Williams' Johnson appointed to county planning panel

When former Williams City Councilman Eddie Johnson takes his seat on the Colusa County Planning Commission for the first time, he will walk into the update of the Colusa County general plan and zoning ordinance.

He joins the critical policy process about two years late, and at least half of that time the commission has not had any representative for the Williams area.

His first meeting is Feb. 21.

Johnson was appointed to the commission by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, filling the District 3 slot vacated by James Charter in December 2010.

Johnson said the he does not come to the position with a pre set agenda.

In fact, he said he will be patient and try to get a feel for what the other commissioners think and have been doing in recent months.

"I would hate to come in with (a set agenda) because I don't know where the present commission stands," Johnson said prior to his appointment.

However, he has indicated he does have a keen interest on how each matter that comes to the commission might impact Williams.

One area in the general plan that will have an impact on the Williams area is the addition of a general ag zoning designation.

Johnson served on the Williams Planning Commission for three years before being elected to the City Council. He served one term and chose not to seek re-election in November.

He also heads up the the Eddie Johnson Heart Disease Fund, which operates under the umbrella of the Community Foundation of Colusa County.

Among his other interests is to bring a skatepark to Williams.