Planning group candidates campaigning

10 hopefuls seek 3-year trustee seats

Ten candidates vying for six, three-year term trustee seats in La Jolla Community Planning Association’s election touted their qualifications and accomplishments at the group’s meeting last week, although one late addition sent hers by e-mail to The Light.

Michelle Addington

A French native and 13-year La Jollan who’s also active in community planning in Pacific Beach, Michelle Addington is a public servant who enjoys working for the community.

“I volunteer where there’s a need,” she said, adding, “I believe the aesthetics of La Jolla should be kept. I understand and welcome differences of opinion. I like to work with all groups within the community for its benefit.”

Tom Brady

“I’m a trustee running for re-election,” noted Tom Brady, a retired CPA and property management business owner who is a 41-year La Jolla resident. “Through all those years I have been active with nonprofit organizations, including the La Jolla YMCA. I have been most impressed with this group and all the work that’s gone into it from all its members.”

Dan Courtney

Dan Courtney, the LJCPA’s newest member, is engaged in industrial real estate sales and leasing and served as chairman of the La Jolla Shores Association.

“I oppose paid parking in the Village and am proud to see the community … express themselves on that topic,” he said. “I’ve also been involved in helping neighbors get organized who want to make sure the impacts of Children’s School’s expansion are minimized.”

Ryan Hill

Ryan Hill, a third-generation La Jollan with an engineering background, said he speaks for small-town, family values. “We need to make sure we have sustainable growth within the community,” he said, “and that we maintain and preserve the historical value of local buildings. I understand building and environmental codes and understand the technical vocabulary of those industries.”

Nancy Anne Manno

A 35-year Mount Soledad resident who was a last-minute candidate, Manno says she feels privileged to be a La Jollan.

“I believe these privileges require community service,” she said, adding her political platform includes adhering to the La Jolla Community Plan and representing the consensus of the community.

“I am very supportive of the No Third Story group,” she added, “and their efforts to maintain a pleasant residential community. I am opposed to paid parking.”

Phil Merten

Architect and 32-year La Jollan Phil Merten has been a CPA member for nearly 20 years. He says he wants to use his technical acumen to ensure that development projects “adhere to rules and regulations of La Jolla’s community plan.”

He contends the city has “been lax in enforcing its own regulations for a great many projects in our town,” he said. “The community needs to call that to their attention.”

Michael Morton

A practicing architect for 30 years who’s been active in a number of community groups including the CPA and Permit Review Committee, Michael Morton said he’s had a hand in designing many local buildings, including several that are historically significant.

In his candidate statement he wrote that he tries to find “workable solutions for the issues facing La Jolla” and believes “property rights need to be balanced with community needs.”

Alice Perricone

Two-year trustee Alice Perricone, a Realtor and attorney, said her skills and knowledge will serve her well on the land-use board.

“There are sufficient organizations that protect and represent tourists here,” she said. “I’m against paid parking in the Village. I also believe that (preserving) constitutional property rights and protecting our very unique environment … are compatible goals.”

John Raia

Candidate John La Raia, an active member of both St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Parish and La Jolla Swim Masters who has extensive financial underwriting experience, believes a balance must be struck between private property rights and collective community goals.

“With my experience with development projects, I’ve looked at hundreds of deals and I could bring those strengths to the CPA,” he said.

Greg Salmon

A current La Jolla Shores Association board member who’s president of a private investment company who has also been a seasonal lifeguard, Greg Salmon said he’s presently engaged in a project to replace playground equipment at Kellogg Park.

“I work to get a compromise,” he said.

“Too many times, people are too far apart and need to work together to move forward.”