As was previously posted, the Mayor has appointed Robert (Bob) Barlow for the empty Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Board spot. At the Thursday, Dec. 17th Commission meeting,7 p.m., the Commission will 'approve' or 'not approve' the Mayor's appointment of Bob Barlow for the P&Z Board. Tonight I emailed a letter to the City asking the Commissioners to not appoint Mr. Barlow as I think Tom Turner should have been next in line for appointment to the P&Z Board. Here is my letter:
To: Commissioners Quam, Mattick, Stoltzfus, Webb & Woodland
Cc: Mayor Barford, Planning & Zoning Board Members
From: Robin Wall, 112 Palmetto Ave.
Date: December 15, 2009
Subject: December 17, 2009 Commission Meeting re: Appointment of Robert Barlow to P&Z Board
Commissioners,
I see on the agenda for your December 17th Regular Commission meeting, 7 p.m., that Consent agenda item # 9.a. reads “Mayor’s Appointment to Planning & Zoning Board – Robert Barlow (Term to 7/11)”.
I ask that you deny the appointment of Mr. Barlow to the Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Board. I ask this, not because I think Mr. Barlow couldn’t perform the role as P&Z Board member, but because I think that applications for persons who want to serve on the Planning & Zoning Board should be considered in the order received. It’s my recollection that applications for the P&Z Board were submitted to the City in the following order: 1) Michael Coleman, 2) Tom Turner, 3) Charlie Daniel, 4) Carl Pearman and 5) Bob Barlow.
Previously, many citizens made it clear that Mr. Coleman should be passed over because of the obvious conflict of interest. I think the next person who should be considered for a position on the P&Z Board is Tom Turner as his application was next in line. Mr. Turner attends P&Z Board and City Commission meetings on a regular basis and gives his input. Over his many years of residency, he has shown interest in serving out City, even running for Mayor in 2006. He served as Chairperson on the P&Z Board in the 90’s for at least 7 years and in the past served in the Air Force, worked in insurance claims and held a real estate license. Mr. Turner is familiar with our codes, having personally worked on many of them when the LDRs were being written in the mid-90’s. I know that he would be ready and willing to serve if appointed.
Commissioners, I again ask that you not approve the appointment of Robert Barlow to the P&Z Board for the main reason that Tom Turner submitted to the City his P&Z Board application months before Mr. Barlow submitted his application.
Sincerely,
Robin Wall
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
On Dec. 17th, 7 p.m. Commission to Approve or Not Approve Mayor's Appointment of Bob Barlow for P&Z Board
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The Mayor’s appointment of Robert Barlow was approved by the Commission with a 2 to 2 tie vote. John Quam & Harry Stoltzfus voted ‘no’ and Chuck Webb & Dale Woodland voted ‘ yes’ to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Barlow to the P&Z Board.
ReplyDeleteHere’s the code that applies:
“Sec. 2-21(c) The members of the planning and zoning board shall be appointed by the mayor. The city commission shall approve all appointments to the board. In the event of a tie vote of approval by the city commission, the nominee's appointment shall be deemed approved. Appointments to fill a vacancy created by resignation, removal or otherwise, shall be filled within 30 days of the vacancy becoming effective. The appointment shall be made by the mayor and approved by the city commission in accordance with this subsection.”
Mayor Barford said something like, in her opinion, Mr. Barlow is the best person for the position on the P&Z Board. While the Mayor may appoint any qualified person she chooses, I still think that she should have appointed Tom Turner as he was well qualified and had submitted his application months before Mr. Barlow submitted his.
In my opinion, it’s a shame that there weren’t at least 3 ‘no’ votes from the Commissioners.
Note: Citizens may always request a tape(s) of the public meetings from the City Clerk’s Office.