The San Gabriel City Council candidate forum was held on October 19 at the Grapevine Arbor.
By Chasity Jennings-Nuñez
The event, sponsored by ColoradoBoulevard.net, drew over 60 residents to a town-hall style meeting. The candidates were given the opportunity to meet residents and answer questions submitted by attendees and community members on a variety of issues.
The League of Women Voters Pasadena Area moderated the night, providing question sorters and a timekeeper. The volunteer members of the LWVPA ensured that a broad range of topics relevant to the community was covered in the 90-minute meeting. Volunteer students who ranged from freshman to senior, acted as greeters and runners, collecting and delivering the numerous audience-written questions. Dorothy Keane, the moderator, presented each question to all of the candidates, alternating who was chosen to be the first to answer, and giving each of them an equal amount of time to respond. Everyone in the audience was attentive, respectful and actively participated, arriving early in most cases and staying throughout the entire event.

Katherine Gavzy from LWV Pasadena Area with Gabrielino. High School volunteers (Photo – Chasity Jennings-Nuñez)
The San Gabriel City Council has five council seats, each with a four-year term. Seven candidates are running to fill the three seats up for election on November 8th. Reyna Isela Lopez Bowles, Eric Chan, Jorge Avila Herrera, John Wu and Jeanne Raya participated and each provided residents the opportunity to hear their thoughts and plans on issues that included crime and safety, business development, housing, drought management, diversity and inclusion, and community engagement. Two additional candidates, Denise Menchaca and Carina Rivera, did not respond to the invitation.
Mail-in ballots have already been sent out. Voting information, including San Gabriel Vote Center dates and times, can be found at this link.
> Watch a recording of the forum below:
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