Twisp River Pub owner cites business experience
By Ann McCreary
Aaron Studen, owner of the Twisp River Pub, has been selected by the Twisp Town Council to fill a council seat previously held by Clint Estes.
The position has been vacant since Estes resigned in July. The term runs through December 2017, and Studen will be required to run in the next general election in November 2015 if he wants to serve the remainder of the term.
“One of the things I’ve always wanted to dedicate more time to is community service,” Studen told council members during an interview at the council’s Oct. 28 meeting.
“Being a business owner, one of the reasons I want to be on the council is I want to make sure businesses are heard. Many business owners don’t live in town,” said Studen, who noted that he previously lived outside the town limits.
“As one of the larger employers in Twisp, I feel like I could bring a lot to the table,” Studen said.
Studen said he views Twisp’s need for an adequate supply of year-round municipal water as one of the top issues. “I’m eager to learn more about that,” he told the council.
The town has applied to the state Department of Ecology for year-round, municipal water rights.
“From a personal standpoint, I would like to see the sports complex go through in the south end of town. I would like to take that on as my project, and give extra time to it. If done properly, we have the resources to pull this off,” Studen said.
One of the “biggest assets” for Twisp is second homeowners and tourists that help support the economy, Studen said.
“As a restaurant owner I recognize that those people are keeping us in business,” he said.
Studen said he would apply the skills he has developed in managing his restaurant over the past 17 years to his work as a council member.
Studen told the council he would plan to run for election to fill the remainder of the term through 2017.
“The longer people stay in a position, the more they can contribute in terms of experience,” he said.
Studen will be sworn in at the next town council meeting, said Mayor Soo Ing-Moody.
