Business as usual for Moorcroft town council

he regular meeting of the town council meeting was relatively uneventful, with one guest seeking a catering permit and the reports short and without surprises. Clerk/Treasurer Cheryl Schneider told the governing body that the town audit review is anticipated by mid November, while the November 11 meeting has been moved to Tuesday, November 12 in respect of Veterans’ Day.

Officer Bill Bryant reported for the police department. After he completed his account, Mayor Dick Claar read a letter of commendation written by the chief and presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the officer for his work on the Shayna Ritthaler case.

An individual ran through the “Road Closed” sign on Weston Street north of Deere Haven and drove into newly poured concrete. “Now, it has to be redone,” said Claar, “They received a ticket and, I think, Hot Iron is going to go ahead and patch that up without any further cost.”

This driver also broke the concrete cylinders that determine curing time, which is buried within the material. If there are any costs beyond what the contractor is willing to reconstruct without charge, they will be the responsibility of the driver, Claar advised.

While Hot Iron is pouring concrete on every cut they made during the project, the public is advised to “go around”.

Town Attorney Jim Peck discussed the need for title insurance for the VFW property that is being donated to the municipality. After the unexpected lien that arose recently against that property’s title, which was paid by the national VFW organization, Peck has been assisting with the process.

Now, he has found another issue: the individual whose signature facilitated the transaction cannot be verified as an authorized signer. “I can’t find that person’s name listed with either the state or the local chapter. I just want to make sure that whoever signs on behalf of the VFW is actually authorized to do so,” he said.

The title insurance will protect the town in the event that the property is sold in the future and any other issues come up. “It’s just prudent for us to do it. You don’t have to spend a whole lot of money on it.”

With completion of staff reports and no other issues needing attention, the meeting adjourned.

Bryant receives commendation

Mayor Dick Claar stands with Officer Bill Bryant to read a letter of commendation written by Police Chief Doug “Red” Lundborg regarding the effort and time Bryant has put into the Shayna Ritthaler case. With the letter, the mayor presented a Certificate of Appreciation from the Town of Moorcroft on Monday evening.

“This certificate of appreciation is awarded to William Bryant for his outstanding police investigative work during the week of October third through the eighth of 2019,” the letter read. It commended his attention to detail and problem solving in organizing the case, as well as the work he undertook as it progressed.

The letter also mentioned that Bryant liaised with numerous people and entities, from Ritthaler’s family to the Meade County Sheriff’s Office. Bryant also used the case as additional training for Officer Jory Tadlock.

“Officer Bryant has shown excellent leadership while working this case to its conclusion,” said the letter. “I, as chief of police, wish to personally thank him for his dedicated devotion to his duty on this case.”

This letter will remain in Bryant’s personnel file for the remainder of his career in law enforcement.