Taxes, Timelines, and Transparency: The 3/4-Cent Sales Tax

By Carol Harper

I recently made several lenghty comments on a friend's Facebook post regarding their opposition to the 3/4-cent sales tax. The heading on the post was capitalized, surrounded by emojis, reading: "COMMUNITY SAFETY SHOULD NOT COVER AIRLINE DEFICITS AND POLITICAL RAISES. VOTE NO ON THE 3/4% SALES TAX."

Folks can get sucked into anything on social media. Everyone can have their opinions and biases, often to the point of torches and pitchforks. But today, I am writing this because there has been a lot of misguidance and misunderstanding as to the reason why this 3/4-cent sales tax is on the ballot.

This is for informational and educational purposes; I'm not going to tell you how to vote. But it is apparent that folks need to get an understanding of what has been happening for the past nine months that got us here.

The first thing that first responders do is: Assess the scene. So kinda consider me in the role of  "dispatcher" in my attempt to help you get that understanding.

(Please read this in its entirety, I put a lot of work into this. LOL)

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September 2025

• JCFKS is formed, with the first meeting held in the training room of the Riverton ambulance station. From there, the committee meets weekly.

• An email group is formed by FCAG Administrator Tim Nicols. Includes all mayors of FCAG, commissioners, public leaders, local and regional media, the communities, and all interested parties, with agendas and minutes, and a Zoom link is created for all meetings, which are public and welcomes public comment.

• Members of the committee are invited to do ride-alongs with EMS providers to understand day-to-day operations.

• Members and advisory sub-committee collect information and data for all three services, starting with the ambulance service, since it is the most critical and the contract between the County and Priority Ambulance ends June 30, 2026.

• JCFKS Chairperson Mick Pryor and other members of JCFKS attend the public meeting regarding the Rural Health Transformation Act in Wyoming in Lander.

November 2025

• Full recommendation report delivered by JCFKS to FCAG by their November deadline. The funding alternatives were presented.

• FCAG moves that the JCFKS move forward in researching the funding alternatives. JCFKS continues their research and data collection.

Challenges:

• The State of Wyoming does not recognize EMS as an essential service, putting the burden upon the people and their local governments.

• Data provided from the County is outdated by 10 years (2016).

• Important and relevant information and documents are withheld from the County and were not accessible to the JCFKS to make accurate evaluations and estimations as to costs.

• No transparency by the County as to whether the contract with Priority will be renewed, or the ambulance service would be put out for RFP (deadline June 30, 2026)

• Only one member of the JCFKS took up the offer to do ride-alongs with the EMS crews.

January-May 2026

JCFKS recognizes that, in order to proceed with one of the alternatives (a sales tax), there is a legal process required and to be followed in order to get an initiative on the August ballot. Deadlines for the committee were established; resolutions were presented by the JCFKS to the county, municipalities of FCAG, as well as the Intertribal Council. A majority of FCAG municipalities passed the resolution. A PAC was formed.

March 2026

The Regional Ambulance Service Evaluation Committee is formed as a partnering committee with the JCFKS. How the ambulance service will be funded continues to be the top priority, whether or not the ¾-cent sales tax passes.

Current Challenges:

• As the June 30 contract deadline draws near, Commissioner Mike Jones is largely absent from the RASEC meetings. The County Commission is still not transparent about negotiations and fate of the ambulance service. No agreement to date.

• The RASEC is not led by current EMS leadership and providers, but by the Shoshoni Chief of Police, creating a conflict of interest. Note: Shoshoni had purchased their own BLS (Basic Life Saving) ambulance and recently seceded from the ¾ cent sales tax, with Dubois doing the same.

• RASEC Chairperson (law enforcement) hinders the progress of the JCFKS under FCAG at the last meeting, and allows the County control of the narrative of the process(es), delaying would-be progress that was already initiated back in September. (NOTE: The other option on the table is to pursue the possibilities of getting EMS back as a county-run service. This is currently under rigorous review; however, solutions for a solid, sustainable service are nowhere near complete, and could not realistically be implemented or sustainable for an estimated 1.5 to 2 years, given the state of the County’s severe depreciation of EMS assets re: ambulances and stations, plus the associated inflationary costs, upkeep, repair, maintenance, etc.)

