Sausage and Hope…

Sausage and Hope...

You have probably heard the expression “democracy is like making sausage,“ meaning the democratic process of listening, compromising, and forward motion on behalf of constituents is messy and, sometimes, chaotic. 

The “sausage” part of this journey - drafting and finalizing a new Land Use Code, required by Idaho state law, ratified and approved by our County Commission - is coming to a close. Over the past 9 years, the Code has been drafted, redrafted, reviewed, re-reviewed, discarded, replaced, packaged, and repackaged. Therefore, the perfect example of making sausage in the democratic sausage-making process. 

At the Teton County Planning and Zoning meeting last night, Commissioners discussed the formation of a committee following their previous meeting’s deliberation, weighed the pros and cons, discussed follow-up research findings - all in a professional and deliberate manner. P&Z Chairman, Jack Haddox, facilitated the discussion among commissioners, giving everyone time to think through the facts presented, share their points of view, and come to an agreement on the best path forward. 

Joining the meeting last night was County Commission Chair Cindy Riegel, who read a letter addressed to the P&Z from the County Commission. The letter outlined several possible scenarios that would allow the Code adoption process, after countless hours of work from the P&Z, the opportunity to proceed. One particular scenario County Commissioners suggested was to have both Commissions - P&Z and County Commission - sit down together, at a time when every commissioner can be present, and understand any important considerations that need to be addressed. With this scenario, the current draft could be discussed directly in conversations between the two bodies and would identify items in the Code that need additional attention, clarification, and, as needed, reconciliation. The decision to hold a joint meeting was made, and we look forward to what we anticipate will be a beneficial outcome for the Valley.  

Now begins the “hope” part of this process:  both bodies meeting in good faith, with clear minds and an (exhaustive) understanding of the Code, ironing out remaining points of concern, before ultimately putting the Code on the desk of our elected County Commissioners.

The Land Use Code reflects the best of our democratic, sausage-making process - it is a living document, representing years of debate, hours and hours of analysis, voluminous citizen input, adherence to legal processes required by Idaho law, and compromise on all sides. 

We look forward to the upcoming sit-down between Commissioners and are hopeful of a ‘sooner rather than later’ Code adoption by our County Commissioners. A Code that has been through round after round of input resulting in an outcome that will benefit all citizens of Teton valley for years to come.

Let us be hopeful.. and continue to work to protect Teton Valley.. this special place we all know and love.