2012 Teton County Primary Election

August 15, 2012

2012 TETON COUNTY

PRIMARY ELECTION

O

JHNewsAndGuide.com/election.php Index

GOP primary Wyoming House District 16 Jackson Town Council primary U.S. Senate races Uncontested candidates

3 4 7 8

E

House District 16 full answers to LWV questions 9 Town Council full answers

12 County commission candidates’ full answers 18 Precinct maps 19

ONE VALLEY. ONE VISION. YOUR VOICE.

2 - PRIMARY 2012 JACKSON HOLE NEWS&GUIDE, Wednesday, August 15, 2012

MARK BARRON FOR

MAYOR

From the editor The Jackson Hole News&Guide 2012 primary election section focuses on contested races that will be decided Aug. 21. Readers will find information about candidates’ positions in the GOP primary for Wyoming House District 16 and the nonpartisan race for Jackson Town Council.

The Republican primary for House District 16 pits incumbent Ruth Ann Petroff against challenger Bob Biolchini. One will advance to the general election in November. No Democratic candidate is seeking the party nomination, but there could be a write-in on the November ballot.

In the race for Jackson Town Council, eight candidates are running. Two seats are open for four-year terms. The primary will select the top four, who will advance to the November ballot.

Candidates are Phillip Cameron, Emy diGrappa, Kelly Egan, Jim Genzer, Steve Harrington, Hailey Morton, Mark Obringer and Jim Stanford.

The council has four members, with the mayor as the fifth. Two notes: Incumbent Greg Miles’ name appears, but he has withdrawn, and the ballot incorrectly lists the term of the seats as two years.

Information in this section begins with the state House races on page 3. A grid provides summaries of answers to fresh questions asked last week. Farther back, readers can find the answers to questions posed by the League of Women Voters, which organized Monday’s

“Know the Candidates” gathering with Teton County Library and local media. The responses were summarized last week in the News&Guide.

Candidates’ complete responses are on page 7.

Similarly, Jackson Town Council candidates’ views on some new issues are laid out in grid form on page 5.

Those candidates’ responses to the league’s questions, also summarized in the News&Guide last week, are printed in full starting on page 12.

In the county race, four candidates are seeking two seats on the Teton County Board of Commissioners.

Two Democrats, Claire Fuller and Melissa Turley, and two Republicans, Paul Perry and Barbara Allen, will advance to the general election.

They, too, received questions from the league, and their answers are printed in full on page 18.

The 2012 election section also includes a summary of the positions of statewide candidates vying for their parties’ nominations to a seat in the U.S. Senate. In the GOP tilt, summarized on page 7, incumbent Sen. John Barrasso is being challenged

by Thomas Bleming and Emmett A. Mavy. On the Democratic slate, William Bryk, Tim Chesnut and Al Hamburg compete. One will advance from each party.

A precinct map showing the new voting districts resulting from the 2010 Census appears on page 19.

– Angus M. Thuermer

I would deeply appreciate your vote in the August 21st primary election.

Paid for by Mark Barron for Mayor 240943

barbara allen FOR TETON COUNTY COMMISSIONER

Fiscal Responsibility Responsibilityand andAccountability.

AccountabilityCounty . County government Fiscal government canstay staywithin withinbudget budget through efficiency, good decision making can through efficiency, good decision making and and strong leadership.

No 7th Cent. strong leadership. No 7th Cent.

Wildlife,Open OpenSpace Space&&Resource Resource ProtectionCreating . Creating a better Wildlife, Protection. a better JacksonHole Holethrough throughreal real solutions create permanent open Jackson solutions forto permanent open space that space while respecting property rights. Responsible our respect property rights.

Responsible stewardship stewardship of our naturalof resources natural resources and wildlife that benefit our quality of life, and wildlife to benefit our quality of life, environment and economy. environment and economy.

Land Development Regulations.

Respect for neighborhoods, Land Development Regulations.

Respectdiscussions for neighborhoods, property rights, businesses and wildlife. Upfront about property rights, businesses Upfront discussions about numbers, infrastructure costsand and wildlife. transportation impacts.

density transfers, infrastructure costs and transportation impacts.

Vibrant Economy. Support for our hard working community with Vibrantthat Economy . Support for our hard working community with policies support, not hinder, small businesses. policies that support, not hinder, small businesses

Special supplement written, produced and printed by the Jackson Hole News&Guide Publisher: Michael Sellett Chief Operating Officer: Kevin Olson Special Sections Editor: Angus M. Thuermer Jr. Layout and Design: Kathryn Holloway and Kia Mosenthal Photo Editors: Bradly J. Boner, Price Chambers, Travis J. Garner Copy Editors: Richard Anderson, Jennifer Dorsey, Mark Huffman Features: Thomas Dewell, Benjamin Graham, Kevin Huelsmann, Mark Huffman Advertising Sales: Amy Golightly, Adam Meyer, Karen Brennan, Meredith Faulkner Advertising Coordinator: Heather Best Advertising Design: Caryn Wooldridge, Jenny Francis, Kara Hanson, Lydia Wanner Pre-press: Jeff Young Pressmen: Dave Carey, Dale Fjeldsted, Greg Grutzmacher, Johnathan Leyva, Mike Taylor Office Manager: Kathleen Godines Customer Service Managers: Lucia Perez, Ben Medina Circulation: Pat Brodnik, Kyra Griffin, Amanda Laykiya, Hank Smith Copyright 2012 Jackson Hole News&Guide P.O. Box 7445, 1225 Maple Way Jackson, WY 83002 , 733-2047 Fax: 733-2138, JHNewsAndGuide.com

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Balanced, Balanced, Responsible, Respectful Responsible, Respectful Leadership Leadership

PRIMARY 2012 JACKSON HOLE NEWS&GUIDE, Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 3

State House District 16 The race for House District 16 is turning into a battle over which candidate truly represents the values of Republican voters.

Incumbent Rep. Ruth Ann Petroff is facing off against challenger Bob Biolchini, a longtime Jackson resident who is making his first foray into politics.

Biolchini, 45, claims Petroff is a “Republican in name only” and doesn’t accurately represent the values of District 16 Republicans on taxes, spending, gun rights and social issues such as gay marriage and abortion rights.

He said he will work to limit government restrictions, cut spending, limit taxes and repeal federal health care reform legislation.

Petroff, 46, has said she firmly supports the core values of the Republican Party and stands behind her voting record, which shows that she is pro-business, pro-energy and in favor of lower taxes. In addition to the issues Biolchini has raised, Petroff said she wants to focus on promoting tourism in Wyoming and continuing to build relationships with lawmakers around the state to help Teton County gain a solid foothold in the Legislature.

She said Biolchini’s attempts to discredit her as a Republican are doing a disservice to voters. Petroff said much of Biolchini’s campaign material inaccurately portrays her positions and past votes.

State

Petroff was elected to House District 16 in 2010. She edged out Joe Schloss by about 400 votes to snag the GOP nomination for the seat and went on to defeat Democratic candidate Len Carlman in the general election by 463 votes.

She was the first Republican to hold the seat since it was created in 2002. Democrat Pete Jorgensen represented the district until Petroff was elected. He announced plans to retire from the position before the election in 2010.

Ruth Ann Petroff Ruth Ann Petroff said she wants to focus during the next legislative session on ways to promote the use of natural gas. She mentioned programs to provide incentives for natural-gas vehicle conversions and natural-gas pumps.

She also wants to find ways to help bolster the state economy and attract new businesses. To do that, she wants to pursue aggressive sales-tax incentives and recruiting efforts.

During her first term in office, Petroff shepherded several notable bills through the state Legislature.

She sponsored a bill that cleared the way for the state to sell several pieces of land it owned within Grand Teton National Park to the federal government so the land could be conserved as part of the park.

She also saw a bill through the Legislature that gave towns and counties the authority to lend money to residents for energy-efficient improvements.

Budget cuts

She introduced legislation that would have allowed cities and counties to consolidate. The bill was voted down.

In this year’s legislative session, Petroff sponsored a resolution urging Congress to approve a balanced budget and adopt a fiscal plan developed by former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson, Erskine Bowles and other members of a national commission.

The report outlined big spending cuts and major reforms to taxes, Social Security and health care programs.

She also sponsored a bill that loosened the rules for issuing liquor licenses to resorts. The legislation allowed licenses to be awarded to ski resorts that aren’t attached to hotels or motels.

Petroff arrived in the valley in the late 1980s as the owner of a Domino’s franchise. She opened Hard Drive Cafe and now owns Snake River Roasting Company.

Bob Biolchini Bob Biolchini is a longtime valley resident who is entering the political sphere for the first time.

He is pressing his opponent on what he says are true conservative issues. In his campaign material, Biolchini has pledged to repeal federal health care reform legislation, protect citizens’ gun rights, lower taxes and cut spending.

Biolchini said he opposes gay marriage and does not support abortion rights.

He supports an energy policy that

focuses on domestic production and competition to increase supplies.

“Here in the United States, we have the resources to maintain energy independence for years to come but we are not allowed to use all the resources available,” he said.

Biolchini said he is a “proponent of using all the domestic energy that we have here that is readily available.” State officials should encourage alternative energy sources but shouldn’t provide subsidies, he said.

Immigration reform also has cropped up in Biolchini’s campaign material. He said he supports legal immigration but wants to “get tough on illegal immigration and work to stop the liberals’ amnesty programs.

“To reduce crime and protect Wyoming jobs, Bob will fight to end the free ride that some immigration criminals enjoy in our state,” one mailer reads.

He suggested implementing an E-verify system within the state.

Additionally, he said, law enforcement is an important component in addressing immigration issues.

“Rather than letting illegals walk out of our jails, we need to be sure they are delivered to the feds for deportation,” he said.

Biolchini has worked in various positions at the Bank of Jackson Hole, which is owned by his father.

Biolchini now serves on the bank’s board of directors.

Biolchini also owns a homebuilding company as well as a product development company that holds six patents.

Ideal energy policy

Diversifying economy

School accountability

Public notices

At nearly all levels, the government is too big and spends too much. ... So outof-touch has been Ruth Ann Petroff that she voted for a whopping 14 percent increase in the size of state government after just one term (House Bill 12-01).

Consumer demand should drive prices in the marketplace, not the government and its ill-advised desire to pick winners and losers for us. All forms of energy — renewable and carbon — should be tapped into for the benefit of the people who live here. Likewise, I would never have voted to increase our taxes on renewable wind power the way Ruth Ann did (House Bill 11-191).

Wyoming should recruit more hightech companies that will help keep us competitive for decades to come. I will oppose the ridiculous “Hollywood handout” that a starstruck Ruth Ann Petroff voted for that would have given over 1 million of our tax dollars to California movie producers (Senate File 11-41).

School choice with parents and students deciding what is best for them. A family’s tax dollars should follow the student, not the other way around.

Public legal notices are an important part of our judicial process. Those notices should be published with any publisher that can ensure the widest possible coverage so that citizens have the best chance of being informed.

Gov. Mead has ordered that all agencies submit 8 percent reductions in their budgets to the Legislature. ... I will take a hard look at these 8 percent cuts to make sure these are cuts that are truly needed and that will have the least impact on our citizens. ... Some programs should be fully funded, others decreased and others eliminated. ... We need to be willing to recognize when a new idea that has been piloted did not pan out as well as we had hoped.

I support ... a balance between energy development, quality of life and environmental concerns. ... We [must] recognize the role of natural gas but also recognize that Wyoming is an excellent source for wind. I helped Gov. Mead in providing funding in our Wyoming Business Council to bring companies like Worthington Wind to Wyoming and manufacture wind towers and turbines. A double win in bringing wind power to Wyoming, but also manufacturing jobs.

We have a state investment portfolio that includes venture capital funding.

We should consider a professionally run fund that would specifically support Wyoming start-ups with venture capital and loans. Access to funding is a major hurdle [to] putting innovative concepts on the ground. This fund could help businesses that fly under the radar because they are too small or too remote to attract attention.

We’ve made a significant investment in and commitment to education; we need to make sure those funds are used as productively as possible.

We have an accountability committee that meets regularly to develop these measures, which I hope will include tests that are short and to the point with real, measurable, actionable data. We need incentives for teachers who are excellent ... and we need to quickly act when teachers don’t have potential.

We tend to think digitally disseminated information is universally, easily accessible, but there are still many citizens not connected to that world.

Times are quickly changing, and there will be a day when it no longer makes sense for government to be required to communicate through [traditional media]. We’re still in a transitional period between traditional media and the digital age. For now, it is important to continue legal advertisements in newspapers for easy accessibility to all citizens.

House District 16

Biolchini

Petroff

VOTE august 21 www.turleyforteton.com www.TurleyForTeton.com

As a proven decision maker and member of the Jackson Town Council, Melissa Turley has worked to save taxpayer money, create jobs and protect open space.

As Teton County Commissioner, Melissa Turley will continue her commitment to fiscal efficiency, preserving our natural and scenic resources, and enhancing your family’s quality of life.

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TESTED. TRUSTED. TURLEY. ELECT MELISSA TURLEY TO TETON COUNTY COMMISSION

4 - PRIMARY 2012 JACKSON HOLE NEWS&GUIDE, Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Town Town Council

BEST OF LUCK TO ALL THE 2012 PRIMARY CANDIDATES

The Jackson Town Council could be drastically changed by this year’s election season. Or it could stay nearly the same.

