Wednesday October 14, 2009
The current leadership at the aspen music festival and school is ending. Alan Fletcher, President and CEO of the institution, one of Aspen’s most prestigious, is leaving at the end of this month—according to a press release issued on Tuesday.
No reason was given for the change. Just recently Fletcher was given an extended contract through next summer’s season, but the announcement only praised his leadership and mentioned that a committee was being formed to find a replacement.
Several music festival attendees noted in letters to the editor in recent years that they thought that Fletcher was cold and aloof in his dealings with the public.�
TV Aspen News, our sister station KUUR and KSNO, had no difficulty during interviews with the CEO in the past three years, most recently during the quest by the Aspen Museum to gain voter approval for a new facility.
Fletcher has led the Aspen Music Festival and School since 2006.�
He’s a composer who had several pieces performed at the Music Festival.
Prior to coming to Aspen, Fletcher was the head of the school of Music at Carnegie Mellon University.
He was featured this summer in a weekly edition of the Aspen Times; profiling his achievements as President and CEO of the Aspen Music Festival and School.
Hillary Fletcher, no relation to the AMFS president, told the pitkin county commissioners on Tuesday that her recommendations as county manager to balance the budget next year—–would include more than 330 thousand dollars slashed from county payroll and benefits. Three community Development Department jobs will remain vacant—-and not filling those saves more than two thirds of the needed amount. But the balance of cuts will come in the form of hiring freezes, pay freezes, and possible reductions in benefits including bus passes.�
There was talk about lowering the $920 payout to employees as the health and wellness benefit (that money used for items like ski passes or gym memberships) down to $700, but several commissioners including Jack Hatfield urged that carrot stay in place as an incentive to someone working and living in a ski town.
Pitkin County’s budget for next year will be reviewed each quarter by the BOCC—and if necessary will be adjusted depending on what happens with the economy.
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