Evan Cyr, in an article in the Jan. 17 Sun Journal, complains that after nearly a dozen years on the Auburn Planning Board he was not reappointed to that position.

The former Auburn City Council, at its final meeting on Dec. 4, attempted to extend its control over future Planning Board membership by making three appointments to Planning Board positions for terms that would not even begin until Jan. 1, 2024 (after the former City Council’s terms had expired on Dec. 14) and would extend for three years, to expire on Jan. 1, 2027.

Perhaps Mr. Cyr is disgruntled that the new council on Dec. 18 chose to follow the city precedent of appointing new Planning Board members at the start of the new year and rescinded the 11th-hour appointments. The application process then began anew, with seven applicants for three positions that were about to become vacant.

It was at this point that Mr. Cyr flippantly submitted an application that contained only song lyrics. His complaints weren’t surprising, given the many public comments he made on the Civility and Respect in Auburn Politics Facebook page.

As an Auburn resident who has gone before the Planning Board and attended some Planning Board meetings, I hope that the indifference often shown to residents in the past will be replaced by more thoughtful consideration of the housing issues Auburn faces.

It’s time to look at the city’s character as a whole, not just make it ever easier to put up multi-unit housing.

Renee Cote, Auburn