Former Jackson Town Council member Steve Harrington joined a crowded field of candidates when he filed for election to a council seat at the deadline Friday.

The 69-year-old Jackson resident will face eight others in the Aug. 21 primary, which will narrow the field to four. Challengers Phillip
Cameron, Jim Genzer, Hailey Morton, Jim Stanford, Kelly Egan and Emy diGrappa are in the race with incumbents Greg Miles and Mark Obringer.

Voters in November will elect two of them to the council.

Harrington, a 41-year Jackson resident, said he decided to run again because he believes infrastructure must remain a top priority in the midst of the new comprehensive land-use plan. He has been off the council for six years.

“Now that we’ve approved the new master plan and are moving ahead, I want to make sure that the town has its house in order,” Harrington said.

The police department, fire department, roads, sewers and water system are top priorities for Harrington.

“I think they’re the basic responsibilities of the council,” he said. “I know you have to set priorities, but infrastructure should always be near the top of that list.”

Cutbacks to snow plowing and the upkeep of roads and sewers are cause for concern, he said. Communication with the public will be key throughout the process of writing new land development regulations, Harrington said.

Harrington moved to Jackson in 1971 and served as volunteer fireman for 23 years while also sitting on the Teton County school board for 14 years. He now works at Jorgensen Associates, a civil engineering firm, performing environmental assessments and oversight at construction sites.

“I have only the interests of the community at heart,” he said. “I have no outside agenda other than doing what I consider is best for the town, its residents and visitors.”

Harrington was a councilor from 2002 to 2006. He received 284 votes in the primary elections in 2006, placing him sixth out of nine candidates. Only the top four advanced to the general election.