The makeup of the Encampment Town Council has changed with the loss of 16-year council member Mary Martin.
Martin made a run for the mayorship and lost to incumbent Greg Salisbury, leaving her council seat to be filled by Gary Stull. Cindy Hamilton was re-elected to the council on Nov. 4.
Salisbury said he feels the mayoral win is, “kind of bittersweet. Mary has been such an asset to the town. I hope I can talk her into helping some way.”
Martin said, “I’m devastated. Sixteen years and it came down to 16 votes.”
“Hopefully it reflects on what we did in the past,” Salisbury said in regards to what factors led to his win. He said he didn’t see any differences in town issues between himself and Martin.
According to Salisbury the council has completed a lot of projects since he has been mayor, “but that’s never-ending.”
Salisbury stated the town will continue to work on drainage issues and other infrastructure improvements.
Salisbury said he knows Stull and thinks “he’s got good common sense. I think he’ll be a real good councilperson. I think his philosophy is the same, keep moving forward.”
Looking back at her campaign Martin said, “I never wanted to do the negative stuff, I was always true to the community, and I wouldn’t change that.”
Right now, Martin will stay involved in the community through her work on the Winter Carnival board and at the Opera House. She said she may do more in the future but has yet to make any decisions as to what roles she might fill.
Of the change in the town council, Martin said, “through my experience, through all those years, even one seat change makes a difference.” Martin also said she hopes the voices of the citizens are heard by the town council and the direction of the town coincides with the citizens wishes.
“We really have a good group of employees and I’m going to miss working with them all the time,” Martin said.
“I am pleased that the members of my community believe in me, and in my ability to uphold the responsibility of making smart decisions for Encampment,” Hamilton said of her re-election.
She said being an incumbent probably helped her chances for re-election. “I think people know that I take the responsibility seriously and have showed over the past four years that I aim to work well with all the members of the council and the mayor.”
Reflecting on a council without Martin, Hamilton said, “I am truly sorry to not have Mary on the Council, as she has been such a strong supporter of this community for so many years. She has a passionate insight that is hard to find in people, and her willingness to go above and beyond was always there.”
Hamilton said she does not know Stull, but believes he will be able to work well with the council.
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