Though the Oct. 6 municipal election for mayor, borough assembly, school board and port commission is the attention-getting news of the month, there are other volunteer jobs important to the town, …
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Though the Oct. 6 municipal election for mayor, borough assembly, school board and port commission is the attention-getting news of the month, there are other volunteer jobs important to the town, its people and its economy.
City Hall is looking for residents interested and willing to serve on the planning and zoning commission (one opening), the convention and visitor bureau (two openings) and the economic development board (two openings).
It’s easy to apply: Just mail or drop off a letter of interest with the borough clerk before 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9. The assembly will select the board members at its Oct. 13 meeting. No forms to complete, no written test. Just a genuine interest required.
The application is easy, the selection process is quick, but the work is nonetheless important.
Communities do not live by elected officials alone. It takes volunteers to screen, ask questions, do the homework and make recommendations for the elected officials and managers who will make the final decisions.
The 15 members in total on the planning and zoning commission, convention and visitor bureau and economic development board can provide a wider range of viewpoints, experience and opinion than is available from the seven-member assembly. Which is a good thing — bringing more of the community, more opportunities for public comment at hearings into the decision process.
The planning and zoning commission works on land-use issues; the convention and visitor bureau advises borough officials and the assembly on tourism and visitor promotion issues; the economic development board works with City Hall and the assembly on initiatives to build the town’s economy.
All are worthwhile for the community and all are good opportunities to get involved, without having to ask your friends and neighbors to vote for you in an election.
Volunteering for a board or commission is a good way to serve those same friends and neighbors by helping elected officials make more informed decisions. Wrangell needs at least five residents to step forward to fill the empty seats.
