The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Address concerns with process
By Alissa Johnson
The Mt. Crested Butte Town Council reappointed four members to the Planning Commission earlier this month, but not before rehashing the process for reviewing and appointing applicants. One councilmember expressed concern about the lack of information provided prior to the meeting.
On Tuesday, May 3, newly appointed councilmember Janet Farmer read a statement to council. “I never dreamed I would jump in so quickly to come across as contrary,” she read.
Farmer questioned the one-sentence emails that indicated their interest in the position but provided no information on their qualifications. She also questioned the lack of term limits and expressed disappointment that more people were not seeking a seat. She indicated that she knew someone interested in applying but upon learning she would be “up against” incumbents opted not to do so.
“The four nominees may be terrific, but based on what’s before us, I do not feel qualified to support their election,” she said.
Town clerk Jill Lindros explained that changing term limits would require changing the charter and a vote of the people. She also pointed out that the openings had been advertised in the newspaper for over three weeks, announced on KBUT and posted on the public posting board.
Farmer felt there was a culture within the community of not applying for open positions because it was not a welcome process. Her concerns garnered a variety of responses from council and staff.
“It’s the process that’s been in place since I’ve been here,” Lindros said, explaining that the one-sentence emails submitted by each applicant were replies to an email asking if they wanted to apply.
“Particularly since we have a lot of new council members who have got nothing more than ‘I would like to apply,’ I think it is difficult and awkward,” Farmer responded.
Applicants had been advised to attend the meeting since it was a new council. Only one, John Anderson, was present. He attempted to speak to some of Farmer’s concerns about term limits.
As a relatively new Planning Commission member, appointed in July 2015, Anderson said, “Some of that long-term experience is pretty valuable because we see some weird stuff,” he said.
Lindros pointed out that the only way to change the perception is to encourage people to apply. “Had your friend or whomever been here you would be voting on four out of five… That person could have gotten in and one person would be out.”
Mayor Todd Barnes said, “We certainly welcome the participation of any community member who wants to come up here and sit down and deal with the issues before us, and if they have met the minimum requirements they should feel no intimidation and that’s just an unfortunate situation.”
Barnes was pleased to have four applicants for four seats, rather than a lack of applicants altogether. While Farmer did reiterate her concern about the lack of information, in the end, she participated in the vote. The council unanimously reappointed John Anderson, Reed Meredith, Mary Kasala, and Jamie Watts, with member David O’Reilly absent.
“It certainly is nice to hear your concerns. Thanks for putting it out there. Let it out. Don’t hold back,” Barnes said.
“Like I ever have,” Farmer said, getting some laughs from council and laughing herself.
