May 12, 2026
Hello Pinedale, some weeks remind us more directly that a town is really built through people, traditions, volunteerism, and the long-term work of caring for a community. This time of year brings many of those things together at once — schools preparing for graduation, crews preparing for summer work, organizations planning events, and neighbors beginning to gather outdoors again.
First, congratulations in advance to the Skyline Academy Class of 2026, which will graduate May 28, and the Pinedale High School Class of 2026, which will graduate May 29 at 6:00 p.m. at Sheppard Auditorium. Since COVID, the Town and SCSD #1 will once again place senior banners on our main street light poles, a tradition that has become a meaningful way for the broader community to recognize and celebrate our graduates as they prepare for what comes next. It is a simple tradition, but a good one. We are proud of these students and grateful for the families, teachers, coaches, mentors, and community members who helped them reach this milestone.
Looking ahead, this year’s Fourth of July will also carry special significance as our nation marks its 250th anniversary. The Town would like to make the annual community barbecue and potluck a fuller community event, with games, vendors, crafts, and information tables for nonprofits, churches, and civic groups. More information will come from Town Hall, but this is a good opportunity for organizations to begin thinking about how they might participate. At its best, July 4th is not only a celebration of independence, but also a reminder of shared citizenship, gratitude, and the work of building community together.
That theme also showed up at this month’s meeting of the Sublette County Resource Network. Across our community, organizations are quietly doing important work: the Backpack Program has completed another successful year and is expanding partnerships; Rendezvous Pointe is looking for volunteer drivers as it explores expanding Meals on Wheels; the Summer Lunch Program begins June 9 and daily serves 35-40 local children during the summer months; and local groups continue to coordinate support for families, seniors, youth, and those facing difficult transitions. Much of this work happens without much attention, but it is part of what makes a small community strong.
At this Monday’s Town Council meeting, one practical infrastructure issue also came before Council in our discussion of this year’s annual chip-seal work. The initial estimate was approximately $827,000 for about 60,000 square yards of street maintenance, compared to roughly $400,000 for 45,000 square yards last year — an increase of roughly 55% per square yard in just one year. Because of the increased cost, Council discussed the likelihood that the Town may only be able to move forward with the Fox Willow neighborhood during FY26, while potentially setting aside funding for the larger Lincoln-area work in FY27. No final decision has been made, and those discussions will continue as Council begins work on the FY26 budget in June. Some of this increase is tied to petroleum-related costs, and some reflects broader construction inflation. Either way, it illustrates a challenge we have discussed before: routine maintenance is getting more expensive, and delaying it usually costs more later. This is the kind of long-term infrastructure pressure many Wyoming communities are currently facing.
As always, the public is welcome at Town Council meetings. Due to Memorial Day, our next meeting is Wednesday, May 20 at 5:00 p.m., and questions are always welcome.
May 5, 2026
Hello Pinedale,
As I write this week’s note, snow falls in Pinedale again, which is still fairly typical for a Pinedale spring, and we begin looking toward summer, there are a few updates and opportunities worth sharing.
Among the multiple reports I receive, the recent data from the University of Wyoming’s monthly CREW reports, along with Pinedale’s travel and tourism trends, continue to reflect gradual shifts in Wyoming’s economy. While energy remains central, communities like Pinedale are seeing more seasonal visitation and a broader mix of activity. That pattern is also being noted outside the state — in fact,* Pinedale was recently mentioned in a national Travel + Leisure article highlighting mountain communities drawing increased interest. Some will welcome that, others will not, but change is part of the reality in front of us.
That shift brings both opportunity and responsibility, and at times tension. Supporting local businesses and jobs matters, but so does making sure that infrastructure, housing, and services keep pace. The question is not whether change comes, but how it is directed and how we preserve what makes this community special and unique. As these trends continue, the Town Council remains focused on thoughtful, locally driven decisions intended to protect the character and quality of life that define Pinedale, even as our community continues to evolve.