Eight candidates are vying for two open seats on the council. Mayor Mark Barron is the lone candidate in the mayoral race, but he could face competition from a write-in challenger (see page 6).

The primary election will take place Aug. 21, with the general election set for Nov. 6. The primary will narrow the councilor candidate field to four who will be on the general election ballot. The top two vote-getters in November will win the seats.

Councilor Greg Miles, who filed in May to run for re-election, backed out of the race in July. The only incumbent seeking re-election to the council is Mark Obringer.

Another seat could open if Councilor Melissa Turley wins her bid to join the Teton County Board of Commissioners. The council would then appoint someone to take her place. Councilor Bob Lenz is the only incumbent guaranteed to still be in Jackson Town Hall in 2013.

Those elected to the council will face the big job of writing new land development regulations. The regulations will adjust the zoning in town to reflect the new Jackson/Teton County Comprehensive Plan.

Another job for town officials will be balancing reduced revenue with expanding services. Town revenue, largely from sales tax, is significantly lower than in 2007, before the recession, yet demand for town services continues to grow.

The council could also find itself with 10 acres along North Cache Street if voters approve purchase of the land from the U.S. Forest Service. The land buy will most likely appear on the specific purpose excise tax ballot during the general election. Officials would have to decide what to do with the land.

While Obringer is the lone incumbent in the field, some candidates do have political experience.

Steve Harrington is running for the second time, after serving a term on the council from 2002 to 2006. Jim Genzer served on the Teton County School District No. 1 board.

Political newcomers Jim Stanford, Kelly Egan, Emy diGrappa, Phillip Cameron and Hailey Morton are also competing for the two open seats.

In the mayoral race, Barron will face competition in the general election only if a write-in candidate garners 25 or more votes in the primary.

The top vote-getter with more than 25 would win a spot on the ballot.

Barron has easily defeated his challengers in previous elections.

from the Jackson Hole Tea Party!

JHTP is working hard to ensure those elected are conservative leaders who will work to support our three core values of:

- Free Markets - Fiscal Responsibility - Constitutionally Limited Government

JHTP is currently compiling State, Town, and County candidate questionnaires!

Please let us know if you would like to join our newly formed,

Phillip Cameron

Elections Committee and/or be notified once the questionnaires have been completed!

Sincerely, The Jackson Hole Tea Party www.jacksonholeteaparty.com jacksonholeteaparty@gmail.com

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After spending much of his 10 years in Jackson working on energy and environmental issues, Phillip Cameron, 32, decided to throw his hat into the race for Town Council.

“I have developed a variety of skills and strengths as an executive director, a volunteer board member and an active and involved community member that will support the critical thinking and decision-making asked of a councilor,” he said in a statement after announcing his intention to run in May. Cameron has worked as the executive director of the Yellowstone-Teton Clean Energy Coalition since 2009. He serves on the board of Jackson Hole Trout Unlimited and on the executive committee of The Murie Center.

He said his top priority if he is elected will be to work toward making local government efficient and transparent.

He moved to Jackson to be a flyfishing guide for a summer but has

since worked as an educator and a natural resource monitor.

Emy diGrappa

Emy diGrappa, 51, said her first goal would be communication with constituents throughout the process of writing the new land development regulations.

“I think it’s a matter of listening and talking,” she said in June after filing for the election.

With a focus on conservation and arts and culture, diGrappa believes she would help the council better represent citizens.

“I’m a working mom with a diverse background. I believe the Town Council should represent the face of the people that live and work in Jackson.”

If elected, she would support investment in recreational tourism and infrastructure maintenance. She would also work to continue the growth of nonprofit arts and culture organizations, which she says make up a significant portion of Jackson’s economy.

DiGrappa moved to Jackson in 2002 and worked as the director of sales and marketing for the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce. She now serves as an outreach officer for the Wyoming Humanities Council.

Kelly Egan

An advocate of small government who is active with several Jackson nonprofits, Kelly Egan, 45, entered the race to play a role in implementation of the new land-use plan.

“I would be an asset to the council during this critical time because I have good listening and negotiating skills, strong writing and organizational skills, experience in strategic planning and a legal background,” she said.

Egan said she could help citizens and the council find middle ground and move forward with the land-use plan.

“I believe that every person should feel respected and heard by their elected leaders regardless of whether they share the same position on a given issue,” Egan said.

She favors eliminating regulations that stifle small business investment, but also supports preserving open space and the character of Jackson neighborhoods.

Egan moved to Jackson 18 years ago and works as an attorney. She has been married for 18 years and has a 5-year-old daughter who attends Davey Jackson Elementary School.

She was on the planning committee for Jackson Hole United and has served on the board of the Good Samaritan Mission.

Jim Genzer

Jim Genzer’s desire to run for Town Council was born out of his frustration with the new comprehensive land-use plan.

“If we accept the comprehensive plan as it is now, town is going to be dumped on,” Genzer, 67, said after filing in May. He is an advocate of balancing growth between the town and county rather than focusing development in town, as called for by the new landuse plan.

Genzer is one of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the town that seeks to put the new plan to a popular vote.

If he is elected, one of his priorities will be to stop the narrowing of streets around town, especially the upcoming project on South Cache. He has criticized the Redmond Street project as well.

“We need good driving streets, good parking and simple sidewalks,” he said.

Genzer has worked in the insurance industry in Jackson Hole for the past 40 years. He also served as a school district board member.

See TOWN COUNCIL on 6

PRIMARY 2012 JACKSON HOLE NEWS&GUIDE, Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 5

Town

Lodging tax

Energy efficiency

Housing

Business climate

Top priority

Town Council: Two seats open; four advance to general election; four-year term Beyond the obvious financial benefit to local agencies and key visitor services like START, I see one of the greatest benefits of the special-events funding as promoting greater efficiency by encouraging collaboration across partnering organizations. ... The board needs to ensure it is promoting visitors and programs that will add to revenues, Phillip Cameron not just strain support systems.

There is a problem, and the town is working proactively with appropriate partners to address it. The town has made great strides to “walk the walk” when it comes to ... addressing the overall environmental footprint. I think that through my work on collaborative energy efficiency and transportation projects, I have the skills and knowledge needed to guide this effort forward.

It’s key that we retain talented and committed community members. I think that in the past, housing was too often the reason my friends moved away. The Jackson Hole Community Housing Trust and Teton County Housing Authority have greatly benefited the community as a whole by creating long-term ownership options here for workers.

I´d like to see some creative solutions by the council to support new, emergent and forming businesses.

I’ve been able to participate in a number of discussions with the people in the “small office/home office” business crowd who are craving space, collaboration and resources to take their entrepreneurial efforts to the next level.

Efficient government and balanced, transparent decision-making.

I need to emphasize that the effort being made is so much more than numbers, and while there is room for improvement, I think the lodging tax is an important resource for infrastructure needs in our tourismbased economy. The potential increase in sales tax dollars for our local government is significant.

I support the notion that Jackson Hole can be a leader in providing opportunities to fuel natural-gaspowered vehicles. I believe we can do more to provide public transportation in Jackson Hole, especially to and from the airport.

We need workforce housing, and I believe we need to plan for a steady and sustainable approach to maintain the 65 percent goal. We need to continually address the needs for workforce housing, because change is constant. But, while doing so, we should be listening to and respecting community voices and creating clear and effective messages about workforce housing programs.

The council needs to provide more assistance to small businesses and entrepreneurs in Jackson. Affordable and employee housing requirements should be a formula-based on impacts.

We should reward leadership in the business community for implementing employee housing programs and provide help to businesses that are responding to workforce housing opportunities and challenges.

To create a growing economy, including business development, investment in recreation tourism ... and infrastructure maintenance. We need to maintain and grow our creative economy. Nonprofit arts and culture organizations in Teton County spend $17.9 million a year, plus $31.3 million in spending by arts and culture audiences. ... That spending pumps revenue into [the local economy].

It’s too soon to analyze the Travel and Tourism Board’s effectiveness.

I appreciated its efforts to enhance existing shoulder-season events this year and support its intention of funding new events going forward. The failure of its outside advertising team to capture the uniqueness of Jackson is, however, a concern.

I dislike the waste of human, financial or environmental resources. Town government is actively pursuing its 20x20 goals — leading through example, which is commendable.

In the wider community, I support policies that promote investment in upgrading homes, businesses and rental properties to make them more energy-efficient.

Affordable long- and short-term rentals for the local workforce should be part of the housing discussion.

Incentives for business owners to assist employees with rent or mortgage payments, and for rental property owners to upgrade units while keeping rents stable are possibilities. I fully support Habitat for Humanity and the Housing Trust.

We need a variety of year-round and seasonal employment options offering good pay and opportunity. Regulations should create certainty, be fairly applied and enforced and be free of outdated use restrictions. I would suspend parking and housing exactions for new businesses in existing buildings, and partner with technology providers to modernize infrastructure.

Creating strength and diversity in our business community while preserving the natural environment that sustains us. I’m a fiscal conservative and favor elimination of regulations that stifle small-business investment. I’d promote policies that maintain the character of existing neighborhoods and plans that include pet parks and open spaces.

I agree with the emphasis on spending most of the money on the shoulder seasons. I think it is too early to tell how effective the advertising and other sponsored items have been.

The town has done quite a bit in the area of energy-efficiency, but there is always the possibility of doing more.

[Sustainability efforts] need to be watched very carefully to make sure individual rights as citizens are not trampled. Part of this sustainability program has been the narrowing of streets and elimination of parking, and that is absolutely wrong.

The council doesn’t need to continue to support the Jackson Hole Community Housing Trust any more at this point.

It appears to me that we are having trouble qualifying community residents for affordable housing, and so we need to step back for a little while during this economic recovery.

It needs to help promote existing business through the Travel and Tourism Board to help get tourists here. There are two many regulations, and they do need to be streamlined.

Stop the current process of narrowing streets and eliminating parking.

Specifically, the Town Council’s next project is South Cache, and that plan needs to be changed.

I fully support the lodging tax. I would like to find some creative ways to channel more money into services like START in order to free up more general funds.

I would like to see the town work with the county, the school district and other fleet owners to facilitate the use of natural gas as vehicle fuel.

I don’t think the town needs to do more than it is doing right now to address housing needs. I would prefer to address workforce housing as part of the next round in the planning process.

The town’s responsibility is to provide the essential public services, infrastructure and regulatory flexibility that allow businesses to rise or fall on their own merits.

The preservation of what we have — wildlife, scenic beauty, and community — is my top priority.

Jackson was magical when I arrived 41 years ago, and I want it to still be magical when I leave.

The lodging tax is a great way to raise funds to support projects that benefit tourists and locals alike. It is an important tool to bring more business in during the shoulder seasons and winter. While its full impact is still to be seen, it recently awarded almost $230,000 to events this coming year.

We need to strive to be as energyefficient as possible. The town has already taken great steps with the 10x10 initiative and now toward the 20x20 initiative. Goals like these make our town fiscally and environmentally responsible.

I support a viable future for all Jackson residents, and housing is a piece of the puzzle. While I support affordable housing, we need to broaden our spectrum by addressing affordable rent and looking at the current 25 percent mitigation rate.

The town should address affordable housing but not to the detriment of the private sector.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of this community. The council has a responsibility to foster business through smart regulations. We need to encourage all types of businesses so that citizens have the option to live here and be successful.

My top priority is to see Jackson as a sustainable place to live, a place to raise children and provide them with a bright future. The success of Jackson rests on diversified business opportunities, affordable housing choices and responsible environment decisions through public and alternative transportation as well as efficiency initiatives.

What I know is that the Travel and Tourism Board is working really hard to broaden the shoulder seasons as well as bolster special events. Given time, because only time will tell, I believe we will have a clearer picture of the changes we believe need to be made.

Energy efficiency is great. It is the right thing to do, and it saves the community money. That is why I, with the Town Council, continue to support the expansion of the program and continue to look for ways to improve it.

In the coming years, we will continue our work on housing, because the primary focus of the council will be to create zoning and land-development regulations that support housing opportunities. Now is our opportunity to protect neighborhoods, support meaningful employment and create housing opportunities.

I believe the regulations we have in place today do affect the ability to start or grow a business. Given the cost of doing business ... it [is] almost impossible in Jackson to do it on your own. The town needs to review what is on the books and look for ways to help and encourage the things we would like to see here.

We are all safe and secure. We have great schools and health care, so my top priorities are to: - Protect and to re-establish the integrity of our neighborhoods.

- Create an environment for meaningful employment.

- Promote housing opportunities.

I supported the lodging tax but was disappointed the board chose an outof-town ad firm. We should spend as much money locally as possible.

Also, we need to define “promotion” more creatively.

The council is moving in the right direction on conserving energy, but some initiatives are just greenwashing. Instead of building a $3 million Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design bathroom, we could have renovated the old building to save money and resources.

We need to continue providing a range of housing, including affordable rentals. The 25 percent blanket rate is onerous and should be changed to a sliding scale so as not to burden small businesses and landowners.

Invest the lodging tax funds wisely. Hire local firms whenever possible. Streamline regulations and reduce the housing fees for small businesses.

The future of Snow King is my top priority. The town let the resort pass a $2 million tab for rink maintenance and rent to taxpayers. We need a stronger hand in managing how the resort is developed and how that affects recreation. Skiing, skating and hockey are vital, not an amusement park.

