Tireless community volunteer Ron Walker was honored as Pacific Beach’s 2025 honorary mayor during the Pacific Beach Town Council’s 74th annual board installation dinner on Jan. 24 at The Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa.
Walker succeeds last year’s honorary mayor, eco-entrepreneur Randall Engstrom of Randal’s Sandals.
The sold-out dinner invited participation from all of the elected city, county, state, and federal officials representing PB. The event also kicked off the council’s annual activities and projects, including PB Graffiti Clean Up in May, Concerts on the Green this summer, and Police And Emergency Services Appreciation Night in September. This year’s PAESAN will celebrate San Diego lifeguards from the City’s Fire-Rescue Department.
Award winners from the installation dinner were Susan Crowers, Pug Sanford Community Service Award; Lisa Gossman, Ellen Citrano Caring and Compassion Award; Marshall Anderson, Community Cornerstone Award; and Hudson Souders, PB Rising Star Award.
“We stand here on the shoulders of giants, those who trailblazed the pathway, which we’ve been following,” said third-term PBTC president Charlie Nieto in opening remarks. “This is one of the oldest town councils in one of San Diego’s oldest communities. Next year, PBTC will be celebrating its 75th year.”
Speaking of past town councils, Nieto noted: “Every generation of town council leadership is called to meet the challenges of the day. In our crisis today, we find ourselves dealing with dwindling state revenues, diminished school resources, and a troubled economy with the cost of living skyrocketing. Of course, we cannot ignore the 23-story-tall elephant in the room (Vela Turquoise Tower). With the right people, we can do anything. But we must do it together.”
District 1 Councilmember Joe LaCava referenced the catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles. He pointed out San Diego is not immune to a similar natural catastrophe happening here. Acknowledging numerous first responders in the audience, LaCava said, “We cannot laud enough the good work they do, the collaboration and coordination that allows us to respond to put down fires, keep them out of our homes, and keep everybody safe. No community expresses more love and more support, than this amazing community you call home, Pacific Beach.”
Reflecting on past accomplishments, LaCava pointed to the passage of the De Anza Natural Plan balancing recreational and environmental interests. He referenced updating the Street Vending Ordinance, which he said, ensures that “public spaces are public spaces.”
“There is no doubt it’s going to be a difficult year financially in the City,” said LaCava adding, “I’ve made my priorities very clear, I will be focusing on public safety making sure police, fire, and lifeguards, who put their lives on the line every day for us, have all they need.”
State Sen. Catherine Blakespear, and State Assemblymember Tasha Boerner, both filled town council members in on their latest legislative initiatives undertaken in Sacramento.
The purpose of the town council is to “provide a forum for the discussion of community issues; to communicate the views of the community to the appropriate governmental agencies; and to take action on community issues, specifically, but not limited to, the general betterment and beautification of the community of Pacific Beach and the welfare of its residents.”
