LA MESA CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES SHARE DIVERSITY OF VIEWS
View forum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7V44cS5UCY A version of this forum, edited slightly for length,also aired on the East County Radio Show on KNSJ. Hear audio. By Miriam Raftery October 7, 2024 (La Mesa) – All four candidates vying for two open seats on the La Mesa City Council spoke out on their goals and priorities if elected during an Oct. 3 forum on Zoom moderated by ECM editor Miriam Raftery. They addressed issues including housing and homelessness, restoring remote public comments, policing and public safety, district elections and campaign finance reform, and infrastructure to protect against extreme storms such as January’s floods. Candidates opened with introductions, experience and top goals if elected. Genevieve “Gen” Suzuki is an attorney, journalist, former editor-in-chief of the La Mesa Courier, and community volunteer: “I’m a family law attorney with more than a decade of experience dedicated to help families navigate challenging times with compassion and expertise.” She added that she has served on the Community Services Commission and the La Mesa Park and Recreation Board of Directors. “I’ve strived to make our community a better place for everyone.” She’s served as a PTA president; she and her husband have two children. Her platform includes affordable housing, addressing homelessness in a humane and compassionate way, assuring that police and firefighters are supported, enhancing community services and growing the library to attract everyone. Kristine Alessio is a former La Mesa Councilmember, planning commissioner, land use attorney and small business owner with a background in real estate and land use. She was born in La Mesa, raised her daughter here and has served as a board member on the East County Boys and Girls Club and East County YMCA, as well as current director of La Mesa History Center. “My goals for La Mesa are really, really simple,” she says. “Fix the roads, more law enforcement/public safety, and maintain La Mesa’s small town character.. Regarding state regulations on affordable housing, she notes, “I’m probably the only one here who has ever built affordable housing in La Mesa,” she says, emphasizing her experience adding that she will be happy to serve with any of the other candidates running. Lauren Cazares, policy advisor at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce who has volunteered on the La Mesa Community Police Oversight Board and other groups. “We have a really great group of folks here running for La Mesa City Council…the biggest thing we all have in common is we all love this community and we want to give back to it,” she says. She emphasizes her experience with the Chamber, specializing in environment and sustainability, education and workforce issues, small business and economic development. A lifelong La Mesa resident and second generation La Mesa homeowner, she lives in the northwest area of the city. “I’ve got a lot of experience working in the bureaurcracy” and “skills to advocate on the outside and get things done on the inside, she says. Priorities include assuring police and fire have enough staff, improving day to day life for La Mesans including streets, housing, and the homelessness crisis. Shawn Townsend, is CEO of Reflection Training Gear, a personal trainer, and a former clinical exercise physiologist at Nellis Air Force Base. “What I do is seek out dysfunction and I correct it, as a personal trainer,” he says. He wants to bring this skillset to city hall to solve long-term problems such as housing and homelessness. “I’m a doer,” he says, “My platform is getting all 18 cities on the same page” to solve problems such as homelessness and housing. “I really don’t like the term affordable housing,” he says. “I like the term reasonable…you work two jobs and go to school and can’t live independently, there’s something wrong.” Q: Do you support or oppose Prop L, the sales tax measure, and why? Alessio: “I support it with conditions. Having been on the city council, I have seen the helpfulness that Prop L brought to us. However, the money needs to be conditioned on it being spenti n the right place.Right now, the city of La Mesa has a 60% increase administrative staff…why is that?” Cazares: “I definitely support Proposition L,” she says, adding that she’s endorsed by the police and firefighters union. “My platform is a clean and safe La Mesa, and Prop L is critical” for police, fire, and infrastructure maintenance. “La Mesa truly is the jewel of the hills because we have this sales tax,” she says, crediting the sales tax for enabling La Mesa to have better roads and sidewalks than neighboring cities. She clarified that Prop L merely extends an existing tax; it is not a new one, and is needed due to a lean city budget. “We need to be staffing up,not staffing down,” she adds. Townsend: “I support it 100%,” he said, adding that supporting