Speaker leaves Planning Commission

Planning Commission Vice Chairman Fred Speaker, who made an unsuccessful bid for City Council this year, has stepped down from his post, officials confirmed Wednesday.

Speaker, 67, turned in his resignation Tuesday for the commission after nearly 10 years of service. It was effective immediately, and he was not present at Tuesday’s commission meeting.

The resignation letter gave no reason for leaving, and Speaker couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.

Speaker began his public service career on the finance board in 1990 and has served on the Design Review Board and the Water Task Force Committee.

This was his first run for a City Council seat, which ended unsuccessfully despite the backing of both the fire and police unions. He captured about 11% of the votes, landing him around the middle of a 21-candidate race.

The semi-retired small-business owner of S & S Auto Broker ran on a platform of being business-friendly and putting the taxpayers first.

—Britney Barnes