Sublette County residents ‘fairly happy’

by Tiffany Turner

Although it seems someone in the county is always complaining about the changes taking place, people in Sublette County remain “fairly happy” with the area, said Socioeconomic Analyst Michael Coburn after reviewing the results of his Quality of Life Survey taken several months back.

Coburn met with Pinedale Town Council on Monday to share results of the survey. The survey was in the works before Coburn took over the job from former Sublette County Socioeconomic Analyst Jeffrey Jacquet and because the undertaking was so large the two combined efforts to gather the information.

“Up until then we had a lot of quantitative information,” Coburn said.

Coburn added it was helpful to know how many employees the county governments needed but that knowledge ofhow residents actually felt, or “qualitative” information, was important as well.

The study involved talking to longtime residents about the changes to the community and see “how it’s changing their sense of community,” he said.

As a whole there was very little change in how happy longtime resident are now compared to eight to 10 years ago, Coburn relayed. On a scale of one to five with three being neutral, the average response was 2.83.

“Basically, the overall community is slightly less happy than eight to 10 years ago,” Coburn said. “I think it shows that Sublette County still has a lot to offer.”

Coburn did say most negative comments had to do with industry, which received zero positive feedback.

“The good news is people are still pretty happy,” he said. “However, they tempered their answers with ‘but,’” Coburn said.

Coburn said that Sublette County is “teetering on a precipice” and “it won’t take much to send people packing.”

Many of the people asked if they saw themselves staying here over the next five to 10 year, said they did – “but.”

Coburn added this survey was a good way to continue to get feedback from people who may not be comfortable coming in front of the council or did not know how to make themselves heard.

“I think it’s important … to continue the different types of outlets to talk about problems in the county.”

Also at Pinedale Town Council:

• Mike Kudar approached the council about different options for the International Pedigree Stage Stop Dogsled Race due to the lack of winter weather and snow on the ground at this time of year. The town agreed to block of Tyler from US 191 to Magnolia from 6 p.m. on Jan. 1 to 12 p.m. on Jan. 2 to allow sledders on the street for that part of the race.

• The rezone from R-2 to C-1 at 639 S. Pine Street had no action due to concerns with building envelopes and the safety of building there should the property become commercial. The applicant will return at the next meeting to discuss the council’s concerns.

• No action was taken on the preliminary and final plat approval for Lots 11 and 12 in Block 2 of the Hagenstein Addition. Applicants are Christian and Julie Land. The motion died without a second due to concerns raised by the town engineer. The item will be further discussed at the next meeting.

• Ordinance 442 regarding the requirement of site plans had no action during its second reading. The town has postponed the second reading to give the Planning and Zoning Commission time to review and make comments on the ordinance.

• The resolution for annexation of the Pinedale Campground was found to be in compliance and will now go into an advertising period before the annexation process begins.