Emy diGrappa

Kelly Egan

Jim Genzer

Steve Harrington

Hailey Morton

Mark Obringer

Jim Stanford

6 - PRIMARY 2012 JACKSON HOLE NEWS&GUIDE, Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Protecting Neighborhoods Nurturing New Businesses Creating Housing Opportunities

3 MARK

PLEASE VOTE

OBRINGER Town Council

Town Jackson mayor Mark Barron, 57

Mayor Mark Barron cited energy efficiency, an ailing economy and the new Jackson/Teton County Comprehensive Plan as the reasons he decided to run again.

“Our economy is still struggling,” Barron said. “Being clear about our expectations and being clear about what we can and cannot do” is important.

He said the key is to focus on getting the best value out of town services, despite limited revenue.

Barron, 57, was elected for the first time in 2002 and is seeking his sixth two-year term as mayor of the town of Jackson.

“I don’t think government plays a huge role in creating jobs,” he said.

Instead, he said, he believes local government should work to promote investment.

Throughout his terms as mayor, Barron has supported several initiatives aimed at improving Jackson’s energy efficiency, including a program that attempted to reduce the town’s energy consumption by 10 percent.

He has also been a major proponent of the Jackson Hole Energy Sustainability Project, which grew out of a personal challenge from for-

town council Continued from 4

“We are all in this together.”

Hailey Morton

Paid for by the Committee to Re-Elect Mark Obringer

The only council candidate born and raised in Jackson, Hailey Morton, 26, said she would bring a young, fresh 241159 voice to the Town Council.

“I want to focus on attracting young people to see Jackson as a viable comPDF PROOF? munity to live in and raise their families,” Morton said in May. “Tourism and retail are at the forefront of our economy, but residents should have other viable options for success.”

She supports diversifying Jackson’s economy and creating a variety of employment opportunities for young people and others who want to make Jackson Hole their long-term home.

As for the new land-use plan, Morton said she plans to listen to constituents.

She also supports alternative modes of transportation in town.

A 2008 graduate of Georgetown University, Morton is a Jackson Whole Grocer department manager. She said she gained firsthand experience of how small businesses here work by helping her parents run the Inn on the Creek.

Vote for Phil Cameron

Please proof and call Karen at 739-9541 or return via Fax at 733-2138. Thanks!

on august 21st

CAMERON for Council

“Helping to shape the future of this community would truly be an honor.”

– Phil Cameron

O

ver a decade ago, Phil Cameron came to Jackson lured by fishing and found a community to call home. Phil has gratefully served as a board member for several local organizations and is the Executive Director of the Yellowstone-Teton Clean Energy Coalition. In those roles, he has developed a balanced and informed decision-making process that will serve him well as a Council member.

As A TOwn COunCIlOr, PhIl CAmErOn wIll:

✓ Protect the town’s unique character, natural resources and

wildlife by actively monitoring the Comp Plan’s effectiveness and promoting sustainable tourism.

✓ Diversify the economy by attracting innovative small businesses

to provide stable employment options for our talented community.

✓ maximize the community’s financial resources by increasing efficiency in town operations.

Cameronforcouncil.net |

Steve Harrington

After serving a term as councilor from 2002 to 2006, Steve Harrington, 66, has decided to seek a seat on the council again.

He said he would like to refocus the Town Council on infrastructure needs.

The police department, fire department, roads, sewers and water system will be his priorities if he is elected.

“Now that we’ve approved the new master plan and are moving ahead, I want to make sure that the town has its house in order,” Harrington said after filing for the race in June.

He said he wants to preserve wildlife, scenic beauty and community character.

He also supports using more natural gas vehicles in the town’s fleet.

Harrington moved to Jackson in 1971 and has served as a volunteer fireman and as a member of the Teton County school board. He works for Jorgensen Associates conducting environmental assessments and oversight at construction sites.

Jim Stanford CameronForCouncil

Paid for by Cameron for Council

241399

Longtime Jackson Hole journalist and river guide Jim Stanford said he entered the race because he was tired of

mer World Bank President James Wolfensohn to Barron and the community.

“I’d like to be supportive of the continued efforts to reduce energy usage,” Barron said.

While he has been described as probusiness, Barron has supported the purchase and conservation of land.

“We’ve acquired more than 100 acres in prime locations,” he said.

He cited the purchase of Karns Meadows, a multiyear project to improve Flat Creek.

Barron also said he wants to help the town through the process of implementing the new comprehensive plan.

“I’d like to work Barron on the [land-use regulations] that this community worked so hard on creating,” he said.

Barron is the only candidate to file for the mayoral race.

He could face competition in the general election if a write-in candidate receives 25 or more votes in the primary.

In 2010, Barron defeated challengers Franz Camenzind and Jim Evanhoe.

Barron owns Blue Spruce Cleaners and High Country Linen. sitting on the sidelines. He believes his perspective would be a valuable addition to the council.

“I feel I have one foot in old Jackson and one foot in new Jackson,” the 42-year-old said in May after filing for the race.

He supports moving development away from other parts of the county, as called for by the new land-use plan, but is wary of dumping development in town.

Stanford has expressed concern about town spending, especially on restroom construction on North Cache, on the purchase of the Wort parking lot and on law enforcement.

One of his top priorities if elected would be to more closely manage the development of Snow King. He said the town has previously let rink maintenance bills pass to taxpayers.

Stanford worked for eight years as an editor and reporter for the Jackson Hole News&Guide and now publishes the blog Jackson Hole Underground.

He is in his 13th summer of guiding for Barker-Ewing River Trips.

Mark Obringer

The lone incumbent seeking re-election, Mark Obringer, 60, has served four terms on the council. He said he is running again because he believes now is an important time to have someone with a sense of memory and history.

“We spent the last four years creating a vision for the valley,” Obringer said after filing in May. “We’re entering into a phase for the next couple of years where we’ll be setting the template for what our neighborhoods and community will look like.”

If re-elected, Obringer said, he will focus on promoting meaningful employment and housing opportunities for residents and on protecting and reestablishing the integrity of Jackson’s neighborhoods.

As a councilor, Obringer has been a part of building the town’s first pathway, starting the Center for the Arts and writing the scenic-resource overlay, among other projects and initiatives. As a planning commissioner in the early 1990s, he helped write the last comprehensive land-use plan.

“It’s a team effort,” Obringer said of his time on the council. “The thing I’m most proud of is everybody still saying they’re going to protect what we protected over the last 20 years.”

PRIMARY 2012 JACKSON HOLE NEWS&GUIDE, Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 7

U.S. Senate races A close contest of any kind has traditionally been known as a “nail-biter.” In which case, John Barrasso’s nails would seem to be in no danger of being gnawed this election season.

Earlier this year, Sen. Barrasso, One of Wyoming’s two Republican man in the U.S. Senate, had such an overwhelming presence on the state political scene that Wyoming Democrats had pretty much conceded. The party appeared ready to nominate no one to challenge Barrasso.

No real surprise: Wyoming hasn’t sent a Democrat to Washington, D.C., since 1977, when Rep. Teno Roncalio ended his career. The Cowboy State hasn’t sent a Dem to the Senate since Sen. Gale McGee, who left in 1977.

Add to that the fact that in Barrasso’s previous campaign he took 73 percent of the vote.

But in the spirit of the Democratic Party, the rank and file could not bring itself to do what it was told, could not give up. At least three of the rank and file, anyway. Three men have filed to run for the Democratic nomination. And even with the highly regarded and rapidly rising Barrasso having the GOP’s blessing, there are two challengers on the right — even further right than Barrasso.

Still, the race seems so much not in doubt that back in July, Wyoming PBS canceled plans for a debate, partly because of a lack of interest on the part of candidates — or their apparent confusion about the event.

Only one of Barrasso’s challengers, the likely Democratic nominee, Tim Chesnut, has ever been elected to any public office.

The Republicans U.S. Sen. John Barrasso is the incumbent Republican, appointed in 2006 when Craig Thomas died, and elected with nearly three-quarters of the vote in 2008.

Barrasso, an orthopedic surgeon from Casper, was active for years in Republic politics before being appointed. That included three terms in the Wyoming Senate and a long time nosing around the U.S. Senate seat whenever he saw a chance.

Since then, Barrasso has won wide support with a conservative agenda that has been in line with the party’s position 94 percent of the time. He’s a member of the Senate committees on energy and natural resources, environment and public works, and foreign relations.

Barrasso focuses on federal spending and the debt. “People

want government at a smaller level, taxes lower, not higher, and people want real accountability,” he said in announcing his campaign. “They are tired of empty promises, budget gimmicks and accounting tricks.”

He has voted for defense spending and Patriot Act extensions, for a variety of pro-life legislation and against federal funding for abortion, against further stimulus spending and for domestic energy production.

He has opposed legislation friendly to gay marriage and legislation that could limit the rights of gun owners.

He calls for local control of education and opposes increased federal involvement in medical care.

• Emmet Mavy, Barrasso of Alpine, is 37 and a marketing consultant and Realtor. For a time, attended Jackson Hole High School. He has degrees in economics and business administration.

Mavy calls himMavy self “a defender of the Christian faith” who believes “our country is great because of the Christian values Americans bring to everything we do.”

He’s campaigning for a balanced budget, warning Bleming that the country is headed toward bankruptcy. Mavy supports gun rights, state sovereignty and local control of education. He is antiabortion and favors support for small businesses.

Mavy wants more energy development but also favors environmental protection. He calls himself strong on defense, but he also urges that the country “avoid long and expensive wars” and said he would eliminate the Patriot Act. He constantly returns to the philosophy that the government is too big and involved in too many things.

“The smaller the government is, the more beneficial it is for its citizens,” he said.

Still, Mavy supports protecting Social Security and Medicare.

• Thomas Bleming, 66, of Lusk, is

the only candidate routinely accused of being a Nazi. He denies it, but in the past his Facebook page has included some forgiving comments about Hitler along with some warnings about Jews. A far-right organization called Stormfront has solicited contributions for Bleming’s campaign.

Bleming’s resume is impressive: He served in Vietnam with a Pathfinder unit and won the Silver Star among other medals. He was a mercenary in Rhodesia and did time in jail for a botched assassination attempt on Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega.

His positions are an odd mix, even for an odd man.

He touts himself as anti-communist and pro-gun rights, a supporter of the Chesnut Constitution who wants to abolish the Department of Homeland Security and toss out the Patriot Act. He is against all foreign aid.

Bleming also wants to bring home U.S. troops Hamburg from overseas.

He is against any cuts in Social Security, Medicare or veterans benefits and even supports Obamacare, though he said it needs work.

Bleming refuses contributions from Bryk corporations.

The Democrats Democratic candidate Tim Chesnut, 46, is a Laramie resident who has been an Albany County commissioner since 1998. A former newspaper photographer, he says he “works six jobs,” including working with developmentally disabled people.

Chesnut thinks it’s time to bridge the “hyper-partisan” gap between the parties and thinks his civility and humor — which he compares to that of former Sen. Al Simpson — is what’s needed.

Chesnut names the national debt, wasteful spending and revenue shortfalls as the biggest issues.

He’s willing to consider tax increases but also would consider cuts for defense and entitlement programs.

A balanced budget amendment for the federal government, like the one

in the Wyoming Constitution, would be a good idea, he says.

“The major thing is we need to get our house in order,” he said.

“Everything needs to be on the table.”

Chesnut said he won’t take contributions from corporations and lobbyists and will maintain his freedom to work for Wyoming citizens.

• Al Hamburg, of Torrington, has more political experience than anyone else in the field, if you count running for office as experience.

Hamburg has run three times for president, three times for U.S. Senate, three times for governor of Wyoming and 11 times for the U.S. House. He has run as a Republican, a Democrat, a Libertarian and under the flag of the New Alliance Party.

Hamburg, 80, is a retired housepainter and sign painter. He is a Korean War and Vietnam War veteran whose past campaigns have focused on illegal immigration and the harm he sees in it. He’s sticking with that and says his top priority is the “illegal alien dope invasion from Mexico.” In a related matter, Hamburg wants to “sterilize all dopers ... the main cause of crime.”

He also opposes the “insane stupid war” in the Middle East. He has called incumbent Sen. John Barrasso a “military industry house boy.”

Hamburg thinks most of the problems of Social Security and Medicare are caused by fraud.

Hamburg wants to “end tax cuts for the super rich.”

• Candidate William Bryk has one campaign promise that he absolutely must keep if he wants to serve as one of Wyoming’s U.S. senators: He has vowed that if he wins the Democratic Party nomination, he will move to Wyoming.

Bryk, a New Yorker, has never been to Wyoming. Indeed, by his own admission, he has “never been farther west than Buffalo, N.Y.” But the state constitution says only that you must live in a state by the time of the general election to be a candidate.

Bryk, 57, has previously run, from a distance, for congressional seats in Idaho and Indiana. He has never won public office.

Bryk has worked for more than 26 years as an attorney in New York City government.

He wants to end the country’s deficit spending and would consider defense cuts as one way of balancing the budget. Higher taxes for the country’s richest citizens are also acceptable for Bryk.

HAILEY MORTON- Invested in Jackson’s Past, Dedicated to Jackson’s Future.

Hailey has the decision-making abilities, level head, and confidence necessary to serve the Town of Jackson. She was raised in Jackson with a family business, the Sundance Inn. Growing up in town, Hailey actively participated in the community, learned to respect and enjoy the outdoors, and was taught the values of hard work, business, and entrepreneurship. Hailey is familiar with and determined to advocate for the needs and goals of our town.

