Bakersfield Planning Commissioner and City Councilman Jeffrey Tkac has died of an apparent suicide just one month after being sworn in for his first term on the council. Tkac's body was discovered at a residence on Jan. 5. A firearm was also recovered at the scene.
Colleagues expressed shock at the news, remembering Tkac as an energetic and jovial man.
"His demeanor was always so positive," said former Mayor Harvey Hall. "He always had a smile on his face whenever I would see him."
Councilwoman Jacquie Sullivan recalled the councilman’s obvious love for his wife and sons. The current mayor and a number of other colleagues have released statements on social media.
Tkac was a successful business owner who had also served 20 years on the Bakersfield Planning Commission. He defeated incumbent Harold Hanson for the Ward 5 council seat in November. He had also spent nearly three decades as a reserve officer for the Bakersfield Police Department and was once a semi-pro skateboarder and member of the city’s Endless Wave team.
The city must now decide how to fill Tkac’s seat. If a petition garnered 25 percent of voters’ signatures, the city would have to hold a special election within 180 days. That would be costly. If no petition is filed within four weeks, the council can appoint a replacement instead.