JACKSON, Wyo. — Leadership positions in Teton County come with a wide range of built-in colleagues and collaborators, locally and across the state.
Ahead of the Aug. 18 primary election, Buckrail sent a five-question survey to the nine candidates for Teton County Board of County Commissioners vying to move to the general election. So far, we’ve posted their thoughts about current housing policies, local transportation, and ways to channel local wealth. Today, consider the way each respondent tackled the following prompt:
What past experience would directly assist you in creating and maintaining working relationships with town, state, National Park, Forest Service and County Sheriff officials?
Buckrail sent the survey to all nine candidates: Democrats Dr. Brent Blue, Karyn Chin and Ali Dunford; incumbents Wes Gardner, Mark Newcomb and Luther Propst; Independent Alex Muromcew; and Republicans Melchor Dylan Moore and Vicky O’Donoghue. In alphabetical order below, see unedited answers from the candidates.
Blue:
I have been working well with all these entities over the past 12 years as coroner. It is not hard if you listen and respond.
Chin:
I’ve learned that successful partnerships aren’t built because everyone agrees. They’re built because people trust one another, communicate honestly, and stay focused on shared outcomes instead of institutional turf. That’s exactly how I would approach interagency relationships. Our residents don’t care which agency gets the credit — they care that we get the job done.
Dunford:
Founding and leading Hole Food Rescue gave me experience building relationships and collaborating across town, county, state, and National Park stakeholders. As an active member of Teton County Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), I coordinated with multiple agencies on community disaster response, including the 2017 total solar eclipse, when Teton County’s effective population ballooned and every level of government had to work in unison to ensure public safety. I also partnered with Jennie Gordon, Wyoming’s First Lady, on the Wyoming Hunger Initiative, a statewide hunger relief coordination. Our coordination became essential during the Covid-19 pandemic, aligning local nonprofit capacity with a statewide emergency response.
Gardner:
My experience is varied.
I maximized my academic opportunities in high school and college, finally landing on History of Science as my primary focus. I approach the job of Commissioner from the perspective I had as a student. I am attentive, present, and full of questions. I try to get at the essence of an issue and am consciously aware of my audience. Not only do I try to understand an issue, but I try to help others understand as well.
Sixteen years ago, I opened Teton Toys in downtown Jackson. What began as a modest toy store funded by cashing out my $5000 retirement account has grown into a regional presence with five locations and over $10M in annual revenue. Success is not accidental. Business has taught me the value of working hard, working smart, being empathetic, and exercising accountability. I’ve also become a sophisticated negotiator — one who always pays attention to the details and looks out for win-win opportunities. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come home to tell my wife, “I’m glad I was there today.”
The most important relationship for the community is between the Town and County. It’s important to remember that all Town residents are also County residents. All Town voters are also County voters, and all Town tax-payers are paying County taxes just like those who live beyond town limits. I stand as the lone County Commissioner asking the County to lean into funding joint departments at a 60/40 split. Failing to do so will force the Town to raise property taxes on its residents at four times the rate it would take in the County. Plus, it seems only fair to use some percent of property tax dollars the County collects on town-situated properties to fund joint departments on behalf of town residents.
Moore:
I believe successful partnerships are built on a clear understanding of each agency’s authority, open communication, and decisions grounded in the law, reliable data, and mutual respect rather than politics. I look forward to building respectful, productive partnerships that serve the best interests of all Teton County residents.
My experience as a paralegal and judicial clerk at both State and Federal level has required me to work within regulations for all levels of government; local, state, and federal. My master’s in psychological counseling with an emphasis in statistics from a Spanish speaking university in Puerto Rico, strengthened my ability to evaluate data objectively, understand diversity, and build productive working relationships.
As a sixth-generation Jackson resident, I have developed strong relationships throughout our community, regularly participate in a home Bible study with members of the undocumented immigrant community, have worked alongside the Good Samaritan Mission, and collaborate with a volunteer coordinators network that brings together local nonprofit organizations. I maintain connections with members of the Wind River Reservation, and engage with neighboring communities in Dubois, Idaho, and south of Jackson.
Muromcew:
I am very active in this community and know many people in the Valley and across the State. I have always made it a point to travel across the State and build relationships. I have lobbied in Cheyenne numerous times. Relationships are important. People are more likely to pick up the phone if they have shaken your hand first.
Newcomb:
My father earned a living entirely on public lands, and my first professional career relied on public lands. I am intimately familiar with the range of public land uses and protections that exist on 97% of Teton County, and I’ve been involved in issues around protecting public lands and balancing use and preservation of public land my entire working career. I have participated in three two-day workshops on the National Environmental Protection Act to improve my understanding of how the county can be most effective as a Cooperating Agency with the Forest Service and National Park Service. This experience, knowledge and wisdom is critical now as we engage with the Caribou Targhee National Forest over the Grand Targhee Resort expansion, and it will be even more critical during the Bridger Teton Forest Plan Revision process. I am cordial and assume best intentions whenever and with whomever I communicate. But I’m also direct. This applies to communications with the Mayor, with Town Councilors and with the Sheriff. I have a well-established working relationship with Sheriff Carr. I’ve been direct with him regarding assessing the practice and impacts of detaining immigrants who end up in jail for 48 hours. He has been forthcoming in his willingness to participate in the assessment but direct with me about his independence as an elected official when it comes to final decision making. We remain on good terms. I would act the same and expect the same if his challenger becomes Sheriff.
O’Donoghue:
My ability to build working relationships comes from a lifetime of teaching, coaching, small-business ownership, agriculture and community involvement.
I grew up on a family farm, participated in 4-H and worked in our family restaurant. Those experiences taught me responsibility, service, teamwork and how to communicate with people from many backgrounds.
I spent 16 years teaching science and physical education in Fairfax County, Virginia. I earned a United States Soccer Federation B coaching license and coached athletes at high competitive levels. I also worked as a coach with the United States Field Hockey Association’s Futures Program, traveling throughout the Midwest to help train advanced athletes. My experience with 4-H, FFA, soccer and field hockey taught me to work within larger organizations, follow established standards and bring people together around a common objective.
Today, I own Jackson Hole Driving Academy and lead the nonprofit Jackson Hole Driving Foundation. Teaching driving requires patience, judgment, clear communication and calm decision-making. I work directly with young people, parents and families throughout this community.
I would bring these skills to relationships with the Town, WYDOT, National Park Service, Forest Service, Sheriff’s Office and other agencies. I would listen, prepare carefully, determine which agency has responsibility and work toward clearly defined results.
Cooperation does not require automatic agreement. A commissioner must maintain respectful relationships while asking difficult questions and representing county residents independently.
Propst:
For my entire career, I have promoted successful partnerships among public land managers and local gateway communities. See for example, Howe, McMahon, & Propst, Balancing Nature and Commerce in Gateway Communities (1997, Island Press). I have a strong working relationship with the Sheriff and other first responders. I am delighted that the Jackson Hole Professional Firefighters (IAFF Local 5067) have endorsed me for re-election.
