It’s election time. But things have been oddly quiet on the campaign trail so far as the area’s three community planning groups prepare for annual elections this month. The three entities — the Ocean Beach Planning Board (OBPB), Peninsula Community Planning Board (PCPB) and North Bay Community Planning Group (NBCPG) — will host the balloting. The respective groups are advisory bodies to the San Diego City Council and make recommendations on land-use and quality-of-life issues. For example, permits having to do with development projects are vetted by the planning groups before going to the city Planning Commission and the City Council. Election buzz can be cyclical in Ocean Beach and the North Bay (Midway, Sports Arena and Pacific Highway area). But the PCPB has been especially lively in recent years, with issues like Liberty Station development inspiring community activists to fire off mass email blasts and to recruit candidates of like mind. Last year, the five successful candidates earned a total of 1,182 votes. Several runners-up weren’t far behind. It seemed almost bizarre last week, then, when few, if any, candidates had submitted applications as the original March 2 deadline approached to run for the Peninsula Community Planning Board. However, a candidate forum tonight, March 8, will give procrastinators a last-minute chance to throw their hat in the ring, said Jarvis Ross, the group’s first vice president and chairman of the PCPB’s Election Committee. The forum begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Point Loma/Hervey Branch Library, located at 3701 Voltaire St. Even candidates who have never been to a PCPB meeting can satisfy a requirement to have attended at least one meeting in the last year simply by making a stump speech at the forum. The issue of satisfying the attendance requirement that way has long been a source of confusion, and the board last August approved by-laws language to specifically allow it. Even though the city has not yet approved the change, Ross said he has been advised by city officials to allow candidates who attend the forum to run. Other than the attendance requirement, candidates must be at least 18 and reside, own property or run a business in their respective planning area. Voters must bring photo ID and, if necessary, documentation of property ownership or business license. LOCAL PLANNING GROUP ELECTIONS: AT-A-GLANCE

PENINSULA COMMUNITY PLANNING BOARD • Jurisdiction: Ocean Beach Highlands, Point Loma Highlands, Loma Alta, Loma Palisades, Loma Portal, Fleetridge, Roseville, Sunset Cliffs, Wooded Area, La Playa, Roseville, Liberty Station • Number of positions available: 5 • Length of term: 3 years • Eligible incumbents: Chris Veum, Nancy Graham, Rebecca Michael, Bruce Coons • Termed out: Helen Kinnaird • Candidate forum: March 8, 6:30 p.m., Pt. Loma Library, 3701 Voltaire St. • Last day to apply: March 8; visit www.pcpb.netwebsite or attend forum • Election: March 15, 3:30 to 8 p.m., Point Loma Library OCEAN BEACH PLANNING BOARD • Jurisdiction: North Ocean Beach, north of the mid-block between Santa Monica Avenue and Saratoga Avenue; South Ocean Beach, south of Niagara Avenue; and The Hill, east of Sunset Cliffs. Area is split into seven districts. • Number of positions available: 7 • Length of term: 2 years • Eligible incumbents: Landry Watson, District 1; Barbara Schmidtknecht, District 2; Scott Therkalsen, District 3: Seth Connolly, District 4; Giovanni Ingolia, District 5; Jane Gawronski, District 6 • Termed out: Craig Klein • Candidate forum: none • Election: March 13, 4 to 7 p.m., Ocean Beach Recreation Center, 4726 Santa Monica Ave. NORTH BAY COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP • Jurisdiction: Midway area and Pacific Highway Corridor. • Number of positions available: 8 • Eligible incumbents: 6 • Termed out: Walter Andersen, Melanie Nickel • Candidate forum: none • Election: March 21 • Last day to apply: March 14; call (619) 226-2800 for more information.