A recent Ketchum City Hall meeting was the clearest argument yet in favor of the proposed city manager form of government, wherein the council/mayor look to a professionally trained expert in city government to administer the city's affairs. Watching the City Council stumble around the issue of raising city recreation fees was painful enough. But sitting through the feckless discussion of the ballot design for the Nov. 8 election was a mind-blowing exercise in frustration.
No wonder so few Ketchum residents attend these meetings; no wonder there's a paucity of good citizen/candidates to serve on the council. A well-prepared city manager would shorten meetings significantly while ensuring a clearer understanding of the issues. I urge voters to attend a City Council meeting at random. You'll come away a committed vote for the council/city manager form of government.
Gary F. Hoffman
Ketchum