Council Approves Controversial Appointments to Rockville Planning Commission

The Rockville City Council approved Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio’s appointments to the Rockville Planning Commission on Monday, despite discord among council members, the mayor and the commission chairman who’s getting replaced.

After a unanimous vote, Anne Goodman was appointed to replace Commissioner Kate Ostell, whose term expired last year. Charles Littlefield will replace Commissioner Jerry Callistein, whose term expired June 1.

Callistein said he was “rudely removed” from his commissioner seat. Callistein said he filed the paper work to be reappointed in February, but he never heard back from the mayor.

“And on June 10, when I sat here in my position as chair of the Planning Commission delivering the annual report, the mayor made the rather aggressive move of nominating two people for the Planning Commission—neither of whom were me or Commissioner Ostell,” said Callistein, in his lengthy address during Citizen’s Forum. “I guess rather than acting professionally and speaking to us beforehand, the mayor decided to passively make her opinions known.”

Councilmember Mark Pierzchala said Callistein’s address was “eloquent.”

“I agree with everything he said,” Pierzchala said.

Mayor Marcuccio did not address Callistein’s comments during the meeting, though she said the commission would have to vote for a new chair.

Prior to the reappointment votes, Marcuccio addressed why Ostell was not reappointed. Ostell served two, five-year terms.

“It was made very clear to her—she will tell you that—that I did not intend to re-appoint her,” Marccucio said. “Ten years is sufficient. We need to rotate some of the people on our boards and commissions because we keep the same people over and over.”

Councilman Tom Moore said that he was “disappointed” with how the appointments were made. 

“We should try harder to treat our public servants better," Moore said.