briefs mt. crested butte by Seth Mensing

Sales tax starts the year strong
January sales tax is about 7 percent, or about $15,000, above budget, thanks in large part to an increase in the number of lift tickets being sold and in base area commerce. “It’s a good start to 2014,” Fitzpatrick said. “We hope it continues.”

20 years ago
The Town Council thanked Pepe Valian, Public Works director, for his two decades of service to the town, even offering a round of applause. “You’ve had a lot to put up with in that time,” Councilman Tom Steuer said.

Bike bus?
Councilman Danny D’Aquila said two new buses would be coming to the Mountain Express, printed in their standard white color. He suggested letting the local artists know that the town is interested in a bike-themed bus.
“Keeping in line with the upcoming bicycle event, I had an idea that we kind of put it out there that we’re looking for something bicycle-themed,” D’Aquila said. “How do you guys feel?”
Mayor William Buck was in favor of it and asked D’Aquila to take the idea to the Crested Butte Town Council to consider as well.

Performing Arts Center moving along
The effort to build a performing arts center in Mt. Crested Butte is still moving forward, with committees operating to raise money and build the financial structure to sustain the project.
A building committee is sifting through proposals from 21 interested architectural and design firms. “It’s an overwhelming number of bids,” Councilman Gary Keiser, who sits on the committee, said.

Buck commends fellow council members
Outgoing Mayor William Buck took a moment make sure the record reflected the sacrifice each councilmember makes as part of his service to the town.
“It has been a sincere pleasure of mine to serve on this council with these esteemed individuals,” he said, listing the boards and commitment that each of the council members accepts as part of their council duties. “You all deserve recognition,” he said.