P&Z appointment smells of political favor

| June 23, 2019 1:00 AM

At the Sandpoint City Council meeting on Wednesday, June 5, Mayor Shelby Rognstad appointed Forrest Schuck, a local Realtor, to the Planning and Zoning Commission. As a Realtor, Mr. Schuck’s appointment would appear to be a conflict of interest. Interestingly, the mayor and Mr. Schuck’s son are good friends, and Mr. Schuck has personal ties to the Sandpoint Airport, which could drastically skew his judgement.

Although the mayor stated there were a number of other qualified candidates, and “We’ve always had a Realtor on the Planning and Zoning Board,” this appointment smells of political favor, and is only one of a number of questionable actions by the mayor in recent months.

Sandpoint city residents and taxpayers deserve an ethical mayor who keeps the best interests of the city in mind when making decisions, instead of granting political favors.

STEVE TILLBERG

Sandpoint