"The world is run by those who show up."

That's the saying on the bumper sticker of Deborah "Burnsie" Burns, who just completed 10 years on the Ketchum Planning & Zoning Commission. It's also her motto for life.

Burns started showing up when construction of a tall building on Main Street blocked her view. She met with then, soon-to-be-Mayor Randy Hall, and he encouraged her to apply for a seat on the Planning & Zoning Commission. So she did.

"I learned how important it is to pool talents of people from all different areas," she said. "We've had retailers, architects and engineers, and we need all of them on the commission. It's much easier to make good decisions when you have a variety of backgrounds."

During Burns' terms on the commission, approvals for five hotels have been granted and the River Run ski area has been annexed. She is looking forward to the rewriting of the planning code that is under way. "Our planning staff is doing some amazing work. I know in my bones that this is going to be a turning point for Ketchum's future development," she said.

"Burnsie has contributed to the city as it came out of the recession and made plans for future growth," Mayor Nina Jonas said. "During all her commission meetings, she has made it clear that she wants to hear from the average citizen and wants a town where all can thrive. We thank her very much for her years of service."

An avid skier, Burns grew up in Toronto and Grosse Point, Mich. She first came to Ketchum after graduating from the University of Arizona in 1979 and meeting "a very handsome carpenter." She remained until 1989 when she moved to Los Angeles, where she was an assistant director and clothing stylist in the movie industry.

"I encourage people to be part of the community, and to be aware that they can speak up. Every Planning & Zoning Commission and every City Council meeting has a place on the agenda for citizens who want to speak. We live in a small town, and everybody needs to be part of the governing process."

A bond issue to enable Ketchum to discontinue use of aging portions of the water system will go on the May 19 ballot. A simple majority of voters would need to approve the proposal, which is expected to reduce maintenance costs, increase reliability and encourage conservation.

Portions of the community core and the Lewis Street industrial area use pipes installed by Ketchum Springs Water, a private water system that the city acquired in the 1980s.

The Ketchum Springs Water pipes, many of which are more than half a century old, were constructed of wood and steel. They are buried less than six feet deep in some places, meaning that water must be pumped through them to prevent freezing in the winter.

This wastes both water and the electricity needed for pumping. Frequent breakages disrupt water service and increase maintenance costs. In addition, no water meters were installed. Property owners served by this system currently pay a flat rate no matter how much water they use. As part of this project, a water meter would be installed for each property and the rate would be based on usage, as it is in the rest of the city.

Estimates are that the decrease in maintenance expenses would offset the bond repayment costs, said Robyn Mattison, public works director. The city is eligible to apply for a loan of up to $450,000 from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality to convert users onto the city system and install water meters. Under Idaho law, the loan must be in the form of a revenue bond and must be repaid entirely from fees charged to water users, Mattison said. No other tax receipts could be used for this purpose. The 20-year bonds would have a fixed interest rate of 2.75 percent.

While the city would pay for installation of new meters and service lines to the property line, property owners would pay the cost of new or relocated water service lines on private property. Plans are to offer them the option of paying at the time of construction or over time through assessments.

Betsy Mizell, an outreach associate for the Idaho Conservation league, has been named to the Ketchum Planning & Zoning Commission for a three-year term beginning this month. She replaces Deborah "Burnsie" Burns, whose term has expired. (See earlier story.)

Mizell has worked in Idaho since 2013. She previously implemented a sustainability plan for the Weir River Garden in Hingham, Mass., and was an environmental education and agroforestry extension agent with the Peace Corps in Cameroon, West Africa.

While earning her B.A. at New England College, she was an intern in the sustainability department of Aspen Skiing Company in Snowmass, Colo., and with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. She also was president of the school's Environmental Action Commission and recipient of the New England College Community Service Award.

"Her experience with sustainable land use planning coincides with many of the goals in the 2014 Comprehensive Plan," Mayor Nina Jonas said in making the appointment. "She will add diversity to the expertise and age range of the commission."