Community Rallies Behind Cancer-Stricken Restaurateur as Harbor Board Reshuffles Leadership

More than 25 community members packed the San Mateo County Harbor District's Jan. 21 meeting with a single, emotional message: save Catch Harbor Grill and its operators, David and Michelle Westendorf, who are fighting to keep their Pillar Point Harbor restaurant alive while David battles terminal cancer. Separately, the board elected new officers, sent a contested employee benefits proposal back to committee, and celebrated a banner year of capital projects and environmental wins.

• Over 25 speakers demand rent relief, parking enforcement and food truck restrictions for Catch Harbor Grill and Pelagic Fish Market at Pillar Point Harbor

• Employee life insurance increase defeated 2-3; item referred back to Finance Committee amid concerns about process and pending state pension legislation

• George Domurat elected board president in unanimous annual reorganization; Virginia Chang Kiraly named vice president

• Board celebrates 16 major accomplishments, including clean audit, multiple capital project groundbreakings and record community events

• New Coastal Commission representative invited to tour harbor as district advances shoreline and erosion projects

• Vessel accused of illegal passenger operations at Pillar Point Harbor; enforcement questions raised

The most striking stretch of the meeting had nothing to do with a vote. For nearly an hour, residents, business owners, a paramedic, and family members lined up — and logged on — to urge the Harbor District to renegotiate the lease for Catch Harbor Grill and Pelagic Fish Market on Capistrano Road.