"It's an election year, and we've got the same toxic people sending the same toxic message that's kept us polarized for the last 10 years," so stated Randy Hall, mayor of Ketchum.
I do not know why he chose to criticize himself and the City Council, but he was right in doing that. They have been sending us the same toxic message for the last 10 years. Spend, spend, spend, waste, waste, waste seems to be their toxic message. Let us vote them out in the next election!
Speaking about (economic consultant) Tom Hudson, Hall stated, "The city wouldn't be where it is without him. The city sat on its rear end for 10 years until this guy came around."
Again, he was right for criticizing himself and the City Council. He was right that the city would not be where it is without Hudson. The city would be far ahead, monetarily and planning wise.
I cannot believe that the city officials were surprised by the six-figure sum the city had not obtained in building and fire inspection fees. After all, a moratorium in the Community Core, Tourist, and General Residential-High Density zones means that they cannot issue building permits.
The city officials have been irresponsible in being responsible for losing the wonderful Warm Springs tennis courts, the Warm Springs Golf Course, giving away millions of dollars worth of land to the YMCA, giving away millions of dollars worth of land to the Simplots, millions of dollars worth of land to recent developments, millions of dollars to unnecessary consultants, spending millions of dollars to buy the Mountain West bank building for the Chamber of Commerce, etc. etc.
The city officials have fallen into the illogical thinking that growth is good and they highly encourage it. Remember when they had the idea for the "Business Incubator" to encourage businesses to come to town, only to have them go broke. Unfortunately, many cities have that erroneous thinking.
A month or so ago, the city of Sun Valley stated in the paper that they wanted more people to come to the meetings. Well, I used to go to many meetings, but, in many cases, was not allowed to voice my concerns. One time, during my ridiculous three-minute allotment of time, I was given a countdown near the end of that three minutes—15 seconds, 10 seconds, 5 seconds, 4 seconds, etc. I was continually interrupted so that I could hardly think. Others experienced the same treatment. Do the city officials wonder why the residents do not attend their meetings?
I could go on and on with my pent up sentiments, but so long for now.
Jake Jacoby
Ketchum
