John Leaver to fill planning commission vacancy

John Leaver may has not left public service for long.

The former town councilor, defeated for re-election by Ivan Carlson, III last fall, is Mayor Ramon Hayes’ choice to fill a three-month vacancy on the planning commission.

Ironically, the open seat on the planning panel was created when commissioner Rick Dole was elected to the council last November.

Dole was sworn in January.

The council is expected to act on a resolution approving the appointment April 12.

Hayes announced his decision to tab Leaver for the commission post during the March 22 town council hybrid meeting at Maple Hall.

Hayes said he delayed his decision until after the planning commission had issued a recommendation on the conditional use permit application for a 20-unit apartment building in the commercial zone behind Slider’s Café.

He said he did not want to appear to be tipping the balance one way or the other.

“I appreciate your patience,” Hayes told the council. “You see, there was a method to my madness.”

Hayes said he decided upon Leaver based on his long public service.

Hayes said he had also interviewed Nancy Crowell, a Weekly News’ contributing writer and photographer.

“I had a fantastic conversation with her,” Hayes said. “She is very impressive. I told her that I hope she is available to serve when we have another opening.”

Leaver was front and center at the council meeting, introducing a new concept for a marketing icon at Gilkey Square. An earlier proposal was shelved due to lack of support.

He was joined by designer Ken Barnes and Katie’s Inn owner John Durgin. They shared images and descriptions of a 16-foot-wide by 26-inch-tall by 5-inch-thick centerpiece to be installed on the southwest corner of the square.

“The Chamber of Commerce had the Love La Conner sign out there last year and there were lots of people posing for selfies and looking at the thing,” Leaver said. “That’s when we got the idea of doing something more permanent.”

A new marketing icon will be paid with hotel-motel tax revenue earmarked for tourism enhancement.

The design features images symbolic of La Conner and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community.

“It’s a representation of the parts of La Conner that people come to see and all ties into the Love La Conner theme,” Barnes said.

Hayes and council members advised that they review the design with Swinomish tribal officials and the parks commission.

No firm timeline has been set for final action on the proposal.

“Our original intention in the first go-round was to have it up in time for tulip season,” Leaver said. “That won’t happen. Now, hopefully, summer.”