JH Underground – news, sports and music blog from Jackson Hole, Wyoming news, sports and music blog from Jackson Hole, Wyoming

In 2005, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, National Geographic ran a cover story about the increasing number and severity of hurricanes. I sent the magazine to a friend whose parents’ home was destroyed on the Mississippi coast.

At the time I was worried about the future of New Orleans — not New York.

The images coming out of Queens and New Jersey this week look a lot like Louisiana and Mississippi post-Katrina. My family was fortunate: Being far enough inland on Long Island, flooding was not a danger. But my mom said her house shook unlike anything she had experienced in her life, and a towering oak fell over in the front yard, luckily away from the house.

My family went without power for nearly four days. Cell service was wiped out for much of that time, but mom had her trusted, wall-mounted rotary phone that allowed her to stay in touch. An oil lamp brightened the nights.

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Posted under Economy, Environment, Politics, Republican Party, Weather

Tags: climate change, conservation, john barrasso, new orleans, new york

Of all the choices facing voters in the Nov. 6 election, none is easier than Proposition #3, the proposal to clean up and cap the old landfill south of town and begin planning a new trash transfer station.

The price tag is steep — $14.5 million in sales tax revenue — but the county has to take action, facing a deadline from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. As this video illustrates, toxic chemicals are leaching from old trash into groundwater and eventually could contaminate the Snake River.

County residents either can pay for the cleanup via sales tax — with tourists bearing their share — or property tax.

The ballot measure also would pay for planning of an improved facility on the site for trash transfer, recycling and composting. Expanding these services can help the community save money in the long run. The more waste we divert, the less we will pay for trash hauling to the landfill near Idaho Falls.

The proposal is one of three for specific-purpose excise tax, or SPET, revenue. Also up for vote are the proposal to buy the 10-acre Forest Service property on North Cache for $13.5 million, which I do not support, and Proposition #2, finishing the pathway connection between West Broadway and Wilson for $4.4 million, which I do support.

Posted under County Government, Environment, Politics, Town Government

Tags: conservation, recycling, snake river

Last Saturday, 1 Percent for the Tetons staged perhaps its most successful Schechter Fest yet: screenings of eight short films about the latest round of projects funded by 1 Percent donations.

Nearly 400 people — many of them friends of the young filmmakers — poured into Center for the Arts to watch the clips and vote for their favorite. The above video, by KGB Productions, was the funniest — no surprise, given that KGB are the professional makers of Wyoming Triumph. Because it was voted best by the audience and a panel of judges, the video won an additional $1,000 for the filmmakers and $1,000 for the Candyland Trail built by Teton Freedom Riders.

1 Percent is continuing the Blitz with online voting that will award an additional $1,000, to be split between maker and nonprofit. All of the videos are posted on the 1 Percent website, and the deadline to vote is 5 p.m. Nov. 2.

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Posted under Art, Economy, Environment, Humor

Tags: conservation, films, Media, mountain biking, nonprofits

As promised, here is the video from Wednesday’s League of Women Voters forum for Jackson Town Council candidates. Many thanks again to Danny Holland and Sam Petri for volunteering to record and stream the event.

Owing to my lack of skill at video editing and desire to get this up quickly, I have posted the entire forum, introductions and all. Some of you might care to understand the format, which allotted candidates only 45 seconds to respond to questions after the first person answered. Plus, there are well deserved mentions of the organizers, a shout-out to Sandy Shuptrine (sidelined by surgery) and a few funny moments, if you know the characters.

For those looking to get to the issues quickly, skip to these segments:

10:12 — entertaining intro by Jake Nichols of JH Weekly
10:40 — first question, about proposed Walgreen’s on Broadway, whether candidates would support and/or approve it
16:40 — workforce housing/density
22:00 — wildlife crossings
27:33 — proposed purchase of Forest Service property on North Cache
33:15 — Jim Genzer’s lawsuit against the town over comprehensive plan
39:42 — transportation planning
45:00 — affordable housing (subject of today’s Daily story)
50:30 — role of government/ban on idling or plastic bags
55:45 — town budget
1:02:00 — which candidate would you vote for besides yourself
1:07:30 — closing statements

There are some stark differences among the candidates. Judge for yourselves.

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Posted under Economy, Environment, Politics, Town Government

Tags: campaign 2012, conservation, development, Media, national forest, wildlife

Tonight the League of Women Voters is hosting a forum for town and mayoral candidates. A panel of journalists from the News&Guide, Planet JH Weekly and KHOL will ask questions, some of which were submitted in advance by citizens. Audience members also will participate.

The forum is from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the commons at Jackson Hole Middle School. Admission is free, and refreshments will be served.

This will be the *final* public event for the town candidates (county forum is tomorrow night), following on the heels of yesterday’s debate organized by the Rotary Club and Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce.

These forums play a critical role in allowing citizens to cut through the slogans, sound bites and cacophony of ads and yard signs.

For those who cannot make the event, we are attempting to set up a live stream. At the very least, the forum will be recorded and posted to YouTube tomorrow. Stay tuned for more details.

Really, the best way is to turn out in person, get involved and get informed.

Posted under Economy, Environment, Politics, Town Government

Tags: campaign 2012, conservation, development