Shop with a Cop
Great Fun!  

For over ten years, the Jackson Police Department (JPD) has organized an outing near the winter holidays where local kids are nominated to 'Shop with a Cop.' Teachers and administrators at local schools nominate students to participate and Jackson's police department works through the school resource officer to contact parents and guardians. If parents approve, elementary school students are either dropped off at the police station or picked up at their homes to start their shopping adventures! Middle and high school students also participate and are given gift cards to shop on their own. Officer Heidi Schmidl who organizes this event shares, "I don't know who has more fun, the kids or the cops!" This year the JPD doubled the number of kids they helped. In total, 24 students participated this year and 13 shopped with cops directly at Lucky You Gifts, Teton Toys, Shirt Off My Back, and Target. Kids bought gifts at all these stores for themselves and their families and then police officers wrapped the gifts for them. Once everything was wrapped parents and Santa joined the children and their new police officer friends for dinner. Thank you to all the local businesses and organizations that donated to make shopping with cops possible!  

Staff Highlight:
Glen Geddes  

Glenn Geddes is an Equipment & Water Operator for the Town of Jackson’s Public Works Department who has historical ties to Jackson. Geddes' grandfather, Glenn Napierski, built the Virginian Lodge back in 1965. Geddes returned to Jackson in 2008 when his grandfather passed and was working for a family plumbing business as an equipment operator in California before that. He has worked for a few different organizations around the valley, including the "Virg," before settling in with the Town last year. Geddes has a varied role here that allows him to be a part of the Town's small and mighty snow plow team in the winter and a Water Operator in the warmer months where he helps maintain and monitor the Town's seven water wells and pump stations across the valley. “I’m proud of the guys that work here. We work great together and Sam Jewison is the kindest boss that I’ve ever had,” Geddes expressed. He also asked that we share that he was lucky enough to marry a 'great Italian woman,' with whom he intends to build a home in Teton Valley, Idaho soon. Thank you for your service Glen! 

Compost Christmas 
Trees at Fairgrounds   

Teton County Residents can drop off Christmas trees at the Fairgrounds or the Trash Transfer Station to be composted for free through January 31. Trees must be completely free of decorations. Christmas trees from commercial entities, including landscapers and property managers, must be delivered to the Trash Transfer Station (5400 W. Hwy 89) during business hours (M-F 8am-3pm/ Sat 9am-1pm) and fees will apply. Thank you for keeping trees out of the landfill! Please contact Teton County ISWR with any questions 307-733-7678 or
tetoncountywy.gov/recycle.

Jackson is Idle-Free: Please Don't Idle    

More than a decade ago, the Town passed Resolution #10-19 to support an idle-free Jackson Hole. Turning cars off reduces emissions, improves air quality, and can help you save money. Idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel than restarting your car. Driving your car warms it up faster than idling. Restarting your car is less harmful to your vehicle than idling. Idling wastes about .3 gallons per hour in cars and 1 gallon an hour in trucks. The Town has implemented an idle-free program for Town departments and employees, which has resulted in measurable reductions in use of fuel and public funds. The Town's Idle-Free Resolution addresses engine idling to impact the livability and viability of the Town of Jackson for residents, visitors, and guests. Please join us in being idle-free!