Slate of Candidates

2008 Election:
Rolando Community Council Executive Board

When: May 2008 Tuesday, June 17, 2008 — 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Where: Rolando Methodist Church, 4855 Seminole Dr.

Only members who attend are eligible to vote.

Download the Printable 2008 Slate with Ballot (for RCC members in good standing)

Candidates

President

Jan Hintzman

As a facilities planner for City Schools, I have seen communities in action, up close and personal. I have seen fractured communities in disarray and failing. I have seen communities that, working together, made significant improvements in their neighborhoods. With scarce public and private resources, older communities especially need to be proactive to compete for improvements.

It’s no accident that our branch library was one of the first built under the city program. It’s not just chance that the Kroc Center came to our community. Our median improvements on El Cajon Blvd didn’t just appear. These important investments are due, in large part, to a proactive community. I wish to continue that tradition in Rolando.

Through my professional career as a planner and my volunteer work, I have developed knowledge, skills, and contacts to keep us moving forward. The Director of Instructional Facilities Planning for the school district was a position which took me out into the public responsible for conducting community meetings and staff and community work groups. I’ve been in the role of “developer” as we located and planned new schools. I’ve
led community processes where we’ve closed schools. I’ve been a public relations spokesperson for the district. I’ve done master planning. I’ve worked with city government entities on community issues. I approached all of these challenges with the objectives of inclusiveness and consensus building.

I now feel that it is time forme to give back to Rolando,where I raised my children. Iwant us to continue to thriveas a vital community, and Iintend to contribute to this effort.

What are the three most important things that the RCC board should accomplish in the next two years?

• Foster a sense of community by supporting community-building
  efforts now in place (Street Fair, Book Sale, Library, community
  outreach) andby welcoming new ones.
• Facilitate a process to identify community needs and visioning our
  future, and then developing the leadership and strategies to achieve
  them.
• Devise strategies to inform and connect community members with each other
• Develop knowledge and skills within our community to participate
  effectively with the planning bodies and processes that impact us

2nd Vice President

Doug Lister

I bring the following qualities to this position:

• The knowledge I’ve gained while converting the membership roll from paper to electronic records
• Public speaking skills
• People skills gained from 15+ years in restaurant management and my current sales position.

My three biggest projects for the community council would be:

• To create a strong neighborhood watch program
• To expand the membership rolls to at least half the residents of our community
• To create a neighborhood standards and beautification committee.

2nd Vice President

William Simons

I believe that my professional experience in project management, as well as the experience gained from neighborhood committee involvement would help to enhance my service to the Rolando community.

Skills and abilities:

• Project management
• Graphic and layout design
• Technical, QA and regulatory writing

In your opinion, what are the three most important things that the RCC board should accomplish in the next two years?

I think the membership as a whole is better suited to answer this
question, since they are the ones we ultimately serve.However, three general things that come to mind are:

• Take on more of a watchdog position in addressing issues affecting our neighborhood.
• Build stronger communication ties with the community.
• Increase membership and community involvement.

I am a homeowner and proud father who feels passionately about maintaining the integrity of our community. I have worked hard to help preserve our neighborhood and have taken an active role in working with community and local government to that end. I look forward to the opportunity to serve my friends and neighbors as part of the new Council.

Secretary

Lynn Riggs

Volunteer experience:

• Board of Directors – Town and Country YMCA
• Board of Directors – The Women’s Center
• UCSD Medical Center – Canine Therapy Team, Cuddler
• ElderHelp Homebound- Seniors Visitor
• Service Dog Raiser / Trainer

Work: Mostly in non-profit service organization management: board recruitment and development, strategic planning, resource development, events planning, and program and project management.

Particularly familiar with facilitating organizations in change – growing to next level from initially established leadership phase.

Currently in an organization whose mission is community building, development, collaboration, and neighborhood outreach, as well as physical redevelopment of blighted areas.

Certified in Group Facilitation Methods by the Institute of Cultural Affairs. Developed skills and taught classes and workshops in public speaking, group communication, writing, management communication, and conducting meetings. Grant writing experience. No particular building skills, don’t enjoy personal finance, don’t cook, but keyboard and research the internet like a maniac.

What are the three most important things that the RCC board should accomplish in the next two years?

• Focus on community inclusion by recognizing long-time and new members;
• Develop 3-year plan to focus mission and direction of RCC as a
  community service organization, determine what services, activities,
  involvement residents would like and how the RCC can facilitate; and
• Create budget and funding strategy to meet the above-determined needs.

Treasurer

Karen Arthur

I have always made community volunteering a part of my life. Through the years I have worked on many parent/teacher boards, Little League and Pony League boards, Girl Scouts and more. I am able to lead but important, delegate when needed.

What specific skills or abilities would you bring to this position?

• Three words: Quick. Books. Pro.
• Conflict resolution
• Meeting facilitation

What are the three most important things that the RCC board should accomplish in the next two years?

• Recruitment of community members with strong encouragement to attend and participate at monthly meetings
• Continue to keep our community informed of upcoming events within our area
• Provide feedback to our City council member with our suggestions and concerns for the Rolando community.

I am a proud San Diego native, and I was raised in this area. My husband, Bob, is also a native. Both our families had key roles in the development of San Diego, especially in this part of town. Bob’s parents owned and operated King Arthur’s Court, a motel, at El Cajon Blvd. and 60th St. This property is now the home of the Union Bank. My great-grandfather helped develop and build much of the city of La Mesa.

When Bob and I married, it was only natural for us to settle in Rolando – it’s home to us. We knew from our own childhood experiences that this was the perfect environment to raise our children. We wanted the small- town feeling that Rolando offers – community within a large city. The multiple generations living

within our boundaries help foster that feeling.

