Comments on: the future of affordable housing http://www.jhunderground.com/2008/05/15/dont-get-mad-get-involved/ news, sports and music blog from Jackson Hole, Wyoming Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:18:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 by: Tom B. Stone http://www.jhunderground.com/2008/05/15/dont-get-mad-get-involved/#comment-14541 Thu, 22 May 2008 03:22:10 +0000 http://www.jhunderground.com/2008/05/15/dont-get-mad-get-involved/#comment-14541 It's a shame that I'll come across as a naysayer, but in reality, our voices are neither heard nor honored in this so called public process, whichever topic you want to refer to here with local officials. Jackson officials (and probably many or most other communities) have their own agenda, influenced ($+gifts) by far more power than wealthy tax payers, uninterested second homeowners, and trustfunder brats. Sure, we're obligated to use the system and 'try.' Keep in mind all the meeting rooms overflowing with public comment regarding growth issues, like you said above, mostly negative. Now consider why our comp plan needs attention - because they never adhered to the current comp plan, even when the public asked them to! Yes, go to the meetings. Get educated and involved. Figure out a way to outsmart this phoney system. More, more, more may not be the answer, though. It’s a shame that I’ll come across as a naysayer, but in reality, our voices are neither heard nor honored in this so called public process, whichever topic you want to refer to here with local officials.
Jackson officials (and probably many or most other communities) have their own agenda, influenced ($+gifts) by far more power than wealthy tax payers, uninterested second homeowners, and trustfunder brats. Sure, we’re obligated to use the system and ‘try.’ Keep in mind all the meeting rooms overflowing with public comment regarding growth issues, like you said above, mostly negative. Now consider why our comp plan needs attention - because they never adhered to the current comp plan, even when the public asked them to!
Yes, go to the meetings. Get educated and involved. Figure out a way to outsmart this phoney system. More, more, more may not be the answer, though.

]]> by: js http://www.jhunderground.com/2008/05/15/dont-get-mad-get-involved/#comment-14483 Tue, 20 May 2008 15:35:21 +0000 http://www.jhunderground.com/2008/05/15/dont-get-mad-get-involved/#comment-14483 Here's a comment from a friend who attended last week's meeting: "Thought you might want to mail your lists, again, and remind them of the new comp plan surveys online – these are different than the original surveys that were up this winter. This is where the public can provide feedback on what the planners have come back with, after the original surveys, public input, and meetings. "I went last night, and can already see that as usual, the 'no’s' and 'negatives' are by far most of the commenters, both by voice and in writing where they were taking comment last night. In particular, there were only negative (and misinformed) comments about Housing, Growth, and Transportation. If our peers want to see progressive ideas represented in the feedback, and more importantly, progressive planning included in the end plan, they’re gonna have to get involved in this process! http://www.jacksontetonplan.com/ Two links on left: “Town Sub Draft Plan…” and “Countywide Plan Maps and Policy…” each have separate surveys. It does not matter whether you live in town or the county; each plan will affect the other. Anybody may comment on both. Here’s a comment from a friend who attended last week’s meeting:

“Thought you might want to mail your lists, again, and remind them of the new comp plan surveys online – these are different than the original surveys that were up this winter. This is where the public can provide feedback on what the planners have come back with, after the original surveys, public input, and meetings.

“I went last night, and can already see that as usual, the ‘no’s’ and ‘negatives’ are by far most of the commenters, both by voice and in writing where they were taking comment last night. In particular, there were only negative (and misinformed) comments about Housing, Growth, and Transportation. If our peers want to see progressive ideas represented in the feedback, and more importantly, progressive planning included in the end plan, they’re gonna have to get involved in this process!

http://www.jacksontetonplan.com/ Two links on left: “Town Sub Draft Plan…” and “Countywide Plan Maps and Policy…” each have separate surveys.

It does not matter whether you live in town or the county; each plan will affect the other. Anybody may comment on both.

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