At the meeting on Tuesday Oct. 24, the Clarkdale Town Council unanimously selected Deb Hunseder as its newest council member.
Hunseder fills a seat vacated by Councilman Ben Kramer on Sept. 25. Kramer resigned to allow him to legally apply for the position of Clarkdale town manager after current Town Manager Gayle Mabery retires next summer. Under Clarkdale town code, no person is permitted to be appointed to that job within a year of having been on the council.
Hunseder was one of two applicants for the council position, along with Edward Loesche. They completed written applications with questions from council, and were interviewed in person by council at the previous meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 16.
In choosing Hunseder, all four of Clarkdale’s current council members were heavy in their praise of both Hunseder and Loach.
“Either one of them would be a great addition to our council, but since we’re not allowed to appoint two, we have to choose one,” Vice Mayor Richard Dehnert said. “Of the two candidates, the one with the longest tenure as a resident of Clarkdale and most involvement in activities is Hunseder.”
As a Clarkdale resident for 14 years before being appointed to the council, Hunseder has already served in numerous other public capacities, working for the Clarkdale Planning and Zoning Commission, Clarkdale Downtown Business Alliance, Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization and the Clarkdale Historical Society and Museum.
“I have loved the town of Clarkdale for years, even before I became a resident,” Hunseder wrote in her written application. “I am deeply interested in doing whatever I can to build a strong town while preserving our history, protecting our quality of life, and ensuring the viability of our town while living within our financial means.”
“I truly believe both candidates would be perfect for the Clarkdale Town Council,” Councilman Scott Buckley said. “But in working so much with Deb Hunseder in so many different aspects of things in Clarkdale — Clarktoberfest and the Verde Valley Wine Fest and everything — her organization and her determination for perfection with zero expectance of any kind of compensation. I mean, she doesn’t even expect a pat on the back. I think that she’s been sort of a leader from behind in Clarkdale for a long time.”
Having been unanimously approved at the meeting, Hunseder signed a written oath of office shortly afterwards at the Clark Memorial Clubhouse. Her term begins 24 hours after the signing, at around 4:10 on Wednesday, Oct. 24.
Hunseder’s term will only actually last until Tuesday, Nov. 13, when her seat is supposed to be turned over to the winner of the Aug. 28 Town Council primary. Since Kramer won that and is expected to not take his seat, there will be a vacancy for the seat again starting on Nov. 13. The Clarkdale Town Council must again vote to fill that vacancy.
Hunseder’s first Town Council meeting will be Thursday, Nov. 8.
Jon Hecht can be reached at 634-8551, or email jhecht@larsonnewspapers.com
