If you are like most people in town, you are probably mystified as to why we keep approving gigantic hotels and other big-growth developments. Why, when we have such overcrowding issues already? Our streets and highways are already clogged with traffic. There are hundreds of low-paying jobs with no one to work them because of a tight housing market. We […]
Brian Siegfried, a real estate agent and former member of the Housing Authority Board, had some very interesting things to say in an article published by The Planet recently. A few of the highlights we thought pertinent: But some worry any new developments, no matter how dire the need, also come with consequence. New developments, Brian Siegfried said, are merely putting […]
Not to belabor the point or extend the news cycle even further, but Jackson Mayor Pete Muldoon’s decision to replace our President’s likeness with an Indian chief’s portrait says a lot. Governing style, leadership qualities, character, and much more are revealed in what some are calling a “non-issue.” Whose picture is hanging in Town Hall might not be a big […]
The town of Jackson is poised to become a cooperating agency with the Forest Service (USFS) regarding Snow King’s planned expansion. Snow King is pressuring town officials to sign off on a letter to the Forest Service that will allow an environmental study (NEPA) to begin. But it will be too difficult for the town or its citizens to weigh […]
‘Think About It Jackson Hole’ is now rebranded as ‘Jackson Hole Working.’ It’s a clever word association that’s as transparent as its 5-board members’ ongoing agenda: Tax, Spend, Build, Grow. With a news article devoted entirely to this pro-development advocacy group, last week this paper teed up an all-star team of local business heavyweights with an open forum for their […]
There are heroes and there are zeroes. We find plenty of heroes in proclaiming our ‘values’ and too many zeroes in living them. Our electeds can do better than this. For instance, town council’s budding love affair with the Sagebrush Apartments could be a death sentence for local mule deer. Of course, we say we love wildlife. Our Comp Plan […]
The new Teton County housing department is looking for feedback with an online survey. It’s commendable, but a bit late in the game to be wondering, “Why do voters keep saying no to our funding?” Why? Two reasons. Voters want good management, accountability, results, efficiency—the kinds of things corporations have to abide by or they go out of business. And, […]
Our electeds are doing it the hard way. Truly. Bailing out an overflowing bathtub with a Dixie cup, without first turning off the faucet, is really tough. Tackling the valley’s housing issues needs to be more than piecemeal, Band-Aided stabs in the dark. Here’s how things are progressing in town. Planners are busy approving 13 spaces carved out of a […]
This is classic! A perfect example of why town and county officials (and more than a few developers) have found it so difficult to produce affordable housing. It’s called NIMBY. Not In My Back Yard. It’s such a rampant disease, even people IN affordable housing dont want affordable housing next to them. Unbelievable. http://www.jhnewsandguide.com/news/town_county/village-affordables-inch-closer-to-construction/article_2d868195-a4bc-519c-8954-5209cf632fad.html Village affordables inch closer to construction […]
Politicians are in a tough spot. Those that preached ‘housing-now’ must now decide—will they follow ‘the will of the people’ or not? Voters just said NO for a second time. They don’t want to pay additional taxes for public housing or START busses. Last November voters said no to the extra one cent tax for housing and transportation. Politicians put […]
