Letters March 19, 2008

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

By Planet User

Workers need more benefits
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Thank goodness for the planning commissioners of the Socialist Republic of Teton County, Wyoming. They have foreseen that some working people within the county deserve a place to live and approved a subdivision that allows 500 homes on acreage in the middle of a pristine meadow, surrounded by far less dense subdivisions to be approved and subsidized by the people of Teton County.

Now we must immediately insist the planning commissioners and the Teton County Commissioners pass rules, regulations and or laws to continue the fight to give these working people what they so deserve which includes the following:

All beneficiaries of Teton County Affordable Housing shall be issued priority Teton County Affordable ID cards that immediately entitle them to benefits. All local lenders must provide unsecured loans at 50 percent of the going rate for residential loans as published by the current FHA rates. If a lender turns a party down for a loan the lender must cease underwriting loans within Teton County.

All lumber companies and or material supply houses servicing Teton County, Wyoming shall immediately supply all parties possessing the above referenced ID cards at 50 percent of the cost of normally supplying these materials.

Any carpenters, plumbers, electricians or anyone working on an affordable home must not charge more than Federal Minimum Wage while working on any affordable or attainable residence within Teton County, Wyoming. Any violations of this rule shall immediately preclude such contractor from receiving a business license to work in Teton County, Wyoming.

All restaurants within Teton County must provide a 50 percent discount to all holders of the priority Teton County Affordable ID card. All restaurant service workers shall not expect a gratuity from anyone possessing a Teton County Affordable ID Card.
Smiths and Albertsons must recognize the Teton County ID cards and give at least a 50 percent discount on all grocery items sold within Teton County Wyoming.
What a wonderful place Teton County Wyoming is in recognizing these worthwhile needs.
— James K Hobson
Jackson, Wyo.

It’s just growth?
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When Chicago developer James Reinert’s Teton Meadows project started getting press last fall, one of our papers called him “The Money Man.” It went on to say, “Though he anticipated focusing on smaller projects, Reinert moved to a home near the Seherr-Thoss property and realized the potential for affordable housing on the site.”  Why can’t we say it straight? He realized the potential for MONEY on the site. If the project moves forward, it will be a shame, because the rest of the community will have to PAY for this density excess forever more.

You don’t live in South Park? Think you dodged the bullet? Think again. Just as the developer is using Rafter J and Melody Ranch to justify the project, as soon as Teton Meadows is approved it will be used to justify even more growth and density in the valley.

TMR isn’t about affordable housing, it’s just about growth. Who is going to buy the 250 “gap” and market-priced homes that less than 4 percent of our workforce make enough to buy? Where are the rest of the new buyers going to come from? You got it. Someplace else.

Last time I heard, we weren’t terribly worried about providing housing for people who haven’t even thought of moving here yet. And SUBSIDIZING it (remember, “gap” is subsidized). Aren’t we a lot more worried about housing the people who are already here, who are valued service workers, and who can’t get into a reasonably priced home?
 — Ted Dziemianowicz
Jackson, Wyo

Can affordable housing be sustained?
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Affordable housing allocates resources by lottery. Is this a smart and efficient way for an economy to function? Is this system truly sustainable? Think about it.

Several people who write letters to the editor or speak out in support of affordable housing have a very short sighted, simplistic, narrow view of the issue. With virtually every new proposal, even if the proposed development is in an environmentally sensitive location and is not supported by current zoning, they say “what about the first responders? What about teachers?” They fail to consider the big picture, the reason Jackson Hole is such a unique place - our valley’s pristine environment and wildlife.

The first responders and educators concerns are very legitimate and crucial for our valley residents. The question still remains, “does the affordable housing allocation by lottery really fix the problem or does it only exacerbate it?” In the lottery system a student architect or young entrepreneur gets equal consideration with a teacher or an emergency medical technician. Considering how crucial the first responders and educators are to our county and how scarce the land resources are; does the lottery system really work?

It is the specifics of the system that must be questioned in our new comprehensive plan revision and that includes prioritizing affordable housing for first responders, educators and so on. This includes building it with considerable less density.
— Benjamin Clark
Wilson, Wyo.


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Letters March 19, 2008 | Planet JH News Article: Letters To Editor

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