Spring Valley Citizens Association Survives by Single Vote on Third Ballot

Steven Relyea has been re-elected president of the Spring Valley Citizens Association, a small group that nearly disbanded at a holiday party.

According to U-T San Diego, members on Dec. 20 voted 12-11, with two abstentions, to keep the association alive.

“After Relyea made the motion [to disband] and an initial vote was taken, some of the members present were confused by what was being asked and after it was taken, they realized they had voted the opposite way of what they intended,” the U-T reported Friday. “The second vote also confounded some of those present, so that was also rescinded.”

The paper also reported that the group in January will vote on changing to quarterly meetings instead of monthly meetings, now held at the San Miguel Fire Station.

Besides Relyea, U-T San Diego reported 2013 officers are Jason Kardos (vice president of membership and outreach), Charlie Biggs (vice president of planning and programs), Joyce Moore (vice president of partnerships), Tomas Krejci (vice president of communications), along with Treasurer Michelle Richardson and Secretary Ron Lawson.

In a February 2011 Patch interview, Relyea said his goals included doubling membership, starting a website and establishing a dog park.

The website is live but the dog park is still a dream.

“I think the biggest accomplishment will be known when people that live in Mission Valley, Hillcrest, North Park, South Park, wherever, hear ‘Spring Valley’ and don’t think Swap Meet,” Relyea said. “When they think something else, that’s when we’ve accomplished our goal.”