La Jolla Town Council inches closer to 75th-anniversary celebration with thin trustee roster

As the La Jolla Town Council approaches its 75th-anniversary celebration, the group has been searching for additional board members. And following news at its Oct. 9 meeting, there are more spots to fill.

A series of executive actions, member dismissals and resignations reduced the Town Council’s trustee count nearly in half earlier this year. Expressing a desire to move forward, group President Mary Soriano invoked a clause in California code pertaining to corporations to fill five board spots.

Those new trustees, sworn in at the July 10 meeting, were Simeon Rosas, Arthur Myo, Karan Gurung, Kevin Healy and Don Searcy.

But at the Oct. 9 meeting, Soriano announced that Rosas — who had been tapped as the group’s vice president July 14 — left the board for personal reasons. Rosas declined to comment.

“Serving the community does require time, and we’re all trying and doing our best,” Soriano said at the meeting. “We thank Simeon for definitely helping us get through.”

Soriano also told the La Jolla Light that the terms for trustees Jana Farella and David Talcott have expired. Both were listed on the Town Council website as of Oct. 11, along with Rosas. But Soriano and Healy indicated the website would be updated.

That leaves the group with six trustees. On July 10, the new lineup revised a Town Council bylaw to state the board will consist of seven to 12 members (previously 13 to 23), so a quorum — the number of trustees present needed to take action — could be met with four to seven.

Soriano said at the beginning of the October meeting that the group, with fewer than seven members but more than four present in person or via Zoom, met quorum. Her statement was uncontested at the meeting, and she did not immediately comment to the Light.

The gap between six and seven active members may be filled soon, however.

La Jolla resident Zahir “Zak” Hidmi, a retired chemical engineer, announced his candidacy for the board, citing his involvement in the community and respect for its residents. He currently works part time at the La Jolla Recreation Center.

Soriano floated the possibility of Hidmi joining the board next month.

Bylaw 4.6 gives two possibilities for filling vacancies: holding them over to the next annual election if the executive committee votes to do so, or the president announcing a vacancy via email. It also stipulates that candidates be  members of the Town Council organization in good standing.

The continued shake-ups come as the group prepares for a multicultural festival and 75th-anniversary celebration from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Recreation Center.

The free event is described as “a day of cultural appreciation and fun” featuring ballet, jiu jitsu, skateboard ramps and more.

Additional details are expected soon. To volunteer or otherwise get involved, email info@lajollatowncouncil.com.

Next meeting: The La Jolla Town Council next meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at the La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St. Learn more at lajollatowncouncil.org.