1) What are the top infrastructure priorities facing the city and how should they be funded?
2) How and where should the city prepare for future development?
3) What immediate changes would you make as a member of the City Council?
4) What can you do to help boost the local economy?
5) What role does Hailey play in the regional economy?
Pat Cooley
Age: 53
Education: Graduate of Lewiston High school, Lewiston Idaho. Four state of Idaho licenses in the field of water and waste water. Continuing education in the water and wastewater field as well as
water law and water resource management through CSI.
Why running: To bring more than five years experience from the Hailey Planning and Zoning Commission to the council. I enjoyed my work with the commission and feel that the City Council will be a positive way to focus my energy. I will bring balance and fresh perspective.
Government/public service: Navy veteran. Worked on the citizens committee that negotiated the original Woodside Park land deal that is now Keefer Park. Served on the original citizens ad-hoc committee on water meters. Served more than five years on the Hailey Planning and Zoning Commission, two years as chair. Volunteer youth sports coach with the BCRD little league for 10 years.
1) Woodside Boulevard funded with Tiger II grant and some capital improvement funds. Wastewater treatment plant upgrades funded by the wastewater fund. The capital improvement plan is scheduled to be updated in 2012.
2) The recently updated Hailey land use map establishes a basis and direction for expansion and/or location of residential, business, institutional and green-space areas. This map along with the comprehensive plan is intended to guide us in our development.
3) Work with the council and mayor to solicit more public discussion. There is a difference between a public comment and community dialogue. We can turn public concerns into council discussions with workshops when needed.
4) Partner with local and regional entities such as S.E.I.D.O. and Sustain Blaine to market Hailey as a clean business and clean industry destination. With our high quality of life and infrastructure in place we can attract new businesses.
5) We are part of the larger community and it will take cooperation with government and local organizations to boost our economy. Our quality of life here is the key to attracting new businesses while still retaining our unique character.
Peter Lobb
Age: 57
Education: Bachelor of Science in clinical psychology, University of Washington.
Why Running: As a longtime resident of Hailey and the Wood River Valley, and after attending many public meetings, I feel I have a unique understanding of the issues facing Hailey. I believe that I can utilize this understanding to represent Hailey's best interests.
Government/public service: Member, Mayor's Advisory Committee; chair, Community Oversight Committee; attendance in the vast majority of Hailey Planning and Zoning and City Council meetings for the last five years, as well as many public meetings on current issues affecting Hailey and the valley.
1) One of the most important functions of any city government is to maintain all of its infrastructure in a responsible manner. All aspects need to be adequately under our current tax structure, or city bonding mechanisms if absolutely necessary.
2) Hailey has ample space for future development and our inventory of housing and vacant land needs to be reduced before development outside is contemplated. I would not burden existing taxpayers unnecessarily with additional costs to maintain additional infrastructure.
3) I would like to make government more transparent and accountable to our citizenry.
4) Promote Hailey to businesses around the country by offering promotional packets highlighting Hailey's unique characteristics. The city could also approach business executives that routinely visit our valley and encourage them to invest in Hailey.
5) Hailey constitutes the largest population in the valley and the largest labor pool. We are also the county seat. As such, Hailey contributes greatly to the social and economic vitality of the valley.
Robert (Bob) Wiederrick
Age: 47
Education: 1982 graduate of Salmon High School. B.F.A. from Idaho State University, Pocatello. Received commission as 2LT in Army Reserve.
Why running: The business sector has been under-represented on the council for too long. Hailey needs a strong voice to help make Hailey a more business-friendly city. I'll strive to bring balance, diversity and an active business perspective to City Council.
Government/public service: I have been an officer in the Army Reserve and Idaho Army National Guard. I resigned my commission as a captain in the mid-1990s to focus exclusively on my business.
1) Roads must be maintained to avoid high replacement costs in the long term. A traffic light needs to be installed at Highway 75 and Woodside Boulevard, paid for with property taxes, grant funding or a local improvement district.
2) The city should focus first on substantially filling the currently available residential and commercial land/space before tackling future development. Changes need to be made to promote private commercial development and create an inviting environment for businesses.
3) Make sure the city could not promote a bond election advertising matching donor funds without first verifying that the money exists and is securely deposited in an escrow account.
4) Focus on promoting buying local, as I do in my business and have done with all my campaign materials. I'll provide more education for our citizens and businesses on the value of keeping our dollars circulating locally.
5) As the location of Blaine County's only commercial airline service, Hailey's location, only a short distance from world-class recreation—skiing, cycling, fishing, etc.—is vital to the viability of our tourist trade in the Wood River Valley.
