Ketchum Mayor Ed Simon has declared that he will seek voter approval in November for another four-year term.
"I had to decide whether it's right for me, then the public has to decide whether it's right for them," Simon said during an interview Monday.
"I see so many positive things that have been accomplished over the past few years," he said. "A great deal can be accomplished in the next four years and I want to be a part of it."
Simon cited the citizens' panel that helped make department head appointments at City Hall as something he's especially pleased about.
Seven of the city's nine department heads were replaced in the past few years.
"The staff is in place," he said.
But it's not just a good city staff that energizes him, Simon said. Public interest in city government is high, evinced by the requests for appointment to vacant City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission seats.
"I had so many good people apply for the council and planning and zoning positions, it tells me people are interested and willing to be involved," he said.
Simon has been a full-time resident of Ketchum since 1978 and a homeowner since the 1990s. He knows he wouldn't be able to purchase property now and sympathizes with people who are forced out of town because of a lack of affordable housing.
If re-elected, Simon wants to weigh in on several issues, including community housing, the city's Capital Improvement Program and making the city more pedestrian friendly.
"There's been unanimous consent (on that)," he said. "Everyone wants to walk in a safe, well-lighted (town)."
And although the mayor in Ketchum votes only in the case of a tie vote among the council members, Simon says he's not shy about throwing his opinion into the mix.
"We still need a new city hall," he said. "That needs more discussing. It's not worth pursuing unless we get consent. A lot depends on how we finance it."
A lease agreement might be more palatable to the public than a general obligation bond, he said. Council President Randy Hall suggested last month proposing a bond measure to voters in November.
"The existing city hall is in dire need of replacement," Simon said. "We don't comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and there are some serious safety concerns."
After four years at the helm of Ketchum's government, Simon says he's discovered a few things.
"I learned to say less rather than more," he said. "I think everyone learns from the experience. It's never what you expect."
Simon maintains that he never acted on something because it was the popular thing to do.
"My decisions are based on what is in the public interest," he said. "I've clearly been willing to take a stand on things that are not always popular."
One example of the mayor's voicing opposition to the majority was during the YMCA lease agreement discussions.
"I'm very big on process," he said. "I wanted to know what was going to be built there and that we had an OK from the Planning and Zoning Commission before we entered into a lease agreement."
Standing on principles is an essential part of being in public office, he said.
"If you have to sell out on your principles, the job isn't worth it," he said.
Despite learning a few things along the way, Simon said his style isn't likely to change significantly.
"If you want to know where I stand, you're not going to see me straddle the fence or (have to) guess one way or another," he said. "To me that is leadership."
As the summer preludes the election season, Simon encourages people to think about running for office.
"The more people involved and the more people who are willing to (run), the higher the quality of government," he said.
Speculation has abounded about whether Hall will challenge Simon for the mayor's office. Hall—who has faced off with the mayor on several matters in the last four years—has not announced his candidacy.
And if Simon faces a strong opponent in the race for mayor?
"I always look forward to a challenge," he said.