I also want to give a personal shout out to my friend Valerie Lee, who recently performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City under composer Eric Whitacre. Val was selected by Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) to participate in this performance alongside singers from around the world. Many in our community know her through her long involvement in local arts, including co-founding the Pinedale Theatre Company and directing Voices 8 and the Sisters of the Heart women’s hospice choir. It is great to see someone so invested in this community recognized on such a stage.
And I want to thank Town staff for the steady work they do every day to keep Pinedale running well.
There are also several upcoming opportunities for community involvement. The Town is currently accepting proposals for annual service contracts, with submissions due by May 13 at 4:00 p.m. Pinedale Travel & Tourism is accepting applications for its 2026–27 grant cycle, supporting events that bring visitors to the area, with a deadline of May 14 at noon. In addition, vendor applications for this summer’s Green River Rendezvous are now open. These opportunities are a reminder that many of the events and services in our community depend on local participation and initiative.
Following Tuesday’s municipal election, I also want to thank the residents of Pinedale for the opportunity to continue serving as Mayor for another term. Local government works best when people stay engaged, ask questions, vote, and remain invested in the future of the community. I am grateful for the continued trust and support, and it remains a privilege to serve this town alongside the Town Council, staff, and community.
As always, I encourage you to reach out directly to me or any member of the Town Council. We are always glad to talk in person or by phone and make sure information is clear and understood. The public is always welcome at Town Council meetings, and our next meeting is May 11 at 5:00 p.m. Questions are always welcome.
April 27, 2026
Hello Pinedale,
As we move further into spring, with a bit of needed snow!, and begin looking toward summer, much of the Town’s work shifts into preparation – both visible and behind the scenes – to make sure the season ahead runs smoothly.
Public Works crews are actively transitioning into spring and summer operations, including street sweeping, park and restroom maintenance, and preparing ballfields and public spaces. At the same time, water and wastewater staff continue required sampling, infrastructure repairs, and ongoing system maintenance – much of it behind the scenes, but essential to keeping the community functioning well day to day. I want to give our crews a well-deserved thank you for the steady work they do to keep Pinedale running well.
Several people have asked me lately about the status of the US-191 (Pine Street) corridor project, which is both a Wyoming highway and our town’s main street, creating some natural tension between those roles. Perhaps surprisingly, Pine Street carries approximately 6–8,000 vehicles per day and serves both through traffic and local access. The project began as a WYDOT-led effort, with input from the Town, and the design – developed with public input in 2024 – has already been agreed upon. Construction is anticipated in 2028, and design materials are available on the Town’s website for those who would like to review them. The project is expected to be supported through a combination of WYDOT, federal SS4A funding, and State matching funds, a coordinated effort across multiple levels of government. The plan includes improvements to traffic flow and pedestrian access, with the goal of ensuring Pine Street continues to function well for both travelers and the local community as activity continues to grow.
Many have also asked about the status of Rendezvous, which remains scheduled for July 9–12. This year, vendor coordination will be led by the Sublette County Pony Club, while the Green River Rendezvous Pageant Association will continue to organize the parade and the “Meet Me on the Green” pageant program. The Museum of the Mountain Man will once again host its programming, bringing history to life through demonstrations, exhibits, and educational events for residents and visitors. Rendezvous remains a strong example of how multiple organizations come together to create something that reflects the character and history of our community.
The Town was also informed on Monday night that the 5th penny petition effort has been completed. A special thank you to the Sublette County Chamber of Commerce for taking on a leadership role in coordinating this effort, as well as for helping organize upcoming candidate forums and civic discussions. The petition is expected to move forward through the County process to be considered for the August primary ballot. As that process continues, I would encourage residents to take time to learn about the issue, ask questions, and participate in the vote. The ability for taxpayers to consider and decide on measures like this is an important part of how we shape our community’s future together.
And as always, I encourage you to reach out directly to me or any member of the Town Council. We are always glad to talk in person or by phone and make sure information is clear and understood. The public is always welcome at Town Council meetings, and our next meeting is May 11th at 5:00 p.m. Questions are always welcome.