As an elected leader Hailey Morton will encourage: Economic Viability

Community Focus

Environmental Stewardship

Now is the time for a fresh perspective to ensure the future of Jackson is bright.

www.haileyforcouncil.com PAID FOR BY HAILEY FOR COUNCIL

241265

Remember to vote Hailey and thank you for your support!

8 - PRIMARY 2012 JACKSON HOLE NEWS&GUIDE, Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Uncontested

Vote Claire for Teton County Commission www.clairefortetoncounty.com

Paid for by Claire Fuller 241449

VOTE Jim Stanford for Jackson Town Council

www.jimforjackson.com Paid for by Jim Stanford

Fresh thinking Strong leadership NO yard signs 241123

The GOP will waltz through several uncontested races, starting at the state House.

The Democratic party fielded no primary candidates for the four state Legislature seats representing Teton County.

Three Republican incumbents are running unopposed for their party’s nomination, and two members of the GOP are competing for the Wyoming House seat representing Jackson.

The lack of Democratic candidates in northwest Wyoming, where the party is relatively strong compared with other parts of Wyoming, didn’t please the organization’s state chairman.

“I’m not to happy about it in many respects,” said Wyoming Democratic Party chairman Chuck Herz, a county resident.

Few state House hopefuls is just one hallmark of a primary that does not feature many contested races.

While eight Town Council candidates are competing for four slots on November’s general election ballot, Mayor Mark Barron is running unopposed. (See story, page 6.)

Incumbent Republican Ruth Ann Petroff faces a GOP challenge from Bob Biolchini for House District 16, the town of Jackson seat.

In the race for two open seats on the Teton County Board of Commissioners, Republicans, Barbara Allen and Paul Perry, and the two Democrats, Claire Fuller and Melissa Turley, advance to the general election.

In the race for Wyoming’s lone seat in the U.S. House, Republic an incumbent Cynthia Lummis and Democratic hopeful Chris Henrichsen face no opposition in the primary.

Republican Keith Gingery, an incumbent, is running unopposed for the House District seat that represents southern portions of Teton County.

Star Valley incumbent Dan Dockstader is running again for the GOP nomination for Senate District 16, which reaches to Wilson.

Republican Marty Halverson is unopposed for the House District 22 seat. That election is particularly irksome to Herz.

State officials stopped Incumbent Democrat Jim Roscoe’s bid for the seat when they discovered Roscoe had listed an incorrect residence address on election papers. State and party officials tried to contact Roscoe before a decisive deadline, but he was unreachable in the Grand Canyon.

“Jim was going to run and made this technical error in his filing,” Herz said. The party chairman thought it was “absurd that they disqualified him for that.”

The number of Republican incumbents running for county state House seats may have influenced Democratic opposition, Herz said.

“We should have strong candidates to run against them, but that is a decision for individuals who want to run,” Herz said. “When you have very strong candidates on the other side” that influences prospective candidates.

Plus, the incumbent Republicans from Teton County vying for the Wyoming Legislature are not, in Herz’s estimation, the kind of radical GOP candidates found around the nation.

“The Republicans who are running here are not wild extremists,” Herz said.

— Thomas Dewell

✯ T C E L E RE SENATOR

✯

Steve Harrington R E N D DACKSTA Jackson Town Council DO for

for e t a d i nd a c r ate6 u n e Yo S g 1 n

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Proven record on:

• MAINTAINING STATE RESERVES • OUTDOOR LIFE / WILDLIFE • ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

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Dedicated to Public Service

Resolute

DAN DOCKSTADER

Wyoming Senate District 16 Advertisement paid for by candidate.

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BE SURE TO VOTE ON AUGUST 21ST Paid for by Steve Harrington for Town Council

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PRIMARY 2012 JACKSON HOLE NEWS&GUIDE, Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 9

League of Women Voters The League of Women Voters, which organized the Aug. 12 “Know the Candidates” gathering in conjunction with Teton County Library and local media, launched the effort to give voters an opportunity to learn the candidates’ views.

Toward that end, the group posed questions to candidates in the race for the Jackson Town Council, Wyoming House District 16 and the Teton County Board of Commissioners.

Last week, the Jackson Hole News&Guide summarized responses from candidates in the Town

Council and House District 16 races. In this section, the candidates’ complete responses are printed. Also, the complete responses from four candidates for the Teton County Board of Commissioners are presented for the first time.

In the race for Town Council, eight candidates are running. Two seats are open for four-year terms. The primary election will select the top four in the field, who will advance to the November ballot. Candidates are Phillip Cameron, Emy diGrappa, Kelly Egan, Jim Genzer, Steve

Harrington, Hailey Morton, Mark Obringer and Jim Stanford.

The council is made up of four members, with the mayor as the fifth. Two ballot notes: Incumbent Greg Miles’ name appears, but he has withdrawn, and the ballot incorrectly lists the term of the council seats as two years.

The Republican primary pits incumbent Ruth Ann Petroff against challenger Bob Biolchini in the race for Wyoming House District 16. One will advance to the general election in November. No Democratic candi-

date is seeking the party nomination, but there could be a write-in who makes his or her way onto the November ballot.

Four candidates are competing for two seats on the Teton County Board of Commissioners. The Democrats, Claire Fuller and Melissa Turley, and two Republicans, Paul Perry and Barbara Allen, will advance to the general election.

The league and its associates also have planned a series of forums before the general election in November.

Wyoming House District 16 - League of Women Voters The League of Women Voters, in conjunction with Teton County Library and local media, recently held a “Know the Candidates” gathering. To give voters an idea of where the candidates stand, organizers posed the following questions and received the answers below.

How do you view the role and extent of the Wyoming Legislature in the lives of Teton County and Wyoming residents?

Ruth Ann Petroff: I see the Wyoming government’s role being to provide infrastructure like roads, bridges and expanded broadband. We should ensure statewide equal access to quality education and continue to support decision-making at the local board level. I support state investment in our university and community colleges for the benefit of our citizens. Smart investment in our future also includes supporting a low-tax, free-market environment where new businesses want to locate and existing businesses thrive.

The Wyoming State Constitution also provides for “necessary support for the poor” and guarantees equal access to justice.

Bob Biolchini: As a whole, our government should be limited much more so than it is now so that citizens can live lives free of unnecessary government intrusion. As your future representative for House District 16, I understand the importance of having a smaller government so that the people will be the voice of freedom instead of being burdened with more regulations. Unlike my opponent, who votes with Obama liberals, I support a system of free markets that will create jobs without the government getting in the way. Teton County needs a representative that will cut taxes at all levels, and I know that as your representative I’m working for you, the people, to ensure that you keep all levels of liberty, unlike my opponent, who votes with the Democrats and has a history of taking your rights away.

What federal funding can we in Wyoming forgo in the interest of shared sacrifice to help benefit the federal budget?

Petroff: In the 2012 budget session, I sponsored a resolution to support the Simpson-Bowles “Moment of Truth” plan. During the debate, a House member brought up that the plan called for Wyoming to lose most of its Abandoned Mine Lands funding, which is anticipated to be nearly $150 million for each of the next two years. Although AML is not general fund revenue, to illustrate the scope, our general fund budget is around $1.5 billion – $1,500 million – a year. It’s a lot of money to our state. Still, that legislator and nearly all of the other legislators in Wyoming voted in favor of making that sacrifice.

Interestingly, there was a federal transportation bill, which passed in July, and which had a lastminute amendment to cap AML distributions at $15 million and use the rest of the funds for national transportation infrastructure. I’m opposed to taking these funds, $700 million through the rest of the decade, from Wyoming if there is no greater plan to reduce the federal deficit and debt.

We’ve demonstrated that we are willing to make the sacrifice, but we need a comprehensive solution, not randomly picking and choosing cuts that won’t be meaningful to our national debt and deficit problem in the long run.

Biolchini: With over $6 trillion in new debt just since Obama took office, we shouldn’t spend

PRICE CHAMBERS / NEWS&GUIDE file photo

Freshman Rep. Ruth Ann Petroff of Jackson, looks up from her desk in the Wyoming House of Representatives in January 2011. She is being challenged in the primary by Bob Biolchini.

any dollars that our kids and grandkids can’t pay back. I argue that Ronald Reagan said it best by stating that “man is not free unless government is limited,” and that is a quote that can be applied to all levels of government. Unlike me, Ruth Ann Petroff has consistently supported higher taxes and increased spending across the board, which in turn is hurting Wyoming and costing the people thousands of lost jobs. As your legislator, I will vote to shut down any tax increases that will limit the people.

What is the most important piece of legislation that you would like to see passed in the upcoming Wyoming legislative session?

Petroff: I’d be very interested in bills to encourage and provide incentives for natural gas vehicle conversions and natural gas pumps in Wyoming communities.

Aggressive sales tax incentives and recruiting efforts should be instituted to make serious our commitment to economic diversification. Our recent and dramatic natural gas price fluctuations highlight that need.

Education accountability has been a legislative priority during the past session, and I’m anxious to see what proposals come out of the accountability task force. We’ve made big investments in K-12 education, and we should be expecting effective use and positive educational results.

I have several bills I hope to sponsor or co-sponsor in the upcoming session for smaller issues, but we need to be cognizant that these small issues have big impacts on people’s lives.

Biolchini: We need to pass legislation that will take away Obamacare (the largest tax increase in American history). Unlike my opponent, who voted with the Democrats in Cheyenne, I will work to protect Wyoming citizens from out-of-control government regulations. It is important to have a leg-

islator, like me, that can recognize the overreaching arm of the federal government and a willingness to push back against the laws that hurt the people of Wyoming.

What is your view regarding the recently revised public access sunshine law? Is it adequate or not?

Petroff: The two sunshine laws that passed the Legislature this year were a nice start to increasing access and recognizing the digital age. The other great thing about these bills was the amount of testimony and compromise by all parties that led to an acceptable agreement.

Our state is challenged with some small departments and small boards. A small department can be swamped by a single large request for information, and a small board can dramatically increase costs by having to meet a lot of record-keeping requirements.

What is the definition of an “emergency” for an emergency meeting? As always, it will be the application of these new laws that determines their success or them not achieving their goals.

Biolchini: The recently revised sunshine law is legislation that should be introduced to all states and all levels of government. As your future legislator, it is my duty to keep my constituents as informed as I possibly can about everything that is happening during my term. When it comes to spending the people’s tax dollars, nothing the government does should be kept from the people except for extremely rare cases when national security is at risk and public disclosure would arm our enemies with vital information. The government should not be a secret that the people aren’t supposed to know about. I will support full and complete transparency on every action Wyoming government takes.

10 - PRIMARY 2012 JACKSON HOLE NEWS&GUIDE, Wednesday, August 15, 2012

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USE ONLY THE SPECIAL PEN OR PENCIL PROVIDED IF YOU MAKE AN ERROR PLEASE RETURN YOUR BALLOT TO THE ELECTION OFFICIAL AND REQUEST A NEW BALLOT

TUESDAY, AUGUST 21ST, 2012 POLLS ARE OPEN FROM 7AM TO 7PM.

YOU MAY REGISTER TO VOTE AT THE POLLS ON ELECTION DAY. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONCERNING THE ELECTION, CALL 733-4430

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1. To vote, you must completely darken the oval ( ) to the left of the candidate or answer of your choice.

2. To cast a write-in vote, darken the oval ( ) to the left of the line provided and write in the candidate's name.

3. If you make an error, return ballot to precinct official and obtain another one.

4. Use a black ball point pen only.

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VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE (1)

FEDERAL 6 Year Term

REPUBLICAN PARTY

INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTER

1. To vote, you must completely darken the oval ( ) to the left of the candidate or answer of your choice.

2. To cast a write-in vote, darken the oval ( ) to the left of the line provided and write in the candidate's name.

3. If you make an error, return ballot to precinct official and obtain another one.

4. Use a black ball point pen only.

UNITED STATE SENATOR

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INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTER

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PRECINCT REPUBLICAN PRECINCT COMMITTEE MAN

6 Year Term

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OFFICIAL PARTISAN PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOT TETON COUNTY, STATE OF WYOMING TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

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DISTRICT 1 PRECINCT 03

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FEDERAL UNITED STATE SENATOR

REPUBLICAN PARTY

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DISTRICT 1 PRECINCT 04

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INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTER

1. To vote, you must completely darken the oval ( ) to the left of the candidate or answer of your choice.

2. To cast a write-in vote, darken the oval ( ) to the left of the line provided and write in the candidate's name.

3. If you make an error, return ballot to precinct official and obtain another one.

4. Use a black ball point pen only.

B

OFFICIAL PARTISAN PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOT TETON COUNTY, STATE OF WYOMING TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

11

DISTRICT 1 PRECINCT 10

12

INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTER

DISTRICT 1 PRECINCT 03

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REPUBLICAN PARTY

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OFFICIAL PARTISAN PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOT TETON COUNTY, STATE OF WYOMING TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

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OFFICIAL PARTISAN PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOT TETON COUNTY, STATE OF WYOMING TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

HD #23 Ballot styles include: Town precincts: 1-4, 1-6B

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HD #23 Ballot styles include: County precincts: 1-1, 1-3, 1-7, 2-1, 3-1, 4-2, 4-4, 5-1

HD #22 Ballot styles include: Precincts 1-10, 4-1, 4-3

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HD #16 Ballot styles include: Precincts 1-2, 1-5, 1-6A, 1-8, 1-9.

