Lilla Dean Reelected

As P&Z Chairman

By Andrew Gorosko

The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) has reelected Democrat Lilla Dean to serve as the land use agency’s chairman for a one-year term.

P&Z members reelected Ms Dean to the post at the start of their December 20 session.

Ms Dean had become the panel’s chairman last June, having been elected to that post by P&Z members following the resignation of Republican P&Z Chairman William O’Neil, who then moved to Virginia. Mr O’Neil had been the chairman for nearly five years.

Ms Dean served as the P&Z’s vice chairman from December 2006 to last June.

Ms Dean, of Old Hawleyville Road, has been a P&Z member for a decade.

At the December 20 P&Z session, Republican member B. Jane Brymer, of Poverty Hollow Road, nominated Ms Dean for the chairmanship. There were no other nominations. Ms Dean was elected without opposition.

Republican P&Z member Dennis Bloom, of Philo Curtis Road, then nominated Ms Brymer for the secretary’s post on the P&Z. There were no other nominations. Ms Brymer was elected without opposition.

Lastly, Ms Dean nominated Mr Bloom to serve as vice chairman. There were no other nominations. Mr Bloom gained the vice chairmanship without opposition.

Also attending the December 20 session were Republican member Robert Mulholland and Democratic member Richard English.

Republican alternate member James Belden attended, but Republican alternate Daniel Cruson was absent. The P&Z has one vacancy for an alternate member.

All members of the P&Z are qualified to vote in the panel’s election of officers.

Typically, alternate members vote on P&Z land use applications in the absence of regular members. The P&Z requires the presence of three members to conduct business.

The current composition of the agency is five Republicans and two Democrats. Among the Republicans, three people are regular members and two are alternates. The Democrats hold two regular memberships.