RE: “Planners to revisit appeal procedure,” (Page 1, March 10). I thank the La Jolla Village News for its informative article regarding our March 3 meeting. While I may not agree with every sentence, it is important for those who do not attend our meetings to be informed about what their planning group is doing. Unfortunately, the juxtaposition of reports and quotes on four separate issues during the course of the meeting may confuse readers who might assume that the article is only about one issue. First and foremost, the planning group’s credibility and integrity is always at stake.  It is something that an organization should never take for granted and that philosophy has guided my leadership over the past three years. They say that watching democracy in action is like watching sausage being made — you like the result but the process is often not pretty to watch. Our March 3 meeting was no exception, as the last meeting under my tenure was filled with challenging issues. The planning group met that challenge as it listened to public input (nearly 100 were in attendance) and openly and thoughtfully addressed each and every agenda item. We also made plans to address policy questions. When an organization reviews more than 100 projects a year, encompasses four subcommittees totaling more than 40 volunteers, serves a community with high expectations, and is held accountable to bylaws, policies, City Council policies, city regulations and state laws, issues are bound to arise. Under my tenure, we have always welcomed criticism and complaints because every organization needs to constantly re-examine how it is serving its constituents. Acknowledging that we can always do better ensures continual improvement of our service to the community, applicants and the city. Please share your thoughts with us at [email protected]. Better yet, attend our meetings and be a part of our conversations. — Joe LaCava lives in La Jolla.