Schumacher named planning commission alternat

Rick Schumacher is the new alternate member of the Calabasas Planning Commission.

Mayor Barry Groveman suggested Schumacher be given the vacant seat and the city council voted 5-0 in favor.

The planning commission hears topics and makes recommendations to the city council regarding city planning issues. The alternate commissioner has authority to vote in the absence of a permanent commissioner.

"There were very good candidates," Groveman said. "Rick has got some good experience . . . He's been on the California Association of Realtors and most significant he worked during the infancy of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy on Peter Strauss Ranch."

Schumacher said he's honored to serve on the commission.

"I'm very appreciative of the trust you've put in me," Schumachertold council members. "I understand how important the role of the alternate will be on the planning commission and I hope I can do a very good job to represent all of the citizens of Calabasas."

Councilmember James Bozajian said he approves of Schumacher and hopes the council can also appoint frequent applicant Michael Friedman to one of the city's commissions.

Friedman applied for planning commission alternate, but lost the job to Schumacher.

"(Friedman) has applied for commission seats for which he's very well qualified many years running," Bozajian said. "It'd be my hope that should there be a vacancy on an appropriate commission, that he be offered a chance to serve because he has been the most persevering person in coming back to the council that I've seen in this city's history."

Schumacher'sterm will expire March 31, 2007.

-Michael Picarella