Reappointment of 3 Planners Sparks Debate

The reappointment of three veteran Planning Commission members by the City Council sparked a debate on whether other residents should be allowed to serve on the panel.

Jack McDonnell, Gary Nehrenberg and Benjamin Sutherlin were reappointed Monday to three-year terms on the five-member commission by a 4-1 council vote, with Councilwoman Marilynn M. Poe dissenting.

“These gentlemen are fine; they’ve done a great job,” Poe said. “But one of them has been there almost 20 years [and] I think we should give new people a chance.”

However, other council members said the experience of the incumbents is needed because of upcoming city business, including amendments to the general plan. McDonnell was appointed to the commission in 1981; Nehrenberg in 1985 and Sutherlin in 1992.