The Cody Paradox: How Do We Stay Us While Moving Forward?

From my perspective – an opinion piece/Letter from the Editor

We often hear, “We don’t want to become Jackson.” But if we define ourselves only by what we aren’t, it’s hard to create clear policies that protect our values. For newcomers, unclear values can make it difficult to know if they fit with Cody. Instead of only resisting what we don’t want, we should focus on embracing who we are and what aligns with our values.

We Don’t Want to be Jackson

So, let’s look at what we don’t want, because often all you have to do is turn around to see what you do want. We don’t want flashy and loud. Kanye learned that. I recall watching him one day while working downtown. He was on the street corner with a newspaper – obviously looking for paparazzi and finding none. Fame and fortune don’t matter here and never have. 

We also don’t want to make living here unaffordable. This is an ongoing challenge and among the area’s toughest issues. Rising tax rates are a concern because Cody’s real estate market consistently holds its value and never really goes down.

We don’t want to see our small-town charm swallowed up by a big corporate influx. We resist box stores. Walmart had one heck of a time coming in during the 1990s. We shy away from racing to the latest technology. We see the downfall of moving too quickly down that road.

Cody’s Values

From the beginning, this town had fame and fortune. There was Buffalo Bill and the investors from Sheridan to the connections to the Eastern money, including the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers. They have always been our neighbors. So, from the beginning, what mattered was what can’t be bought: integrity, honesty, and a strong work ethic—all the aspects of the Code of the West.

Buffalo Bill invited the Mennonites to settle their families here, taming the new Western development. Could their thoughtful, deliberate adoption of technology and strong community focus influence us more than we realize? Perhaps this is at least part of why Cody has always been about 20 years behind the technological curve and prefers to remain that way.

So what are the other values we hold dear?

Giving

Others in the state sometimes refer to Cody as the city that always has its hand out. Yes, we do. That’s because we value giving. My parents met at UW, and Mom always said she noticed the kids from Cody and Lusk. While all Wyoming kids took care of and helped each other, these two towns did it on a much higher level. They ensured everyone from their community was invited to functions, had a ride, and if they needed an appropriate outfit, someone would loan them one. They stood out because they uplifted each other more than usual, no matter their financial or social status. Community mattered more. Take a look at the sheer number of fundraising events this town holds; you can see this is one of our core values.

Community

We also value community and gathering together. At an event last year, the speaker referred to Cody as “the epicenter of events.” We have around 100 events each week on the community calendar. Could this have stemmed from those from the Eastern cities in the early days, and later from oil business workers moving to Cody, who expected entertainment? How we gather, though, is changing. The museum and service/social organizations used to be a hub. Now, it’s shifted more to businesses to host events or larger gatherings like the Concerts in the Park.

Humility

The wealth that has always been here, from the early days to the oil influence, those people gave much to this town. Not only do we have our founders whose influence is still valued, but we also have the sustainers who gave us so much. Paul Stock is an example of that. He gave us the CHS Athletic Field, City Park, the Bandshell, and more. His foundation (started with my grandfather’s help) continues to give to and sustain the community. But there are more who have given so much. They often do so quietly – because we value humility over flashiness. And we all know that if you’re not humble, someone will give you a lesson.

Transparency to Allow Awareness

I heard someone comment last year that the gossip in town has slowed a bit, but not much, suggesting it’s not quite as tight-knit as it used to be. Gossip happens because people want to know what’s happening. A few, yes, to fuel their anger or “pushing against,” but most out of awareness. This town values being aware. It is more heavily involved in local governance, putting any elected or appointed official under the microscope. That is yet another part of “your fame and fortune don’t matter here” and why transparency is valued so much, and such a ruckus happens when changes happen without that advanced transparency.

Inclusiveness

Inclusiveness is yet another value of Cody. We value a community that includes all, not a social hierarchy. We want workers to feel as much at home as the millionaires/billionaires. This is where the idea of “Cody Formal” comes in, and why you can wear anything to almost any event in town. This value of inclusiveness underlies the push to figure out how to create more affordable housing. That’s everyone wanting everyone to make it.

The Trick is to Keep Our Values and Allow Growth

Knowing our values allows us to embrace more of what we do want. This town wants a stronger dining scene. A friend said we have “50 restaurants and nowhere to eat.” She’s right. Most of the menus are the same. Does that come from the resistance of nice restaurants making us “like Jackson?” Will it attract those who don’t embrace our values? Is there a way to embrace better cuisine without losing who we are? It’s a simple thing, but I think it’s rooted in our values, or lack of defining our values.

We also need higher-quality jobs here, so companies are less likely to outsource work to larger communities to find the solutions they need. But if we grow that way, can we still hold our values?

We pay less in town for services. What the market will bear in Cody is about half of what it is in other places for many services and some products. This make it harder for someone to make it here. So why do we expect to pay less? It’s a good question. These are all hard issues we, as a community, need to consider.

We Will Never Be Jackson

While we unequivocally will never become Jackson, how long we hold to what we have will be determined by us. The first step is recognizing what we value and then following through by consistently practicing those values. It’s no different than looking closely at the full brand of a company – knowing your “why” and learning what defines it. Good branding makes the path forward easier to see.

While I’ve listed some of the values I’ve seen over the decades here in Cody, I’m sure there are others as well. A friend of mine thinks Resiliency is yet another value. And I’m sure you have thoughts on this as well. These are good conversations to have.

Our values are what keep Cody unique. By intentionally paying attention to those values, we ensure Cody remains true to itself and does not become what it fears. Losing sight of them risks losing our town’s true character.

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