For the week of  September 5 - 11, 2001

Ripsom appointed to fill Ketchum council seat

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By GREG STAHL
Express Staff Writer

Former Ketchum Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Peter Ripsom is the newest member of the Ketchum City Council.

Peter Ripsom

 

By a unanimous vote Friday, the city council appointed Ripsom to the post, creating a vacancy on the P&Z.

Mayor David Hutchinson, who was appointed last Wednesday, said he spoke with each council member prior to suggesting that Ripsom fill the post.

Ripsom’s appointment was the result of a domino effect created when Mayor Guy Coles was found dead Sept. 21 at his home. Hutchinson, formerly a councilman, was appointed to Coles’ seat, and Ripsom has been appointed to Hutchinson’s former seat.

A new council president has not yet been selected.

"My primary consideration was to pick somebody who could immediately fill the seat and bring some experience to the table," Hutchinson said. "My consideration went only to the planning and zoning commission.

"Peter Ripsom is the senior member of the Planning and Zoning Commission and has demonstrated a high level of ability."

Hutchinson said three planning and zoning commission members were interested in the job. Two of those—Commissioners Baird Gourlay and Rod Sievers—plan to run for city council seats in November’s election. Ripsom, however, said he does not plan to run for office this year.

Hutchinson said Ripsom may be able to return to the P&Z after completing his council term, but added that "there are not guarantees in life."

The P&Z vacancy created by Ripsom’s appointment will be discussed at an upcoming meeting, Hutchinson said.

Ripsom, 51, has served as a planning and zoning commissioner for almost six years, and said he thinks it is fitting that the vacant council seat be filled by a planning and zoning commissioner.

"To bring somebody in who has not been involved is not in the city’s best interest," he said. "It would be difficult to bring someone in cold and expect them to make responsible decisions.

"I’m sorry that the city’s in the situation that it’s in. I’m sorry Guy had to leave us. I just want everything to run as smoothly as possible."

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