We often take the operation of our town government for granted. With little money and limited staff, we need to be reminded of what it takes to make a small town such as ours function. For instance:
The Patagonia Town Council – It is easy to forget that not many years ago the Patagonia Town Council was deadlocked and could not even agree on who should be mayor. The current council in our opinion is the hardest working, most cooperative and effective town council we’ve had in the last ten years and deserves the full appreciation of the townspeople. Among other things, they have hired an extremely capable town manager, have taken on the huge job of revising the town code, and established Saturday morning work sessions. Their decisions may not always coincide with your views, but we are a town of differing views and that is to be expected. Kudos to Mayor Ike Isakson and the other council members.
The Town Marshall – Do you remember when the conflicts related to the marshal’s office took up a good part of each Council meeting? Good riddance to the old contentious Marshal’s office. Joe Patterson and his deputies, especially Ron Davis, have done an excellent job of keeping the peace, seeing that the traffic laws on Route 82 are enforced and avoiding controversy. Kudos to Marshall Patterson and his deputies.
The Town Manager – Dave Teel has brought his extensive experience to this small town and has done a fantastic job of working with and advising the council so that the town runs smoothly. The position of the town Manager is not a beauty contest, and it is one where you are bound to step on some toes and upset some people. Dave’s capability and patience have made a major difference in our town government. Kudos to Dave Teel.
Assistant Town Clerk – Everyone knows that if Isabel Van Ness decided to retire or leave the town it would be a catastrophe. She is the fount of all knowledge when it comes to all those tiny details that make our town function. And, she willingly shares them with all of us when we need them. If your water usage appears to indicate a leak, you get a call from her. If you want to know about a rule or regulation, she’s there to help you. She HATES to be in the limelight, manages to avoid the political potholes and continues to be the longest serving member of the town staff. Kudos to Isabel.