Eagle Town Council race is a full boat with 14 candidates running for 5 seats

In Eagle’s last election for Town Council in 2023, only three candidates appeared on the ballot for three open seats. This year, voters have plenty more choices.

With three candidates running for mayor and 11 more running for four open seats, it’s the largest field for a Town Council vote in recent memory for the town of 7,500 or so residents.

The only election that comes close is 2021, when nine candidates ran for four open seats. There were six candidates in the 2019 and 2016 council races, seven in the 2014 field and just three in 2018.

It’s a diverse array of hopefuls that includes two incumbents currently serving on the council, two candidates who waged unsuccessful write-in campaigns in 2023 and a bevy of newcomers.

For residents wanting to hear from the candidates themselves, the Eagle Chamber is hosting a forum on Thursday in the Town Council chambers starting at 6 p.m. In-person seating is at capacity for those who registered, and no unregistered walk-ins will be permitted entry, but for those who can’t attend in person, the forum will be live streamed. After the forum concludes at 8:30 p.m., voters can head over to The Collective on Second to meet with the candidates in person. More information on Thursday’s forum, and the livestream link, can be found at: Business.Eaglechamber.co/events/details/eagle-chamber-hosts-the-eagle-town-council-mayoral-candidate-forum-3684.

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A new-look council

Those elected will chart the town’s course in the coming years with current Mayor Scott Turnipseed and Mayor Pro Tem Mikel “Pappy” Kerst terming out at the end of this year and Council member Ellen Bodenhemier not seeking reelection. Council member Nick Sunday also resigned on July 21, with the council opting not to appoint someone to the seat and instead leaving it open for this year’s election.  

The two incumbents in the field are Bryan K. Woods and Geoffrey Grimmer. Woods was elected to a four-year council term in 2023 and is seeking to succeed Turnipseed as mayor. Grimmer was elected to a four-year term in 2021 after earlier being appointed to an open seat and is running for one of the four open Town Council seats.

The race for mayor

Also in the mayoral race are Jason Cole, the CEO of Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate, and Tom Olden, who runs a mechanical timber harvesting contracting business.

Cole said he’s running “because I believe Eagle has everything it needs to thrive, but too often, the energy and excitement stop at ‘meh.'”

“My campaign, Make Eagle Happen, is about shifting that attitude,” he wrote in a Vail Daily candidate questionnaire. “We’ve got a strong foundation; great people, natural beauty, and a genuine sense of community, but we need leadership that turns potential into progress. I want to bring focus, collaboration, and momentum to projects that move Eagle forward while keeping the small-town heart that makes this place special.”

Olden ran an unsuccessful write-in campaign for a council seat two years ago, losing out by 520 votes for the third and final seat won by Woods.

In his candidate questionnaire, Olden said Eagle is at a crossroads and that he’s running “to help guide our town back to the tranquil lifestyle we moved here for.”

“Growth is outpacing infrastructure, downtown is languishing, and decisions are being made by Town Council without much acknowledgement of public input,” Olden wrote. “We need to protect what makes Eagle special, support local businesses with smart effort, and ensure development truly benefits residents.”

Woods is touting his experience on the council in his pitch to Eagle voters.

“Mayor is not a position to learn on the job — it requires understanding how local government operates, how to work effectively with staff, and how to build regional partnerships,” he wrote in a candidate questionnaire to the Vail Daily. “My two years on council, combined with my service on the Core Transit and Downtown Development Authority boards, have prepared me to lead Eagle through this pivotal moment.”

11 candidates for four council seats

The race for the four open Town Council seats features a diverse array of candidates — from a former Navy SEAL to a pair of local restaurateurs and others with backgrounds in nonprofit work, property management, public education, commercial banking, real estate and construction.

Brian Kunkel hails from Eagle and is the founder of Second Street Tavern in downtown Eagle. Todd Morrison is the principal owner at Precision Construction West, Inc. Tania Jordet is a property manager with Vail Resorts who also previously served in the United States Air Force.  

Robert D’Agostino is a former Navy SEAL of 20 years who has spent the last decade in the private sector. He said he’s running “to give back to the community that has given me so much.”

“I bring leadership, accountability, and problem-solving to the table,” D’Agostino wrote in his candidate questionnaire. “Since moving here, I’ve stayed involved — serving as president of Eagle Community Gardens and volunteering at the golf course. I believe in smart, sustainable growth, protecting our outdoor lifestyle and wildlife, and listening to our residents. I’m committed to helping guide Eagle’s future with integrity, service, and a deep respect for our small-town character.”

Scott Schreiner has worked in a variety of positions at Colorado Mountain College and other local nonprofits, as well as being the primary caregiver of his children.    

“I was lucky enough to find Eagle in 2007, and in 2008 married my wife at the Brush Creek Pavilion,” he said. “We have called Eagle home for the past 18 years and have been blessed with the opportunity to raise two daughters in such a wonderful place. This is why I am running for Town Council, so that these same opportunities are available for all of our children and current and future residents to settle down, make a life, and call Eagle home for generations to come.”

Casey Glowacki is the owner of Cut and the Drunken Goat in Edwards and Wild Sage, Capitol Public House and Cut (Eagle) in Eagle Ranch.

“I see a ton of untapped potential in Eagle,” Glowacki wrote in his candidate questionnaire. “I see closed doors that need to be filled, Broadway quiet, businesses begging for more traffic, locals mourning the loss of the Block party, first-time buyers not able to buy a home, and workers finding it necessary to leave town daily to make money.”

Mark Bergman has served on a number of public boards and is currently the chair of the Eagle County Zoning Board of Adjustment and serves on the Eagle County Land Use Rewrite Advisory Committee.

“Serving on Town Council is not an entry-level role,” Bergman wrote. “It requires maturity, collaboration, and the ability to make tough decisions while respecting differing perspectives. It requires a thorough understanding of how elected leadership works with town staff to reach our goals. Electing me will add seasoned leadership, proven results, and a lifetime of service to our Town Council.”

Timothy Haley is a commercial banking officer with Alpine Bank.

“I was asked by several members of the Eagle community if I would consider running,” Haley wrote in his questionnaire. “They felt that my specific skill set would be a benefit to the residents and the town as a whole.”

Scott Davison, an escrow officer, said he’s running “to bring fresh leadership, protect our town’s beauty and spirit, while fostering sustainable growth.

“As a council member and neighbor, I’ll support local businesses, ensure fiscal responsibility, and promote transparent governance,” he said. “My goal is to listen, lead with integrity, and be an advocate for the people of Eagle, ensuring that Eagle stays vibrant and in sync with residents’ values for a thriving future.”

McCrackin is the director of regional strategy for the Community Office for Resource Efficiency based in Basalt.

“As a young, working-class resident, I don’t see the struggles and interests of people like me reflected in local leadership,” McCrackin wrote in her questionnaire. “Too many friends and neighbors have left our beautiful community due to rising costs and unattainable homeownership. I want to be a voice for my often-overlooked demographic and bring fresh energy to our leadership.”

Grimmer, the only incumbent in the field of 11, is the executive director of the Adam Palmer Sustainability Fund.

“Serving on Council 2015-2016 was a big leadership jump for me, and I was forced to learn and adapt quickly to the depth and complexity of local government,” Grimmer wrote in his candidate questionnaire. “Today, I am running for council to execute our town vision, facilitate a strong sense of teamwork within our council, and support our very talented staff.