Abraham Lincoln said, “Honesty is the best policy.” He believed that when people are given the truth, they make the best decisions. 

Although our forefathers had their differences, they did not have to contend with the hit-and-run tactics some politicos and malcontents resort to using on social media. Social media platforms can be useful ways to connect with friends and loved ones and share useful information. However, when they are used deceptively by self-seeking individuals as a means of causing discord and dissension for personal gain, they are not. Spreading gossip through deceptive posts takes its toll — not only on the individuals being defamed, but on our communities as well.

Social Media Lies Cause Unnecessary and Harmful Community Strife

I am not going to respond to far-flung rumors or half-truths that political opportunists hurl my way. Typically, I have paid little attention to the insults our Secretary of State spews because they are bogus. But after Mr. Gray’s most recent social media lie suggesting my vision for Wyoming energy only includes wind power, the record needs to be set straight. Assuredly, this week Mr. Gray chose to take a shot at me, but next week he will take aim at someone else  — a county clerk, a property owner, or member of your family— really anyone who disagrees with him or he feels by slandering he can raise his stature. It is sad.

Chuck Gray: Only Member of the State Land Board to Vote Against Individual Property Rights and Wyoming Schools

The five statewide elected officials, as members of the State Board of Land Commissioners (SBLC), took a sworn oath to honor our Constitutional and fiduciary responsibility to earn the best return for the state and our schools. Notably, Mr. Gray is often the sole member of the SBLC to ignore this obligation. When he cast his vote against the Pronghorn and Sidewinder state leases, his vote was not only an attempt to suppress the private property rights of adjacent land owners, it also sought to deny revenues for Wyoming schools and overlooked potential financial benefits for Niobrara County.

That is his prerogative to be sure, but it demonstrates his disregard for the duties of his office and a determination to impose his personal preferences on others, no matter the cost.

My vote, along with the other three commissioners’ votes, recognizes the economic benefits to Wyoming and Niobrara county and the rights of participating landowners without prejudicing the outcome of the development.

Already, these projects have been through a four-year process and still require additional levels of review with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality’s Industrial Siting Division, the state engineer, and local regulators, among others, before it can proceed. These are not insignificant hurdles.

The Truth

The Pronghorn and Sidewinder projects include both private and state lands; importantly, the state lease was granted after those lessees, many who voluntarily opted into the project, signed consent forms regarding their state leases.  

Notably, the SBLC approval was only for the wind farm lease on state lands with cooperating lessees. The Board of Land Commissioners cannot permit the part of the project that lies on adjacent private lands, which makes up about 70% of the total Pronghorn project and 80% of the total Sidewinder project. 

The state land board did not authorize any portion of the prospective hydrogen project, nor could it approve water appropriations contemplated for the project. Water and private property rights are sacred in Wyoming. In addition, current state leaseholders (those holding grazing leases) signed a consent form to allow the turbines to be built on the leased land. 

Top Priority: Protecting Wyoming to the Core

To be clear, my vision for Wyoming is exemplified by a track record of visiting communities to listen, and understand each community’s unique perspective on what needs fixing and what folks hope to be able to do on their own. I also visited Niobrara County last week and spent time with residents there. As I have stated since first being elected, I am eager to give local communities the tools they need to prosper and the opportunity for our citizens to create their futures and thrive.

We do that in Wyoming by respecting private property rights, water law, and individual initiative.

Defenders of the Truth: How You Can Help

If you are interested in learning more about my vision for Wyoming (straight from the horse’s mouth), I invite you to:

• Sign up to receive regular e-mail updates from my office.
• Attend public meetings and town halls.
• Reach out if what you read seems “off” so that my office can clarify my position.
• Refuse to spread dishonest, inflammatory social media posts.
• Consider the source of information. : e.g. What is Mr. Gray seeking with his latest lie/s? Another political office? Does he not recognize individual property rights?

I invite every Wyoming citizen, especially Mr. Gray, to consider the consequences of deceiving people and instead seek ways to strengthen and unite Wyoming, not divide us.

Thanks for reading. Ride for the Brand. 

- Mark Gordon