• The public has been not present for public comment or input. (Some/very few have.) Social media posts explode with opposition to the ¾-cent sales tax based upon opinions. Due to the lack of public interest, participation and understanding of this funding option and the understanding of the role of the JCFKS, false narratives are created and widespread. The PAC is unprepared for the backlash.

• Current “State of the Stations”: In the meantime, morale is very low. The EMS service is severely understaffed during a peak season, and the crews are exhausted. EMS providers aren’t picking up additional shifts, and/or are leaving to take better paying jobs elsewhere, either in or out of state. There are community events (rodeos, fairs, festivals) and a heightened wildfire season that additionally burdens the crews to be on standby.

Summary/Commentary:

When the time of need arrives, the time for preparation has passed. FCAG had the foresight to act upon the economic needs of three key services back in August/September. Knowing that Wyoming doesn’t recognize EMS as an essential service, but that their constituents do…and knowing that the contract between the County and Priority expires on June 30th, FCAG made the ambulance service the top priority. As you can clearly see, the 3/4 -cent sales tax was the only option due to the urgency of the situation, and this has been continually reflected in their decision-making processes.

So to ask: "Where did the money go? at this point, now? Too late. The money is not there; that question was already asked! The County Commissioners should have been transparent with the public from the very beginning and for the past 10 years as to how our EMS services are run under a corporate entity, and every time the service transitioned under a new corporation. They were not.

So...if you really want to know where the money went? Ask your Commissioners! They’re the ones who put the service out for RFP. They’re the ones making decisions behind closed doors. They’re the ones who are wined and dined by corporate interests (which is illegal, by the way). They’re the ones who don’t do their due diligence and consult with their EMS director, staff, and providers before making those decisions, which is why our EMTs had no choice but to unionize for fair wages (which are still the lowest in the state). There has been no oversight of funds and expenditures, no public or oversight committee keeping the Commissioners accountable. If there were, the JCFKS wouldn’t have had to struggle with cost estimations in order to make sustainability projections.

If you vote against the 3/4 -cent sales tax, the problems won’t disappear. The issues and the impacts remain:

• Uncertainty and/or disappearance of sustainable ambulance services for present and future generations.

• Lack of transparency, foresight, and financial mismanagement by the County Commissioners in funding a critical, life-saving service.

• Lack of interest and investment in maintaining and improving the service (aging ambulances and equipment, competitive wages to attract EMS providers, etc.)

• Lack of public interest, attendance, and input until problems are exacerbated.

• Political obstructionism and grandstanding that divides leaders, city/town/tribal councils and citizens, delaying

If you do vote for the 3/4 -cent sales tax, there will at least be enough funding to get through the challenges and hurdles as we progress towards a sustainable model for the service to get back to being locally owned and operated. As of now, there is nothing, and the County continues to apathetically decide the fate of the service with corporate entities.

This is a passive tax that both businesses and consumers pay into, that even tourists and visitors will pay when they visit our county. But mind you, this isn’t just “free money” to be spent how the County or municipalities please, or to continue to rob Peter to pay Paul. They’re not available for private or start-up businesses to apply for (The half-cent in 2021 didn’t pass because of this, and this is what got us into this ‘no-vote’ mindset in the first place.)

And I get the opposition. Some folks I've spoken with say that they definitely want the ambulance service and transportation, but not the airport. I also hear folks saying that they’d vote for it if it were just ambulance service. Still more think that transportation needs to get more and the airport less. Believe me, I get it! But remember...the time for public comment and input is over, done...and this isn’t like choosing whether you want Hunts or Heinz ketchup for your hot dog. The reality is that the County Commissioners are choosing for us without any oversight (you will have Heinz ketchup, whether you like it or not).

This sales tax has a sunset date in four years. So if, in four years, you don’t want the airport and transportation, we can just put EMS back on the ballot. OR…maybe we wouldn’t even need to, if FCAG’s JCFKS has successfully assisted us all with a sustainable model for a locally-run service again. Wouldn’t that be nice!

