Hughson chooses planner for council

By ROGER W. HOSKINS
BEE STAFF WRITER

E-Mail

Comments (0)

Text Size:

tool goes here

HUGHSON -- It took two ballots, but the Hughson City Council and Mayor Kenneth Moore filled the council vacancy left by Stephen Qualls' resignation a month ago.

Planning Commissioner Henry Hesling Sr. was nominated by Moore and received the three votes needed Monday night to edge out longtime resident Ben Manley and Planning Commissioner Candice Steelman.

Hesling is a retired city manager and former Hughson police chief. He immediately took his seat and pledged during a break to work with the council on the challenges ahead, mainly a looming budget crisis.

Modbee.com continuing coverage: School budget crisis

Former councilman Qualls -- who now works for the California League of Cities in Sacramento -- gave a report that the budget crisis is likely to get worse before it gets better.

Qualls told the council not to neglect transportation project funds. In the current climate, he said, "It's use it or lose it."

Qualls also said the state likely will delay payment of road tax shares to local governments for four or five months as one way to mitigate the state's fiscal crisis.

Hesling's appointment will set off at least two more vacancies. He will step down from the Planning Commission and his seat on the county grand jury. He said he didn't think he could do justice to the council and grand jury simultaneously.

Manley said he will apply for Hesling's seat on the Planning Commission.

Staff writer Roger W. Hoskins can be reached at rhoskins@modbee.com or 578-2311.