Three people seek 2-year term seats on Driggs City Council. Two answered our questions.

DRIGGS — There are three candidates running for two open city council seats in Driggs this election. The open seats for a two-year term.

Those running for those seats are Jennifer Bragg, Karen LaDuke and Jason Popilsky.

EastIdahoNews.com sent the same eight questions to each candidate.

Jason Popilsky did not send us a response. The remaining responses from Bragg and LaDuke, listed below, were required to be 250 words or less. EastIdahoNews.com is publishing the answers in their entirety, without any grammatical or style editing.

The general election is on Nov. 7.

Tell us about yourself — include information about your family, career, education, volunteer work and any prior experience in public office.

Bragg: I’m a 41 year old wife and have two school age children. We moved to Teton Valley in 2021 after almost 20 years in Jackson, Wy. I own a salon and just opened a new Barbershop in downtown Driggs. I also have past experience in accounting, bookkeeping, and business management. My experience with local government mostly comes from fighting a developer from NY as a workforce homeowner in Jackson for over 2 years in front of town council through many hearings and public comment, organizing HOA meetings and group commentary on neighborhood issues.

LaDuke: Hi! I’m a speech-language pathologist in Driggs. I’ve lived here for 23 years and worked in the schools, hospital, and my private practice for that entire time. I am also an avid skier, trail runner, swimmer, and animal lover. I love to support local non-profits and businesses in the various fundraisers and activities held in the community throughout the entire year. I have not held public office before.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Bragg: My life to be honest. I grew up in a single parent household and have worked incredibly hard to achieve my goals throughout my life which has ultimately lead me to a wonderful career, two beautiful children, and a loving husband, a life in this amazing place with wonderful people.

LaDuke: I ran a double crossing of the Grand Canyon!

Why are you seeking political office within your community? Briefly explain your political platform.

Bragg: I am running for city council because I had a front row seat in Jackson, Wy. of witnessing a beautiful wonderful town I loved so much push everyone who was working class out through unaffordability, including myself as a business owner. Teton Valley has been a well kept secret for a long time and the growth here is happening at avery fast rate, if we aren’t careful the same thing can happen here. I believe in growth but development should be done responsibly through maintaining proper infrastructure, diverse business growth, and creating opportunities for workforce housing through supporting vital roles such as fire/ems, healthcare workers, and educators.

LaDuke: I believe in public service and community involvement. I recently reduced my professional workload and decided to put my extra time into public service.

What are the greatest challenges facing people in your community? What is your plan to meet those challenges?

Bragg: As mentioned above, Housing, Childcare, infrastructure, and business diversity. If we allow our community to sprawl unchecked that puts a lot of strain on our traffic systems, water treatment & sewage, wildlife corridors. schools, and healthcare. Building business diversity helps to prop up our local economy while creating opportunities for workforce housing, Many of our residents in the valley commute 30 plus miles each way, out of our valley for work. We are acting as affordable housing to other communities and I’d like to see people able to make good money closer to home and I believe that not only can it be done, but it would actually help secure our local economy in the event of a recession, however in order to have successful businesses you need people to work there, and those people need more affordable housing and childcare options.

LaDuke: The greatest challenges facing Driggs are affordable housing and growth. Growth and change are inevitable aspects of life in general and I plan to meet those challenges with information, communication, and participation. I’d look to other communities who have handled growth well and poorly, and work to make Driggs grow sustainably and with consideration for quality of life for everyone, including the natural world and wildlife.

How will you best represent the views of your constituents – even those with differing political views? How will you communicate directly with constituents?

Bragg: I feel very passionately about supporting and representing all Driggs residents. I believe in having more of an open door policy approach. My goal is to represent what is best for this town moving forward, not one person’s bottom line. I also feel strongly about community diversity and inclusivity.

LaDuke: I am interested to hear all sides of any issues that come up and will take time to meet with individuals and/or groups as requested and when possible. I will listen to all information presented. City council is not a party-affiliated position.

What areas in your community need immediate improvement? What actions will you take to address those needs?

Bragg: As above, advocating for working class and creating or maintaining checks and balance systems so that all residents needs are considered and protected. Advocating for community growth for families, not developers, supporting vital workforce like educators, healthcare workers, etc. to the best of my ability.

LaDuke: Driggs needs affordable housing. Driggs needs farmers, educators, baristas, mechanics, artists, health care providers, individuals to staff the places that protect the land, wildlife, and natural resources, etc. Driggs needs everyone! The people in these positions need the security of a place to live. In addition, I would like to see more pedestrian and bike opportunities to link areas of Driggs together safely.

What parts of the city budget could use more funding? Where are places in the budget that cuts could be made?

Bragg: So far from what I’ve seen the current town council has done a great job with our budget and making cuts and increases where necessary considering managing finances for an entire town is a complex issue. As with everything I’m sure there is always room for improvement but town councils should, in my opinion, work together to achieve a budget that reflects community needs and that’s the attitude I intend to take.

LaDuke: I do not have enough information to answer this question intelligently at this time.

What is the role of local media in your community? How can city officials work to have a better relationship with the media?

Bragg: I think it’s very important. We have one local small paper, but as with most things these days, a lot has moved to online platforms. Many people here rely greatly on our local community facebook group for info, this can be sticky for local electeds, but I think it’s under- utilized to get real and good info out about community issues.

LaDuke: Media, in general, informs. Our local newspaper gives a great weekly snapshot of of life in Teton Valley. The best relationship between city officials and the media will include being respectful, open, and willing to give each other time to present what is happening in the city.