Fairfax Council Woman to Resign in April

Fairfax Councilwoman Pam Hartwell, who served as the town’s mayor in 2012, has submitted her official resignation. 

In a resignation letter to Fairfax leaders and community members (see it attached at the right as a PDF), Hartwell said is returning to her Minnesota roots in June, she wrote:

“I am heading home to Minnesota, the land of my childhood, to recreate the lifestyle that inspired the respect I have for community, resourcefulness, and conservation that has guided my service. I need to be closer to my moms, care for some beautiful land, raise some goats, and give my daughter a year she will never forget.”

Her resignation from council will be effective on April 9.

In the letter, Hartwell, who lived in Fairfax for 14 years, reflects on her time on council.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve such a progressive town that embodies community and courage,” she wrote.

Hartwell, who was elected to the Fairfax Town Council in 2009, was the executive director of Sustainable Fairfax from 2004 to 2011. She is the development director for the public banking institute.

Some of her personal highlights while being on council, which she outlines in her resignation letter, include:

• “One of my first votes was to financially support the now-lauded Marin Energy Authority in its hard won push away from procurement of dirty energy by PG&E.”
• “Working on the newly renamed Zero Waste Committee to write a hauling contract was a steep and challenging opportunity that put our values into practice in a binding contract. Our set goals and benchmarks of reaching a 94 percent diversion away from the landfill is unheard of anywhere else in the United States.”
• Giving Sleepy Hollow a vote on Fairfax’s regional fire board
• “Bringing Cittaslow certification to Fairfax recognizes many years of service by a great many elected and active citizens and acts as a guide for the future to retain our unique character and rich history.”
• Speaking at the Green Party Presidential nomination Convention
• Cutting the ribbon at the new Good Earth store
• Serving on the committee that created Fairfax’s first Streets for People

Hartwell said she hopes to have “one last fun community project that marks our celebration of creativity and beauty” before she leaves Fairfax.

Hartwell’s resignation comes roughly two months after Ryan O’Neil resigned from the council because he bought a home just outside the town’s limit.

Last week, the council interviewed seven candidates to replace O’Neil.

After the interviews, the council was split between two candidates, Barbara Coler and Renee Goddard. They will make their selection at the April 3 meeting.

Fairfax Town Clerk Judy Anderson (whose last day was March 29 before she retires before the end of her term) said the council will discuss what to do to fill Hartwell’s vacancy at the same April 3 meeting (which begins at 7 p.m. at the Fairfax Women's Club.) 

O’Neil’s replacement will serve until the November 2013 election, when the open seat will be placed on the ballot.

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