Los Alamos County Councilor Keith Lepsch
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Newly seated Los Alamos County Councilor Keith Lepsch is entering his term with a positive point of view.
Lepsch was nominated, endorsed by local residents, on April 5 to fill a vacant seat on the Los Alamos County Council.
As a newcomer to council, he said he will continue to learn and gain a greater understanding of what is involved in local governing. Lepsch added that his goal is to further strengthen what is positive in Los Alamos.
“Generally, we have a really nice community … I think I can contribute to helping us continue to move forward,” he said.
Lepsch identified issues that he hopes to address with the other Council members while serving. For instance, after seeing two houses in his neighborhood sell for record high prices he would like to make sure people can afford to work and live in Los Alamos.
“I feel it is important that people who work in the community can live in the community,” he said.
Additionally, Lepsch said he is nostalgic for former local businesses like the Coffee Booth, CB FOX and the Reel Deal theater. As a result, he said he wants to support local businesses. He added that he is interested in learning and understanding what resources are available locally to businesses such as the retail accelerator program that was provided by the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce and MainStreet. Lepsch said he also is excited to learn that Pig + Fig has plans to expand in Los Alamos.
“It would be great if there are things the Council can do to support small business growth and development,” he said.
Another area of interest for Lepsch is public safety. He said that Los Alamos is a relatively safe community but “let’s not take that for granted; let’s continue to maintain the safety of our community for all residents, workers and visitors and support our local police and fire department resources.”
Lastly, as a biking enthusiast, Lepsch shared that most days when he is not at work, his primary transportation is his bicycle.
“I enjoy the recreational opportunities in this town,” he said; adding he appreciates that he can bike to and from the grocery store, his son’s school, recreational and fitness facilities, and Canyon Rim trail. He often is with his young son in a bicycle trailer or single wheel trailer bicycle and his dog on such trips.
As a result, addressing recreational opportunities in the County is another objective for Lepsch. In these early days of service Lepsch said he is focusing on learning and understanding local government and the scope of his role as a councilor.
“I expect during my learning process that I will see and learn things that will change my opinion and that’s okay,” he said.
Since starting on Council, Lepsch has had to hit the ground running. Immediately following his appointment, Los Alamos County began its budget hearing process. To be more effective, Lepsch said he has been meeting and talking with County department heads as well as their staff.
“Everyone has been so professional and helpful,” he said, adding, “I appreciate the challenge and I look forward to working and learning from my colleagues and constituents.”
As part of the learning process, Lepsch said he plans to hold meet and greets with residents.
“It is my goal to listen and hear and incorporate people’s thoughts and opinions,” he said.
While Lepsch said he doesn’t want to be like a weather vane and just turn in whatever direction the wind is blowing, he does want to be responsive to the needs of the community.
As background, Lepsch arrived in Los Alamos in 2007 with the following credentials: RN, BSN, CCRN, CFRN and CNOR(E). Lepsch was accepted for a position at Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC). With his education and experience Lepsch initially applied to be a nurse but was instead recruited to be the hospital educator.
Lepsch served a variety of roles during his 11 years at LAMC. By the time he left in 2018, Lepsch was the Director of Surgical Services and Outpatient Infusion Clinic for six years. Lepsch is now a flight nurse/preceptor for Classic Air Medical. He explained that he can fill the medical role of nurse, paramedic and a preceptor for both roles.
His wife, Carolina, also is a registered nurse. In addition to currently working full-time in the home health care field she is completing studies to become a Nurse Practitioner. Lespsch and Carolina have a 6-year-old son Fabian as well as a dog and cat. They reside in the eastern area of Los Alamos.
