Recordpub.com - Commission wants to oust member Streetsboro planning and zoning calls McClafferty a loose cannon

By Bob Gaetjens

Gateway News editor

STREETSBORO — The Streetsboro Planning & Zoning Commission wants to remove current member Brett McClafferty.

Citing several letters McClafferty wrote to county and city officials they objected to, Commission members voted 5-0 this week in favor of asking City Council to remove him from the commission. McClafferty, who also is a candidate for mayor, recused himself from the vote.

“Brett, you’ve become a loose cannon,” said commission member Jim McIntyre. “This has been a very cooperative body, very collegial, and you’ve become a disruptive force. I can’t imagine anyone on the commission wanting to work with you to get something done.”

According to the city charter, City Council has the power to remove a commission member by a two-thirds vote after a public hearing during which the commission member has the right to attorney representation and the right to present a defense.

McClafferty, 21, called the attempt to remove him from the planning commission a “witch hunt.”

“I have never broken any laws, nor have I violated any commission rules or ordinances,” he said. “I have significant differences with the current administration and its appointed planning commission, hence their efforts to remove me from the commission. I will not resign.”

Commission member John Albaneze, who recommended Acting Mayor Art Scott appoint McClafferty in May, asked that his letter of recommendation be withdrawn and motioned for the commission to recommend McClafferty’s ouster.

The first letter that commission members objected to was dated May 18 and sent from McClafferty to Portage County Municipal Court Judge John Plough.

According to Albaneze, it was sent before McClafferty took his oath of office and misrepresented his position at the time by including “At-Large Planning Commissioner — City of Streetsboro” in the letterhead. The body of the letter was not discussed during the meeting.

“For God’s sake, you lied to a judge,” Albaneze said this week.

Law Director Blair Melling said membership on the commission begins when a prospective member is sworn into office.

City Council accepted him as a member of the commission May 18, according to City Council Clerk Caroline Kremer.

He was sworn into office June 2, Scott said.

Scott said McClafferty was given a key and access to zoning materials so “he could get up to speed” on the commission’s activities in May.

McClafferty said he took that to mean he was “on the commission.”

Commission members also said they were unhappy McClafferty wrote a letter to county officials, pitching the idea of moving the Portage County Municipal Court location to Streetsboro.

Commission member Davene Sarrocco-Smith said McClafferty “mispoke on numerous occassions for numerous people.”

The July 22 letter included the statement, “Although I do not speak for the City Council or the mayor, I am confident that our municipality may consider assisting in the cost of construction for a new courthouse to the county.”

“This is not a political arena,” Sarrocco-Smith said of the commission. “When you use your position on planning commission as a tool to get wherever you’re going, that is an absolute abuse of power and privelege.”

McClafferty said he did not intend to speak on anyone’s behalf in the letter regarding the courthouse.

“Sending a letter representing yourself and your position in the city — there’s nothing wrong with that,” McClafferty said. “It was a letter that was in the best interest of the citizens of Streetsboro, in my opinion.”

The third communique commission members were upset about was a July 27 e-mail to Zoning Inspector Stacey Vadaj, who also serves as clerk for the commission.

The message announced McClafferty’s intent to post political signs “in yards for special events within the community” prior to 45 days before the election.

“Just a fair warning, if any of our signs are taken down, or the owners of the property are hassled … we will be filing suit. I promise,” the letter said.

Commission member Tom Horsfall called the letter “threatening.”

McClafferty said, and Melling confirmed, that court cases have ruled political sign date limitations unconstitutional.

19.	Posted by Uknown August 7, 2009
	As we all know, there are only three reasons to visit Milwaukee: to attend a funeral, to hear an oompah band, and to consume beer and bratwurst. The Liberal Exposer, being ambitious, visited Milwaukee intending to do all three. He was frustrated in his plan to attend a funeral when an elderly uncle quickly recovered from a heart attack. "Typical," said the Liberal Exposer, for the elderly uncle was a union diehard. He went to hear an oompah band and thoroughly enjoyed himself; it would prove to be the high point of his trip. "Typical," said the Liberal Exposer, for he was often heard to say, "I've never heard an oompah band that I didn't like." Finally, he went to the Schlitz factory to consume beer and bratwurst. In a freak industrial accident, his beer consumed his bratwurst. About this the Liberal Exposer had nothing to say. On the bus home, however, he suddenly spoke (frightening a young lady sitting next to him). "Typical," said the Liberal Exposer, for he had just remembered Milwaukee's tourist slogan, "What happens in Milwaukee, stays in Milwaukee."