US Hawks Hang Gliding Association :: View topic

LA JOLLA SHORES ASSOCIATION – Agenda
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 — 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Scripps Institution of Oceanography, T-29 Martin Johnson House

We encourage you to attend the meeting in person. If you are not able to, please use this link to register to attend virtually: LJSA OCT 15th ZOOM REGISTRATION LINK

NOTE - All times are approximate


6:00	Welcome: Introductions & Establish Quorum – John Pierce Approval of Agenda Approval of Minutes - Approval of September Minutes
6:05	Reports: President’s Report – Updates and announcements Treasurer’s Report - Balance and finances Secretary’s Report - Board attendance Public Comment: Non-agenda items (2-minute limit)
6:15	Representatives’ Reports (3-minute limit) SD Lifeguards - Lt. John Maher SDPD - Northern Div - Lt. Bryan Brecht Mayor’s Office - Fatima Maciel (Gloria) Council District 1 - Joaquin Quintero (LaCava) 3rd County District - Spencer Katz (Lawson-Remer) 77th CA Assembly District - Andres Geurts-Barretto (Boehner) 38th CA Senate District - Aurora Livingston (Blakespeare)
6:35	ACTION ITEMS Torrey Pines Gliderport Letter - Bob Kuczewski - Requesting letter of support Walter Munk Day - Mary Munk - Review and approve date for next year Election Committee - John Pierce - Appoint members Committee to select date and theme for 2026 event - John Pierce - Appoint members
7:00	UPDATES AND PRESENTATIONS Undergrounding/Street Light update - John Pierce
7:30	Committee and Community Reports (3-minute limit): Azure Maintenance Committee - Dick Dahlberg Beach Fire Committee - Tracey Andreae Coastal Coalition - Janie Emerson Coastal Resilience Master Plan - Mary Munk Marketing and Membership Committee - Ed Mackey LJ Shores Parking Committee - Janie Emerson LJ Shores Business District - Terry Kraszewski Traffic & Transportation - Mike McCormack Land Use: LJSPDAB, LJSPRC & LJCPA - John Pierce
	CLOSED SESSION - Legal Matters & Contracts (Immediately follows end of Regular Agenda if needed)
8:00	Adjourn to next meeting: Wednesday, September 17th, 2025 at 6:00 pm at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, T-29 Martin Johnson House

Website: http://www.lajollashoresassociation.org E-mail: ljsa.org@gmail.com

LJTC & LJSA Agenda Speech – Torrey Pines Gliderport

Hello La Jolla, San Diego

My name is Ernie Casco, a senior pilot, and former Assistant Flight Director of Torrey Pines Gliderport, a protégé of Howard Mitchel, Top Gun instructor, and Bill Benit; in the Hall of Fame for historical waterski flight over the Statue of Liberty. I am also a former member of the La Jolla Town Council’s Board of Trustees. that also served on the Torrey Pines Gliderport Subcommittee in 2021 My background includes service as an Observer with the USCG Auxiliary, Navy Amphib Base and MCRD Base, Boathouse Instructor, trained HAZMAT team, I took all this experience to Hilton Resort as Dock Manager for their best year recorded. I have a few accomplishments with a family business, Club Diego's, in the 80s. I have successfully worked as a Contractor/Estimator for Myself, Home Depot, and others. I also support local anonymous recovery outreach programs within our community.

My aviation seed was planted by my father, who at the age of 14, was the youngest sailplane pilot in Argentina A brilliant Oceanographer at Scripps, and an engineer/designer who worked on the Apollo Mission. Mom is still with us at 95, a former UCSD director with incredible achievements. Both sisters have successful careers in the medical field here in La Jolla.

I'm currently retired, with a few medical issues. Successful heart transplant, currently in cancer remission. It's a Miracle I'm here.... I have been flying for nearly 40 years. I have the 1980 OUT and Return record flight at Lake Elsinore, climbing to 13,000 ft, then flying from Hemet to Los Angeles and back. An incredible 6-hour flight, with no motor, out flying everyone with a Cessna or Piper Cub.

