The upcoming election for a Hailey City Council seat finds citizens at a crossroads. The outcome of this election will speak to the future envisioned by residents of Hailey.
Martha Burke (aka Beaver) is being opposed by a candidate supported by north valley real estate and development interests. Elsewhere, I have witnessed the calamity experienced by communities once real estate interests infiltrate local government. Enough carnage has ensued locally without any foxes in the hen house. Many so-called "players" in our valley appear perfectly willing to throw their neighbors and quality of life under the bus for personal economic benefit.
Beaver possesses a sense of place acquired through considerable expenditure of time, energy and emotion in serving her community. She has capably represented her constituency with the quality of leadership we need in troubled times.
Hailey's citizens would not be well represented by individuals interested only in perpetuating the same failed residential-development agenda that delivered us to this dead-end, with 38 percent of existing housing units in the county remaining vacant.
The solution offered by special interests—build more—is entirely irrational. More, more, more created all the problems this country and valley are experiencing.
A vote for Beaver is a vote for all citizens and an affirmation of democratic principles' taking precedence over special-interest agendas.
William F. Hughes
Hailey
