A
tall order, but when the commission met last evening, chairman Bill
Martin had a recommendation: "I think we've found that someone in
Mr. Will D'Andrea." Lacking a quorum, with only six members
present, an official vote could not be taken. However, Martin asked
members who were present to express their opinion of approval.
Derrick Crane offered: "I think Will would do a great job. Every
time I have been privileged enough to work with him, he's done a
great job."
All other comments were favorable also, and there was no
opposition.
Martin agreed, saying he'd done a pretty good job so far, and
someone else kidded that he was still on probation. The humor in
that is that D'Andrea has actually been a part-time employee of the
county for the past three years and received many favorable comments
for his work as zoning officer.
D'Andrea came to the area to work on a master's degree at Lincoln
Christian University, which he completed this spring.
Current GIS chairman Bret Aukamp, who would be handing over the
GIS duties to D'Andrea, pointed out: "He would be wearing a whole
lot of different hats." Aukamp clarified that the GIS startup has
been under the planning commission, but that GIS is really meant to
be, and would become, more of a county responsibility.
D'Andrea would continue as zoning officer as well.
Given the range of duties, D'Andrea would be an employee of both
the planning commission and the county. The county board would
approve hiring him at their adjourned session.
One other point of interest was discussed for the evening. Aukamp
recalled that the Logan County Economic Development Master Plan
prepared for the development partnership was released last week.
Martin said the planning commission members should review and
discuss this document.
"Read it, and see what you really think about it," he said,
adding that if anyone had questions, call the director, Joel Smiley.
[to top of second column] |
It may be that there would be room for input from the commission
as the plan is worked on in the future.
Martin said that in the front portion, the plan has a lot of
information and statistics, "some interesting." With enthusiasm he
concluded, "The last part is where it gets really, really good."
Present were commissioners Martin, Crane, Lincoln Mayor Keith
Snyder, Gerald Lolling, David Hepler and Mount Pulaski Mayor Jim
Fuhrer.
Also participating in discussions were future board member Gene
Rohlfs, D'Andrea and Aukamp.
Commission members who were absent were Fred Finchum, Bill Graff,
Dean Sasse, Dave Evans and Carol Gustafson.
Four past members of the commission have not been replaced: Jean
Ann Hutchinson, Judi Graff, Bill Glaze and Nathan Turner.
[By
JAN YOUNGQUIST]
Related links
(PDF)
Strategic Initiatives and Implementation
Work Plan for Logan County Economic Development Master Plan
Past related articles
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