Letters to Editor July 30, 2008

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

By Planet User

Some letters were cut from the print edition this week due to limited space. Here are more letters for this week's Planet.

Old Bill’s ban
<This letter was edited for length. - Eds>
I am not in any way affiliated with Save Historic Jackson Hole. I do not always agree with certain positions taken by that organization.  However, I do believe that Save Historic Jackson Hole, like so many other groups and individuals in this valley, truly is dedicated to preserving “the last and the best of the Old West.”
For that reason, I strongly protest the recent ostracism of Save Historic Jackson Hole by the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, specifically the shunning of SHJH for daring to suggest that it was not exactly kosher for the Jackson Hole Community Housing Trust to affiliate itself with the for-profit Teton Meadows Ranch capitalist adventure. Clearly, Save Historic Jackson Hole’s Housing Trust position was absolutely correct.  Under the guise of promoting both “affordable” and free-market housing, the Housing Trust (purportedly a non-profit organization) stood to make millions from the ill-advised and deservedly ill-fated Teton Meadows Ranch private development in the years ahead – by wittingly making that housing even LESS affordable. Each time certain properties in the development changed hands, a nominal amount would be tacked on to support the Housing Trust.
Since property values in and around Jackson Hole are not normally known for falling, the Housing Trust would make more and more money every time those properties were sold in the future – and help drive housing costs higher and higher. Not a pretty picture to paint for the valley’s hard-working, long-suffering working class.

Save Historic Jackson Hole’s unforgiveable sin was to point out that this particular emperor was wearing no clothes, a naked truth that sorely offended the 22 board members of the Community Foundation.

It was, of course, a petty, ridiculous, unjustly punitive and counter-productive action for the CF to have taken, but the board certainly has the right to deprive ANY needy non-profit of its publicly raised funds, if it finds that to be appropriate. In this case, it was simply not appropriate – a not-so-subtle form of economic censorship.

However, now the natty nabobs of the Community Foundation (many of whom have vested interests in the sale and re-sale of local real estate) have to deal with the repercussions of their Puritanical pistol-whipping of SHJH. For instance, now the community might question what individual board members of the Community Foundation might have stood to gain from an approved Teton Meadows Ranch development. Or perhaps Save Historic Jackson Hole’s efforts to preserve what little is left of our former community are beginning to rankle moneyed community leaders who may actually favor such things as “affordable housing,” but not, of course, in their own backyard. 
             


Freedom to run
We now know how the "Community Foundation" feels about Save Historic Jackson Hole. The question remains about how the "foundation of the community" - its citizens feel about censorship. Especially in light of the fact that a cornerstone in the foundation of our nation and our community if freedom of speech.

At this critical juncture in our valley future - we need greater diversity of dissenting opinions and more public participation - not less. What kind of lessons in civics and ethics are we teaching our future generations - "The nail that stands up ... shall be hammered down?" The Housing Trust may remember a controversial ad of their own - in "Hosed."  The "Hosed" ads were were afforded a dry spot under the umbrella of protection provided by the First Amendment - should S.H.J.H. voice be drowned out and left in the if cold? Should their voices be sentenced to shiver beside "shouting fire in a crowded theatre? Under the sheltering canopy of freedom of speech only shouting fire in a crowded theater should be left unprotected and uncovered - fully protected should be shouting "Hosed" in a crowded theater of ideas as well as S.H.J.H. 's invaluable voice in the valley's rampant growth and overdevelopment issues - issues which disproportionately create the need for housing that the Housing Trust works so hard to provide.  At best, they should be allies on this issue - at worst "the enemy of your enemy is your friend. "

To our invaluable Community Foundation - do you really think that the community is better off without S.H.J.H? Is their banishment worth the dilution of Democracy created by not allowing those who would wish to donate to them and leverage their donations with some available matching funds the opportunity to do so? Do you think the politics of censorship and exclusions is in keeping with your self-stated  "spirit  of Cooperation, collaboration and incredible good will?"

To S.H.J.H., sincere thanks, hang in there, keep it on the high road and remember, the only way to avoid criticism is to stand for nothing, say nothing, do nothing and be nothing ... To us all, this sage advice paraphrased throughout history - "I may disagree till death with what you say, but I will defend till death your right to say it."



Diverse opinions healthy for JH
I was very disturbed to read that Save Historic Jackson Hole was being ousted from Old Bill's Fun Run. I do not feel that this is in keeping with the premise of Old Bill's.

Where is freedom of speech and the discretion to ask a valid question? Differences in opinion and views add to the discourse and provoke thought which is a good thing, not a bad one. I hope the Community Foundation will reconsider and reinstate Save Historic Jackson Hole to Old Bill's.


PERMALINK:
Letters to Editor July 30, 2008 | Planet JH News Article: General News

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