Most appointments to boards by the Monroe County commissioners go through unanimously. This one didn’t

The Monroe County Industrial Development Authority selected Brian Winot to be on its board for a term to expire on Dec. 31, 2029. His appointment was confirmed in a 2-1 vote, with Commissioner David Parker voting no.

“I know the candidate and greatly respect the work he has done for the county, his township, and our broader community,” Parker said. “He has consistently demonstrated generosity through his support of local charities, including a recent contribution to the Salvation Army. His commitment to public service is clear and appreciated.”

That isn’t the problem.

Parker continued that he thinks the commissioners’ goal “should be to build a board that reflects a broad range of backgrounds and expertise aligned with the county’s economic development needs.”

Parker said the board member that resigned had experience in regional public utilities that was valuable knowledge for the county. Winot has experience in development, but the board already has “strong representation in that area.” Parker thinks they should use this opportunity to expand the board’s “range of perspectives or fill an existing gap in expertise.”

There were other candidates, Parker said. They had different experiences that could be valuable to the MCIDA as it “works to responsibly market and sell its significant county backed property holdings.”

Parker added that to his knowledge, the other candidates were not even interviewed and that a candidate he supported was “criticized for previously speaking during public comment in opposition to a board decision.”

“I see this willingness to speak thoughtfully and independently as a strength. In my view, effective boards benefit from members who bring diverse perspectives and are willing to raise questions and advocate for their beliefs in service to the public,” Parker said. … “Thoughtful deliberation, not simply approving recommendations without discussion, will help ensure a strong effective board.”

Commissioner Chairman John Christy said, “We appreciate your concerns. So noted. I will also say that the IDA does have a system of vetting for their board members.”

A vote was called for and Christy and Commissioner Sharon Laverdure voted yes to approve the appointment of Winot.