Sign built for wind

Residents heading east to the Hanna Recreation Center on Wyoming 72 will see a new addition from the police force on the right side of the road. It is a speed limit indicator sign. On May 22, with help from workers from the Sinclair Wyoming Refining Company (SWRC), the sign was put up.

Hanna Marshal Jeff Neimark reached out toRyta Sondergard, Community Relations Director for SWRC, when he realized he needed an extremely strong pole and mount to cope with Wyoming wind. Sondergard contacted Sinclair's welding department and Neimark was put in contact with Jeff Kmoch, maintenance manager for SWRC who said he could help. A mount and pole was created by Sinclair worker Billy Neu.

Neimark said the base of the unit appears to weigh over 300 pounds and the metal pole is attached. The base has wheels for moving the sign. Neimark said the speed sign will be moved to different locations to compile different statistics on what areas have the highest incidents of speeding. The speed limit sign is equipped with blue tooth technology. Neimark said if there is an issue in a particular location, the Marshal's office can increase patrols to the trouble spot.

"We want to help make people aware of the speed limit," Neimark said. "There are many planned energy type jobs; for example, the Gateway West transmission line project could bring in 300 or more workers to the area and this sign will be important for safety."

Neimark gives credit to mayor Tony Poulos for asking him to look into getting the speed sign. The Marshal's office received a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture for the sign.

Once the sign came, it became apparent it needed an exceptionally strong pole and base. This is when Neimark got in contact with SWRC.