I’m here to address critical issues impacting the Gliderport and propose SD Recreational Waiver as a solution that prioritizes public safety, preserves recreational rights, and ensures accountability. I bring my experiences forward today to advocate for safety, fairness, and transparency from our City leaders

My Background, I was a LJ Town Council Trustee on the Gliderport Subcommittee.

The Torrey Pines Oversite Advisory Group
Back in March 2021, LJTC had issued a unanimous letter of support request to permanently reinstate the Torrey Pines Gliderport Oversight Advisory Board, isolating commercial interests from recreational use of park and lands, ensuring all user groups are represented fairly.
City leaseholder "Air California Adventure" dissolved the oversight board watching over them, destroyed the Hang Gliding Club, and is currently blocking pilot access, demanding payment, forcing pilots into an unfair Access Pass and Waiver contract to use our public park.

There are no fees to use our free public park. USHPA-rated pilots pay for a rating card and insurance fees above and beyond what is required by law; any other fees is a racket by the City leaseholder.

It is illegal use of the color of authority (administrative Law) to override our recreational rights and freedom, robbing the public.

La Jolla Rights have been stolen with a short holdover lease agreement that doesn't get looked at. This is completely unacceptable and needs to be stopped immediately.

The Oversight Advisory Board would strengthen public safety measures, improve transparency, and keep our parks free for recreational use.
Call to Action ~ Key Issues:

Public Safety First:
Public safety and park access must always take precedence over commercial interests. The Gliderport School should operate independently, ensuring that private businesses do not restrict public park use.

Insurance Gaps:
The Gliderport operates under self-insurance after losing its original coverage due to multiple claims. With no legal insurance requirements for recreational pilots, this raises significant legal and safety concerns.

Recreational Flyers’ Rights:
As stated by LJ Town Council, recreational solo pilots should not be forced to pay arbitrary fees or insurance costs. Hang gliding and paragliding, like Surfing, are free sports; access to our public park must remain free and open.

The SD Recreational Waiver, proven to work, separates recreational flying from commercial operations, ensuring safety and preserving public access. It’s a proven legal solution, Barbra Bry said, It's an Easy Fix, that's ready to go.

The Role of the Leaseholder:
The city leaseholder may remain and operate as a club but must adhere to strict accountability standards.
The Gliderport Club may offer glider storage, repairs, tandem rides, and discounts but must not monopolize park use.
The leaseholder cannot discriminate against recreational pilots or impose unauthorized fees.
All public funds collected must be accounted for, ensuring they support park maintenance—not private gain.
The leaseholder must uphold safety standards, maintain facilities, and ensure proper insurance coverage.

Accountability for Damages: There are serious allegations of misconduct, including workplace violence, hate crimes, and mishandled police reports. Victims deserve transparency, accurate reporting, and justice. The leaseholder must be held accountable under common law and USHPA aviation rules.

Ongoing Crimes:As referred by La Jolla Town Council, reports were sent to the CPP, Commission of police Practices. The CPP then acknowledged there are crimes and that we should go directly to Police Authorities.

I respectfully urge La Jolla Shores Association (LJSA), and the La Jolla Town Council (LJTC) to both issue a letter endorsing the permanent reinstatement of the Oversight Advisory Board and the SD Recreational Waiver to end the dispute at Torrey Pines Gliderport.

The SD REC WAIVER:
Protects public safety
Safeguard recreational access
Separate commercial interests from public park use
Joe Lacava, this is a win for City Leader, police authorities, public servants, and La Jolla residents. It is an opportunity to rebuild public trust and ensure our parks remain open, safe, and free. You would certainly be loved by the flight community, showing everyone badly needed government reform.

Public Support:
I have collected over 700 signatures on Change.org and MoveOn.org. The petition, titled “Black’s Beach Recreational Scandal: Stop the Commercialization and Privatization of San Diego Parks,” is currently available for signing online.

Copies of the SD Recreational Waiver that Pilots would sign before flying, available upon request. Signed SD Rec Waivers would be kept on file, and a pilot rating card issued in return.

In Closing:
Let’s make the right choice for our community. By endorsing the SD Recreational Waiver, we can protect public safety, preserve free recreational access, and hold commercial operators accountable.

Thank you for your time and your help protecting our freedom. I’m available for questions, and can be reached at erniecasco@gmail,com, or my cell: (858) 568-1384. also listed on the petition flyer.

