MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Regional Planning Commission officially appointed Darrel Severns as the body’s senior planner and secretary on Thursday.
Susan Oswalt, RPC chairwoman, said the appointment will authorize Severns to act on behalf of the commission in the minor subdivision of land and such other matters as may be delegated by the commission. Severns has been on the job since May 5 and is being instructed by Randy Pore, the previous senior planner and secretary.
After the meeting, Severns praised Pore’s service to the commission and said he had some big shoes to fill. He said he looks forward to the challenges that lie ahead, adding that there are many land use issues that face the county. Severns also said one of his goals is to work to bring in townships that are not currently involved with RPC.
The commission also expressed its gratitude to Rochelle Shackle, clerk and administrator of the Knox County Board of County Commissioners, who worked without pay from Feb. 20 through May 2 for 10 to 15 hours a week, answering phone calls, preparing and mailing monthly notices to the commission, assisting the public, processing requests for minor subdivisions of land for final approval by Pore, and attending to other tasks needed to continue the operation of the commission office until a new senior planner could be hired.
