For the week of July 3 - 9, 2002

Ketchum city administration experiences huge turnover

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By GREG STAHL
Express Staff Writer

In the span of several months, the city of Ketchum has experienced a large amount of employee turnover, including several key positions.

The turnover is due to both retirements and resignations, Mayor Ed Simon pointed out.

Long-time Planning Administrator Lisa Horowitz left city hall for the last time Friday, and a new city administrator will start this month to replace Jim Jaquet, who retired in May.

A new city planner, Stefanie Leif, was hired last week to replace Tory Canfield, who transferred full time to the Ketchum Fire Department last winter.

Fire Chief Tom Johnson is retiring this summer, and Simon announced Monday that Assistant Fire Chief Greg Schwab has been named as the new chief. He’ll replace Tom Johnson, who plans to retire later this month.

That leaves an opening for a new assistant fire chief.

Also Police Chief Cal Nevland and Simon are squabbling over hiring a new assistant police chief, a position that has been open for more than a year.

Blaine County Housing Director Gates Kellett, who works for Ketchum and the county, will resign in August. She has an office at Ketchum City Hall.

But despite the dizzying number of open positions and new employees, all departments are operational and under the supervision of acting supervisors, Simon said.

Senior Planner Harold Moniz is the acting planning administrator. Schwab is the acting fire chief. Lt. Mike McNeil is the acting assistant police chief. And Ketchum City Clerk Sandy Cady is assuming city administrator duties until Ron LeBlanc arrives July 15 from Connecticut, where he was city administrator for the town of Groton.

Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber and Visitors Bureau Director Carol Waller observed that the changes mean opportunity.

"This represents a huge change in our local government, and, while it is tough to see so many experienced staff retire or leave for greener pastures, we can be assured that the Ketchum City Council knows the importance of hiring highly qualified individuals to fill these positions," Waller wrote in this month’s CVB New newsletter.

"I encourage all of you to make a point to get to know these new faces and let them know what issues are important to you," she continued. "Democracy means involvement. Do your part."

 

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