At Least 2 Seats on Planning Panel Open

Two members have formally resigned and another’s position is tenuous, which could radically change the political focus of next year’s city Planning Commission.

Marilyn Carpenter and board Chairman Ronald Polanski have announced their retirement. A third member, Forrest Frields, has reapplied for his seat but believes his reappointment to be unlikely.

“I’ve put my name in the hat, but I don’t anticipate anybody taking it out,” said Frields, who has served on the board since December 1990, with a six-month absence in 1995 to serve on the Ventura County Planning Commission.

“I bring some baggage with me. I’ve got some enemies in the political domain and [nominating council members] don’t want that to carry over,” Frields said. “And I respect that. Lord knows we haven’t had a peaceful political environment in a long time.”

Commission terms usually run concurrently with those of the council members who nominate them. Frields had been appointed by Judy Lazar, who lost by 240 votes in the Nov. 3 election to challenger Dan Del Campo.

Del Campo and fellow election victors Andy Fox and Dennis Gillette have each said they have narrowed down their picks to a short list, but have disclosed no names.

The city clerks office said about two dozen residents have applied. The deadline is at the end of business Tuesday.