Mt. Crested Butte appoints new teacher to open town council seat

Six applications submitted for one seat

By Aimee Eaton

After a first search to fill a vacated council seat that resulted in no interest, the town of Mt. Crested Butte employed some “groveling and begging,” as well as several newspaper ads and widespread conversations to drum up interest for the position. The tactics worked, and at this week’s council meeting six individuals threw their hats into the ring for appointment to the council.

In the running were a pizza delivery person, a teacher, a realtor, a rock ‘n roller/consultant, a business owner and a community volunteer. All the applicants were qualified to run for the seat, and town clerk Jill Lindros said this was the first time in recent history that the number of interested parties so outpaced the available seats.

“We will have an election in April with four open seats,” Lindros told the applicants. “Even if you’re not appointed tonight, I would encourage you all to pull a petition and run for a seat in April.”

Each applicant gave a short introduction and summary of why they were interested in the open seat to the council. Then the four council members present at the meeting verbally and publicly picked their preferred person for the seat. The four unanimously voted in favor of appointing Lauren Daniel, a teacher at the Crested Butte Community School and homeowner in Pitchfork to the council.

“I have sat on this board before with largely retired men who had excess time to give to this community,” mayor Todd Barnes told the applicants after the decision was made. “I’m encouraged by seeing the youth and enthusiasm here tonight, and I hope that you all consider running for a seat in April.”

Daniel will be sworn in at the December 5 council meeting.