The Ocean Beach Planning Board (OBPB) will hold elections for 7 of 14 board seats up for grabs Tuesday, March 9 at the Ocean Beach Recreation Center, 4726 Santa Monica Ave. The election is planned from 4 to 7 p.m. The planning board makes recommendations to the city of San Diego on land-use and planning issues. It also acts as a local public forum and facilitates communication from city officials. The community is divided into seven districts with two representatives for each district. Two of the districts currently have nobody running for them and seats may remain open if no one steps forward to run. “If they (candidates) lose, the board can appoint members to fill those open seats if candidates collect 35 signatures in the uncontested district,” said OBPB Chairwoman Brittany Taylor. This means that even if some candidates lose the election for their own district, everyone who is currently running could still claim a seat on the board. The candidates must have attended at least one regular meeting. The board next meets next on Wednesday, March 3 at the Ocean Beach Rec Center. Come election time, voters must show a picture identification and verify residency or voter eligibility for the district in which they wish to vote, Taylor said. A driver’s license or government-issued ID with a current address will suffice, she said. Voters can also bring a utility bill and a picture ID to verify address, Taylor said. The following is a list of candidates and districts (candidate statements and photos follow at the end for those who have returned information): District 1: Bordered by Muir Avenue and West Point Loma Avenue to the north and south; extends from Sunset Cliffs Boulevard to the beach. District 1 candidates include: • Ronson “Rony” Shamoun • Landry Watson District 2: Extends from Muir Avenue south to Cape May Avenue; Sunset Cliffs Boulevard to the beach. District 2 candidates include: • Dave Sparling • Barbara Schmidtknecht District 3: Runs from Cape May Avenue to West Point Loma Avenue; Sunset Cliffs Boulevard west to Froude Street. District 3 open: Currently, there are no candidates running for District 3. District 4: Bordered by Newport Avenue and Cape May Avenue; Froude Street to the beach. District 4 candidates include: • Seth Connelly District 5: Falls between Coronado Avenue and Niagra Avenue; Cable Street west to the ocean. District 5 candidates include: • Giovanni Ingolia District 6: Runs the area between Coronado Avenue and Niagara Avenue; Cable Street east to Froude Street. District 6 candidates include: • Catherine Cappellucci District 7: Southernmost district extending from Del Mar Avenue to Adair Street; Froude Street west to the ocean. District 7 open: Currently, there are no candidates running for District 7. A map of the districts can be found on the OBPB website at www.oceanbeachpb.com/files/35167926.jpg CANDIDATE STATEMENTS (those who responded): DISTRICT 1 CANDIDATE RONSON SHAMOUN “I’ve been in this town my whole life. … I own four buildings in Ocean Beach and I’m a business owner in Ocean Beach, so I understand the concerns of businesses when we have business-related issues. … I’m also an attorney, so I know a lot about real estate law, construction law and property law so I could understand them [project applicants]. I’ve been on this board for two years. It seems like we’re all in sync, and I think for the first time, the planning board, the merchant’s association and the town council are all getting along and working together and understanding each other’s concerns to make OB a better place.” DISTRICT 1 CANDIDATE LANDRY WATSON “I welcome the opportunity to continue to serve OB as I have over the past 3 years. My commitment to preserve the unique character and historical resources of this community is without question and my voting record will confirm that fact. Additionally, I will continue to support policies and projects that contribute to a greener and more sustainable community to ensure OB will endure for generations to come as the special place we call home.” DISTRICT 2 CANDIDATE BARBARA SCHMIDTKNECHT “I have lived in Ocean Beach for over 10 years. OB is my home and I have volunteered on the OB Tree Committee, along with the OBMA Street Fair for the past five years. I have also served on the board of directors for the Ocean Beach Town Council. The reason I want to serve on the OB Planning Board is simple. I want to preserve our local style, maintain the neighborhood atmosphere — which includes owner-operated businesses — the Historic Beach Cottage District and have a voice on new growth and development in my community. I’m able to commit to a two-year term and volunteering is becoming a way of life for me, one that I plan on continuing in Ocean Beach. When I was approached to write something on why I wanted to be on the OB Planning Board and what I could bring to the Planning Board: I’ll bring cookies.” DISTRICT 2 CANDIDATE DAVE SPARLING “If elected, I will work hard to keep my new, last hometown a place it’s residents can be proud of and our visitors pleased enough to keep returning. “If elected, I will make sure everyone in District 2 who wants to stay in touch has my e-mail. Mostly, I will just be seen riding my bike around OB and loaded down with friendly hellos.” DISTRICT 4 CANDIDATE SETH CONNELLY “As a local resident, I am committed to promoting local businesses and preserving the community character of Ocean Beach. During my two years of service on the OBPB, I have sought to further these goals in a manner that is as fair as possible to all of those who live, work or own property in our community.” DISTRICT 6 CANDIDATE CATHERINE CAPPELLUCCI “I think I would be a great candidate for the OBPB for the reason that I have been an ‘Obeacean’ for the last 32 years and I greatly care and respect the community. I look forward to being an advocate and a sound voice for our local merchants and our residents that share any concerns regarding our growing community.”