police and firefighting is “obviously a good thing.” While he agrees that oversight is essential, he believes the sales tax should be extended. “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” Suzuki: “I am also endorsed by our police officers and our firefighters, and I absolutely support Proposition L.” She notes that the original bond provided for a citizens bond oversight committee, which will continue with Prop L. “We need to keep La Mesa, La Mesa,” noting that you can see the difference in roads when driving from La Mesa to San Diego. Supplying our police and firefighters to save lives is important, she believes. Q: How would you balance the need for new housing especially affordable housing vs. concerns of some residents over increased traffic and density, abolishing affordable homes to make way for new higher end condo? Also do you have any ideas to streamline the process to make it easier to build housing? View our prior article on the four candidates. Cazares: A Gen Z member, she says it’s important to have young people represented on the Council. She bought a condo initially because she couldn’t afford a house,
LA MESA CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES SHARE DIVERSITY OF VIEWS
View forum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7V44cS5UCY A version of this forum, edited slightly for length,also aired on the East County Radio Show on KNSJ. Hear audio. By Miriam Raftery October 7, 2024 (La Mesa) – All four candidates vying for two open seats on the La Mesa City Council spoke out on their goals and priorities if elected during an Oct. 3 forum on Zoom moderated by ECM editor Miriam Raftery. They addressed issues including housing and homelessness, restoring remote public comments, policing and public safety, district elections and campaign finance reform, and infrastructure to protect against extreme storms such as January’s floods. Candidates opened with introductions, experience and top goals if elected. Genevieve “Gen” Suzuki is an attorney, journalist, former editor-in-chief of the La Mesa Courier, and community volunteer: “I’m a family law attorney with more than a decade of experience dedicated to help families navigate challenging times with compassion and expertise.” She added that she has served on the Community Services Commission and the La Mesa Park and Recreation Board of Directors. “I’ve strived to make our community a better place for everyone.” She’s served as a PTA president; she and her husband have two children. Her platform includes affordable housing, addressing homelessness in a humane and compassionate way, assuring that police and firefighters are supported, enhancing community services and growing the library to attract everyone. Kristine Alessio is a former La Mesa Councilmember, planning commissioner, land use attorney and small business owner with a background in real estate and land use. She was born in La Mesa, raised her daughter here and has served as a board member on the East County Boys and Girls Club and East County YMCA, as well as current director of La Mesa History Center. “My goals for La Mesa are really, really simple,” she says. “Fix the roads, more law enforcement/public safety, and maintain La Mesa’s small town character.. Regarding state regulations on affordable housing, she notes, “I’m probably the only one here who has ever built affordable housing in La Mesa,” she says, emphasizing her experience adding that she will be happy to serve with any of the other candidates running. Lauren Cazares, policy advisor at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce who has volunteered on the La Mesa Community Police Oversight Board and other groups. “We have a really great group of folks here running for La Mesa City Council…the biggest thing we all have in common is we all love this community and we want to give back to it,” she says. She emphasizes her experience with the Chamber, specializing in environment and sustainability, education and workforce issues, small business and economic development. A lifelong La Mesa resident and second generation La Mesa homeowner, she lives in the northwest area of the city. “I’ve got a lot of experience working in the bureaurcracy” and “skills to advocate on the outside and get things done on the inside, she says. Priorities include assuring police and fire have enough staff, improving day to day life for La Mesans including streets, housing, and the homelessness crisis. Shawn Townsend, is CEO of Reflection Training Gear, a personal trainer, and a former clinical exercise physiologist at Nellis Air Force Base. “What I do is seek out dysfunction and I correct it, as a personal trainer,” he says. He wants to bring this skillset to city hall to solve long-term problems such as housing and homelessness. “I’m a doer,” he says, “My platform is getting all 18 cities on the same page” to solve problems such as homelessness and housing. “I really don’t like the term affordable housing,” he