Town Council to vote on trustees, changes to bylaws

The La Jolla Town Council could welcome one of the youngest trustees in the club’s history — that is, if 17-year-old La Jolla High School junior Emiliano De Riquer wins his bid for election.

During this week’s meeting, or possibly next month’s (due to internal delays in disseminating candidate information), the club will announce the election of eight trustees. Eight of the 24 current trustees are running for another term, with two new faces (including Emiliano) challenging the eight sitting trustees.

Emiliano’s mother, Realtor Yolanda Badillo De Riquer (a current trustee who is up for re-election), said her son was motivated to run for a the board of trustees after witnessing education cuts at La Jolla High and what he views as students’ lack of interest or engagement in their community.

Emiliano, who spent time living in Spain, participated in the Global Youth Leadership Summit, which brings future youth leaders from around the world to UC San Diego. His community service projects include visiting nursing home residents, feeding the homeless and promoting a recycling program at La Jolla High. In college he plans to major in international relations and philosophy, and pursue a career in international law.

“I believe that I can be a connection between the youth of La Jolla and the older population, … (helping) our residents, both young and old, achieve their goals,” Emiliano said in his candidate profile.

According to council bylaws, trustees must be at least 16 years of age.

Also running is Dyanne Russeau, and incumbents Philip Forgione, John Weinstein, Charles Hartford, Ann Kerr Bache, Robert Hildt, Ron Jones and Egon Kafka.

During this week’s meeting, the club also will vote on proposed changes to its bylaws, including whether amendments to its bylaws and code of ethics should be approved by a majority or two-thirds vote, and whether trustee terms should be limited to six or nine consecutive years.

The town council meets 5 p.m. March 8 at the La Jolla Rec Center, 615 Prospect Street in La Jolla.