For the week of September 10 - 16, 2003

Sun Valley mayor decides not to run

---

By GREG MOORE
Express Staff Writer

Sun Valley Mayor Dave Wilson announced Monday that he will not run for re-election in November, and endorsed City Council President Latham Williams to replace him.

Dave Wilson

Williams, 41, announced his intention to place his name on the ballot during a meeting of the Ketchum-Sun Valley Rotary Club at Rico’s Pizza on Tuesday. He will run against Elkhorn resident Jon Thorsen, who announced his candidacy last month.

Williams has spent four years on the City Council, the past three as its president. He also serves as vice-chairman of the Idaho Republican Party and on the board of the Idaho Parks and Recreation Department.

Wilson had stated his intention to run as recently as Aug. 25. However, he said that after 12 years in city government, the past four as mayor, he decided he has had enough. Part of the impetus, he said, was the recent death of his best friend in a plane crash while flying between Ketchum and Cascade.

"It made me realize that I need more time for myself and my family," he said.

Wilson, who is 56, said he is proud of the spirit of teamwork that has developed among elected officials and city staff. He said that teamwork allowed the city to defend its hillside ordinance against inappropriate development, pass an ordinance requiring workforce housing in all commercial core development and write the proposed dark-sky ordinance.

Latham Williams

During a press conference at Sun Valley City Hall on Tuesday, Williams said Wilson’s decision to retire was "a factor" in his decision to run, but not the only one. He said that if elected, he would work to maintain the momentum generated by city government during Wilson’s tenure. He cited his experience on the council and in the real estate business as qualifying him to lead the city during its upcoming comprehensive plan update and Sun Valley Co.’s 50-year master plan.

"It’s clear to me that what may be in the best interests of the Sun Valley Co. may not be in the best interests of the citizens of Sun Valley," he said.

Williams said he is a strong supporter of affordable housing in the town.

"We want people who work here to live here," he said. "We want to give Sun Valley back its sense of community."

 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.