No finer professional

It was difficult to find a dry eye in the Medicine Bow Senior Center on April 20 as Carbon County Coroner Paul Zamora announced his resignation via letter to the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC).

“It is with great sorrow and trepidation that I inform you of my decision to retire at the end of this month. This decision stems from the current treading of my illness,” wrote Zamora. “It is time to focus all my energy on treatment and a little fun.”

The letter, read by Chairman John Johnson, went on to state that it was the “greatest honor to serve the people of Carbon County and to have the opportunity to work with a team of highly skilled law enforcement, EMS (emergency medical services) and fire. These folks are second to none, you should all feel safe in our little county.”

One of the most recent accomplishments of Zamora and his office was the purchase and renovation of a building at 322 4th Street to become the new home of the Carbon County Coroner’s Office.

“Thank you as a group. We have worked well these last few years and that work has paid off,” Zamora wrote. “The new office is an asset to our county and you are a huge part of that.”

Following the reading of his letter, both Johnson and Commissioner Sue Jones thanked Zamora for his 15 years of service to Carbon County. Elected in 2006, Zamora had run unopposed in every election including the 2018 primary and general elections.

“I never bloviate much but I think what Paul did for Carbon County in getting that building done—when you look at this board and how tight we are—for him to come and get that done and convince us, sell us on the idea. What he did and what he built is what the residents of Carbon County need,” said Johnson. “They deserve it and I don’t think I’ll ever forget Paul as long as I live because I drive by that and see how he did it. He did it for the right reasons and kudos to him and Brittany (Nyman) for getting it done.”

As Jones talked about Zamora, she fought to hold back tears. 

“My deepest and heartfelt prayers are with him and his family as he walks this walk and, personally, I had need of his services when my husband passed away and there was no finer professional with more heartfelt kindness than Paul and I will always remember him and treasure him for that moment in my hour of need and I know I’m not the only person in this county who experienced that,” said Jones.

Following Johnson’s and Jones’ comments, Commissioner John Espy read a letter prepared by Carbon County Clerk Gwynn Bartlett.

The letter, addressed to the Carbon County Republican Central Committee, requested that the committee select three qualified individuals for the commissioners to interview.

On April 21, Joey Correnti IV, chairman of the Carbon County Republican Party, announced a meeting of the county party to select three candidates for the vacant position. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. on May 1 at American Legion Post No. 54 in Saratoga.

The next meeting of the Board of Carbon County Commissioners will be at 9 a.m. on May 4 at the Carbon County Courthouse in Rawlins.