Eight of 10 candidates vying for seven open seats on Peninsula Community Planning Board fielded questions about themselves and their stances on key issues at a March 5 community forum.
It was a prelude to PCPB’s annual group election on March 19.
Candidates introduced themselves before being queried by board and audience members alike.
Candidate Angela Vedder, a clinical lab scientist, and Realtor said she’s “been involved in PTAs and schools and I have knowledge of the community and its desires. I feel I can reach out to people, listen to them and find out what they want.”
Incumbent Don Sevrens, a retired U-T journalist, pointed has championed numerous causes, including the creation of a Canon Street pocket park, during his six-year board tenure. 
“I’ve also been involved in raising money for Voltaire Street bridge improvements,” he said, noting that, during his career, “I was involved in land-use issues which is what this planning board deals with.”
Jesse Benson, a cook at OB People’s Organic Food Market, has been active with the Save Famosa Canyon movement.
 “I’m here to get things done as a volunteer,” he said. “I’m also a member of the PLA Mean Green Team that makes sure all the entranceways into and out of Point Loma are kept clean.”
A previous PCPB board member, bicycling advocate Nicole Burgess said she would be interested in serving on the board’s transportation committee.
“My main concerns are promoting healthier communities and I sit on San Diego’s Mobility Board,” she said. “I look to continue to be a voice for environmentalism and mobility choices on this board.”
Incumbent Lucky Morrison was a community planner in North Park before moving to Point Loma four years ago. “We helped rewrite the community plan which has a lot of coding and was quite a learning process,” he said. “I’m also with the Save Famosa Canyon group.”
Incumbent Fred Kosmo has represented PCPB on airport expansion issues.
“I’ve served on numerous committees and offices on this group including elections and first vice-chair,” he said. “I want to try and help mitigate the impacts of noise and pollution from the airport. We all want a healthier environment.”
Civil litigation attorney PJ Lucca said, “I’m very interested in getting involved in the community. I think my skill set will help this group. I am a surfer, fisherman, and environmentalist and am passionate about the progress of The Point.”
Property manager and independent contractor Tina-Marie Compton is a mom who’s raised four kids in local schools. “I want the community to come to me, to be their voice,” she said. “I’m concerned about the Famosa space being kept open, and would like to promote more trees and healthier living in the community.”
Unable to attend the forum were candidates Howard Haimsohn and Matt Schalles.
A retail home furnishings business owner, Haimsohn in his candidate application said, “I am an active participant with the Save Kellogg Beach organization. I am a PLA and La Playa Yacht Club member. My goal is to help PCPB make good decisions regarding our coastline, traffic, density, open spaces, air traffic, noise, and other issues.”
A research scientist, Schalles in his application said, “I want to preserve open and green spaces while reducing noise pollution and other contaminants. I intend to bring a level-headed analytical approach to solving land-use problems in this community.”