Write-in

Write-in

EMY DIGRAPPA

Write-in

Teton County, Wyoming August 21, 2012 Teton County Clerk

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Teton County, Wyoming August 21, 2012 Teton County Clerk

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____________ Judge's Initials WEED & PEST BUILDING

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PARKS & RECREATION CENTER

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Teton County, Wyoming August 21, 2012 Teton County Clerk

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Teton County, Wyoming August 21, 2012 Teton County Clerk

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____________ Judge's Initials

____________ Judge's Initials

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NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART

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PARKS & RECREATION CENTER

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VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE (1)

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN TWO (2)

2 Year Term

P

MARK OBRINGER

Write-in

MUNICIPAL

STATE

MAYOR OF TOWN OF JACKSON

STATE REPRESENTATIVE-HD16 HOUSE DISTRICT 16

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE (1)

Write-in

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2 Year Term

2 Year Term

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KELLY EGAN

COUNTY 4 Year Term

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN TWO (2)

CLAIRE FULLER

MELISSA TURLEY

MELISSA TURLEY

JIM GENZER STEVE HARRINGTON GREGORY R. MILES HAILEY MORTON

CLAIRE FULLER

54

Write-in

MARK OBRINGER JIM STANFORD

Write-in

EMY DIGRAPPA

CLAIRE FULLER

PHILLIP CAMERON Write-in

MELISSA TURLEY

Write-in Write-in

Write-in

Teton County, Wyoming August 21, 2012 Teton County Clerk

Teton County, Wyoming August 21, 2012 Teton County Clerk

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Teton County, Wyoming August 21, 2012 Teton County Clerk

____________ Judge's Initials

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2 Year Term

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN TWO (2)

COUNTY COMMISSIONER

4 Year Term

4 Year Term

Write-in

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COUNTY

COUNTY COMMISSIONER

Write-in

TOWN OF JACKSON COUNCIL MEMBERS

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE (1)

COUNTY COMMISSIONER

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN TWO (2)

2 Year Term

MARK BARRON

2 Year Term

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN TWO (2)

COUNTY

Write-in

Write-in 43

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE (1) Write-in

MAYOR OF TOWN OF JACKSON VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE (1)

42

STATE

53

CLAIRE FULLER

MUNICIPAL

STATE REPRESENTATIVE-HD23 HOUSE DISTRICT 23

Write-in

MELISSA TURLEY

CHRIS HENRICHSEN

41

STATE

2 Year Term

52

Write-in

2 Year Term

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE (1)

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN TWO (2)

2 Year Term

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE (1)

STATE REPRESENTATIVE-HD23 HOUSE DISTRICT 23

STATE REPRESENTATIVE-HD22 HOUSE DISTRICT 22

4 Year Term

Write-in

UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE 40

STATE

Write-in

COUNTY

2 Year Term

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE (1)

Write-in

STATE SENATOR SENATE DISTRICT 16

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE (1)

Write-in

COUNTY COMMISSIONER

52

CHRIS HENRICHSEN

41

4 Year Term

Write-in

MARK BARRON

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE (1) Write-in

Write-in

DEMOCRATIC PRECINCT COMMITTEE WOMAN

AL HAMBURG

JEAN H. JORGENSEN

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE (1)

S

43

42

EMY DIGRAPPA

Write-in

TIM CHESNUT

2 Year Term

40

A

Write-in

2 Year Term

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE (1)

WILLIAM BRYK

2 Year Term

UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE

2 Year Term

CHRIS HENRICHSEN

PRECINCT DEMOCRATIC PRECINCT COMMITTEE MAN

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE (1)

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE (1)

41

JIM STANFORD

FEDERAL 6 Year Term

DEMOCRATIC PRECINCT COMMITTEE WOMAN

Write-in

DISTRICT 1 PRECINCT 04

UNITED STATE SENATOR

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HARRIET MINCZESKI

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE (1)

Write-in

DEMOCRATIC PARTY

To vote, you must completely darken the oval ( ) to the left of the candidate or answer of your choice.

To cast a write-in vote, darken the oval ( ) to the left of the line provided and write in the candidate's name.

If you make an error, return ballot to precinct official and obtain another one.

Use a black ball point pen only.

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE (1)

PETE JORGENSEN

TIM CHESNUT

Write-in

UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE

21

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE (1)

2 Year Term

40

1.

2.

3.

4.

2 Year Term

WILLIAM BRYK

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE (1)

Write-in

HAILEY MORTON

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE (1)

2 Year Term

Write-in

PRECINCT DEMOCRATIC PRECINCT COMMITTEE MAN

AL HAMBURG

DEMOCRATIC PRECINCT COMMITTEE WOMAN

WILLIAM BRYK

FEDERAL UNITED STATE SENATOR 6 Year Term

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE (1)

GREGORY R. MILES

2 Year Term

UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE

42

AL HAMBURG

STEVE HARRINGTON

DEMOCRATIC PRECINCT COMMITTEE WOMAN

CHRIS HENRICHSEN

KELLY EGAN

To vote, you must completely darken the oval ( ) to the left of the candidate or answer of your choice.

To cast a write-in vote, darken the oval ( ) to the left of the line provided and write in the candidate's name.

If you make an error, return ballot to precinct official and obtain another one.

Use a black ball point pen only.

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE (1)

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INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTER

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Write-in

41

TIM CHESNUT

JIM GENZER

Write-in

40

PHILLIP CAMERON

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2 Year Term

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MIKE GIERAU

WILLIAM BRYK

PRECINCT DEMOCRATIC PRECINCT COMMITTEE MAN

6 Year Term

P

AL HAMBURG

FEDERAL UNITED STATE SENATOR

1.

2.

3.

4.

M

KYLE BURSON

INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTER

To vote, you must completely darken the oval ( ) to the left of the candidate or answer of your choice.

To cast a write-in vote, darken the oval ( ) to the left of the line provided and write in the candidate's name.

If you make an error, return ballot to precinct official and obtain another one.

Use a black ball point pen only.

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE (1)

E

2 Year Term

TIM CHESNUT

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DISTRICT 1 PRECINCT 03

B

OFFICIAL PARTISAN PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOT TETON COUNTY, STATE OF WYOMING TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

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MUNICIPAL TOWN OF JACKSON COUNCIL MEMBERS

DISTRICT 1 PRECINCT 04

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DEMOCRATIC PARTY

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PRECINCT DEMOCRATIC PRECINCT COMMITTEE MAN

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FEDERAL UNITED STATE SENATOR VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE (1)

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DISTRICT 1 PRECINCT 10

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OFFICIAL PARTISAN PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOT TETON COUNTY, STATE OF WYOMING TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

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1.

2.

3.

4.

1. To vote, you must completely darken the oval ( ) to the left of the candidate or answer of your choice.

2. To cast a write-in vote, darken the oval ( ) to the left of the line provided and write in the candidate's name.

3. If you make an error, return ballot to precinct official and obtain another one.

4. Use a black ball point pen only.

6 Year Term

DISTRICT 1 PRECINCT 03

A

DEMOCRATIC PARTY

INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTER

INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTER

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OFFICIAL PARTISAN PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOT TETON COUNTY, STATE OF WYOMING TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

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DISTRICT 1 PRECINCT 02

OFFICIAL PARTISAN PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOT TETON COUNTY, STATE OF WYOMING TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

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Teton County, Wyoming August 21, 2012 Teton County Clerk

Write-in

____________ Judge's Initials A

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART

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PARKS & RECREATION CENTER

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7.4.2.0 / 012503-14 © Election Systems & Software, Inc. 1981, 2002

7.4.2.0 / 012503-14 © Election Systems & Software, Inc. 1981, 2002

240696

Please proof and call Adam at 733-2047, ext. 111, or return via Fax at 733-2138. Thanks!

PRIMARY 2012 JACKSON HOLE NEWS&GUIDE, Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 11 DISTRICT 1 PRECINCT 02

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NOTICE:

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NON PARTISAN PARTY

OFFICIAL PARTISAN PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOT TETON COUNTY, STATE OF WYOMING TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012

11

DISTRICT 1 PRECINCT 02

INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTER 13

Effective 07/17/2012, Candidate GREGORY R. MILES has withdrawn from the Town of Jackson Council Member Race.

1.

2.

3.

4.

To vote, you must completely darken the oval ( ) to the left of the candidate or answer of your choice.

To cast a write-in vote, darken the oval ( ) to the left of the line provided and write in the candidate's name.

If you make an error, return ballot to precinct official and obtain another one.

Use a black ball point pen only.

MUNICIPAL

21

MAYOR OF TOWN OF JACKSON 2 Year Term

E

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE (1)

MARK BARRON Write-in

NOTICE:

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TOWN OF JACKSON COUNCIL MEMBERS 2 Year Term

VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN TWO (2)

40

KELLY EGAN

41

JIM GENZER

42

STEVE HARRINGTON

43

GREGORY R. MILES

P

PHILLIP CAMERON

The Town of Jackson Council Member Race is a 4 YEAR TERM, Not a 2 year term as indicated on the ballot.

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HAILEY MORTON

MARK OBRINGER JIM STANFORD

EMY DIGRAPPA

Write-in

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S

Non-Partisan ballot style includes Town of Jackson races only, and will only be available in Precincts 1-2, 1-4, 1-5, 1-6A, 1-6B, 1-8, 1-9.

A

Write-in

***Questions regarding your polling site?

Please call elections office at 733-4430 prior to election day***

Teton County, Wyoming August 21, 2012 Teton County Clerk

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PARKS & RECREATION CENTER

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TETON COUNTY POLLING SITES 2012

DIST. & PREC.

AREA

1-1 SD #17 HD #23

SOUTH OF JACKSON

Emergency Operations Center (EOC) 3240 S Adams Canyon

1-2 SD #17 HD #16

MID-EAST JACKSON

Recreation Center 155 E. Gill Avenue

1-3 SD #17 HD #23

SKYLINE/HI COUNTRY/GROS VENTRE BUTTE/ELK REFUGE

National Museum of Wildlife Art 2820 Rungius Road

1-4 SD #17 HD #23

NORTH JACKSON

Recreation Center 155 E Gill Avenue

1-5 SD #17 HD#16

MID-WEST JACKSON

Fair Building (Exhibit Hall) 305 W Snow King Avenue

1-6A SD #17 HD#16

COTTONWOOD PARK

Presbyterian Church 1251 South Park Loop Road

1-6B SD #17 HD #23

INDIAN TRAILS

Presbyterian Church 1251 South Park Loop Road

1-7 SD # 17 HD #23

RAFTER J

Chapel at River Crossing 3205 W. Big Trail Drive in Rafter J

1-8 SD #17 HD #16

EAST JACKSON

Senior Center 830 E. Hansen Avenue

1-9 SD #17 HD #16

WEST JACKSON

Fair Building (Exhibit Hall) 305 W. Snow King Avenue

1-10 SD #16 HD #22

SOUTH HOBACK

TC Weed & Pest 7575 S Highway 89

2-1 SD #17 HD #23

KELLY/TETON VALLEY HIGHLANDS/MOOSE/AIRPORT

National Museum of Wildlife Art 2820 Rungius Road

3-1 SD #17 HD #23

MORAN

Moran School #1 Main Street

4-1 SD #16 HD #22

WILSON SOUTH

Old Wilson School Community Center 5675 W. Main Street

4-2 SD #17 HD #23

MOOSE/WILSON ROAD WEST

Wilson Fire House, Station 6 2505 N. Moose/Wilson Road

4-3 SD #16 HD #22

WILSON NORTH

Old Wilson School Community Center 5675 W. Main Street Wilson

4-4 SD #17 HD# 23

TETON VILLAGE/MOOSE-WILSON RD.

Teton Village Fire House 7648 Granite Ridge Loop Road Teton Village

5-1 SD #17 HD #23

ALTA

Alta School 15 Alta School Road, Alta

ABSENTEE POLLING SITE

Teton County Administration Building 200 S Willow St, Jackson

All persons outside of the Town of Jackson, So. of Boyle’s Hill Co. Rd., West of Ely Springs Rd., So. of Cache Creek, East and North of the Snake River, North of Game Creek.

All persons living South of Broadway and East of Glenwood St., North of Snow King Ave., West of Redmond St. and North of Cache Creek Dr. in the city limits.

All persons living outside of the Town of Jackson, North of Boyle’s Hill Co. Rd., North of Cache Creek, East of the Snake River and South of that portion of the Gros Ventre River lying West of US Hwy 26, 89 & 191 and South of Township 42 North lying East of Hwy 89.

All persons living North of Broadway, East of Glenwood St., South of Perry St., East of N Cache St., in the city limits.

All persons living within the Town of Jackson, West of that portion of S Cache St., South of Snow King Ave. and West of that portion of Glenwood St. between Snow King Ave. and Perry St., living West of that portion of N. Cache St., North of Perry St.,South of Broadway west of the Deer Ridge Townhomes, East of Virginia Lane, in the city limits.

All persons living West of Highway 89, South of North South Park Loop Road, East of the South Park Loop Road to the High School Road, North of High School Road, including Cottonwood Park and Gregory Lane areas, in the city limits.

All persons living in the Indian Trails subdivision in the city limits.

All persons living inside the Rafter J Subdivision.

All persons living East of Redmond St. and South of Broadway, including Snow King Estates, in the city limits.

All persons living West of Virginian Lane and South and East of Broadway, North of Broadway between Highway 22 and the Deer Creek Townhomes, in the city limits All persons living South of Game Creek and south of the South Park Bridge to the county lines.

