On Tuesday, April 18, the county updated the list of candidates applying for three vacancies on the Parks and Planning Commission. Right now the list includes 24 names, at least one of which will be familiar to voters. Two board members and the chair will be selected from among the current list.
Hans Reimer, recently term limited after eight years on the County Council and a failed bid for County Executive, has expressed interest in chairing the Commission. Three other Democrats who would like to be considered include Peter Fosselman, Artie Harris and Wendy White.
Several candidates applied to be either chair or member. Republicans making dual applications are Emil Nusbaum and Avital Zenilman. David Hill is an unaffiliated candidate for both positions. Double applicants among Democrats include Joseph Mitcallef, Brian O’Looney, and Alexander Ratner.
The list has shifted dramatically from one released in late January with only four applicants on this most recent posting. Two members who were let go following the shakeup of the Commission last fall have withdrawn their names from consideration.
Candidates will be reviewed by the County Council and will have to get four votes to move into contention. That process will be followed by in person public interviews with the Council starting on May 2.
The Planning Commission chair’s salary is set at $228,000 per year. Board members work part time and earn $30,000 a year.
