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Dawn Bateman took Rey Johnson's spot on the Grass Valley Planning Commission Tuesday night on a unanimous vote by the City Council.
“She's one of the smartest people I know working in Grass Valley,” said Mayor Lisa Swarthout before accepting the 5-0 vote.
Bateman told the council she had been keeping up with city issues. Earlier this week, she told The Union that she wanted to take a more active role in city government beyond her spot on Grass Valley's Historical Commission.
Johnson felt compelled to step down from the commission in late June after realizing his land holdings were in conflict with votes on adjacent projects. Johnson is chairman of the board of Pacific Land Enterprises, which has holdings for lease or sale between the proposed Idaho-Maryland Mine reopening area and the Loma Rica Ranch project.
City Councilman Dan Miller chose Bateman over former city planning commissioner Larry Hoffman, the only two applicants. Hoffman served for former Mayor Mark Johnson and was replaced on the panel in December when new council member Yolanda Cookson appointed Daniel Swartzendruber.
Miller said he was more comfortable with Bateman because he has known her for 20 years and worked with her when she was director of the Grass Valley/Nevada County Chamber of Commerce.
The councilman said earlier in the week that he also liked her affinity for infill growth compared to pushing the city limits outward.
“She said she would not parrot what I want and that's what I want,” Miller said before the vote. The councilman said he spoke briefly to Hoffman about the position and interviewed Bateman.
Hoffman said Tuesday night that he spoke to Miller in passing about the opening but never formally interviewed with him and never heard from him again until Monday.
“He didn't call me until after he had made his decision,” Hoffman said. “I was hoping more people would apply for it not connected with the established business community or part of the clique.”
Miller did not vote for Hoffman when former Mayor Johnson presented him for board approval several years ago. He said earlier this week he thought Hoffman might have his mind made up about the proposed reopening of the mine and the special development areas on the outskirts of the city without listening to all arguments.
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
“She's one of the smartest people I know working in Grass Valley,” said Mayor Lisa Swarthout before accepting the 5-0 vote.
Bateman told the council she had been keeping up with city issues. Earlier this week, she told The Union that she wanted to take a more active role in city government beyond her spot on Grass Valley's Historical Commission.
Johnson felt compelled to step down from the commission in late June after realizing his land holdings were in conflict with votes on adjacent projects. Johnson is chairman of the board of Pacific Land Enterprises, which has holdings for lease or sale between the proposed Idaho-Maryland Mine reopening area and the Loma Rica Ranch project.
City Councilman Dan Miller chose Bateman over former city planning commissioner Larry Hoffman, the only two applicants. Hoffman served for former Mayor Mark Johnson and was replaced on the panel in December when new council member Yolanda Cookson appointed Daniel Swartzendruber.
Miller said he was more comfortable with Bateman because he has known her for 20 years and worked with her when she was director of the Grass Valley/Nevada County Chamber of Commerce.
The councilman said earlier in the week that he also liked her affinity for infill growth compared to pushing the city limits outward.
“She said she would not parrot what I want and that's what I want,” Miller said before the vote. The councilman said he spoke briefly to Hoffman about the position and interviewed Bateman.
Hoffman said Tuesday night that he spoke to Miller in passing about the opening but never formally interviewed with him and never heard from him again until Monday.
“He didn't call me until after he had made his decision,” Hoffman said. “I was hoping more people would apply for it not connected with the established business community or part of the clique.”
Miller did not vote for Hoffman when former Mayor Johnson presented him for board approval several years ago. He said earlier this week he thought Hoffman might have his mind made up about the proposed reopening of the mine and the special development areas on the outskirts of the city without listening to all arguments.
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
