Dems to replace retired senator

CHEYENNE - Sweetwater County Democrats on Wednesday will begin the process of replacing recently resigned state Sen. Rae Lynn Job - even though her replacement is likely to serve in the seat for only two months.

Job served nearly 12 years in the state Senate. She announced her resignation in a letter to Gov. Dave Freudenthal on Thursday, according to the Wyoming Democratic Party.

Joyce Jansa Corcoran, chairwoman of the Sweetwater County Democratic Party, said Monday that Job is moving from Rock Springs to Cheyenne so she can care for her mother.

Although earlier than expected, Job's departure was no surprise. She didn't seek re-election this year, and Democratic state Rep. Marty Martin of Rock Springs ran unopposed for the Senate seat.

Under state law, Job's party must move forward to replace her.

Martin could be appointed to his seat early, but that would only create a similar vacancy in the state House. A replacement for Martin would be needed only until Joe Barbuto, a Democrat from Rock Springs who ran unopposed for Martin's seat, takes office in January.

State law requires the Democratic precinct committee members of Job's Senate district to meet and choose three finalists for the seat within 15 days of Job's resignation.

Because Job's district covers parts of Sweetwater and Fremont counties, the Fremont and Sweetwater county commissions will jointly vote for Job's replacement from the three finalists.

BLM seeks public input

BUFFALO - The Bureau of Land Management's Buffalo field office will revise its overarching plan for north-central Wyoming, and is seeking public input to begin the process.

The public is being asked to specify issues and concerns about the land and provide resource information.

The existing resource plan was approved in 1985. The revised plan will govern future management of about 1,250 square miles of BLM-administered surface land and about 7,340 square miles of mineral rights in Campbell, Johnson and Sheridan counties.

Written comments and data submissions are due by Jan. 5.

Written comments and data submissions should be sent to: BFO RMP Revision Project Manager, BLM Buffalo Field Office, 1425 Fort Street Buffalo, WY 82834. Electronic comments may be sent to: {M7BRMP_Rev_WYMail@blm.gov.

The BLM will hold five public meetings on the new plan - Dec. 1-5, in Wright, Buffalo, Gillette, Sheridan and Kaycee respectively.

Boil order set in Lincoln Co.

AFTON - A boil order remains in effect for several homes in northern Lincoln County after bacteria turned up in a local water system.

The coliform bacteria were found during routine testing of water in the Osmond Pipeline last week.

About 70 homes, a school and a church were told within a few hours that their water may be contaminated. Health officials determined Monday that the order to boil drinking water should remain in place for now. No restaurants are affected by the boil order.