Tehachapi News

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Sometimes, making a decision can be as simple as flipping a coin. That’s how the City Council decided last week to settle on an appointment to fill a vacancy on the city planning commission.
Two candidates, Carl Gehricke and Charles White, had been nominated to complete the term of John Wupperfield, who had resigned from the commission last month. 
The vote was tied, 2-2, for each candidate. Mayor Deborah Hand was absent, so there was no tie-breaking vote. The council members agreed that both men were equally qualified, so they agreed to toss a coin to determine who would be appointed.  Gehricke won the coin toss.
“I've been in Tehachapi 31 years and I've seen it grow,” said Gehricke. “I'm basically a team player but, like a business man, I ask a lot of questions.”
Both candidates for the position had given a brief presentation to the council as to why they should be appointed.
Councilman Beckham questioned White as to his availability based upon all of the other committees and projects he is involved with in town. Beckham expressed concern that White may be “stretched too thin”.
In other business the council accepted a bid from the Griffith Company in the amount of $562,092 for street improvements on the north side of Tehachapi Boulevard. between South Robinson Street and South Hayes Street.
The improvements include new curb and gutter, sidewalks, driveways, pedestrian improvements, landscaping and parking improvements. These improvements are part of a multi-phase street improvement plan for Tehachapi Boulevard between Mill Street and Dennison Road.