Judging from community leaders’ first State of La Jolla address Jan. 8 before La Jolla Town Council, the community is in good hands and is resolving its hot-button issues, which include promoting merchants, beautifying the Village and stanching the stench at the Cove. Seven guest speakers — Joe LaCava, CA Marengo, Tim Lucas, Cindy Greatrex, Dan Allen, Steve Haskins and Todd Lesser — clued in the community during the public forum on what’s being done by volunteer groups to improve La Jolla. “This is the first in a series of events going on throughout the year,” said council president Steve Haskins. “Tonight, we’re focusing on organizations dealing with land use and government.” LaCava, president of La Jolla Community Planning Association, gave a slideshow presentation explaining what a community planning group is and does. He noted volunteer planners do the city’s business at the grass-roots level. LaCava said community planners’ roles have broadened to include giving input to the city on community budget priorities. “City policy also empowers us to clarify all or part of the community plans,” he said. “That is under our jurisdiction now, not just land use.” More than 300 people turned out for association meetings [IN 2014?????], during which 76 projects were reviewed. The association approved 83 percent of those, LaCava said. The association president noted issues dealt with successfully in 2014 included recommendations on short-term vacation rentals, resolving a group election dispute and vetting a proposed addition to wireless antennas in Cliffridge Park. A priority in 2015, LaCava added, will be finding ways to make the La Jolla Shores Planned District Ordinance governing residential and commercial development “more predictable.” “Together we are stronger,” concluded LaCava, adding, “With one voice, La Jolla can get more accomplished down at City Hall.” Marengo, president of La Jolla Village Merchants Association, said the self-taxed group strives to make the Village “more vibrant for our shoppers and business.” Noting the group has a broad cross-section of merchants, Marengo said public outreach and educating the community on what the group is and does will be a primary goal in 2015. “The more you communicate, the more you find out what this community can actually do,” Marengo said. The association successfully dealt with several issues last year, including laying the groundwork for a LaJollaopoly fundraising game, lobbying government to have the Cove treated regularly to eradicate problematic stench from animal waste and the Sparkle & Shine campaign, initiated to generate funds to clean sidewalks and do Village housekeeping. Marengo noted times are changing with a new movie theater and concert venue eventually moving onto Fay Avenue, which he noted “is an opportunity for creation of an entertainment district.” Tim Lucas, chair of La Jolla Shores Association, noted the neighborhood is struggling with ongoing infrastructure replacement along the Avenida de la Playa commercial zone. He said another burning issue in the Shores involves an update of the Kayak Request For Proposals, which sets ground rules for extending concessionaires’ leases. He noted upgrades to Kellogg Park’s north comfort station were sorely needed and a huge improvement. “We’re all volunteers, and we need help and new people,” Lucas said, imploring La Jollans to “get involved in your local areas.” Pinch-hitting for Doug Fitzgerald, president of the board overseeing La Jolla Rec Center, Cindy Greatrex noted 2015 is the center’s centennial. She said a special event is planned to mark the milestone, with a daylong celebration on July 25. Greatrex said the rec center’s role in the community is underrated. “The rec center serves everyone from age 5 to 65 and beyond doing school programs and hosting special events, everything from 50 dances a year to youth summer camps,” she said. Dan Allen, president of La Jolla Parks and Beaches, said the volunteer group is heavily involved in vetting numerous issues, including planning improvements for the La Jolla Cove Pavilion with a restroom upgrade and dealing with the ongoing conflicts between seals and humans at Children’s Pool and the Cove as well as discussing Whale View Shoreline Enhancement. “We gladly accept credit cards,” joked the community leader about the need for private contributions to further much-needed community park projects. Todd Lesser, chair of the Traffic & Transportation Committee, whose members are appointed by other community groups, discussed the role of the group that reviews matters such as setting time limits on parking and designating color-coding on street curbs as well as making recommendations on street closures for special events. Haskins concluded the forum by discussing the history of the council, which dates back to 1950. “The Town Council is a unifying force in La Jolla,” Haskins said, noting the next town council-sponsored public forum will focus on the community’s culture and history.