Making his own tracks

Dave Tatum of Platte, S.D., feels like he was welcomed into a family when he started working for Carbon County Weed and Pest.

"I don't feel like I've been hired to do a job, I feel like I have been accepted into a family," he said.

Tatum began working for the county Oct. 10 after Larry Justesen announced his retirement. Tatum will take over Justesen's duties Nov. 1 as Carbon County's new weed and pest supervisor.

Justesen, after working more than 30 years for the Carbon County Weed and Pest Department, will officially retire Oct. 31, leaving big shoes for Tatum to fill, Tatum said.

"It's going to be tough to fill his tracks. He has had a very good run and ran a very smooth operation," he said.

Although Tatum wants to leave most things the same throughout the department, Tatum does have some ideas of his own, he said.

I don't want to change a lot, because I want the operation to run as smooth as it did for him, but then again I'm not really going to try and fill his tracks, I'm going to make my own tracks," he said.

Tatum said he wants to maintain strong working relationships with all entities in Carbon County and maybe even build new working relationships.

"I am going to work my best to work with all the producers, ranchers, land owners, the BLM, Forest Service, whoever we are affiliated to work with. I will do everything I can to help control and stop noxious and invasive weeds," he said.

Tatum moved to Carbon County from his hometown of Platte, where he left the weed and pest supervisor position for Charles Mix County.

Tatum said he left his position and his hometown because he was looking for an area to retire, and Wyoming was an appealing choice, being an avid hunter and outdoorsman.

"I always liked Wyoming. It is a beautiful state, and I just love being outdoors and hunting wildlife," he said.

But what is even more appealing about Carbon County, Tatum said, are the people who live and work here.

Tatum said, ever since he moved to Carbon County, everyone he has met is very kind and inviting.

"It doesn't matter if they are going out to breakfast, or if they are going to church or if they are just going out with friends, you are always included," he said. "They introduce you to everybody, and it makes you feel like you are very welcome and included in the community."

 

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