JACKSON HOLE, WYO – Former Jackson mayor and local businessman Mark Barron announced today he will seek a seat on the Board of County Commissioners.
Barron says he can bring to the county proven experience in accountable budgets, public transparency, and consensus driven solutions.
“I’m a candidate for Teton County Commission because it’s time to bring the focus back to the people. I’ll provide leadership to bring spending under control because our tax base should not ever be treated as the county credit card,” Barron said. “We can do better than exponential tax increases in a place that is already expensive to live.”
Barron promised his campaign will focus on private sector housing opportunities through appropriate zoning and parking regulations.
“We need to move past growth/no growth debates and work together toward solutions,” he said.
Barron also hinted he would seek to change when the BCC meets in order to do the business of the people in front of the people.
“We can and should increase transparency in government by inviting more participation. Published agendas so the public knows of and can attend discussions that lead to decisions. We can do better to hold public meetings when people can actually attend, not at 9am when most working people are on the job,” Barron added.
Barron also expressed a desire to support nonprofit human services contracts.
“We have always been a compassionate community, being there for those in need. In times like these, when the state’s budget is seriously challenged, we have an obligation to step up,” he said.
Barron served six terms as Jackson mayor from 2002-2014, reelected five times before he stepped down. The 62-year-old owns High Country Linen. He is married to Ruth Ann Petroff.
