Ketchum city attorney plans to
resign
By GREGORY FOLEY
Express Staff Writer
Ketchum City Attorney Margaret
Simms has tendered her resignation to Mayor Ed Simon.
After nearly seven years as
Ketchum’s senior legal advisor, Simms on Tuesday, Feb. 24, issued a
formal letter of resignation to Simon and members of the City Council.
"It is now time for me to explore
other opportunities and professional challenges," Simms noted. "I deeply
value both the friendships and professional relationships that I
developed during my tenure with the city of Ketchum."
Simms became the city attorney in
August 1997. After issuing on Feb. 17 an initial 30-day notice of her
departure, her resignation will become effective on March 19.
In an interview Tuesday, Simon
praised Simms’ work at City Hall.
"She’s been invaluable to the
city," he said.
Simon noted that his intention to
replace Simms after taking the mayor’s office in 2002 initially caused
tension in their relationship. However, he said, that tension was eased
after he decided to keep Simms in her post.
"Margaret and I have had a very
good relationship the last two years," Simon said.
Simms said Tuesday that her
decision to leave City Hall is based largely on a desire to pursue
several job opportunities outside of the Wood River Valley.
"It’s been seven years at this
position," she said. "It’s time to move on."
Simms, who has been a full-time
resident of the Wood River Valley since 1993, said she plans to either
accept another city attorney post or work independently.
"It will be nice to move on to
some new challenges," she said, adding that it will be difficult to
leave Ketchum "because it’s so beautiful."
Simms said the city attorney
position has posed its own challenges.
"It’s probably one of the last
jobs that requires you to be a general practitioner," she said.
City officials this week started
the process of hiring a new city attorney.
Ron LeBlanc, city administrator,
said the position would be advertised in the Wood River Valley and in
Twin Falls.
The city has set a deadline of
March 12 for the acceptance of applications.
Simon said he expects to fill the
position before the end of April.