YOUR AD HERE »

Post Independent Opinion

Steve Rippy is walking away from his job, but he will never walk away from New Castle.Rippy’s commitment to his hometown has been unwavering for more than 20 years. First as a town council member, then mayor and lastly as the town administrator, Rippy helped bring the one-time tiny town into the modern era.As one of the fastest growing towns in the state throughout the 1990s, New Castle needed a sound leader and someone focused on handling growth correctly.Rippy got the job done. Whether it was upgrading the sewer system, preparing for more traffic or helping create economic growth, Rippy knew that growth would overwhelm New Castle if the proper steps were not taken.Rippy was sometimes scrutinized for his decisions. Part of that was because Rippy was a New Castle native. But New Castle was changing and it needed to keep up. Decisions often come with close examination and disagreement. Not every decision was supported, or popular, but regardless of what direction Rippy went, his decisions were always based on what he believed was best for the town and its residents.Being a native was part of the reason Rippy decided to step down as administrator. He couldn’t get away from the job. Everyone wanted to bend Rippy’s ear and he was more than happy to lend it.Rippy and New Castle will be forever linked. And that’s the way it should be. His dedication to public service can be measured in years; however, his commitment to his hometown can never be truly measured – or fully appreciated.Even after stepping down as administrator, Rippy will remain on a part-time basis until August.His dedication was often selfless and came at the expense of spending time with his family.Rippy needs to be commended for his many years of service to New Castle.New Castle has changed dramatically since Steve Rippy roamed the playgrounds as a child. Thanks to Rippy’s commitment and eye for the future, the town may be vastly different today, but it’s in good shape as a community that continues to grow and prosper.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Glenwood Springs and Garfield County make the Post Independent’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.