Hello Fellow Torrey Hawks!

I'm writing because we were recently added to the agenda of the La Jolla Shores Association (LJSA) for their October 15th, 2025 meeting at 6pm. We will be asking for a letter of support for these two issues:

1. Implementation of a waiver to fly at Torrey Pines Gliderport
2. Reactivation of the Torrey Pines City Park Advisory Board

While I apologize that this is very late notice, I'd like to invite all Torrey Hawks members to attend the meeting in person or via Zoom (see attached notice below). I'd also like to invite everyone to speak if you possibly can. We will have 10 minutes for a presentation with 5 minutes for questions by the LJSA. So any of our speeches can be very short. Joe Faust, for example, has only requested 15 seconds! The point is to show that there is support for these items. Please contact me directly if you would be willing to say a few words so we can plan out our time allotment.

I've attached the meeting announcement, a copy of the Dockweiler Waiver, a copy of Ernie's proposed waiver, and a copy of a similar letter of support that we got from the La Jolla Town Council in 2021.

Thanks for your ongoing membership in the Torrey Hawks Hang Gliding Club, and please call or write if you have any questions.

Thankfully,
Bob Kuczewski
858-204-7499
bob@ushawks.org
BobKuczewski@gmail.com

What to bring to the Agenda
Please bring forward any stories that could help.
And send me a copy in PDF form.

1. How many members are in in Torrey Hawks Hang Gliding Club? We can bulls*** them a little, both instructors and recreational pilots

2. Can you show me a list of your members and their emails?. Show Fair Representation and Transparency

3. What is Torrey Hawk's Policy on instructor and recreational free flight fees, for TPGP site use, or anywhere else?

4. How many Torrey Hawk Hang Gliding Club members have been abused by Torrey Pines glider port staff members?

5. And Still Alive, please bring forward any Torrey Hawk letters, comments, reports, or accusations to show SDPD, LJTC, and LJSA.

6. You could submit your story in an email or PDF file directly or send it to me.

7. PLEASE Send me a PDF copy to include in my report.

8. Please do not send any personal conflict to LJSA,...

9. A copy of the Agenda Speech and a sample letter of support are already in the hands of both LJTC and LJSA

10. Thank Everyone.

1. How many members are in in Torrey Hawks Hang Gliding Club? We can bulls*** them a little, both instructors and recreational pilots

2. Can you show me a list of your members and their emails?. Show Fair Representation and Transparency

3. What is Torrey Hawk's Policy on instructor and recreational free flight fees, for TPGP site use, or anywhere else?

4. How many Torrey Hawk Hang Gliding Club members have been abused by Torrey Pines glider port staff members?

5. And Still Alive, please bring forward any Torrey Hawk letters, comments, reports, or accusations to show SDPD, LJTC, and LJSA.

6. You could submit your story in an email or PDF file directly or send it to me.

7. PLEASE Send me a PDF copy to include in my report.

8. Please do not send any personal conflict to LJSA,...

Letter from LJSA will be sent to City of San Diego!
Congratulations Ernie!
Congratulations Bob!
. . .

You will both have 8 minutes (hard stop) and then the board can discuss and vote.
:
Please keep the personal attacks out of our meeting tonight and stick to the issue at hand. I will have to cut you off if you do as we are not a court of law.

11/13/2025

To Whom It May Concern,

The La Jolla Shores Association respectfully submits this letter in support of establishing the Torrey Pines City Park Advisory Board and its role in overseeing operations at the Torrey Pines Gliderport. Our Association believes this matter is vital to the safety of park users, visitors, and the surrounding community. We encourage the City of San Diego to carefully evaluate whether solo-flyer pilots should be required to pay annual membership fees and/or maintain appropriate insurance coverage to fly at the Gliderport. These measures would help ensure accountable and responsible use of this unique coastal resource while preserving safe and equitable access to a valued city park.

Thank you for your attention to this issue and for your continued stewardship of Torrey Pines City Park.

