Letter: A home-run hire

A home-run hire

I am happy to see that the city of Aspen has wisely named Jessica Garrow as the new director of the Community Development Department.

I have had the pleasure of knowing Jessica for nearly a decade and cannot think of a more qualified person to take the helm of that important governmental post. Jessica and I worked closely together on the board of the Aspen Young Professionals Association, where her leadership skills became immediately apparent. Jessica brings a fair-minded and sensible approach to all of her interactions with the public ­— a “must” — in her new job. She listens and is a highly effective communicator.

Time and again, I have been impressed with Jessica’s work ethic, diligence, and common sense. She is a problem solver who truly has the community’s best interests at heart, as her stint as Aspen’s Long-Range Planner demonstrates. Personally, I am happy to see that the city chose someone with a deep understanding of Aspen to head up ComDev. Her knowledge of local concerns, coupled with her familiarity with the Aspen Area Community Plan and the highly detailed land-use code, and her ability to work with everyone uniquely qualify her for this position. I wish her and her staff well in this new endeavor.

Chris Bryan

Aspen