(12/10) At the December meeting, the Town Council was tasked with voting to reappoint two members of the planning commission whose terms expired in November: Chair David Ennis and Member Russ Wench. Planning Commission members serve five year terms or until their successor takes office.
During discussion of David Ennis’s reappointment, Commissioner Mike McNiesh raised concerns about re-appointing David Ennis as he is the husband of current Town Council member Mary Ann Brodie-Ennis.
"Back in the day it may have been necessary to have husbands and wives serve due to lack of interest however nowadays with so many interested people it's not appropriate to have both in office." Said McNiesh.
[In October 2022, Brodie-Ennis joined two of her fellow Commissioners in removing McNiesh from the Town Council for failing to attend three Town Council meetings in a row. In February of 2023 McNiesh won his seat back in a special election.]
Commissioner Betsey Whitmore Brannen agreed with McNiesh, noting that it looks like an "oligarchy in town," and that there were plenty of people interested in positions on Planning Commission.
Brodie-Ennis called Brannen hypocritical, pointing out that Brannen and her husband both ran for the Town Council at the same time. "Your intention," Brodie-Ennis said, "was to both be on the Town Council at the same time." Brannen agreed, stating however that her opinions [on related individuals serving on town commissions] have changed since running the joint campaign five years ago.
Brodie-Ennis further defended the re-appointment of her husband by sharing conversations with residents where she has been asked if she allowed her husband to dictate her opinions on town matters and vice versa. Her response was an adamant, "the answer is no," she said.
Commissioner Gary Baker said he was not concerned about David Ennis serving on the Planning Commission while his wife sat on the Town Council. He backed reappointing both Ennis and Wench because of their involvement with the comprehensive plan update over the past three years and that removing them could cause a delay in completing that task.
McNiesh however pointed out that other members have left the Planning Commission during the Comprehensive Plan update without effecting the process.
Brannen added that she is not a fan of the housing growth statistics in the comprehensive plan update and said," I cannot reappoint either member due to what they have done with that part of the plan."
The Council voted two to two, with Ennis abstaining, to not reappoint David Ennis as Chair. Per code David Ennis will continue to serve as Chair until a successor is appointed. Wench however did receive support for another five-year term on a four to one vote.
In related news, the Council was informed that Parks Commission member, Kitty Baker, whose term runs through January 2024 will not be seeking reappointment. Her position will be advertised to the public next month. The next term to expire is Member David Toohey in February. Toohey will be seeking reappointment.
Read other news articles on Walkersville