Sincerely,
John Pierce
President, La Jolla Shores Association

La Jolla Shores Association offers support for gliderport evaluation and oversight

The group agrees to send a letter to the city of San Diego seeking evaluation of some residents' concerns about Torrey Pines Gliderport operations and reactivation of a long-defunct advisory board

Attachment:

File comment: Bob Kuczewski and Ernie Casco attend the Oct. 15 La Jolla Shores Association meeting seeking support for further evaluation of their concerns about the management of the Torrey Pines Gliderport. (Noah Lyons)

Bob_and_Ernie_at_LJSA_Meeting.jpeg [ 50.92 KiB | Viewed 3260 times ]

Attachment:

Noah_Lyons.jpeg [ 2.69 KiB | Viewed 3260 times ]

By Noah Lyons | noah.lyons@lajollalight.com | The San Diego Union-Tribune
PUBLISHED: October 22, 2025 at 8:00 AM PDT

Area residents Ernie Casco and Bob Kuczewski have long advocated changes at La Jolla’s Torrey Pines Gliderport, and at the October meeting of the La Jolla Shores Association, they got their wish for support of some of their requests.

Torrey Pines Gliderport, operated by Air California Adventure Inc., is a paragliding and hang-gliding site above Black’s Beach.

Casco and Kuczewski have appeared during public comment periods at Shores Association meetings to ask the board to intervene in what they say is abuse of “recreational rights and freedoms” at the gliderport through the requirement of fees and skill ratings.

They returned Oct. 15 with a slot on the meeting agenda, asking the group to write a letter urging the city of San Diego to evaluate their concerns and to reactivate the long-defunct Torrey Pines City Park Advisory Board.

That board was established to advise the city Parks & Recreation Board during preparation of a General Development Plan for Torrey Pines City Park, the formal name of the gliderport property at 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive. The GDP was approved in 2012 and the advisory board was discontinued.

While LJSA President John Pierce said the gliderport is outside The Shores’ planning district, Casco and Kuczweski have “been coming every month, and I just wanted to [consider] it,” he said. “It is an issue and I’ve seen kind of a blind eye to it, so maybe a letter of support will help bring some light to the situation. Other than that, there’s not really much we can do.”

Attachment:

File comment: Fliers take off from the Torrey Pines Gliderport. (Kim Weiss)

Paragliders.jpeg [ 46.03 KiB | Viewed 3260 times ]

The gliderport website says it requires all pilots to check in at the front office before setting up. They must show a current rating of P3 or H4 (intermediate or advanced) with the U.S. Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association or membership in the Academy of Model Aeronautics if flying remote-controlled aircraft. They also must pay a $10 day-use fee or have a $200 annual gliderport membership. Instructor supervision for fliers with a P2 or H3 rating is available for $250 per day.

Juan Enrique Silva, general manager of Air California Adventure, said the rules ensure a professional operation at the gliderport.

“We require pilots to be fairly proficient so everyone remains safe and enjoys their time,” the website says.

Casco and Kuczewski also want a waiver allowing pilots who use the gliderport to fly without liability insurance, an idea that Silva calls “reckless and irresponsible.”

Ultimately, the LJSA board agreed during the meeting to write a letter of support for the requests for a city evaluation and the return of the Torrey Pines City Park Advisory Board. Pierce told the La Jolla Light on Oct. 21 that the letter had not yet been drafted but added that it would not seek a waiver of pilot liability insurance.

“Citizens are forced to go to the City Council or La Jolla Town Council or [La Jolla Shores Association]” with concerns about the gliderport, Casco read from a statement during the meeting. “Yet none of those venues are equipped to resolve these ongoing issues, so it’s clear the Torrey Pines City Park Advisory Board is needed to fill that role.”

LJSA trustee Mary Coakley Munk made a motion for the city to “seriously look at the situation” and reactivate the advisory board. The motion passed 7-0, with trustee Joe Stalder abstaining, citing a lack of knowledge about “the districts that are covered within our agreement or others.”

Silva told the Light afterward that the advisory board “did what it was required to do — come up with the Torrey Pines City Park development plan. Then it was disbanded. It cannot be reconstituted and does not need to be because it already did its job completely.”