But in the meantime, give your ambulance service a fighting chance! And please! Vote wisely in the upcoming elections when it comes to your County Commissioners and city councils. Vote for those who will be accountable, transparent, and accessible to their constituents. Vote for those who accept oversight for their actions and transactions, not just force their way into the processes mid-stream. Vote for those who will respect and listen to those on the front lines of EMS and actually know how the operations work and what they entail, boots on the ground. Vote for someone who will show up! I have more respect for a leader who might not know the answer(s), but say: “I don’t know, but I will do my best to find out and get back to you”...rather than table it until another meeting, sweep it under the rug, stick their heads in the sand, be asleep at the wheel, ignore the problems and slap bandaids on it…until it becomes a critical issue, and then they bring garden hoses to a wildfire in the form of opinionated rhetoric.

And be rightly informed and educated! Opinions are not facts. If you have concerns, questions, or inquiries, go to a JCFKS meeting at WRTA, or listen in via Zoom on Wednesdays at 12:00 PM. 

And if you want to “Ask An EMT” email me at: fremontcountyems@gmail.com. Come do a ride-along! Sure, you can have ambulances and stations, but there is no service at all without our providers! Talk to those who know what's going on in the field now, today...because EMS is not the same as it was yesterday.

Funding critical services like an ambulance service isn't a problem here in Fremont County. It's a problem all across the nation, so I'll say it again: If you want to know the truth about your community, ask a first responder.

Thank you for reading!

Coffee With A View: We, the Powerful

After the American Revolution, George Washington went home. Then he went back to preside over the Constitutional Convention, became the first U.S. President, resigned from the Continental Army, and then…he went home.

For those who call Wyoming home, our way of Life is either as simple or as complicated as we make it. But leaving a legacy–your stamp on the timeline–isn’t about the business of politics. It is very much about that way of life, and how it is genuinely served and lived.

And Life is in a state of constant motion. The ocean is a perfect example in observation of powerful waves and breakers, turbulent undercurrents, ebbs and flows, silently rising tides with forces that can flow into unyielding rushing rivers..and with over 70% of the planet covered by water, it is a power that is often underestimated.

I think that many were unprepared for Hurricane Trump. Whatever side (or middle) of the political spectrum you’re on, it is not difficult to ascertain that the cause and effects have been beneficial for a few, but devastating for the unprivileged many who are drowning, suffering, dying, or trying to pick up the pieces of a shattered life. Yet, every election year, no matter what the state of disaster, there is a consistent power of its own that reveals itself…

The Power of the Voter.

Once again, as we deal with all the propaganda, sign and billboard pollution, grandstanding, name-dropping, mudslinging, crabs-in-a-barrel mentalities, the barraging social media campaigns of candidates tooting their own horns…the power of the vote still remains in the hands of We the People. And it can be very difficult to swim through the soup, drown out the noise, and try to reach the shore with an educated vote that we hope won’t compromise our lives, liberties, and pursuits of happiness. You have to choose the right people to do the right things for the right reasons.

But who are the right people? What are the right things? The election year circus is on the road, and my approach this year is to act as my own ‘ring leader’ and ask myself: What is my criteria for a candidate who is vying for my vote?

Here’s my own list; let me know if yours might be similar. These are not typical questions a political panel moderator might ask…it’s more like a job interviewer. But these are things that are important to me as one who holds the power of the vote. (And this is my short list!)

• Do they make statements or promises during campaigns, then excuses once they’re in office…pass the buck and do the blame game? I really don’t know how much more gaslighting this country can take.

• Are they honest, trustworthy, and accountable? Why should I trust them with the keys of the city, the county, the state, the nation? Are they fiscally responsible, or do they play the shell game and rob Peter to pay Paul? Do they steal ideas from others and call them their own? Do they take undue credit? Do they listen to gossip and hearsay? Do they spin the truth?

• Do they manage their time wisely? Do they know the demands of the job? Time management is important; do they meet deadlines? Are they present or absent? Do they account for their time wisely, or create more bottlenecks by dropping the ball because of the lack of preparation? Do they table important issues and let them slip between the cracks, hoping they’ll go away and/or unnoticed? Do they have answers or report their findings at the next meeting, or did they make excuses for lack of due diligence? Do they have any foresight, or just fly by the seat of their pants? Or do they just float along with the status quo?

• Are they transparent? Communication is key. Do they make decisions behind closed doors, then pass edicts and decisions that affect an unaware public? Do they omit important information that the public has a right to know? Can they admit if they’ve made mistakes, and do their best to rectify them…or do they deflect? Does the left hand know what the right hand’s doing?

