BLYTHEWOOD (April 28, 2016) – While Council appointed new members Monday evening to the Town’s Planning Commission and Board of Architecture Review, they broke new ground in how they selected and appointed the Planning Commission member.
Mayor J. Michael Ross told Council that prior to the meeting he and Councilman Tom Utroska had jointly interviewed two applicants for the Commission. Those candidates turned out to be Cynthia Schull of Oakhurst subdivision and Michelle Kiedrowski of Cobblestone Park. Neither Ross nor Utroska named Schull. Ross said he and Utroska had made the decision to present only Kiedrowski to Council for appointment Monday evening.
After introducing Kiedrowski, Ross and Utroska commented on her qualifications, both noting that she had run for Town Council last year.
Utroska also commented that Kiedrowski, who moved to Blythewood about a year ago, “wanted to be part of this community and wanted to give back to this community. I like the fact that she has a willingness to give back to the community and that’s what we’re looking for.”
After both Utroska and Ross praised the other candidate as well, still without naming her, Ross invited Council members to ask questions of Kiedrowski. In response, Council members welcomed and praised her for seeking the volunteer position and voted unanimously to appoint her to the Planning Commission. Schull was not voted on.
Traditionally, applicants for the Town’s boards and commissions each appear before the whole Council at the public meeting, explain their qualifications and answer Council members’ questions followed by the vote.
When asked about the new appointment procedure following the meeting, Utroska defended it, saying he saw nothing wrong with it.
Council next voted unanimously to appoint longtime Blythewood resident John Miles, an engineer, to the Board of Architectural Review.
Both Kiedrowski and Miles were appointed to fill partial terms.
