From the pages of
Sublette Examiner
Volume 2, Number 19 - August 8, 2002
brought to you online by Pinedale Online

Commission retains Budd-Falen

by Cat Urbigkit

Sublette County Commissioners agreed Tuesday to sign an agreement hiring the Cheyenne law firm of Budd-Falen to represent the county in matters dealing with RS-2477 and the county's jurisdiction of the Erramouspe Ranch Road.

Commissioner Gordon Johnston opposed the measure, but not because he opposes the county's jurisdictional claim. Johnston said he feels that the county is just "jumping through hoops.

"Why not send a road grader out there ... We have declared that a county road," Johnston said, "so let's do something."

"I agree," County Surveyor Paul Scherbel said.

Commissioner Betty Fear said because no legal precedents have been set in Wyoming, she would like to pursue the matter through legal channels and have it resolved in that manner.

Johnston said he resents the BLM assertions.

"I say let's fight," Johnston said. "It's a county road."

Fear made the motion to approve the retainer for Budd-Falen, but Johnston declined to second it, so Cramer provided the second. Fear and Cramer voted for the motion, but Johnston voted against it, continuing to protest that the county knows all it needs to know about RS-2477 and the road is under the county's jurisdiction.

The county has agreed to pay Karen Budd-Falen $130 per hour, with various other hourly fees for differing levels of legal services, as well as a $1,000 retainer.

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