First and foremost, it is important to understand the uniqueness and virtual isolation of Meeteetse from the rest of the world, and the difficulty encountered when everyday common necessities are 32 miles to the north in Cody, Wyoming. Meeteetse does not have a pharmacy, a grocery store, or medical facilities. For the most part, this is not a problem. For senior citizens without transportation, however, it is a huge problem and a constant worry.
     John Fernandez, administrator of the Meeteetse Recreation District, saw a need, and with an energetic and enthusiastic attitude put into motion a proposal that helped to acquire a 12-passenger, disability-equipped bus that would be utilized by both the recreation district and the senior citizens as a public transit system. The bus was purchased with a grant from UMTA (now FTA) and matched funds from the recreation district.
     Herein lies the dilemma. John should also be nominated for an award for his dedication. He came up with a creative way to solve a huge problem in the area and is also overseeing the use of the vehicle for the senior citizens. He supervises the drivers and handles all of the maintenance.
     One day each week the district furnishes a driver for the bus, come rain or shine, to get the senior citizens to Cody. Without this service many of Meeteetse’s seniors would not have the opportunity to see to their vital,

     Weston County Senior Services, formerly known as the Michaels Weston County Senior Center, has been living in a whirlwind this past year. The City of Newcastle gave the senior center the previous grade school and we moved in June of 2003. We began construction on a new five-stall garage in August 2003 and completed it in March of this year.
     Our transportation services have multiplied far beyond our dreams. In the last ten years, we have watched our numbers jump from an average of one to two passengers a day in an old 18-passenger bus, to the current average of 23 to 25 passengers a day, using four