Riverton Economic and Community Development Association
September 9, 2010 Meeting Minutes
Present:Lew Diehl, Alan Moore, Teri Moore,Burl Gies, Sandy Dean, Scott Ratliff, Ron Warpness, Roger Bower, Eddie Amend, Jim Davis, Rich Emond, David Miller, Maygen Cassity, Jay Nielson, Scott Ratliff, Ernie Over, Mike Pacheco (New Honor Farm Warden).
Mike Pacheco, the new Warden at the Honor Farm, was the featured guest of the morning. Mike said that he has worked at 3 other correctional institutions prior to coming here as Warden including being Associate Warden in Newcastle and Torrington. He has worked with correctional industries in the past and believes that inmates do need an opportunity to learn a trade or skill to use when they get out. Mike said that while the construction trades partnership with CWC is coming to an end, they are looking into other avenues for training the inmates. He noted they are talking with CWC about assisting with housing on campus and are looking at other ways to work in the community to secure training opportunities for inmates. Mike noted the Farm’s cattle program and the pending land swap of the 21 acres near Walmart in Riverton for about 100 acres near Lander. The land is what they have rented for many years and pasture cattle on. The 21 acres will go to the City of Riverton and may be used for development. Rich Emond expressed concern that the value the City is using on the land is not enough as land like that the Hampton Inn is on sold for around $800,000 and he understands the value placed on the 21 acre tract by the City was around $350,000. Someone pointed out that that figure is going to be revise up after evaluation. Mike turned to offering some statistics about the Farm. He said it has a capacity 280 inmates and that they have 190 today. He said they have a staff of about 75 at the Farm right now with about 6 open positions. The Torrington facility has a 720 capacity and currently has 640 inmates. There are about 358 employees in Torrington of which about 200 are uniformed staff. Mike said that the goal of “re-entry” starts the 1st day they arrive on site. Torrington also houses about 144 in their Substance Abuse unit. Torrington is where all intake for prisoners coming into Wyoming is done. The Honor Farm in Riverton has a $19 million biennium budget. Discussion turned to Prison industry projects and Mike said he is always looking for things they might get into to teach job skills. He was asked about any partnership with the new owner of the Mushroom Farm, and said he has no connections with them right now. They presently have about 28 on the Forest Service crew that fights fires and other duties. Alan mentioned the River Walk Project and a need for labor to do path construction, make fire pits, and other work. Eddie Amend mentioned the Modelers Park and thanked him for his commitment to them and their space. Eddie said that they are about to celebrate their 10 anniversary on September 18th. Ernie noted the commitment by the Farm and CWC toward education and the support of prison industry. Jay Neilson noted that they are trying to work with the farm on some housing issues, but has to work hard to make the best use of college money while not taking away from business.
Announcements were made regarding IDEA, Inc’s new Website coming soon. Phil Christopherson said to see it at . He noted RECDA is on the site and that if anyone wanted a link to their business or entity to let him know. Jay asked for support of the tax issue for funding that will be on the ballot, and Lew asked for donations to get the wax figures a home in a new building at their site.