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I read in the Southeast Messenger that David Shaver after ?“careful consideration?” has realized after probably TWO MONTHS now that by appointing Mitch O?’Brien as his representative to the Pickerington Planning and Zoning Commission that he had made a mistake. He now has appointed Brian Sauer as his representative to the P & Z commission.
When exactly did our fine Mayor make the careful consideration of the person that would represent him on P & Z?
PICKERINGTON CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2005
CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
7:30 P.M.
?“Mayor Shaver recognized William Wright, Doug Parker, and Mitch O?’Brien for their service as members of City Council. Mayor Shaver presented plaques to Mr. Wright and Mr. Parker. Mr. O?’Brien was not present due to a medical issue, but Mayor Shaver stated he would remain involved with the City as the Mayor?’s Representative on the Planning and Zoning Commission.?”
As we can see Mr. O?’Brien wanted to stay on and serve and the Mayor appointed him and made that public at the December 20th council meeting. Less than two months later he changes his mind and comes up with a new representative.
The Mayor is quoted as saying that Mitch will serve is others capacities in the community. He didn't say where.
Is losing an election for City Council the prohibitive action of ever being able to serve again ANYWHERE? The Maxey appointment was a set up and the Mayor knows it. It is an insult to even compare Mitch O?’Brien to Craig Maxey. Shame on you Mayor!!
This is pure political pay back Mayor, and I suspect it has something to do with the other announcement about you not wanting to run for Judge. We all know that Brian Sauer is Chairmen of the NW Republican Club and it looks to me that the Mayor is trying to buy political influence. Maybe the next time a judicial opening occurs then maybe they will give the Mayor their support if he can make up his mind and hopefully it doesn?’t take two months. Mayor are you really sure Brian Sauer is the right choice? If I were you, I would work on this some more.
Maxey was appointed back onto council after the voters voted him off the council and Mr. Washington resigned. That was pure political musical chairs and you knew it.
Having one vote on a Commission is not even close to having one vote on council.
What should be considered here is the Mayor?’s decision making abilities and just how he reaches his conclusions?
Mayor you owe Mitch an apology for your comparison.
By Former supporter
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Time to Mend Fences
I'll bet that most of the people who post here regularly consider both Mitch and Dave good friends. Both have served this community well, and I think that we are all greatful for all that they have accomplished.
But there is so much yet to be done to make this the great community it can be that they have only scratched the surface. To move forward, they need to work together productively again. We need them -- both of them.
That's why I find it so painful to hear about all the divisions that are cropping up these days in city government. We all have differences of opinion, and we all sometimes make mistakes. We need to get beyond them, to listen to each other and work to accomplish our common goals.
That includes Mr. Sabatino. He represents a different point of view, but he also represents enough voters to win election to city council. Some of the decisions we need to make, moving forward, are going to involve compromises with those who hold that point of view. But compromise is what democracy is all about.
Let's learn to work together. Let's use our differences to make sure that we examine all sides of the tough issues we face -- to complement and not to undercut each other. We've got work to do. It's time to mend fences.
By Yosemite Pam
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My response
Former Supporter,
I just received a call to tell me that this topic had been posted and I should look at it. I was surprised this issue was newsy enough to make any of the papers or even this website. Let me tell you my perspective on this.
Two years ago this month I swore an oath to uphold the Charter and ordinances of the City of Pickerington. Since swearing that oath, I believe I have done my best to represent the residents honorably, ethically and respectfully. My oath also covered my representation of our citizens while serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission for those same two years. City Ordinances clearly state that the mayor can hold a seat on the commission or he can delegate that responsibility to an appointee. I submit to you the following:
1272.04 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION.
(b) Membership. The membership of the Planning and Zoning Commission shall consist of the Mayor or his or her designee, one Council member serving on the Service Committee, who shall serve as a member of the Commission for a term of two years, and five residents of the Municipality who shall be appointed by Council. All persons serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission immediately prior to the enactment of this section shall hereafter serve the same terms of office on the Planning and Zoning Commission. (Ord. 99-128. Passed 12-7-99.)