Author:	Bob Kuczewski [ Tue Oct 14, 2025 10:50 am ]
Post subject:	Re: La Jolla Shores Association
Here's Ernie's proposed speech (originally posted in "the Eagle" topic): eagle wrote: LJTC & LJSA Agenda Speech – Torrey Pines Gliderport Hello La Jolla, San Diego My name is Ernie Casco, a senior pilot, and former Assistant Flight Director of Torrey Pines Gliderport, a protégé of Howard Mitchel, Top Gun instructor, and Bill Benit; in the Hall of Fame for historical waterski flight over the Statue of Liberty. I am also a former member of the La Jolla Town Council’s Board of Trustees. that also served on the Torrey Pines Gliderport Subcommittee in 2021 My background includes service as an Observer with the USCG Auxiliary, Navy Amphib Base and MCRD Base, Boathouse Instructor, trained HAZMAT team, I took all this experience to Hilton Resort as Dock Manager for their best year recorded. I have a few accomplishments with a family business, Club Diego's, in the 80s. I have successfully worked as a Contractor/Estimator for Myself, Home Depot, and others. I also support local anonymous recovery outreach programs within our community. My aviation seed was planted by my father, who at the age of 14, was the youngest sailplane pilot in Argentina A brilliant Oceanographer at Scripps, and an engineer/designer who worked on the Apollo Mission. Mom is still with us at 95, a former UCSD director with incredible achievements. Both sisters have successful careers in the medical field here in La Jolla. I'm currently retired, with a few medical issues. Successful heart transplant, currently in cancer remission. It's a Miracle I'm here.... I have been flying for nearly 40 years. I have the 1980 OUT and Return record flight at Lake Elsinore, climbing to 13,000 ft, then flying from Hemet to Los Angeles and back. An incredible 6-hour flight, with no motor, out flying everyone with a Cessna or Piper Cub. I’m here to address critical issues impacting the Gliderport and propose SD Recreational Waiver as a solution that prioritizes public safety, preserves recreational rights, and ensures accountability. I bring my experiences forward today to advocate for safety, fairness, and transparency from our City leaders My Background, I was a LJ Town Council Trustee on the Gliderport Subcommittee. The Torrey Pines Oversite Advisory Group Back in March 2021, LJTC had issued a unanimous letter of support request to permanently reinstate the Torrey Pines Gliderport Oversight Advisory Board, isolating commercial interests from recreational use of park and lands, ensuring all user groups are represented fairly. City leaseholder "Air California Adventure" dissolved the oversight board watching over them, destroyed the Hang Gliding Club, and is currently blocking pilot access, demanding payment, forcing pilots into an unfair Access Pass and Waiver contract to use our public park. There are no fees to use our free public park. USHPA-rated pilots pay for a rating card and insurance fees above and beyond what is required by law; any other fees is a racket by the City leaseholder. It is illegal use of the color of authority (administrative Law) to override our recreational rights and freedom, robbing the public. La Jolla Rights have been stolen with a short holdover lease agreement that doesn't get looked at. This is completely unacceptable and needs to be stopped immediately. The Oversight Advisory Board would strengthen public safety measures, improve transparency, and keep our parks free for recreational use. Call to Action ~ Key Issues: Public Safety First: Public safety and park access must always take precedence over commercial interests. The Gliderport School should operate independently, ensuring that private businesses do not restrict public park use. Insurance Gaps: The Gliderport operates under self-insurance after losing its original coverage due to multiple claims. With no legal insurance requirements for recreational pilots, this raises significant legal and safety concerns. Recreational Flyers’ Rights: As stated by LJ Town Council, recreational solo pilots should not be forced to pay arbitrary fees or insurance costs. Hang gliding and paragliding, like Surfing, are free sports; access to our public park must remain free and open. The SD Recreational Waiver, proven to work, separates recreational flying from commercial operations, ensuring safety and preserving public access. It’s a proven legal solution, Barbra Bry said, It's an Easy Fix, that's ready to go. The Role of the Leaseholder: The city leaseholder may remain and operate as a club but must adhere to strict accountability standards. The Gliderport Club may offer glider storage, repairs, tandem rides, and discounts but must not monopolize park use. The leaseholder cannot discriminate against recreational pilots or impose unauthorized fees. All public funds collected must be accounted for, ensuring they support park maintenance—not private gain. The leaseholder must uphold safety standards, maintain facilities, and ensure proper insurance coverage. Accountability for Damages: There are serious allegations of misconduct, including workplace violence, hate crimes, and mishandled police reports. Victims deserve transparency, accurate reporting, and justice. The leaseholder must be held accountable under common law and USHPA aviation rules. Ongoing Crimes:As referred by La Jolla Town Council, reports were sent to the CPP, Commission of police Practices. The CPP then acknowledged there are crimes and that we should go directly to Police Authorities. I respectfully urge La Jolla Shores Association (LJSA), and the La Jolla Town Council (LJTC) to both issue a letter endorsing the permanent reinstatement of the Oversight Advisory Board and the SD Recreational Waiver to end the dispute at Torrey Pines Gliderport. The SD REC WAIVER: Protects public safety Safeguard recreational access Separate commercial interests from public park use Joe Lacava, this is a win for City Leader, police authorities, public servants, and La Jolla residents. It is an opportunity to rebuild public trust and ensure our parks remain open, safe, and free. You would certainly be loved by the flight community, showing everyone badly needed government reform. Public Support: I have collected over 700 signatures on Change.org and MoveOn.org. The petition, titled “Black’s Beach Recreational Scandal: Stop the Commercialization and Privatization of San Diego Parks,” is currently available for signing online. Copies of the SD Recreational Waiver that Pilots would sign before flying, available upon request. Signed SD Rec Waivers would be kept on file, and a pilot rating card issued in return. In Closing: Let’s make the right choice for our community. By endorsing the SD Recreational Waiver, we can protect public safety, preserve free recreational access, and hold commercial operators accountable. Thank you for your time and your help protecting our freedom. I’m available for questions, and can be reached at erniecasco@gmail,com, or my cell: (858) 568-1384. also listed on the petition flyer.

