For the week of December 19 - 25, 2001

Nevland changes mind on quitting time

Ketchum Police Chief to stay on

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By GREG STAHL
Express Staff Writer

Ketchum Police Chief Cal Nevland put rumors to rest last week and said he will not resign or retire from his post before a new administration takes office in January.

"Initially, after the election, I thought it would be in my best interests to just resign," Nevland said. "But you know how things go. I gave it some more thought, and I thought, ‘That’s not the way I want to go out after almost 30 years of being here.’"

In 1992, Nevland and Mayor-elect Ed Simon were involved in a Ketchum City Hall dispute that ended in Nevland’s firing and Simon’s recall from the Ketchum City Council.

Near the end of October this fall, Nevland issued a public letter of campaign support for Mayor David Hutchinson. The letter denounced Simon for the early 1990s conflict.

"Now we find ourselves facing the prospect of a rerun, like a bad movie that won’t get off the screen," Nevland wrote about Simon’s candidacy.

But his attitude appears to have changed.

"After talk with Mayor-elect Simon, he assured me he would try to do what he could to try to form a good working relationship between himself and myself," Nevland said. "I think it’s the right thing."

He added, however, that the last thing he wants at this point in his career is "any conflict other than the normal routine of wearing a uniform."

"As long as things go well, I’m going to stay on for a while," he said.

He would not commit to a retirement date, but said he may retire sometime next fall.

Nevland’s decision was also based on feedback from department personnel, he said.

Assistant Police Chief Jeff Creviston retired in August, and a replacement has not yet been hired, Nevland said.

Simon and Nevland met last week at city hall, and Simon said following the meeting that Nevland will be a welcome asset to his administration.

 

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