Town still planning to hire planner

There was little doubt Town Planner Marianne Manville-Ailles would be hard to replace.

Just how much so became quite apparent Sunday when her designated successor, veteran planner Kevin Cricchio, informed Town Administrator Scott Thomas that he was withdrawing from the position here.

Cricchio, also planning director for the Town of Concrete, had been the choice to succeed Manville-Ailles, who is transitioning to a position with the City of Mount Vernon after three years in La Conner.

“It’s unfortunate,” Thomas said Monday of Cricchio’s sudden withdrawal, “because he was so well qualified.”

Cri...