Selecting a New Planning Commissioner - Part 2

Yesterday we looked at some of the life experiences and demographic variables of the 10 people applying to fill the vacant seat on the Planning Commission. Today we’ll look at the response to the fill-in question of what they hope to accomplish. Some of the longer answers have been shortened.

Tom Cagley

“My agenda would be to apply my various and varied background in planning to enhance and provide guidance for the ever increasing viability of our city as it matures and develops over the next decade…I believe the Planning Commission has a duty to balance growth of the City’s business community, infrastructure issues that include transportation, traffic, water resources and residential development, without prejudice or bias.”

Debra Okano

“Success as a commissioner would mean that I have listened to all voices in a debate, weighed all options with an open mind, and provide leadership that results in positive short-term and long-term outcomes for the community as a whole.”

Frank Deni

“Provide the City Manager and City Council with objective and experience-based assessments of proposed city projects and offer options and analysis of potential city infrastructure projects. Participate in providing input for City planning and building codes.”

Robert DeAlmeida

“…I support the concepts of sustainable prosperity through the creation of employment opportunities, the re-enforcement of the tax base, the reduction of housing costs, the improved efficiency of transportation infrastructure, the enhancement [sic] the aesthetic character of the community, and the prevention of urban decay…”

Tom Ludden

“My goal is to encourage citizens to bring projects before the commission to make the best possible use of the property. I want to make sure that signage in commercial areas is top quality, meets zoning requirements and fits the character of the area where it will be installed. My objective is to approve projects that provide maximum benefit to the citizens of Lake Forest.”

Barry Fast

“I would like to bring fresh perspective with an educated and experienced background to the local planning environment.”

Marcia Rudolph

“Continue the orderly development of the OSA and other vacant land to fit into the existing development”

Hugh Everhart

“Serve my community in a manner consistent with the values established by a good family upbringing, attainment of Eagle Scout rank and leadership training gained during my MBA education.”

Lawrence Arthur

“To facilitate the process.”

Steve Campos

• “Participate in the approval of 100 projects

• Learn how our city operates and develop a relationship with the people who run it

• Expand my knowledge of City Planning

• Have some fun.”

I hope this review is informative, but don’t spend a lot of time trying to figure out who is and who isn’t qualified, because it’s clear that the Council isn’t interested in who is/isn’t qualified. Twice before they refused to elect either Dave Carter or Terry Anderson, both of who were well regarded and former PC members, and neither one applied this time. Twice before they refused to elect nearly a dozen well qualified people, only one of whom (Tom Cagley) bothered to re-apply this time.

Now, more than ever, the PC needs a mature, qualified, and experienced person to join and counter the negative trends that have been in place for a year. BTW – in case you haven’t been keeping track, in their first 3 meetings this year the PC cancelled one and at the last meeting only 3 showed up.