After four arduous elections drawing 2,231 voters to the polls to seat five members to the Peninsula Community Planning Board (PCPB), the dust has finally settled. Or has it? The PCPB has just accepted one member’s resignation on May 20. Prior to the 2007 election between Darrold Davis and Cynthia Conger, the PCPB historically elected members by a plurality vote. Conger objected to the 2007 election results when she lost to Davis, so she and her appointed member, Geoff Page, [I believe] decided to ignore PCPB precedence. Conger and Page engaged then-City Attorney Michael Aguirre to enforce the PCPB bylaws written in 1989 that mandated members to be elected by a majority in all general and runoff elections. The majority rule remained in force in 2008 when Page, as the PCPB’s chair, forced another runoff after his chosen candidate lost. Dee Wylie, as the PCPB chair, worked hard in 2007 to change bylaws, only to have efforts fail when Page [I believe] delayed the submission of revisions to the city. PCPB must end its “Ground Hog’s Day”-style of electing board members. Constructive opposition or productive civil disobedience can be good for the PCPB, but opposition that turns into berating and misrepresentation of facts is toxic. At the May 20 PCPB meeting, I witnessed 15 people claiming to represent our community of 60,000 demanding another election to fill the latest vacancy. Newly-elected member Page supported this demand and based his support on Aguirre’s 2008 opinion letter. The PCPB rejected Aguirre’s opinion letter in 2008 and thankfully did so again May 20. The PCPB has always filled vacancies by a board vote — per bylaws — and ironically, Page was appointed by that same rule in 2006. Why burden our community each time the PCPB has an unexpected vacancy? Why should a gang of 15 treat the PCPB with impunity when it abides by its rules? Congratulations to sitting PCPB for its integrity. Interestingly, Page sought to appoint himself as co-chair of the PCPB’s Airport Subcommittee on May 20. Page’s company is a registered contractor with the San Diego County International Airport Authority and has received more than six separate opportunities to bid on San Diego International Airport expansion projects since 2008. The PCPB wisely turned down Page’s offer and selected [I believe] a more qualified member to chair this important subcommittee. Page led a campaign to impugn my reputation, so let’s set the record straight: 1.) I do not represent any special interests around Marine Corps Air Station Miramar; 2.) I have a strong voting record opposing airport expansions, self-certified environmental impact reports with memorandums of understanding and negative declarations that bypass the California Environmental Quality Act; 3.) I disclosed my business relationships to the PCPB and I recused myself when any actions had actual or perceived conflicts of interest; 4.) I worked tirelessly to ensure transparency and accountability of the Airport Authority; 5.) I established the PCPB’s first airport mission, goals and objectives, held monthly committee meetings, annual community forums and created online resources and; 6.) I fulfilled my duty at all Airport Authority meetings, meeting regularly with federal, state and city officials on all land-use issues concerning our community. Land-use planning is a complex process requiring all neighbors to cooperate for the greater good of our community. Combative, cynical and deceptive approaches of a few merely shut our community out of this process. Since 2008, the PCPB’s efforts have stopped incompatible projects impacting our community. It is no longer acceptable for the Airport Authority to agree to disagree with the PCPB because of a vocal minority misrepresenting facts. Land-use planning requires a balanced approach between environmental and economic components and compatible plans must conform to our community’s characteristics. The PCPB is elected by our community, a self-governing body recognized by the City Council to advise staff and the council on land-use projects impacting the community. Thank you to all the good people serving on the PCPB, City Council President Pro-Tem Kevin Faulconer for the special commendation certificate and [Faulconer staffer] Matt Awbrey for his endless support. I am always willing and able to serve my community to protect the next generation’s quality of life, we are so fortunate to enjoy today. — Suhail Khalil is a former PCPB board member who chaired the board’s Airport Subcommittee.