Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Time to rock the boat


I am writing to oppose the backward policies of the local cities. For example, by subsidizing the chamber of commerce, the local cities are promoting growth, the very cause of most of our problems. Yes, I know, "this is a resort community." How many times has that been an answer to our questions? However, by subsidizing the chamber of commerce, the cities are funding the creation of problems.

Of course, the chamber, representing some of the local businesses, wants vacationers to come here. Well, that is their business, not ours.

The cities act as if they represent the chamber of commerce, not the residents of the cities. I, along with other residents do not want the cities to subsidize the chamber.

As another example of the city representing the businesses and not the residents, consider the Fourth Street redesign, which is a waste of money. The Fourth Street fiasco is a result of a limited number of businesses bordering Fourth Street, selfishly wanting the city to subsidize their businesses.

In the Times News, there was an article stating that businesses were closing in Ketchum because there is no affordable housing. One business stated that a year after they had bought a business, its business dropped by 40 percent because of the lack of affordable housing. That does not even make sense. It is only an excuse.

The city of Sun Valley, at one time, mandated that if you built a house in Sun Valley that you must contribute a large amount of money for affordable housing. That, also, does not make any sense. Suppose that a person worked hard their whole life and amassed a million dollars. Then they moved to Sun Valley and wanted to spend a good portion of that million to build their lifelong dream of their own house. Then, the city says that they must contribute tens of thousands of dollars so that someone else can build a house. Does that make sense? No, it does not. Luckily, there was a person who challenged the city in court and won, exposing the unfairness of the city.

Then, there are the huge land giveaways by the cities (The YMCA and the Simplots, etc.) to private entities. Although it is not funny, we laugh at our own governments, who think they do not represent us. Most people do not want to protest so they will not rock the boat. I, personally, would rather rock the boat than to see it sink. Remember all the money spent on the Titanic? It sank!

Jake Jacoby

Ketchum




 Local Weather 
Search archives:


Copyright © 2024 Express Publishing Inc.   Terms of Use   Privacy Policy
All Rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Express Publishing Inc. is prohibited. 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.