So much for the north valley being the financial hub of Blaine County.
The south valley is where all the money's at these days—at least in terms of campaign financing for Blaine County Commission races.
As of Sept. 30, the two candidates for county commissioner in District 3, which represents Ketchum and the north county, had not reported any financial contributions. And neither candidate—Independent Mickey Garcia and Democrat incumbent Sarah Michael—had spent any money on their campaigns.
Meanwhile, the candidates for District 1, which covers the south county, had contributed more than $17,000 and spent close to $15,000 on their campaigns.
Democrat Larry Schoen, who owns a farm near Silver Creek, contributed $8,680 and spent $8,097 by Sept. 30.
Dale Ewersen, a Republican business owner from Bellevue, amassed $8,400 in contributions and expended $6,706 by the same date.
After Sept. 30, candidates are no longer required to file campaign finance reports.
The disparity of campaign funding between the District 1 and District 3 candidates reflects the dire importance of this election on the future of the south county, which is facing tremendous growth pressures.
As Ketchum continues to lose full-time residents, Hailey and the south valley continue to grow. It's anticipated that at least 10,000 people will move to Blaine County in the next 20 years, with the brunt expected to settle in Hailey and points south.
Development in the south county is inevitable. But just how it should occur is the focus of ongoing debate.
The campaign funding "points to the key issue in our race," Schoen said. "What comes first, development or quality of life? I believe we need a balance, while my opponent has stated clearly that he thinks construction and development should be our first priority.
"You're seeing a lot of money flow to that message."
In fact, Ewersen is endorsed and funded by Citizens for Smart Government, which is a pro-Proposition 2 group that claims to be non-partisan. Proposition 2, which is setting up to be one of the most heated issues of the Nov. 7 election, is designed to boost private property rights while limiting local government. If passed, the initiative would force local governments to pay landowners when new land-use laws reduce the value of their properties. In lieu of payment, the county can waive the land-use restrictions.
Private property advocates have hailed the initiative as a savior. Opponents argue that it would topple government and destroy quality of life.
Ewersen withdrew his support for Proposition 2 in September, but he's still receiving funding and endorsement from Citizens for Smart Government, which reported total contributions of $25,250 by Sept. 30.
"The problem with Proposition 2 is the lack of flexibility that it will provide local governments," Ewersen said. "Proposition 2 only gives you the ability to repeal (the land-use ordinance) or pay the damages. It doesn't give you any flexibility."
Ewersen said Citizens for Smart Government "continues to support me and the Proposition 2 issue has not gotten in the way of them endorsing me."
The group maintained support because "they want someone on the county commission who is a business person with good old-fashioned common sense," Ewersen said. "And I'm still a property right's advocate."
Schoen thinks Ewersen's ties to Citizens for Smart Government is at the very least "unusual."
"They are openly and consistently advertising with his picture in their ads," Schoen said. "What I'm concerned about is that is really big, out of area money. It's like an off-the-books campaign."
Schoen did not accept donations larger than $250 per contributor.
"I think the amount of money in politics has a real negative impact on democracy in our country," he said. "To me $250 is an amount low enough where people will not say, 'This guy's vote is being bought.' It lends the perception at least that my vote is not for sale."