Author:	Bob Kuczewski [ Tue Oct 14, 2025 2:56 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What to bring to the Agenda Oct 15th 2025
Ernie posted (in "the Eagle" topic): eagle wrote: What to bring to the Agenda Please bring forward any stories that could help. And send me a copy in PDF form. 1. How many members are in in Torrey Hawks Hang Gliding Club? We can bulls* them a little, both instructors and recreational pilots 2. Can you show me a list of your members and their emails?. Show Fair Representation and Transparency 3. What is Torrey Hawk's Policy on instructor and recreational free flight fees, for TPGP site use, or anywhere else? 4. How many Torrey Hawk Hang Gliding Club members have been abused by Torrey Pines glider port staff members? 5. And Still Alive, please bring forward any Torrey Hawk letters, comments, reports, or accusations to show SDPD, LJTC, and LJSA. 6. You could submit your story in an email or PDF file directly or send it to me. 7. PLEASE Send me a PDF copy to include in my report. 8. Please do not send any personal conflict to LJSA,... 9. A copy of the Agenda Speech and a sample letter of support are already in the hands of both LJTC and LJSA 10. Thank Everyone. Here are my responses to each question: eagle wrote: 1. How many members are in in Torrey Hawks Hang Gliding Club? We can bulls* them a little, both instructors and recreational pilots We have at least 175 members, and we don't "bull**" anyone. Not even a little. eagle wrote: 2. Can you show me a list of your members and their emails?. Show Fair Representation and Transparency No. Our membership list is private. It's been that way since people were threatened with retaliation for joining us. We have filed our membership list with USHPA in past years as part of our required Chapter renewal. But we do not otherwise share our membership list. eagle wrote: 3. What is Torrey Hawk's Policy on instructor and recreational free flight fees, for TPGP site use, or anywhere else? The Torrey Hawks mission statement says: "The Torrey Hawks Hang Gliding Club is dedicated to promoting and protecting the sport of Hang Gliding at the Torrey Pines Gliderport." eagle wrote: 4. How many Torrey Hawk Hang Gliding Club members have been abused by Torrey Pines glider port staff members? I don't know the complete number. I know of at least 4 including yourself. eagle wrote: 5. And Still Alive, please bring forward any Torrey Hawk letters, comments, reports, or accusations to show SDPD, LJTC, and LJSA. The U.S. Hawks web site is full of such information. Please feel free to search it for anything of interest. eagle wrote: 6. You could submit your story in an email or PDF file directly or send it to me. The U.S. Hawks web site is full of such information. Please feel free to search it for anything of interest. eagle wrote: 7. PLEASE Send me a PDF copy to include in my report. The U.S. Hawks web site is full of information. Please feel free to search it for anything of interest. Quote:** 8. Please do not send any personal conflict to LJSA,... Too late. You've already opened that door with years of personal attacks. Maybe you should abide by your own requests in the future. We'll see how long that lasts.

