Volunteer Board Selection Process and Released Ranking Records
Volunteer Board Selection Process and Released Ranking Records
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A factual overview of the interview, recommendation, and appointment process for the 2026 appointments to the advisory board vacancies, based on publicly available records and released Right-to-Know materials.
A factual overview of the interview, recommendation, and appointment process for the 2026 appointments to the advisory board vacancies, based on publicly available records and released Right-to-Know materials.
January 28th, 2026 and February 25th, 2026
January 28th, 2026 and February 25th, 2026
The selection results of each individual commissioner for the volunteer vacancy positions were later made available through a Right-to-Know Request titled Volunteer Board Volunteer Rankings.
The selection results of each individual commissioner for the volunteer vacancy positions were later made available through a Right-to-Know Request titled Volunteer Board Volunteer Rankings.
The Board of Commissioners does have the authority to appoint individuals to volunteer positions and to choose the process used for those appointments.
The Board of Commissioners does have the authority to appoint individuals to volunteer positions and to choose the process used for those appointments.
At the same time, the released records show that the rankings were completed outside of public view using a spreadsheet labeled "A–E" with no names on the spreadsheets.
At the same time, the released records show that the rankings were completed outside of public view using a spreadsheet labeled "A–E" with no names on the spreadsheets.
As a result, residents had questions about how the process aligned with prior discussions around increased transparency. During the meeting, there also appeared to be some uncertainty regarding how the selection method was being carried out.
As a result, residents had questions about how the process aligned with prior discussions around increased transparency. During the meeting, there also appeared to be some uncertainty regarding how the selection method was being carried out.
Board of Commissioners Voting Selection
Board of Commissioners Voting Selection
Right to Know Confirmation
Right to Know Confirmation
Source: Right to Know - Volunteer Board Volunteer Rankings
Source: Right to Know - Volunteer Board Volunteer Rankings
Eric Fairchild
Eric Fairchild
Source: Right to Know - Volunteer Board Volunteer Rankings
Source: Right to Know - Volunteer Board Volunteer Rankings
Jennifer Clarke
Jennifer Clarke
Source: Right to Know - Volunteer Board Volunteer Rankings
Source: Right to Know - Volunteer Board Volunteer Rankings
Karen Overly-Smith
Karen Overly-Smith
Source: Right to Know - Volunteer Board Volunteer Rankings
Source: Right to Know - Volunteer Board Volunteer Rankings
Phil Walsh
Phil Walsh
Source: Right to Know - Volunteer Board Volunteer Rankings
Source: Right to Know - Volunteer Board Volunteer Rankings
Ken Martin
Ken Martin
Source: Right to Know - Volunteer Board Volunteer Rankings
Source: Right to Know - Volunteer Board Volunteer Rankings
03.12.26 James Cochran RTK Materials_2.pdfScore Sheet
Score Sheet
Source: Right to Know - Volunteer Board Volunteer Rankings
Source: Right to Know - Volunteer Board Volunteer Rankings
Board of Commissioners Meeting - March 4th, 2026 / Volunteer Positions
Board of Commissioners Meeting - March 4th, 2026 / Volunteer Positions
A clear nomination process supports public trust Example on February 5th, 2025
A clear nomination process supports public trust Example on February 5th, 2025
Public Nomination Process
Public Nomination Process
Using that process, the commissioners put forward four nominees:
Jim Paulus, nominated by Commissioner Walsh; Jim Cochran, nominated by President Martin; Jeff Williams, nominated by Vice President Castranio; and Barry Strock, nominated by Commissioner Fairchild. The board then voted on the candidates in the order they were nominated. According to the minutes, no candidate received the three votes needed for appointment.
After that deadlock, the board discussed what to do next. Commissioner Fairchild questioned why the board would limit itself to only those four names if no one had secured a majority. The township solicitor stated that reopening nominations would require a motion, a second, and majority approval. Fairchild criticized the process and attempted to nominate additional candidates, including Anthony Foschi, Shannon Pennington, Jim Damschroder, and Karen Overly Smith, but the solicitor advised that nominations had already been closed because the motion to reopen had failed.
The meeting then became more contentious. Commissioner Fairchild argued the process was unfair and said it was not in the public’s best interest. At 7:10 p.m., he left his seat at the dais and moved into the audience, though he said he was not resigning. Commissioner Walsh then addressed Vacancy Board Chair Sharon Shipman and said he hoped she would consider all applicants and the overall chemistry of the board. Later in public comment, a resident asked what would happen next, and President Martin said the matter would go to a public meeting of the Vacancy Board, likely the following week. The meeting adjourned at 7:17 p.m. by a 3-0 vote
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