All persons living East of the Snake River, North of the Gros Ventre River, South of Ditch Creek, and all persons living West of the Snake River, and South of Leigh Canyon and North of Open Canyon. All persons living outside the city limits East of Highway 26, 89, & 191, South of the Gros Ventre River and North of Flat Creek.

All persons living North of Ditch Creek and North of Leigh Canyon / Leigh Lake. Moran All persons living East of the Wyoming State Line, South of Wyoming State Hwy 22, West of the Snake River. Person living Wilson on both sides of the Fall Creek Road, south to the Prichard Creek cattle guard, including all properties East and West of Fall Creek Road accessed by Fall Creek Road from W. North Fall Creek Road to Rock Creek.

All persons living North of Hwy 22, East of Wyoming State Hwy 390, West of the Snake River, North to the Township 41 Wilson North line, West to Fish Creek, East of Fish Creek south to 3230 N Fish Creek Road, then directly south and east to the West end of Nethercott Lane, North side of Nethercott Lane, East to Wyoming State Hwy 390. Including the Lucky L Subdivision, accessed from the Fish Creek Road.

All persons living North of Wyoming Hwy 22, West of Wyoming State Hwy 390, North to Nethercott Lane, South side of Nethercott Lane to the west end, then directly North and West to 3230 N Fish Creek Road, West of Fish Creek, North to Rock Springs Canyon, South and West of Rock Springs Canyon to the North Fork Granite Creek, East of the Teton Range, South to Wyoming State Hwy 22. Including all properties accessed from Fish Creek Road, except the Lucky L Subdivision.

All persons living North of the Township 41 North line, East of Fish Creek, West of the Snake River, north to Open Canyon, South of Open Canyon, West to Wyoming State Highway 390, South and East of Wyoming State Hwy 390 to the southern Boundary of Grand Teton National Park, West to Granite Creek, South of Granite Creek to the Teton Range, East of the Teton Range, South to Rock Springs Canyon, North of Rock Springs Canyon, East to Fish Creek.

All persons living West of the Teton Range, in Teton County, Wyoming, bounded on the West by the Wyoming State Line.

All persons living in Teton County.

LOCATION

240697

Please proof and call Adam at 733-2047, ext. 111, or return via Fax at 733-2138. Thanks!

12 - PRIMARY 2012 JACKSON HOLE NEWS&GUIDE, Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Town - League of Women Voters The League of Women Voters, in conjunction with Teton County Library and local media, held a “Know the Candidates” gathering Monday.

To give voters an idea of where candidates stand, organizers posed the following questions and received the answers below.

costly burdens on those who comply while lacking enforcement for those who do not.

Jim Genzer: Keep the tourists coming and keep a thriving downtown with lots of retail stores and art galleries. Therefore, we need to preserve our Western atmosphere.

After all, we are still in Wyoming.

We need to do everything we can to preserve our small-business and service industry. I do not believe that we can continue to count on the many millions of dollars each year that we have been receiving from federal and state sources. The annual audit shows a downward trend in these monies.

How would you ensure financial sustainability for the town?

Phillip Cameron: I will bring nearly 20 years of combined board and executive experience in the community to [the] council. In this time I’ve shared fiscal and governance responsibility for a variety of bodies, run my own small business and successfully managed an emerging nonprofit in challenging economic times.

Through all this, I have learned to be exacting with all financial decisions and to view each expenditure as an investment whose return must be carefully evaluated. Jackson is a small town, but it also serves millions of visitors annually, and our budgeting and spending must reflect this.

We must be careful with our spending but recognize that investments to provide a return to the community and its visitors are a necessity.

Emy DiGrappa: “Arts and culture drive business in Teton County” was the headline of a news article in the News&Guide on June 20, 2012. As a longtime participant in the cultural community and co-board chair on the Cultural Council of Jackson Hole, I would work with nonprofits and business owners to create more ways that sales tax dollars flow into our community via arts and culture. The arts and culture community allows us to

NEWS&GUIDE PHOTO / PRICE CHAMBERS

Should the town of Jackson buy the North Cache property where the BridgerTeton National Forest headquarters is located? Some Town Council candidates say yes. Others say the price tag is too high and the outcome unclear.

create opportunities and high-quality programs that drive sales tax dollars throughout Teton County. I would also invigorate small-business ownership through incentive programs. I would be vigilant in maintaining our unique Western heritage, wildlife and open spaces, and great outdoor lifestyle that continue our steady stream of visitors coming to Jackson. I would creatively work with business owners and community leaders to find avenues for learning experiences leading to higher education degrees and opportunities in Jackson Hole.

Kelly Egan: I would create strength and diversity within our business community with policies that promote

small business. I would draft a set of clearly articulated regulations that offer certainty and encourage investment in the betterment of our community. I would work with town staff to draft and implement a long-term infrastructure improvement plan. I would work with nonprofits and private investors to establish a communitywide vision for attracting the types of businesses that would diversify our job market and provide higher pay for our citizens with relatively low impact on community resources. I would eliminate outdated use restrictions and parking and affordable housing exactions for new businesses in existing buildings and regulations that can’t be fairly applied [and thus are imposing]

Steve Harrington: Do everything I can to protect and take care of what we have. We are lucky to have been blessed with such spectacular natural beauty, and it is our responsibility to preserve it for future generations.

Hailey Morton: Being fiscally prudent is key in financial stability and sustainability. Making sure that maintenance projects and basic services get covered first is paramount.

Encouraging businesses that bring in sales tax is also key in financial sustainability.

Mark Obringer: Don’t spend what you don’t have. As a veteran of our first financial crisis, I would share that we are in excellent shape financially. We are a $37 million corporation with an operating budget of $14 million with a 25 percent operation reserve. I know we have weathered the storm.

See TOWN – LWV on 13

TETON COUNTY Voting

Ballot cards are hand fed into the M-100 Scan Machines.

Voting technology for physically impaired voters, as seen above and to the right, will be available.

Questions regarding voting?

Please call elections office at 307-733-4430 prior to election day.

240698

PRIMARY 2012 JACKSON HOLE NEWS&GUIDE, Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 13

Town - League of Women Voters TOWN – lwv Continued from 12

Jim Stanford: To ensure financial sustainability for the town government, we need to rein in excessive spending. Using lodging tax revenue to boost tourism in June and October, as well as during the winter, will help increase sales tax collections.

How do you view the role and extent of the Town Council in the lives of Jackson residents?

Cameron: Local government directly impacts the lives of citizens on a daily basis. It is also the level of government which they can be most directly involved in. Local government must be efficient, effective and consider the short- and long-term needs and resources of the community, its citizens, infrastructure and services. Ours is especially complex, because it must consider both residents and visitors, providing different services to each while maintaining a high quality of life for residents.

DiGrappa: I view the role of the Town Council as providing informed and responsible leadership to residents who live and work in Jackson — “our community.” I believe that by serving on the Town Council, it is my job to be an advocate for our community’s best interests. The Town Council’s role is to provide the most educated decision-making process in a democratic and civil manner through a transparent process with public forums where our community can understand and vocalize their opinions on the matters that affect their lives.

Egan: I support a small government that focuses on creating a stable infrastructure for its citizens.

This can be, and in Jackson often is, done through subcontracts and partnerships with private entities. I view a stable infrastructure as including comprehensive communication facilities, modern sewer and water access, a well-staffed police force and well-maintained roads, parks (for people and pets) and pathways — as well as designated open spaces.

I also see rules and ordinances that are limited in their scope, easily understood and evenly administered as critical to our stability, because certainty and consistency foster the success of our businesses.

Genzer: First is that we provide the basic services that a town needs: police, fire, EMT with sewer, water and good streets. We need to be good stewards of the town assets, and that means that we make good commonsense decisions. You don’t narrow streets, eliminate parking and install ridiculous bump-outs that obstruct turns, etc. We need to make wise decisions on housing, as the town does not need to become the “dumping grounds” in the county for high-density housing. The town and county need to share future growth equally.

Harrington: The role of town government is to shape policy that supports our community quality of life and specifically addresses health and safety for locals and visitors. I would prioritize essential services — police, fire, road, sewer, water and essential social services — over other wish lists.

Morton: The role of the Town Council is to represent and serve the residents of Jackson. It is each council member’s duty to make the best decisions based on the needs and goals of our town.

BRADLY J. BONER / NEWS&GUIDE

Several Town Council candidates view the “complete street” design of Redmond, with its bulb-outs and narrower driving lanes, as a complete failure. Others see it as a success or at least a concept with some merit.

Obringer: To serve and protect.

Health, safety and welfare is what we deal with on a daily basis. That means a feeling of security, functioning streets, running water, pedestrianfriendly sidewalks, economic development, transit and pathways, as well as social services. The challenge before us for the next few years is the completion of the comprehensive planning process. That means dissecting the character districts, discussing zoning maps and building land-development regulations. That process will set the template for what every lot on every block in every neighborhood will look like and how it will work. Envisioning livable neighborhoods where the next generation will live and work.

Stanford: Town government should provide efficient and effective services such as roads, water, sewer and snow removal. Police should protect and serve citizens. Whenever possible, the town should work with the county to streamline government and improve efficiency. Every citizen who comes before the council deserves a fair shake. Councilors should set policy that reflects community values, especially our conservation heritage.

Should the town try to buy U.S. Forest Service property in north Jackson, and should it seek to ensure the Bridger-Teton headquarters stays in town? Please explain.

Cameron: I would like to see this public property stay in public hands, and the specific purpose excise tax ballot provides a mechanism for the community to weigh in on the decision. For various reasons, I feel that the Forest Service headquarters is best situated in Jackson. However, if the Forest Service’s sale of this property and/or future location of its headquarters is beyond the direct control of the voters, the community should be allowed to weigh in on the value of this purchase by voting it up or down as a ballot measure. I think we cannot stress enough the importance of this property on the future character of North Cache Street. Any use or development of this significant parcel will have serious implications for the

character of the northern gateway into town, and it is likely the last parcel of this size that will come available within town. I do think that the town would make use of the land in a way that’s consistent with the community’s character, its needs, and that we will not have another opportunity to fund this purchase.

DiGrappa: Yes, I believe the town should try to buy Forest Service property in north Jackson. It would be a visionary move for the council, providing a long-term benefit. This is a unique piece of property in that it backs up to the recreation center and the elk refuge. With vision, the town can plan for the future to mitigate traffic congestion at Cache and Broadway. One of the core principles outlined in the comprehensive plan is to proactively plan for what we want.

Yes, I would like to encourage the Bridger-Teton Forest to stay in close proximity to the other state and federal agencies in Teton County, such as Wyoming Game and Fish, Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone, just to name a few.

Egan: I oppose the purchase of the Forest Service land or its inclusion on the SPET ballot by the town of Jackson, given that the appraised cost is high, our resources are already stretched thin, the town has other SPET requests that are more pressing, and this could distract from the success of those initiatives, and it would require taking on an increased debt load. I am also concerned that the town has no clearly defined use for the land (including a budget).

Some people may envision open space, others a new jail, START bus facility or parking garage. I would, however, fully support any qualified organization that has a clear plan for the use or conservation of the 10 acres to submit their plan for inclusion on the SPET ballot. I fully support efforts to keep the Bridger-Teton headquarters local. Diversity in our employment options is critical to the health of our community.

Genzer: The price tag is way too high, especially when a third of the property is “wetland.” If the town and

county choose to put the purchase on the November ballot it needs to include the cost of putting in a new street between King Street and Mercill [Avenue] that would expedite getting emergency vehicles to the north end of Jackson and beyond, as well as public traffic. It should never become a START bus facility, be used for housing or other commercial/administrative buildings. It could be a recreation center for the town and community.

Harrington: I would like to see the Bridger-Teton National Forest [supervisor’s office] stay in Jackson, but I understand their concerns about funding for new construction as well as housing for staff. Before I would make a decision about any land purchases, I would want a few questions answered.

If the town buys the land, are we guaranteed that the Forest Service will remain in Jackson? Is the purchase price negotiable, as the two appraisals were almost $2 million apart? Based on the new master plan, will we need the land for some essential public services? How much of the 10 acres is usable due to the groundwater?

Morton: I am uncomfortable with the town spending $12 million in tax dollars to purchase land for which the town has not defined a purpose. Not only is the purchase price an immense amount of money, which could take several years to pay through the SPET, but whatever final use is decided for the land will cost additional tax dollars. Additionally, the purchase of the land by the town does not guarantee the Bridger-Teton headquarters would stay in Jackson. The Forest Service reserves the right to move its headquarters elsewhere if so desired.

If there was a set plan for the land, I would be more comfortable encouraging the purchase.

Obringer: The decision to keep the Forest Service supervisor’s office in Jackson will come from the regional office in Ogden [Utah]. I am sure that if the community supports the efforts of the town to purchase a portion of the Forest Service site, it will help make that decision. We all would like to see the supervisor’s office remain in See FOREST SERVICE on 14

14 - PRIMARY 2012 JACKSON HOLE NEWS&GUIDE, Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Town - League of Women Voters forest service Continued from 13

Jackson. I am already on the record supporting the purchase of the Forest Service land. I am not sure what the eventually use will be, but I know that if it stays in public ownership for a civic purpose, that will be better in the long run than an additional 10 acres of commercial zoning.

Stanford: I was a staunch opponent of the Forest Service selling any of its property on North Cache and moving the supervisor’s office out of Jackson.

The town should do everything it can to keep the headquarters in Jackson.

