ENCINITAS — The Encinitas City Council appointed a small business owner as the new District 4 council member Wednesday night, filling the vacancy left by newly-elected Mayor Bruce Ehlers following his victory in November.
The council selected Olivenhain resident Marco San Antonio, owner of One Day Signs downtown, to fill the District 4 seat, which covers Olivenhain and parts of New Encinitas.
In addition to owning a small business, San Antonio is known locally for his leadership on the Olivenhain Municipal Water District board and volunteer firefighting background.
The decision followed hours of public comments, candidate interviews and council deliberations during a meeting that stretched late into the evening. The council approved San Antonio’s appointment with a 3-1 vote, with Councilmember Joy Lyndes casting the lone dissenting vote.
After significant debate and a failed initial motion to select Brad Lefkowitz, owner of Waves Landscape Design, followed by another failed motion to appoint Denise Martin, a high school math teacher, the council eventually voted landed on San Antonio.
“My interest in serving Encinitas goes no further than here,” San Antonio said, addressing the council. “I do not have any political aspirations to go to Sacramento, I’m here for the sole purpose to make Encinitas the very best version of itself.”
As a first grader in 1980, San Antonio said he moved to Village Park in New Encinitas. In 1989, the family’s business, One Day Signs, was established under the historic Encinitas sign along Coast Highway 101.
San Antonio also highlighted his qualifications, including his role as an elected director of the Olivenhain Municipal Water District in 2022, where he received 71% of the vote in his district.
“What we do in this life is for the benefit of [our children],” he said. “I want Encinitas to be secure and safe so that you and your children, and mine, can grow up feeling the same way I did, walking, biking, and spending time within its city limits.”
Ehlers, who initially motioned to appoint Martin, and other council members emphasized the importance of selecting an appointee who could serve effectively in the two-year role.
“This is probably one of the most important decisions we will make all year,” Ehlers said, who vacated the District 4 seat when he assumed the role of mayor in December.
Rather than holding a special election, estimated to cost between $275,000 and $450,000 and likely being held sometime in August, the council opted for the cheaper and more expedient appointment process to fill the seat.
The appointment process drew significant public interest, with eight eligible applicants vying for the position. During the meeting, candidates were given three minutes to present their qualifications and vision for the district before answering questions from the council. The council also reviewed extensive public comments and emails endorsing various candidates.
Aside from San Antonio, the other applicants were:
- Lefkowits emphasized his work on the Urban Forest Advisory Committee and his ties to the local school community.
- Martin, a resident of New Encinitas, cited her leadership in Proposition A efforts.
- Michael Quinn, a substitute teacher and city Parks & Recreation commissioner, discussed his 30 years of experience in the natural foods business.
- Paul Templin, an engineer and former Peace Corps volunteer, underscored his work in cybersecurity for Toyota and ViaSat.
- Julie Graboi, an Olivenhain resident and MiraCosta College instructor, highlighted her extensive involvement in Proposition A and the city’s General Plan update.
- Eli Stern, a retired financial industry employee, shared his service on the city’s Senior Citizen Commission and Affordable Housing Task Force.
- Farhad Mahmoudi, a New Encinitas resident in the legal technology industry, presented himself as a candidate not interested in running for the seat in 2026.
The council’s deliberations reflected varying priorities. Some members emphasized the importance of appointing someone with deep ties to the district and a strong track record of civic engagement. Others focused on candidates who would maintain the council’s recent voter-supported direction. The discussion’s recurring themes were public safety, infrastructure, housing, and responsible growth.
Several candidates spoke passionately about issues specific to District 4, including fire safety and growth along El Camino Real, while acknowledging broader citywide concerns.
San Antonio’s appointment was not without some controversy, as Lyndes and others raised concerns about the representation of his firefighting experience on his resume.
Resident Mali Shook, a former member of the city’s Public Health and Safety Commission, said that San Antonio, a volunteer reserve firefighter with the Orange County Fire Authority, intentionally misrepresented himself on his application as a “firefighter engineer.”
“Nonetheless, what concerns me is that Marco deliberately altered his resume to present himself as a firefighter engineer, as opposed to what he was: a reserve firefighter,” Shook said during the meeting.
Lyndes also took issue with the apparent discrepancy over San Antonio’s role as a firefighter.
“I just will emphasize again, it’s what you write on your resume and what you don’t write on your resume … I would expect it to have been accurate to what his actual position was,” Lyndes said.
Supporters, however, praised his dedication to public service and willingness to step into the volunteer role with minimal financial compensation. After extensive debate, the council voted to appoint him, citing his leadership qualities and alignment with community priorities.
“You are giving enough to volunteer to go into burning buildings — that is service above self in its best way,” Ehlers said. “That doesn’t take away one bit. In fact, in my opinion … it actually helped me [make my decision].”
Several residents addressed the council, offering a range of perspectives about the candidates. Some supported specific applicants, while others opposed certain individuals or highlighted their preferences based on qualifications, experience or alignment with community priorities.
Ehlers noted that the need for fiscal responsibility and expediency drove the decision to appoint rather than hold a special election. San Antonio’s appointment marks a milestone for the council as it addresses pressing issues in District 4, including fire safety, infrastructure improvements, and housing development.
City Clerk Cathy Hollywood said arrangements must be made with the Olivenhain Municipal Water District board for San Antonio to formally resign from his position there.
Hollywood said he would officially be sworn into his new role within the next few days at her office, with a ceremonial swearing-in planned for the next City Council meeting.