says. “I like the term reasonable…you work two jobs and go to school and can’t live independently, there’s something wrong.” Q: Do you support or oppose Prop L, the sales tax measure, and why? Alessio: “I support it with conditions. Having been on the city council, I have seen the helpfulness that Prop L brought to us. However, the money needs to be conditioned on it being spenti n the right place.Right now, the city of La Mesa has a 60% increase administrative staff…why is that?” Cazares: “I definitely support Proposition L,” she says, adding that she’s endorsed by the police and firefighters union. “My platform is a clean and safe La Mesa, and Prop L is critical” for police, fire, and infrastructure maintenance. “La Mesa truly is the jewel of the hills because we have this sales tax,” she says, crediting the sales tax for enabling La Mesa to have better roads and sidewalks than neighboring cities. She clarified that Prop L merely extends an existing tax; it is not a new one, and is needed due to a lean city budget. “We need to be staffing up,not staffing down,” she adds. Townsend: “I support it 100%,” he said, adding that supporting police and firefighting is “obviously a good thing.” While he agrees that oversight is essential, he believes the sales tax should be extended. “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” Suzuki: “I am also endorsed by our police officers and our firefighters, and I absolutely support Proposition L.” She notes that the original bond provided for a citizens bond oversight committee, which will continue with Prop L. “We need to keep La Mesa, La Mesa,” noting that you can see the difference in roads when driving from La Mesa to San Diego. Supplying our police and firefighters to save lives is important, she believes. Q: How would you balance the need for new housing especially affordable housing vs. concerns of some residents over increased traffic and density, abolishing affordable homes to make way for new higher end condo? Also do you have any ideas to streamline the process to make it easier to build housing? View our prior article on the four candidates. Cazares: A Gen Z member, she says it’s important to have young people represented on the Council. She bought a condo initially because she couldn’t afford a house,
ECM HOSTS LA MESA CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES FORUM THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3 ONLINE
Photos, top left to lower right: Kristine Alessio, Genevieve Suzuki, Lauren Cazares, and Shawn Townsend. September 29, 2024 (La Mesa) – East County Magazine will host a forum for La Mesa City Council candidates on Thursday, October 3 at 7 p.m., moderated by ECM editor Miriam Raftery. You can watch the forum livestreamed on Facebook at this link. The forum, recorded on Zoom, will also be posted later in the Politics section of East County Magazine’s website. All four candidates have confirmed that they will participate in our forum. There are two open seats, with no incumbents. The four candidates are: Kristine Alessio, former Councilmember, attorney and small business owner with a background in real estate and land use Genevieve Suzuki, an attorney, journalist, former editor-in-chief of the La Mesa Courier, and community volunteer Lauren Cazares, policy advisor at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce who has volunteered on the La Mesa Community Police Oversight Board and other groups Shawn Townsend, CEO of Reflection Training Gear and a former clinical exercise physiologist at Nellis Air Force Base View our prior article on the four candidates. If you have suggested issues or questions for candidates, please send them to editor@eastcountymagazine.org by noon on Oct. 3 before the 7 p.m. forum. Printer-friendly version
ECM HOSTS LA MESA CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES FORUM THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3 ONLINE
Photos, top left to lower right: Kristine Alessio, Genevieve Suzuki, Lauren Cazares, and Shawn Townsend. September 29, 2024 (La Mesa) – East County Magazine will host a forum for La Mesa City Council candidates on Thursday, October 3 at 7 p.m., moderated by ECM editor Miriam Raftery. You can watch the forum livestreamed on Facebook at this link. The forum, recorded on Zoom, will also be posted later in the Politics section of East County Magazine’s website. All four candidates have confirmed that they will participate in our forum. There are two open seats, with no incumbents. The four candidates are: Kristine Alessio, former Councilmember, attorney and small business owner with a background in real estate and land use Genevieve Suzuki, an attorney, journalist, former editor-in-chief of the La Mesa Courier, and community volunteer Lauren Cazares, policy advisor at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce who has volunteered on the La Mesa Community Police Oversight Board and other groups Shawn Townsend, CEO of Reflection Training Gear and a former clinical exercise physiologist at Nellis Air Force Base View our prior article on the four candidates. If you have suggested issues or questions for candidates, please send them to editor@eastcountymagazine.org by noon on Oct. 3 before the 7 p.m. forum. Printer-friendly version
