By Pat Jenkins The Dispatch Eatonville's Planning Commission, a gatekeeper for issues involving the town's livability and growth, has two new members. Martin Miller, a self-described property rights advocate, and Richard Bertoia, a retired educator, will fill two vacancies on the commission. Their appointments by Mayor Mike Schaub were confirmed Feb. 10 by the Town Council. Schaub said the commission, which holds public hearings and advises the council on land-use applications and environmental plans and regulations, is an "important first step" for reviewing proposals before they are sent to the council for final decisions. He said Miller and Bertoia, his first appointments since becoming mayor last December, are well-suited for their new roles. Miller has worked as a line foreman for Tacoma Public Utilities and Ohop Mutual Light and has been a volunteer groundskeeper at Smallwood Park. He told the council that he's a "real fair" supporter of private-property rights and will apply "common sense" to the commission process. Pedroia worked as an administrator in public schools until retiring. Since moving to Eatonville, he has volunteered with the local animal care organization, Eatonville Community Center and Relay for Life. He said he seeks "positive" and "transparent" approaches to building a community. Councilman Brendan Pierce thanked Pedroia, Miller and other commission members for serving in their unpaid roles. "These are community-minded people," Pierce said. The commission meets on the first and third Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. at Eatonville Community Center.
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