Barrasso visits business, school

Saratoga hosted U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo) Monday.

Barrasso took a tour of the Saratoga Forest Management Mill meeting with its staff and the owners. Senator Barrasso recently sponsored the National Forest Jobs and Management Act which, according to the bill, aims "to create a predictable wood supply from the National Forest System land that can be harvested, processed, and sold as wood products."

Owners of the mill, Gary Ervin and Clint Georg, said that Senator Barrasso's visit to Saratoga was a welcomed visit.

"Certainly it shows his support [for the mill] he's put forth a bill that will help us a great deal. It will help the forest, it will help our industry and it would do so in a way that makes a lot of sense," Georg said.

Georg also testified before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on behalf of Barrasso's proposed bill.

Senator Barrasso then met with student's and staff at Saratoga Elementary. He was greeted at the door by Principal Dave Rangitsch and Kindergarten teacher LeAnn Uhling. Uhling was recognized by Barrasso for becoming a Nationally Board Certified Teacher.

Senator Barrasso also spoke in front of students at an assembly as he responded to questions from students and quizzed students on politics.

"Who knows, the first President from Wyoming could be in this gym," Barrasso said.

During the assembly, a group of fifth graders held up individual pieces of paper depicting the national debt. Fifth grader Katelyn Bifano then asked Senator Barrasso what needs to be done about the debt. Senator Barrasso cited job creation and financial independence from China.