Greenberg wins Democratic ticket in commissioners’ race
BY TERRY SMITH
Ketchum officials aren’t ready to call it quits on seeking voter approval to build a new city hall, but acknowledged at a city council meeting Monday that more public input and involvement will be needed if the proposal is to succeed.
They may ask Ketchum voters again as early as November to approve a $23.1 million 30-year general obligation bond to replace the aging structure on East Avenue that currently houses city hall.
A two-thirds majority was needed for approval, but the measure put to the voters on May 17 didn’t come anywhere near that. Instead, the measure received only 32.5 percent approval and was defeated by a sound margin of 181 to 556.
Prior to a decision as to whether the measure should be put to voters again, city council intends to gather more public input, through surveys and town hall meetings, and to increase public involvement, possibly by forming a citizens’
committee.
In other election results, officials of the cities of Hailey and Sun Valley are pleased with the results of funding measures they put before voters.
Hailey’s electorate voted 568 to 402 to approve a two-year special levy of $800,000 for the city’s infrastructure. Specifically, the city intends to use the funding to repair, design and construct sidewalks, bike paths, trails and other bike-pedestrian systems. The measure needed a simple majority for approval but received a 58.5 percent positive vote.
Sun Valley voters approved by a vote of 154 to 71 to extend the city’s local option taxes for another 10 years. A 60 percent majority was needed for approval but the measure instead received a positive vote of 68.4 percent.
Also in the May 17 primary election, Blaine County’s only contested race for public office was won on the Democratic ticket by incumbent Commissioner Jacob Greenberg who received 1,278 votes out of 2,255 cast for a winning percentage of 56.6. Challengers Kaz Thea received 852 votes and Gary Whitworth Brower 125 votes.
Greenberg is unopposed for the November general election.