ECM HOSTS LA MESA CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES FORUM THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3 ONLINE
Photos, top left to lower right: Kristine Alessio, Genevieve Suzuki, Lauren Cazares, and Shawn Townsend. September 29, 2024 (La Mesa) – East County Magazine will host a forum for La Mesa City Council candidates on Thursday, October 3 at 7 p.m., moderated by ECM editor Miriam Raftery. You can watch the forum livestreamed on Facebook at this link. The forum, recorded on Zoom, will also be posted later in the Politics section of East County Magazine’s website. All four candidates have confirmed that they will participate in our forum. There are two open seats, with no incumbents. The four candidates are: Kristine Alessio, former Councilmember, attorney and small business owner with a background in real estate and land use Genevieve Suzuki, an attorney, journalist, former editor-in-chief of the La Mesa Courier, and community volunteer Lauren Cazares, policy advisor at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce who has volunteered on the La Mesa Community Police Oversight Board and other groups Shawn Townsend, CEO of Reflection Training Gear and a former clinical exercise physiologist at Nellis Air Force Base View our prior article on the four candidates. If you have suggested issues or questions for candidates, please send them to editor@eastcountymagazine.org by noon on Oct. 3 before the 7 p.m. forum. Printer-friendly version
FOUR CANDIDATES NOW IN RUNNING FOR TWO SEATS ON LA MESA CITY COUNCIL
By Miriam Raftery Photos, top left to lower right: Kristine Alessio, Genevieve Suzuki, Lauren Cazares, and Shawn Townsend. August 22, 2024 (La Mesa) – Former La Mesa City Councilmember Kristine Alessio is the latest to file papers to run for the La Mesa City Council. The three other candidates in the race, previously profiled by ECM, are Lauren Cazares, Genevieve Suzuki, and Shawn Townsend. La Mesa’s City Council will have two new members after the November election. That’s because Councilman Jack Shu is retiring and Councilman Colin Parent, whose term expires, is running for State Assembly. The top two vote-getters will fill the seats. Here are highlights of the four candidates vying for the two open seats, hoping to represent La Mesans. Kristine Alessio: An attorney and small business owner with a background in real estate and land use, Alessio spearheaded several local initiatives on the Council. Those included including term limits, the Climate Action Plan, the PARS pension liability paydown plan, the Smoke Free La Mesa ordinance and the Affordable Homes Bonus program. A native La Mesan who raised her daughter here, she also directs a nonprofit cat rescue organization. On the Council, she had a reputation as a moderate. Elected as a Republican, Alessio left the party briefly during the Trump administration but later returned to the party when she ran unsuccessfully for Mayor in 2022. On her candidate statement, she says she is running to bring positive change focused on three priorities: streets(from repairing potholes to improving public transit and pedestrian infrastructure), “responsible” development including “championing preserving neighborhoods” with high standards for design, and safety (including community engagement and investing in prevention as well as expanding the police force for more effective response). She also wants to give the Community Development Departmentguidelines for neighborhood engagement on large and small development projects. “The City, not Facebook or Next Door, needs to be engaging and informing you,” Alessio says. Genevieve Suzuki Suzuki is an attorney, journalist and active community volunteer endorsed by the San Diego County Democratic Party and prominent Democrats including Councilmembers Parent and Shu. She has practiced law in La Mesa for 10 year and now leads a law firm in San Diego. She was named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers, one of San Diego’s top young attorneys by the San Diego Daily Transcript, and one of San Diego Metro Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40. She received her law degree from California Western School of Law in San Diego. Suzuki was former editor-in-chief of the La Mesa Courier, holds a journalism degree from the University of Hawaii, and is co editor of San Diego Lawyer Magazine, a publication of the County Bar Association. She and her husband, Derek, have lived in La Mesa for 15 years. If elected, she would be the first Asian-American Pacific Islander woman on the Council. She has also been an active community volunteer, serving more than a decade on the City of La Mesa Community