May 5, 2021 |
The Board of Carbon County Commissioners issued a formal proclamation during yesterday’s meeting dedicating the Paul A. Zamora Coroner Building. This time, it was Zamora’s chance to surprise the board. As he shook their hands, Zamora presented each commissioner with one of his challenge coins. Cali O’Hare has the story.
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Longtime Carbon County Coroner Paul Zamora's challenge coin features a silver circle, symbolizing the never ending Circle of Trust; it has Carbon County and Steamboat; gold for the minerals in the county; the Indian Paintbrush, Wyoming's state flower; an American Flag and Wyoming's State flag in calvary position because the county seat was named for General John Rawlins. On the back of the coin, Zamora's well-known saying, "Be their voice." All challenge coins have a special something that only the unit knows about. Zamora's says "Mortuos Contemplor" which is Latin for, "I see dead people." Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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Longtime coroner Paul Zamora smiles sheepishly following the formal proclamation read Tuesday naming the Paul A. Zamora Coroner Building. Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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Paul Zamora holds up his challenge coin as he describes each of its features. Moments later, he'd shock the entire board of Carbon County Commissioners by presenting each of them with his own coin. Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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Commission Vice Chair Sue Jones shakes the hand of outgoing Coroner Paul Zamora; as she does, Zamora leaves his challenge coin in her palm. Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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Coroner Paul Zamora shakes the hand of Commissioner Byron Barkhurst; as he does, Zamora leaves his challenge coin in his palm. Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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Zamora's Chief Deputy Coroner Brittany Nyman interviews before the Board of Carbon County Commissioners Tuesday afternoon. Mentor, former boss, and longtime County Coroner Paul Zamora, who retired last month, watches closely from the back of the room. Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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In the moments after Brittany Nyman was unanimously appointed Carbon County Coroner, her mentor, former boss, and longtime Coroner Paul Zamora beams with pride as the two embrace. Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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Carbon County Coroner Brittany Nyman and the Honorable Judge Dawnessa Snyder sign Nyman's oath of office, making her appointment official. Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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A close up of Carbon County Coroner Brittany Nyman's signed oath of office. Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
Related: Coroner’s office to be renamed in honor of Zamora
Related: County Coroner Paul Zamora announces retirement
Related: Coroner’s facility finally complete