Town seeking people to fill important post
By Kevin Huelsmann, Jackson Hole, Wyo.
November 26, 2009
The Town of Jackson is accepting applications for someone to help make some of the community’s most important decisions regarding its development plan.
Town Clerk Roxanne DeVries Robinson opened the application period last week to fill a position Geneva Chong is vacating on the Jackson Planning Commission.
Chong, a research ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, resigned late last month because of family obligations. She has, however, continued to serve on the commission and plans to do so until the town is able to find a replacement.
The new planning commissioner will join four others who have been reviewing the rewrite of the Jackson/Teton County Comprehensive Plan, which guides development in the town and county.
Robinson said she will accept applications until 5 p.m. Monday, after which town councilors will conduct interviews with all the candidates who submitted letters of interest.
During the last round of planning commission interviews this summer, the council conducted the interviews in public, deliberated behind closed doors and then announced its decision in another public meeting.
Jackson Mayor Mark Barron has the sole authority to make the appointment, although during the last round of interviews he took recommendations from the rest of the council.
Whomever the council selects will fill the remainder of Chong’s term, which is set to expire in July.
There are no special requirements for the seat, although the council traditionally affords special consideration to candidates with experience in planning, law, architecture, natural-resource management, real estate or related fields.
Applicants cannot be employed by the Town of Jackson and must have lived in town for at least two years before submitting an application.
Town staff members are also looking for applicants for three vacant seats on the board of examiners, which reviews the qualifications of licensed contractors in the area.
Town staff received no applications during the first application period, which ended Nov. 13. The application period was extended indefinitely in hopes of attracting candidates, Robinson said.
Since the deadline was extended, the town has received one application, which was submitted by Damon Wilson of Mechco Inc., Robinson said.
In July, the council appointed one person to one of three vacant spots. Several months ago, board member Kirk Sprague stepped down to take a job as a police officer, leaving the board with three openings again.
The board is expected to see a higher number of contractor reviews because of new regulations set to go into effect next spring that require all contractors — town and county — to be licensed by the board.
Anyone interested in applying for either board should send a letter to Robinson at P.O. Box 1687, Jackson, WY 83001. Robinson can also be reached via e-mail at rrobinson@ci.jackson.wy.us or at 733-3938, ext. 1107.
