By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Board of County Commissioners in Reno County chose to fill the two open seats on the county's Planning Commission at their meeting Tuesday. Commissioners praised the qualifications of all six applicants, but Chairman Ron Hirst had geographical reasons to make his choices.
"I would suggest that we look at commissioner Allen Shafer and commissioner Garth Strand," Hirst said. "We have Lisa French, who is going off, who is kind of in the central part. While Allen is a little bit more to the northwest than that, he's still in the area and in my own personal research, that I inquired about, from what I understand, he'd be excellent on that position. That's the area that I'm looking at. We have one that went off which is close to Garth's area and one going off which is close to the central part. That's my recommendation."
Commissioner Ron Sellers agreed with Hirst.
"I agree with your analysis," Sellers said. "If we go in your direction, we are having more people in the unincorporated area than we have to have for the planning commission. Obviously, all the planning commission all their dealings is in the unincorporated area, so maybe that makes sense."
Sellers did note that there will still be two members from the city of Hutchinson on the board. Daniel Friesen didn't disagree with the other commissioners, but he had a different rationale for picking those he would have chosen.
"Everyone here seems well qualified," Friesen said. "My only thought was, I thought Garth would do a good job. I've appreciated his willingness to run for elected office. I think that anybody that even attempts to run for elected office should get an opportunity to serve, if they have an opportunity. I thought he would be a good candidate. That's also the reason I thought Ron Vincent would be a good candidate."
The vote to appoint Allen Shafer and Garth Strand was unanimous. They will join the planning commission in January. Those positions are unpaid.