Vol. 31, No. 6, 6. Executive Director's Report.

• Author: Author: Sleeter C. Dover

Wyoming Bar Journal

2008.

Vol. 31, No. 6, 6.

Executive Director's Report

Wyoming Bar Journal Issue: December, 2008 Author: Sleeter C. Dover Executive Director's Report

The Ties That BindFrom where I sit, there are gaps that not only interrupt, but actually sever the ties that bind the Wyoming State Bar with our service population. This not being Independence Day, I will not roll out the old tried-and-true, stirring speeches crafted to generate pride and commitment to the ideals of our American precepts and creeds. I will not make impassioned pleas to the sitting bar nor will I assert or present the available statistics and anecdotal heart-wrenching stories that find their way before the State Bar staff each day. Guilt-inducing pleas will not be a part of this commentary.

I have no intention whatsoever of interrupting your joyous holiday season with sad and disheartening stories of woe. I mean, clearly there is nothing you could do to help or remedy some of the dire circumstances many of our fellow citizens find themselves in. You and I are not responsible for their plight, or even in many instances, their even being in Wyoming in the first place. Of what concern of ours is it that "outsiders" from other states in the Union find themselves here taking advantage of our great state and its natural and physical attributes. Why, many of them even have the audacity to send financial aid "back home" to their fellow "outsiders" under the guise of providing for their families. Oh, and if there is such interest in providing for their families, why in H E double hockey sticks are their families not here with them!? Huh!? Please tell me that! And don't give me this baloney about not having appropriate and affordable housing for families. I mean, these folks are making lots and lots of money, and shouldn't they be able to buy housing? Okay, okay, I admit that there may not be any available housing to either rent or buy - .but is that OUR fault!? I think not.

And another thing--who are they? Where did they come from? Why are they here? Well sure, our prideful natural resource industry has, and is, humming along and growing by leaps and bounds, and I suppose in many instances it takes a certain trained and qualified workforce to insure the safe and efficient continuation of such a successful and bountiful benefit. True, in many...