Three political hopefuls fielded multiple questions on Wednesday before one was appointed to temporarily serve on the Mancos town board. The post comes available in April.
While four residents submitted letters of interest for the open seat vacated after Darrel Ellis’s death in November, only three appeared for public questioning by the board on Wednesday, Jan. 13.
After being asked to describe their professional experience, desire to serve, lessons learned via teamwork and whether they’d campaign in the upcoming election, Lorraine Becker was appointed to serve.
Retired from the Colorado Mental Health Institute as a staff assistant, Becker said she served “off and on” on the board representing the state’s public employees, adding she wouldn’t back down from her core beliefs if confronted by other board members, but that she also possessed the “tact, diplomacy and discretion” needed to serve.
“I was inspired by President Kennedy, when he said, ‘ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,’” Becker told board members. “I want to give back to the community.”
After her appointment, Becker was immediately sworn into office, and she took her seat at the end of the board table. Becker indicated that she was unsure whether she’d campaign in April for a full four-year term on the board.
In other political news, officials voted to add ballot initiative SB-152 to the town’s election on April 5, when the mayor and four board seats will also be decided. The ballot initiative asks voters to “opt-out” of a telecommunications provision to enable greater local control of fiber infrastructure.
For those considering campaign bids for the open town board and mayoral posts, nomination petitions must be filed by Jan. 25.
To commemorate Ellis and his service to the community, the board also voted unanimously this week to plant an ornamental tree in his honor at Boyle Park. A memorial plaque will also be erected.
On Wednesday, the town board also approved the following:
Appointed Maddy Butcher and Peggy Littlejohn to the Mancos Library District for three-year terms.
Re-appointed Holly Rankin, Tulli Kertsetter and Matthew Besecker to the Mancos Tree Board.
