Orland council snubs former councilman
The Orland City Council passed over former Councilman Mike Yalow for appointment to either of two commissions, while filling eight seats on three bodies Monday night.
Two vacancies were filled on the city Planning Commission, three on the Parks and Recreation Commission and three on the Public Safety Commission.
The council passed on Yalow for both the Planning and Parks and Recreation commissions without comment.
Appointments were made on the recommendation of panels that had interviewed applicants in late January. Those sessions were open to the public.
Yalow, who also lost his seat on the Economic Development Commission in December when the council appointed Edgar Valenzuela to the post, did not attend the meeting.
Yalow had found himself at odds with other EDC commissioners in the past over what direction the city should take for economic development.
Councilman Bruce Roundy recused himself from the vote for the Planning and Parks and Recreation commissions because of his friendship with Yalow, he said.
"I have heard (rumors) I was trying to nominate Mike," Roundy said, adding that was not the case. "I want the most qualified people."
He did vote, however, on the Public Safety nominees.
The Council approved former Mayor Wade Elliott and current Commissioner Stephen Shoop to the Planning Commission with terms to expire on Dec. 31, 2016. Byron Denton let his term expire and did not reapply.
Besides Yalow, other Planning Commission applicants included retiree Brandy Branzelle, thrift shop owner Trish Saint-Evens, Glenn County Office of Education employee Christine Stifter and area resident Mary Schrieber.
Those approved for the Parks and Recreation Commission were sitting Commissioners Karen Baldridge and Shannon Ovard, and new member Lindsay Reimers.
Commissioner Candice Pierce also applied, but was not reappointed.
Public Safety Commissioner Caryn Brown retained her appointment, while Mary Schrieber and Larry Bates also were appointed for terms running through December 2014.
Other Public Safety applicants were Jerry Palmer, Edward Perez and Sharon Phippen.
