Monday, 06 May 2013 07:55
The Pitkin County Commissioners hold weekly work sessions on Tuesdays and bi-monthly public hearings on Wednesdays in the Plaza One building (next to the Courthouse) in Aspen. Both meetings are televised live and repeated on locater CG12 TV. They are also streamed live and available on the County website. Agendas are posted in the Aspen/Glenwood newspapers and on-line at www.aspenpitkin.com. In this column, your District 5 Commissioner, George Newman offers his take on current matters. You can reach him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
New Faces and New Direction
I would like to introduce four new staff members to you: Cathy Hall, our new Solid Waste Landfill Manager; William Mast, our new Elections Manager; John Loyd, our new Chief Technology Officer; and Laura Maker, our new Assistant County Attorney. All four bring a broad range of experience and professionalism to meet the needs of our citizens while advancing the County’s strategic plan.
The Pitkin County Landfill is an Enterprise Fund which means it does not rely on property or sales tax dollars but rather its own fees and programs to sustain it. As manager, Cathy’s duties will include administrative and budgetary oversight of the Landfill and its programs. This includes evaluating and recommending appropriate landfill rates to ensure financial viability; marketing and outreach for recyclables, including traditional recyclables as well as compost, topsoil and aggregate products; and working with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to ensure the landfill operations are fully compliant with local, state and federal regulations. Cathy brings extensive landfill management experience, most recently with SCS Engineers and SCS Field Services in Reston, Virginia, where as Senior Project Scientist she assisted with the project management of 29 landfill sites in the mid-Atlantic region. Cathy has a B.S. in Geological Sciences and a Masters in Business Administration.
Bill Mast comes to us from Montrose County where he was Election Clerk before becoming Assistant Chief Deputy Clerk for Montrose County. He holds a B.A. in Political Studies. Efficiency, transparency, and voter confidence are critical components for this position. As the complexity of elections continue to grow, Bill will be responsible for hiring an additional election staff member and training that individual in two major computer systems and several elections software applications. Bill has also been selected by the Secretary of State as a member of the Uniform Voting System Technical Advisory Committee. Their charge is to select a vendor and uniform voting system that will provide uniformity in processes, cost efficiencies and enhanced training in operations.
Hoary Cress (Cardaria draba)
Hoary cress, also known as “White top,” is a member of the Mustard family. It was probably introduced from Europe as a contaminant in alfalfa seed. It is a creeping perennial, which means it reproduces by seed and creeping roots. The extensive root system spreads horizontally and vertically with frequent shoots arising from the rootstock. The aggressive nature of this plant allows it to out-compete and displace native species.
It grows erect from 10 to 18 inches high and has a bluish green colored leaf. The flowers are white and numerous in compact flattop clusters which give the plant its name. Hoary cress is one of the earliest perennial weeds to emerge in the spring, producing flowers in May or June. It grows in waste places, cultivated fields, and pastures, and is capable of vigorous growth. This plant is rapidly spreading throughout Pitkin County, especially around the Shield-O Mesa and surrounding areas.
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