• Are they accessible to their constituents? Do they manage their communications effectively…answer their phones, return messages, answer emails? Do they follow up?

• Do they pander to their political affiliation? Do their party cohorts, friends, family, colleagues, etc. influence or do the thinking for them? Are they genuinely considerate and listen, or are they distracted elsewhere and can't be bothered? Are they team players, or dismissive of We the People? Do they objectively base their thoughts and decisions on facts or mere opinion?

• Are they above the law? Do they think the law doesn’t apply to them, and hire attorneys and fixers to save face? Contrary to this nation's declining state of integrity…character, morals and values still matter to me. A lot.

• Are they hypocritical? Do they practice what they preach? Are they two-faced? Matthew 23 says it all. Look it up.

• Are they wise? You can be intelligent, but not very smart. You can also be smart, but not very intelligent. With experience comes wisdom, and with that comes an understanding about the people you serve. Do they consult with those who might be more wise and experienced?

• For the re-elected: Are they resting on their laurels? If they are, maybe it’s time for them to go home.

• Are they sober-minded? Effects of alcohol on the brain include: Impaired judgement and decision-making, slow reaction time, poor coordination and balance, memory problems, and mood changes. Even if one might say they’re moderate or a “social drinker” it doesn’t take away from the lasting effects that alcohol has on critical thinking skills. I had friends that would joke around about being “functional” alcoholics. Really. Functional? Does that include the hangover, associated headaches, and lack of motivation the next day? I remember my drinking days, and quite honestly, I would’ve called myself anything but functional!

I know, this is quite a wish list, and believe me, I’m not looking for superhumans here. But I’ll tell you right now, I would have more respect for our elected officials, regardless of political affiliation, if I knew that these were the qualities they hold.

And, at the same time, there is a responsibility that We the People have in order to hold our leaders accountable, long after the elections are over:

• Can we accept the outcome of the elections and move forward, not back?

• Do we show up at city council or commissioner meetings? Do we show up to the relevant committee/sub-committee meetings? If the public isn’t present to comment for the record, what is it we expect?

• Do we really understand the issues, and call out our elected officials if they are doing something untowards? Do we take the time to communicate with them, or write letters to the editor?

• Are we a part of the problems, or the solutions?

If we aren’t doing our due diligence, we have no room to talk when the rains come, streams rise, and winds blow (Matthew 7: 24-27) We do more damage playing armchair politics in front of our glowing screens, pointing fingers, complaining, throwing out misguided opinions, thinking we’re experts and authority on any given subject, splashing misinformation in the mudpuddles of social media.

What kind of legacy will your candidates leave? Once in office, our leaders need the ability to take the helm and steer, even through uncharted waters and storms that lie ahead. Not an easy job! Help them to be better, do better. Hold them accountable, so when they go home at the end of the day...or the end of their term(s)...they can know that they were that right person who did the right things for the right reasons for the People who cared enough to believe they could.

"Elections belong to the people. It's their decision.

If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds,

then they will just have to sit on their blisters."

- Abraham Lincoln

History Lessons: "We Are Here For Them."

Carol Harper

When I visited Washington D.C. in November and walked through Arlingon National Cemetery, nothing could prepare me for the vast amount of graves. The above photo is just one section of the entire cemetery, and there was a point on our walk where myself and fellow Stars of Life friends fell silent. The reverence. The awe. There are no words.

At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was where it really hit home: The living...ourselves and the crowd around us...and the unknown dead. The Marines changing guard, keeping constant watch. Being there in person made a lasting impact on me.

This last Saturday I assisted the American Legion and VFW with putting Memorial Day flags next to the graves of our fallen heroes. My section included my Grandpa Stephen A. Starks (WWI). My birth grandfather, Frank Quintana, was a pilot in WWII, and all I remember is seeing the newspaper clipping of his obituary. My birth father was in both the Navy and the Marines, and served in Vietnam.  My uncle Jim Starks served in the Army 82nd Airborne Division, and my uncle Ralph Starks served in the Navy (Korean War) as a radarman on the U.S.S. Tingey, and in his obituary, it reads: "Though Ralph was proud of his service, he was equally troubled that the path of war is often too quickly chosen by nations."

