New La Jolla Town Council officers sworn in

During the May 11 meeting of the La Jolla Town Council (LJTC), new officers were sworn in. Ann Kerr Bache will serve as president; Joseph Pitrofsky, first vice-president; Yolanda de Riquer, second vice-president; Charles Hartford, secretary and Ron Jones, treasurer.

Kerr Bache’s first action was to propose a modification to the organization bylaws to keep the immediate past president on the board as a trustee for one year after he or she steps down.

“Most community organizations keep a past president on for another year, to help with the transition,” Kerr Bache said. “For some reason in our bylaws, we did not think about that, it was not included ... and our former president Steve Haskins has served so well.”

Changes in the bylaws require 30 days and public notice before they are voted in, so the matter will be discussed at the next meeting.

Kerr Bache also set forth her intention to strengthen the Town Council. “I’d like to expand our outreach and intake, inviting other community groups, neighborhoods to participate,” she said. She highlighted the role of the Town Council as a forum for community members who don’t belong to any other organizations, like merchants who aren’t part of the La Jolla Merchants Association. “Or those who don’t read the La Jolla Light back to back every week,” she added.

Kerr Bache said the Town Council’s monthly agenda makes time for open discussions about issues before they go through their respective boards for approval, so the Town Council acts as a first contact with the community to provide advice and avoid future problems that can cause items to be pulled from the planning association or other committees.

Kerr Bache said she hopes to improve Town Council communications, and has prepared online tools to make the board more efficient.

In other La JollaTown Council news:

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Lost election signs: During public comments, 78th District State Assembly candidate Kevin Melton brought up the issue of missing election signs, reporting that many of his yard signs were taken down. District 1 City Council candidate Barbara Bry added that many of her signs were taken down, too. “And the signs were on private property,” she said.

Bry used her turn to ask trustees for their vote and also to rebut accusations made by a Political Action Committee (PAC) that benefitted her contender, Ray Ellis. On a pamphlet sent by mail earlier this month, the Lincoln Club-backed PAC, “Neighborhoods. Not Stadiums” claimed that Bry supported a Charger’s stadium funded by taxpayers. “And it’s unfortunate that one of my opponents has taken the low ride and has made misrepresentations about my positions on some key issues,” Bry said.

Town Council events: Kerr Bache said she would like to see the council host less events, but “bigger and more successful ones.” Second vice-president Yolanda de Riquer described how going forward the monthly mixers, “Sunsetters,” will be less frequent and a “Masquerade 66,” a Gatsbi-like costume party in former president Haskins plans, will be discussed.

Now hiring: In its efforts to grow, the Town Council is looking for new talent and invites community members with ideas for improvements or expertise to share, to contact president@lajollatowncouncil.org

— La Jolla Town Council next meets 5 p.m. Thursday, June 9 at the La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St.