Director (one-year term)

Karen Collins

My public service experience includes volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity, Mama’s Kitchen and Engineers Without Borders. I have cultivated organizational skills in both my volunteer work and my career which include the ability to work collaboratively in diverse groups, facilitate timely and productive meetings, and maintain effective communications.

My abilities include computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), meeting facilitation, and organizational management experience. My job as a program manager requires people skills, strong communication skills, discipline and team-building. I would bring these same skills to the RCC with enthusiasm to take this organization to its next level.

What are the three most important things that the RCC board should accomplish in the next two years?

• To re-engage with the Rolando community to understand and be responsive to issues of relevance.
• To provide a forum for meaningful dialog and service within our community.
• To help anchor our community by fostering friendships and having fun.

I moved to Rolando in 1982 to be within biking distance of SDSU, where I was completing my M.A. There have been many changes in our neighborhood since that time, but the changes coming today are pivotal and will direct the course of growth in Rolando. I share my neighbors’ concerns about zoning, crime, and redevelopment issues, and would like to help serve our neighborhood’s future by working with the RCC board.

Director (one-year term)

James Miyazawa

For two years before moving to San Diego in 2006, I served as president of the Seven Locks Overlook Community Association in Cabin John, MD. I was responsible for conducting meetings, responding to residents’ concerns, and acting as a liaison between residents, board members, and government representatives.

As an attorney working for the Department of the Navy Office of the General Counsel since 1993, my training and experience enable me to review complex statutes, regulations, and case law, and to explain them in a manner that is accessible to any audience. I write well and have extensive public speaking experience. I possess outstanding research skills and am proficient on a number of computer programs. I am organized and task-, detail-, and results-oriented. I have taught classes in negotiation skills and work well both independently and in groups. Most important, I bring enthusiasm and a desire to do whatever
I can to improve the quality of life for all residents of Rolando Village.

What are the three most important things that the RCC board should accomplish in the next two years?

• The RCC must promote local businesses. We have a number of small
  businesses (San Diego Smoothies, Barkindales, Casa Machado, San Diego
  Desserts, and The Living Room, to name a few) that must be promoted to
  Village residents and the entire city. For example, a monthly
  newsletter could showcase one of our local businesses in each issue,
  informing residents of not just the services provided, but also the
  personal stories of the people that run them.
• The Council must be vigilant in ensuring Rolando Village is a safe
  place to live. This means adopting an absolute zero tolerance for petty
  criminal offenses such as graffiti and loud music, and demanding
  stricter enforcement of traffic laws on our neighborhood streets.
• The RCC must maintain and enhance the spirit of Rolando Village.
  The Street Fair and other celebrations embody this spirit. We need more
  – a village Block Party, community bake sales, a Rolando Village
  cookbook, and more active promotion of the RCC website. My wife and I
  knew instantly this was the neighborhood for us. We are here for the
  long term. The combination of my enthusiasm to make Rolando Village the
  jewel of San Diego and my skills and ideas will serve the RCC well.

Director (two-year term)

Tim Comeau

I serve my community daily by fighting crime, watching out for my neighbors, picking up litter, etc. I was on a 501.c.3 board for four years, acting as vice president, secretary and member-at-large, as well as serving on numerous committee chair positions. I served as Neighborhood Watch co-captain at my former address.

I bring ideas and enthusiasm to this position.

What are the three most important things that the RCC board should accomplish in the next two years?

• Bring the community together.
• Instill a stronger sense of community in our neighbors.
• Explore how the RCC can serve the community.

I’ve been a homeowner since 1995; spent 10 years in the U.S. Navy, and have a BA in linguistics. I care about our neighborhood!

Director (two-year term)

David Foltz

I have volunteered my time and money to build RolandoVillage.com from the ground up as a proud face for our community on the Internet. I recently created RolandoCommunityCouncil.org as a separate entity to make a clean separation of council and non-council activities even though they are very closely tied. I would also like to volunteer to teach basic internet usage skills to technology curious members of our community.

I specifically wish to bring my extensive experience in the internet industry to bear in setting the gold standard by which community council web sites will be measured.

What are the three most important things that the RCC board should accomplish in the next two years?

• Quadrupling of the membership and community involvement
• Online fundraising and organizing capabilities
• A huge revival in the neighborhood watch community
• Fostering code compliance and conflict resolution services to make Rolando Village the best community in San Diego.

I’m married to Dona and live in Rolando Village with our two beautiful daughters. I was born in San Francisco, CA. I was raised in Sydney, Australia; Northern California; Missoula, MT; and have lived and worked for the past 18 years in San Diego. I work at Intuit, Inc., makers of Quickbooks, Quicken, and TurboTax.

Director (two-year term)

Lester Orr

I have been a member of RCC for about 15 years. During that time I have participated in most of their major functions. I was editor of the Rolando Village Reader for two years. I was involved with the Book Sale during its inception and used my vehicles for their transportation. I was instrumental in starting the Rolando Citizens on Patrol (RCOP), President or Secretary during its entire eight years of existence.

Computer skills, including desktop publishing

What are the three most important things that the RCC board should accomplish in the next two years?

• Open communications to the community.
• More security involvement in the community. Warning the community
  about residential burglaries. Holding community training on a regular
  basis (such as quarterly)
• More information about the council. I don’t think the citizens
  know about the web site or even have a computer to get their agenda or
  meeting minutes or where our money goes for the community. I am a
  citizen of the community who cares. I am not someone on the upper crust
  that you can’t talk to or give a big hug. I love this community and the
  people in it.

Download the Printable 2008 Slate with Ballot (for RCC members in good standing)

When: May 2008 Tuesday, June 17, 2008 — 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Where: Rolando Methodist Church, 4855 Seminole Dr.

Only members who attend are eligible to vote.