Nils Ribi and Ann Agnew were elected Tuesday, Nov. 8, to the Sun Valley City Council. The city's new open-seat election system allowed all five council candidates to run against each other, competing for the two open seats.
Ribi, 50, chairman of the Sun Valley Planning and Zoning Commission garnered the most votes with 355 votes in his favor.
"I am really honored that I have been selected by the voters to represent them. It shows that they are interested in open, honest government and will hold their elected leaders accountable," Ribi said.
Ribi ran an active, information-based campaign centered on implementation of the city's comprehensive plan. He is the president of Ribi Corp., a venture capital firm. Sun Valley Mayor Jon Thorson endorsed Ribi.
Incumbent candidate Agnew, 66, won a second term on the council with 315 votes. Elected in November 2002, she currently serves as the council president.
"I am really looking forward to doing the good work we have done over the last four years and expanding it, like workforce housing and the finalization of the Gateway," Agnew said.
Agnew's platform centered on implementing recently approved policies. A Ketchum-based architect, Agnew was endorsed by Thorson and City Council member Lud Renick.
Seeking a fifth term on the council, incumbent candidate Kevin Laird, 57, fell short with 146 votes. His campaign focused on his years of council experience.
Milt Adam, 70, a retired mechanical design engineer earned 82 votes in his third bid for a council seat.
Former Sun Valley city administrator Dan Pincetich, 58, garnered 36 votes.
The city reported 506 ballots cast in the election, including 177 absentee ballots. There are 905 registered voters in Sun Valley.
Previously, Sun Valley operated under a designated-seat election format, which asked the electorate to vote for candidates vying in individual races to fill two specific, numbered seats on the council.
"I think the open-seat election process was a very positive thing because it allowed us to focus on the issues for the first time in many, many years. It was no longer just a campaign of personalities," Ribi said.
Agnew said she preferred running under the open seat format.
The at-large format welcomed open debate among the candidates, which remained centered on city issues.
The four-year terms of office for Ribi and Agnew begin Jan. 5, 2006, when the candidates are sworn into office.
Ribi's election to the council leaves a vacancy on the Planning and Zoning Commission. The mayor will make a recommendation to fill the vacancy, which must be ratified by the city council.