Way to go Lisa Matichak!!!

Arnold has an extensive background in city planning and is a long time Mountain View resident. There are times when the wisdom from experience trumps the exuberance of youth.

My inside contacts tell me that the younger applicants (Clark and Grossman) were clearly superior. In fact the incumbent failed to show his experience and appeared unprepared. The council went with the status quo and seemed uninterested in rocking the boat and appointing younger candidates who just might offer a younger perspective.

I'm sure Ms. Grossman is a skilled planner and could be an asset to the communtity, but I think it is absolutely crazy to appoint a professional city planner to such a role! The purpose of the EPC is essentially to bring a little real-world perspective and oversight into the planning dept. What perspective would a planner bring that doesnt already exist within city staff? How likely will a professional planner be to criticize people that she likely views as colleagues and peers?

Hi:

I think it can help to have professional city planners on the Environmental Planning Commission as the issues that come before the commission are complicated and all of us live with the decisions made by them for decades.

In times past the City didn't provide a lot of training to volunteer commissioners so they can learn about all the current planning philosophies and design and environmental theory as well as population projections and what is needed to create a truly enjoyable livable community.

I am not saying that past commissioners failed, I am just saying that knowledge helps create good solutions. Professionals in the field bring in years of education and experience that one can not pick up just by reading staff reports or developer plans.

I know money is tight but I hope the city can provide training to current and new commissioners as they take on and do a huge job for the city.

My thanks to current and new commissioners for all the work you have done and will do for all of us.

There is no "h" after the "g".