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Resignation Ping Pong
Council President Henry Wagner pressed again late Sunday evening for George Martynick’s resignation from the Planning Commission, accusing Martynick of a strategy of delay at last Thursday’s Planning Commission meeting.
Martynick presided at that meeting, in the absence of PC chair Deb Johnston. The Commission by a 4-0-1 vote reversed a 7-0 Commission vote in March to support changes to Downtown Commercial district zoning provisions.
In an e-mail to Martynick, Wagner wrote: “What you did at the meeting was very clear to me…. [Borogh Planner] Ray Ott wrote and supports the D-COMM ordinance changes. [Acting Borough Manager] Brian Watson supports these common sense changes. Your PC solicitor advised you that there was no harm in following the will of Council and recommending these common sense changes.
“You’re creating delay for developers,” Wagner continued, “for what the zoning hearing board has said they will grant relief on every time. I understand that you expressed the sentiment at the meeting that you didn’t care if delay was caused.
“You are not serving the direction of Council which is what the Planning Commission is to do. In this way you do embarrass Council,” he continued.
“Between the inappropriate and unprofessional manner in which you openly question a member’s [father James Evans’s] ethical behavior, attacking him on the floor of the Planning Commission, and now your methods whereby you have misled other Planning Commission members, I find you behavior unacceptable and intolerable. I ask you once again to step down, resign from the Planning Commission,” Wagner concluded.
Martynick had a one-line response: “This politicization of the planning process is pretty dangerous.”
Posted by
G.E. “Skip” Lawrence
Martynick presided at that meeting, in the absence of PC chair Deb Johnston. The Commission by a 4-0-1 vote reversed a 7-0 Commission vote in March to support changes to Downtown Commercial district zoning provisions.
In an e-mail to Martynick, Wagner wrote: “What you did at the meeting was very clear to me…. [Borogh Planner] Ray Ott wrote and supports the D-COMM ordinance changes. [Acting Borough Manager] Brian Watson supports these common sense changes. Your PC solicitor advised you that there was no harm in following the will of Council and recommending these common sense changes.
“You’re creating delay for developers,” Wagner continued, “for what the zoning hearing board has said they will grant relief on every time. I understand that you expressed the sentiment at the meeting that you didn’t care if delay was caused.
“You are not serving the direction of Council which is what the Planning Commission is to do. In this way you do embarrass Council,” he continued.
“Between the inappropriate and unprofessional manner in which you openly question a member’s [father James Evans’s] ethical behavior, attacking him on the floor of the Planning Commission, and now your methods whereby you have misled other Planning Commission members, I find you behavior unacceptable and intolerable. I ask you once again to step down, resign from the Planning Commission,” Wagner concluded.
Martynick had a one-line response: “This politicization of the planning process is pretty dangerous.”
Posted by
G.E. “Skip” Lawrence
posted by The Phoenix Files at
12:05 PM
3 Comments:
Wagner says:
"You are not serving the direction of Council which is what the Planning Commission is to do."
Could The Phoenix print the Planning Commission's charter/purpose?
It was my understanding from the Parking Authority discussion that Commissions/Authorities are to ease the burden on Council by examining specified topics in depth, but in no way are they supposed to be a "rubber stamp" for Council's desires.
Let's get some clarification -- from the relevant documents -- no more conjucture, please, on the purpose of the Planning Commission. I think a refresher course is in order for all concerned before any more public statements.
Just a quick note to Council President Wagner:
The adverse vote of the Planning Commission does not cause any delay for anyone. Council can vote to adopt the changes if it wishes, despite the PC's views. The only thing that happens is that Council loses the 'cover' of a PC recommendation and instead must itself accept responsibility for the decision.
I am confused. What actually is the big deal? Did the guy break the law? Is he a jerk? All I keep reading is that he was misleading people but I would have to imagine that these members have minds of their own. Am I right? I am also sure that they do their homework. I don't like Martynick one little bit but he hit the nail on the head that this sets a dangerous precedence. What happens the next time a member votes in a way that is against the desire of Council? Do they get asked to resign.
This is all a bit nuts. I thought we got rid of this stuff with that last Council President.
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