I had a lot of flags to place in my section of Mountain View cemetery, and I was able to place all of them...except for one. I searched everywhere, and knew I was in the right place, but a headstone or plaque was nowhere to be found. As I narrowed my search down, I noticed a rectangular patch of dry grass in a space between all of the graves, as if it would be a place where a plaque would be laid, but there were no other identifying factors for the name on my list. So I placed the flag next to the patch of dry grass, and stood there in silence.

As I got ready to leave, I stood back and viewed my entire section and said a prayer, and on my drive home, my thoughts flooded back to Arlington and all of the tombstones. The names of those MIA. The countless lives lost. That freedom comes at a great cost, and that I am here, now...living and breathing in what I believe to be the most beautiful state in the nation. 

The weather was perfect for today's Memorial Day service. The speech that Commander Nancy Eustice delivered was beautiful, and rather than summarize, I would like to share it with you below. Whereas I had, and to this day, have no words to describe the ultimate sacrifices made for all of us, here they are:

Veterans, Family, Friends, and Honored Guests,

Since the founding of the United States 250 years ago, it is estimated that more than 558 million Americans and immigrants have called this nation home. More than 1.1 million of them have died defending the United States in wars and combat actions since the American Revolution. Each one had a story. Each one had a family. Each one left behind a legacy of service and sacrifice.

The crosses at Normandy. The graves at Arlington.

The 1,885 to 1,900 Wyomingites who have given their lives in defense of our nation since statehood in 1890. And the fallen heroes who rest in places unknown.

We are here for them.

How could we not be moved by the breathtaking sacrifices that generations of Americans have made--and continue to make--on our behalf?

We do not forget, because we are here for them.

For 250 years, Americans have answered the call to defend liberty, preserve freedom, and protect the ideals upon which this nation was founded. Throughout that history, Wyoming's sons and daughters have proundly stood among them.

This year, as we commemorate 250 years of American independence, we honor their service, remember their sacrifice, and reaffirm our commitment to preserving the freedoms they helped secure.

We are here for them.

From those who threw themselves upon grenades to save their comrades, to those who gave their lives rescuing shipmates from the sea, this day reminds us that ordinary Americans have often displayed extraordinary courage.

Yet Memorial Day is not only about those who fell on distant battlefields. It is also about those left behind.

We must never forget the families of our fallen. Long after the guns have fallen silent and the bombs have stopped exploding, children still miss a parent. Spouses continue their lives without their partners. Parents carry the grief of their sons and daughters taken far too soon.

As Americans, we have a responsibility to be present for them. While no one can replace their loved ones, we can offer compassion, support, and the assurance that their sacrificies--and the sacrifices of those they lost--will never be forgotten.

We are here for them.

While many of us will enjoy time with family and friends this Memorial Day weekend, we must remember the price that was paid for the freedoms we enjoy and the American way of life we often take for granted.

Remembering and honoring those who did not come home is the true meaning of Memorial Day.

Let us remember that freedom has no greater friend than the American Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, Coast Guardsman, and Space Force Guardian.

The truest way to honor the fallen is to live lives worthy of their sacrifice. That means stregnthening our communities, helping our fellow veterans, supporting military families, and teaching the next generation whaet this day truly means.

We must tell their stories. We must say their names.

We must ensure that our children and grandchildren understand that the freedoms they inherited were paid for with courage, service and sacrifice.

We are here for them. For those who served. For those who sacrificed. For those who never came home. For the families who carry their memory forward...

We are here for them.

Thank you, God bless America, God bless our Veterans, and God bless our Gold Star families.

EMS Week 2026: Helping People

When I moved back to my hometown of Riverton, Wyoming in October 2017, I had no idea where God would be leading me as far as a career path. I had just finished a 35-year career as a music director and an abundant work history as an admin for attorneys, engineers, an electronics firm, a glass company, a reporter/writer for newspapers, and...the health care industry. Working in different cities, towns, and settings instilled a certain confidence wherever I landed, and so, in true "Carol" form, I hit the ground running.

A little history...I worked at Sutter Amador Hospital in the EVS/Engineering and Finance departments, and ended up as the Medical Staff Coordinator. I worked at Interim HealthCare Hospice and just loved all of the hospice nurses, so sweet and caring! Being an editor/writer for newspapers, newsletters, and magazines was fun. Being a news reporter was tedious, but exciting. I remember going to a fire that was burning in the foothills near Sutter Creek...getting photos of the firemen fighting the fire made a lasting impression. (Especially since the EMTs had to treat me for smoke inhalation. Just had to get the money shot!)

