Outgoing Mayor Powell Receives Keys to City of Crouch
By Janet Juroch
Outgoing Mayor Robert “Bob” Powell has been a part of the community in various ways, including 24 years at the Garden Valley School District. From 1996-2001 he was a 6th grade teacher, a Middle School Math and Science teacher from 2001- 2020 and Middle School head teacher from 2001-2006. He served as Athletic Director from 2006-2018.
Before being on Crouch City Council for over 20 years, with most of that time serving as Mayor, Powell also fulfilled service in the military for 20 years as an Imagery Interpretation Specialist from 1973-1993.
He has seen many changes in Crouch over the years, stating “so many things have changed in the last 21 years it’s hard to keep up with, but fortunately we have controlled the growth of our small city.” Some of these changes and/or memories he was involved in as Mayor was the complete renovation of the community hall, the move into the old library (new city hall), started a water system for the City of Crouch, the new bridge, Exergy bike tour, Capitol for the day, and updated many ordinances to help with growth of the city. Powell recalls that, “so many things have changed in the last 21 years it’s hard to keep up with.”
His tenure was not without challenges. The development of the water system to lots of work and planning over the course of many, many meetings and workshops. Such similar challenges came with the creation of a two-lane bridge (from the original one lane). The pandemic also presented its own issues of the best practices needed to continue work while following the science for health and safety. As a science teacher, he had to juggle his information from science and what the town-people wanted. The pursuit of governing for health and safety has always been at the top of the list of mayoral duties.
Now that Powell is retired from teaching and Mayor responsibilities, he says he would like “to travel and visit my children and grandchildren, and just go along with whatever else comes my way.” Powell received honorary Key to the City for his timeless and devoted years of service to the City of Crouch. His signature, always done with his purple pen to represent the Garden Valley Wolverine colors, will be missed.
