I would like to bring to your attention several matters as they relate to the Planning Commission. Planning Commission is the body appointed by the revered Clermont County Board of County Commissioners. It is the body responsible for upholding the County's subdivision regulations (among other things) in the unincorporated areas of Clermont County; in reality it means they APPROVE a whole lotta subdivisions. With all of the growth in the county this body has enormous power that affects our day to day lives (read congestion, taxes, sprawl). Somewhere in the bowels of a building in Batavia lives the gigantic rubberstamp they pull out to approve nearly every plan that comes before them. Here are some questions every citizen of the county should be asking their beloved Commissioners:
Is it legal for a County employee (Roger Maham) to be on the Planning Commission, let alone to be the Chairperson? Even if it is not prohibited, does this portray to the citizens that the County has any impartiality as it relates to development approvals? Of course not! Secondly, in addition to being a county employee, the chairperson is the brother-in-law of a County commissioner (Scott Croswell) – this is nepotism. Additionally, patronage is so clearly exhibited by the fact that nearly all have made generous contributions to the Commissioner's campaigns.
A Planning Commission member (former member C. Doug Walker - now Union Township Administator - ain't that cozy?) who is a spouse of a County Commissioner (Mary Walker) does not give the impression of impartiality either. Nor does having the son (Mark Walker) of a County Commissioner as a member on any subcommittee or Committee give the impression of impartiality. Again, another example of nepotism. Surely there are qualified people that are not family members of the County Commissioners who are able to fulfill these committees. No?
Members of the Clermont County Planning Commission have voted in favor of approval for subdivision plans for which their employers are responsible for the design and engineering. Clearly a egregious example of conflict of interest. But, hey, it's ok, it's Clermont County and we treat our developers good out here.
Planning Commission members regularly add ad hoc provisions to recommendations with no rational nexus to anything provided in staff reports or testimony. It seems that these additions are made to help out a buddy - who isn't even present - most always these last minute insertions diluted the recommendations of Planning staff.
The Planning Commission should not be an arm of the political machine granting approvals for political contributors or to further the agenda of the Commissioners. It should be a body that upholds the rules and regulations (i.e. subdivision regulations) that were created to protect the community. I, for one, as a resident of the County am outraged by the nepotism and patronage that the County Commissioners so flamboyantly endorse. The people of Clermont County so much deserve better.
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