Phoenix Blog

Mark Irby

On January 2, a Valley man named Mark Irby disappeared near his family's vacation home in Forest Lakes, Arizona, after leaving for what was supposed to have been a short ATV ride. 

Turns out, Irby is the vice chairman of Chandler's Planning and Zoning Commission. A large-scale search for Irby has turned up few clues, and city planning officials say they have received no news about the search for Irby since he disappeared. So they're moving forward, with Chandler mayor Boyd Dunn temporarily appointing Christian minister Kevin Hartke to Irby's post.

Dunn told the Arizona Republic that a full commission "should be available to hear and discuss projects as they move through our system."

In a memo to City Council members, Dunn wrote, "I know we are all hoping for the safe return of Mr. Irby to his family and to the community."