At a recent candidate’s forum, 11 candidates vying for five, three-year terms on Peninsula Community Planning Board talked about themselves, their qualifications and plans.
PCPB will hold its annual election Thursday, March 16 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Point Loma/Hervey Branch Library at 3701 Voltaire St.
The applicant field includes Jeffrey Barr, Josh Dean, David Dick (incumbent), Francisco Garcia, Frederick Kosmo, Jon Linney (incumbent chair), Geoffrey Plagemann, Michael Ryan (incumbent), Don Sevrens (incumbent), Kellen Stewart, and Margaret Virissimo.
Candidate statement from their applications:
• Attorney Frederick Kosmo said his primary concerns were “responsible growth, airplane noise and pollution, traffic and congestion.”
• Architect Francisco Garcia said he’d like to see Point Loma continue as “a neighborhood where families can establish roots, where children are safe to play, where local businesses can thrive, and where the history and tradition of the military are respected.”
• Landscape architect Jeffrey Barr said he would “seek to enhance and promote the peninsula’s parks and open spaces as both local and regional destinations.”
• Sustainability consultant Josh Dean promised to “work with neighboring planning boards to strive for cohesion on transportation and long-range planning goals, ensuring the (Peninsula) community plan update is in line with goals of the city of San Diego’s Climate Action plan.”
• Incumbent attorney David Dick said “PCPB should remain focused on ensuring development is consistent with the Peninsula Community Plan, the special character of our community and the well-being of residents.”
• Financial advisor and current PCPB chair Jon Linney said he’d continue to “work with the board and community members on local land use, network together with local businesses and monitor community concerns and help support their resolution.”
• City planner Geoffrey Plagemann said he looks forward to working with stakeholders to “update the community plan, advocate for safe streets, and strive for sustainable design,” to achieve the goals of the city’s Climate Action Plan.
• A radio industry veteran, Michael Ryan said, if elected, he would promote “fixing potholes, support creating the Canon Street public park and watch out for building code violations.”
• Incumbent and retired journalist Don Sevrens stressed “getting PCPG board to work together as a team and to broaden its mission in ways the community is clearly requesting.”
• Financial advisor Kellen Stewart said he’d like to see the advisory group “keep an open line of communication with local businessowners, not-for-profits and local volunteer groups to maintain our Peninsula community culture.”
• A Portuguese native finance architect and UPSES board member, Margaret Virissimo, said she “enjoys volunteering in the community working alongside other partnering Point Loma groups to oversee the amazing growth in the community.”
PCPB vice chair Robert Goldyn chaired the March 2 candidate’s forum. He questioned candidates on their stands on the issues, what expertise they would bring, and on what they’d like to get accomplished.
Stewart, a Point Loma Nazarene grad whose been involved with youth sports, said he’d like to “take care of our kids and make sure our parks are utilized.”
Dean would “like to see a smart and sustainable community plan put forth to help house and transport the next 1 million people coming to San Diego by 2050 while maintaining the open parks.”
Kosmo said “public service fulfills me, makes me happy,” stating he sought to be on the group to “make a difference in our community.” Barr, who was involved in designing the redevelopment of Waterfront Park downtown, said “the environment is incredibly important to me.” He said PCPB membership offers “an opportunity to really shape the landscape of San Diego.”
Virissimo said PCPB membership would be “the final piece” in her community activism, adding “We need the support of this community to truly work together. Hopefully, I can be a liaison between the groups.”
Sevrens would like to bring “a broader vision of things” to the community noting the advisory group “is an agent for progress, leadership and community advocacy.”
Linney, proud of PCPB’s accomplishments, said he would “work closely with and be involved in the community and other civic organizations to resolve issues in the right way.” Ryan said he would “poll our neighbors to see what they’d like to see accomplished in the community” adding he felt potholes and airport noise topped that list.
Noting he manages two businesses, Garcia commented, “I would get on the City Council to get on the Peninsula Community Plan update. This is a very old document. We have to get with the times.”
Plagemann touted his “lifelong dedication and years of experience in (urban) planning,” pointing out he could be “a link, a guide in answering the community’s questions about development.”
Dick’s initial interest in PCPB coincided with the controversial Point Loma High stadium lights issue. He noted group membership offers “an opportunity to do something rather than complain. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve – if you’ll have me.”