The Sun Valley City Council will lose its youngest member early next month when 44-year-old Dave Chase officially ends his two-year term. Chase, who did not seek re-election in November, will be replaced by City Council newcomer Bob Youngman.
The job was a first for Chase, who'd never been involved in politics, and was "definitely a civics lesson," as he put it.
"I didn't even run for student body," he said.
When he entered into Sun Valley politics, it wasn't because he sought the spotlight. Then-Mayor Jon Thorson appointed Chase to the position in June 2007 after Councilwoman Ann Agnew resigned.
Chase said he didn't even know Thorson, but the mayor told Chase he was active in the community and would be a good representation of the "younger, still-working" population. Chase is a partner with Altus Alliance, a Seattle-based venture consulting firm specializing primarily in the technology industry. He also operates the sunvalleyonline.com Web site.
"Retirees are a big part of the population," Chase said, "but they're not all of it."
That's one reason why he decided to seek election when November 2007 rolled around. Another reason was his goal of making the city's energy system more efficient.
Chase made true on his intentions in February 2009 when he and Ketchum City Councilman Charles Conn announced plans to merge the two cities. This was estimated to save $2 million a year by having only one administration and city hall and fewer vehicles. But the merger immediately faced heavy opposition and fell through.
"It didn't even get a hearing, quite frankly," Chase said, adding that Mayor Wayne Willich and Council President Nils Ribi were against the merger from the beginning and never gave it a chance.
Chase said the merger could succeed in the future if people are willing to push it and have an open discussion. But, he admits, that may never happen.
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"Every time something doesn't go through, you always wonder if there was a different way," he said.
He also said the slow political process was at times frustrating because so many people want to give their opinions and "discuss as long as possible."
"In business, you make a decision and move on," he said.
When Chase first announced in May that he wouldn't run for re-election, he said it wasn't a conflicted decision.
"I think term limits are a good thing," he said at the time. "It passes on fresh perspectives. I never had any great desire to be in politics. I've been on for two years now, so that will be plenty for me."
Even though Chase has ended his political role in Sun Valley, he said he plans to remain involved in the community by joining nonprofit groups such as the Wood River Community YMCA.
"I think it's a great reflection of and on our community, reaching a broad section," he said.
But he's going to take it slow, seeing that he already has a full-time job.
"I'm not going to overcommit myself," he said.
Trevon Milliard: tmilliard@mtexpress.com
Dave Chase decided not to run for re-election in the Sun Valley City Council elections in November. Photo by Mountain Express
