LACAVA SEES OPEN-MINDED JOB AHEAD
Council newcomer known as a policy wonk and expert on nuances of bureaucracy
Joe LaCava, one of five new members joining the San Diego City Council this Thursday, is a self-described “policy wonk” who brings detailed knowledge of how city government works — from top to bottom.
A lifelong San Diegan, LaCava has served on elementary school committees, neighborhood planning groups and various citywide panels on his road to representing north coastal District 1 on the City Council.
“I’ve seen how city policies actually translate on the ground, so I’m very prepared,” said LaCava, the first civil engineer to serve on the council in recent memory.
LaCava, 66, also may prove to be the most independent-minded of the five Democrats elected last month. They will give Democrats an 8-1 council majority, but LaCava’s votes on controversial issues or projects will be far from a sure thing, he said.
“You won’t see automatic votes from me every time” based on party or what organized labor supports, LaCava said last week in University City.
“I wouldn’t use the word ‘maverick,’ but I like to have all ideas on the table so I can test whether my idea is really the best.”
LaCava said he suspects his independent streak is one reason that organized labor and the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce endorsed his opponent in the November runoff, fellow Democrat Will Moore.
Despite those endorsements, La
Cava won the runoff by more than 15,000 votes — 42,613 to 27,250. He will replace Barbara Bry, who lost to Todd Gloria in a runoff for mayor last month.
District 1 includes Carmel Valley, University City, La Jolla and a neighborhood at the southern tip of La Jolla called Bird Rock, where LaCava has lived for the last 35 years.