FRIDAY, September 4, 2026|
Photo – Saratoga Town Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo
Saratoga officials chose Joe Parrie to take Mike Cooley’s spot on the town council.
On July 15th, Saratoga Councilman Mike Cooley resigned his position on the governing body. He had served on the council since 2022. Following his resignation, the council requested letters of interest from residents willing to serve the final two years of Cooley’s term.
During the August 19th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Mayor Chuck Davis announced that he had received letters of interest from four residents seeking to fill Councilman Cooley’s unexpired term: retired Carbon Power and Light Director of Member Services and Marketing Joe Parrie, business owner Antoinette Cleoni, Recreation Commission President Megan James, and Platte Valley Arts Council member Mark Willford. However, Willford was ruled ineligible to serve because he technically lives outside of town limits. The council chose to meet with the remaining three candidates before making a decision and postponed the appointment until the next meeting.
At Wednesday evening’s Saratoga Town Council meeting, Mayor Chuck Davis asked the three candidates to speak before the governing body. Joe Parrie was first. He explained that as the owner of Parrie Properties and the former director of member services and marketing for Carbon Power and Light, he is committed to the town and its people. Parrie said he preferred to wait until after he retired to seek office, recognizing that he did not have enough time to dedicate to the council’s work.
Parrie added that he has no agenda and believes the town is in a stable position. Although, he acknowledged that he was frustrated by people walking their dogs on the freshly laid turf at Never Forget Park.
Following his comments, Mayor Chuck Davis asked Parrie how he could help the council if chosen to serve. Parrie responded that his family owned an auto parts store, giving him practical knowledge of equipment costs. In addition, as a lifelong Saratoga resident, he said he expected to work well with the other council members.
Antoinette Cleoni was next. She explained that she has lived in Saratoga for 13 years and, as a small business owner and voter, she is invested in the town’s future. Cleoni said she has been attending Town Council and Planning and Zoning Committee meetings to learn more about how the town works. If selected to serve on the Town Council, Cleoni said she would work to improve Saratoga while respecting its history.
Cleoni said she views obstacles as opportunities and wants to serve as a bridge between what people want and what the town needs to thrive.
Mayor Chuck Davis also asked Cleoni how she could help the council if chosen to serve. The candidate replied that she has a clear understanding of what is needed and is receptive to new ideas.
And finally, Mayor Davis asked Recreation Commission President Megan James to address the council. James asked Town Clerk Jennifer Anderson to read her letter of interest, which explained that her experience on the Recreation Commission has allowed her to work closely with the community.
In her letter, James, who is married to former mayor Creed James, wrote that she is willing to do what it takes to get things done and believes a small town’s strength comes from its residents’ willingness to serve.
Like the other two candidates, Mayor Chuck Davis asked James what qualities she could bring to the council. The Recreation Commission president said that, as a woman, she would add diversity to the governing body.
If chosen to serve on the town council, James would be required to resign her position on the Recreation Commission. Mayor Davis asked the candidate for her thoughts on that. James said she was willing to step down, and that the commission would manage without her. However, James added that she had no issues if one of the other two candidates were appointed instead.
Mayor Chuck Davis thanked the applicants and said the choice would be difficult. Councilman Barkhurst added that he was encouraged that three qualified candidates applied for the open seat.
After his remarks, Councilman Barkhurst moved to appoint Megan James to the governing body. Barkhurst, who serves as the council’s liaison to the Recreation Commission, said he should back James, as he was partially responsible for her decision to submit a letter of interest.
Councilman Barkhurst’s motion died for lack of a second. Councilman Cory Oxford then moved to appoint Joe Parrie to the governing body. Councilman Jerry Fluty seconded, and the motion passed. After the vote, Mayor Chuck Davis administered the oath of office and Parrie took his place on the Saratoga Town Council.
