Public speaks on creating a zoning administrator position

After County and Zoning Administrator John McCarthy announced his July retirement at the Board of Supervisors meeting, and expressed a strong need for a separate zoning administrator to split the load with the county administrator for the first time since he took office in 1986, Peter Luke strongly advised the need for a competent zoning administrator, to keep up with increased demands that come with the job.

McCarthy added, “This is a bigger public issue than I thought it’d be, so I’d advise not to be hasty.”

Supervisor John Lesinski asked if the zoning administrator needed to be a lawyer. Luke said it would help, but it is not a requirement. “I’ve been dealing with [ zoning administration] for 32 years, and I’m still confused on some points,” Luke said.

BOS chairman Roger Welch suggested putting the issue to a public hearing to allow the populace to express its opinion on what should happen with county and zoning administration after John McCarthy leaves in July.

During the public comment period that preceded Welch’s suggestion:

Cynthia Price of the Stonewall-Hawthorne District warned against the creation of a separate zoning administrator position which along with county administrator would involve a second appointment, another un- elected official. “Zoning is the most important aspect of this county,” Price said, advising the board not to take hasty action in appointing a zoning administrator. “I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”

David Konick also disputed the addition of a new zoning administrator position. Hiring a deputy county administrator was for the specific purpose of continuity, and the county should not create the new position, Konick said. And of whomever the supervisors appoint to zoning administrator: “Yet another bureaucrat, and I don’t know them.”

Retired deputy circuit court clerk Lisa Walsted agreed with Konick about the formation of a separate zoning administrator. “We were never told when [Debbie Keyser] took over for John McCarthy that there would be another appointed government position created,” Walsted said.

School Board vice chair Aline Johnson said that it will take two or three people to replace John McCarthy. “I don’t usually talk at these meetings . . . I’ve been on the School Board for 17 years and I don’t think that I’ve missed many,” Johnson said. “But I know of at least two times that I’ve been in this meeting and these supervisors have told all of us that it’s going to take two or three people to replace John McCarthy. So let’s think about that.”