County leaders cite growth as biggest threat
Quality of life discussed
By GREG STAHL
Express Staff Writer
The biggest threats to preserving quality of life in Blaine County result
from growth, while assets are, for the most part, a result of the county’s rural
roots and atmosphere.
Local government leaders gathered at Elkhorn Resort yesterday morning
for a state of the cities address, sponsored by the Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber of
Commerce. Pictured left to right are Blaine County Commissioner Mary Ann Mix, Carey Mayor
Rick Baird and Ketchum city administrator Jim Jaquet. Express photo by Willy Cook
That was the general consensus drawn from Blaine County and city
officials’ remarks at a state of the cities address held at Elkhorn Resort Tuesday
morning. The event, which focused on quality of life, was sponsored by the Sun
Valley-Ketchum and Hailey chambers of commerce.
But Hailey Mayor Brad Siemer also pointed out that the
municipalities’ ability to put aside their differences to work toward common goals is
a great asset.
Likewise, he said, one of the greatest threats to quality of life in the
county is polarization between municipalities on issues.
"When we fail to [work together], all these other issues become
insurmountable," he said.
South county mayors Steve Fairbrother, from Bellevue, and Rick Baird, from
Carey, said the open spaces in their communities are both an asset and potential downfall.
If growth continues, they said, the remaining open spaces are sure to be pressured by
development.
Baird said families, agriculture, open spaces and reasonable property
values are great assets in his community.
Ketchum city administrator Jim Jaquet said the north-valley city is
continuing to struggle with preserving some of the city’s rural flavor. Current
efforts to revise the city’s ordinances to preclude construction of massive buildings
is a step in that direction, he said.
Sun Valley Mayor David Wilson said working with Sun Valley Co. to develop
a master plan for future resort development is a key toward preserving quality of life in
the resort city.
"We need to revitalize the resort and maintain the quality of life we
have now," he said.
And in the talk on quality of life, affordable housing and transportation
issues inevitably came up.
"We are losing the little diversity we have remaining in this
community," Blaine County Commissioner Mary Ann Mix said.
Fairbrother and Baird contended their cities are part of the affordable
housing solution. They are places where county residents can still afford to rent and buy
homes.
"Bellevue continues to proved the valley’s affordable
housing," Fairbrother said.
All of the panelists agreed affordable housing is an issue that needs
attention. Sun Valley Mayor Wilson was quick to point out Sun Valley Co. is working on
plans to convert its branch of the former Wood River Medical Center into beds for the
company’s employees.
On transportation the panelists agreed that no one solution is going to
solve the valley’s woes.
Siemer called the transportation issue a test of the municipalities’
abilities to work together.