Services Commission, on the board of directors for the La Mesa Park and Recreation Foundation, and president of the Parent-Teacher Group at St. Martin Tours Academy, where she is a parish member and her two children have been students. Suzuki calls La Mesa a “fabulous community with a unique identity.” She says she is running to do more to make the city “safe, prosperous, and welcoming for families, workers, and small business owners.” Lauren Cazares As policy advisor at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Lauren Cazares specializes in environment and sustainability, education and workforce, small business, and economic development. Cazares is endorsed by the County Democratic Party and numerous Democratic officials, including Councilmembers Parent and Shu. She has volunteered to serve on the La Mesa Community Police Oversight Board, San Diego Community Power advisory committee as La Mesa’s representative, San Diego Leadership Alliance board, as well as volunteering with the League of Women Voters, MTS Community Advisory Committee, and more. Daughter of small business owners and granddaughter of Latino immigrants, her passion for politics began in her youth. Later, her political experience included working for San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria as director of scheduling and administration, and as his campaign manager and fundraiser. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and women’s studies from Point Loma Nazarene College, where she graduated cum laude and has worked toward equality for students and faculty. If elected, she would be the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the La Mesa City Council. She also has a background in arts and sports, including dance, theater and soccer. Cazares says, “As a lifelong La Mesan , I am committed to the quality of life for all La Meas residents by enhancing public safety, keeping our city clean, and promoting smart growth to ensure that local business can flourish and working families can enjoy all that our beautify City has to offer,” adding that she aims to make the “Jewel of the Hills sparkle.” Shawn Townsend Shawn Townsend is the CEO of Reflection Training Gear and a former clinical exercise physiologist at Nellis Air Force Base, according to his Facebook page. He has also worked as a fitness instructor at the Navy Base in San Diego, at the Navy Seal Base, and at private fitness companies.He studied psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as well as sports and exercise science at San Diego State University. As a city council member, Townsend says he would strive to promote policies that encourage healthy lifestyles, support local businesses, and enhance the quality of life for all residents. His priorities would include fiscal responsibility, transparency, and collaboration to ensure that La Mesa thrives for generations to come. Townsend says since making the decision to run for office in 2022, “I have incorporated my campaign into my training for the 2023 Triple Crown, a challenging series of three half marathons.” As a result, he says, “In less than a year, I had the privilege of running on every street in
FOUR CANDIDATES NOW IN RUNNING FOR TWO SEATS ON LA MESA CITY COUNCIL
By Miriam Raftery Photos, top left to lower right: Kristine Alessio, Genevieve Suzuki, Lauren Cazares, and Shawn Townsend. August 22, 2024 (La Mesa) – Former La Mesa City Councilmember Kristine Alessio is the latest to file papers to run for the La Mesa City Council. The three other candidates in the race, previously profiled by ECM, are Lauren Cazares, Genevieve Suzuki, and Shawn Townsend. La Mesa’s City Council will have two new members after the November election. That’s because Councilman Jack Shu is retiring and Councilman Colin Parent, whose term expires, is running for State Assembly. The top two vote-getters will fill the seats. Here are highlights of the four candidates vying for the two open seats, hoping to represent La Mesans. Kristine Alessio: An attorney and small business owner with a background in real estate and land use, Alessio spearheaded several local initiatives on the Council. Those included including term limits, the Climate Action Plan, the PARS pension liability paydown plan, the Smoke Free La Mesa ordinance and the Affordable Homes Bonus program. A native La Mesan who raised her daughter here, she also directs a nonprofit cat rescue organization. On the Council, she had a reputation as a moderate. Elected as a Republican, Alessio left the party briefly during the Trump administration but later returned to the party when she ran unsuccessfully for Mayor in 2022. On her candidate statement, she says she is running to bring positive change focused on three priorities: streets(from repairing potholes to improving public transit and pedestrian infrastructure), “responsible” development including “championing preserving neighborhoods” with high standards for design, and safety (including community