Wednesday, August 28, 2013

In Sun Valley, P&Z member eyes council seat

Keith Saks has lived in city about 4 years

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By ERIC AVISSAR
Express Staff Writer

    Sun Valley Planning and Zoning Commission member Keith Saks will try to take the next step in public service by running for a seat on the Sun Valley City Council this fall.
    Saks, 73, has lived in Sun Valley for almost four years.
    He came from Coral Gables, Fla., where he served on the city’s Property Advisory Board and Public Service Committee, to which he was appointed by the mayor. He is a certified professional mediator, attorney and arbitrator.
    Before relocating, Saks operated a private law practice. He currently resides in Sun Valley with his wife, Karen. He has two children and three grandchildren.

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“I believe the City Council should act as a policy-making body,
leaving the actual day-to-day management
to the professionals employed by the city.”
Keith Saks
Candidate

    Regarding his new bid for office he said, “I believe the City Council should act as a policy-making body, leaving the actual day-to-day management to the professionals employed by the city”
    Saks said he wants to collaborate with fellow council members.
    “You can’t get hung up the minute things. You have to listen to the public, listen to your fellow councilmen, because that’s one of the great things about working with different people.
    “I like working with people from different backgrounds and different perspectives.”
    He said he began thinking about running for the council about two months ago, and decided to run last week. He turned in the paperwork to make his candidacy official on Tuesday.
    Saks said he wants to help Sun Valley grow, while still limiting its growth. He believes that he, along with other council members, want to make sure Sun Valley avoids turning into a “concrete jungle” of a resort city.
“I am committed to being here. I came here out of choice like most people. Back around 2000, I came here for the first time just to ski, and I was hooked,” he said.
Saks said he is unsure of how much city money should go to the Sun Valley Marketing Alliance. He said he wants to gather more facts and do more research on the SVMA before he takes a firm position.
“I think it (SVMA) should definitely be supported in principle. If it’s demonstrated it has used the money for what it’s supposed to be used, then the city should be getting it’s money’s worth, not to have the money spent willy-nilly.”
Saks said that one of his major motives in running for office is to change the public’s perception of the council.
“From what I’m reading and hearing, there is a perception from many people that the Sun Valley City Council is dysfunctional.
    “This is sort of like going into the lion’s den with getting involved here. I could stay where I am on the commission, go out and ski and ride my bike, go fly-fishing and just enjoy life here after working hard for my career.
    “But I believe that rather than sit back, and moan and groan about the way things are being run, sometimes you have to take the bull by the horns and try to change it,” he said.
Eric Avissar: eavissar@mtexpress.com

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