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<br /> <br />Comments on the political nature of the appointment process were also common. A <br />sampling: "the process is very political" (from a California planning commissioner); <br />"appointments sometimes are the result of political favors" (from a Michigan planner); <br />"the appointment process can become very political" (from a Maryland planner); <br />"appointments are used as payback for election support or to appease factions calling <br />for more representation" (from a former Virginia planning commission chairman); <br />"politics still plays a big role" (from a North Carolina planner). <br />But sometimes the appointment process is just one big mystery. As one planning <br />director put it: "it's a black box at the council level." <br /> <br />