AZLE — The Azle City Council appointed two new members to its up-and-coming beautification board at an Oct. 15 meeting. Azle High School senior Aspen Castaneda was appointed as the board's dedicated student member in Place 5 and March Roofing owner Ryan Nelson was appointed to Place 7.
When designing the seven-member board last winter, the council wanted to ensure applicants came from a variety of positions and perspectives and included a requirement that one of the members be an AHS student residing within the city. Castaneda now fills that spot, and the board is a step closer to holding its first meeting and beginning its first environmental and aesthetic projects for the community.
In an application for the seat, Castaneda said she is passionate about the environment and is eager to ensure that this is reflected by the board’s actions. The student is responsible for the upkeep and management of the school’s nature trail where she focuses on ensuring the space stays a refuge for native plants and wildlife. She also interns at the Fort Worth Nature Center which she said has given her valuable knowledge for the position.
“I would really like to see some more policy, hopefully,” Castaneda said of her goals for future projects. “Maybe even just more greenery and more plants, possibly native plants, around Azle just to show the beauty of natural landscapes.”
Alan Brundrett, Azle mayor, agreed and said he had similar projects in mind already, especially along roadways and intersections in town.
New Place 7 appointee Ryan Nelson has already involved himself in Azle beautification by acting as a leading member in recent efforts to clean up trash from Ash Creek. Nelson thinks his experience on boards for the Azle Area Chamber of Commerce and Azle Youth Association in addition to years of construction experience will make him a valuable asset for future projects as well. Nelson said he sees incredible potential for the city and he’d “love to help make Azle what it could be.” After working with him on past projects, Azle’s mayor pro-tem vouched for Nelson’s inclusion on the board.
“He's very enthusiastic, and I thought he would be a good addition to our board,” Randa Goode said. “He had some ideas on ways to improve and the enthusiasm to do it, and also the work ethic.”