Semiannual Planning Group elections are held in March of odd numbered years, so the next election will be held on March 17, 2025. Half of the Planning Group members are elected to four year terms every two years, however because there are odd numbers of seats for each category, the specific numbers vary at each election. In 2025, there are 5 residential, 3 business and 2 property owner seats up for election. Following are the candidates who are running in the election, followed by candidate statements from candidates who have provided them.
Business member candidate: Philip Linssen
Property owner candidate: David Mandelbaum
Residential candidates:
- Zack Byron
- J Dichoso
- Bo Gibbons
- Jane Glasson
- Jeff Stevens
- Barack Tzori
- Kevin Yu
Candidate Statements:
Zach Byron
Mira Mesa is a wonderful place to live. I was drawn here by the great local businesses, ample green space, and beautiful parks. I also love the recreation options available from hiking Los Peñasquitos to biking the Boulevard.
I have lived/worked in Mira Mesa since graduating with a degree in electrical engineering. I do what I can to improve where we live by volunteering and being involved. Now I would like to serve the community with the planning group. My goal would be to represent all Mira Mesa residents, both renters and homeowners.
I want to help Mira Mesa retain it’s community character as it grows into the future. From parks and infrastructure, to transit and housing opportunities. Let’s work together to maintain what we love and build an even stronger community for our generation as well as the next.
J. Dichoso
I am writing to express my interest in joining the Mira Mesa Planning Group. As a Mira Mesa resident since 2014 (including time at UCSD and SDSU previously), I am invested in our community’s future for our children. My professional planning experience offers valuable perspectives and skills.
For over 20 years, I’ve been a city planner for the City of Encinitas. I’ve tackled issues similar to Mira Mesa’s, including ADUs, mixed-use development, traffic, walkability, and community character. I understand the Planning Group’s advisory role and can offer relevant insights from my experience, including navigating development proposals and engaging with residents. My recent Encinitas projects (Torrey Crest, Quail Meadows, Bella Vista) demonstrate my experience with various development scales. Not perfectly, but I can explain complex concepts and am respected by colleagues, citizens, real estate professionals, and large and small development professionals.
Beyond my professional life, I’ve served our community as Cubmaster for Pack 1205 at Hickman, Scoutmaster for Troop 1212, and currently as Vice President of the Mira Mesa High School Sapphire Sound parent board.
I am ready to contribute to the Planning Group’s important work.
Thank you for your consideration.
Bo Gibbons
My name is Bo Gibbons, I have served as a member of the MMCPG for the last 2 years and am interested in continuing to serve to help shape the future of our community.
I have been a resident of Mira Mesa for the last 12 years with my wife and 2 teenage kids and I work locally as a Commercial Real Estate Broker with particular focus on the Miramar and Sorrento Mesa submarkets so I am sensitive to the impact of planning and development of the area from the perspective of multiple interest groups in the community.
Jane L. Glasson
My skills most beneficial for the Mira Mesa Community Planning Group include research, communication, writing, technical, and teamwork. For my HOA, I volunteered as treasurer and secretary. For a community college, I volunteered as a chapter officer of both honor societies. I volunteered as a junior staff of a club for youth and was Young Lady of the Year twice. I played college tennis and college volleyball and coached high school tennis.
Researching is a strength that led to graduating with honors. At a university, I graduated with distinction in child development. I studied Spanish, French, and German, graduating with a degree in foreign languages. I studied computer languages. Writing is a strength. I wrote a literary work. I tutored microeconomics.
I have been a homeowner and resident in this community since 1998. I work at a public school. I know Microsoft and Zoom. I ran for city council and mayor. I have always resided in San Diego County.
Jeffry L. Stevens
I have lived in Mira Mesa since 1980 and first joined the Mira Mesa Community Planning Group in 1986. I have been Planning Group Chair (1993-1995, 2016-2023), Vice-Chair and Secretary, and have also served many years on the Mira Mesa Town Council and Mira Mesa Recreation Council. I worked on the Mira Mesa Community Plan updates of 1992 and 2022. In the 1992 update, we were able to nearly double our park acreage. The 2022 update does not have the funding mechanism (FBA) of the 1992 update, so it will be more difficult to build the public facilities in the plan. The Planning Group needs to ensure that they do get built. I chaired the subcommittees that reviewed the 3Roots and Stone Creek projects, among the largest projects ever to come before the Planning Group. I developed and maintain the Planning Group website. I care a lot about this community and know it very well. I am running for the Planning Group because it is important to have someone with my experience on the group. Professionally, I have a BS in Physics from UCLA, and an MS in Physics and Ph.D. in Geophysics from the University of Colorado, and work as a geophysicist at Leidos.
Barak Tzori
I moved to Mira Mesa after graduating from UCSD in 2017, almost 8 years ago. In those years I have become part of many different micro-communities that call Mira Mesa home – whether it be working with the Fine Woodworker’s Guild by the 805, playing at the Jazz Jam Sessions at Duck Foot brewing, swimming laps at Miramar College or joining pickup soccer games on the MMHS field. I’ve witnessed first-hand how welcoming and varied this town can be, which has nurtured a growing curiosity towards the mechanisms that make Mira Mesa function and an eagerness to make a positive impact in my community.
I hope to bring a fresh perspective to the board, one informed by my real life experiences of living in San Diego as a young professional. My wife and I purchased a home here recently and are planning on starting our family here, so I am firmly committed and personally invested in Mira Mesa. As a member of the MMCPG board I would strive to make sure all decisions made are as effective and constructive as possible, in order to continue building this warm and friendly community.
Thank you for your consideration.
Kevin Yu
I am writing to express my interest in the open resident seat on the board. As a long-time Mira Mesa resident, I have seen our community grow and evolve over the years. With a young family of three children, I have a vested interest in ensuring that Mira Mesa remains a thriving, safe, and family-friendly place to live for them.
My passion for community involvement stems from my desire to create a better future for my children. I understand the importance of thoughtful planning, sustainable development, and maintaining the quality of life that makes Mira Mesa a great place to call home. From schools and parks to infrastructure and local businesses, I want to contribute to shaping a community that supports families and enhances our neighborhood.
I am committed to listening to residents’ concerns, collaborating with stakeholders, and working towards practical solutions that benefit everyone. If given the opportunity to serve on the board, I will dedicate my time and efforts to ensuring that Mira Mesa continues to grow in a way that reflects the needs and values of its residents.
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to the opportunity to serve.
Philip Linssen
Running as business representative.
Business owner: San Diego Ice Arena –Mira Mesa 11048 Ice Skate Place
I have been the majority operator of the San Diego Ice Arena (SDIA INC) since 2000, now 25 years. The Ice rink has been operating since 1975, and is the home to 6000 clients per year, Ice Hockey Players and Figure skaters from age 4 yrs. to 70 years old, training for possible Olympic. Tiffany Chin a local from Mira Mesa represented the rink and the USA at the Olympics, and we have various NHL player coming from this facility.
The business operates from 4.30am in the morning to midnight. Operating with 6 full time employees and over 55 part-time first time employees (school and college skate hero’s).
Besides now on the board of MMCPG, I have been on numerous business boards and non-profit organization, Adam Ave Business Association, Charitable Auto Resources and industry related boards.
I thank you for your consideration.