News – Sheridan Media
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The first day of testimony at the trial between the Sheridan County Republican Party and four of the five Sheridan County Commissioners for the handling of the vacancy appointment, to fill the vacancy left when Allen Thompson resigned in July of last year got underway at 9 a.m. on Feb. 13.
Wyoming statue 18-3-523 – Removal from office, states in part that if any county commissioner refuses or neglects without just cause to perform any duties required of him as a member of the board of county commissioners or knowingly commits any act which by law is in violation of his official oath and bond, he can be removed from office by the governor of the state.
The Sheridan County Republican Party alleges that four of the five Sheridan County Commissioners, Nick Siddle, Lonnie Wright, Christi Haswell and Tom Ringley, failed to do their duty in the August 29 meeting, where they failed to appoint a replacement for Thompson from the list of three nominees provided to them by the Sheridan County Republican Committee.
The judge for the lawsuit is Thomas Sullins, a retired judge from Casper, due to the conflict of interest that might happen with a Sheridan County Judge.
Representing the Republican party are Caleb Wilkins and Jordyn Surber from Cheyenne. Representing the Commissioners are Kara Ellsbury, Khale Lenhart and Jake Vogt of Hirst Applegate, LLP.
Judge Sullins said “It is the purpose of this court find the plaintiff (Sheridan County Commissioners) met the burden of proof and proves their case and that it should be taken before the Wyoming Governor.
Kara Ellsbury said that the Commissioners acted with discretion when they did not vote on the nominees put forth by the Republican committee. “they cannot be removed for exercising discreation.”
She added that the commissioners had a duty to fill the open position in a certain amount of time, and they considered the party’s nominees but ultimately choose their own nominee, Holly Jennings. “They didn’t refuse the parties nominees, they used their own discretion.”
Wilkins first called Nick Siddle to the witness stand, and Wilkins main topic, for which the judge occasionally told him to focus more on the lawsuit, was whether or not the commissioners refused to abide by the state statue that dealt with the appointment of a new commissioner. Siddle said that this was something that they had never had to deal with before, and they did the act according to statue.
Wilkins also talked about the fact that there were political differences between the ‘moderate’ republicans and the more ‘conservative’ Sheridan County Republican party.
When Ellsbury objected as to the relevance of the question, Wilkins said, “I am trying to show that they did not vote on the three candidates due to political differences.” He introduced several text messages between Siddle and other commissioners, saying he was not excited about the Party giving them a list of candidates, but at the time he did not know which candidates would be put forth.
Several emails, letters and phone texts were introduced to the judge, and there was correspondence between Siddle and Jerimiah Rieman, Wyoming County Commissioners Association’s Executive Director, and between Siddle and Chuck Gray, Wyoming Sec. Of State. Gray told the Sheridan county Commissioners how he interpreted the law on the voting statue.
When asked by Siddle, Reiman responded to the letter by telling the commissioners, “We could tell Mr. Gray to pound sand and send it to the courts.”
He added that Chairman Haswell said she, “Was not intimidated by Mr. Gray’s letter and she would vote her conscience.”
“We had just been through a contentious primary,” Siddle said, “and we felt that others might be better for the board.”
Wilkins also asked if the board had made decisions in executive sessions and private meetings, and Siddle said that votes were public.
The next witness was Christi Haswell, chairwoman of the commissioners. Wilkins asked Haswell if she considered herself a moderate or a conservative republican, and asked her about her involvement with Gail Symons, who works with a grassroots republican movement.
He also asked about voting for Thompson’s replacement, and he asked about her understanding of the duties of the county commissioners, and what the requirements should be for a spot on the board. Haswell felt that the three nominees put forth by the party did not have the qualifications she felt were necessary for the board. “I felt they did not have the skills or attributes or experience to serve on the board,” Haswell said “We are responsible for the county EMS, the budget, the library.”
Wilkins added that the county commissioners affect the day to day quality of life.
He also wondered what voting procedure was used, and if it was in line with Roberts Rules of Order. Haswell said that it was her understanding that they could use any voting procedure except for a secret ballot.
There was also a question about whether or not legal counsel Sheridan County Deputy Attorney Clint Beaver explained the various other voting options and Haswell said he did not.
Haswell added that it was never spelled out that the commissioners had to select a candidate off the list the party presented to them.
At five p.m., although Wilkins said that he was willing to go into ‘night court’ the Judge felt the day had been long enough, and that the trial would reconvene at 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 14.
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Last modified: February 14, 2024