Former Sierra Madre mayor appointed to Parks and Rec Commission

The Encinitas City Council on Sept. 9 appointed Joe Mosca, the former mayor of Sierre Madre in Los Angles County, to the Parks and Recreation Commission.

“I know how to get things done, and I know how to get things done with limited city funding,” said Mosca, an Olivenhain resident, in explaining his qualifications to the council. He also cited his experience on various regional boards.

As a commissioner, Mosca said he’d like to focus on maintaining and highlighting city hiking trails.

Mosca stepped down from the Sierre Madre City Council in 2011 in order to move overseas. At that time, he wrote in a letter to constituents that his partner, a physician and HIV researcher, accepted a job in London.

The council received three applications for the position, which was vacant because former commissioner Cheryl Broom recently moved out of the city. Cardiff resident Rhea Stewart and Encinitas resident David Henkel also applied.

Mosca’s term will last until March 2017. Mayor Kristin Gaspar recommended him, and the council unanimously approved a motion of support.

The seven-member Parks and Recreation Commission makes recommendations to the council regarding public parks, playgrounds, facilities and programming.