The mayor is within his rights to appoint, dismiss, and/or reappoint at his discretion. He owes me no apology for exercising his discretion.
Let me tell you a little something about P&Z. As Service Committee?’s representative to P&Z, I had the privilege of working with and getting to know 6 of the finest citizen volunteers this city has to offer. They all share my commitment to improve the quality of life in our community. With several of them I became friends. What a gift it was to me that in just two years I had the opportunity and privilege to serve the city and make friends, too. Not to mention that my activities on Service and P&Z were the most fun I had during those two years.
P&Z and the city staff have always acted honorably and fairly. They are uniquely able to not become embroiled in the political aspects of public service. Please respect their desire to not become political now. The reason for the mayor?’s decision is not important. What is important is that the P&Z commission is supported in taking on the responsibilities and decisions that lie ahead.
Thanks to the efforts of council and city staff over the last two years, unprecedented progress has been made to slow residential growth. The effects are starting to be seen even now. Keep in mind that along with the rooftops we have grown in this city, commercial ventures, especially retail always follow. Many discussions about the passionate desire of residential developers to make money in this area may soon diminish but rest assured that the commercial developers are just as eager to stake their claim. It is the responsibility of P&Z to hold these developers to the highest standards our laws allow. Don?’t drag this outstanding commission into any negative light over whether or not I serve on it or why.
The Growth Management Assessment and Strategy council adopted makes 10 recommendations. Of these, four will fall to the P&Z. Advancement of the Commercial Design Standards, rewriting our zoning code, targeted or niche zoning and updating the comprehensive land use plan are paramount to maintaining effective growth management. Nothing can be gained in these efforts if everyone becomes less focused on the tasks at hand and more on who serves and why.
Thanks again for your concern, but rest assured I am enjoying retirement!
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Forget Hell!!
Maybe my reading comprehension is failing me but something smells here with these revelations coming out of our Pickerington City Hall and the Mayor himself and it is being posted here on this site.
In a strange move Mayor Shaver posted a message on this web on 2/5/2006 about ?“Raising Level of Discourse.?” Since anyone can put any name they chose on their posting and since I have not seen any objections from Shaver we can only assume that the 2/5/06 posting was actually Shaver.
In the Mayor?’s posting he makes the following statement:
?“ I would Also give you the example of Heidi Riggs, who has been called almost every name under the sun and accused of all sorts of wrongdoing by ''anonymous'' individuals. ?“
I have been all over this web site and I have only seen vague references to Mrs. Riggs. Clearly the attacks on Bruce Rigelman were very nasty and unfortunate for this web site and Mr. Rigelman, but in no way did that compared to Heidi Riggs.
Then four days later the Eagle-Gazette says that the Mayor is not going to continue his run for the open judicial seat in Fairfield County. Interesting enough buried in the text of that E-G article is a quote from Steve Davis the Chairman of the Fairfield County republican party. He also is the attorney for the developers out in Liberty township that just won the case to do even more development in the PLSD.
?“A number of folks from Pickerington area were concerned about losing him as mayor if he ran and successfully obtain the Judgeship,?” Davis said.
When Shaver announced that he would run for the Judgeship he was quoted in the paper that the City would be in good hands because at the time Heidi Riggs would have become Mayor if Shaver had won.
Folks what interest would Steve Davis have about who the Mayor of Pickerington is? I do not know Mr. Davis but just who are these folks from the area he talks about being concerned if Brian Wisniewski would become Mayor?
What business is the Pickerington politics to Lancaster Republicans? Are we slipping back into the old groove and we are being controlled by forces outside Pickerington? Sure looks like it.
Shaver also made his excuse for dropping out of the race and that was that he got a divorce last year and didn?’t want his ?“personal?” life becoming a campaign issue. Although divorces are public record there are many that get divorces and still are able to run for office and get elected. What is Shaver afraid of here?
So if I read into Steve Davis?’ comments then the county Republican Party has chosen Heidi Riggs as the next Mayor of Pickerington and she will be your next Mayor regardless of whether you want her or not. Sorry Heidi, Shaver and Davis brought your name up.
By Former supporter
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