Citizens for Smart Growth, the Hailey-based nonprofit group dedicated to preserving Blaine County's communities, rural charm, air and water quality, open space and wildlife habitat, has announced a change of staff leadership with the hiring of Ben Sinnamon as its new executive director. Christopher Simms will be stepping down as executive director, a position he has held for approximately three years.
Simms said Monday that he plans to "do some extensive travel" with his wife and might seek "other public interest opportunities" in the Wood River Valley by summer.
Sinnamon stated, "My wife Hilary and I fell in love with Blaine County because of all the friendly and interesting people that live here... It's a great place to live, so it's a privilege to have a job helping make sure it remains that way. I am impressed with how hard Citizens for Smart Growth has worked to preserve the great quality of life and I'm proud to be part of it. I pledge to maintain the organization's level of commitment."
Sinnamon is currently a principal with Sinnamon Associates, a legal services and policy analysis firm. He holds a bachelor's degree in biology and environmental studies from Bowdoin College and a juris doctor degree from the University of Colorado School of Law, and is a member of the Idaho State Bar. He has practiced law in Colorado and also worked with nonprofit organizations, among them the Energy Future Coalition, a bipartisan energy policy and advocacy organization located in Washington, D.C.
In a news release, Smart Growth said: "During Simms' tenure, Blaine County and its cities have made great strides toward more sustainable planning and zoning regulations. Affordable housing ordinances have been passed in all of the county's northern jurisdictions and the notion of preventing development on Blaine County's hillsides has spread from Sun Valley to Hailey. Blaine County is in the midst of overhauling its zoning code with the goal of preserving open space and wildlife habitat."
Simms said: "I am perhaps most satisfied with the progress we have made toward regional collaboration. The recent decision by all of the local governments to uniformly support the HOV Alternative for the highway is an indicator of future cooperation on vital land-use issues."
Simms, who will remain executive director of Citizens for Smart Growth until April 1, said he will work closely with Sinnamon to ensure an orderly transition. Simms noted that he will remain available to the organization in an advisory capacity thereafter.
"Smart Growth's priority will continue to be regional planning and formation of a regional planning body to cooperatively address multi-jurisdictional land use issues," the news release stated.
Doug Abromeit, Smart Growth's president, added: "Ben Sinnamon brings passion and intelligence to the difficult task of balancing environmental preservation, social vitality and economic health in the context of municipal government and land-use planning. On behalf of the entire board of directors, we welcome Ben and share his excitement about this community's and this organization's future,"
More information about Citizens for Smart Growth and its mission can be found at www.citizensforsmartgrowth.org or by calling 788-8813.
Ben Sinnamon
