Planning Commission Debate Continues on West Bloomfield Board

A contentious debate within the West Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees, , continued Monday night at . Supervisor Michele Economou Ureste nominated West Bloomfield resident James Matthews to replace longtime Commissioner Don Jackson on the Planning Commission, and for the fifth time, a nomination of hers was voted down 4-3.

Jackson will continue for an unspecified amount of time until a successor is appointed.

"We've been going around on a regular basis ... we all, at some point, have to agree that this is one of the supervisor's decisions — to come up with names of qualified people for the Planning Commission," said Treasurer Teri Weingarden, who voted in support with Ureste and Trustee Steven Kaplan. "At some point, as a board, we have to support the supervisor."

Clerk Catherine Shaughnessy, as well as Trustees Larry Brown, Gene Farber and Howard Rosenberg, voted against the nomination.

Rosenberg spoke in support of Jackson, who has served almost three full terms on the board.

"He has wonderful experience," Rosenberg said. "Until (Jackson) either says he no longer wishes to be on the Planning Commission or I'm presented with a valid reason not to vote for him, then I will continue to vote no on your nomination."

Kaplan spoke in support of Matthews: "James Matthews has, for 27 years, held many professional positions. He has earned a master's degree. His fields are engineering, real estate and residential building," he said.

Ureste had spoken in October of the "political process" that has taken place in the wake of the reappointment consideration.

She reiterated Monday that she had reappointed three other Planning Commissioners in her term — Chair Karmen Santourian, Vice Chair Steven Budaj and Secretary Nancy Reed — whom she did not necessarily support.

"(I did that) partially to appease this board two years ago. Here, I'm nominating an individual that I believe could be a fine asset to the Planning Commission," Ureste said.

Ureste added after the meeting that she would continue to nominate possible appointees at future meetings.

"We have very many people in the township who are qualified and want to serve," she said.

Matthews declined to comment.

Watch the meeting on demand at civiccentertv.com.

 to hear a presentation of information regarding the progress made to date on the Civic Center paving project, a $1.4 million investment expected to begin construction May 1. The meeting begins at 12:15 p.m. in Town Hall.