Applicants Pull Papers for Vacant Council Seat

Five people have pulled papers to fill the City Council’s District 5 vacancy created by former Councilmember Victor Gordo’s mayoral victory in the Nov. 3 election.

According to the city’s website, Jessica Rivas, Gloria G. Medel, Michael Warner, Genevieve Clavreul, and Charlotte (Mason) Lai are seeking to fill the vacant seat. 

“I would say I’m a public servant,” Rivas said. “I’ve spent my entire career in the public sector, first as a deputy attorney general with the California Department of Justice. Currently, I’m a deputy county counsel for LA County. I’m a lawyer, and I’ve also served as a judge advocate in the Army Reserves.”

Rivas currently serves on the city’s Northwest Commission and previously served on the Commission on the Status of Women. 

Rivas said she is running because she thinks the city is facing challenges.

“I just feel compelled to step up and lead and be a voice for my District 5 neighbors. We’re workers, we’re immigrants, we’re seniors, we’re young families, we’re unhoused or students, and we’re all just trying to do our best to get by. And I want to make sure that none of us are overlooked or unheard,” she said.

Warner is listed as a former La Canada Flintridge Public Works employee. There was no information immediately available on Lai.

Medel is a civil litigation attorney, “This last year has left a lot of people with a lot of problems, and I want to be the voice for my community,” Medel said.  

Clavreul said she works as a consultant, including a stint with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.

Clavreul, who became a citizen in 2001, said she loves the way the U.S. allows people to dream big and make the impossible possible. 

“I think another woman on the council would be beneficial,” Clavreul said. “I’ve been a political watchdog in L.A. County for several decades and have acquired a wide depth of knowledge that I think would benefit the city. I’m well known for my political activism, and my defense of open meetings, and of the Brown Act. Additionally, as a disabled, senior citizen, I think I’ll bring a unique perspective to the council. 

“I’ve lived in Southern California for nearly half a century. I’ve been openly gay since the 1970s and I am a mother of four, a grandmother of five, and a great-grandmother of three,” she said.

According to the city’s notice of intent, candidates must live in District 5 and hand deliver 25 signatures from registered voters living in the district to City Clerk Mark Jomsky by 5:30 p.m. Jan. 14 and pay a $25 filing fee.

Postmarked, email or faxed submissions will not be accepted. 

Appointments are required to personally obtain materials. And, due to COVID-19 protocols, all individuals coming to City Hall must wear facial coverings and observe social distancing.

To be considered for the position, those applicants invited to participate must also attend a special meeting of the City Council in February for the purposes of a public interview by the full council.

“The date and time of the meeting has yet to be determined and further information will be provided after all applications are received,” states the notice

Presentations by applicants at the special meeting will be limited to six minutes, followed by a question and answer period conducted by the council on each applicant’s qualifications.  

The council will then vote to fill the position. The appointee will not be restricted from running for office in 2022. 

The new District 5 councilmember will be sworn in immediately after the council votes.