July 16, 2026
Hello Pinedale,
Rendezvous is now behind us, and I want to thank everyone who helped make it a successful week. During that same busy stretch, Pinedale also hosted the Wyoming Little League state championship, welcoming teams and families from across the state to the Dudley Key Sports Complex. Events like these take substantial work from volunteers, coaches, families, businesses, Town staff, and community organizations, and they demonstrate what Pinedale can accomplish when many people work together.
Over the past several months, the Town and I have observed unsafe bicycle and e-bike use and received a significant and growing number of complaints, particularly regarding sidewalks and other areas shared with pedestrians. We have also heard reports of multiple near collisions involving pedestrians, children, and riders. While most people operate their bicycles responsibly, a relatively small number of riders are creating real safety concerns and risk spoiling the use of these spaces for everyone. In response, Council completed first reading of a proposed ordinance Monday addressing bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, and pathway use. For those unfamiliar with the terminology, Class 1 e-bikes provide pedal assistance up to 20 miles per hour; Class 2 e-bikes may also use a throttle and are limited to 20 miles per hour; and Class 3 e-bikes provide pedal assistance up to 28 miles per hour. The proposal would generally allow Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes on Town pathways while restricting the faster Class 3 models unless specifically authorized.
The larger issue, however, is not simply which class of bicycle someone owns. It is how that bicycle is operated around other people. The proposed ordinance would establish a 10-mile-per-hour pathway speed limit unless otherwise posted, require faster users to yield to slower users, and require an audible warning before passing. Sidewalks are intended primarily for pedestrians, and the increase in complaints makes clear that riders need to use much greater caution. Even where someone believes riding on the sidewalk is safer than using the street, a bicycle or e-bike should never be operated quickly around pedestrians, children, building entrances, driveways, or intersections. Where riding is prohibited – or where conditions are crowded or uncertain – the responsible choice is to slow down, dismount, and walk the bicycle.
The purpose of the ordinance is not to discourage bicycles or e-bikes or penalize the many people who ride responsibly. The Town continues working to improve pathway connections. The goal is to establish clear expectations so pedestrians, riders, children, families, and other pathway users can move around town safely and predictably. Responsible riders should not lose access or freedom because of the unsafe conduct of a few. The ordinance remains subject to additional readings and possible changes, and public input is welcome.
Clear rules are only one part of improving safety; the Town must also continue creating better places for people to walk and ride. At the same meeting, Council supported an application for the next phase of Pinedale’s pathway-connectivity project. The proposed work would create nearly two miles of additional pathway connecting Harmony Bridge, Dudley Key Fields, west-side neighborhoods, the future US 191 pedestrian underpass, and Pinedale Elementary School. Together, clearer expectations and better connections can reduce unnecessary conflicts among vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.
That same spirit of shared responsibility is reflected in the work of the Sublette Community Resource Network. Local organizations continue coordinating youth programs, workforce training, education, public health, emergency response, victim services, senior services, and other support throughout the county. These efforts may not always be highly visible, but they help ensure that people know where to turn when they need assistance while helping community organizations coordinate their work effectively.
Pinedale is strongest when freedom is accompanied by responsibility: when drivers watch for cyclists, cyclists protect pedestrians, faster pathway users yield to slower ones, parents teach safe riding, and neighbors look out for one another. The goal is not simply more rules. It is a community where people of every age can move around town safely and confidently.
As always, the public is welcome at Town Council meetings. Our next meeting is Monday, July 27 at 5:00 p.m., and questions are always welcome.
July 9, 2026
Hello Pinedale and welcome to those visiting Pinedale this week. Whether you are here for Green River Rendezvous, Little League, summer vacation, the mountains, concerts in the park, our trails, lakes, restaurants, shops, or simply to spend time with family, we are glad you are here.
Rendezvous is one of the weeks when Pinedale remembers who we are. Our history is not just a backdrop or a costume. It is a reminder that this valley has long been a place of gathering, travel, trade, hardship, endurance, and community. People came through this country because it mattered, because it connected places and people, and because it required courage, skill, and dependence on one another. That is still part of what Pinedale means. Pinedale has always been a kind of meeting place: between mountains and valley, wilderness and working lands, residents and visitors, old stories and new responsibilities. Rendezvous reminds us that a community is not just a place people pass through. It can be a place where people are received, strengthened, and sent on better than they came.
Today, Pinedale remains a gathering place. We are a gateway to extraordinary public lands, but we are also more than a gateway. We are a working community with families, schools, churches, businesses, volunteers, parks, youth programs, emergency responders, nonprofits, and neighbors who care deeply about this place. During a busy week like Rendezvous, those strengths become visible all at once. Our ranching heritage also reminds us that love for a place is measured in stewardship: land, water, wildlife, roads, neighbors, and future generations all have to be considered together.
