by Larry Patrick
WALSENBURG- The City of Walsenburg hired a new finance director to replace Krystel Vigil who resigned two months ago. David G. Johnston was hired over seven applicants for the position. Johnston and his wife currently live in Pueblo but are planning to relocate to Walsenburg.
Johnston is a public accountant who ran his own accounting firms in Casper, Wyoming and Pueblo, Colorado. He and his wife have also operated a home health care business and a hardware business during their careers. Johnston said he has been self-employed for most of his career and this is the first job in over 30 years that he is working for an employer.
Dave and his wife have been married for 33 years and have three children and five grandchildren.
Johnston says he took the city position of finance director because of the challenge.
The City of Walsenburg has been in severe financial straits for the past year. The mayor and some members of the city council were not happy with Vigil and felt that someone with more experience could give them reports they could better understand. They also hoped that someone with more experience could put the city in a better financial position. Vigil resigned for health reasons, claiming in a letter to council that some of the treatment she received from council and the city treasurer made it difficult to do her job and created stress that affected her health. Vigil worked for the City of Walsenburg for four years.
