JACKSON, Wyo. — Election Day is finally here. As voters head out to the polls, Buckrail wanted to engage the candidates in a crunch-time questionnaire about the local issues that are top of mind for Jackson voters this week.
Below find the unedited replies to Buckrail’s questions by Town Council members Jessica Sell Chambers and Arne Jorgensen, both candidates for Mayor of Jackson.
Buckrail: The development of downtown Jackson has been on everyone’s mind. If elected, what would be your approach to handling situations like the community uproar that has surrounded the proposed Pearl Ave. redevelopment?
Sell Chambers: In 2021, I called for a moratorium after we lost the Ranch Inn, but my colleagues shot it down. This year, a massive hotel proposal resulted in an emergency moratorium, which predictably incited landowners to propose projects that will displace beloved businesses, fearing council overreaction. The vice mayor said we can just use moratoriums until we comprehensively address the broken system two years from now! Crisis management and emergency actions are not leadership. It’s chaos. When elected, I will continue to be proactive about the most pressing issues that threaten to undermine our community. Two weeks ago, I refused to support ending the emergency moratorium without a firm commitment to fixing our broken system. I made a motion to make that commitment and thankfully the council finally agreed. That’s leadership.
Jorgensen: Our Land Development Regulations (LDR) present opportunities to shape the use and scale of our downtown. I will use my understanding of our community and regulations to work with the Council to prioritize revising and updating the LDRs. This process will require a careful balance of private property rights and public benefit.
A couple of details that could share these discussions:
- Other mountain communities have been using ‘vitality zones’ to increase options for local business, such zones may provide opportunities in Jackson.
- This work is similar to what I have done to increase the awareness of tools within our Design Guidelines that address scale and design of development.
Buckrail: The town faces a budget crisis. If elected, what will you do during your first 90 days to address that?
Sell Chambers: In my first 90 days, I’ll propose a zero-based budget review to cut unnecessary spending and focus on essentials. I’ll prioritize funding for public health, public safety, and public works—and housing and childcare—areas critical for Jackson’s stability. Equally important: supporting small businesses drives revenue, while discouraging big box stores and luxury short-term rentals. We don’t have to hand Jackson over on a silver platter if we lead with courage and act responsibly now. For four years, the vice mayor flagged future funding for local government as a priority, but his solution has been more taxes. I’m not anti-tax, but the community is saying no more! I’m listening.
Jorgensen: The approval of the budget is one of the key responsibilities of the Town Council that is due June of each year. During the six Town budget approvals that have taken place during my time on the Town Council, I have shown up and will continue to do so.
I will continue to support:
- The ongoing negotiations with Teton County around the funding of our critical joint departments.
- Internal ongoing robust efforts to maintain efficient delivery of core services.
- Council review of conservative projections of revenues.
- Program review and prioritization by the Town Council.
- An ongoing review of the limited additional revenue options.
Buckrail: What do you want voters to remember about you as they prepare to fill out a ballot?
Sell Chambers: I’m running because I know we can do better—we can’t afford four more years of the status quo. I’ve been listening to the community throughout my time in office, and I’ve had the courage to care, to say unpopular things, to refuse to bail out private developers, to prioritize your concerns. Jackson needs fresh, proactive leadership to address what isn’t working. Voters should remember there’s a different path—one that requires vision and leadership. The majority on the current Town Council got us into this position, and they aren’t going to get us out of it. I have been a vocal minority on the Town Council for four years and if you believe it’s time for a change, vote Jessica for Mayor!
Jorgensen: I am running for mayor of Jackson because I am committed to preserving what makes Jackson unique while representing the diverse voices of all our people. Growing up here, my parents and mentors instilled in me a profound appreciation for our natural and built environment. It’s crucial we maintain and strengthen our sense of community, especially as we face challenges of housing instability, protecting our natural resources, and ensuring that we have a great quality of life. As Mayor, I aim to bring everyone’s voice to the table and use my knowledge and understanding of our diverse perspectives to foster inclusive dialogue. I am excited to work toward a future that achieves our vision of our community and our surrounding public lands.
For more information about the 2024 local election, check out Buckrail’s election page.
