After four months on the job, Pete Saunders is out as executive director for the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission. Peoria Public Radio’s Alex Rusciano reports:
The Tri-County Executive Board voted Wednesday night to terminate Saunders following a 60 day suspension. Before coming to Central Illinois, Saunders was a Chicago-area urban planning Consultant. Commission chairwoman Sue Sundell says the decision means the board is focused on personnel matters instead of other projects:
“Whatever of your energy that you’re putting into things other than policy it takes away from the energy you have to put into policy. Unfortunately that’s the way that goes.”
No official reason was given behind the vote to fire Saunders. Some sources broadly say there were financial concerns related to some of Saunders’ activities at the planning commission. Saunders did not comment on the Board’s decision. Sundell says the board offered to make staff member Eric Miller acting executive director for 90 days.