However, there is no guarantee that buying the Cache property will have any effect on that decision. I am skeptical of the town buying the land, especially given the appraised price of $11.5 million, without having a specific purpose in mind.

How would you balance new comprehensive plan recommendations for building density in town with the desire to preserve open space in outlying areas of Teton County?

Cameron: I support an incremental shifting of density that allows for preserved scenic resources and encourages efficient planning, design and building near existing utilities, roads and other infrastructure. This needs to be a process with frequent evaluation, benchmarks and triggers to ensure that we do not end up with the worst of both worlds: sprawl in the county, congestion in the town and more building than previously allowed.

DiGrappa: We are blessed with abundant wildlife and must conserve the open space needed for their survival, which dictates the necessity to move density into town. Healthy watchable wildlife is a foundation of our year-round recreation/wildlife tourism economy. I believe we should build live/work communities in thoughtful ways to reduce the number of people commuting over the pass and through the Hoback Canyon which aids two major goals: We keep cars off the road for wildlife preservation, and we cut down on fuel use and carbon emissions. We shouldn’t just build “density” in town without the infrastructure to maintain it. We should manage growth with [landdevelopment regulations] that cannot be changed on a whim but must be put through a rigorous test for the betterment of the community.

Egan: I think that more in-town options will create a more vibrant and diverse economy, which, in turn, will make in-town living and visiting even more desirable. To achieve the appropriate balance our community planning will need to be very farsighted and conscientious. We do not need to sacrifice the character of our existing neighborhoods (including setbacks and building heights), our in-town open spaces or the sense of community that drew each of us here to achieve this vision.

Genzer: First, the citizens/voters of Jackson should have the opportunity to vote on whether they want to accept the new comprehensive plan.

It really disgusts me that the current mayor and Town Council are fighting against the people having the opportunity to vote on the plan. I am against high density and several-story buildings in town. We need to try to keep a Western, small-town atmosphere and culture in town. The town and county

JACLYN BOROWSKI / NEWS&GUIDE

One question for many voters is how Town Council candidates would balance comprehensive plan recommendations for building density in town with the desire to preserve open space in outlying areas of Teton County. Pearl at Jackson, among the newer buildings downtown, mixes retail and office space with residential condominiums.

need to share future growth equally.

Harrington: I have been a proponent of putting numbers to the plan.

I want to see us use computer models to work through various scenarios and make decisions based on actual numbers and their impacts. I would like to have a better idea as to just what changes will need to be made in the essential services (road, sewer, water, etc.).

Morton: With the recommendation of more density in town, it inherently helps preserve open space elsewhere in Teton County. We can either have density in town or sprawl in the valley, which would be to the detriment of preserving open spaces. We must pursue balance to make sure both town and the valley develop in line with what our residents want and need.

Obringer: The success of the town in our efforts to find locations for workforce housing is a separate goal from open space in the county. I am very confident that the protection of the rural character is at the top of the to-do list for the county commissioners. By the way, after 20 years of working in the town, I believe we all have the density we need for the next 10 years if we just move it around to the appropriate locations.

Stanford: There are ways to reduce density in the outlying areas of the county without piling all development in town. For instance, I would consider regulations that make clustering mandatory and reduce the density bonuses given to developers of new subdivisions. In town, there are opportunities for redevelopment of the commercial corridor along South Highway 89 between the Y and High School Road to include a mix of housing and commercial.

What’s your vision for pathways and streets in Jackson? What is your opinion of recent projects — for example, Redmond Street?

Cameron: I support infrastructure and transportation systems that provide safe, healthy and efficient

options to all users. The community needs to have streets that work well for walkers, bikers, drivers and those using our excellent transportation system. Transportation accounts for the single largest portion of our energy and emissions footprint, and we need to take steps to mitigate this by promoting projects that provide residents and visitors with the option to choose safe and cleaner alternatives.

I am impressed with recent projects like the North Highway 89 pathway into Grand Teton. This is a huge asset to the entire community and provides real economic and environmental benefits. While the Redmond project has been maligned by some, at the end of the day that street is safer for more users now than it was. It encourages people to get out of their cars and safely move around town, and I think the more we consider this in future projects, the better for the character of town, local businesses and our quality of life. Is it perfect? Maybe not, but we can learn from that. Is it better? Yes! DiGrappa: I believe the pathways are consistent with our longterm vision of promoting ourselves to the world as a “green” community and with our desire to continually strengthen and maintain our tourism economy. Redmond Street is an example of an important pathfriendly street for pedestrians, bikes and convenient bus transportation and is part of the comprehensive plan for high-quality, desirable residential neighborhoods. It is also an example of how council decisions on behalf of citizens can be painful for longtime residents who may be averse to change and had to give up parking space. I believe it is very important in our small community for the council to strive for frequent, open communication, especially with longtime residents in established neighborhoods.

Egan: Pathways need to be integrated into all of our planning, but we need to begin to actively address and manage the multiple uses of our constituents and the conflicts that can result.

With regard to roads, prior to making any changes we need to ask ourselves if the proposed changes

increase functionality not just for those who use the road but also for those who live and work in close proximity.

In making these determinations, I would look to local recommendations more than those of outside “experts” who may not understand how our community functions.

I think the changes to Redmond were a failure of the process. Based upon the conversations I have had with residents, the street no longer functions properly for those who live there and, in my personal opinion, it is not consistent with feel of the neighborhood.

Genzer: Before we build anymore pathways in town, we need to evaluate the cost to maintain what we already have. Many of the pathways have been built with federal/state funds, and I anticipate that drying up in the coming years, and then we have to maintain them all by ourselves and then watch what happens to our property tax and sales tax. I believe what the town has been doing in the last 10 years by narrowing streets and eliminating parking is absolutely wrong! It appears that the Town Council and mayor want to force us to walk, bicycle or ride the START bus. Nothing wrong with walking and riding a bicycle, but I also do not know of anyone that is willing to give up their cars.

Harrington: First, get rid of the term “complete streets.” It is synonymous with a four-letter word.

The fact is that many streets — by virtue of the size of the right of way or the way buildings have been located without regard of the property line — will not accommodate all of the amenities everyone likes: sidewalk, furniture zone, curb and gutter, parking, bike lane and adequate travel lanes. As the town grows, there will be more traffic of all types: buses, cars, bikes and people. Buses need room to operate, bikes need less-trafficked streets, and people need sidewalks. I don’t think we will be creating any new streets.

So I would propose to take what we have and encourage certain streets for particular types of travel. I don’t See STREETS on 15

PRIMARY 2012 JACKSON HOLE NEWS&GUIDE, Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 15

Town - League of Women Voters STREETS

Continued from 14

like Redmond Street, I think “bulbouts” are a waste, and I would have resurfaced all of Scott Lane and [not] just two thirds of it after the underground work was completed.

Morton: I want Jackson to be a pedestrian- and alternative-transportation-friendly town. However, I do not want this to occur as a detriment to residents. Too often, I see residents walking down the middle of a street because there are no sidewalks. That is not safe, and I want that to change.

In regard to Redmond, the intentions were right, but the final result could have been better. The Town Council can listen to residents’ concerns from Redmond and improve developments moving forward.

Obringer: We all support pathways. That’s why 40 miles of pathways is a great start. Being a town person, I also consider sidewalks part of the pathway system and will continue to support street projects that take all of the user groups into consideration during the design process.

I will admit that we are in a learning process, so each project should continue to get better.

Stanford: I support building sidewalks, bike lanes and pathways to make our neighborhoods easier places to walk and bike, as well as drive. On Redmond Street, the town may have gone too far in narrowing the road, especially with the bulb-outs, which only are appropriate on high-density crossings around Broadway and Pearl. On South Cache, we could leave a little more room on the road, not just for motorists but also for cyclists, snow removal and pedestrians, who inevitably have to walk there during winter thaws. Stop signs are a cheap, effective way to slow traffic in residential neighborhoods and around kids amenities.

Should the town and county reserve the next election for SPET money for their projects only? Why or why not?

Cameron: I think that the key projects being discussed for SPET all deserve due consideration for funding.

The landfill project is unquestionably critical, and [SPET is] our opportunity to fund a project that must be completed in relatively short order. SPET represents a funding mechanism for projects that leverage partnerships to increase impact. Considering some of the impressive projects that have

news&guide file Photo

Town Council candidates differ as to whether the town and county should reserve the next specific purpose excise tax election for their projects, such as the Horsethief Canyon landfill. Pictured here is the dump in Sublette County.

been funded or received [matching] funding through it, I am hesitant to limit the scope of qualifying projects.

Any opportunity to leverage taxpayer dollars for greater good should be carefully considered.

just one more direct cost to taxpayers, even though a good percentage is paid by tourists. There are some items, like the old dump cleanup, that would be difficult to pay for any other way.

DiGrappa: I object to the use of the word “their” projects; it is [divisive] language. Projects and SPET money to pay for them belong to taxpayers. I believe that a limited number of carefully discussed projects should be on the ballot for public vote.

Harrington: Keep the process open to all groups, but insist that the rules for submittal are followed.

We have had too many projects lately that we draw on the “back of a napkin.” The rules require some concrete plans and well-researched cost estimates that apply to all applicants, public or private.

Egan: No. I feel very strongly that the town and county have projects that are deserving of SPET support, but I also think that it is important for the SPET ballot to remain open.

It is one of the truest ways to determine the will and wishes of our community, and that relationship should be honored.

Genzer: I believe they have already made that decision to reserve the SPET tax money for the town and county projects. My choice would be to not use SPET tax, because it is

VOTE

August 21st in the Primary Election

Jim Genzer Your common sense choice!

Morton: The proposed projects for this election for the SPET are all important items. The state has mandated that we address the landfill in Horsethief Canyon, the Forest Service land purchase has a time limit, building the pathway from town to Stilson completes a community vision, and building a bus barn for START will allow for better maintenance and services. However, to have all these projects on the ballot will cost more than we can raise

in four years. The town and county must prioritize what is needed and what is most important for Jackson’s residents.

Obringer: We spend a tremendous amount of time building relationships that lead to opportunities to better serve our community. Day cares, the hospital ... how can we historically not consider all SPET projects town and county projects?

Stanford: The town and county are right to reserve the next SPET ballot, because we have pressing infrastructure needs. Cleaning up the old landfill and building a new trash transfer station is mandatory. Finishing the pathway between Wilson and Jackson is a high priority. Just these two projects could cost a combined $20 million. A bus barn for START and the school district is another major investment looming. We don’t know what other infrastructure needs will arise in the next four or five years, so it’s wise not to lock up SPET too far into the future.

COMMISSIONER PERRY 2012 Commissioner Paul Perry Brings Common Sense to County Government!

• Challenging Spending Choices: Separating WANTS from NEEDS • Protect Private Property Rights • Making Regulations SIMPLE and USEABLE to the public • Eliminating REDUNDANCIES and INEFFICIENCIES in County Government

I would appreciate your vote.

TOWN COUNCIL

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16 - PRIMARY 2012 JACKSON HOLE NEWS&GUIDE, Wednesday, August 15, 2012

“Ruth Ann knows that there is no “I” in the Wyoming House. It’s about “WE”. It’s about gaining public consensus while working for the good of this marvelous valley and the great state of Wyoming.

After serving humbly and happily in the Wyoming House, I asked Ruth Ann to run.

Representatives with whom I served often talk with me about how well she represents us when speaking on the floor of the house. She gets our message across.

She feels the same sense of awe, wonder, and gratitude that I feel. Indeed, that we all feel. She’s my choice.”

- Clarene Law, Entrepreneur and Public Servant

Photo by Cary Tijer

ina

“Wyoming’s diverse and deep energy resources are critically linked to the state’s long-term economic and environmental wellbeing. Ruth Ann has worked hard to develop a knowledge base and understanding of the complexity of the issues surrounding resource development, environmental preservation and innovation opportunities which position Wyoming to lead in today and tomorrow’s energy economy.

Ruth Ann’s commitment to listening and learning from colleagues around the state and to placing Wyoming’s interests first is exactly the kind of leadership we need in Cheyenne.”

-Laura Ladd, Wyoming Energy Economics Consultant

“Ruth Ann has been an outstanding legislator and impressive in representing our Teton County business interests. We believe in her pro-business and pro-Wyoming voting record.”

- Jim Waldrop, Wort Hotel General Manager and Wyoming Lodging and Restaurant Association President

“I am proud to have Representative Ruth Ann Petroff represent Teton County’s diverse interests in the legislature.

She continues Teton County’s strong GOP legacy of respect and collaboration in Cheyenne in order to help maintain a limited and effective state government.”

- Bill Scarlett, Republican State Committeeman

“As a volunteer firefighter, a youth hockey and baseball coach, Ruth Ann and I have crossed paths at community events for almost 20 years during my time in the valley. As a small business employee I appreciate and cheer on Ruth Ann's willingness to stick up for our interests in Cheyenne. We are very lucky to have Ruth Ann representing us, she is the type of person we all wish there were more of in politics.”

- Mike “Sully” Sullivan, Builder, Volunteer Firefighter and Coach

Re-Elect Ruth Ann Petroff on August 21st.

www.RuthAnn.us Paid by Ruth Ann for House - Clarene Law, Chair 240626

PRIMARY 2012 JACKSON HOLE NEWS&GUIDE, Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 17

During the many years I have known Ruth Ann, she continually amazes me with her love and dedication to our valley and citizens. In my volunteer career, there has never been a need to call Ruth Ann to ask her for help. She would always ask what she could do for you.

