Opinion

West nervous about path Obama will take
By Richard Reeder

This document was published online on Monday, January 05, 2009

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Here we are five days into the new year and it’s cold and snowy in Cody.

And one has to wonder if the country will recover from the year of upheaval we experienced in 2008.

On Jan. 20, Barack Obama will be sworn in as president.

His election has been hailed as truly historic as the first African-American will take the country’s highest office.

But here in the West, his election is being met with some apprehension.

In Wyoming, Montana and Idaho many fear Obama may derail the delisting of the grey wolf from federal protection.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been pushing the delisting forward as fast as it can because they fear the new president may reopen the process.

Doing this would send the states and USFWS back to the drawing board and delisting would take many more years.

But this isn’t the only sticking point.

The USFWS has said it may move forward without Wyoming due to concerns about the state’s management plan.

Recent court rulings in other cases make this unlikely, and the attempt to do that will force Wyoming to again sue the federal government.

Obama’s stance on gun ownership has many in Wyoming nervous.

Many people believe he’s “anti-gun” and will try to change personal ownership laws. Gun enthusiasts are gearing up for a fight that may or may not come. Meanwhile, Obama supporters say he has no such beliefs or intentions.

In Cody we’ve been mostly insulated from the economic storm that gripped the country last year.

Problems with home ownership were followed by banking troubles, auto makers in distress and dropping energy prices.

It will be worth watching as the federal government continues to offer bailout money to auto makers and banks.

But locally many non-profits are struggling to make ends meet as donations take a hit because of the failing economy.

The Buffalo Bill Historical Center was forced to lay off staff, trim hours and programs, and cancel the annual Cowboy Songs and Range Ballads event.

The BBHC and others struggled as high gas prices last summer kept people home, and reduced the spending by those who did travel.

Now, even with gas prices at lows not seen in years, we have to wonder if people will be willing to spend money to visit our fair city.

But there have been bright spots.

The Cody Nite Rodeo and Yellowstone Park enjoyed another banner year with increased attendance.

On the sports front, the Yellowstone Quake hockey team sits in first place and spring sports at Cody High School will be looking to repeat last year’s three state titles.

We can all hope the national economy begins to recover and the sour situations become a thing of the past.

Until then we can all do our part to help Cody.

Everyone needs to continue to show that friendly smile and warm reception to visitors.

After all, it’s often the people who make the destination great, not necessarily the attractions or events.

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