Junction City Commissioners have voted to appoint Ricardo Gutierrez to a seat on the governing body. He will fill the vacancy created by the recent resignation of Jeff Underhill from the commission.
Gutierrez introduced himself, noting he retired from the military and in his last assignment served as Command Sgt.Major at Irwin Army Community Hospital. He has held multiple leadership positions and has two master's degrees. His passions are youth and the needy.
Gutierrez was elected by his fellow commissioners after a series of failed nominations and two rounds of voting. Others who received nominations but not enough votes to gain approval included Bob Story, Lorraine Ceniceros, Alex Tyson and Jim Germann. Commissioners were split in their support for the different candidates. The vote for Gutiereez was 3-1 on the second round of voting.
There was some discussion about possibly using a weighted nomination process, addressing the matter at the March 4 commission meeting or even having a special election, but none of those ideas gained approval. Gutierrez was seated on the commission immediately after the voting.
The term to be filled by Gutierrez runs for the remainder of this year.