Tuesday evening, the City of Salida held a celebratory moment, bidding farewell to two long-time city council members and swearing in new council members, a new city treasurer and Mayor P.T. Wood for his second term.
Salida Mayor Wood presents retiring City Councilwoman Cheryl Brown-Kovacic with a proclamation recognizing her years of faithful service to the city and the community. (Photos by Jan Wondra)
The four officials were sworn in together, along with Mayor Wood by Deputy City Clerk, Sonia Walter. (Moments later, on a unanimous vote, Sonia Walter was appointed as City Clerk). The new leadership team includes:
Jane Templeton representing Ward 1. She had previously been appointed to complete the term of Rusty Granzella when he became a Chaffee County Commissioner.
Mike Pollock representing Ward 2.
Alisa Pappenfort representing Ward 3.
Merrell Bergin as City Treasurer.
Because all had run unopposed, the city was not required to hold a formal election, saving Salidans around $10,000 in costs.
The evening began earlier than normal in council chambers, with a reception for outgoing and incoming council members that drew a packed crowd. The mood was upbeat.
“I’ve been proud to serve,” said retiring Councilman Mike Bowers, who represented Ward 3 for multiple terms. “Salida is the best place ever, and it has my heart.”
Retiring Salida City Councilman Mike Bowers showed off a framed photo of himself with Mayor Wood, both wearing ties. To his right, incoming Council Member Alisa Pappenfort.
Bowers was showing off a framed photo of himself with Wood, both in ties. “He [Wood] never wears one, but for me, he wore one,” he said proudly.
“This will be an adjustment, after so many years of service,” said retiring Ward 2 Councilwoman Cheryl Brown-Kovacic, whose first elected role was as Salida City Treasurer.
Brown-Kovacic then went on to be a City Council member where she served on multiple committees and even represented Salida with a sister city project in Japan. She noted that she believes that Salida City Council and the City of Salida are in an excellent place right now, and she is leaving it in good hands.
Among her roles, she was involved in the formation of the county’s Housing Policy Advisory Committee. “There will be other places and ways for me to serve,” said Brown-Kovacic. “But I want to stay involved in housing, especially.”
Continuing Salida City Council members left to right: Dan Shore, Justin Critelli, Harald Kasper, with Jane Templeton and Mayor P.T. Wood.
Mayor Wood presented both Bowers and Brown-Kovacic with service plaques, as well as issuing proclamations recognizing their good and faithful service. Each received a heritage photo taken during Salida’s earlier years.
With the celebrations and swearing-in of the newly elected candidates complete, the newly reconstituted City Council got down to business. Dan Shore (Ward 1), Justin Critelli (Ward 2) and Harald Kasper (Ward 3) have terms that do not expire until 2021.
An earlier article about the election can be found here.
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