The Mancos Board of Trustees on Wednesday appointed a new member.
Cindy Simpson, who previously had served on the town planning and zoning board, will take the place of Matthew Baskin, who resigned from the board in May after being elected in April’s municipal election.
Trustees approved Simpson’s appointment on a 3-1 vote, with Mayor Pro Tem Fred Brooks and trustees Craig Benally and Ed Hallam voting in favor. Trustee Michele Black voted against Simpson’s appointment. Mayor Queenie Barz and Trustee Lorraine Becker were absent from the meeting.
Simpson has had a career in the private and public sector and currently works for CDOT Region 5 as an occupational safety officer, she said Wednesday. She also worked for La Plata County government, helping to secure water rights for the Animas River and promote development along the Durango riverfront. She served as Mancos trustee and Mayor Pro Tem in the mid-2000s.
“I would like to serve the community,” Simpson said. “I really like Mancos. The town is under some pressure right now and I think I can help get through that pressure.”
Former Mancos marshal John Cox also submitted a letter of interest for the open trustee position, but lost out to Simpson. He had a long career in law enforcement, having previously worked in Fishers, Indiana and Key West, Florida, he said. He served as Mancos marshal starting in April 2013 until he resigned last year.
Cox worked in public service for his entire adult life and was interested in the trustee position because he wanted to get back to it, he said.
“I’m qualified for it, I can make every meeting, I’m a good listener and problem-solver,” he said.
Simpson said she would strive to focus on facts, not emotions, as a Mancos trustee. She said sticking to the issue rather than personal attacks would help make progress and move the town forward. But she also said she wouldn’t be afraid to disagree.
“Out of conflict comes a better product,” Simpson said. “We need different perspectives. I’m not afraid of conflict as long as it is kept professional.”
A top goal would be to build up town infrastructure during her tenure as trustee, Simpson said. The town won’t be able to promote sensible growth unless the town infrastructure is in line, she said.
Simpson was sworn in as trustee Wednesday after her appointment to the board.
Trustees also approved a resolution authorizing a five-year loan-lease plan for a 2016 Ford F150 pickup for the parks department. The truck replaces a 1991 Ford Ranger. The lease is $4,931 per year for five years, to be paid from the general fund.
The trustees also approved a resolution lifting the town’s fire ban for July 4, 2016, in order to conduct a fireworks display.
Town Administrator Andrea Phillips announced that town Marshal’s Deputy Yvonne McClellan has left the department to accept a detective position with the Montezuma County Sheriff’s department. Town staff are looking for a replacement, and are recruiting for a third deputy for the town, Phillips said.
Phillips also announced that the 57th Annual Mancos Days is being finalized. The festival will take place July 29-31 and will feature parades, a car show, live music and other events. The theme for the festival is “Desperados and Fancy Ladies.”