Oil City News publishes letters, cartoons and opinions as a public service. The content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Oil City News or its employees. Letters to the editor can be submitted by following the link at our opinion section.
Dear Casper,
A letter to the editor published Aug. 6 compelled me to respond. The writer rated the best day of skiing at Hogadon as a mere C-plus. I, too, am a lifelong skier and know the sport and industry well enough to say this: any day on snow is a good day.
I ski Hogadon several times each year and find enjoyment and passion in every run, no matter the conditions. Those who believe they are “too good” for a small local hill are missing the point. If you can’t arc your turns with a smile on your face, it’s not the hill that’s at fault — it’s your perspective. We should all approach Hogadon with the unbridled joy and gratitude of a child.
Hogadon is more than a business aiming to turn a profit. It is a public resource, alongside facilities like the Trails Center, offering accessible, healthy recreation for our community. I’d happily pay more to support improvements at Hogadon and gladly spend more at the Trails Center, both of which deliver A-plus experiences for anyone who truly loves the sport.
Hogadon is the perfect place for kids and beginners, a great place to refine your carve, and a vital way to attract younger, more active residents to Natrona County.
When planning the future of Hogadon, we must consider its broader impact. Its purpose is not simply to make money but to make memories, foster healthy lifestyles and strengthen our community. Many of the same people who criticize Hogadon freely spend money at bars or on cigarettes.
Let’s prioritize what really matters: ensuring Hogadon continues to operate and enrich the lives of those who call or will call central Wyoming home.
I wish Oil City News would stop publishing articles written by WyoFile that contain serious false statements. The recent article “Gordon to deploy Wyoming National Guard to support ICE in Trump’s mass deportation effort” by Andrew Graham is indicative of false/fake media reporting.
That article incorrectly states: “Unlawful entry into the country, on its own, is a civil offense, not a criminal one.” Wrong. It is a crime. The reporter might be confused about being “unlawfully present” in the U.S., which is a civil violation; whereas “unlawful entry” is usually a criminal misdemeanor. There are certain types of unlawful entry that are actually felonies.
For example, those who entered the U.S. lawfully using a tourist visa, but stayed after the visa time period expired would face civil law violations. However, those who entered unlawfully could face both criminal and civil legal problems. Many of the civil cases become criminal cases if the immigrant makes false statements during the civil process, including false statements on various required forms.
Most of these illegal immigrants are also violating other laws and could be subject to other court proceedings — both criminal and civil. For example, it is a felony not to register for the draft for all males, including non-citizen residents age 18-25. Illegal immigrants also need to file income tax returns, including payments for Social Security and Medicare if they are “off the books” workers. These types of workers should be given 1099 forms by their employer, but that almost never happens. In addition, many types of work require OSHA certification, food handling certification, bonding, business tax ID numbers for vendors, insurance coverage, and other local/state/federal requirements that are enforced by both civil and criminal laws.
We need to deport any and all illegal immigrants as fast as possible, in my opinion.
Despite decades of technological advancement and safety improvements, nuclear energy remains one of the most misunderstood power sources. Public perception, often shaped by sensational media and outdated fears, paints nuclear energy as dangerous and mysterious. In reality, it is among the safest and cleanest energy options available.
Nuclear energy is renewable. There have been zero incidents with injury from radiation leaks from spent TRISO fuel. Why is there such an extreme level of fear of nuclear fuel here in Wyoming? The U.S. Navy operates aircraft carriers and submarines using nuclear fuel safely.
Misinformation can lead to irrational fear, while science offers a more balanced and hopeful perspective. As we face growing energy demands from AI processing centers and cryptocurrency mining, it’s time to reconsider nuclear energy not as a threat, but as a vital part of a sustainable future.
As a Natrona County native, I’ve always felt a deep connection to Wyoming — the wide-open skies, the tight-knit communities and the values we share. I left for a time, like many do, but chose to return because there’s truly no place like home. Now, as a mother, I want my own children to have the option to come back too — to find meaningful work, raise their families and build their lives here. That’s why I support Radiant Nuclear’s project in Wyoming.
We’re at a crossroads. For too long, we’ve watched our young people leave for opportunities elsewhere. What Radiant is offering isn’t just a new energy source — it’s a future. Clean, reliable nuclear energy means more than power; it means jobs, innovation, and economic stability that can keep our kids here and maybe even bring some back.
I understand the hesitation some may feel. But this isn’t the nuclear of the past. Radiant’s technology is safer, smaller, and built with Wyoming’s landscape and workforce in mind. It’s exactly the kind of forward-thinking solution our state needs to stay strong in a changing world.
As a mother, I think about the air my kids breathe and the kind of planet we’re leaving behind.
As a Wyomingite, I think about how we protect our way of life while embracing opportunity. Supporting Radiant means doing both.
Let’s give our children more than memories of Wyoming — let’s give them a future here.
