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September 23, 2011 in News, City
City announces choice for planning director
Spokane Mayor Mary Verner has selected a new planning director, a position that has been empty for nearly two years.
Scott Chesney, the director of planning and development for El Mirage, Ariz., was the top choice of an advisory committee of planning staff, according to a City of Spokane news release. Chesney’s appointment will forwarded to the city council for confirmation. His starting salary will be $98,554 a year.
“Scott has a strong background in urban planning and is excited about the opportunity to work in Spokane,” Verner said in the news release. “He rose to the top for the groups that participated in the selection process.”
Chesney has worked in redevelopment planning and implementation for 20 years, the news release said. He also worked as the director of community development in Surprise, Ariz. and as principal for his own urban planning consulting firm, Chesney & Associates.
JoAnne Wright has served as interim planning director since Oct. 2009, when then-planning director Leroy Eadie was asked to serve as interim director of the city’s Parks & Recreation Department, a position he now holds permanently.
Verner also thanked Wright for “her leadership and commitment during this period of transition.”
Wright was not a candidate and will return to her previous position as senior planner in the neighborhood planning area, said city Spokeswoman Marlene Feist.
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brianrbreen on September 23 at 6:51 p.m.
Did we actually look into this?
lowtechmaster on September 23 at 7:25 p.m.
If it has been empty for TWO YEARS, why does Spokane need it now…given the horrible budget and the dreadful increases in water fees (up over 100% for many) and car registration fees (also up nearly 100%)!!!
brianrbreen on September 23 at 7:30 p.m.
@lowtechmaster
It will be interesting!
de3 on September 23 at 7:44 p.m.
Is this the same Scott Chesney that The Arizona Republic newspaper reported:
“Surprise’s former planning and community development director has admitted using a city-issued credit card to purchase alcohol for himself and certain members of his staff, a violation of city policy.
In addition, expense reports obtained by The Arizona Republic show Scott Chesney routinely failed to itemize restaurant receipts, despite repeated requests, when seeking city reimbursement for expenses. Not doing so is a possible firing offense.
Chesney, the city’s top planning official since March 2006, resigned Nov. 5 and stated he was seeking a better fit for his professional goals. ”
He also failed to get a valid Arizona driver’s license.
http://www.azcentral.com/community/surprise/articles/1129gl-nwvchesney1130inside.html
westerly on September 23 at 7:46 p.m.
Planning directors make mayors and city council members feel good, warm and fuzzy after his presentation. Kind of like Spokane Valley city when they hired one for their multi milllion redo of Spokane Valley..ya know..boulevards, fountains, pathways, new 5 story city hall. They got to feel good coming to work.
brianrbreen on September 23 at 8:00 p.m.
@de3
Come on darn it, I’ve been waiting for three weeks for this. Don’t take my stuff away! :)
gmorton on September 23 at 8:16 p.m.
Nice work, de3. Waiting to see how the S-R will play this story.
That is a department that should be eliminated altogether.
brianrbreen on September 23 at 8:20 p.m.
@de3
I don’t know what you would be worried about, after all she had an “Advisory Committee” or was it a “Commission” look into it.
mdriftmeyer on September 23 at 8:21 p.m.
Why does a city need a City Planner? If you really have to ask this question, then you know nothing about developing a city and a surrounding ecosystem for residents and business opportunities.
brianrbreen on September 23 at 8:24 p.m.
@de3
“Nice work, de3.”
See what I mean!
de3 on September 23 at 10:14 p.m.
This (Phoenix News Times - http://ocscorp.tripod.com/id13.html) says the new mayor of El Mirage, Lana Mook, cleaned house in February, sacking the city attorney, the city manager, the economic development director, other city admins, and then the police chief resigned.
Sounds like he’ll fit right in.
brianrbreen on September 24 at 7:08 a.m.
One would think that it might be a good idea to do some vetting before you hire a department head. Of course maybe they did.
There is a lot more to this story then meets the eye.