Locals Debate Ketchum, Sun Valley Merger

What do you think about having one main town? A ‘Svetchum’ or a ‘Sunny Ketchum Valley’ as some locals have suggested? Well, it turns out ‘Ketchsun’ may soon become a reality. With the city of Ketchum making cuts to meet its budget and Sun Valley sitting comfortably on reserves, city officials are urging locals to consider the benefits of consolidating both communities under one roof.

According to elected officials, the merger would help offset the costs of duplicate services like fire stations and police departments and would save close to $2 million a year. It would also provide Ketchum with a sort of kick back for all the services its downtown core businesses provide for the entire valley.

The issue has been met with mixed reviews and heated debate, especially on the Mt. Express forum boards. Some residents think the plan smells too much like a bail-out. Others like the idea of One City, One Town (which also happens to be the slogan for the organization developed to bring the merger to city residents).

Regardless of the ever evolving debate, officials are putting the decision to a vote! One City, One Town is in the process of collecting signatures from residents of each city for a petition. At least 20 percent of registered voters’ signatures are needed to get the proposal on the ballot in the next election.

So stay tuned! We’ll keep you posted on the status of our mailing address and let you know if we plan on simplifying it in the near future…

PHOTO COURTESY: GLOBAL JET