BongHwan Kim to head DONE

BongHwan Kim was named general manager of Los Angeles' Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE) yesterday.

He has served as interim general manager since last November and is the first Korean-American general manager in the city's history.

He took the position on the interim basis after the death of Carol Baker Tharp.

According to a press release from the city, Kim will work with Raphael Sonenshein, executive director of the Neighborhood Council Review Commission (INCRC), who will serve as a consultant to DONE.

Last September, the NCRC issued its final report, exploring the neighborhood council system created by voters in 1999 and recommending changes to make the system more effective.

DONE's mission is to promote public participation in government through the neighborhood council system, according to the city's release.