Blue River mayor resigns

BLUE RIVER - Darcy Lystlund abruptly resigned from her position as Blue River's mayor last Wednesday, a day after the Board of Trustees voted to move forward with a somewhat controversial ballot question asking if residents want to pay to pave the town's roads.

On Thursday, Lystlund confirmed she resigned her post as she boarded an airplane to leave town, and declined to comment. On Friday, she did not return phone calls seeking comment.

"It caught all of us by surprise in the sense of the timing," Trustee Rob Waterman said of Lystlund's resignation.

Waterman speculated that Lystlund, a local real estate broker associate, grew tired of the time and energy she put into the volunteer position, and did not feel appreciated.

Mayor Pro-tem Howard Smith, who is now acting mayor in light of Lystlund's resignation, said he got along well with Lystlund and the two worked together quite well throughout Smith's six-year tenure on the board.

"I think she did a really good job under the circumstances on the issues she dealt with," Smith said. "She took a lot of pride in trying to make the community better based on the input from the citizens."

Blue River is a small, mostly residential town just south of Breckenridge that is generally quiet and low-key, but tensions have been on the rise recently as the board opted to place a question to voters on the November ballot asking whether the town should pave its network of narrow, gravel roads.

Opponents say that if the special taxing district passes, many longer term residents won't be able to afford the approximately $18,000 cost to pave the roads. Supporters say paving the roads will make them more driveable, and increase property values.

Lystlund served as a trustee for several years before she was appointed as mayor to finish out her predecessor's term in April 2002.

Two years later, she ran unopposed to retain her seat. Her term was set to expire in 2008.

Acting Mayor Smith said the board has 60 days to appoint a board member to fill in as mayor until Lystlund's term expires, at which time a new mayor would be elected.

The board will discuss how to move forward at its Sept. 19 meeting, Smith said.