Welcome to my homepage and online office

I represent the citizens of Sun Valley, Idaho on the City Council, now in my second four-year term of office.

This is my personal website which I created as an opportunity to share timely information with the citizens, stakeholders, visitors and those interested in the well being of Sun Valley. You will find a great deal information about my efforts on the City Council here and on my Blog by clicking on the tabs to the left. More current information about the City of Sun Valley is posted below. I appreciate hearing from you about issues that concern you. As always, I am open to your thoughts and feedback. It is an honor to serve you. Great thanks.

                                                                        


Statement Regarding Forensic Audit

At the beginning of our City Council meeting on April 9, 2012, Mayor Briscoe made the following public statement concerning the forensic audit about to commence:

“The City Treasurer is not the target of the forensic audit and any statements to the contrary by current or past City officials or staff is unauthorized and unsanctioned by the City of Sun Valley.”

Justice

The millstones of justice grind slow, but they grind exceedingly fine.

- John Bannister Gibson, 1780-1853, American jurist


February 24, 2012 Update - Former City Administrator Matters

Today the Idaho Mountain Express published a story regarding the complete dismissal by Judge Butler of former Sun Valley City Administrator Sharon R Hammer’s lawsuit against the City and our insurance carrier earlier this week.

I am particularly pleased that the City confirmed in the story that not only was this lawsuit by Hammer wholly frivolous, so was the previously withdrawn lawsuit that named me along with the City:

‘A news release issued by the city Thursday states that it “strongly maintained that this insurance lawsuit was wholly frivolous from the day it was filed, as was Hammer’s previous lawsuit. …” ‘


Here is a link to that story:

Ruling says insurance should cover Sun Valley, not former administrator

January 22, 2012 Update - City Council Meeting of January 19, 2012

The Twin Falls Times-News, as of today, has been the only newspaper in Idaho to report, both in print and online, the action taken by our Mayor and City Council at our meeting last Thursday, January 19th. Here is the link to their story:

Sun Valley Mayor Fires City Administrator After Three-month Dispute

Read more: Sun Valley Mayor Fires City Administrator After Three-month Dispute

Sunday, January 22, 2012


 January 18, 2012 Update - Lawsuit Withdrawn

Here is the latest update on the suit filed against the City of Sun Valley, myself, fellow Council member Bob Youngman, and City Attorney Adam King by City Administrator Sharon R Hammer.

On Monday, January 16, 2012, following an inquiry from the press, I issued the statement below in response to their question about the withdrawal of the Hammer lawsuit:

I want to thank all of my friends and supporters who stood by me during these rather difficult past two months. The dismissal of the Sharon R Hammer lawsuit and the investigative report that has cleared me of the accusations raised by Ms. Hammer are clear affirmations of the fact that I never harassed or threatened anyone in my role as city councilman. I was asked by two Sun Valley City officials to bring before the council evidence of questionable practices by Ms. Hammer and I did so. The charges made against me were an obvious smoke screen designed to divert attention from legitimate inquiry into certain financial practices at city hall during the last administration. I don’t doubt that the chicanery and wild antics of Ms. Hammer and her husband will continue for some time to come but I am pleased that the public will soon have an opportunity to judge Ms. Hammer’s conduct for themselves.


Also on Monday, January 16, 2012, the City of Sun Valley issued the following press release regarding the withdrawal of the Hammer lawsuit:

The day after a contested court hearing, including motions to stop Plaintiff’s harassing discovery requests and sanction Attorney James Donoval, Sharon Hammer voluntarily dismissed her lawsuit against the City of Sun Valley, Councilman Nils Ribi, City Attorney Adam King and Councilman Robert Youngman. Ms. Hammer’s two other lawsuits against the City of Sun Valley are still active.

City of Sun Valley officials are glad to see that this unfounded lawsuit has been dismissed. While their counsel, Kirtlan Naylor, communicated all settlement offers by Ms. Hammer to the City, this resolution of a voluntary dismissal by Hammer is the appropriate action.

