Fuentes Participates in First Planning Commission Meeting

By Martin Henderson

In newly appointed planning commissioner Jolene Fuentes' first night of public service, she didn't make any huge gaffes. She did, however, raise a couple of eyebrows. 

Fuentes, a somewhat controversial selection by three of the five city council members of Lake Forest, got through her first meeting by making a couple of seconds to motions. 

But she offered a somewhat surprising revelation during the commissioner's comments at the end of the meeting when she informed her colleagues she would be absent at the next regularly scheduled meeting to attend a long-awaited wedding in Memphis, Tenn. The planning commission meets twice a month.

Fuentes was appointed to replace Tim Hughes, one of the original planning commissioners in the city. He resigned to focus on work, which took him out of state for long periods of time. 

Fuentes was sworn in on Sept. 5, and she abstained from voting on the recommendation to the city council to approve stronger language as it relates to keeping out medical marijuana dispensaries. 

Fuentes first opportunity to speak before the commission and the public came on the subject of medical marijuana dispensaries. Vice chair Jerry Zechmeister gave her the opportunity to speak on the subject—whether to agree with her colleagues on the dais or not—and she answered with a sheepish "No."

Also abstaining was C.J. Brower.