Citizen participation needed at City Hall

ASPEN Two influential advisory boards to the City Council are lacking in members, and elected officials are scrambling to find qualified citizens to serve.Commercial real estate broker Ruth Kruger resigned last week from the Planning and Zoning Commission, citing personal reasons.I would like to express my gratitude for your loyal assistance in the past few years. It has been a pleasure working with you and all of the staff at the city, Kruger wrote in her July 1 resignation letter. The professionalism and desire to persist through difficult work and long hours has not gone unrecognized. I could call out each of the staff members and thank them individually, but will remain brief in my resignation. My life is taking me on a different path and so time will no longer permit me to spend my Tuesday evenings with you. Good luck with the tasks ahead.Krugers departure leaves three open seats on the P&Z, which is a seven-member board with one alternate. The commission reviews development and land-use applications, and forwards its recommendations to the City Council.The Historic Preservation Commission, which oversees the rules and regulations regarding the citys historically designated properties, also needs three members for its eight-member board.Applications are available at http://www.aspenpitkin.com. Click on the City Clerks page. The City Council is expected to review the applications and interview applicants at the end of the month.