| Supervisor Dennis Hansberger has replaced his longtime planning commissioner and former political adversary who is known for being a liberal voice in a county full of conservative ideals. Hansberger, who represents San Bernardino County's 3rd District, is removing Theresa Kwappenberg from the post after more than nine years. In her stead, Hansberger has chosen William Collazo, a Redlands resident who has been the Inland Empire sales manager at Orange Coast Title since 1996. The supervisor wrote in a letter to Kwappenberg that she would remain in the post until Tuesday. "You have immersed yourself in the profession and art of planning, and I hope that you have received as much from your contributions as you have given," Hansberger wrote in his letter to Kwappenberg. "I truly appreciate your willingness to serve and the passion you bring to the process." Hansberger did not return a call for comment Friday. In a press release, he said, "I do not expect to see eye to eye with the commissioners on every issue. That is not and never will be appropriate. They must have the ability to make independent decisions. In my opinion, Theresa Kwappenberg's views deserved and received a voice in the system." In his letter to Kwappenberg, Hansberger said he believed it is "time for you to be able to speak freely" on housing projects in the Crafton Hills, where she owns property. Such development has been controversial because some residents oppose eliminating some of the last large green space in Redlands. Given her more liberal positions, Kwappenberg said she was not surprised that Hansberger chose to replace her. She thanked Hansberger for the opportunity to represent the 3rd District for the past nine years. "My philosophy is quite different from the county in many respects," she said. "I feel my job is to represent my constituents." She said the commission is critical for the county's future because it provides a rare forum for residents to speak publicly. It's something she said does not happen enough. Kathy Van Natta, an Oak Hills resident, said the county was losing out with Kwappenberg's departure. Van Natta became familiar with Kwappenberg over a small project to build a pizza parlor. The project ignored Oak Hills' community plan, which was approved by residents in 2003 and the county in 2004, Van Natta said. The Planning Commission approved it, over Kwappenberg's objections, and it now waits to be approved by the Board of Supervisors. "It's going to annihilate our community plan," said Van Natta, who plans to speak out when the supervisors tackle the issue later this month. If the board approves it, she said, she and others plan to file a lawsuit to stop it. Attending the planning sessions and watching Kwappenberg gave Van Natta a strong appreciation of the outgoing commissioner's work. "She was the lone voice of reason," Van Natta said. "She would look at the overall project, not just who it would benefit." Kwappenberg ran against Hansberger in a 1996 primary election for the 3rd District seat but endorsed him in the general election that year. She was named to the Planning Commission shortly after Hansberger's appointment to the board. Hansberger said he chose Collazo for his "level-headed views on the balance between business and community growth." "It has been my thought for some time to appoint someone who has a broad view of the needs of our current economic environment," Hansberger said. "I had been impressed by Bill Collazo's pro-business interests and background, as well as his understanding of the pressures and problems that come with growth." Collazo did not return a call for comment Friday. | 
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