Like colleague, Gerken names minority to panel

4/8/2009

Two Lucas County commissioners introduced their alternates to the Lucas County Plan Commission yesterday in what looked like a contest of diversity.

On the same day that Commissioner Ben Konop appointed an African-American man with working-class credentials to represent him on the plan commission, Commissioner Pete Gerken appointed an African-American woman with a history in local and state government.

Mr. Gerken appointed Joyce Chapple, a recent consultant to the Lucas County Improvement Corp. and director of human resources under former Mayor Jack Ford.

He denied he was competing with Mr. Konop, who announced earlier in the day that he had designated Jim Snodgrass, Jr., to replace him at all future plan commission meetings to add some diversity to the board.

"Joyce has been a trusted public servant for 30 years. The knowledge that she brings to us is diverse," Mr. Gerken said. "I didn't pick her based on her race, color, age, or gender."

Mr. Konop claimed Mr. Gerken was following his lead.

"I welcome him to join me in my effort to bring diversity to the boards and commissions of Lucas County. I think that's great," Mr. Konop said.

The difference between the two appointments is that Mr. Gerken plans to send Ms. Chapple as his proxy only when he can't make a meeting, but Mr. Konop intends to cede his place on the board to Mr. Snodgrass for the rest of his tenure as commissioner.

Mr. Snodgrass, 40, is a former Jeep employee and Navy veteran who is attending the University of Toledo.

Mr. Konop said he wanted to turn the seat over to someone who would bring diversity to the 11-member board, and he vowed that Mr. Snodgrass would be free to vote as he likes.

Mr. Snodgrass has been active in Democratic campaigns and is the son of James Snodgrass, a member of the Lucas County Democratic Party's screening committee, which will likely recommend on the party's endorsement for mayor.

As a candidate for mayor of Toledo, Mr. Konop may appear in front of the screening committee seeking its endorsement. Mr. Konop said he was not aware when he picked Mr. Snodgrass that his father was on the screening committee.

Mr. Gerken said he needed a new alternate because his previous alternate, David Mann, has changed jobs within the county and was no longer available.

Meanwhile, attendance records show that Mr. Gerken has made the most use of alternates over the last two years and three months.

According to plan commission attendance records, Mr. Gerken attended only five of 13 plan commission meetings in 2008. He sent alternates to six meetings and was absent twice with no alternates. He sent his alternate to one meeting in 2007, and was present at the other 11. Mr. Gerken has attended all three plan commission meetings so far this year.

Mr. Gerken, who said Monday he thought his alternate had attended two meetings for him in four years, said he was surprised.

"Sometimes there's scheduling conflicts with other county business. If you go over the aggregate of my record I've been an active participant in the plan commission," Mr. Gerken said, adding, "I certainly never considered my alternate to be my prime representative there."

Mr. Konop sent an alternate to two meetings in 2007 and one in 2008, and was absent with no alternate from one meeting in 2008. He was absent from one of the three meetings so far in 2009.

Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak sent alternates to three meetings in 2007 and four meetings in 2008, and was absent from two additional meetings in 2008. She sent an alternate to one meeting so far in 2009.

Contact Tom Troy at:

tomtroy@theblade.com

or 419-724-6058.