Santa Monica City Council members made three appointments at its Tuesday meeting last week, filling vacant spots to the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Disabilities Commission, and Personnel Board.
Don Camacho was appointed to the Convention and Visitors Bureau. His term will run through June 30, 2017.
Camacho does not live in Santa Monica but has operated a restaurant – Mariasol – on the Santa Monica Pier for about 20 years. He also has served on the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board.
“As a sitting Board Member of the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board I have experience working through the challenges of Marketing/Promoting a City,” Camacho stated in his application. “I am also well versed in the inner workings of City Government. In addition, I understand how important the CVB is for small local businesses.”
Filling the Disabilities Commission was Mariana Bidart, whose term also expires June 30, 2017.
A two-year resident of Santa Monica, Bidart on her application stated: “My goal is to advance the rights of people with disabilities and having our city – Santa Monica a place that is the most accessible as possible.”
She has served as a board member for a closed caption company and the Bridge2Access Advisory Committee, among others.
Virginia Coles, a Santa Monica resident of seven years, was appointed to the Personnel Board. According to her application, she hired more than 100 professionals in her career and is a businesswoman with 25 years’ experience.
“I wish to provide a non biased, strategic and methodical viewpoint to this Board. I want to service my community now that I have retired and have the time to give back,” Coles stated on her application. “My successful years of working across the state and living in Santa Monica will provide this board with a rational, strategic and ethical member.”
Coles’ term will expire June 30, 2018.
John Berley was nominated for a third full term on the Landmarks Commission. However, his appointment must wait until the next council meeting. If Berley is appointed, his term will run through June 30, 2017.
