In the second week for candidates to file to run for City Council, Navy reserve pilot Ricky Hoyt joined the ranks.
Two other island residents, Andrew Gade and Mark Warner, launched their campaign last week. A third, Keith James, pulled papers this past week, but has not officially completed and submitted them.
Up for grabs this fall are two City Council positions as Council member Carrie Anne Downey finishes her fourth nonconsecutive term and Council member Kelly Purvis wraps up a two-year appointment when she took over Mayor John Duncan’s seat after he was elected to the mayoral position.
As of July 27, Purvis had not officially completed her papers and Downey had not announced or filed to seek re-election.
Hoyt, a first-time candidate for local government, said the timing was right to run for office as he shifted from active-duty Navy service to the reserves.
“I’ve always had that public service –- obviously it was with the military for a while,” Hoyt told The Coronado News. “I just want to give back … the cliche is so true: Give back to a community that’s given me so much.”
A Naval Academy graduate, Lt. Cmdr. Hoyt served as a helicopter and Osprey pilot for 13 years before retiring in March. He splits his time working on base and as a real estate agent and property owner.
At City Hall, Hoyt, 35, said he would focus on traffic safety, especially with e-bikes.
He also believes there should be some sort of data-monitoring system on the roads to try and make streets in the city safer. He acknowledged traffic cameras that issue red-light violations aren’t used in the city, but wants to use technology to identify what’s happening throughout the roads.
“Where is the speeding happening? When is it happening? So, putting things up that can track that,” Hoyt said. The technology wouldn’t be face-identifying, he explained, but just gathering information on speed or noise pollution and then efficiently deploying enforcement in those areas.
Hoyt said maintaining the city’s infrastructure and addressing the beach sewage crisis are also priority issues to him.
We’re not trying to make political statements. We care about what people in Coronado care about … you could be some alien party, but if you have a good idea, it’s still a good idea.
City Council candidate Ricky Hoyt
Hoyt, who is registered as an independent, said he appreciates the non-partisan aspect of Coronado elections. “We’re not trying to make political statements. We care about what people in Coronado care about,” he said. “…You could be some alien party, but if you have a good idea, it’s still a good idea.”
Hoyt described himself as fiscally conservative and leaning more socially conservative, but said letting people live their lives and “personal liberties” are important to him.
He thinks the current council has been doing “amazing” and wants to continue that work.
Hoyt moved to Coronado in 2015 when he received orders to be stationed at Naval Air Station North Island, where he rose to the level of aircraft commander.
Stationed in Arlington, Texas from 2019-2022, Hoyt still flew back to Coronado nearly every month – even delivering North Island’s first Osprey aircraft in 2020.
The pilot joked that he would always return to New Hampshire, where he’s from, but within a few months of living on the island, knew that this was going to be his home forever.
“I have a lot to bring to the table, especially with the military background and just (being) a little bit younger … and a fresh set of eyes,” Hoyt said.