Looking back, I've realized that I've never been bored! As someone who's never really mastered the ability to sit still, even as a kid...the running theme throughout my life has been: I want to help people. With variations on that theme, the jobs, groups, and organizations I've been a part of always came back to that spirit of volunteerism. A lot time and resourcees throughout my life have been spent doing just that. Helping people.

So when I hit the job market grounds running in November 2017, never did it enter my mind that, within a month, I would land a job with Guardian Flight. I had to commute from Riverton to the Lander ambulance station every day, but believe me, I was not complaining! Ever sit in commute traffic in 'Sacramental' (Sacramento)? It IS mental!

I got to know both the ground and flight crews, and was able to travel to the different flight bases. It was during this time that I got an understanding of both operations and how they work together. I eventually had the opportunity to switch from flight to ground EMS, and became the editor of a quarterly newsletter, "The Horizon: Where Air Meets the Ground", which featured articles, crewmember spotlights, even recipes! (Hey, there are some EMTs who are really good cooks!) But it also gave me great perspective about a world that no one else sees. A day in the life of an EMT. Station life with radios and pagers going off, lights and sirens, crews coming and going, 

With any job, change happens. Going through the transitions from Guardian Flight, Guardian Flight/Ground, to AMR to GMR, to Frontier Ambulance gave me insight on just how hard it is on all of the crews (and hospitals!) to adjust. But through it all, they just still keep going and going...doing a challenging job that most could never do. They're helping people. Saving people. 

As EMS Week comes to a close, I want to thank God for bringing me back to my EMS family, and for giving me the experiences, opportunities, and trainings that enable me to help both our EMTs and my community. And as we all once again hit the ground running and come to an even bigger transition, there will come a time and opportunity where the people of Fremont County and the Wind River Indian Reservation can save the future of our EMS services.

The Joint Committee on Funding Key Services (JCFKS) and the Regional Ambulance Service Evaulation Committee (RASEC) have been working very hard and helping FCAG and the County Commissioners in gathering and reviewing (correct) information and data in order to move forward on how the future of EMS will look in Fremont County. I strongly encourage you to sit in on their meetings which are Wednesdays at 12:00 PM at WRTA or via Zoom, and if you cannot attend, get on their email list in order to be correctly informed of the progress. (You can eat your lunch while you watch/listen.) 

These are public meetings, and public comment is welcomed! This is a way you can help, and I hope you will, so that our EMS providers can continue helping and saving lives for years to come...doing the job that most people cannot do.

Carol Harper

Coffee With A View: Be Better, Not Bitter

This was the quote/photo in my last MMIP Wind River blog piece, Being A Good Person.

I was recently the subject of Holly Butler's/Civil Rights for Wind River's run down of the next Northern Arapaho General Council's meeting, and what was said about me was, well...enlightening? I didn't realize that Ms. Butler and Ms. Hodge thought they knew so much about me. Isn't it always surprising when you find out you're the subject of assumptive gossip?

Anyway, I commented on their Facebook wall in my defense, but it wasn't long before they blocked me and of course with that, the comment went away. Fortunately, I kept the comment. Here it is below:

"Respectfully...my agenda item is about the tribe being prepared for the upcoming wildfire season and disasters in general. As the Community Partnership Lead for the Red Cross, which is a global humanitarian organization, FEMA and first responders work together with Harvey Spoonhunter, who did a great job with the recent flood plain workshop with the Army Corps of Engineers. And yes, I will touch on the structures that are already in place both on the tribal and local, county/FEMA sides when it comes to emergencies and disasters. I'm not trying to take anyone's job, I have no intention of ever taking anyone's job; I already have one...and a recent event with the Red Cross has shown that many tribal members may be quite ill-prepared for a mass casualty/mass mortality event. I would appreciate it very much if folks would stop assuming things about me as if I have ulterior motives/agendas. Very slanted viewpoint about me and an important topic. And the picture with Harriet Hageman? Makes everyone assume that I support her or chummy with her. I am most certainly not. That photo was taken as a recipient of the Stars of Life award I received, and there were photos taken with all three of the legislators I had time to visit with in Washington DC, and we were discussing the critical need for ambulance services across the nation. If you are so dismissive about an important issue as emergency preparedness, perhaps you wouldn't be, should a wildfire rip through the reservation. Thank you for listening." 