Author:	JoeF [ Wed Oct 15, 2025 7:34 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: La Jolla Shores Association
Attachment: BobAndErnieLJSAonOct15of2025LetterWillBeSent.png [ 57 KiB \| Viewed 7327 times ] Letter from LJSA will be sent to City of San Diego! Congratulations Ernie! Congratulations Bob! Congratulations Joe! Congratulations Craig! Congratulations to all who wrestled toward this letter target!

Author:	Bob Kuczewski [ Wed Oct 15, 2025 11:51 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: La Jolla Shores Association
JoeF wrote: Letter from LJSA will be sent to City of San Diego! Congratulations Ernie! Congratulations Bob! . . . Thank you JOE!!! It was great having you at the meeting. Thanks for your contributions to this effort and for your decades of service and leadership to the sport of hang gliding!!

Author:	Bob Kuczewski [ Thu Oct 16, 2025 5:26 am ]
Post subject:	Re: La Jolla Shores Association
Before the meeting, John set out the rules for Ernie and I: John wrote: You will both have 8 minutes (hard stop) and then the board can discuss and vote. : Please keep the personal attacks out of our meeting tonight and stick to the issue at hand. I will have to cut you off if you do as we are not a court of law. John did a great job of moderating the meeting and he ensured that everyone got fair and equal time. It worked out very well! Thanks John!

US Hawks Hang Gliding Association https://ushawks.org:443/forum/

La Jolla Shores Association https://ushawks.org:443/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4353	Page 1 of 2

Author:	JoeF [ Sun Dec 21, 2025 6:54 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: La Jolla Shores Association
Thank you, Ernie and Bob! Thanks, John Pierce and LJSA. ================================ --- The former advisory board should never have been dissolved. Recreationists should never be forced to join a private association, as private groups may pursue agendas that are detrimental to the public. Sky surfers should pay the same fees—and carry the same insurance—as water surfers, playground weight lifters, rope jumpers, open-civic skateboarders, or kiteboarders: zero. Land and sky stewards are already covered for liability under state and federal law. Burdening sky surfing hang glider recreationists with unnecessary requirements must stop now. City of San Diego, get it right! People and pilots are already expected to follow the laws of the nation, the state, and the city, as well as the norms of polite recreation. Pilots are fully responsible for their own actions, just as everyone else is responsible for theirs. Play safely and respectfully in public spaces, and live within your skill level. Clubs and associations can offer benefits, sometimes, but no recreationist should ever be compelled to join a group to enjoy their sport. -- --- Monopoly on the Cliff? Not on Our Watch! The City of San Diego has handed total control of the historic cliff flying site to a single for-profit business. This move ignores the fact that a business and open public recreation can coexist in the same park. Instead, the decision shuts out the broader recreationist community, erases opportunities for inclusive management, and prioritizes profit over public access. Recreation and business can complement each other—but monopoly control ensures they cannot. --- City of San Diego, You have the opportunity to do the right, balanced, and equitable thing. Yes—you can. You and the community will benefit—and feel much better—when you do. ================== ================== There is essentially no precedent for requiring recreational users of a public city park to join a national private association simply to recreate. In public spaces, people are governed by the law—not by compulsory membership in private organizations. Associations may exist for competition, instruction, or voluntary affiliation, but basic recreational access in a city park has never depended on mandatory national membership. Requiring such membership sets a troubling and unnecessary precedent that conflicts with the long-standing principles of open public recreation.