With that comes a simple responsibility. Residents and visitors alike are asked to help take care of the town we are proud to share. Please be patient in traffic, slow down near crosswalks and parks, watch for children and bicycles, use trash cans, respect private property, and leave public spaces ready for the next family, vendor, or event. Hospitality and stewardship go together. Pinedale is, in a real sense, a headwaters community. What begins in the mountains around us flows far beyond us, and the same is true of the way we live together. Small acts of respect, patience, hospitality, and care help shape the kind of town we are becoming.
This year, residents and visitors will also see more activity at 210 W. Pine Street. The sod is now in, and the space will host multiple vendors during Rendezvous. That property has been a visible example of the Town’s effort to turn an underused downtown lot into a more active public space. Like our parks and pathways, it will only work well if we all treat it with care.
I also want to recognize the many organizations working quietly behind the scenes through the Sublette Community Resource Network. At the most recent SCRN meeting, local partners shared updates on youth programs, summer events, educational opportunities, public health, victim services, emergency response, senior services, workforce training, and other needs across the county. A strong community is not built by one office or one event. It is built by many people doing steady, often unseen work to serve their neighbors. That kind of service may not draw the largest crowds, but it is part of what holds a town together.
So welcome to Pinedale. Enjoy Rendezvous, support local businesses, visit our events, take in the history and the mountains, and help us care for the town we are proud to call home. May this week remind us not only of where we have come from, but of the kind of community we are called to become: hospitable, courageous, rooted, generous, and faithful in our stewardship of what has been entrusted to us.
As always, the public is welcome at Town Council meetings. Our next meeting is Monday, July 13 at 5:00 p.m., and questions are always welcome.
July 2, 2026
Hello Pinedale,
This is one of those weeks when Pinedale feels especially alive. Between the Fourth of July, the Farmers Market, live music, summer visitors, and Green River Rendezvous just around the corner, our parks, streets, businesses, and public spaces will be doing exactly what they are meant to do: bringing people together.
This Saturday, the Town will host its Fourth of July celebration at American Legion Park. The day will include the Farmers Market, a community BBQ and picnic, live music through the Pinedale Fine Arts Council’s summer concert series, and fireworks at sunset, with prime viewing from the Dudley Key Sports Complex. I hope residents and visitors alike will come out, enjoy the day, and take part in one of the simple traditions that makes small-town life special.
The Pinedale Fine Arts Council summer concert series is also a good reminder of why these community partnerships matter. Events like Concerts in the Park are enjoyable for residents, but they also bring people downtown, support restaurants, shops, lodging, and local vendors, and help make Pinedale a more vibrant place during the summer months.
By the time my next “Minute” is published, Green River Rendezvous will be underway. Rendezvous remains one of Pinedale’s defining traditions, connecting our community to the history of the mountain men, the fur trade, and the early gatherings that helped shape this region. It is also one of our busiest weeks of the year, and I want to thank the volunteers, businesses, organizations, Town staff, and residents who help make it possible.
This season, residents will see renewed activity at 210 W. Pine Street. The sod is now in, and the space will host multiple vendors during Rendezvous. That site has been a visible example of the Town’s effort to turn an underused downtown property into a more active public space. Like our parks and pathways, it will only work well if we all treat it with care. Please help keep public spaces clean, respect nearby property, and leave things ready for the next family, vendor, or event.
With more people in town, I would also ask everyone to be patient and attentive. Again, please slow down around crosswalks, parks, and event areas; watch for children, pedestrians, and cyclists; and give yourself a little extra time when parking or traveling through town. A busy summer weekend is a good problem to have, but it works best when we look out for one another.
Finally, as many of us head into the mountains for hiking, camping, fishing, and summer recreation, please be fire aware. Recent fire activity in the region is a reminder that one careless moment can put firefighters, public lands, private property, and communities at risk. Please be careful with campfires, vehicles, trailers, fireworks, and anything else that could spark a fire.
As always, the public is welcome at Town Council meetings. Our next meeting is Monday, July 13 at 5:00 p.m., and questions are always welcome.
June 25, 2026
Hello Pinedale,
At Monday’s meeting, the Town Council completed third and final reading and adopted the FY 2027 budget. I recognize that budgets may not be exciting, but they are really plans for how the Town maintains services, invests in infrastructure, and prepares for future needs. This year’s budget also includes several steps intended to make our finances clearer and more disciplined, including separate tracking for newly revised state Direct Distribution funds and reserves for future street needs.