engagement and investing in prevention as well as expanding the police force for more effective response). She also wants to give the Community Development Departmentguidelines for neighborhood engagement on large and small development projects. “The City, not Facebook or Next Door, needs to be engaging and informing you,” Alessio says. Genevieve Suzuki Suzuki is an attorney, journalist and active community volunteer endorsed by the San Diego County Democratic Party and prominent Democrats including Councilmembers Parent and Shu. She has practiced law in La Mesa for 10 year and now leads a law firm in San Diego. She was named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers, one of San Diego’s top young attorneys by the San Diego Daily Transcript, and one of San Diego Metro Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40. She received her law degree from California Western School of Law in San Diego. Suzuki was former editor-in-chief of the La Mesa Courier, holds a journalism degree from the University of Hawaii, and is co editor of San Diego Lawyer Magazine, a publication of the County Bar Association. She and her husband, Derek, have lived in La Mesa for 15 years. If elected, she would be the first Asian-American Pacific Islander woman on the Council. She has also been an active community volunteer, serving more than a decade on the City of La Mesa Community Services Commission, on the board of directors for the La Mesa Park and Recreation Foundation, and president of the Parent-Teacher Group at St. Martin Tours Academy, where she is a parish member and her two children have been students. Suzuki calls La Mesa a “fabulous community with a unique identity.” She says she is running to do more to make the city “safe, prosperous, and welcoming for families, workers, and small business owners.” Lauren Cazares As policy advisor at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Lauren Cazares specializes in environment and sustainability, education and workforce, small business, and economic development. Cazares is endorsed by the County Democratic Party and numerous Democratic officials, including Councilmembers Parent and Shu. She has volunteered to serve on the La Mesa Community Police Oversight Board, San Diego Community Power advisory committee as La Mesa’s representative, San Diego Leadership Alliance board, as well as volunteering with the League of Women Voters, MTS Community Advisory Committee, and more. Daughter of small business owners and granddaughter of Latino immigrants, her passion for politics began in her youth. Later, her political experience included working for San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria as director of scheduling and administration, and as his campaign manager and fundraiser. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and women’s studies from Point Loma Nazarene College, where she graduated cum laude and has worked toward equality for students and faculty. If elected, she would be the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the La Mesa City Council. She also has a background in arts and sports, including dance, theater and soccer. Cazares says, “As a lifelong La Mesan , I am committed to the quality of life for all La Meas residents by enhancing public safety, keeping our city clean, and promoting smart growth to ensure that local business can flourish and working families can enjoy all that our beautify City has to offer,” adding that she aims to make the “Jewel of the Hills sparkle.” Shawn Townsend Shawn Townsend is the CEO of Reflection Training Gear and a former clinical exercise physiologist at Nellis Air Force Base, according to his Facebook page. He has also worked as a fitness instructor at the Navy Base in San Diego, at the Navy Seal Base, and at private fitness companies.He studied psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as well as sports and exercise science at San Diego State University. As a city council member, Townsend says he would strive to promote policies that encourage healthy lifestyles, support local businesses, and enhance the quality of life for all residents. His priorities would include fiscal responsibility, transparency, and collaboration to ensure that La Mesa thrives for generations to come. Townsend says since making the decision to run for office in 2022, “I have incorporated my campaign into my training for the 2023 Triple Crown, a challenging series of three half marathons.” As a result, he says, “In less than a year, I had the privilege of running on every street in
LA MESA COUNCIL CANDIDATES SHARE STRENGTHS AS THEY VIE FOR TWO OPEN SEATS
