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Ketchum's Quality of Life

Mountain Town feel and homegrown essence. This is the feeling and reason we are here and what we are striving to maintain. My goal as a community member and public servant is to place our quality of life above all else and use the driving forces of our city to uphold it.

Local Business & Economy

Public Safety

Housing

The City of Ketchum has strong local ingenuity and entrepreneurship. We need to do more as a council to encourage local growth to keep organizations in Ketchum. These businesses are supported predominately by the visitors that come into our valley.

  • Prioritize supporting local businesses.

  • Provide accessible growth opportunities for organizations wanting to grow.

  • Ensure that tourism is providing funding to our community and is used to better our lives here.

Ensuring that our community is safe is of the utmost importance as a council member. This includes, but is not limited to; our first responders, our roads and sidewalk, public infrastructure, and how our city engages with the natural world.

  • Capital Projects proposed and approved by the city should always include maintenance plans that match the intended longevity of the project to have a clear and honest budget to understand tax payer impact.

  • Ensuring a thoughtful decision is made about the Police Department. 

  • Actively consider the city's impact of our decisions on our forest, water ways, and wildlife.  

This is essential in order to maintain and thrive as a community. There is no one right answer. Our city should look at housing in a conscientious, multi-faceted approach. Recognizing that we need to support lower and middle incomes. Without all of us there is no town. 

  • Build and maintain a strong relationship with local non-profits that are successful, such as ARCH.

  • Ensuring that the current pool of housing remains and working with local property owners considering sale of complexes.  

  • Removing in- lieu fees from projects to place accessible housing first.

  • Utilizing tools the city has like deed restrictions.

Should the current council approve the Comprehensive Plan?

I believe that the current council should approve the Comprehensive Plan and allow for the next incoming council to make decisions on codes and zoning. The council and city should make public the proposed written ordinances to promote clarity and connection with their community. (amendment- City Council approved the Comp Plan on 9/11.)

City Council/ Mayor vs. City Council/ Manager?

The City of Ketchum should continue to have a Council/ Mayor structure of government. I value a mayor that is elected by the people and who works with the council. Our current city of Ketchum employees do a great job in their roles.

If a Council/ Manger form of government is chosen, I look forward to the opportunity to be a part of the process as the city learns and goes through the process of restructuring. 

For either form, I encourage my fellow residents to view the decision as a long term choice and not a quick fix that can be changed again in 2 years.

FAQ's + Answers

Should Highway 75 be striped for 2 or 4 lanes?

From Serenade to River, Highway 75 should be striped for 4 lanes. I understand the concerns of the residents along that section and the Gem Streets, but creating a pinch point before entering town would only create traffic congestion more frequently along that corridor. It is important to ensure the speed limit is 25 or lower and that there is one or two well striped and lit crosswalks with flashers.

I am over the tourists, why do you market this place?

Our community first and foremost is made by the people that live here. The people along with the great outdoors is what drive a majority of the visitors here. Because we are a 'Resort Community' we are able to have LOT Tax. 72% of the LOT is paid for by visitors. Those funds support efforts and projects of the city. Statistically, during peak seasons, Summer and the Holidays, a majority of visitors are second home owners and friends and family of ours. During these times I too will feel the overwhelm of "there are too many people here" but those moments allow for the businesses that we love to stay afloat during slack season.

I do not believe Ketchum needs another hotel. I do not think there needs to be more Airbnbs, however Idaho does not allow cities to regulate the number of short-term rentals per community.

My dad always said the first rule of life is always pay attention.

This phrase is something I hold close. As a public servant, I think it is even more vital. Listening and paying attention to the constituants and valuing their input, reading and asking questions about data provided by our city employees, and observing day to day life in our community are all things I vow to do as a city council member.

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