Mayor Jerry Sanders, Councilman Kevin Faulconer and State Assemblywoman Lori Saldaãa turned out to honor community leaders at the Pacific Beach Town Council’s (PBTC) 57th annual installation dinner Friday, Jan. 18, at the Catamaran Resort and Hotel, 3999 Mission Blvd.
“You are the heart and soul of what’s happening in this community,” Faulconer said. “There are so many great things happening in Pacific Beach.”
Faulconer thanked his council representative, Thyme Curtis, and past town council president Don Mullen for their commitment to the beach community.
“Pacific Beach brings out the best in every single person in this room,” said Sanders. “This is one of the most exciting communities in San Diego.”
Sanders and Lt. Brian Ahearn of the San Diego Police Department swore in recently elected officers and directors.
Ruby Houck will again serve as president and Rose Galliher is resuming her role as vice president. Georgina Smith is returning as secretary and Mullen will again be past president. Mike Stevens, the only new officer, will act as treasurer.
Directors include Marcie Beckett, Nici Boyle, Bozier Demaree, Diane Faulds, Patrick Finucane, Jerry Hall, Jim Menders, Jan O’Connor, Rick Oldham, John Westwood and Joe Wilding.
June Sandford will return as parliamentarian.
After the official business of swearing in the new officers and directors, Sanders provided some levity by adding that Mullen would have to shave his head and dye his scalp blue if the San Diego Chargers prevailed over the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
The lighthearted tone and spirit of gratitude continued with Houck recognizing the following town council members for their service: Karl Jaedtke, Britta Justesen, Inese Pavars, Eric Swenson, Finucane, Galliher, Hall, Menders, Mullen, O’Connor, Oldham, Smith, Stevens and Westwood.
In recognition of Houck’s efforts during the previous year, Faulconer said, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the amazing events and strides we have made.”
In the past year, Houck said, the town council worked to improve the Rose Creek Cottage, hold monthly dineouts and sundowner business networking events and recognize exceptional youth with service awards.
The group also raised funds through the annual wine-tasting event for the Pacific Beach Recreation Center, organized the Safe and Beautiful Committee and other groups committed to improving the quality of life in Pacific Beach and held such community events as the Police and Emergency Services Appreciation Night (PAESAN), BeachFest, PB Day at the San Diego County Fair and Concerts on the Green.
Goals for the upcoming year, Houck said, include growing existing programs, continuing to improve the quality of life in Pacific Beach through programs, education and monthly cleanups and building strong relationships with other community groups to “address the needs and concerns” of residents.
“We really need your support,” Hall said.
Much of the town council’s efforts benefit youth, including Pacific Beach schools’ international baccalaureate program, he said.
“We’re trying to get Pacific Beach dressed up so that it attracts more families,” Hall said.­
The awards continued with Marcella Teran, who was recognized for her leadership in building the Neighborhood Watch Program; Richard Crider, for acting as director of the Pacific Beach Recreation Center; Mary Cook, for helping to organize monthly dineouts; Jay Brewer of the North Shores Printery for donating the Seahorse Sez monthly newsletter; Mark Johnston, for managing the Rose Creek Cottage; Mike McNeill of Discover Pacific Beach for his help with the holiday parade, BeachFest, and continued support of the town council; the Old Mission Beach Athletic Club (OMBAC), for providing barbecue meals at PAESAN; and Jay Pardo, owner of Specialist Printing Company, for helping with printing.
The President’s Appreciation Award went to outgoing Northern Division Capt. Boyd Long, who was recently named assistant chief of police.
“He is such a special man,” Houck said. “He attends community meetings and is out there getting to know the people and seeing what’s going on.”
“What a special community you have here. My heart is in this community,” Long said. “You have the greatest lieutenant here,” he said of Ahearn.
Mullen presented the Pug Sandford Award, “a special award for people who give and give and give,” to Smith. The returning town council secretary declined to speak despite a chorus of “Georgie, Georgie!” and cries of “speech!”
Never reluctant to take the microphone, Jaedtke joked, “I’m so shy,” before naming Nathan Ward Junior Volunteer of the Year. The Mission Bay High School student is the president of the Interact Club, a service group that organizes and helps at events throughout the community.
Proving that volunteering is often a family affair, Lee Houck was recognized for his thousands of hours of volunteer work. The recently elected director of clubs at Mission Bay High received a distinctive PBTC jacket for his service.
“That’s an honor for a mom,” a visibly moved Ruby Houck said. “That’s a good kid.”
Emotions remained high as the Mike Duran Award for Community Service ” named for the longtime volunteer and beloved community member who died in 2004 ” was given to Jaedtke.
“To be put in the same category is an honor,” Jaedtke said.
The newly elected president of Discover Pacific Beach, McNeill, presented the town council with a $3,000 check, a portion of the proceeds from the annual BeachFest event. “We look forward to making this a better place to live,” he said.
In accordance with tradition, the announcement of the honorary mayor was saved for last. The honoree is chosen by an elite group of past honorary mayors.
“I really hate to give up that title,” joked outgoing honorary mayor Susan Roth before announcing that the new titleholder was Mullen.
“You caught me speechless,” said the usually vocal Mullen.
“I’ve been chosen by a group of people who has given their lives to serving,” said Mullen, who has lived in the Pacific Beach community for more than 24 years and served as president of the Alliance Club, the PBTC and the Pacific Beach Community Foundation.
“Now you can be mayor of your own town,” Sanders joked. He added that Mullen would bring “a new excitement and levity to this office.”
Following the dinner, Mullen said, “I’m totally thrilled to join a group of such notable people who have given so much to this community. I plan to continue that fine tradition.”
Smith, too, was humbled by her award. “I am totally honored. I just love doing stuff for this community.”
In a year when organizations debated such issues as whether alcohol should be allowed on beaches and how to best serve the community, Houck ended the evening by urging cooperation rather than competition.
“We need to strive for all the community groups to work together,” Houck said. “We all have differences of opinion but one thing we have in common is the betterment of Pacific Beach.”