THEA ADAMO

Perspective

The Sept. 23 Natrona County Commissioner's meeting was well attended by many concerned local citizens, as well as board members from the family advocacy organization WyWatch. The membership of WyWatch is made up of individuals from throughout the state of Wyoming who are devoted to the preservation of society through strong family values.

These citizens had gathered to voice their opinions regarding the 4-to-1 decision by the governing board to grant Sonny Pilcher another permit to open an establishment under the misnomer of "gentleman's club." In plain language, a "strip club."

The attendees, who were unanimous in their opposition to the strip club, were treated by the commissioners with respect and allowed to air their grievances, which they did in an orderly and eloquent fashion. It was surprising how many had set aside their busy schedules to come and be heard; even bringing their well-behaved children so that they could attend.

The commissioners lauded them for their research and speaking abilities, and then proceeded with business as usual, by defending their previous decision to grant the permit, regardless of any arguments that were made. Once again they demonstrated that many public "servants" look down on the citizenry with condescension and disdain.

The law, as interpreted by the county attorney, supposedly allows for a strip club to be opened. However, such an "allowance" does not create an "unalienable right" for proprietors to open indecent establishments. Rights are clearly spelled out in the U.S. and Wyoming Constitutions, and the degradation of society through the promotion of lewdness is not among them. Such a flimsy argument being the basis for the board's decision, the supporting votes of Chairman Rob Hendry, Vice Chairwoman Barb Peryam, Terry Wingerter, and Jon Campbell can only be called into question by a citizenry that neither wants nor endorses any of this sordid mess.

Natrona County residents are not alone in their frustration when attempting to work inside a weak and tepid body of decision makers. Rock Springs has recently overstepped the boundaries of "individual rights" and created a daytime curfew in town for anyone under the age of 18. People in this age group can now be harassed and fined if they merely do not possess the proper "papers." It seems that the governing elements of several of Wyoming's counties increasingly infringe on the rights of upstanding people, while granting license to others who debase their communities.

Apparently, the Natrona County Commissioners do not think that their community rates any right of protection as worded in our Wyoming Constitution, and which the commissioners were elected to uphold. Rather, they show total deference to one individual with lurid business interests, while ignoring its corrosive effects on the good people of the surrounding area.

This point was well stated by the only dissenting vote to this travesty in Casper, Commissioner Matt Keating. He alone stood up for the general population of the county while the remainder of the board appears to be taking their marching orders from another source, not so friendly to the family unit.

For the people of Natrona County, only one recourse remains. Citizens must become informed and search through the paper for the small notices of important meetings that they need to attend. The media will not make this task easy, so success will require perseverance. But the cost of inaction far outweighs any efforts involved.

Next, they must promote candidates who reinforce what is good about our communities; support them, promote them and get them elected to office.

Inaction creates an environment wherein our freedoms are diminished or forfeited to the likes of Pilcher, thereby allowing him and his kind to seize rights that were once ours. Small men with power are dangerous to a decent community. But empowerment of the local citizens can re-establish community standards, and turn the tide. Such power comes through education, organization and above all, action.

Thea Adamo serves as communication director for WyWatch, a state-wide family advocacy organization.