Saratoga residents Susie Vendantham Nagpal, Michael Shallop, Michael Uhl and continuing Commissioner Cynthia Barry were sworn in before council members, planning commissioners and family members as the city's new planning commissioners in an informal ceremony held on March 20. Their term is effective starting in April and will continue for four years, with the exception of Barry, who said she intends to stick around at least for the first year of the transition phase.

Vice Mayor Ann Waltonsmith said the selection process was difficult because all the applicants were "extremely qualified" and had "the proper background and knowledge."

There were a total of 19 applicants, all of whom were asked specific questions by council members during a "thorough" 20-minute interview.

Waltonsmith said that this has been the largest number of applicants she has seen during her term.

"I'm delighted that so many people see the commission as vital to the community," she said. "It's great to see their level of interest."

Nagpal, who has lived in Saratoga since 1991 after having moved from Monte Sereno, said that one of the reasons she decided to apply for the position was because she wanted to "give something back to the community." With her background as an environmental consultant and her involvement with projects concerning site planning, hazardous waste investigation and occupational health and safety training, Nagpal said that she would be a perfect fit along with the other commissioners who have expertise in different areas.

But the 39-year-old mother of two said she could offer something more valuable, such as bringing "objectivity and compassion to the table." As a former applicant for the planning commission, Nagpal said she "understands what it is like to be on the other side of the mike."

Uhl, a resident of Saratoga since 2001, will be one of two other "Mikes" on the commission. Uhl said he is "ecstatic to be joining the community as a commissioner." The operations improvement management consultant works with many high-tech companies to help improve their performance. He works "full-time and plus" but said he will make the commission a priority.

"The history of Saratoga is outstanding and unique," he said. "We, as commissioners, need to make sure it stays that way for future generations."

Uhl, who attended four commission meetings prior to his interview, said he commended the commissioners for listening to the applicants' concerns and for finding a balance between the interests of the citizens and city ordinances.

Shallop, who is a practicing attorney, also works with high-tech companies and deals with issues regarding copyrights and patents. Shallop, who has lived in Saratoga since 1989, said that although the city has grown in a number of ways, it has maintained its uniqueness. He said his goal on the commission is to "keep Saratoga intact" as well as to be "fair and objective."

Shallop has experience working with the city. He is involved with the parks and recreation commission and serves on the Gardiner Park/Wildcat Creek Task Force.

While the three newcomers look forward to their four-year terms, Barry said she is uncertain how long she will stay with the commission, due to personal reasons. She works as a clinical psychologist at her private practice in San Jose and is a principal in a small nonprofit agency, where she works with public criminal justice agencies.

According to Barry, the commission is undergoing a General Plan revision, which she would like to be a part of. In addition, she said she wants to "make sure that the new planning commission runs as smoothly as the former one."