The mayor’s gavel was passed from Dean Brookie to Christina Rinderle on Tuesday.
The councilors lauded Brookie’s year of mayoral service, which included advocacy trips to Washington after the Gold King Mine spill.
“He went above and beyond this year, especially with the Gold King,” Rinderle said.
Rinderle was the youngest female city councilor when she took her seat, and she is now in her eighth and final year on the council.
She noted progress has been made toward legalizing small rental units, known as accessory dwelling units, buying open space and renewing a half-cent tax dedicated to parks projects.
But many priorities remain, and she plans to preside as she did before, with her pink gavel in hand.
“We have no shortage of goals to accomplish and decisions to make,” she said.
Rinderle’s position as mayor pro tem will be filled by Councilor Dick White.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
