And the nominees are…

According to the Alameda Journal 13 residents have applied for the open Planning Board seat recently vacated by Gina Mariani, they are, in Alameda Journal — which means no particular — order:

• Albert Verm
• Horst Breuer
• Jeffrey Mitchell
• Brian Buckingham
• Charles Wallis
• John Knox White
• Michael Henneberry
• June Grant
• Noel Wise
• Ronald Silva
• Cecilia Campbell-Notar
• Gregg deHaan
• NormaJean Washingtonpalmer.

From what I understand, some of the names were not ones solicited through this recent publication.   Starting from June Grant and ending at NormaJean Washingtonpalmer (I feel like there should be a space between Washington and Palmer) those were folks that had submitted an application previously and since applications are valid for a year after submission, they are on the list.  

So of course I did some googling of some of the folks, some of the names you will recognize, some of the names are not so familiar.   For example Horst Breuer was previously on the Planning Board and, according to a proclamation, had to resign for personal reasons, also he once ran for City Council.   Jeffrey Mitchell, who you all would know better as “Jeff Mitchell,” yes folks our former editor of the Alameda Journal is casting off the mantel as journalist and entering into the world of civic volunteerism.   What was all that about Jeff not living in Alameda that used to float around?  John Knox White you all know.   Michael Henneberry filed an application to be on the Planning Board once before when Marie Gilmore left to fill her Council seat and also is (was?) the communications director for a local union.  Noel Wise is a local relator.  Greg deHaan used to be a Rec and Park Commissioner and is, of course, Doug deHaan’s son.  NormaJean Washingtonpalmer ran for City Council once before.

I don’t know if anyone necessarily sticks out as a shoo-in for the position.   It’s pretty difficult to guess which way the political winds will be blowing for this particular appointment.   Had it been any other open seat, I think the appointment would be pretty simple.   Select the best person for the job, but since Gina Mariani represented the most hard core support Measure A at all costs voice on the Planning Board, there might be some pressure on the Mayor to appoint someone with a similiar ideology to Gina M.   Regardless of who gets appointed, I imagine that there will be a pretty long winded explanation leading up to why that person was selected and why the Mayor thinks that person will do a good job. 

Interesting conundrum, if (big IF here) the Mayor selects Greg deHaan, would Doug deHaan have to recuse himself?