Jones hopes his boys will shoot the ball as they continue to move beyond the Matt Larson-Justin Palm duo. “Sometimes a missed shot is as good as a pass,” Clif Jones said. Then Larson and Palm can get their share of offensive rebounds to go back up for points.
“They are one of the best teams in the state,” Clif Jones said of Encampment. “Last time we played, we were never even in the game with them. They’re going to be the No. 1 seed going in.”
The Miner boys need to win once more before the regular season ends to guarantee they are out of the pigtail game in the regional tournament. Clif Jones is looking toward the team’s final game against Little Snake River Valley for that win. “We won’t know the final order until the last game is played,” Clif Jones said. “We’ve still got a lot of basketball to play.”
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