The County Council yesterday voted unanimously to reaffirm James Hedrick’s appointment to the Planning Board, overriding County Executive Marc Elrich’s recent decision to disapprove the appointment.
Hedrick was appointed to the board on Feb. 28 with an 8-3 vote. He needed nine votes to overturn Elrich’s unusual action.
Councilmembers Will Jawando and Laurie-Anne Sayles (both D-At Large), along with Kristin Mink (D-District 5), all voted for former county procurement officer and temporary member of the Planning Board Cherie Branson at the February meeting. They changed their votes to support Hedrick’s appointment.
“The Council reaffirmed our support for Mr. Hedrick because his insight and housing expertise have served and will continue to serve our community well,” Council President Evan Glass (D-At Large) said in a press release.
“The Planning Board is vital to the county’s functions and the strength of the board will be its diversity in opinion—no one candidate will meet all of our political views, nor should they,” he continued. “He has spent his career working in community development and affordable housing, and brings this experience to his work at the Planning Board.”
The council is currently searching for one more permanent member of the board as well as a new chair.
MNCPPC photo