In our OMP News Roundup on Friday, we mentioned that Peninsula Township Planner Brian VanDenBrand had resigned, and that Assistant Planner Gordon Hayward’s contract had been extended for two pay cycles.
Here is the letter of resignation that Brian submitted to Township Supervisor Rob Manigold:
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Dear Rob:
Please accept this letter as my resignation from my position as Planner for Peninsula Township. As you and I have discussed, I anticipate my last day of employment to be Friday, March 2, 2018.
During my time at the Township, I’ve enjoyed working on the new Master Plan, Zoning Ordinance, Park Plan, PDR program, GIS, and interacting with constituents on a daily basis, among other responsibilities. I also enjoyed establishing relationships and friendships with the more than capable township staff, board members, commission members, and volunteers. Working with Gordon on the Bluff Road tree removal project was a particular highlight, even if we didn’t save all of the trees. Keep fighting the good fight.
At this time, my career interests have shifted and I will be pursuing a more singular, technically-based position.
I wish you and Peninsula Township the best in planning for the future of one of the most unique, special, and complex places in the country. During the transition period, please fel free to call me if I can help in any way. You have my number.
Thank you once again for this opportunity.
Best regards,
Brian VanDenBrand
A NOTE FROM JANE: I started Old Mission Gazette in 2015 because I felt a calling to provide the Old Mission Peninsula community with local news. After decades of writing for newspapers like the New York Times and Los Angeles Times, and magazines like Family Circle and Ladies' Home Journal, I really just wanted to write about my own community where I grew up on a cherry farm and raised my own family. So of course, I started my own newspaper. Because the Gazette is mainly reader-supported, I hope you'll consider tossing a few bucks my way if I mention your event, your business, your organization or your news item, or if you simply love reading about what's happening on the Old Mission Peninsula. Check out the donation page here. Thank you so much for your support. -jb
I do not know enough about Brian to say anything positive or negative and wish him well. I know he walked into a situation where there were many years of planning decisions made by a small part of our community that had far reaching negative effects on the masses. It is my hope that we will find someone that can help us purchase and develop desirable water access in numerous locations spread out through the entire Peninsula so that the burden of hosting the entire population’s beach access does not fall on any one small community.