THATCHER — For the second time in three months, the Thatcher Town Council has voted to appoint a new member to the council.
During a special meeting Monday, the council unanimously selected Carolina Gaethje to fill the seat made vacant by the resignation of Shaffen Woods. Woods stepped down due to a conflict of interest, having accepted a position with the Thatcher Police Department.
“Throughout the interview process, I though her (Gaethje’s) answers were concise and on point with what we were asking,” Vice Mayor Mark Vining said. “I think we had great candidates across the board through, we were in a no-lose situation.
Gaethje, the retired postmaster for the Safford branch of the U.S. Postal Service, currently serves as the chairwoman of the Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center board of directors.
Gaethje will be sworn in during the Thatcher Town Council’s October meeting and she will serve the remainder of Woods’ term, which runs through December 2028.
“My first goal would be to listen — to residents, staff, and learn from my fellow council members. I’d like to help set clear priorities around infrastructure maintenance and housing needs, while supporting long-term planning for water and safety,” Gaethje said in an e-mail to Gila Valley Central.
“I want to help Thatcher grow responsibly, protect its resources, and make sure our community remains a safe, vibrant place for families.”
In July, Ryan Allen was selected to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Heston Welker. Welker resigned after he and his family moved to a new home in Central.
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 1:28 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, with Gaethje’s comments.
