Sommer announces candidacy for mayor of Hayden

Luke Sommer announced his candidacy Friday for mayor of Hayden in the Nov. 7 election.

His top priorities include controlling high-density growth and sharing more city data so residents are better informed about city business, according to a July 28 news release.

“I’m concerned about the future of our community,” Sommer said in the release. “While I understand Hayden ought to develop a mix of different housing types, there’s been a rush to develop high-density housing. This will strain city services, increase traffic, and ultimately raise taxes. I will fight to preserve Hayden’s small-town character by promoting appropriate growth including single family homes on larger lots.”

As Hayden’s mayor, Sommer will also focus on increasing the transparency of city decision making, providing Hayden residents more information on city projects, budgets and taxes, the release said.

"He is committed to the timely posting of council meeting minutes and the videotaping of all meetings, among other measures," said the release.

“I have been a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians for over 10 years,” he said, in the release. “I’m alarmed that city council meetings are too often conducted contrary to normal meeting rules, and that so much information is withheld from Hayden residents. When I’m mayor that will change.”

Sommer believes that Hayden has a bright future, with the right leadership, he said in the release.

Sommer is married to wife Rowena and is the father of five grown children. He has been a real estate professional since 1987, selling real estate in California, British Columbia and Idaho. He is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago (’82) and Trinity Western University in Langley, BC (’85). In 1985, Sommer studied The International and Comparative Law of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France.