By Miriam Raftery Photos: Genevieve Suzuki,Lauren Cazares, and Shawn Townsend. August 9, 2024 (La Mesa)—La Mesa’s City Council will have two new members after the November election. That’s because Councilman Jack Shu is retiring and Councilman Colin Parent, whose term expires, is running for State Assembly. Both Parent and Shu have endorsed two Democrats running for Council seats: Genevieve Suzuki, an attorney, journalist and community volunteer, and Lauren Cazares, a policy advisor at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. The County Democratic Party and prominent Democratic officials have also endorsed Suzuki and Cazares. The County Republican Party has not endorsed any candidate in this race. Two other candidates have pulled papers to run: fitness company CEO and personal trainer Shawn Townsend, an independent, and Jose Fernandez, whose information is not yet available. Genevieve Suzuki Suzuki has practiced law in La Mesa for 10 year and now leads a law firm in San Diego. She was named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers, one of San Diego’s top young attorneys by the San Diego Daily Transcript, and one of San Diego Metro Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40. She received her law degree from California Western School of Law in San Diego. Suzuki was former editor-in-chief of the La Mesa Courier, holds a journalism degree from the University of Hawaii, and is co editor of San Diego Lawyer Magazine, a publication of the County Bar Association. She and her husband, Derek, have lived in La Mesa for 15 years. If elected, she would be the first Asian-American Pacific Islander woman on the Council. She has also been an active community volunteer, serving more than a decade on the City of La Mesa Community Services Commission, on the board of directors for the La Mesa Park and Recreation Foundation, and president of the Parent-Teacher Group at St. Martin Tours Academy, where she is a parish member and her two children have been students. Suzuki calls La Mesa a “fabulous community with a unique identity.” She says she is running to do more to make the city “safe, prosperous, and welcoming for families, workers, and small business owners.” Lauren Cazares As policy advisor at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Lauren Cazares specializes in environment and sustainability, education and workforce, small business, and economic development. She has volunteered to serve on the La Mesa Community Police Oversight Board, San Diego Community Power advisory committee as La Mesa’s representative, San Diego Leadership Alliance board, as well as volunteering with the League of Women Voters, MTS Community Advisory Committee, and more. Daughter of small business owners and granddaughter of Latino immigrants, her passion for politics began in her youth. Later, her political experience included working for San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria as director of scheduling and administration, and as his campaign manager and fundraiser. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and women’s studies from Point Loma Nazarene College, where she graduated cum laude and has worked toward equality for students and faculty. If elected, she would be the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the La Mesa City Council. She also has a background in arts and sports, including dance, theater and soccer. Cazares says, “As a lifelong La Mesan , I am committed to the quality of life for all La Meas residents by enhancing public safety, keeping our city clean, and promoting smart growth to ensure that local business can flourish and working families can enjoy all that our beautify City has to offer,” adding that she aims to make the “Jewel of the Hills sparkle.” Shawn Townsend Shawn Townsend is the CEO of Reflection Training Gear and a former clinical exercise physiologist at Nellis Air Force Base, according to his Facebook page. He has also worked as a fitness instructor at the Navy Base in San Diego, at the Navy Seal Base, and at private fitness companies.He studied psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as well as sports and exercise science at San Diego State University. As a city council member, Townsend says he would strive to promote policies that encourage healthy lifestyles, support local businesses, and enhance the quality of life for all residents. His priorities would include fiscal responsibility, transparency, and collaboration to ensure that La Mesa thrives for generations to come. Townsend says since making the decision to run for office in 2022, “I have incorporated my campaign into my training for the 2023 Triple Crown, a challenging series of three half marathons.” As a result, he says, “In less than a year, I had the privilege of running on every street in La Mesa, gaining firsthand knowledge of the city’s infrastructure, neighborhoods, and landmarks. Along the way, I engaged with residents, business owners, and community leaders, listening to their concerns and aspirations. This experience reinforced my belief that I can make a positive impact on our city.” “My passion for fitness and my commitment to community service have always been intertwined,” he says. “As a personal trainer, I have had the opportunity to help countless individuals achieve their health and