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Jean Krack and the Council-Commission Conundrum
Borough manager Jean Krack appeared before the Planning Commission last night. He came with recommendations to improve the efficiency of the work of the Commission, and to improve – perhaps repair – fiery relations between the Commission and Council.
There are three things you should note about last night.
Thing One: Krack was there . (“He wants to come to all our meetings,” said chair Deb Johnston with an air of relief. “He could be a neutral party. He could supplement [what we tell Council] in action memos.”)
Thing Two: Krack had the conversation with the Commission in public session. Not by e-mail to members. Not by phone call to the chair. In public, so the discussion could be public.
Thing Three: Krack’s recommendations were, uh, recommendations. “There are some ideas I want to put on the table… But those are just my opinions, my recommendations. You won’t break my heart either way. It’s input, simply that.”
The temperature of the fire between Commission and Council got lowered perceptibly last evening, by a guy with a very public, very irenic style.
OK, OK, there are four things you should know. Thing Four : As of last night, the Borough is finally on the road to a new comprehensive plan, and to zoning ordinances that have a chance of being useful as they stand, rather than as spindled, folded, bent, or patched by monthly amendment.
Posted by
G.E. “Skip” Lawrence
posted by The Phoenix Files at
1:28 AM
1 Comments:
The quote below from The Phoenix' own editorial column just proves that even a blind pig finds a truffle now and then.
"Borough Manager E. Jean Krack has had some good ideas, but he earns Slag for suggesting limiting public participation at planning commission meetings. Sure, it would make the meetings quicker, but that doesn't necessarily mean they would be more efficient — not when an important part of the meetings would be lost. Planning is a good time for objections to be brought forward, rather than waiting until a request makes it all the way to borough council meetings. That way, issues can be addressed as they arise, instead of having to be sent back to be reconsidered later.
"Planning commissioners Marcia Eldred and Teena Peters earn Steel for sticking up for public comments.
"Fr. James Evans earns Slag for his support of leaving it up to council to hear complaints. 'Council members are responsible to the electorate at election time,' he said. So planners are not responsible to the electorate? Just because you are picked by council does not mean that you are not responsible to the public, even if you're not directly voted on or off the commission by them."
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