Bill Rodgers Appointed to Planning Commission

WAITSBURG – The Waitsburg Planning Commission is now just one seat shy of being complete. At their regular March meeting, the Waitsburg City Council unanimously approved an application from Bill Rodgers to sit on the commission.

Rodgers moved to Waitsburg just over a year ago, when he purchased the home of city council member KC Kuykendall in January 2016. Rodgers is a retired geologist and environmental consultant who spent the bulk of his career working in Mercer Island.

Rodgers spent his last three years before retiring working at Hanford, which is what brought him over from the east side, he said.

“I’m loving it here. Waitsburg is a great town and I’ve made many new friends,” Rodgers said.

Rodgers said he was encouraged to apply for a seat on Waitsburg’s planning commission by city council member Karen Gregutt.

“I checked into it and decided it was something I would want to do. I like to be involved in the community and give back,” Rodgers said.

Public service is something Rodgers is familiar with. In Mercer Island, he served as president of the Chamber of Commerce in 2001, and sat on the chamber board for ten years.

“I was very involved in the community,” he said. “My dad was on the planning commission in Mercer Island for 10 years, and I saw what he was able to do and how he was able to help the community This seemed like a good opportunity to help Waitsburg grow,” he added.

There is still one seat empty on the seven-person City Planning Commission. Members are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council to serve a six-year term. Current members are: Larry Johnson (Chair), Karen Gregutt, KC Kuykendall, Brian Callahan, Stan Bly, and Rodgers. Applications may be obtained at City Hall.