Karin Teague won’t run for re-election in Basalt
The Aspen Times
A second incumbent has decided not to stay on the Basalt Town Council.
Karin Teague said Monday she would not seek re-election April 1 after serving a four-year term. Her decision boiled down to time, she said.
“I’m stretched too thin between my kids, my role at Harry Teague Architects and, the big change in my life, is taking over as president (of the board of directors) of Wilderness Workshop,” Teague said.
Her work with Wilderness Workshop will be particularly busy this year because the Carbondale-based conservation group is planning a series of events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Wilderness Act in August.
Councilman Glenn Rappaport previously said he isn’t running for re-election. Like Teague, he is completing a four-year term.
Councilman Mark Kittle said Monday he decided to run. He was appointed to a seat held by Anne Freedman after she moved away. Kittle said in early February that he doubted he would run again. He reconsidered, he said, because he wants to represent the “old-timers.”
“My main objective is to still have a long time locals’ voice” on the board, said Kittle, 55, a Basalt native and 1976 graduate of Basalt High School. He previously served on the board from 2004-08. Prior to that, he was the town’s building inspector.
Teague said it was a tough decision not to run since the town government is starting a community “visioning” process to determine what should be constructed on key downtown sites. She said she could imagine herself returning to office in 2016, assuming voters would welcome her back. Her term as Wilderness Workshop president will expire after two years.
This is the last week for candidates to take out petitions. They must be returned to Basalt Town Hall by the end of the business day Friday.
So far, former Councilman Gary Tennenbaum is the only person besides Kittle to take out a petition, according to Town Manager Mike Scanlon. Tennenbaum couldn’t be reached for comment about his possible candidacy Monday.
As of Monday afternoon, there were only two candidates for the three open council seats.
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