Although the deadline has passed, the following was still posted on the town's web site as of Friday, August 8th:
Planning Commission Vacancy
The Town of Christiansburg, Virginia is now accepting applications for a vacancy on the Christiansburg Planning Commission. The Planning Commission is an advisory body to the Town Council and makes recommendations on items such as rezoning requests, Conditional Use Permit requests, and amendments to Town Code. Planning Commission members are qualified by knowledge and experience to make decisions on questions of community growth and development, are required to be Town residents, serve four year terms, and are compensated $25.00 per meeting attended. The vacancy will become effective September 1, 2008 and is for an unexpired term of an out-going member and will be appointed by Town Council.
The Town will accept cover letters, resumes, and applications until Friday, August 1, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. at the Town Municipal Building, 100 E. Main Street, Christiansburg, VA 24073. A Town of Christiansburg job application is required and may be obtained at the Town Municipal Building during normal office hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. EOE.
R. Lance Terpenny, Town Manager
Since this is in response to an appointment to one of the two town council commissions (planning or parks & recreation), the question must be posed: Why was a town "employment" application required? Given the minimal $25/per meeting stipend, this is not employment nor is it "contracted" labor (IRS Form 1099 related).
Another question is why, during the last Planning Commission meeting on August 4th, the Planning Director indicated three "completed" applications had been received and the group could place this on its agenda for either an "open or closed" meeting?
Another question is when this appointment's "un-expired" term ends?
Last question. Who makes the actual decision and what process will be applied?
But let's remember this is progress. In the past, the council simply discussed it among themselves (presumably with input from some staff members) and made a decision without any public inclusion, or based on actual resumes.
See a related editorial blog where the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors seems to be having difficulty with the nuances of employment/appointments, too.