Mayor Boog Highberger has decided not to reappoint former Mayor Ernie Angino to a second term on the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission, opting instead for a Kansas University employee with a background in planning.

Highberger on Thursday announced the appointment of Lisa Harris, a publications editor with the KU Transportation Center. Harris has a master’s degree with a concentration in urban and regional planning and has worked for planning offices in New York state.

“She has a planning background and a lot of experience in transportation. And she simply is the best board person I have ever worked with in terms of being organized,” said Highberger, who served with Harris on the Lawrence Community Mercantile board.

But in making the appointment, Highberger took the unusual step of not reappointing a member who was eligible and willing to serve a second term. Angino said he respected Highberger’s choice to go in a different direction, but said he thought the appointment was a sign of how the Planning Commission was becoming more political.

“I think the Planning Commission has become a tool of the City Commission, and they (city commissioners) would like for it to reflect their views entirely rather than being an independent body,” Angino said. “My views are not in line with their desire to have a rubber-stamp board.”

Highberger said he did not expect Harris to simply agree with him on all planning issues. But he did say he wanted to make his own appointment to the board.

“The Planning Commission is one of the few areas that the mayor has his opportunity to make his mark, and I felt like I wanted to take advantage of that,” said Highberger, who thanked Angino for his years of service.

Highberger was elected two years ago as part of a group of candidates that ran on a Smart Growth platform. Highberger said Harris didn’t have to pass any litmus tests to gain the appointment, but he said he was looking for someone who shared some of his goals about managing growth.

The Planning Commission has been split six to four on several high-profile issues regarding growth and development. Angino often was part of the minority group.

Harris, who is a Lawrence resident, said she did not consider herself to be part of any particular philosophical camp when it came to growth and development.

“My approach is to be very sensible and hard-working, and I also believe in civility,” Harris said. “I’ll bring all those things to the board.”

Harris’ term, which is expected to be routinely confirmed by city commissioners at their meeting on Tuesday, will run through May 2008.