Friday, October 17, 2008

Hailey mayor cautioned on speaking out

City council has no official opinion on Ketchum development


Hailey Mayor Rick Davis was cautioned Monday night by members of the city council for speaking out in favor of a proposed hotel development in Ketchum. His opinion may not be shared by other members of the council.

Davis attended a Ketchum City Council last month to express support for Jack Bariteau's proposed 73-room, four-star Hotel Ketchum project. Hailey hotel managers are also in support of the project, which they say will bring economic benefits to the south valley.

Council members Fritz Haemmerle and Carol Brown said Monday night that elected officials should be careful not to speak in public in support of particular development applications, because it could give the impression that the elected official is speaking on behalf of the council as a whole.

"If I write a letter to the editor at a newspaper about something," said councilwoman Carol Brown, " I always am sure to sign the letter with both my name and my husband's in order to show that I am expressing an opinion as a citizen, rather than as a council member."

Davis said he only meant to point out that bringing economic development to the north valley would bring economic development to the south as well.

Fritz Haemmerle pointed out at a town hall meeting Thursday night that if Hailey city council was going to express an opinion on a hotel development in another city it would be appropriate to first open up a public hearing in Hailey and hear from the voters.

"We have no plans to hold a meeting on this issue," he said. "That is Ketchum's business, not ours."




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