2018 Year in Review

December

Posted 1/4/19

December

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2018 Year in Review

December

Posted

Trustees approve ATEC construction bid

TORRINGTON – In a slight break with tradition on Tuesday, the Eastern Wyoming Board of Trustees voted unanimously to reject the lowest of eight bids submitted for construction of the planned Agriculture Technology Education Center, opting instead to approve the second-low bid for the project.

The lowest bid of $5,563,510 was submitted by Anderson-Shaw Construction of Scottsbluff, Neb. Architects Plan One of Wyoming, however, advised against the bid, opting instead to recommend a $6,465,000 bid submitted by Sampson Construction, with divisions in Wyoming, Nebraska and Colorado.

“The low bid came in so much lower, it brings up some red flags,” said Kwin Wilkes, vice president of administrative services for the college.

A letter dated Dec. 10 to Wilkes from Dan Odasz, president of Plan One/Architects, noted the extreme difference between the Anderson-Shaw bid and Plan One’s own estimates, which placed the cost of the project at just shy of $7.1 million. Odasz also noted revisions to Anderson-Shaw’s list of subcontractors, which was initially submitted as required, then resubmitted with amendments, noting work initially scheduled to be done by Anderson-Shaw switched to subcontractors.

The gift of food security

GOSHEN COUNTY – It’s been nearly seven months since the Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies mobile food pantry last rolled into town – leaving hundreds of residents short on meals each day in the valley. But local 501(c)3 charitable organization Goshen HELP has stepped in to save Christmas for those battling food insecurity in the county. On Thursday, Dec. 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Goshen County Fairgrounds’ Pavilion, Goshen HELP will offer its first mobile pantry as a partner agency with the Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies. 

“We’ll be paying the cost to bring that truck,” Goshen HELP Executive Director Kyle Borger said. “We’re going to host a food pantry at the fairgrounds the third Friday of the month as often as possible … so the plan there is we can distribute a substantial amount of food, bring the excess back to (the Goshen HELP) food pantry and distribute it throughout the month.” “Our hope is to raise $2,000 a month to support both our mobile food pantry and the food pantry at our office.”

Residents should note, unlike previous mobile food pantries, only one serving may be taken per attendee and individuals must be present to collect food. Excess items will be taken to the Goshen HELP food pantry at 2510 West C St. and available during regularly scheduled appointments.