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Our view: Haber, Sirkus and Madsen for Snowmass council

Six candidates are vying for three open seats on the Snowmass Village Town Council this year, an election that will decide who will review the new plan for Base Village and that will hopefully improve interpersonal relationships among the council members.

The Aspen Times has been weighing the pros and cons of all six candidates through the answers they’ve given to questions posed by the Snowmass Sun and now through their performance in a forum Thursday night, where they let their true colors fly.

The choice for Snowmass Village mayor has been a tough one. All three candidates have a wealth of experience, but we have decided to support Jason Haber. In his four years as a councilman, Haber has exhibited a creative approach to solving problems, a congenial and respectful attitude toward his colleagues and a willingness to take time to work through tough issues. He will meticulously review the application that Related Colorado has recently submitted, and under his leadership, we believe the village has the best chance of getting the strongest project possible.



Markey Butler has exhibited strong leadership in her time as a councilwoman, but she did not accept criticism gracefully at Thursday’s forum, and she would need to be more cooperative than that in order to improve council relationships. We also haven’t seen her ask tough questions to anyone, specifically the Base Village developers, other than her council colleagues.

And while we strongly support Arnold Mordkin’s position on increasing council transparency, we’re not sure why he’s trying to join the council again. Mordkin has made the impact that he could in elected office, and it’s time for someone new (or newer) to take the reins.




In the council race, we also choose fresh faces over experience. Mayor Bill Boineau has devotedly served Snowmass Village in his 14 years in public office, but we think it’s time for him to focus his talents and energy on the many other duties he fulfills.

Bob Sirkus and Bill Madsen are the only two candidates who have never served on the Snowmass Village Town Council, and we consider that their best assets. Sirkus has proved himself an effective leader as the chairman of the town’s Planning Commission, and through that experience he has developed expertise on the development issues facing the village. Madsen comes in with a fresh perspective, and as the director of NASTAR, he has a big-picture sense of the ski industry and how others see Snowmass as a destination. He will be a big help in solving the economic challenges facing the village.

Jason Haber, Bill Madsen and Bob Sirkus will steer the Snowmass Village Town Council in a direction that we think will be positive for the entire community.