About the Planning Commissioners Journal

1. What We Cover: Now in its 20th year, the Planning Commissioners Journal is the nation's principal publication designed for citizen planners, including (but certainly not limited to) members of local planning commissions and zoning boards. Some 5,800 citizen planners across the U.S. and Canada receive the PCJ. We make every effort to ensure that what we run is clear & understandable to non-professionals -- and put considerable effort into ensuring that each quarterly issue of the PCJ is attractively designed and easy-to-read. The PCJ covers a wide range of planning issues, focusing on how citizen planners can work most effectively. You'll find topics such as: how to deal with the media; the basics of putting together a comprehensive plan; conflicts of interest & ex-parte communications; running an effective meeting; developing good staff-commissioner relations -- and many, many more. Most issues of the Planning Comm'rs Journal include two or three feature articles, along with shorter articles by several of our regular contributing writers. 2. A Few Words from the Editor of the PCJ: Our columns and articles are tailored to meet the needs we've heard many citizen planners express: plain English explanations of planning and land use issues; insightful ideas on how planning boards can work better; and understandable explanations of basic planning law principles. I served for eleven years as a member of the Burlington, Vermont, Planning Commission (including three years as Chair). I've experienced first hand many of the situations planning commissioners face. We're committed to publishing concise articles, written and edited so that you don't need an advanced degree to understand them. During the summer of 2007 I spent over six weeks traveling across the U.S. meeting with over a hundred planners & planning commissioners -- many subscribers to the Planning Commissioners Journal -- to better understand the planning issues communities -- large and small, urban and rural -- face. Our staff is also outstanding, led by our general manager Betsey Krumholz -- who has also served for six years as a planning commissioner. Our staff's top priority is being of assistance to our subscribers. Wayne M. Senville, Publisher & Editor, Planning Commissioners Journal 3. Subscription Rates & Ordering Information: Our basic rate is $67 for a one-year subscription. Each quarterly issue contains 20 pages packed with information. If you're subscribing for a small town or city (under 25,000 in population); or for a county or region with a population under 75,000, we provide a discount rate of $55. As a subscriber, you'll also receive 25% off all our past articles (available to immediately download), as well as other publications, such as: our Reprint Sets; our Welcome to the Commission Guide for New Members (ideal for newly appointed commissioners); and Elaine Cogan's entertaining & informative Now that You're on Board: How to Survive ... and Thrive ... as a Planning Commissioner. If you'd like to try out the PCJ, you can: Order a subscription online now (credit card payments only) Call us at: (802) 864-9083 E-Mail us at: pcjoffice@gmail.com, or Write to: Planning Commissioners Journal, P.O. Box 4295, Burlington, VT 05406