Despite objection, council backs former member’s Normal Planning Commission appointment

Posted on March 16, 2021

NORMAL – A former Normal Town Council member, defeated for reelection two years ago, is returning to government service over the objection of a current council member.

The council voted 6-1 Monday night to approve Mayor Chris Koos’ selection of R.C. McBride to serve on the Normal Planning Commission until March of 2024.

Council member Stan Nord voted against McBride in addition to appointments of Nancy Armstrong to the Historic Preservation Commission along with David Burnison and Dennis French to the Uptown Design Review Commission.

Koos supported McBride during his unsuccessful 2018 reelection bid.

Nord suggested the appointments be tabled until after the April 6 election. Nord is backing mayoral challenger Marc Tiritilli to defeat Koos. Voters will also choose among nine candidates for three town council seats, including Nord’s allies David Paul Blumenshine, Steve Harsh, and Karl Sila.

Council member Kathleen Lorenz criticized Nord for politicizing the appointment process.

Planning commissioners and other mayoral appointees are not paid for their service, but the planning commission in particular is viewed as a stepping stone to elected office. Current Planning Commission Chairman A.J. Zimmerman is running for a town council seat in next month’s election.

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