Councilor wants more city events

His call to ‘get out of your chairs’ raises the temperature on Council

On Monday, July 11, Scott Klinkhammer called upon his fellow members of Brush City Council to act in an effort to create and support more events for the City of Brush, and some of his comments drew the ire of other members.

“If we’re going to keep growing as a community, we need to start coming together more as a community,” he said.

Most community events in Brush are led by the community, City Administrator Monty Torres said, and then often supported by City Council and staff.

“Maybe we have to make the events we’re doing better,” Torres said.

He offered ideas to encourage attendance by families through prize giveaways, such as bicycles for children.

“We can find some more fun things to do,” Torres said. “Many communities offer a bike rodeo for the kids.”

Added Community Services Director Lance Schwindt: “One good thing we had previously done is block parties around town.”

One comment Klinkhammer made in an email shared with City Council was more members of the Brush City Council should “get out of their chairs”.

That led to Alison Gorrell hitting back with the variety of activities in which she participates, and defending that many members of the City Council are just as involved.

Mayor Dana Sherman defended his comments in the email, indicating the desire was to open discussion toward creating more events on the back of the success of the Independence Day Parade.

Mayor Pro-Tem Larry Lundstrom opposed expanding events in Brush.

“I’m not crazy about starting more events, because it’s more work for city staff,” he said.

Schwindt countered that while it creates a workload for many departments, it is for the benefit of the city, citing the parade.

“When I left, it felt like my staff’s time was worth it,” he said. “We’re here to serve.”