Dear Editor,

Some things never change. In recent years some members of the county commission have consistently allowed investors to bypass the existing zoning regulations. Invariably these same investors have returned later requesting more exceptions, and again the same commissioners have bent the rules in favor of the investor. They have done this even though the residents of the area impacted have been vehemently against the project.

Sublette is a large and diverse county.  Zoning regulations should be adopted to allow flexibility to adapt to diverse regions and communities. One Size does not fit all! Some areas would welcome industry development and progress. Others strive to preserve the unique characteristics and pristine nature of the land. Hopefully, zoning and growth regulations would consider both.

This has not occurred in the Bondurant/Hoback Basin community. We have worked tirelessly for years trying to restrain unrestricted growth. If you have not yet driven up the Upper Hoback Road I encourage you to do so.  

What was once a beautiful hay meadow and game crossing is now a construction zone. The meadow has been scraped to resemble an airport landing strip, onto which the dirt from the hill on the opposite side of the road was dumped. Structures and machinery have been removed but a silo and the remaining dirt that has not been returned to the hilltop still sit on the flattened field.  It will be interesting to see how the hillside of dirt without any vegetation survives a Bondurant winter and spring runoff. But this is what Joe Ricketts calls “preserving the environment.” 
No one knows what new plan he has for the Hoback. We are just waiting for the next shoe to drop.

There will be an election this month and it is our only chance to change the trajectory of this county. Know the candidates and where they stand on growth in the county. Determine who they will support, the people they represent or investors who have and will continue to come to our beautiful land. If the residents want what they offer, fine. But if they don’t the residents who live there should be heard.

Voters, be careful who you choose or you may end up with an Upper Hoback Road in your neighborhood.

Sincerely, 

DJ Kominsky, Bondurant, Wyo.