Should the seat of the newly carved-out county be in Jackson? Or should it be in Kelly?
It doesnât seem like much of a decision today, with Jackson a thriving tourist mecca of more than 10,000 and Kelly with its Wikipedia-estimated population of 138.
But it was a real question in 1921, the year that the scattered citizens of Jackson Hole argued whether they should break away from Lincoln County to create their own county. There was some debate even about that.
With the county seat of Kemmerer being about 210 miles away, much of it unpaved and often closed by snow and mud, the thriving town of Jackson and its outpost communities had had about enough of long-distance governance. They figured some local control was overdue for a community that had a big impression of itself as a growing hub of business.
Nine years ago, Teton Valley adopted the current Comprehensive Plan. Winning an award from the American Planning Association, it was drafted with over 4,000 public engagements, countless meetings, and seemingly endless public deliberations. It recognized that Teton Valley is a special place, and that protecting this special place was essential to its economic, social, and environmental success. The Land Use Code is the tool that ensures the Comprehensive Planâs implementation. After nine years of drafting, redrafting, rethinking, engaging, re-engaging, and redeliberating, Teton County is poised to adopt a new Land Use Code that will implement the Comprehensive Plan.
The draft Code is a common sense way to protect Teton Countyâs quality of life and rural character. It has the potential to preserve our scenic open spaces, unspoiled views, wildlife, and recreational opportunities. It will also encourage smart development that sustains property values while fostering sustainab
Much has happened in the past 284 days: The United States chose a new president, schools went virtual, and Grizzly 399 went into and emerged from her den with four
Our country has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in infrastructure as laid out in President Bidenâs recent joint speech to Congress. The Wyoming Department of Transportation has paved the way, submitting its own wish list for big projects.
Letâs follow their lead by thinking big about our local and state needs, wants, efficiencies and deficiencies.
How do we pay for big ideas that will pay dividends in the long run for our community and state? Congress needs to roll up its sleeves so both parties can find an equitable way to fund structural improvements too big for the free market to handle.
TAXABLE SALES REPORTED TO WYOMINGâS Department of Revenue and Taxation in March totaled $139.3 million, a healthy 9.8% increase over the amount reported in March 2020. A lag of about a month separates actual sales and when taxes are reported by the state, so Marchâs number generally reflects sales in February, i.e., the core of the winter tourism season. Monthly figures can vary wildly, so this number should be taken with a grain of salt. That noted, the figures are generally indicative of whatâs going on. During the fiscal year ending in March, all of Teton Countyâs taxable sales totaled $1.596 billion, 3.8% lower than during the previous 12 months.