Q & A With William ‘Bill’ Marsh, 2018 Honorary Mayor of PB

• Where did you grow up?

Leavittsburg, Ohio (25 miles west of Youngstown, Ohio).

• What do you do for a living?

I’m a Retired Naval Aviator/Aerospace engineering Duty Officer and Navy Defense Contractor

• Are you married? Got kids?

Married to Adele Rossi-Marsh (Retired Navy Medical Service Corp Officer and government financial officer), daughter is Jessica Marsh, future 2018 Pharmacy School graduate!

• Give us a brief history of your involvement with Pacific Beach governance.

I’ve lived in PB since 2004. I became a member of the PB Town Council in 2008, but didn’t really get involved until 2012. This was after attending two Town Council general meetings at which Mayoral candidates Bob Filner and Carl DeMaio spoke. It was an opportunity to see them in person to help me decide who to vote for (I voted correctly, but the wrong guy won).

At the same time, the Town Council board had a few director positions open. They needed the help and I was interested. My third year on the board, I ran for treasurer and have been in that position for the last four years. Throughout my tenure, I’ve had the opportunity to chair several of our key events and closely liaise with numerous other dynamic PB organizations.

It’s been an awesome challenge and extremely rewarding experience being on the board these past six years. For 2018, I decided it was time for me to explore other community service opportunities which are still TBD. However, as the Town Council’s office manager, I will still remain very actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the organization.

• If you could wave a magic wand and make a wish for PB come true, that wish would be:

I have two major wishes:

1) That our homeless issue would be completely resolved! I feel for those who are “truly” homeless and want help, but that’s not what you mostly see in PB. Unfortunately, we have way too many that are not looking to change their lives and are resistant to getting real help. I am not a bleeding heart and I absolutely detest the destructive impact that these people have had on our community.

The amount of trash and garbage they leave behind is sickening and a health hazard! The crime they create (bikes and anything else not nailed down gets stolen or vandalized), and the fact that when you’re out walking by yourself, with your dog or kids, you can’t feel SAFE! I want the people who want help to get what they need and those that don’t want help to get what they deserve!

2) I wish the Mayor and City Council would do their jobs and support the survival of our PB neighborhoods. I don’t believe there are any PB residents who believe short-term vacation rentals (STVRs) aren’t destroying the fabric of our neighborhoods. AirBnB and other STVR proponents all know the real issue is not about mom and pop making ends meet by renting an extra room, it’s all about the six-bedroom party mini-hotel next door.

I also don’t believe that anyone seriously expects STVR tax dollars to be effectively used to enforce current noise, trash, parking, and other complaints created by existing STVRs, let alone the thousands of future STVRs if they are not limited now. These types of complaints will always be (and rightfully so), the lowest priority for the San Diego Police Department to enforce.

• What is your favorite thing about PB?

That would be PB’s diversity — in people, venues, eating, activities. We have it “all” here, plus we are a quick 15-20 minutes to the airport and downtown!

• What is your top priority for PB improvement?

Enhancing the look of the Balboa/Garnet/Grand Avenue entrance-ways and streets from Mission Bay Drive to the beach. As you enter PB the islands on these streets look horrible, they are poorly maintained, and give a negative impression of our whole community. The blacktop island areas with sections of shapeless of hedge are ugly and should be replaced with some type of decorative zero-water use desert-scape look, i.e. decorative rock. We are desert beach community and should look it … something similar to what Las Vegas is doing with it’s new construction highway landscaping.

• What is one thing you want people to know about the PB Town Council?

The PBTC is an extremely worthy charitable organization focused on representing the resident of Pacific Beach and giving back to the local community. If you live here you should join! It’s only $30 per year for an individual/family membership and $50 for a business. All funds raised go directly back into supporting the community!

• What’s your favorite spot for relaxing in PB?

I’d have to say the condo complex where I live. It’s on the bay. Hard to beat a better way to relax than with a choice beverage, the sun, the water, and the view of the bay! As for local places, happy hour at the Catamaran is favorite.

• How would you spend a $5,000 gift to PB — no strings attached!

No question, I’d give it to the PB Street Guardians.

The Pacific Beach Town Council

Office: 1706 Garnet Ave., San Diego, CA 92109 (in the Union Bank building, corner of Jewell St.) Hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Phone: (858) 483-6666

E-mail: general@pbtowncouncil.org

Web: pbtowncouncil.org

Meets: 6:30 p.m. third Wednesdays at Crown Point Jr. Music Academy, 4033 Ingraham St. at Pacific Beach Drive. Parking in the school lot.