"I really enjoyed the job I've had for the last four years," said Jon Thorson on Monday, Jan. 7, in one of his last public statements before handing over the reins of Sun Valley mayor to Wayne Willich.
After serving as head of the city for the past four years, Thorson left the position with a smile, taking the time to swear in his successor as well as three City Council members—Joan Lamb, Dewayne Briscoe and Dave Chase.
Also departing from public office were council members Blair Boand and Lud Renick.
Council newcomers Lamb and Briscoe both began their four-year terms, while Chase, who was appointed to the council two years ago, started another two-year term.
Councilman Nils Ribi was elected to replace Renick as council president, a position the council votes on annually.
The city also welcomed new interim City Administrator Jerry Osterman, who replaced previous interim City Administrator Bob Van Nort. Osterman is expected to hold the position between three and five months.
One of the first actions for the new administration was to tackle the issue of solid-waste collection and recycling. Looking to bring an end to what has proved a highly controversial matter, the council gave the first reading of a new ordinance that will repeal a previous ordinance, which included mandatory recycling, and increase the fee for the municipal service.
With a total of three readings required, the council also implemented a temporary increase to the garbage rates, effective Jan. 1, 2008. It will require residential users to pay $23 per month, the same fee that will be charged if the ordinance is approved, which includes both rubbish removal and recycling. The increase in the fee was deemed necessary since the fee hadn't changed since 2001. Previously, residents paid $15.57 for garbage removal or $20.50 if they also recycled.
The council's goal was to replace the Comprehensive Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling Ordinance, suspended in September after being in effect a mere three months.
The change, which will come as an amendment to a garbage collection agreement with Clear Creek Disposal, will not charge users on their amount of waste, but rather a flat fee.
While recycling is included in the price, residents will not be penalized for not using that service. However, if residents do wish to recycle, they can request up to six different bins, including glass, plastic, newspaper, aluminum, magazines and white paper.
City Clerk Kelly Ek said the city will mail information about the new rate to residents with the next bill, allowing time for comment before the second and third readings, scheduled to take place at a council meeting Jan. 17. If the council decides that more public input is necessary, Ek said, it could postpone the final reading to February.
Christine Willich, left, accompanied her husband, Wayne, center, on Monday, Jan. 7, as he was sworn in as mayor of Sun Valley by Jon Thorson, right, who performed his last duties in the city?s top position. Photo by Willy Cook
