New Tehachapi planning commissioner sworn in
With an interest in being part of the “good things” happening in Tehachapi, Steve Hamblin was sworn in as the newest member of the Tehachapi Planning Commission on Oct. 7.
He succeeds Kenneth Wright, who served on the commission for the past few years.
Hamblin, 44, grew up in southern Oregon, and arrived in Tehachapi in 2014. He works as an engineering manager for The Spaceship Company.
Asked why he wishes to serve on the Planning Commission, Hamblin said, “Predominately to serve and be involved with the good things that are happening with this community. My family is very happy living here, and I want to be a part of the great things that are going on.”
According to Chairperson Charles White, Wright elected to vacate his seat on the board after moving outside Tehachapi city limits.
“He is a firefighter and dedicated to his profession, and was very helpful on the Planning Commission,” White said of Wright.
Hamblin will serve on the board and fulfill Wright’s initial appointment by the Tehachapi City Council by serving until June 30, 2021. From there, he said if he could be of further assistance, he “would be happy to help.”
“I enjoy the direction it (the city) is heading in,” Hamblin said.
As for the city’s future growth, Hamblin said, “I think growth is something we have to do in general, whether personal, city or business.”
The Tehachapi City Council voted to appoint Hamblin during its Oct. 5 meeting. According to City Manager Greg Garrett, the council had two candidates to choose from: Hamblin and Michael Dillenbeck.
“Both of them, as far as I’m concerned, are top-notch candidates, and I thank them both in advance,” Garrett said the morning of Oct. 5.
Garrett went on to say it was a hard decision because both candidates were “ready, willing and able to help out in a positive way.”