Until Friday afternoon, Sept. 7, it looked like three candidates would vie for two open spots for Ketchum City Council in the Nov. 6, election. Then five more people filed papers to declare before the 5 p.m. deadline, making eight candidates.
Those seeking the office are: Deborah Burns, Jay Emmer, Rich Fabiano, Mickey Garcia, Larry Helzel, Jeff Inman, Curtis Kemp and Greg Strong. The two seats are open because Terry Tracy and Steve Shafran decided not to seek re-election.
The following are initial profiles of the candidates who could be contacted and who responded by press deadline on Tuesday, Sept. 11. The Mountain Express asked candidates their age, how long they have lived in the area, occupation, prior government experience and for a platform statement.
Rich Fabiano
Age: 61
Area resident for 37 years
Owns Fabiano Construction
Currently on the Ketchum Planning and Zoning Commission
Curtis Kemp
Age: 64
Area resident for 38 years
Architect
Currently on the Ketchum Planning and Zoning Commission
"Most of the problems we face here in Ketchum could be dealt with more effectively if the local economy were stronger. It is important to support existing and entrepreneurial businesses and construction, but the segment of the economy that matters most is tourism. We must continue to strongly support tourism through contributions to the CVB marketing efforts and upgrading our streetscapes, including the Town Plaza and Fourth Street corridor. Long-term tourism support should include every possible effort to get a first-class hotel (or hotels) established. Other important issues include affordable housing, public transportation and consolidation of government functions such as fire and police protection and administration."
Larry Helzel
Age: 59
Area resident seven years
Investment manager
No prior government experience
"I am running because Rebekah (his wife) and I really love this community. We moved here because we found friendly, honest, respectful and generous people. The way in which we all came together in response to the fire demonstrates that the quality of our community's human assets has not changed.
"However, the local economy has changed, and is likely to experience a continuing softness in the near future as we adjust to a weakening real estate market. I hope to be able to use my business and financial experience to help my colleagues on the Ketchum council create a more sustainable economic environment. This means executing the new master plan and attracting outside capital to build hotels and the other physical amenities we need to substantially increase tourism. It will take time to transition Ketchum from being a sleepy town characterized by 70 percent part-time seasonal home ownership, to a vibrant, diverse, cultural mecca that attracts visitors year round. We know what the goal is¾it's time to elect people to office who can help make it happen."
Mickey Garcia
Age: 64
Area resident 25 years
Newspaper delivery driver
No prior government experience
"I want enough affordable, deed-restricted units in the Ketchum-Sun Valley-McHanville area to accommodate 3,000 permanent workers, about 25 percent for sale and 75 percent rentals. I want less government interference and obstruction against development. I want a diversified, flourishing economy. I would like to see more aggressive ecosystem management in the wild lands immediately surrounding Ketchum, including Bald Mountain. I want to see more thinning, more harvesting, and more prescribed burning to reduce the catastrophic fire danger to Ketchum in the future."
