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The mayoral primary in the upcoming election just became a race.

Longtime Jackson resident Jim Fulmer, the base manager for Snow King Ski Area and former ski patroller, announced his candidacy today. Fulmer will mount a write-in challenge to incumbent Mark Barron, who had been unopposed.

Fulmer is almost certain to gain the 25 write-in votes needed to place his name on the ballot for the general election in November.

In a press release, he cited opposition to the new Comprehensive Plan as his chief motivation for running against Barron.

“I respect the service that my friend, the honorable Mayor Mark Barron, has given to our town; however, I feel that it is time for the focus of the town government to be on the quality of life for the citizens of our town,” he said.

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Posted under Politics, Ski Resorts, Town Government

Tags: development, mark barron, snow king

In skier parlance, I have “pointed it.”

As the stories in last week’s Daily make clear (here and here), I am running for Jackson Town Council. There are nine candidates for two seats; the top four will advance from the Aug. 21 primary to the general election in November.

The task ahead is daunting, but I feel an obligation to serve and at least give this a shot. Friends and other supporters have been urging me to run since the mayoral write-in of 2008.

If elected, I would bring an open mind, a studious approach and resolve to make hard decisions.

Come August, I will have lived here 20 years. During that time I’ve met a broad swath of our community. I feel I have one foot in old Jackson and one foot in new Jackson, as by virtue of my work and lifestyle I continue to meet younger people traditionally underrepresented on the council.

As readers well know, sometimes I’m frustrated by the decisions others make for us. The solution is to become one of the decision makers. Like I told the paper, you can only stand on the sidelines so long.

I have set up a campaign website to provide more thoughts on the issues and keep people informed about the campaign. On this site I’ve always welcomed diverse viewpoints, including those with which I don’t agree, and now more than ever I welcome your input.

Here’s to a soft landing.

Posted under Democratic Party, Economy, Environment, Politics, Town Government

Tags: campaign 2012, conservation, development, Media, revolution

With little more than three days remaining in the filing period to run for local office, there’s no telling what sort of new candidates will emerge to shake things up.

Claire Fuller has set out to change the status quo with a second run for Teton County commissioner. In 2008, at only age 24, Claire came within a few hundred votes of unseating political veterans Andy Schwartz and Leland Christensen.

Now 28 and more seasoned with education and work experience, the Wilson Democrat is back in the ring. The timing feels right, she said, and her desire to serve hasn’t cooled.

“I want to provide a new sense of leadership in the community,” she said.

If she didn’t run now, it might be years before she’d have another chance, she explained. “I’m at the beginning of a career of any sort,” she said. “The farther you get into that, the harder it is to leave.”

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Posted under County Government, Democratic Party, Environment, Politics, Town Government

Tags: claire fuller, conservation, development

For weeks I’ve been hearing — via tips from readers — that Snow King Resort has been or is nearing a deal to be sold. Managing partner Manuel Lopez has been typically coy, either denying rumors or not responding to calls.

This week Lopez did reveal plans for more recreational amenities on the mountain, including two zip lines, yurts, some sort of roller coaster, a ropes course and bike park.

The News&Guide reports: “The plan to keep the ski hill financially viable focuses on five areas: an activity center near the hotel, a camp near the top of the Rafferty lift, a gateway into the property at the corner of Cache Street and Snow King Avenue, a yurt area on the south side of the mountain and another activity area at the summit.”

While it is heartening to hear the resort aims to honor its commitment to providing recreational facilities — after initially seeking to divest itself of the ski area while selling the hotel and development rights — this latest plan is a bit of a head scratcher.

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Posted under Economy, Environment, Politics, Ski Resorts, Sports, Town Government

Tags: development, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snow king, snowboarding, tourists

Last week the town held an open house at Center for the Arts to gather public input on a proposed redesign of South Cache Drive.

The $1.4 million reconstruction would add or improve sidewalks on Cache between Snow King and Pearl avenues. Work is slated to begin next year.

In the wake of the reconstruction of Redmond Street, which significantly narrowed the roadway, residents turned out in force to criticize the plan. As a starting point for discussion, town engineers presented a preliminary design for the sort of “Complete Streets” favored by Friends of Pathways.

Around midday, when I stopped by, comments were running about 3-to-1 against narrowing the road. Nearly everyone seemed to agree that the “bulb-out” pedestrian crossings have to go. Not only have they made Redmond a tight squeeze at intersections, but pedestrians tend not to use them as designed, an engineer told me. At least one resident called for a stop sign at Kelly and Cache.

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Posted under Politics, Town Government

Tags: cycling, development