La Jolla Village Merchants Association in October was approached with the idea of starting a walk of fame.
The merchant group also named a new executive director, while presiding president Alisha Hawrylyszyn Frank announced she was stepping down from her post and not seeking re-election.
Noting she’s donated hundreds of volunteer hours while on the board, Hawrylyszyn Frank said, “I am proud of the work we’ve done. I will still be advocating for the Village, just from afar.”
It was announced that Jodi Rudick, manager of publicity and programs at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, had been selected from a broad candidate field to succeed Sheila Fortune as LJVMA’s new executive director.
“We went through a very tedious hiring process going through about 100 resumes,” said Hawrylyszyn Frank. “We feel Jodi is the perfect fit for this position.”
Introducing herself, Rudick said, “I want to help small businesses and service businesses to connect with resources. My goal is to make sure we connect with locals as well as tourists, to let them know about this treasure, which is this community.”
Longtime community activist Patrick Ahern gave a slideshow presentation to LJVMA board on the Scripps Park Comfort Station project, set to begin construction early next year. Ahern asked the board to waive the summer construction moratorium in 2019 so that the park project can be fast-forwarded.
The La Jolla Cove Pavilion is a long-term project to replace outdated and deteriorating restroom-shower facilities with an attractive, sustainable pavilion honoring the beauty of the Cove and Scripps Park.
“What we’ve done many times, at places like Children’s Pool, is to waive the moratorium so we can have construction during the summer months between Memorial Day and Labor Day,” said Ahern, noting a portion of Scripps Park will already be a construction site by next summer.
LJVMA board unanimously endorsed Ahern’s proposal.
At its Oct.10 monthly meeting, LJVMA also got a pitch from Robert Alexander representing Las Vegas Walk of Stars.
“We’re a 501(c)3 nonprofit and we’d like to start a walk of stars program here,” said Alexander who added, “I’ve done some research and we could do 10 to 15 stars a year from the very beginning of people who were born, lived or raised here. We would propose to honor people in show business and other fields who have made an impact worldwide, including authors and playwrights that have lived and worked here in the greater La Jolla area.”
Alexander pegged the cost of a walk of fame star at $15,000.
“Where would that come from?” asked LJVMA board member Michael Dorvillier.
“Normally from star’s fan clubs, friends and families,” answered Alexander adding, “It’s 100 percent a tax write-off.”
“It fits having the stars here,” noted board member Laurnie Durisoe, owner of Pantai Inn.
“We’ll put it on the agenda next month as an action item,” said Hawrylyszyn Frank.