Atlas Twp.-Township Supervisor Shirley Kautman-Jones was denied support by at least three board members following a recommendation to appoint a new member to the township planning commission during Monday night’s meeting. Kautman-Jones nominated township resident and Davision veterinarian Rod Pierson, 66, to replace current Township Planning Commission President Rick Misek. The planning commission seat expires on Dec. 31.
However, Clerk Tere Onica and township trustees Barry June and Scott Statson did not support the nomination of Pierson. According to statutes, any appointment requires the support of at least one trustee to bring the nomination to a vote. If a suitable candidate is not accepted, the seated planning commission member remains in office.
‘The board needs to be diversified,? said Kautman-Jones, who took office as supervisor in November. ‘Personally, I do not support (Rick) Misek. We do not see eye-to-eye. I could bring Mother Teresa in and you would not support her (either)’I chose to go outside the community with Dr. Pierson and I’m very disappointed with the lack of support for my decision. I can’t say anymore you will not get my support for Rick.?
Misek was first appointed to the township planning commission in December 1997 and was reappointed in January 2003 and 2006. He became planning commission chairperson in 2007.
‘I’m willing to stay on and serve as long as the board of trustees will support me,? said Misek, who did not attend the meeting. ‘I’ve seen no indication that the planning commission is not working well for this community. I don’t understand what grounds she has to dismiss me from the commission. If she’s concerned about the election, that’s just politics. What does that have to do with the planning commission work??
Statson had no issues with Dr.Pierson; however, he said replacing Misek was unacceptable.
‘Replacement of Rick (Misek) is just too disruptive to the board,? said Statson during a heated exchange Monday night. ‘It would take months to get a new planning commission up to speed.?