Stumbling over pebbles: Thrasher sits in first meeting as Planning Commission talks about appointments

The newest member of the Planning Commission was greeted with “fireworks” and heated discussion at the last meeting.

Bob Thrasher, who was recently appointed to the Planning Commission, sat silently while the audience and other commission members traded verbal jabs concerning the matter of appointments and Chairperson Bev Hempel’s presence at the meeting.

“Right now, you are not officially on the board, Saratoga resident Glee Johnson told Hempel in the April 9 meeting. You have not been reappointed.”

According to town records, Hempel has not been reappointed as a member to the Planning Commission since her initial appointment in 2003.

After searching the records, the town advertised Hempel’s position, meaning she is no longer a member of the Planning Commission.

Johnson suggested the Planning Commission let the vice chairperson, who is Rory Grubb, take over Hempel’s duties.

Hempel said she was told she could be present at the meeting as acting chairperson. Councilman and commission member Steve Wilcoxson also argued that Hempel should remain in her position for the April 9 meeting.

He said he spoke with the town attorney directly. Wilcoxson then told the board they “do not have the authority” to remove Hempel.

“The mayor told me that the town attorney told him that I am in order, and so this meeting is called to order. Please sit down,” Hempel said, addressing Johnson who was standing.

“This is ridiculous,” Johnson said. “You don’t have anything official here.”

The argument resurfaced during the public comment section of the meeting when Saratoga resident Chris Shannon said the Planning Commission had two vacancies, not just one.

Shannon told commission members that Carrie Craig’s position also expired. He said he could prove the vacancy exists with minutes from both, the Saratoga Town Council and Planning Commission meetings.

“We are working on it and it will get squared away,” Hempel said.

Shannon and other audience members continued the discussion of appointments. As the audience continued, Hempel adjourned the meeting.

“We can’t do anything about it tonight. This meeting is adjourned,” she said as she slammed her coffee mug on the table like a gavel.

In other business:

• The only other item on the agenda for the April 9 Planning Commission meeting was discussion on revising ordinance which defines home occupation within the town of Saratoga. The commission discussed holding a workshop meeting to go through the ordinance. Planning Commission member Rory Grubb said in a later interview Hempel had sent out an email stating there was not enough money to hold a workshop meeting.

• After the meeting was adjourned, Thrasher said he heard a lot of vocal people in the audience and urged them to join the Planning Commission.