Council appointed Petri Darby to the seat vacated by Heather Jefts in late October. Darby will serve out the remainder of Jefts’ term, which is set to expire in May.
Darby was one of three candidates who were interviewed for the seat. Other applicants included Darron Jurada, a board member of the Cedar Park Parks and Trails Foundation, and Dean Dasher, a former Cedar Park firefighter.
Council approved Darby’s appointment 5-0.
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Darby works as the vice president of brand, creative and communications for the Charles Butt Foundation, and has served on multiple school district councils, bond steering committees and campaigns during his 11 years in the city. He is also the chair of Make-a-Wish Central & South Texas and serves on the board of Cedar Park’s Economic Development Sales Tax Corp.
Each candidate was asked the same series of questions, including inquiries about their leadership style, their availability to serve, and the projects and initiatives in the city which they were most excited about.
Darby said the projects he’s most excited about are the CedarView development being built around the upcoming NFM store, the continued revitalization of the Bell District, and the ongoing rezoning and reconstruction of the Lime Creek Quarry, which is being converted into a hub for life science corporations and economic development.
Quote of note
“I don’t have any grand sweeping change plans or big frustrations I’m looking to solve in six months, but I’ve seen what happens when the city gets mired down in the politics of division and distraction, and also what happens council works together, when staff is empowered and supported and given the resources that they need,” Darby said. “I believe low-drama government paves the way for exciting progress.”
