No contested community elections in Rancho Bernardo

As happened with the Rancho Bernardo Planning Board earlier this year, due to a lack of candidates the Rancho Bernardo Recreation and Community councils will not hold their annual elections.

“According to the bylaws, the declaration of candidacy forms are considered a vote for the candidate in uncontested races and those names will not be on the ballot,” said Robin Kaufman, who belongs to both councils and was overseeing their elections this year. “Since there are no contested races, those running for both organizations will be announced as new members during the June meetings.”

The RB Recreation Council, which had five open seats for the coming year, had five candidates step forward. They are incumbents Kelly Batten, Sally Grigoriev and Jeff Neyhouse. Joining them will be newcomers Katie Newbanks and Oscar Eusebio.

The RB Community Council had 10 seats available, spread among the council’s seven districts. Eight candidates stepped forward and the remaining two seats will be filled by appointment if residents present themselves to the council at an upcoming meeting.

The incumbents returning to the council are Debbra Jacobs-Robinson (District B), Alissa Messian (District D), plus Patti Hall and Sean Phillips (both District F). The newcomers are Tom Lettington (District A), Jonni Mann (District C), Walter J. de Lorrel, Jr. (District E) and Patrick Batten (District G).

The remaining open seats are one each in District A (Westwood and Casa de las Campanas) and District D (neighborhoods that are part of the RB Swim & Tennis Club).

“Anyone who wishes to fill the vacancies may present themselves during the second half of the June meeting,” Kaufman said. “We encourage them to attend a meeting prior to presenting themselves, but it is not required.”

The RB Community Council meets at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month, from January to October plus the first Thursday in December. Upcoming meetings will be on May 28 and June 25. The council meets in the Rancho Bernardo Library’s second floor community room, 17110 Bernardo Center Drive.

To be eligible, residents must be at least 18 years old and have lived in their district for at least six months. For details, contact Kaufman at 858-487-6227 or RBCommCouncil@aol.com.

The Rancho Bernardo Planning Board also failed to get enough candidates to hold any contested races in early March for its 10 open seats. Its vacancies are one each in Districts B (includes Eastview and Greens West), C (Oaks North) and F (Bernardo Heights); plus two in District D (neighborhoods that are part of the RB Swim & Tennis Club).

Residents in these districts need to be at least 18 years old, have lived in their district at least 30 days and attended at least one planning board meeting within the past 12 months before they can be appointed.

The board meets at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month in the RB Swim & Tennis Club, 16955 Bernardo Oaks Drive. Its upcoming meetings are tonight (Thursday) and June 18. For details, contact Mike Lutz at 858-673-8763 or manager@highcountrywest.com.