"I share the frustrations of many that after a million plus dollars and countless hours of labor, both public employee and citizen participation, the General Plan is not done.
First, I think we are lucky Brent Harrington took an interim position as Planning Director. I was a Planning Commissioner from 2006-2010 and witnessed first hand the disruption all the leadership changes had on the process.
During my tenure he was an interim Director, I always felt I could ask him and get real answers, he brought a calming/professional sense to the process.
Second, I am encouraged our new Planning Director, Peter Maurer, has an interest in the county that goes beyond a professional position.
One of the reasons we are able to recall Harrington back into service is his association with the county; he lives here and seems to genuinely care about what goes on.
I am hopeful our good fortune with him continues with Maurer. Harrington gave a long presentation on the Plan and basically set the ground work for Maurer to take over.
I like a couple of his analogies; at some point a line in the sand must be drawn to get this done.
Not everyone will like what is in the Plan and some things will be addressed in the 4 chances a year to do updates.
He also likened the Plan to football; we have moved the ball up the field and are getting in a position to score.
Take that analogy farther, say we win the football game, or pass the Plan, if it does not have components deemed essential there are opportunities to get them enacted.
The real challenge is for Maurer, complete the Plan on time and within budget. I am hopeful his leadership will accomplish that, lets face it, Calaveras County does not have another million bucks to waste, you might say.
The Plan has already surpasses the salary cap." Steve Kearney, Candidate for District 5 Supervisor
2 comments:
The only element to the General Plan that has been finished is the Calaveras Housing Element. It is beyond it's productive lifetime. It doesn't meet the necessary flood compliance issue requirements. If it does, the annual review requirements are not being enforced. Now that we know FEMA's information is, in most cases, not quite correct, not correct at all, lacking pertinent information or missing pertinent information all together. The flood issue started out 2700 properties, then it rose to 7200, due to an approval by the 2008 BOS. One 2008 member remaining. The number has been whittled down to 5,000 as of Tuesday's report.
All must remember, Mr. Infusino is paying close attention to the General Plan process to be sure it meets all requirement. The threat to sue is very high on the lawsuit danger threat list.
I agree with Mr. Kearney, the county doesn't have a lot of additional funds for mistakes.
All those, but one, involved in the 2008 BOS debacle are gone. Now it's up to District 3 to remove and replace the last one, Ms. Callaway.
Should supervisors be held accountable for their inactions or harmful actions during a non-election cycle, other than recall?
Should some sort of a test be required before submitting papers to run?
Should a regimen of issue study, other than a staff report, be required of supervisors?
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