The La Jolla Community Planning Association will hold elections on March 1 fill six seats with a three-year term that expire in March 2015 plus one vacant seat with a term that expires in March 2013. The nine candidates have issued written statements regarding their experience and qualifications. Elections will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. in the room just north of the arcade at the La Jolla Recreation Center. Devin Burstein “I live with my wife on Rosemont in Windansea. I was a trustee for the last two and a half years … I think I bring a slightly different perspective to the group than the rest of the trustees. I come from a little bit of a different generational perspective. I’m always open to listening. I think even the people who don’t necessarily agree with my points of view will say that I’ve never turned down a request to talk to anybody. In addition, I think I help bring efficiency to these meetings. Everybody’s voice should be heard, but, at some point, we’ve got to move things along. I think that’s something the public and trustees all appreciate. I think all my fellow trustees would probably recommend me. In terms of my views, I think that development and progress are not always the same thing, although they can be.” Dan Courtney “My occupation for the past 23 years has been as an industrial real estate agent … I have been a home owner in La Jolla Shores since 1994 and have been donating time to La Jolla since 1998 when I was elected to The La Jolla Shores Association. I served four years on the LJSA … four years on the La Jolla Town Council … [and] for the past three years I’ve served as a trustee on the La Jolla Community Planning Association … I’ve also been active on multiple sub-committees and task forces, including four years on the La Jolla Traffic and Transportation Committee and Torrey Pines Road Safety Coalition. My positions on key issues impacting La Jolla include: opposed to paid parking in the village; support shared use of the Children’s Pool; support continued consideration to incorporate La Jolla as it’s own city; respect private property rights, but prefer to see responsible development, consistent with the neighborhood character; support increased safety for traffic and pedestrians along the Torrey Pines Road Corridor and throughout La Jolla in general. I feel my responsibility on the CPA is to look out for the best interests of La Jolla over the long run and to represent the great and unique community of La Jolla. During the 14 years that I’ve served on various La Jolla community groups I’ve always followed my gut and spoken out for what I feel is fair and right.” Cindy Thorsen “I’ve been a resident of La Jolla for the past 21 years and have lived in San Diego all my life. Five years ago I became aware of a re-zoning effort, which could have irreparably changed the quality and character of La Jolla. As my daughter was older and I had more time to volunteer, I got involved. My favorite volunteer duty has been on the Membership Committee, which I have done for nearly five years. It’s been a wonderful opportunity to get to know members of the community and also encourage them to be involved. I have served two years as a La Jolla Town Council trustee, one year as a member of PDO, currently serving my third year on the DPR, and have volunteered for various subcommittees such as LJCPA Elections & Bylaws Committees. My inspiration is to be a steward for the generations to come. I am strongly motivated to follow code and planning enforcements consistently and fairly.” Frances O’Neil Zimmerman “I’ve lived in La Jolla since 1970 … I’ve worked as a writer and a teacher, and I am now retired. For eight years, I was an elected trustee on the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education. I played a role in establishing the pool at La Jolla High School and improving the Farmers Market at La Jolla Elementary School … I’ve seen many changes in this community, and one of the most positive has been the vitality and usefulness of this community association … I’m concerned about the livability of our neighborhoods and the waning charms at the center of town … housing density, increasing on-street parking and lot splits, growing commercial property vacancies in town, unsightly and seemingly interminable projects like the lifeguard station at Casa Cove and in the Shores, and the endless ‘big dig’ at the La Jolla Shores parking lot. I see no improvement in our infrastructure deficits like potholes, crumbling curbsides, dark streetlights, uncollected trash and littered beaches. The LJCPA is the liaison and a forum for the people who live here, and it can positively influence outcomes in at least some of the areas I’ve mentioned.” Phil Merten “I’m an almost 40-year resident of La Jolla. I joined the planning association in the 1980s and have been actively involved ever since. I am an architect by profession. I understand the rules and regulations that apply to the community in terms of building development. My interests are preserving the unique character of this community through the uniform interpretation, application and enforcement of the rules and regulations that pertain to real estate development in La Jolla. In the past, I have chaired the La Jolla Shores Permit Review Committee, and I’ve been a chair of the past Coastal Development Permit Committee. I’d like to continue bringing my expertise as an architect to the board of trustees.” Tom Brady “I have been a resident in La Jolla for the last 45 years and am a candidate for a second three-year term as a trustee. I am a retired CPA, having been a partner with Peterson & Co. CPAs a La Jolla CPA firm – now Squar, Milner & Peterson – from 1977 to 2005. I serve on several community boards and committees and look forward to serving the community in the future if I am elected as a trustee. I really feel very, very much indebted to the community and the beautiful place that it is. I want to continue to do my part, and I appreciate your support.” Cynthia Bond “I have served as a trustee of the LJCPA for the past year, a year that has highlighted the multiple and often diverse views of land use and development opportunities. In order to best serve the community I have visited sites, spoken with neighbors of properties, and participated in San Diego City Council meetings. Also, I serve on the Long Range Vision Subcommittee of the La Jolla Shores PDO Update Committee … As a trustee I share the commitment to uphold current laws and navigate the discretionary provisions of local ordinances in order that La Jolla continues as one of the outstanding communities on the Pacific Coast. I am also a committee member of the La Jolla Secret Garden Tour, and have volunteered every spring since moving here from New York City in the fall of 2001. I would very much like to see enhanced landscaping and general upgrades in the visual experience of living in and visiting our wonderful community.” Darcy Ashley “I’ve been a resident of Bird Rock since 1998. I have been on the LJCPA for a three year term, and I was secretary during that time as well … I’ve been the president of the La Jolla Town Council and been involved in a number of different volunteer organizations over the years. I have also served on the Development Permit Review Committee for several years. I’d really appreciate your vote.” Nancy Manno “I am a native of San Diego. My husband and I have lived in La Jolla, on Mt. Soledad overlooking the Shores, for 38 years. We are privileged to live in La Jolla, and I believe this privilege requires community service, hence my desire to continue to serve as a trustee of the La Jolla Community Planning Association. As a trustee, I will continue to adhere to the La Jolla Community Plan. I am honored to have served with the current board and hope to continue my service for an additional three years.”