She’ll take the seat previously held by Christy Veltrie, the town’s new mayor

The town of Westcliffe has a new trustee on its board.

By a three to one vote with votes cast by secret ballot, Audrey Gluschke was appointed to serve on the board. Action took place during the board’s regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 2.

Gluschke replaces Christy Veltrie who was appointed mayor last month. Veltrie took the seat previously held by Jess Price who died late last year.

Also vying for the vacant position was Shelly Shelly.

A 17-year resident, Gluschke said she was committed to serving the community. She also said she was very concerned about the vacant buildings in downtown Westcliffe and recent businesses going under.

Gluschke will serve on the board until the April election, however, she indicated she would run in the election.

In other business, the Westcliffe trustees:

—APPOINTED John Johnston to serve as the citizen-at-large planning commission member. He replaces John Potts who resigned last fall. Johnston was the lone candidate for the position.

—APPROVED resolution #3-2010 formerly naming Westcliffe’s park on Fourth Street and Hermit Lane. The park had been commonly known as Memorial Park after it was constructed following World War II to honor soldiers, however, the name had never been officially recorded. The park is now formally named Memorial Park.

—HEARD Custer County will be featured on the Outdoor Channel on Feb. 22. Show times are 3:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and midnight.

—CONTINUED discussion regarding the viability of selling the building currently housing the Custer County Merchants and Chamber of Commerce office/Visitor’s Center in the 500 block of Main Street. The town currently leases the building to the Chamber of Commerce organization for $1 a year.

—APPROVED the holding of a Wet Mountain Valley Community parade on Saturday, May 29. The parade will replace the usual Spring into Summer parade sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Spearheading the new parade will be a number of volunteers headed by Kathy Reis. Approval was needed to close Main Street on parade day.

—SAID YES to closing Main Street on July 3 and Dec. 4 to hold the annual Independence Day and Christmas parades sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.

—AGREED to a request by Pam Koons for funds totaling $300 to market three 2010 ghost walks. Ghost walks will be held June 11, Aug. 13 and Oct. 29.

—RECEIVED a conceptual design regarding the proposed Cliffs Park: A Community Garden located east of Custer County High School. The Custer County Sustainable Ways organization is spearheading the effort with the land donated by the Custer 2020 organization. Jerry Lacy presented the drawing.

Trustees present were Joe Cascerelli, Art Nordyke, Lynn LaGree, Audrey Gluschke and Melinda Ruzanski, as was mayor Christy Veltrie. Absent was trustee Twila Geroux.

– Nora Drenner