50th Anniversary of the Incorporation of Mountain View

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Mountain View, WY.

On August 19, the folks of Mountain View will come together for the town's 50th birthday party celebration with food, music, games, and fireworks. This event is an exceptional example of Mountain View's strong sense of community. The town of Mountain View was incorporated on November 20, 1973, in Uinta County, WY. Wilford Stoddard became the first mayor, along with council members Eldon Tripp, Jack Byrne, Alfred Davidson, and James Cox. Located in Bridger Valley, at the base of the Uinta Mountain Range, the town is far older than 50 years. Mountain View was platted on 40 acres within the county on February 26, 1898. Today, the town spans over 550 acres.

In 1843, fur trapper Jim Bridger set up a trading post on the Black's Fork River just a few miles from present day Mountain View. The post served travelers on the Oregon Trail and later the Mormon and California Trails. In 1858, the U.S. Army took over the post and named it Fort Bridger. The army abandoned the fort in 1890. As Americans began moving west, many settlers in Bridger Valley and what is today Mountain View established ranches. Today, Mountain View remains deeply rooted in agriculture, feeding Wyoming and the rest of the country.

The views and scenery of Mountain View are unparalleled. The town serves as a hub offering its residents and visitors remarkable opportunities for fishing, camping, and hiking in the Uinta Mountains. The Uintas are one of only two major mountain ranges in the United States that run east to west. One of the earliest local businesses in Mountain View was Benedicts, the town's only grocery store. Started in 1938 as the Benedict Trading Company by Harlen Benedict, the store is still a cornerstone of the community. Another local and long-standing business is the Union Telephone Company. Founded by John Woody in 1914, Union provided the first phone service in Bridger Valley. John Woody used rifle cartridges as plugs and jacks on his first homemade switchboard. Managed by four generations of the Woody family, the company is still headquartered in Mountain View where they serve over 40,000 Wyoming customers. In June 1937, the people of Mountain View and the surrounding Bridger Valley unified to create the first electric utility under President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Rural Electrification Administration. Bill Riding served as the first general manager for the newly formed Bridger Valley Electric Association. The association continues to provide Mountain View with power in 2023.

Mountain View boasts a long and rich local history. From the time of the fur trappers, to the Nation's westward expansion of the 19th century, to modern day, Mountain View truly embodies the culture of the Cowboy State.

Mountain View is led by these dedicated individuals:

Bryan Ayres, Mayor

Tori Carter, Council

Jenny Harvey, Council

Jamy Ferrin, Council

Kelly Bonner, Council

Penny Robbins, Clerk/Treasurer

Amanda Fraughton, Deputy Clerk

Mark W Harris, Attorney

Tammy Murray, Deputy Clerk

Heather Ayres, Deputy Clerk

Jacob Porter, Public Works

Steven Kendall, Public Works

Spencer Bates, Public Works

Steve Catlin, Public Works

Allister Bunch, Police Chief

Dexter Moehler, Fire Chief.

Event Planning included these committed citizens

Mark Tesoro and Todd Griffith, Southwest Wyoming Outdoor Trails

Tom Dean and Dennis Freeman, American Legion Post #36

Leila Dean, Linda Lingle, Donna Bindl, and Vicki Fader, American Legion Auxiliary

Andy Kopp, Sheriff and Trevor Rasmussen, Under Sheriff, Uinta County Sheriff's Department

Mindy Tollefson--Uinta County Fair Manager

Isaac Lords, Scoutmaster and MarNae Lords--Leaders, Boy Scout Troop #7798

Cara Trees--Leader, 4-H Group--The Rednecks

Collette Bugas, Instructor, UC School District #4 High School Student Council

Wade Stoddard, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Service

Regina Dickson and Allen Deru, Wyoming Game and Fish

Jessica Guild, Instructor, Mountain View High School Cheerleaders.

It is an honor for me to rise in recognition of this significant milestone for Mountain View, WY. Their golden anniversary celebration is a tribute to generations of determination and commitment that built this town. Bobbi joins me in extending our congratulations to the town of Mountain View on their 50th anniversary of incorporation.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source