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Two planning commissioners, who have served on the commission since the 80s, received awards of appreciation at last week’s Edwardsville Planning Commission meeting.

Gerald Pappert and Harold “Woody” Berry are at the end of their terms and though Mayor William “Heinz” Rodgers said he asked them prior to the meeting if they had any interest in being re-appointed, both declined because they feel it is time to step down.

“I think I’ve done my time,” said Berry.

At the end of the meeting, Pappert made a similar remark.

“I’ve met a lot of nice people but my time is time to go,” said Pappert. “And I wish you all a lot of luck.”

Pappert was first appointed to the planning commission by former Edwardsville mayor Lindy Trent, and has served consecutive terms since then. Berry was first appointed in 1986, but took a break from 1993 to 2000 to serve on the city council as a council member and then as mayor. Of the three positions Berry has held, he was clear about which one was his favorite.

“(Planning commissioner) is the position I started in in ’86 and the position I ended up in,” said Berry. “I guess out of the three positions I’ve held, I like the planning commission the best.”

Pappert likened the commission to a group of friends who hang out once a month. He noted that members of the planning commission haven’t always agreed on every issue but they are largely, as he said, a “pretty close-knit group.” He described himself as a planning commissioner who hasn’t said much over the years but who has spoken when necessary.

“I may have not always said a lot,” said Pappert. “But if I had a point (to make) I got my point across.”

Of the award, Berry said he was delighted and rather surprised.

“It’s tremendous,” said Berry. “I was quite honored and pleased to receive the award. It was totally unexpected.”

Mayor Rodgers said awards like these are rarely given out and only to mark a “significant level of achievement” in service to the city. He said that Pappert and Berry are the perfect recipients for such an award.

“These guys are a rare breed,” he said. “They are a fine example for all the rest of our citizens, mainly because they exemplify the whole concept of serving your community and being a part of your community.”

“Hopefully that’s a contagious thing,” he added.

Pappert and Berry both said they will miss being on the planning commission even though they feel it is time to leave it. More than twenty years of involvement is an old habit to break and Pappert hopes members of the commission won’t be too surprised if they still see him at monthly meetings from time to time.

“I may just stop by,” he said.

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