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Vote early, often for Rancho Bernardo honorary mayor

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By Elizabeth Marie Himchak

For the second time this year, Rancho Bernardans will be selecting a mayor — only this time it is an honorary title and they will be voting via their wallets.

The annual Rancho Bernardo Honorary Mayor race has kicked off with Debbie Kurth of Business Services International, Inc. and Marc Nimetz of Farmers Insurance Group offering their supporters an opportunity to win expensive prizes — including a trip to Hawaii from Kurth and $10,000 from Nimetz.

The good-natured contest is organized by the Rancho Bernardo Business Association, which uses contest proceeds to help several other community groups.

“It’s a good fundraiser for the community and our biggest,” said RBBA Executive Director Larry McIntyre.

The number of groups that can be supported has grown. Previous beneficiaries include the Miss Rancho Bernardo pageant, Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation, Rancho Bernardo Historical Society, Rancho Bernardo Hall of Fame, 4S Ranch Boys & Girls Club, plus the RBBA, which uses its share of the proceeds to put on community events like Savour RB and light the community’s Christmas tree and menorah.

The candidates are not the only ones offering prizes to voters. RBBA has three prizes available, which will be awarded during the Oct. 21 Savour RB — at the same time the new honorary mayor is announced. Drawing winners need not be present.

The first-place prize is a two-night stay at the Rancho Bernardo Inn, which includes a round of golf and breakfast for two. The second-place prize is four $75 gift certificates — one each to Athens Market Cafe, Bernard’O Restaurant, Café Merlot and Carvers Steaks & Chops — a combined value of $300. The third-place prize is two $75 gift certificates — one each to The Barrel Room and Urge American Gastropub — a combined value of $150.

Votes are $5 or six for $25, which also count as RBBA drawing entries for the voters. Each candidate is also raising money through silent auctions and other offers during their campaign parties.


Kurth, a Bernardo Heights resident for 25 years who has owned her RB-based business for 14 years, said she entered the race because she has lived and worked in the area for “a very long time” and likes being involved in the community. In addition to the RBBA board, she is involved with the Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation and her homeowners association.

She said being honorary mayor is a way to give back to her community and “it’s a wonderful opportunity that I believe in.”

She is holding two parties. The first is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26 at StoneRidge Country Club in Poway. It will have a Hawaiian theme, a silent auction and opportunities to win several “really neat prizes” when a $5 (one vote) key is purchased to have a chance at opening a treasure chest, Kurth said.

“I’m trying to make it fun,” she added, mentioning professional dealers will run games like craps, blackjack, roulette and Texas Hold’em. There is also a wide range of silent auction items so people “can spend as little or as much as they want.”

Admission is $25 (six votes plus $50 in playing chips and refreshments) or people can purchase a high roller package for $100.

The second party, set for Sept. 23 in a Poway home, is for those who purchase a ticket for the Hawaiian vacation or high roller package at the first party.

The vacation, valued at $4,000, includes one week rental of a three-bedroom condo 200 feet from the beach in Maui plus a $1,000 airfare voucher. Kurth said because of the condo’s size, it is good for a family or group of friends. Tickets are $100.

To purchase a vote for Kurth, tickets to attend her parties or enter the Hawaiian vacation contest, contact her at 619-206-2569 or debbiekurth@bsiincorp.com.


Nimetz — a 30-year-old who has lived in the Poway area since age 2 and now lives in the Carmel Trails neighborhood near RB High with his wife, Nicole — said being honorary mayor is “a great opportunity” for him to connect with the RB community because his office is in Sorrento Valley.

“I wanted to be more involved in RBBA than as just a member,” Nimetz said. “I want to get my name out there in the business world ... (since) I have clients in Rancho Bernardo, Poway and Rancho Penasquitos.”

In addition to RBBA, his community involvements include Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary and North San Diego Business Chamber.

Nimetz is holding one party, set to begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2 in the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo. It will have “tons of silent auction items from all of the businesses around Rancho Bernardo and Poway,” he said.

Attending Nimetz’s party costs $30, which includes six votes (drawing tickets) plus a beverage and refreshments. Those who would like to enter the hole-in-one contest that will be held that night at a designated hole on the club’s golf course can do so for $100. That also gets them 24 drawing tickets.

He said there is no limit to the number of $100 entries for the hole-in-one contest, so if someone pays $500, for example, they’ll get five chances to go for the $10,000.

To purchase a vote for Nimetz, tickets to attend his party and to enter the hole-in-one contest, contact him at 858-866-8147 or MANimetz@gmail.com.

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