October 2, 2024 |
Photo – Independence Rock – Courtesy pathwaysnha.com
Carbon County Commissioner Travis Moore denied claims yesterday that were made last week at the Carbon County Council of Governments that the firm working on the Pathways National Heritage Area was paid.
Mayor Terry Weickum made the claim.
Last year, Vernon Lovejoy and Dr. Glenn Haas, of Lovejoy Consulting in Denver, Colorado, proposed the creation of the Pathways National Heritage Area. The project covers areas of Carbon and Natrona Counties, including trails, paths, and other historically significant sites used during America’s westward expansion. The goal of the national heritage area is to promote tourism and increase revenue.
The creation of a national heritage area requires a feasibility study to be submitted to the National Parks Service. If the parks service approves of the project, it is sent to Congress for potential inclusion on a federally managed list of heritage areas.
Lovejoy and Dr. Haas are nearly ready to submit the feasibility study to the federal government for review and approval. The last step is collecting letters of support from local officials, business owners, and stakeholders.
As reported by Bigfoot99 on Monday, members pf the Carbon County Council of Governments were not in agreement about whether they should submit a letter of support for the Pathways National Heritage Area. At the September 18th meeting, Rawlins Mayor Terry Weickum said he has proof that Lovejoy and Dr. Haas were paid by both the Carbon and Natrona visitors councils rather than volunteering their professional services.
During the Pathways National Heritage Area proposal process, both Lovejoy and Dr. Haas told county and municipal officials that they were not receiving any money to work on the project. Rawlins Mayor Weickum insisted he had proof that the two men received $7,500 from both the Natrona and Carbon County visitors councils.
Despite the objections of Mayor Weickum and Saratoga Councilman Mike Cooley, both of whom voted “no” on the measure, the council of governments approved offering a letter of support for the Pathways National Heritage Area.
The topic of whether Lovejoy and Haas received payment for their services was raised during Tuesday’s Board of Carbon County commissioners meeting. Commissioner Travis Moore read an official statement provided by Carbon County Visitors Council Chief Executive Officer Leslie Jefferson denying any type of financial exchange for Lovejoy Consulting’s work on the heritage area feasibility study.
Commissioner Moore reiterated that Lovejoy and Dr. Haas were volunteers and did not get paid for their work on the project. Moore said the project has received pushback from people worried about seeping federal control of local areas through the program. The completed feasibility study should be in the hands of the National Parks Service by the end of this week.
If the National Parks Service approves the project, Commissioner Moore said the next step would be the creation of a 501(c)(3) to oversee the Pathways National Heritage Area. The nonprofit organization will be made up of members from the Carbon County Visitors Council and Natrona County Travel and Tourism Council.
Commission Chairwoman Sue Jones asked residents not to panic, adding that the process is still years away from completion.
The board thanked Commissioner Moore for his work on the Pathways National Heritage Area.