Without exception she backed it up with action.

- Tim Ciocarlan, contractor and longtime Search and Rescue volunteer

“Ruth Ann is smart, hard working, does her homework and is persuasive. I’ve seen her strong commitment to issues important to sportsmen and support of 2nd amendment rights. She cares about the folks she represents and is a highly effective advocate for her constituents.”

“I’ve known Ruth Ann from Domino’s since 1988. I remember the night of the Jack Dennis fire we stayed late at Domino’s to make pizzas to donate to the firefighters.

Whether it was a church function or fundraiser, she was always willing to give. The thing about Ruth Ann is she’s not a horn-tootin’ kind of gal.

She would never say, ‘Let me tell you what I’ve done.’ She’s not in it for the glory. She’s in it to get it done.”

- Audra Hawkins,

-Sam Krone, Park County Representative

Obsidian Real Estate Partner

"Ruth Ann supports issues important to my family, like a strong tourism and hospitality industry and supporting developmentally disabled children and adults."

–Anna Olson, Resort Brand Director Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Governor’s Council for Developmental Disabilities

“Ruth Ann has worked hard to support our local and state stock growers’ issues and has proven to be an effective and respected voice for Teton County.”

“As a teacher, I recognize that cost-ofliving wage adjustments are crucial to attracting and keeping great teachers in Teton County. Last year, the legislature proposed cutting the wage adjustment, which only affected a handful of counties. Ruth Ann fought effectively to keep our teacher compensation fair and our education system strong.”

- Michelle Rooks, Instructional Facilitator Jackson Hole Middle School

–Brad Mead, Cattle Rancher

Re-Elect Ruth Ann Petroff on August 21st.

www.RuthAnn.us Paid by Ruth Ann for House - Clarene Law, Chair 240627

18 - PRIMARY 2012 JACKSON HOLE NEWS&GUIDE, Wednesday, August 15, 2012

County Commission - League of Women Voters The League of Women Voters with Teton County Library and local media held a “Know the Candidates” gathering Monday. To give voters an idea of where candidates stand, organizers posed the following questions and received the answers below.

How do you view the role and extent of the county commission in the lives of county residents?

Barbara Allen: I view the role of the Teton County Board of Commissioners as threefold: first, to provide for the health and human safety of the county in a responsive and efficient manner; second, to oversee planning and zoning issues in a respectful and cooperative fashion, balancing the goals of the town and the county while respecting property rights and neighborhoods; third, to manage the budget in a fiscally responsible and transparent manner.

Claire Fuller: To help achieve goals and desires as expressed by residents.

The desire for a safe community, for example, is what leads the county commission to properly provide emergency services. Providing services to fulfill community goals and desires does require money, so it is also the responsibility and role of the commission to develop sources of revenue that can sustainably fund public services. In the case of land-use planning, it is the county commission’s role to help achieve goals as set forth in the newly approved comprehensive plan. It is also the role of the commission to look beyond the political horizon and make decisions to ensure the best future possible.

Paul Perry: Commissioners are charged with assuring Teton County remains a beautiful, livable community that continues to move forward, always reflecting the values citizens have articulated. I will do this by safeguarding and implementing the community vision articulated in the comprehensive plan through predictable land-development regulations that respect private property rights. Additionally, commissioners should effectively manage county finances, reduce redundancies, identify efficiencies and provide public services. Further, commissioners should maintain an ongoing dialogue with the community through one-on-one conversations, brown-bag lunches or surveys to share ideas regarding community issues, then, based on that information, take decisive action to better the community. Commissioners need to make sure taxes are being assessed fairly.

Moreover, I will lead an effort to generate jobs that pay livable wages and enhance the vibrancy of the community through incubator spaces. Finally, I will be vigilant during the LDR updates to ensure regulations are simple and usable to the public, achieve a regulatory objective and don’t regulate for the sake of regulation. My cellphone number and email are on my walking piece.

I encourage anyone to contact me.

land-development regulations to ensure balance between the goals of shifting density and creating permanent open space. The tools to shift density were not fleshed out enough and currently rely heavily on downzoning. As our current plan demonstrates, zoning is not permanent. If we choose the route of regulation, we risk that the underlying zoning may change. Development pressure will only increase with time and population. Without tools to create permanent open space, I don’t see that we are achieving our goals. We also are taking away options from our large landowners, to whom we owe a historic debt of gratitude. Likewise, we are working against the one community goal that received the most support in the comp plan meetings. The more than 20,000 acres of conserved open space in this valley prove that cooperation rather than downzoning can better accomplish the goals of our community.

The impacts to town and South Park also need additional vetting. There are many Allen people within town and south of the Y who feel they are bearing the brunt of the shift. Much of the density shifted from the county may not have been realized, and — as the shift is not directly linked to county numbers — the end result could Fuller be just more density.

I believe that up-front, transparent discussions about numbers as well as the infrastructure costs from water, sewer, roads and schools are important and respectful to our community members.

Fuller: I would work to develop tools beyond zoning to accomplish a shift to ensure we do not end up with more development than is permitted under current conditions. Trying to alter development patterns with zoning will not stand the test of time, since zoning regulations can be changed with a simple vote. Rather, we should research and develop tools that give permanent protections to lands from which development is removed and give equitable gains to lands to which development is directed. Ultimately, we do not want to take or give development from one place to another; we want to develop a system that allows development to occur in appropriate places and prohibits it from occurring in inappropriate places. We also need to be cognizant of the impacts in both rural areas and in town, so as to not surprise or force a change to people’s expectations of their lands and neighborhoods.

How would you balance new comprehensive plan recommendations for directing density toward town and other already developed areas with the desire to preserve open space in outlying areas?

Perry: I think the commissioners and the community worked hard to make many of the tough decisions during the update of the plan. I wanted this plan to be better than the ’94 plan and to make tough decisions so that every application going forward would not be a battle as it has been in the past. The plan identifies the maps in areas that are key to our preservation and conservation efforts. It identifies appropriate areas in complete neighborhoods for additional density to occur. That growth can only occur in a thoughtful manner that respects a specified, defined future character. The plan doesn’t try to eliminate all density in rural areas; it tries to reverse the current trend of six out of 10 building permits issued happening in rural areas. To protect habitat and scenic vistas in these areas, we need to update our planned residential development regulation to better affect clustering or transfer of units.

Allen: We need to have a holistic discussion prior to the writing of the new

Turley: I believe it is important to put new development where infrastruc-

Melissa Turley: After six years of Town Council experience, I have established a record as a focused and responsive advocate for Jackson’s values. As a commissioner, I will continue to protect our unique community character and natural and scenic resources and be fiscally accountable. I recognize we are one valley and one community, and I am running for county commission because I want a higher quality of life for every person who chooses to live here. I believe we must preserve this place for future generations.

ture already exists to protect scenic vistas and wildlife habitat, reduce traffic on our roads and lower the cost of new development. Putting new development near existing homes and businesses will also foster community and support our local economy. The new comprehensive plan recommendation for directing density toward town and other already developed areas will preserve open space in other parts of the county.

Should the county and town reserve the next election for specific purpose excise tax money for their projects only?

Allen: The next [specific purpose excise tax] ballot brings to light interesting questions as to the function of county government and the role voters play in determining future SPET projects. Using the phrase “their projects” is a bit unfair.

We elect commissioners to spend the time, do the homework and vet projects based on the interPerry ests of the county — always considering future operating and maintenance costs as well as the current duration of obligations of the SPET funds.

Regarding the seventh cent, I am not in favor.

Keeping pressure on our local government Turley to stay streamlined and efficient as state and federal funds dwindle is essential. As voters, we need to recognize the consequences of tying up SPET funds for years to come and decide based on what operating and maintenance costs these votes may create in the future. I believe a surplus of funds makes it too easy to vote for more financial burdens. With regard to the specific SPET items, I am in favor of putting the transfer facility and the Forest Service parcel on the SPET if it means that the Forest Service stays. If they are not going to stay, I would not be in favor. Selling public land to fund the office rehab here is a frightening precedent and one that should make us nervous when looking at national issues.

While I would prefer to see us purchase it at auction, keeping those meaningful members of our community here, the full-time jobs and the intellectual and volunteer capital they provide is significant. In terms of pathways, the community voted over 70 percent for the last SPET funds. I think it is fair to put on the ballot, although I believe the final number still needs some paring. I view it as a health and human safety issue as well as investing in infrastructure that satisfies some of our transportation goals and adds to amenities.

Fuller: In consideration of the weak economy over the past few years, there is some appeal to the idea of reserving SPET monies for town or county projects to help prioritize projects that might be less exciting but more fundamentally crucial. That being said, I do not think the next election for SPET money should be reserved for town and county projects exclusively. Many of the past SPET-funded projects were devised as public-private partnerships, and we all have benefited from these projects.

Perry: Federal and state-mandated projects would have a priority so the county would not have to come up with other sources of revenue, i.e., raising property taxes. Any SPET project would need to have full cost accounting included with it, not just capital.

Ongoing operations and maintenance for many capital projects funded through SPET have to be evaluated in the broader picture, in that these costs

could be “forever.” At this point in time, I believe it is wise and prudent to not encumber future elected officials with the obligation of too many SPET projects that could hinder them from the potential use of SPET in the future for an unknown possibility.

Turley: I support the Town Council and county commissioners’ decision not to open up consideration of [SPET] projects from outside entities, because the need to close our landfill, the opportunity to purchase the Forest Service property on North Cache and the completion of the Highway 22 pathway and bridge are all timely and require a large sum of capital. Two years ago, other governmental and citizen groups had the opportunity to submit projects for consideration on the SPET ballot, and the council and commission placed 11 on the ballot. Voters approved 10. Our community only has so much capacity to bring new projects forward, to carry out new construction and to support ongoing operations and maintenance costs.

How would you ensure financial sustainability for the county?

Allen: She said she would maintain financial sustainability for the county by: • Maintaining a solvent government through efficiency, keeping financial obligations and taxes low; • Choosing positive infrastructure investments that enhance our economy; • Getting out of the way of new smallbusiness creation, supporting our local businesses and visitor-based economy, and looking to future sources of business creation such as outdoor recreation.

Fuller: In the last four years, the economy has given us a chance to take inventory of what is truly necessary and what is truly important. We need to remember that forces way beyond our control can have a huge impact on our lives and our communities. In moving forward, we need to think about the difference between wants and needs in our community and always be aware that our tourism economy is dependent on many other industries and economies (visitors can’t visit if they can’t afford to get here), making our economy that much more vulnerable to outside forces.

I would work to encourage small-business development in the county that is not completely geared toward tourism and that capitalizes on the amazing entrepreneurial spirit and vast intellectual capital we have in the valley. This will help residents and government alike by helping the county become more financial sustainable in its economy as a whole.

Perry: Given the tough economy, the county has worked hard to maintain flat budgets and to live within its means. That is what many citizens in this community have done in their personal finances, and that is what the county has done. The county will have to seriously review levels of service and programming to adjust to incoming revenue over the course of the next year.

Turley: As a town councilwoman for the past six years, I worked to balance the town budget in the face of declining revenues without laying off any employees. I was actively involved in the town and county’s 10X10 initiative, which decreased the town’s energy and fuel use and save hundreds of thousands of dollars. And I supported improvements to downtown to benefit local businesses and employ local workers. If elected to the board of Teton County commissioners, I will continue to make decisions about public funds for the highest community benefit. I will find new ways to save taxpayer dollars through energy, fuel and operations efficiencies. I will engage community members and county staff on tough conversations about what services are needs versus wants, and I am willing to say no.

PRIMARY 2012 JACKSON HOLE NEWS&GUIDE, Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 19

Teton County precincts and polling places Precinct/District Senate/House

Precinct area

Location

1-1 SD 17/HD 23

South of Jackson

Emergency Operations Center

1-2 SD 17/HD 16

Mid-East Jackson

Recreation Center

1-3 SD 17/HD 23

Skyline/Hi Country/Gros Ventre Butte/Elk Refuge North Jackson

National Museum of Wildlife Art

1-5 SD 17/HD 16

Mid-West Jackson

Fair Building (Exhibit Hall)

1-6A SD 17/HD 16

Cottonwood Park

Presbyterian Church

1-6B SD 17/HD 23

Indian Trails

Presbyterian Church

1-7 SD 17/HD 23

Rafter J

Chapel at River Crossing

1-8 SD 17/HD 16

East Jackson

Senior Center

1-9 SD 17/HD 16

West Jackson

Fair Building (Exhibit Hall)

1-10 SD 16/HD 22

South Hoback

TC Weed and Pest

2-1 SD 17/HD 23

Kelly/Teton Valley Highlands/Moose/ Airport Moran

National Museum of Wildlife Art

4-1 SD 16/HD 22

Wilson South

Old Wilson Schoolhouse Community Center

4-2 SD 17/HD 23

Moose-Wilson Road West

Wilson Fire House, Station 6

4-3 SD 16/HD 22

Wilson North

Old Wilson Schoolhouse Community Center

4-4 SD 17/HD 23

Teton Village/MooseWilson Rd.

Teton Village Fire House

5-1 SD 17/HD 23

Alta

Alta School

1-4 SD 17/HD 23

3-1 SD 17/HD 23

Absentee polling site: All persons living in Teton County

Recreation Center

Moran School

Teton County Administration Building

Town of Jackson precincts and polling places

20 - PRIMARY 2012 JACKSON HOLE NEWS&GUIDE, Wednesday, August 15, 2012

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