The La Jolla Community Planning Association (LJCPA) has nine vacancies to fill; half of its 18-member board, which will be determined when the annual election takes place at the March 6 meeting.
Of the 13 candidates running for the planning board, two are repeat candidates. Both Orrin Gabsch and Todd Lesser missed too many meetings, and decided to run again.
Gabsch, a representative of Muirlands, is a registered pharmacist who has owned and operated Burns Drugs for many years. In a written statement, Gabsch said he believes “that as a longtime resident and business owner, I understand the issues and challenges that we face as a community.”
Lesser represents La Jolla Shores, and wrote that “as a previous board member of the LJCPA, I have fought to preserve and where possible improve the quality of life for the residents of La Jolla.” Lesser said he is against increasing the density of La Jolla.
Joe LaCava, a Bird Rock representative, and the current president of the Bird Rock Community Council, is also endorsed by the BRCC. He said he hopes this year’s race will remain friendly. In a written statement, LaCava said, “La Jolla is a beautiful community but it is in a constant state of tension between preservation and redevelopment. My passions are redevelopment that is as good for the community as it is for applicants.”
David Little represents Bird Rock, and served as president and treasurer of the La Jolla Tennis Club. Little wrote he is “happy with the reforms in the CPA election procedure and with the new bylaws created in the past year.” He will “continue the reforms and work to create an organization that is representative of the entire community.”
Phil Merten, of Muirlands, has lived in La Jolla for 32 years. The owner of an architectural firm, Merten wrote, “I believe new development must be sensitive to and respect existing neighborhood character and surrounding development.”
Glen Rasmussen represents Windansea, is a San Diego native and writes that he “is married for 30 years to Marilyn, we have two children, Mikko, age 21, and Marina, age 16.”
Tiffany Sherer represents Promote La Jolla. In a written statement, Sherer said, “Often, business owners are too busy running their own busy enterprises to spend more time on community endeavors, and have trusted Promote La Jolla to be involved in community issues on their behalf. In my position with PLJ, I have been actively involved and serve [as an alternate] on the Planned District Ordinance Committee and the Traffic and Transportation Committee … I regularly attend other community meetings as it is critical to our mission to be connected to the community by being active participants in the community.”
Tim Lucas was born in La Jolla and represents La Jolla Shores. Lucas holds a computer science degree from San Diego State University and works in the computer support field. In a statement, Lucas wrote, “The density and population of La Jolla have increased to the point where we have nearly intolerable traffic and infrastructure problems, many of these brought out by poorly planned developments. I am against paid on-street parking because I feel that it hurts most residents, many businesses, and won’t solve the problem anyway.”
Lynne Russell Hayes, of Muirlands, moved to San Diego in 1988. “I am an architect, primarily with residential projects all over the county,” Hayes said in a written statement. “I am extremely concerned about the future of La Jolla and feel that it is imperative to have knowledgeable people as trustees of the association that understand the regulations and the community plan for La Jolla.
Timothy Golba represents Muirlands and is the current LJCPA president. Golba said he uses his background and expertise as an architect. “I soon found out that this position was much less about architectural knowledge as it was business and communication issues,” Golba said in a written statement. “I look forward to continuing on as a trustee to advance the goodwill.”
Jim Fitzgerald, of Muirlands is a La Jolla resident of 19 years and an active member of the LJCPA. “I am asking for your support for trustee because I believe that I bring the experience, the commitment and the balanced and proven judgment to effectively serve the La Jolla community,” Fitzgerald said in a written statement.
Tony Crisafi represents the village of La Jolla business owners. In a written statement, Crisafi said, “I believe that any new design in La Jolla should be better than what is replaced. Design and implementation of new developments should honestly respond to its environment.”
John A. Berol, of La Jolla Shores, said his experience in community service includes chairing the La Jolla Shores Association. “Accomplishments included attaining the alcohol ban for La Jolla Shores Beach, stopping the plan to widen La Jolla Shores Drive, obtaining an ordinance prohibiting the building of basements in a manner that requires pumping groundwater to the storm sewer that empties onto the beach, and working with [many groups],” he said in a written statement.
These candidates will be running in the annual LJCPA annual election Thursday, March 6, 6 p.m. at La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St. Members may cast a vote. For more information, visit www.lajollacpa.org.