I assume some of their terms may have started under a previous mayor. Is there a list of which MPC members were appointed by which mayor? How long they have served? Their voting records on projects?

I assume most any property owning, taxpaying citizen is a potential candidate.

The 'interest' part I agree with, the 'background' part is not as important to me as being a sensible, calm, thoughtful person.

How long do they serve? Do they have term limits?

P.S. I don't mean to badmouth all MPC Commissioners. There are some really good, intelligent Commissioners, who take the time to be well-informed about the issues that come before them, and who approach their jobs in a thoughtful manner. This includes some whose opinions I often disagree with.

The need for better balance is real, tho.

And they serve 4 year terms, unless they are filling the balance of an unfinished term. The individual terms, and whether they are City or County appointees, is listed on the page linked to in the lead post of this thread.

Any suggestions for good potential appointees to fill MPC seats in the future. A little background on them?

Theoretically 6 of the 8 current development industry seats would go to representatives of other groups of the population.

For many years it has been known that in both MPC, City Council, and County Commission there is a methodology to discourage citizen participation.

Ok, I've been yelling and lobbying for better public processes fo years. I don't mean to imply that we have reached public participation nirvana, but it IS getting better, especially in the City.

I do not think there is "methodology" or an intent on the part of MPC and Council to discourage citizen participation. Commission, given yesterday's dismal showing, is another matter.

Some of the common techniques are:
Multiple trips are required

If you mean to different venues (i.e. many things are heard first by MPC, then by Council), that's designed to protect rights, not to discourage participation.

Last minute cancellations that are not noted at the beginning of the meeting

They are noted at any meetings I have attended.

Workshop drift

HUH?

Schedule the most contentious item at the very last of the meeting

These meetings have set formats. For example, Council acts on ordinances on second reading before acting on those on first reading. There is no attempt to rig the agenda to run folks off.

Require name and home address of all speakers even though the name and home address of government officials is not listed

If you have a problem with stating your name, you shouldn't be speaking.

Five minute limit and you must elect a spokesman to speak for your group

Actually, Council limits speakers to 3 on a side with 5 minutes each. MPC does only allow 5 min per side, but doesn't limit how many speakers. Both bodies have been known to waive the limits when something that attracts a lot of folks comes along.

And speaking as someone who sat through a 7 and a half hour MPC meeting a couple of weeks ago, thank God there is a limit on speakers.

Urban Growth agreements are actually just suggestions and are not enforceable

Sector Plans are also just suggestions

Well, no - the Growth Agreement has the force of law in the city and county. Sector plans are law in the city, but not in the county (Council votes to adopt the plans, but Commission just "accepts" them).

But they are plans, not ordinances, and therefore subject to some level of interpretation. I do agree that they need to be followed.

Variances will be given as needed and over community objection

Well, it's BZA, not MPC, that handles variances, but I agree they are given too freely.

Lack of an Attorney may affect your outcome

I've often wondered if this is really true. Everybody in Knox County knows who the hired gun land use lawyers are, and I hope that the governmental bodies take that into account when they speak. I suspect most members do.

Even if you bring 150 people MPC may ignore you

Yup. Because sometimes the 150 people are wrong. Look, bringing a bunch of folks to the meeting indicates a strong concern, and it should be responded to accordingly. But public participation doesn't mean that you automatically get everything you want.

We are told time and time again that both City and County government desires citizen participation. Yet our own eyes and ears show us this is not the case.

Mine show me that this is getting much better in the City.

That is why there is so much distrust Mr. Hill. Until MPC follows it's own rules that distrust will continue.

Actually I think a lot of the distrust comes from 16 years of Victor Ashe, who really did discourage and disparage public participation. But that's just me.

BTW, 9, when have I ever seen you at a public meeting? Showing up is a much better form of participation than sitting home with your keyboard.

Having the MPC (and County Commission) meetings in the middle of the day when most folks are at work, and having them in a location that is mostly inaccessible to elderly or handicapped citizens.

As usual, you are engaging in twisting what someone else says.

I never said the public particpation process was perfect. I said it was getting better in the City.

I never said that MPC never made a bad decision. They do, and I'm the first to yell when they do. In fact, I've been complaining on this board just in the last few days that MPC appts need to be more balanced.

But unlike you, I try to be fair in my criticism. When I think something needs fixing, I say so. When I think it's done well, or is improving, I say so.

I try not to demonize individuals.

Unlike you and the President, I do "do nuance."

I've had it with your personal insults, directed at me and at others. You have no real interest in a dialog, or in learning new information. You simply thrive on attention and I for one am through giving it to you.

How does the average citizen suggest candidates for appt to MPC?

That would depend on your relationship with the City and/or County Mayors. They make the appointments. I suggest a $1,500 campaign donation to either or both of the Mayors. That opens doors.

How does the average citizen suggest candidates for appt to MPC?

Don't know about the County, but there is a place on the City website where interested parties can submit their names.