The Board functions like a technical consultant to the Council recommending effective ways to accomplish the general community goals requested by the Council. The Council gives a sense of direction to the Board. The Board then uses its specialized back-ground and expertise to make recommendations back to the Council.

The recommendations may be creative and far reaching. They may be more complex or technically innovative than the Council ever imagined. But, it is the Council that makes the final decision with whatever political considerations it deems appropriate. Each role is vital to a smoothly functioning community. But they are separate.

Attend your governing body's meeting when an appeal of one of your decisions is being considered. It may not be pleasant to hear people disagree with you, but the experience will give you some sense of the depth of feeling of elected officials, and the public, on specific issues. If the commission's findings often are overturned because of form or content, you may want to review them with your staff; if the findings are okay but the governing body disagrees with your conclusions, it is still appropriate to revisit the issue informally to see why you are out of step.

... Be acquainted with the political platforms of the members of the governing body. Did someone campaign for office promising to end all planning as you know it? That is a clue to how that individual may respond to particular issues. You still should not give up. You or other commissioners should arrange a visit to explain your position and the positive results planning has on your community -- and also listen to the elected official's contrary ideas.