Anfinson a solid choice

Civic pride is alive and well here in Glenrock, and we’re proud to be part of a town so in-tuned to its local politics.

Six community members put their names in the hat to fill the Glenrock Town Council seat left vacant by Bruce Vinnola. That’s an impressive show of interest and involvement in our local politics.

The council and mayor had a tough decision, as several of the candidates gave strong, impressive interviews that showed their dedication to creating the Glenrock of the future we all want to see.

In the end, Mayor Steve Cielinski and the council made a good choice, albeit surely not an easy one, to likely select Chase Anfinson to the council. While all the candidates brought good ideas and valuable insight, Anfinson has shown his interest in politics before and appears ready to jump into the position with vigor and enthusiasm.

Anfinson ran for House District 6 in the 2008 election, losing to Glenrock’s Richard Cannady. While he didn’t drum up a ton of support (likely due to the Democrat label next to his name), he showed his willingness to campaign and commendable participation in government. He has proven himself to be someone who seeks to make changes, rather than expect someone else to make them for him.

The broad picture of this selection, however, was the smoothness and general good-natured selection process. As opposed to the other side of the county – where Douglas is dealing with a council that doesn’t make decisions in a timely manner, as demonstrated by their lack of a permanent city administrator and chief of police months after both positions were left vacant – Glenrock was speedy yet conscientious as it moved to replace Vinnola, a valued public servant who represented Glenrock well on the council.

We just want to give the council, Cielinski and all the candidates who put their names in, a good, old fashioned pat on the back for a job well done. The selection of Anfinson was a prime example of how small-town government should work.

- Brendan Burnett-Kurie

This is part of the March 4, 2010 online edition of The Glenrock Independent.

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