Their discourse continued about the whole debacle with MMIP Wind River and the misinformation that circulated about how I 'took it away' from Nicole Wagon. For the record, I did not take MMIP Wind River away from her. The facts are: Ms. Wagon and the rest of her group kicked me out of MMIP, and wrote a certified letter to me, threatening that if I didn't hand over the website and Facebook page, she would take legal action against me. She did, in fact, file a police report (which went nowhere). You can read "Regarding MMIP Wind River..." on the blog site. Additionally, Ms. Wagon did all of this during a time when I was crippled from a slip and fall accident, and was going blind in both eyes.

How soon Ms. Wagon forgets how much myself and others volunteered time to help her with her speeches, campaigns and marches. And instead of civilly approaching me with any questions or concerns, she chose to bully and threaten me. I haven't been a part of her last two marches because I'm not going to go where I am not wanted and create undue tension. It has been abundantly clear that she does not want to work with me. So, for the past two years, I have taken MMIP Wind River in the direction of pro-prevention, education, and outreach for victims and survivors of domestic violence, assault, abuse, suicide, and trafficking...the root causes of MMIP. Ms. Wagon does her thing; I do mine. As I believe what we both do is important for the MMIP cause, I am saddened that her choice to kick me out of her group still has a lasting effect on folks. I don't even know how much mudslinging has gone on behind my back, but the continuation of it publicly is enough to warrant my response.

My focus has been on community outreach and education, and ways that we can help our tribe. I have no hidden agenda, no ulterior motives. I support Harvey Spoonhunter and desire to help him improve the existing systems for emergency management and response. I'm a volunteer for the Red Cross, and Frontier Ambulance has an awesome partnership with the Red Cross of Wyoming. I sit on the county's DUI Task Force, the Suicide Prevention Task Force, and a local trafficking task force is being formed with the help of UprisingWyo. I'm happy where I am, helping people wherever and whenever I can, and have enough on my plate with all of the issues that plague both our county and tribe...why would anyone even think that I'd be vying for someone else's job? And besides, wasn't it Ms. Wagon who nominated Sunny Goggles for Tribal Chairperson...and now you slam her (Sunny) as well? And then you block me from your Facebook page because I commented in self-defense?

So, Ms. Butler, exactly who is it that "can't be trusted"? What viable reason, or what did I ever do or say that made you come to that conclusion? If CRWR were actually as 'civil' as they claim, perhaps it would have been more prudent of you to get the facts before slamming me and my character in front of your audience. Taking the higher road means you don't bully and threaten. Taking the higher road would be about not kicking someone when they're down. Taking the higher road is that you don't assume something about someone that is totally untrue. Taking the higher road would be about not spreading false narratives,  misinformation, or misguided opinions in order to further smear someone in public or private! Ms. Wagon's agenda items has to do with Election Judges. If my experience with her and how she treated me re: MMIP was wrought with threats, gossip, and character slamming...how is anyone supposed to know how to make any kind of educated vote, and furthermore, even really know that what she proposes is actually in the best interests of the tribe or not?

And, let's be honest: That wasn't the only photo you could find of me. That was purposely selected to make it look like I was some right-winger that cozies up to Hageman. Nice try, but the fact is, those who actually know me, know that I am a moderate, neither left nor right. Doesn't make me apathetic; it just allows me to do my own thinking instead of allowing the partisan extremism affect my judgement when it comes to the truth/facts. Your portrayal and opinions of me might fall within the convenient disclaimer you post up at the beginning of your podcast, but I sure hope folks are smart enough to decide for themselves and not allow you to do their thinking for them. It only perpetuates the already deep divides that trouble our tribe.

Ms. Butler, you don't know me. There are many sides to a story. You failed to get mine. That has been the theme of the entire nation's political climate lately, and it's sad when people get sucked into it. The gridlock is real. I've met very good people and also some downright mean people in my tribe, and the division between families and relatives has always been a problem. I try not to focus too much on that (and believe me, it's tough)! But folks who criticize and smear those who are only trying to help make things better in their tribe or community just makes it that more difficult for any kind of progress to happen.

Be better, not bitter.

Carol Harper