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Weiss, Kay-Clapper apply for Aspen council seat

Andre SalvailThe Aspen TimesAspen, CO Colorado

ASPEN – Aspen Planning and Zoning Commissioner Cliff Weiss and former Pitkin County Commissioner Patti Kay-Clapper have both applied for the interim City Council seat being vacated by Dwayne Romero.Weiss and Kay-Clapper both filed an application with the city of Aspen on Wednesday. In doing so, they joined Adam Frisch, a self-employed entrepreneur and chairman of the Pitkin County financial advisory board, who applied on Feb. 3.Romero, president of Related Snowmass, resigns from his council post on Feb. 28. His last regular City Council meeting is on Monday. Recently, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper picked him to be his director of the state Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Romero has said he will maintain an executive role with Related Snowmass, a division of New York-based Related Cos., developer of the resort’s Base Village – but in a reduced, part-time capacity.The deadline for applications for the interim council position is Feb. 17. Three council members – Derek Johnson, Steve Skadron and Torre – and Mayor Mick Ireland will have 30 days following Romero’s last day in which to choose someone to fill the temporary position. Interviews with candidates are expected to be conducted in early March. A decision is likely sometime between middle to late March.The individual who is picked to fill the interim council position is likely to serve through the months of April and May. Both Frisch and Weiss say they plan to run for permanent seats on the City Council in the May 3 election. Kay-Clapper, who said recently that she might run for council this spring, could not be reached for comment on Wednesday. In January, she ended 12 years of service as a county commissioner, having been prevented from seeking re-election last fall because of term limits.Weiss, a full-time Aspen resident since 1974, has been a P&Z member for four years. He said he has been an active community volunteer for the last 12 years, and has kept up with civic issues since 1978.”If they want someone other than a warm body, that would be me,” Weiss said. “It’s a good fit for me because I can step right in and contribute.”A ski instructor and resort marketing specialist, Weiss unsuccessfully ran for City Council in 2003 and 2005.Mayor Mick Ireland said Wednesday that individuals intending and not intending to run for local elected office in May will be considered for the interim position. He said it could be difficult for him and the other three councilmen to arrive at a selection because city rules require three votes to choose an interim member.A 2-2 deadlock is a distinct possibility, he said, unless one of the applicants proves far and away to be the best choice following the upcoming interviews.asalvail@aspentimes.com

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