At no time did the City’s insurer, ICRMP, threaten that legal counsel or insurance coverage for the City was in jeopardy, contrary to allegations by Hammer.

Mr. Naylor stated in court at the hearing, held January 11, that the City’s investigative report, which has been the subject of much discussion in the news and court filings, has been turned over to the Blaine County Prosecuting Attorney for an independent review of possible criminal conduct. For that reason, it cannot be released for public consideration at this time.

The City of Sun Valley appreciates the patience of its citizens as appropriate steps are taken in this matter. Mayor Briscoe is committed to ensuring a strong and effective administration to conduct the business of the City. The dismissal of this lawsuit will allow the administration to now focus on the governing of the City and providing appropriate services to the citizens of Sun Valley.

Response to Suit:

The media asked me to comment on a suit filed against the City of Sun Valley, the City Attorney and me on November 21, 2011 by Sharon R. Hammer. This is what I have to say:

The charges against me are baseless and defamatory, and will be proven as such in a court of law. The voters of this County were introduced to Jim Donoval in the last election and they have already voted on his credibility.

Upcoming City Council Meeting Schedule:

June 4, 2012 - City Council Special Meeting - 3:00 p.m. - City Hall, Sun Valley - Budget Work Session

June 14, 2012 - City Council Regular Meeting - 1:00 p.m. - City Hall, Sun Valley

June 19, 2012 - City Council Special Meeting - 3:00 p.m. - City Hall, Sun Valley - Approve Tentative Budget

July 19, 2012 - City Council Regular Meeting - 1:00 p.m. - City Hall, Sun Valley

August 7, 2012 - City Council Special Meeting - 3:00 p.m. - City Hall, Sun Valley - Public Hearing FY13 Budget

August 16, 2012 - City Council Regular Meeting - 1:00 p.m. - City Hall, Sun Valley

August 21, 2012 - City Council Special Meeting - 3:00 p.m. - City Hall, Sun Valley - Adopt FY13 Budget

September 20, 2012 - City Council Regular Meeting - 1:00 p.m. - City Hall, Sun Valley

October 18, 2012 - City Council Regular Meeting - 1:00 p.m. - City Hall, Sun Valley

November 15, 2012 - City Council Regular Meeting - 1:00 p.m. - City Hall, Sun Valley

December 20, 2012 - City Council Regular Meeting - 1:00 p.m. - City Hall, Sun Valley


Councilman Ribi's FY2012 Priorities:


Click here to see my Memorandum to the City Council and Mayor outlining my recommended list of Strategic Project Priorities for the City of Sun Valley for Fiscal Year 2012.

Sun Valley FY 2012 Budget:

The Sun Valley City Council adopted the City's Fiscal Year 2012 budget at our August 18, 2011 Council meeting.

To see a copy of the FY12 Budget, click here.

Listen to Our City Council Meetings Live:

Click here to listen to City of Sun Valley Council broadcasts or the archive of past meetings.


Read My Blog:

My interactive Blog is loaded with information and news on current topics related to Sun Valley. It also has links to numerous Sun Valley related websites. Click on the link below to visit the Blog which is hosted by WordPress.

Click here to visit my Blog



Follow Me On:


Sun Valley Nordic Festival:



We have had the good fortune of a full week of Nordic events in and around Sun Valley last two years called the "Sun Valley Nordic Festival." The Festival was born out of a concept from the Sustain Blaine effort which suggested expanding on a key event such as the Boulder Mountain Tour and use it to leverage the Sun Valley brand. As one of the members of the organizing committee, it has been great to see the effort come to fruition and see success in its first two years.

For 2011 we expanded the Sun Valley Nordic Festival and saw a significant increase in participation. We created a website. Here is the link to it:


I put together a slideshow with some of my photos of the 2011 Sun Valley Nordic Festival:


I photographed a good portion of the 2010 Festival and have created several slide shows to give you a feel for the event. Enjoy!

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Last updated:  5/18/12

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