I've lived in Stanley for 42 years. To be honest I am very very sad of what has happened to my community. The feeling of community is not like it was and I believe it's due to Wood River Valley values coming this way. That structure is appalling to look at. I know it was approved but it shouldn't have been. We've tried for many years to preserve Stanley and we have failed.
The people who are building it are Republicans. Just like the Boren bros who buzz people with their helicopters and are from Challis! Also, that lot has been for sale for 40 years! Why didn’t any of you whiners buy it?
Wasn't it your neighbors on the committee that approved the building? Has nothing to do with people living in Wood River. It's quite presumptuous of you to somehow declare that the values of your neighbors over the pass do not care about community.
This is about money, having enough to build that monstrosity, but also the reasons behind approving it, tax revenue. What will Stanley take in from taxes on the construction and property tax!?
There are many of us in the wood river valley that are suffering from the same invasion of the inconsiderate. please don't lump us all in the same "value" system you speak of.
Out of all the places someone could have built a house, they had to pick that spot. A spot that meant so much to use folk, taken by those who flex there wealth and think less of those they effect. It sucks having to look up at something that use to be so beautiful, and to now see the wealthy taking it away. Bet ya it won’t be more than a summer home. Or a week end get away.
Not mentioned is the fact that they removed the rock that our local Bald Eagles sit on and look over our town💔 I am Born and raised in Stanley Idaho. Ive seen many come but non as nutritious and disrespectful as this one. It just goes to show if you've got enough money nothing is sacred. #tearitdown
(I always proof read everything just to avoid things like this. Some of the things that have come out of the computer's mouth are quite surprising. And make no sense. Too bad the computer can't proof read their substitutions.)
Very true words -- the West was made up of hard working, rugged individuals that relied heavily on their neighbors. But very controversial in this day and age to speak of community as something that cannot be simply built by developers or created by a city planning dept. Community takes a long time to grow, and when the ratio of strange to known faces increases, the harder to maintain.
Love this "wry"ting! My world in this valley is very small, very beloved. I notice each day from my home in Bellevue the characters I meet in the bike path. The beaming Hispanic grandpa on his three wheeler bike and cowboy hat. The parents and children on bikes, the summer collection of mooing cows, the surrounding hills. Now we have the fancy car "lookie loos" checking out the real estate in our little south valley town. Do I sell my home make some money to retire? Or soak up the small town goodness as long as I can before the mansions glisten and hover above us?
Maybe nobody is whining. Maybe people who love places like the locals do should do as much to protect its character instead of living in to flex and looking like a new money asshole. It’s called class, and this monstrosity proves that vital part of personal character can’t be bought.
A longtime Ketchum local built the house. The City of Stanley agreed to the subdivision years ago. The author himself grew up in Northern California. You can ignorantly whine online or you can actually learn facts and/or get involved in local politics.
So you think it was a good move to start building on top of ridges? I’m a little confused by your statement. Was it also good idea to build two stories right next to Danner cabins? I think most of us are surprised that Stanley’s landscape wasn’t more sacred to the local P&Z.
Well said! The disavowal of community happening all over the west is saddening. I would like to see a world community "where there is accountability, a sense of others, and humility." Thanks for writing!
To belong you MUST show up with just about what most locals own, maybe a tiny bit more, or quite a bit less. Then you have to prove you love their place, that will take time. Scalping the top of a mountain to build a glass castle is shameful. In this Greek Island where Icome from, if you did that, the baker would refuse to sell you bread, the grocer fruit, the beekeeper wax and honey. You would be forever ostracized. The priest would not offer you communion, there would be no pardon, ever. Just rejection.
We escaped California because of what it's turning into, so we left it behind. We went to Idaho because it was more like what California was in our childhood. We wanted to be Idahoans. Now I see that we have been followed, and they are bringing California with them. We are appalled. What is Idaho allowing to happen to it? I believe the almighty dollar is behind it all. I feel so bad for the natives/locals. In so few years the Idaho that we all love is disappearing. Where do we go now?
I've lived in Stanley for 42 years. To be honest I am very very sad of what has happened to my community. The feeling of community is not like it was and I believe it's due to Wood River Valley values coming this way. That structure is appalling to look at. I know it was approved but it shouldn't have been. We've tried for many years to preserve Stanley and we have failed.
