Longtime Humboldt County Planning Commissioner Alan Bongio has stepped down, relinquishing the position he’s held for nearly a decade, according to a statement issued this morning by First District Supervisor Rex Bohn, who appointed him to the commission in January 2013.

Skavdal | LinkedIn

In his place, Bohn has appointed Ferndale resident Ivar Skavdal, who was general manager of GHD Engineering’s U.S. operations before retiring early this year. Prior to that he spent 34 years working for Winzler and Kelly, where he was president/CEO and chair of the board. Skavdal facilitated the merger of Winzler and Kelley and GHD in 2011, according to Bohn.

Bongio has faced a stream of criticism and scrutiny over his behavior and incendiary comments made during an August 18 Planning Commission meeting. During a hearing to consider permit modifications for a mega-home project with multiple permit violations, Bongio railed against local Native American tribes, repeatedly referring to them as “the Indians,” deriding their influence over the project and at one point alluding to a racist stereotype.

Amid the subsequent furor, the Board of Supervisors censured him for his racist remarks and moved to remove him from his position as chair of the Planning Commission. At the time, Bohn said he couldn’t kick Bongio off the commission, saying, “I can’t fire my friend. I’m sorry.”

Here’s today’s statement from Bohn:

Alan Bongio, my Planning Commissioner for the last 10 years and long time Chair of the Commission, has stepped down to focus on his family and business. I appreciate his service in this capacity which is basically a volunteer position. I wish him the best in the future.

I am appointing Ivar Skavdal who has agreed to represent the First District. Ivar is a 7th generation born Humboldter [CORRECTION: Bohn later clarified that Skadval’s grandson is 7th generation; Skadval himself is merely 5th generation] who lives in Ferndale and was educated at Franklin Elementary, Zane Middle School, and Eureka High School.

Ivar attended Humboldt State University and Chico State University. He is a registered Civil Engineer who started as a student intern with Winzler & Kelly Civil Engineering Firm and earned his way to CEO President of the firm in 2002. He facilitated the merger of Winzler and Kelley and GHD in 2011, served as president of GHD USA, and served on the GHD global Board of Directors. GHD has over 12,000 employees worldwide. His experience will serve Humboldt well.

Ivar has recently retired and would like to give back and serve the community that gave him his start. I am excited as we move forward with offshore wind and Nordic Fish Farm to have someone with his expertise who has overseen projects of this size and magnitude. I am fortunate to find someone of this caliber to appoint to the Planning Commission and look forward to his contributions.

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