Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Election endorsements

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The candidates have spoken, campaigns are in full swing and today the newspaper weighs in with endorsements.

Ketchum

Nutshell: Ketchum voters can continue the progressive good governance it has experienced in the last few years or go back to a time of stagnation. The city's current leaders have avoided petty arguments, looked at the big picture and put sensible plans in place to improve quality of life and the economy.

A major bright spot this year is the appearance of fresh, young candidates for office, which bodes well for the future.

Ketchum needs new hotels, a strong Urban Renewal Agency and initiatives from the Community Development Corp., as well as leaders who have been more than sideline critics.

For mayor, Randy Hall: On his watch as mayor, the city recruited a highly competent Planning and Zoning Commission, set up a fair and competent review process for complex hotel development proposals, developed a community core on Fourth Street, put in public restrooms and created the Town Plaza. With the URA, the city recaptured taxes that otherwise would have gone to the county. With the CDC, it set the city up to get grants and donations.

Hall has overseen buying land that may be used for community housing. Better than others, Hall understands the challenges of the poor national economy and is looking for creative solutions. He has taken the high road when confronted by critics—even those who tried to twist the truth that the URA borrowed money to finance Fourth Street into the ugly lie that the city's finances are a mess. For City Council (two seats), Baird Gourlay and Jan Hegewald: Incumbent Gourlay has been a strong influence in bringing the city out of its previous funk and deserves credit for the same long list of accomplishments cited in the endorsement for Mayor Hall. A longtime Ketchum businessman, he understands the economic challenges facing local businesses and employees. Gourlay is key to continuing the city's search for progressive solutions.

Most of the untried aspirants for the second seat are exceptional in their enthusiasm. Hegewald is our choice because of his experience on the Community Development Corp.'s board. There, he had more than a front-row seat on city issues and had to learn the details and politics of financing city improvements. He understands more than the basics of city government. His youth and enthusiasm would be a great asset to the council.

Sun Valley

Nutshell: The question before Sun Valley voters is whether they will elect leaders who will engage the outside community constructively or choose to live contentedly in splendid isolation.

For City Council (two seats), Nils Ribi and David Barovetto: Incumbent Ribi sweats the details when it comes to city budgets and things like roads and bike paths. He knows where the money is—all of it—and he's loath to spend it without nearly unanimous approval. That's his strength—and his weakness. He's a steadying force in a group prone to carrying grudges, nursing resentment and looking for retaliation over differences of opinion. Of all the candidates, Ribi offers to bring solid experience to the table along with a desire to keep to the high road.

Barovetto, an architect, is the candidate with the longest experience doing business in the area. He has survived its highs and lows. Easygoing and affable, Barovetto would bring a creative bent to a city that is often hamstrung by spreadsheets. As a longtime valley resident, he would bring a level of local sensibility to the table that the city hasn't seen for a while. He understands that the key to the area's future likely will be found in development of a new all-weather airport, new hotels, aggressive marketing and other economic initiatives.

Hailey

Nutshell: With annexation of Quigley Canyon still a question and the future of the airport at stake, Hailey can ill afford to throw experience out the window.

For City Council (one contested seat), Martha Burke: Four-term incumbent Burke would keep the city steady as she goes. She's a council veteran who fought to relocate the airport out of Hailey. She has long experience in matters of planning and zoning, which has made her effective at keeping the city "family friendly" by protecting its walking core and confining commercial development to downtown. At this critical juncture, the city doesn't need to do on-the-job training of the untested and untried.

Bellevue

Nutshell: The city is continuing its never-ending battle to provide city services with skimpy financial resources. The city needs leaders who can face that battle with verve and resourcefulness.

For City Council (three seats), Gene Ramsey, Brett Gelskey and David Hattula: As a one-term incumbent, Ramsey wrestled with the budget and worked on a successful annexation. Undaunted, he wants another go at it. As an appointee to an empty seat, Gelskey also still wants more. Bellevue needs their experience in stretching dollars, bolstering its economy, keeping its distinctive character and finding new ways to keep the lights on.

Voters should also look to David Hattula, a self-employed businessman who recently donated time and materials to reinvigorate volunteerism. He helped repaint old City Hall and says he wants to champion the city library.