The people who are building it are Republicans. Just like the Boren bros who buzz people with their helicopters and are from Challis! Also, that lot has been for sale for 40 years! Why didn’t any of you whiners buy it?
What does being Republicans have to do with it?
Wasn't it your neighbors on the committee that approved the building? Has nothing to do with people living in Wood River. It's quite presumptuous of you to somehow declare that the values of your neighbors over the pass do not care about community.
This is about money, having enough to build that monstrosity, but also the reasons behind approving it, tax revenue. What will Stanley take in from taxes on the construction and property tax!?
There are many of us in the wood river valley that are suffering from the same invasion of the inconsiderate. please don't lump us all in the same "value" system you speak of.
Out of all the places someone could have built a house, they had to pick that spot. A spot that meant so much to use folk, taken by those who flex there wealth and think less of those they effect. It sucks having to look up at something that use to be so beautiful, and to now see the wealthy taking it away. Bet ya it won’t be more than a summer home. Or a week end get away.
Not mentioned is the fact that they removed the rock that our local Bald Eagles sit on and look over our town💔 I am Born and raised in Stanley Idaho. Ive seen many come but non as nutritious and disrespectful as this one. It just goes to show if you've got enough money nothing is sacred. #tearitdown
Atrocious not nutritious... stupid auto swip ...
(I always proof read everything just to avoid things like this. Some of the things that have come out of the computer's mouth are quite surprising. And make no sense. Too bad the computer can't proof read their substitutions.)
Exactly
Very true words -- the West was made up of hard working, rugged individuals that relied heavily on their neighbors. But very controversial in this day and age to speak of community as something that cannot be simply built by developers or created by a city planning dept. Community takes a long time to grow, and when the ratio of strange to known faces increases, the harder to maintain.
Love this "wry"ting! My world in this valley is very small, very beloved. I notice each day from my home in Bellevue the characters I meet in the bike path. The beaming Hispanic grandpa on his three wheeler bike and cowboy hat. The parents and children on bikes, the summer collection of mooing cows, the surrounding hills. Now we have the fancy car "lookie loos" checking out the real estate in our little south valley town. Do I sell my home make some money to retire? Or soak up the small town goodness as long as I can before the mansions glisten and hover above us?
Maybe nobody is whining. Maybe people who love places like the locals do should do as much to protect its character instead of living in to flex and looking like a new money asshole. It’s called class, and this monstrosity proves that vital part of personal character can’t be bought.
A longtime Ketchum local built the house. The City of Stanley agreed to the subdivision years ago. The author himself grew up in Northern California. You can ignorantly whine online or you can actually learn facts and/or get involved in local politics.
Hillside, ridgeline, and environmental guidelines might be helpful.
So you think it was a good move to start building on top of ridges? I’m a little confused by your statement. Was it also good idea to build two stories right next to Danner cabins? I think most of us are surprised that Stanley’s landscape wasn’t more sacred to the local P&Z.
Oh there will be action, sooner rather than later ;)
Well said! The disavowal of community happening all over the west is saddening. I would like to see a world community "where there is accountability, a sense of others, and humility." Thanks for writing!
It's very saddening and makes me sick to my stomach. Our beautiful Idaho!
To belong you MUST show up with just about what most locals own, maybe a tiny bit more, or quite a bit less. Then you have to prove you love their place, that will take time. Scalping the top of a mountain to build a glass castle is shameful. In this Greek Island where Icome from, if you did that, the baker would refuse to sell you bread, the grocer fruit, the beekeeper wax and honey. You would be forever ostracized. The priest would not offer you communion, there would be no pardon, ever. Just rejection.
We escaped California because of what it's turning into, so we left it behind. We went to Idaho because it was more like what California was in our childhood. We wanted to be Idahoans. Now I see that we have been followed, and they are bringing California with them. We are appalled. What is Idaho allowing to happen to it? I believe the almighty dollar is behind it all. I feel so bad for the natives/locals. In so few years the Idaho that we all love is disappearing. Where do we go now?
Mostly it is just too many people. We change places simply by moving to them.
Really nicely written--and reasoned.