Blaine County Commission District 3
By PETER BOLTZ
Express Staff Writer
Each of the three candidates running for the District No. 3 County
Commission seat pledged to seek ways to solve chronic traffic problems, produce more
affordable housing, and avoid sprawl in the valley.
Sarah Michael, a Democrat, said her government and corporate work have
equipped her for the commissioner’s job. Michael is a former Ketchum Planning and
Zoning Commission member and former consultant to the State Legislature’s
Transportation Committee. She is currently on the board of the Sun Valley/Ketchum Chamber
of Commerce and president of the Nordic and Backcountry Skiers Alliance of Idaho.
As evidence of her ability to find solutions to local problems, Michael
said, she helped parlay difficult negotiations between snowmobilers and nordic skiers into
a mutually satisfying solution about backcountry use.
Sue Noel, an independent who formerly served on the Ketchum City
Council, said growth in the county is inevitable. She said her goal as a commissioner
would be to manage the growth and keep the country from "becoming a retirement
community for the wealthy."
Ivan Swaner, a Republican, acknowledged he has little government
experience, but he promised he would learn quickly and act decisively.
Swaner differentiated himself from his opponents by saying he would
work "to keep the old-fashioned values of the valley."
He positioned himself as the candidate for elderly voters on such
issues as health care and maintaining continued operation of Blaine Manor. Swaner also
said he would continue his work to preserve access to public lands, particularly for the
elderly.
On the issue of solving valley traffic problems, all three candidates
agreed Highway 75 needs to be widened.
Swaner said he wanted to see a five-lane highway from Timmerman Hill,
at the intersection of U.S. 20, to the North Fork Store, north of Ketchum. He said he
doubts there is room along the highway corridor for light rail.
Noel said she favors a four-lane highway from Timmerman Hill to Sixth
Avenue in Ketchum. She said bike tunnels are needed along the road as well as more traffic
lights.
Michael agreed the road needs expanding, but stressed that she wants to
see a 20-year solution and not a piecemeal plan to the traffic problem.
Ten years from now, Swaner said, he foresees sprawl from Timmerman Hill
to the North Fork Store, but the four cities in the Wood River Valley would keep their
individual identities.
Noel said she foresees a valley where locals can afford to stay. She
said the valley would have more affordable housing and a four-lane highway.
Michael said she foresees more affordable housing and no sprawl. She
said her vision is for a healthy economy and environment.
