La Mesa Losing One of Its Jewel Citizens: Peter Cuthbert Moving

I love a garage sale, but not when I pull up to the house and see it is Peter Cuthbert holding it because he’s moving away. 

I met Peter Cuthbert in 2010 when I ran for mayor. He entered my office, excited about the prospect of new energy at City Hall. He walked precincts, helped fund-raise, passed out piles of yard signs and enriched my knowledge of La Mesa history, for which he is an expert. 

His La Mesa resume is rich. From 1955 to 1959, he was our first city planner. Around the same time, he joined the Kiwanis Club of La Mesa for five years, then returned after retirement in 1991. Over the years, he received numerous awards including Kiwanian of the Year. The Kiwanis give out scholarships and, along with Joe Drew of Drew Ford, are big supporters of the La Mesa Soap Box Derby. 

He’s been a Sunday School teacher at La Mesa’s Saint Andrews Episcopal Church where he was also involved in the planning and construction of the church facilities and for the last 12 years, he’s been a member of The Grossmont Community Concert Association. His tenure included being its president in 2003-2004. 

Countywide, Peter has been a member and on boards of organizations as varied as Retired Employees of San Diego County, San Diego County Employees Association and Citizens Coordinate for Century 3.

He was pivotal in the planning and design of 54 county parks earning him a California Commendation and was the Project Manager of Mission Trails Regional Park. He served under three different mayors. 

But it is his work beautifying La Mesa he is most well known, recognized and appreciated. Since 1975, he has been a Life Member of La Mesa Beautiful, a judge for four decades and its President for seven years. 

La Mesa Beautiful has planted over 2,000 trees, including memorial trees that honor people who have died. The nonprofit celebrates Arbor Day by donating plants and trees to elementary and middle schools in the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District. 

His commitment to and affection for La Mesa is sincere and deep. Regrettably, his La Mesa volunteerism suffered a blemish during the 2010 La Mesa mayoral election. In his zeal and naïveté, he created, printed and mailed a political postcard supporting all the new candidates running for mayor and city council plus some propositions without identifying himself or his group — a violation of the California Fair Political Practices Commission. 

He paid a hefty fine — the overall misadventure costing him $10,000 — and received embarrassing negative publicity. 

I’m writing this blog to remind La Mesans of Peter’s good works and devotion to La Mesa and to wish him a fond farewell. Will really miss you, Peter!