Commissioner Jones changing face of planning commission?

**wrobert** · 08-28-2009, 06:22 AM

Anyone know what is going on with the changes on the planning commission? I got a note that Commissioner Jones made a new appointment, her Pastor, the father in law of her aide to the commission. I thought this was the brother of the CEO of CI, the same group that is trying to put together the affordable housing project with federal dollars. Would that have to go back in front of the planning commission? Maybe Susan Horn can help me understand the dynamic here.

**Smiling JOe** · 08-28-2009, 07:57 AM

When I brought up family and politRicks not too long ago, I was told that this was a small town and everyone was related, so there was no stopping it.

(just for the people who don't keep up with local politics, wrobert is referring to Commissioner Cecilia Jones, not Commissioner Larry Jones.)

**wrobert** · 08-28-2009, 08:41 AM

There are 54K plus people here now. Quite a bit more than when this all got started.

**idlewind** · 08-28-2009, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by wrobert

There are 54K plus people here now. Quite a bit more than when this all got started.

I believe there are 7 people on the planning commission (maybe 9, can't remember) so how is one person going to "change the face of the planning commission?" And what is wrong with a minister serving his community on a planning commission anyway?

**Andy A** · 08-28-2009, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by idlewind

I believe there are 7 people on the planning commission (maybe 9, can't remember) so how is one person going to "change the face of the planning commission?" And what is wrong with a minister serving his community on a planning commission anyway?

You are correct in what you say but it is my opinion that every so often the members of a planning commission should be changed. Some of these on Walton County's have been there for an awful long time. If you voted for "change" in the last election, it can apply to all government functions, not just the federal, as well.

**Here4Good** · 08-28-2009, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by idlewind

I believe there are 7 people on the planning commission (maybe 9, can't remember) so how is one person going to "change the face of the planning commission?" And what is wrong with a minister serving his community on a planning commission anyway?

Well, this minister is also a developer, who just got approval for a major project. I know that it is difficult, because you want citizens on the planning commission who are familiar with the development process, and that is normally going to be builders, developers, realtors and others who have a stake in the outcome of planning commission decisions.

It's also difficult to holler "favoritism!" when it is usually best to select people you respect and trust for appointed positions, such as this one, and so you can't expect Commissioner Jones to stand in the Publix parking lot and ask people "Do you want to be on the Planning Commission?" She is naturally going to select someone who has expressed interest, is known to be a trustworthy person, has some knowledge of county planning, etc.

I mean, Susan Horn, in addition to having an intense interest in planning, is also a developer. Does that automatically make her membership on the planning board "suspect"? Of course not. Again, you want people on that board who know the subject matter.

It's just frustrating, because I don't think anyone knew that there was even going to be a vacancy on the planning commission. The selection process wasn't exactly in the "sunshine". (In fact, it's really only a rumor that this selection was even made, so this all may be grossly premature.)

Granted, the planning commission does NOT have the final authority to make decisions, as I understand it, they make recommendations to the BCC. I haven't tracked the results to know how often the BCC goes against their wishes.

**idlewind** · 08-28-2009, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by Andy A.

You are correct in what you say but it is my opinion that every so often the members of a planning commission should be changed. Some of these on Walton County's have been there for an awful long time. If you voted for "change" in the last election, it can apply to all government functions, not just the federal, as well.

I am a conservative, I don't like change.

**seagrovegirl** · 08-28-2009, 11:25 AM

Who is leaving the Planning Commission?

**Just Curious** · 08-28-2009, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by wrobert

Anyone know what is going on with the changes on the planning commission? I got a note that Commissioner Jones made a new appointment, her Pastor, the father in law of her aide to the commission. I thought this was the brother of the CEO of CI, the same group that is trying to put together the affordable housing project with federal dollars. Would that have to go back in front of the planning commission? Maybe Susan Horn can help me understand the dynamic here.

I have to call you onthis one. Did you even confirm this before you posted it? The appointee is not her pastor, and doesn't have anything to do with that project.

The position has been vacant for a little while now. Her first choice was not able to commit because of a military commitment. There was nothing done in the shadows of the sunshine.

Each Commish appoints one member from their district and there are two at large members, a total of 7 members. Of course she would appoint someone she knows; who else would she appoint? Come on this one was a little bit of a stretch, even for you.

**wrobert** · 08-28-2009, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by seagrovegirl

Who is leaving the Planning Commission?

Tom Patton is what a commissioner said. Someone else told me that it was the aide's father appointed and another person said the father in law. Maybe Susan will weigh in.

**wrobert** · 08-28-2009, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by Just Curious

I have to call you onthis one. Did you even confirm this before you posted it? The appointee is not her pastor, and doesn't have anything to do with that project.

The position has been vacant for a little while now. Her first choice was not able to commit because of a military commitment. There was nothing done in the shadows of the sunshine.

Each Commish appoints one member from their district and there are two at large members, a total of 7 members. Of course she would appoint someone she knows; who else would she appoint? Come on this one was a little bit of a stretch, even for you.

That is what I am trying to do is confirm it. So since you obviously know, how about setting the record straight for me. I emailed a pc member, but have not heard back. No one said anything was being done wrong, just that things appear to be changing. Change is what the people seem to want, and it appears she is offering it. I would hope that she would appoint someone she knows, has an understanding of her political philosophy, and can offer a new perspective to things.

**Just Curious** · 08-28-2009, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by wrobert

That is what I am trying to do is confirm it. So since you obviously know, how about setting the record straight for me. I emailed a pc member, but have not heard back. No one said anything was being done wrong, just that things appear to be changing. Change is what the people seem to want, and it appears she is offering it. I would hope that she would appoint someone she knows, has an understanding of her political philosophy, and can offer a new perspective to things.

Sorry if I misunderstood you. When Comm CJ came on she said that she had no plans to make any changes on the PC until after the EAR, but the District 5 seat came open, so she had to fill it. She approached several people, and the gentleman that was approved by the BCC was the only one that said they were interested and could commit. Yes, he is her aide's father. Hope that clears up any questions. All you have to do is call the Commissioner's office and they will tell you everything I just did. That's my source of information.

**Smiling JOe** · 08-29-2009, 04:58 PM

the planning commission does NOT have the final authority to make decisions, as I understand it, they make recommendations to the BCC. I haven't tracked the results to know how often the BCC goes against their wishes.

Only upon a rare occasion does the BCC not approve anything that the Planning Commission has recommended for approval. The BCC may ask to change a couple of things here and there, but MOST projects receiving the Planning Commission's stamp of approval, get approved by the BCC.