Council also continued taking steps related to long-term planning. The newly created drought contingency reserve sets aside $100,000 within the Water Fund for possible emergency water-supply or water-system needs. While the Town has good storage rights in Fremont Lake, changing reservoir conditions or Colorado River Compact-related water administration could create practical challenges if water levels fall low enough to require temporary pumping or other measures. The new chip seal reserve will help the Town preserve funds for future pavement preservation projects, especially after this year’s chip seal bids showed how expensive smaller stand-alone projects can become. Water, streets, parks, and public spaces all require steady planning long before there is an emergency or a visible failure.
Council also approved the mayoral appointment of Katherine Tolley to the Park & Tree Board and the reappointment of Tesa Manning to the Planning & Zoning Commission, where Tesa has done a great job. These volunteer boards do important, often unseen work that helps shape the community. I appreciate those who willingly give their time in monthly service to Pinedale, and I would encourage residents who may be interested in serving on a board or commission in the future to contact Town Hall.
Council also adopted clearer rules for Town parks and 210 W. Pine Street. Most of these rules are common sense: clean up after yourself, respect nearby property, protect grass and irrigation, and leave public spaces ready for the next family or event. Unfortunately, we continue to see littering, misuse, and occasional vandalism in our parks. These spaces belong to all of us, and damage or cleanup costs are ultimately paid by the public. A little care from everyone helps keep our parks welcoming, clean, and safe. If you see litter and can safely pick it up, please do. If you see misuse or vandalism, a respectful word may sometimes help, but serious or ongoing problems should be reported to Town staff or law enforcement.
Council also updated the Town’s water and sewer late-fee structure. Previously, late fees were set as fixed charges that increased the longer an account remained unpaid. The updated approach moves to a simpler percentage-based late fee on past-due balances. The purpose is to make the policy clearer, easier to administer, and fairer across accounts of different sizes, while helping keep the utility funds healthy.
The Pinedale Travel and Tourism Commission also reported another strong year, with lodging-tax revenue representing approximately $8.7 million in local lodging receipts, up from about $6.5 million in 2019. These funds are restricted for promoting travel and tourism, especially overnight stays in our hotels and short-term rentals — or, as we say, “heads in beds.” Lodging-tax dollars help support events such as Rocky Mountain STOL, Rendezvous, Brew Fest, Race to Raise, Stage Stop, youth sports tournaments, and arts programming. These events benefit residents and bring visitors to Pinedale. Statewide tourism data shows that visitor spending extends well beyond lodging, because travelers also buy meals, fuel, supplies, entertainment, and services. That is the goal: bring people to Pinedale, support local businesses, and help visitor dollars circulate through the local economy.
Finally, as more of us head into the mountains for hiking, camping, and summer recreation, please be especially fire aware. A new Kinky Creek Fire has started in the Gros Ventre Wilderness, and regional fire danger is already high. Pinedale Airport is expected to support firefighting operations as helicopters stage here to assist with the response. Please be careful with campfires, vehicles, trailers, and anything that could spark a fire. One careless moment can put firefighters, public lands, and private property at risk.
As always, the public is welcome at Town Council meetings. Our next meeting is Monday, July 13 at 5:00 p.m., and questions are always welcome.
June 18, 2026
Hello Pinedale,
The Town’s FY 2027 budget has now passed second reading and continues to move toward final adoption on June 22. The updated budget maintains balanced day-to-day operations while responsibly setting aside funds for major infrastructure, equipment, airport, street, pathway, and utility needs. It also creates a clearer separate fund for state Direct Distribution dollars provided through 2026 legislation, helping show how those funds will be used for practical maintenance priorities like equipment, building repairs, and crosswalk striping. Overall, this budget reflects careful planning: maintaining core services today while preparing for the needs Pinedale will face in the years ahead.
With the budget moving forward, it is worth remembering that municipal budgets are not just spreadsheets. They support the parks, streets, equipment, public spaces, public safety coordination, utilities, and staff work that make community life possible. That becomes especially visible in summer, when Pinedale is full of activity and many organizations are working together to welcome residents and visitors.
As part of the budget, the Town is also continuing practical safety improvements such as crosswalk striping. With more children, bicyclists, pedestrians, and visitors moving around town in the summer, consider this a friendly reminder from someone who is nearly missed in crosswalks more often than I would like: drivers, please slow down and watch carefully at crossings. For bicyclists, the safest and clearest practice is to hop off and walk your bike across the crosswalk. If you ride through a crosswalk, you may not be treated the same as a pedestrian; if you walk your bike across, you are clearly acting as one. A little extra caution from everyone can make a busy summer safer.
