I am amused that Arne P. Ryason thinks the woes of Ketchum are the result of "the real estate agencies and developers who have helped make the town what is today." While he might think Realtors and developers have enough power, clout and influence to change the entire essence of a town, I actually think it's a bit more complicated than that. Any real estate economy is dictated by supply and demand. So every time someone like myself, or Arne, moves to the Wood River Valley and buys a home, we create further demand for real estate. Demand spurs more supply, and supply is satisfied by what? Development.
Growth and development is further affected by zoning regulations, inventory, moratoriums, affordable housing, accessibility to the area, transportation problems, changes in demographics, national economic forces, (i.e. the retirement of the Baby Boomer generation), among other factors. Not any one force has contributed to the problems facing our valley, and I applaud the powers that be for recognizing the problems and working toward solutions.
I understand why Arne wants to point his finger at Realtors and developers. It's easy. I'll admit I was apprehensive to get my real estate license because I thought perhaps I would only be working with money-grubbing, greedy, short-sighted, self-serving people. Heck, I thought, maybe after a few years of "fast deals and easy money" I might turn into one of those ugly creatures myself. But I've been pleasantly surprised to discover that I work with a group of people that is just a reflection of our community. I work with moms and dads who juggle home and career and still find time to coach their kids' teams, people who volunteer for the women's shelter and the animal shelter, others who help clean up trash along the roads, or raise money for the YMCA.
The Sawtooth Board of Realtors year after year makes charitable contributions to organizations that make the Wood River Valley a better place to live. The Sawtooth Board of Realtors also funds up to 13 scholarships annually for graduating seniors, and, finally, this year Realtors will contribute holiday food and gift baskets for nearly 200 needy families in the Wood River Valley.
So, Arne, feel free to call me a raging liberal with a self-serving money-grubbing capitalist bent, but don't hold me entirely responsible for Ketchum's woes.
Sheila Liermann
East Fork
