Letters

As seen in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle: https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/opinions/letters_to_editor/letter-to-the-editor-cooke-citys-isolation-is-an-asset-not-a-detriment/article_afc264ec-b2d1-11ed-af86-8327a7dcefa7.html The news about plowing the Plug in Cooke City (“End of the Road” Feb. 19) brought to mind sage advice from a 99-year-old friend. When I asked how to age wisely she replied, “Stay true to who you are and be grateful for that.” I also thought … Read more

As seen in the Livingston Enterprise Editor: The Jan. 24 guest column proposing that “plowing the plug” would somehow make deserved progress available to Cooke City seems to be lacking another, more traditional perspective. Admittedly, this a persuasive article. However, as a lifelong visitor to Cooke City and other mountain towns throughout the West, it … Read more

Don’t plow “the plug.” The quaintness of Cooke City will disappear forever. The plug has never been plowed. It’s part of what makes Cooke City special. There are some people who want to commercialize Cooke City and turn it into another West Yellowstone with more chain hotels, fast-food restaurants, and in other words, “Xanterra-ize” it. … Read more

Below is a letter approved and signed by the Board of Park County (WY) Commissioners to clear up confusion and misunderstanding as it relates to Shaleas Harrison’s (PARC) statements at a November 16, 2022, Gardiner Chamber of Commerce Meeting.

“As I understand them, the issues seem to be safety (sharing the road with snow machines and cars/trucks,) impact on wildlife and preserving the charm and uniqueness of CC/SG. That brings in tourist dollars too, but if Cooke becomes just another small town instead of where the road ends and the adventure begins, we’ve lost … Read more

Letter to the Editor: Plowing the Plug? The Cody Country Snowmobile Association would like to introduce ourselves. Our organization was incorporated in 1973. We have members throughout Park County and parts of Montana. We maintain the Beartooth Mountain Snowmobile Trail System we also own and maintain a Safety Shelter that is located at lsland Lake in the Beartooths. Our trail system connects to the trail system in Cooke City, Montana. With the connection of these two trail systems, we have over 100 miles of groomed or marked trails. You can snowmobile in both states on one trail. Grooming is paid for by RecreationalTrails Grants and Snowmobile User Fees, lf you like to play in the snow, Cross Country Ski, Snowshoe, Fat Tire Bike, or Dog Mush the trails are available for everybody’s use. For some folks to say “Plow the Plug” without fully understanding the ramifications is disturbing to us. This … Read more

November 26, 2022 Governor Greg GianforteP.O. Box 200801Helena, MT 59620-0801 Dear Governor Gianforte: Health and safety are being touted by some in the campaign to plow the 9-mile section of Highway 212, “The Plug”.  Everyone is entitled to and has a private opinion on the benefits of plowing, not plowing, or plowing responsibly, but “health … Read more

Published 11/21/22 in The Cody Enterprise The road through Yellowstone from Cooke City to Gardiner, Mont., is open year-round so as not to disenfranchise Cooke City area residents from their county seat of Livingston. There is no other reason the road is plowed in winter. A portion of the highway east of Cooke City to … Read more

A letter to Editor from Cooke City Exxon Employee Joelle Passerello posted 11/13/22 claims Ben Zavora, owner of the Cooke City Sinclair and Beartooth Powder Guides does not live in Cooke City. Zavora and his wife Vanessa Shaw reside on Main Street year-round and are on-site owner/operators of both of their thriving Cooke City businesses, … Read more

Letter to the editor featured in the Cody Enterprise 11/16/22 To the editor: Stephen Dow’s Nov. 9 article needs clarification. In his piece, Stephen ignores any concerns about plowing the section of US 212 east of Cooke City known as the Plug, These valid concerns include loss of access to public lands; parking and traffic … Read more