There we were, sitting around a conference table this week in Washington D.C. with our Wyoming member of Congress, discussing our concerns. This latest trip was looking after the needs of our member-owned cooperative, Lower Valley Energy.

Meeting in person — that’s something I have tried to do over the years with my work related to public service. I haven’t altered from that approach despite the changes in technology. First choice, in-person, second technology, if needed.

Many of those in-person meetings have necessitated all night drives across Wyoming. It was worth it.

With the latest, in-person meeting, involving our U.S. Representative, and later two members of the U.S. Senate,  the meetings  come after another all night trip. This time it was a night run across the nation in a passenger jet. I let the other guy drive. I do Wyoming pickups, not jets!

Regardless, it’s a matter of showing up, explaining and facilitating a good discussion with concerns,whether it be in Cheyenne or Washington D.C.

In-person is always better. I built a newspaper and subsequently radio stations and digital news operations by, simply  showing up.

With that approach, I estimate I have attended a few thousand meetings in Star Valleys’ communities, a county and state in recent years, in addition  to those D.C. runs.

Showing up to do the work — priceless!