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Rey Johnson has resigned from the Grass Valley Planning Commission, citing an inability to vote on key city issues because of possible conflicts with his land holdings.
The commissioner has interests in properties near the Idaho-Maryland Mine and the Loma Rica Ranch special development areas in Grass Valley, that could benefit from those proposed projects.
“I resigned due to my inability to input two of the important projects coming up in the city,” Johnson said Saturday in an e-mail to The Union. “With my holdings around town, I am foreclosed from voting on those projects.”
The commissioner is also chairman of the board at Pacific Land Enterprises, a real estate development, management and marketing firm in Grass Valley.
The firm currently has three buildings for sale or lease in the Whispering Pines Business Park, which sits between the proposed mine reopening area and the Loma Rica property.
“The citizens of Grass Valley deserve to be represented by someone who is able to voice their opinion without restrictions on these very important projects,” Johnson said.
“The most pressing issue for the city is to make decisions that are good for the vitality and health of the community, not the personal agenda of a few.”
“He's semi-retired and has a new home in Montana,” and wants to spend more time there, said Mayor Lisa Swarthout. “Rey felt he had a lot of conflicts in the community with all the land he owns.”
The former planning commissioner will now be replaced to fulfill his term which expires Dec. 10, 2010. The replacement will be made upon the recommendation of City Councilman Dan Miller, who could not be found for comment.
Each council person nominates a member for the planning commission, who is the appointed to the panel by a vote of the council.
The replacement will be the third new planning commissioner since December 2008.
At that time, new City Council member Yolanda Cookson selected Daniel Swartzendruber to replace Larry Hoffman, who had served for then-outgoing Mayor Mark Johnson.
Mayor Swarthout named former mayor and councilwoman Patti Ingram at the same time to replace Eleanor Kenitzer, who stepped down because of possible conflicts with her job as the officer manager at the Idaho-Maryland Mine Corporation.
Applications for the position can be obtained from City Clerk Kristi Bashor at City Hall, 125 East Main St. or online from the city's Web site, www.cityofgrassvalley.com.
You can also call Bashor at 274-4310 or Planning Clerk Sue Colbert at 274-4330 to have an application mailed or for more information. The deadline is 5 p.m. July 8.
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
The commissioner has interests in properties near the Idaho-Maryland Mine and the Loma Rica Ranch special development areas in Grass Valley, that could benefit from those proposed projects.
“I resigned due to my inability to input two of the important projects coming up in the city,” Johnson said Saturday in an e-mail to The Union. “With my holdings around town, I am foreclosed from voting on those projects.”
The commissioner is also chairman of the board at Pacific Land Enterprises, a real estate development, management and marketing firm in Grass Valley.
The firm currently has three buildings for sale or lease in the Whispering Pines Business Park, which sits between the proposed mine reopening area and the Loma Rica property.
“The citizens of Grass Valley deserve to be represented by someone who is able to voice their opinion without restrictions on these very important projects,” Johnson said.
“The most pressing issue for the city is to make decisions that are good for the vitality and health of the community, not the personal agenda of a few.”
“He's semi-retired and has a new home in Montana,” and wants to spend more time there, said Mayor Lisa Swarthout. “Rey felt he had a lot of conflicts in the community with all the land he owns.”
The former planning commissioner will now be replaced to fulfill his term which expires Dec. 10, 2010. The replacement will be made upon the recommendation of City Councilman Dan Miller, who could not be found for comment.
Each council person nominates a member for the planning commission, who is the appointed to the panel by a vote of the council.
The replacement will be the third new planning commissioner since December 2008.
At that time, new City Council member Yolanda Cookson selected Daniel Swartzendruber to replace Larry Hoffman, who had served for then-outgoing Mayor Mark Johnson.
Mayor Swarthout named former mayor and councilwoman Patti Ingram at the same time to replace Eleanor Kenitzer, who stepped down because of possible conflicts with her job as the officer manager at the Idaho-Maryland Mine Corporation.
Applications for the position can be obtained from City Clerk Kristi Bashor at City Hall, 125 East Main St. or online from the city's Web site, www.cityofgrassvalley.com.
You can also call Bashor at 274-4310 or Planning Clerk Sue Colbert at 274-4330 to have an application mailed or for more information. The deadline is 5 p.m. July 8.
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
