Bob Harbison

last week handed over the reigns of the Fayette County Planning Commission

after serving as its chairman for three years.

"This

has been one of the most pleasurable things I've ever done," Harbison

said after announcing that he would prefer the commission elect someone

else its chairman for 2001.

"We disagree

often, but we respect one another's opinion," he said.

The group elected

Fred Bowen its new chairman and Bill Beckwith its vice chairman. Commission

members, who are appointed by the Fayette County Commission, choose their

chairman each January.

Bowen started

his one-year term as chairman by thanking Harbison for his service.

"It's

a lot of work, chairing a commission like this," said Bowen. "There

are so many strong opinions. I can't think of anyone who could have led

this group better."

The chairman

must maintain decorum during often heated discussion of controversial

zoning matters, he pointed out.

Bowen presented

Harbison with a plaque thanking him for his "time, energy and patience."

The group last

week also named Robyn Wilson its secretary.