Sun Valley City Council Meeting – 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: http://magicvalley.com/news/local/sun-valley-mayor-fires-city-administrator-after-three-month-dispute/article_62648c53-536b-5a7b-b9b6-1b0fe0293cb6.html#ixzz1kEjlmQUe

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Update on Suit – January 18, 2012

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 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 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.

Update on Suit

This is an 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 Hammer.

This past Thursday, December 29, 2011, Kirtlan Naylor, the attorney representing the City and those of us named in the suit, made the following statement to the Idaho Mountain Express which appeared on December 30, 2011 at this link:

“Sharon Hammer has sued the City of Sun Valley, and the pleadings that will be filed in defense of this lawsuit will shed light on these circumstances.  Only one side of this matter has been made public so far, so I would hope people withhold judgment until all facts are known.”

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

May you have peaceful and happy days!

Full Lunar Eclipse Over Sun Valley

The residents of Sun Valley were given a great astronomical show early Saturday morning, December 10, 2011. The moon was full and also went into a full lunar eclipse just before sunrise in the western sky. Below is a photo I took of the full eclipse from my driveway in 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. 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.

Visit Sun Valley This Fall

The colors in Sun Valley this fall have been spectacular and continue to hang on. I took this photo yesterday near Old Dollar Road of Sun Valley Lake and Bald Mountain. Come on up and visit if you get the chance…you won’t regret it!