Author:	Bob Kuczewski [ Thu Dec 25, 2025 5:01 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: La Jolla Shores Association
It turns out that there was a reporter at the October 2025 La Jolla Shores Association meeting. The full article is here: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/10/22/la-jolla-shores-association-offers-support-for-gliderport-evaluation-and-oversight/ It says: Quote: La Jolla Shores Association offers support for gliderport evaluation and oversight The group agrees to send a letter to the city of San Diego seeking evaluation of some residents' concerns about Torrey Pines Gliderport operations and reactivation of a long-defunct advisory board Attachment: File comment: Bob Kuczewski and Ernie Casco attend the Oct. 15 La Jolla Shores Association meeting seeking support for further evaluation of their concerns about the management of the Torrey Pines Gliderport. (Noah Lyons) Bob_and_Ernie_at_LJSA_Meeting.jpeg [ 50.92 KiB \| Viewed 3260 times ] Attachment: Noah_Lyons.jpeg [ 2.69 KiB \| Viewed 3260 times ] By Noah Lyons \| noah.lyons@lajollalight.com \| The San Diego Union-Tribune PUBLISHED: October 22, 2025 at 8:00 AM PDT Area residents Ernie Casco and Bob Kuczewski have long advocated changes at La Jolla’s Torrey Pines Gliderport, and at the October meeting of the La Jolla Shores Association, they got their wish for support of some of their requests. Torrey Pines Gliderport, operated by Air California Adventure Inc., is a paragliding and hang-gliding site above Black’s Beach. Casco and Kuczewski have appeared during public comment periods at Shores Association meetings to ask the board to intervene in what they say is abuse of “recreational rights and freedoms” at the gliderport through the requirement of fees and skill ratings. They returned Oct. 15 with a slot on the meeting agenda, asking the group to write a letter urging the city of San Diego to evaluate their concerns and to reactivate the long-defunct Torrey Pines City Park Advisory Board. That board was established to advise the city Parks & Recreation Board during preparation of a General Development Plan for Torrey Pines City Park, the formal name of the gliderport property at 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive. The GDP was approved in 2012 and the advisory board was discontinued. While LJSA President John Pierce said the gliderport is outside The Shores’ planning district, Casco and Kuczweski have “been coming every month, and I just wanted to [consider] it,” he said. “It is an issue and I’ve seen kind of a blind eye to it, so maybe a letter of support will help bring some light to the situation. Other than that, there’s not really much we can do.” Attachment: File comment: Fliers take off from the Torrey Pines Gliderport. (Kim Weiss) Paragliders.jpeg [ 46.03 KiB \| Viewed 3260 times ] The gliderport website says it requires all pilots to check in at the front office before setting up. They must show a current rating of P3 or H4 (intermediate or advanced) with the U.S. Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association or membership in the Academy of Model Aeronautics if flying remote-controlled aircraft. They also must pay a $10 day-use fee or have a $200 annual gliderport membership. Instructor supervision for fliers with a P2 or H3 rating is available for $250 per day. Juan Enrique Silva, general manager of Air California Adventure, said the rules ensure a professional operation at the gliderport. “We require pilots to be fairly proficient so everyone remains safe and enjoys their time,” the website says. Casco and Kuczewski also want a waiver allowing pilots who use the gliderport to fly without liability insurance, an idea that Silva calls “reckless and irresponsible.” Ultimately, the LJSA board agreed during the meeting to write a letter of support for the requests for a city evaluation and the return of the Torrey Pines City Park Advisory Board. Pierce told the La Jolla Light on Oct. 21 that the letter had not yet been drafted but added that it would not seek a waiver of pilot liability insurance. “Citizens are forced to go to the City Council or La Jolla Town Council or [La Jolla Shores Association]” with concerns about the gliderport, Casco read from a statement during the meeting. “Yet none of those venues are equipped to resolve these ongoing issues, so it’s clear the Torrey Pines City Park Advisory Board is needed to fill that role.” LJSA trustee Mary Coakley Munk made a motion for the city to “seriously look at the situation” and reactivate the advisory board. The motion passed 7-0, with trustee Joe Stalder abstaining, citing a lack of knowledge about “the districts that are covered within our agreement or others.” Silva told the Light afterward that the advisory board “did what it was required to do — come up with the Torrey Pines City Park development plan. Then it was disbanded. It cannot be reconstituted and does not need to be because it already did its job completely.”

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