Sheridan County holds interviews for single Historic Preservation Commission opening

Sheridan County held a special meeting Feb. 27 to interview two candidates for one open seat on the Sheridan County Historic Preservation Commission, a position that would fill an unexpired term through June 30, 2025. "The purpose of our special meeting this morning is to interview candidates for appointment to the Sheridan County Historic Preservation Commission. We have 1 open position to fill an unexpired term running through June thirtieth of 2025," Chairman Settle said.

The commission’s work is to identify and preserve sites and artifacts of local historic significance and to seek appropriate funding or interpretive uses. That role framed both candidates’ remarks during the roughly 11-minute meeting, in which commissioners asked about candidates’ availability, experience and potential conflicts of interest.

Applicant Emerson Scott said he pursues local history as a hobby and described several preservation priorities, including the loss of Sheridan’s Carnegie Library and the historical value of the Acme Power Plant. "I just get a kick out of the history of the area," Scott said. He added that he can help "identify" and "define" historic assets but does not have grant-writing expertise: "I wish I did. I always depended on Carrie at the conservation district...That's not something I have in my hip pocket." Scott told the panel he recently stepped down from the Conservation District after 12 years and currently serves on the Sheridan Fire District Joint Powers Board and the Dayton Fire District; he also said he works with "the Whitney." He indicated he freed time to serve on the commission.

Carrie Edinger introduced herself as the Museum Director at the Museum at the Bighorns and described prior work with the Sheridan Community Land Trust developing a historic program and a preservation easement program. "I am currently the Museum Director at the Museum at the Bighorns and been there almost a little over a month," Edinger said. When asked about a possible conflict of interest because the county provides a small amount of funding to the museum through the "1¢ collection," Edinger said, "I don't see a conflict of interest," and described the museum as a community resource that can support National Register nominations and local interpretive projects.

Commissioners asked each candidate about time availability; Settle confirmed the appointment will be decided at a later public meeting. No formal appointment or vote took place during the Feb. 27 session. "This will be on our meeting agenda, to make the decision in a in a public meeting on the agenda," Settle said before adjourning the special meeting.

The panel did not take any formal votes or issue directives during the interview session; candidates were thanked for applying and informed of the next public meeting where the appointment will be made.