Two names have come to light in the search for a replacement for retiring Blaine County Commissioner Sarah Michael, who officially stepped down Tuesday, July 1.
Contacted by the Idaho Mountain Express on Thursday, former County Commissioner Len Harlig and former Sun Valley Mayor and current Blaine County Planning and Zoning Commissioner Jon Thorson each indicated they've thrown their names into the hat for consideration.
Harlig, a common face at local municipal and county public meetings, served as the county commissioner representing District 3 in north Blaine County from 1993-2001. He said he agreed to be considered after being asked to do so by some in the community.
However, Harlig said he won't consider serving beyond Michael's current term in office, which runs through Jan. 11, 2011.
"I would serve out Sarah's term," he said.
Asked about his interest in the position—at least temporarily—Harlig said he still feels an ongoing commitment to public service. He also said a number of weighty issues facing the county like affordable housing and transportation have come to a head recently.
"This is a critical time," he said.
Thorson, who lost his position as mayor of Sun Valley to challenger Wayne Willich in a closely-fought race last fall and now is a member of the county P&Z commission, voiced similar concerns about the future of the county and the challenges the region faces.
"I put my name in to be a candidate," he confirmed Thursday.
Thorson said reports from Betty Murphy, chairwoman of the Blaine County Democrat party, that suggest up to seven names will be in the running for the position is a good thing.
"That's terrific," he said.
Thorson said he will be present at the Old Blaine County Courthouse next Tuesday, July 8, when Murphy and the eight other county precinct committee members with the Blaine County Democrats will select three names to send on to Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter for a final decision. The public meeting will begin in the courthouse's upstairs meeting room at 7 p.m.
Candidates for Michael's seat who have sent in letters of interest to Murphy by Monday, July 7, will have three minutes to present their case to the party's nine county precinct committee members.
"I'm interested in our community—always have been," Thorson explained.
He said he has two top priorities he would advocate for should he ultimately be selected to replace Michael. The first is to "think regionally," he said.
He said he's also "in favor of open space, clean air and clean water."
While strong, Thorson said some of the county's development ordinances could be strengthened. He said this includes the county's standards for regulating hillside development.
"It's got to be kept on the flat lands," he said.
Thorson said his time on the county P&Z—although brief—has given him a better appreciation for how efficiently a number of recently approved ordinances work. He said that while "they're great ordinances," he believes minor changes could improve them.
Thorson said it wouldn't be fair to say definitively if he would run for the seat again once the term expires in 2011.
"I'm not going to promise that one way or another."
According to Murphy, at least seven candidates have indicated they'll seek the District 3 seat. She declined to say who has sent a letter of interest to her.
People interested in the District 3 seat have until July 7 to submit a letter of interest to Murphy. Letters should be sent to Murphy at bmurphysv@aol.com or to P.O. Box 3557, Ketchum, ID 83340.
Interviewed in late June, Michael said she is leaving the County Commission so she and her husband can travel more.
Len Harlig,
Jon Thorson
