GREENFIELD — The Greenfield City Planning Commission has a new Planning Commissioner. The city council appointed David Kong for a three-year term on March 14.
Kong replaces another commissioner, whose term expired on Dec. 31.
The city advertised for the opening in the Greenfield News and received two applications, Kong and Jessica Bautista.
Kong has been a resident of Greenfield for 10 years and has been employed as an information technology programmer and technology specialist with the Monterey County Office of Education since 2000.
“He has volunteered his services for the voter registration drives, the Harvest Festival and Day of the Worker,” Community Service Director Mic Steinmann said.
Bautista has been a resident of Greenfield for 38 years and is a self-employed fitness instructor. She has been involved in Greenfield Little League and a member of the Code Enforcement Board. Bautista was unable to attend the Tuesday night meeting.
Before moving to Greenfield, Kong lived in Soledad and has lived most of his life in Monterey County. Kong turned in his application within days of the announcement of the Planning Commission vacancy.
“I thought that it would be great, something I could do to help the city, help the community,” Kong said. “I’m known as the consensus builder. I take groups that don’t work together that come together and make them work.”
Steinmann said the city council only had to consider the two applications and if one applicant was acceptable to the group, they would appoint one to a three-year term.
“We need someone that will be transparent, neutral and honest,” Beatriz Diaz said. “Someone that is a full-time resident in our city of Greenfield and can work well with council and with others. David is transparent, neutral and honest and he’s a long time, full-time resident of our city of Greenfield.”
Resident Irene Garcia said Kong works well with people and he would be a great asset for the Planning Commission.
Council member Yanely Martinez said Kong turned in his application on Jan. 10, and thought that showed commitment.
“As soon as you saw that opening you applied and that speaks highly of you,” Martinez said.
Mayor Pro-Tem Avelina Torres seconded the motion made by Martinez and the motion was supported 3-2.
