Talk at the Trap

The Bear Trap Cafe and Bar in Riverside, Wyo. has been host to a variety of events over the years. From the post-jamboree party spot to the home of WHATFest for a handful of years. Now, Margaret Weber is hoping to bring another event to the establishment. It is sure to get people talking and that is exactly what she wants.

Like most people, Weber found out about former Rawlins resident Rod Miller’s bid for Wyoming’s only Representative seat through social media. According to Weber, she had seen a reply Miller wrote on Facebook and promptly researched his platform.

“I read through his page and through his platform and I messaged him. He immediately messaged back. He is someone who has been here for WHATFest and he’s not a stranger to this area,” said Weber.

Weber presented her idea to Miller of a town hall style debate between him and Representative Liz Cheney at the Bear Trap. Miller immediately latched onto the idea. Since then, Weber and Miller have emailed Cheney multiple times asking her to attend a debate.

“I’ve asked the (Saratoga/Platte Valley) Chamber of Commerce to send an email on my behalf, I’ve asked the Carbon County Visitors Council to send an email on my behalf. Jerry Paxton has sent an email on my behalf,” Weber said.

Even with organizations and other political figures sending emails on Weber’s behalf, she has yet to receive a reply from Representative Cheney.

“We are a small enough state with few enough people that she should be able to respond,” said Weber.

Weber has two reasons why she wants to hold this debate at her establishment, one has to do with accessibility to the state’s representatives.

“Cheney was here two years ago, she went to the senior centers. I don’t think anyone in my age demographic knew she was here or went to that,” Weber said, “A lot of people around here have valid concerns and questions to ask, but like hell they’re going to go to Laramie or Rawlins to a debate or to a campaign stop.”

The other reason Weber wants to hold this event at the Bear Trap is to get people talking with each other about politics.

“If you sit down and talk to your neighbor, or you talk to someone who that you know who is the opposite end of the spectrum of you when it comes to politics, and you start actually talking you pretty much have the same ideals and pretty much have the same wants, especially when it comes to Wyoming,” said Weber.

“The past year or so, I’ve noticed our national political discourse, even down at the local level, has become very polarized. It is angry,” said Miller. “I want to do what I can to kind of temper that and bring back to our political discussion some civility and intelligence. Something other than 10-second sound bytes that appeal to people’s emotions.”

Whether or not Cheney shows up, however, a debate will still be planned for Valley residents to attend. Along with Miller having announced his candidacy, Travis Helm recently announced his intentions to run as the Democratic candidate for the House of Representatives. According to both Miller and Weber, Helm has agreed to participate in the debate at the Bear Trap. The Saratoga Sun reached out to Helm, but as of press time had not received a reply.

Whether or not Representative Cheney takes Weber up on her offer, the Riverside restaurant owner is still positive that the event will draw a crowd.

“I think if it’s just Rod and Travis, we could pack the inside here. I think if Liz shows up we could do it outside.”