The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
New council members take on roles
The Crested Butte Town Council selected Leah Williams as mayor pro-tem and appointed its new council members to various board and committees during a regular meeting on Monday, December 3.
The council voted unanimously to approve this year’s committee and board appointments during the meeting. The Town Code directs the council to make appointments when new council members join the board.
The council members will serve as board members on various nonprofit and quasi-government boards as representatives of the Town.
Mayor Alan Bernholtz will continue to serve as a representative on the Rural Transportation Authority (RTA) board, along with council member Skip Berkshire. Bernholtz will also continue to serve as the Town’s representative for the Colorado Association of Ski Towns, an organization of 25 municipalities whose economies are largely dependent upon tourism; the towns share information, experience and leadership through meetings, conferences, and surveys.
Berkshire will also serve on the Mountain Express board, along with council member Billy Rankin. In addition, Rankin will represent the council on the Office for Resource Efficiency (ORE) and the Gunnison County Land Preservation boards, noting his passion for the environment and open space.
New council member Kimberly Metsch assumed a seat on the Tourism Association Board, while Dan Escalante will serve on the Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce board and as the Region 10 representative. Region 10 is a coalition of 10 western communities focused on economic development.
Council member Reed Betz took positions on the Gunnison County Housing Authority Advisory board and the Office for Resource Efficiency board. Williams was re-appointed to serve on the Crested Butte Center for the Arts board and as the representative to the Colorado Northwest Council of Governments Water Quality and Quantity committee. She will also serve as an alternate to the West Elks Loop Scenic Byway committee and the Colorado Association of Ski Towns.
In addition to the council appointments, the council also elected the mayor pro-tem during their meeting on Monday, November 26.
Berkshire suggested Williams as the new mayor pro-tem, noting her dedication to the council and willingness to participate in the community. Metsch made the motion and Escalante seconded, and the board voted unanimously to have Williams serve as mayor pro-tem, a position vacated by former council member Margot Levy.
