With the results of two community planning board elections on the Peninsula in the bag, the outcome of one more board election ” the Peninsula Community Planning Board (PCPB) ” will be determined today at the Hervey/Point Loma Branch Library, 3701 Voltaire St., from 4 to 8 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Ocean Beach Community Planning Board (OBCPB) and the Midway Community Planning Advisory Committee (MCPAC) have announced the winners of their respective elections held last week.
“We had a wonderful turnout and good, close competition,” said OBCPB chair Landry Watson.
Six seats were uncontested in the OCPCPB race and one seat was contested. Though results of the OBCPB contest remain unofficial, candidates who ran uncontested for seats were Ronnie Shamoun, Shane Finneran, Giovanni Ingolia, George Murphy, Michael Taylor and Brittany Taylor.
Three candidates battled for one vacant seat that represents Newport Avenue and the surrounding area. Seth Connolly claimed the seat with 37 votes, followed by Eli Ben-Moshe with 28 votes and Patrick Tyler Farmer with 3 votes.
Watson said the board would likely certify the candidates-elect at the next board meeting on Wednesday, April 2 at the Ocean Beach Recreation Center, 4726 Santa Monica Ave. The meeting runs from 6 to 8 p.m.
He said this year’s election set a record for voter turnout, drawing about 87 voters to the polls. This is three times as many as the previous election, he said.
The Midway Community Planning Advisory Committee, with four open seats, returned all four incumbents during a March 12 election at the Peninsula Community Service Center on Sports Arena Boulevard, according to Midway Planning Board member Melanie Nickel.
Four incumbents returned to office were:
“¢ Mike Drogin, owner/manager of The Orchard Apartments, 4040 Hancock St.;
“¢ Tony Lombardi, retired resident at The Orchard Apartments;
“¢ Joe Manino, health club owner and current the board’s vice president; and
“¢ Chuck Pretto, vice president of Kobey’s Swap Meet.
The lone challenger, Rich Geisler, was not elected to the board, according to semi-official results. The vote count still requires board ratification.
Nickel said the elections had an average voter turnout.
“Most of the people who voted were residents and we didn’t get too many business representatives,” she said. “Most of the people [who voted] live in one of the residential areas.”
The Midway planning area has a large business community, Nickel said.
With membership on two of the area’s three main planning boards settled, the remaining body, the Peninsula Community Planning Board, boasts a field of at least 10 declared candidates today for five seats.
Last week, residents were given a chance to talk with some of the candidates during the PCPB’s candidate forum at the Loma Riviera Club House.
Though not all 10 candidates attended the candidate forum, many who did had a chance to answer questions mediated by former PCPB board chair Dee Wylie. Wylie said about 30 people, including candidates and board members, attended. Candidates addressed issues like development, traffic and population density from condominiums, said Wylie.
The candidate names, address and general occupation from application documents are:
“¢ Geoff Page, Bolinas Street, self-employed/construction, current PCPB chair;
“¢ Patti Rank, Capistrano Street, self-employed/real estate, 6-year board member;
“¢ Mignon Scherer, Central Loma Drive, retired public school educator and counselor;
“¢ Harris Steiner, San Fernando Street, teacher, veteran and aerospace engineer;
“¢ Chuck Mellor, Del Mar Avenue, trial attorney, Boy Scout scoutmaster and pilot;
“¢ Lance Murphy, Santa Monica Avenue, mechanical engineer, PCPB Airport Committee chair.
“¢ Shelly Kilbourn McGee, Torrento Drive, land-use planning consultant on urban development and coastal communities;
“¢ Donna Kaup, Albion Street, widowed wife of a retired rear admiral;
“¢ Jim Lester, Bangor Street, real estate investor, experience with urban planning and former PCPB member; and
“¢ J. Scott Brown, Whittier Street, real estate agent, Brown Development Group L.L.C.
Candidates win based on a majority vote, according to PCPB bylaws.
Last year’s election resulted in a run-off election that prolonged the process for several months while the board, the City Attorney’s Office and community members decided on the interpretation of the board’s bylaws regarding attendance of a minimum number of board meetings in a specified period.
The unclear rule forced the PCPB to revisit its bylaws, and although the board didn’t finish the revamp of their governing document in time for this election cycle, the board is a bit more prepared this year, according to election committee officials.
If needed, a run-off election is scheduled for Thursday, April 3, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Hervey/Point Loma Branch Library.
Board members have often disagreed on the direction and responsibilities of the PCPB that have, in the past, resulted in controversy.
“We want to work together,” Wylie said, “[but] even on an election committee we don’t [always] work together.”
The PCPB is one of about 42 recognized planning boards that advise the city on land use, community goals and development proposals.
For information, visit www.pcpb-.net.