I am especially looking forward to this year’s Town of Pinedale Fourth of July Celebration at American Legion Park. The day will include our community picnic and potluck, with the Town providing hamburgers and hot dogs, the Pinedale Farmers Market continuing until 1:00 p.m., live music from the Pinedale Fine Arts Council beginning later in the afternoon, and fireworks at sundown from the Dudley Key Ballfields. As our country marks 250 years, it seems fitting to gather in a simple, local way: sharing food, listening to music, seeing neighbors, and remembering that self-government is lived most directly in communities like ours.
The following week, Pinedale will welcome Green River Rendezvous, July 9–12. Rendezvous remains one of our defining community traditions, drawing together the parade, pageant, vendors, Museum of the Mountain Man events, local businesses, volunteers, residents, and visitors. It is a good reminder that Pinedale’s history is not only something we look back on, but something we continue to steward and share.
The Town is also continuing to accept applications to fill the Council seat vacated by Scott Kosiba. Service on the Council requires time, preparation, and a willingness to listen, learn, and work through difficult issues. If you have considered becoming involved in local government, I would encourage you to submit an application before the June 25 deadline.
As always, the public is welcome at Town Council meetings. Our next meeting is Monday, June 22 at 5:00 p.m., and questions are always welcome.
June 11, 2026
Hello Pinedale,
Much of local government involves balancing today's needs with tomorrow's responsibilities. Several items from Monday's Council meeting reflect exactly that challenge.
This week the Town will begin accepting applications to fill the Town Council seat being vacated by Scott Kosiba. Scott was first elected in 2022 and has served the community thoughtfully and faithfully during his time on Council. I want to thank him for his service and willingness to dedicate his time and energy to the Town. We are grateful for his contributions and wish him and his family all the best in whatever comes next. Applications will be accepted by close of business June 25th, with interviews and appointment anticipated at the July 13 Town Council meeting.
For those who may be interested in applying, serving on the Town Council is a meaningful but real commitment. In addition to two regular Council meetings each month, Council members are typically expected to attend at least one board or commission meeting, review agenda materials, respond to citizen questions and concerns, and participate in budget and planning discussions. Realistically, prospective Council members should expect to dedicate twenty or more hours each month to the position. If you care about the future of Pinedale and are willing to invest the time, I would encourage you to consider applying.
Council will also hold a budget workshop on June 15 as we begin development of the FY27 budget. Communities across Wyoming continue to face rising infrastructure and maintenance costs, and Pinedale is no exception. Earlier this spring, Council reviewed a proposed chip-seal program totaling roughly $830,000 for the Lincoln Street and Fox Willow areas. In an effort to reduce costs, Council asked staff to separate the projects and rebid only the Fox Willow portion. Even then, the revised bid came back with mobilization costs representing more than half of the approximately $255,000 project cost. Mobilization refers to the cost of bringing equipment, crews, traffic control, and materials into place before the actual work begins. On a larger project, those fixed costs are usually spread across more work; on a smaller project, they can become a much larger percentage of the total. After discussion, Council determined it was not prudent to proceed under the current bid structure and instead will explore incorporating the work into a larger future project where those costs can be spread more efficiently.
This illustrates one of the challenges facing communities across Wyoming. Routine maintenance remains essential, but the cost of performing that maintenance has increased dramatically in recent years. At the same time, postponing maintenance is rarely free. Infrastructure does not usually fail all at once. It deteriorates gradually until repairs become significantly more expensive. Engineers often estimate that a dollar spent on preventive maintenance can avoid four to ten dollars in future rehabilitation or reconstruction costs. That reality makes infrastructure planning one of the most important - and challenging - responsibilities of local government.
The Town's digital portal through Blueblade is now live and will help streamline permitting, licensing, and other interactions with Town administration. What began in Pinedale through a National League of Cities’ grant is now expanding through the Wyoming Association of Municipalities as part of a broader statewide effort to modernize local government services and improve access for residents and businesses alike.
Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Wyoming Association of Municipalities Summer Convention in Laramie, where municipal leaders from across the state gathered to discuss issues facing Wyoming communities. While every community is different, many are grappling with the same issues we see here in Pinedale involving infrastructure costs, housing, economic development, permitting, and local government finance. I also had the opportunity to moderate a gubernatorial forum featuring the three announced candidates for Governor, discussing issues ranging from local control and municipal finance to housing, infrastructure, and economic development.
As always, the public is welcome at Town Council meetings. Our special budget workshop is Monday, June 15th at 10:30 a.m., which is open to the public, and residents are encouraged to attend.