Letter to the Editor: Don't Replace Incumbent Planning Commissioners

Dear Council,

We are scratching our heads on what the real rationale could possibly be for not reappointing the members of the current Planning Commission who wish to continue to serve.

These individuals are not only skilled in the theory and practice of city planning, they are also a well-balanced team that has done an outstanding job over the years in keeping our city a place that continues to attract discerning people as residents. 

If the trend of replacing current members continues, then there could be a 100% turnover of membership in the Planning Commission by the end of 2013. Such a change would inevitably bring about a significant loss of historical perspective and expressed community wishes. Our nationally-acclaimed new Master Plan will likely be in jeopardy. The old saying, "If it isn't broke, don't fix it," would seem to apply here.

The fact that the new nominees have no obvious professional education or experience in city planning and related areas, nor do any of them appear to have served on prior volunteer committees such as the Troy Futures, is of equal concern. The contributions of all concerned citizens to city committees should be welcomed, provided that all such individuals have demonstrated their knowledge and wisdom as volunteers in appropriate organizations beforehand. Individuals who wish to participate in city policy should not have to be educated and trained in the basic rudiments of the topic by the city staff, nor should we citizens have to shoulder the burden of putting up with uninformed decisions by amateurs that may have significant financial impact on our property values. 

The ignorance of unqualified nominees should not be 'cured' at our expense. As with any individual who wishes to enter a trade or profession for which they are not qualified, it is their responsibility to pay the tuition and invest the time to become masters of that craft before asking the public to put them in a responsible position. If that is the standard for private business, and it is, then it must also be the standard for public affairs. To do otherwise – to nominate unqualified individuals for a technical position – is to deliberately make government less effective than the private sector.   

It is for these non-partisan reasons that we ask each of you to vote against seating unqualified and untrained individuals into positions where their uninformed actions may well have adverse consequences on the property values of Troy's residents.  

Sincerely yours,

Lucille Musser Arking
Robert Arking
Troy, MI

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