It’s transition time at Point Loma Association as Robert (Tripp) Jackson has stepped down as chair after two consecutive terms handing the gavel to Clark Anthony Burlingame.
The change took effect July 1, with new board members Kay O’Bryan and Matt Kalla joining the group, as well as Theodore C. Walker taking over as the nonprofit’s new treasurer.
Created in 1961, the PLA comprises residents and businesses committed to improving the quality of life of Point Loma through beautification, education, charitable activities and civic collaboration.
In parting comments, Jackson praised the nonprofit’s work while imploring its members to become increasingly more involved in Peninsula community service.
“Today, as before, we have a great group of people,” said Jackson, “though, I must say, the same three to eight people are doing a lot of the work. My hope is that will change in the future. If everyone just gave one hour a month – we would move mountains if we had to.” Incoming PLA chair Burlingame is a retired broadcaster, known professionally as Clark Anthony. He hosted a mid-day radio program on KFMB-AM in the ’70s and ’80s. He was nightly weather anchor on KFMB Channel Eight. In the ’90s, he was news anchor at NBC 7.
Burlingame and his wife, Kaye, have been Point Lomans since 1976 and have two adult sons and three grandchildren.
Relatively new to the PLA, Clark wants to help the organization take the next step up.
“I want to build on everything that Robert and others who have come before me have done,” Burlingame said adding, “One thing I think we (PLA) can do a little better is communicating with ourselves, and have better liaisons with other organizations.”
Noting PLA is best known for its beautification projects, including creating and maintaining median landscaping, Burlingame added, “I’d like to see us expand that role.”
A lifelong Point Loman and community activist, Jackson is the son of the late Ann Tripp Jackson. Ann was the nonprofit’s first female president. Ann was also an early chair of the Peninsula Community Planning Board (PCPB), which makes land-use recommendations to the city.
When he first became PLA chair in 2013, Jackson had a set of goals including developing working relationship with Ocean Beach, the Port District, Cabrillo National Monument and Sunset Cliffs Natural Park.
as well as increasing PLA membership.
“I didn’t accomplish this entire goal, but a chunk of it,” said Jackson, noting PLA’s working relationship with OB has “been enhanced, and we have made progress. We were in the OB parade for the first time, and have had great social mixers.”
Together, Jackson noted PLA along with other civic groups have enhanced the entryway to both OB and Point Loma (center medians starting at I-8E to the OB sign). He said the group also spent countless hours with the Port making the Harbor Drive entryway to Point Loma more presentable by improving landscaping.
Jackson, who will continue as PLA membership chair, added his administration raised just under $35,000 in donations for projects.
“We don’t just make the Peninsula a better place, we have to maintain a lot of it too,” said Jackson noting “memberships, donations and volunteer hours are so very important for us to survive. Thank you in advance for your support.”
For more information, visit PointLoma.org.