wellness goals. This experience has taught me the importance of setting realistic objectives, developing tailored plans, and providing unwavering support. I believe these same principles can be applied to addressing the challenges and opportunities facing our city.” Jose Fernandez Jose Fernandez has pulled papers to run, according to the city’s website. It is not yet confirmed whether he has qualified for the ballot. He has no website and has not yet returned a message left on his phone. A Jose Fernandez has previously pulled papers to run in La Mesa, but later withdrew from the race. Update August 22, 2024: Fernandez s no longer listed on the city’s website as a candidate, meaning he either did not turn in paperwork or failed to qualify. Printer-friendly version
LA MESA COUNCIL CANDIDATES SHARE STRENGTHS AS THEY VIE FOR TWO OPEN SEATS
By Miriam Raftery Photos: Genevieve Suzuki,Lauren Cazares, and Shawn Townsend. August 9, 2024 (La Mesa)—La Mesa’s City Council will have two new members after the November election. That’s because Councilman Jack Shu is retiring and Councilman Colin Parent, whose term expires, is running for State Assembly. Both Parent and Shu have endorsed two Democrats running for Council seats: Genevieve Suzuki, an attorney, journalist and community volunteer, and Lauren Cazares, a policy advisor at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. The County Democratic Party and prominent Democratic officials have also endorsed Suzuki and Cazares. The County Republican Party has not endorsed any candidate in this race. Two other candidates have pulled papers to run: fitness company CEO and personal trainer Shawn Townsend, an independent, and Jose Fernandez, whose information is not yet available. Genevieve Suzuki Suzuki has practiced law in La Mesa for 10 year and now leads a law firm in San Diego. She was named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers, one of San Diego’s top young attorneys by the San Diego Daily Transcript, and one of San Diego Metro Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40. She received her law degree from California Western School of Law in San Diego. Suzuki was former editor-in-chief of the La Mesa Courier, holds a journalism degree from the University of Hawaii, and is co editor of San Diego Lawyer Magazine, a publication of the County Bar Association. She and her husband, Derek, have lived in La Mesa for 15 years. If elected, she would be the first Asian-American Pacific Islander woman on the Council. She has also been an active community volunteer, serving more than a decade on the City of La Mesa Community Services Commission, on the board of directors for the La Mesa Park and Recreation Foundation, and president of the Parent-Teacher Group at St. Martin Tours Academy, where she is a parish member and her two children have been students. Suzuki calls La Mesa a “fabulous community with a unique identity.” She says she is running to do more to make the city “safe, prosperous, and welcoming for families, workers, and small business owners.” Lauren Cazares As policy advisor at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Lauren Cazares specializes in environment and sustainability, education and workforce, small business, and economic development. She has volunteered to serve on the La Mesa Community Police Oversight Board, San Diego Community Power advisory committee as La Mesa’s representative, San Diego Leadership Alliance board, as well as volunteering with the League of Women Voters, MTS Community Advisory Committee, and more. Daughter of small business owners and granddaughter of Latino immigrants, her passion for politics began in her youth. Later, her political experience included working for San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria as director of scheduling and administration, and as his campaign manager and fundraiser. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and women’s studies from Point Loma Nazarene College, where she graduated cum laude and has worked toward equality for students and faculty. If elected, she would be the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the La Mesa City Council. She also has a background in arts and sports, including dance, theater and soccer. Cazares says, “As a lifelong La Mesan , I am committed to the quality of life for all La Meas residents by enhancing public safety, keeping our city clean, and promoting smart growth to ensure that local business can flourish and working families can enjoy all that our beautify City has to offer,” adding that she aims to make the “Jewel of the Hills sparkle.” Shawn Townsend Shawn Townsend is the CEO of Reflection Training Gear and a former clinical exercise physiologist at Nellis Air Force Base, according to his Facebook page. He has also worked as a fitness instructor at the Navy Base in San Diego, at the Navy Seal Base, and at private fitness companies.He studied psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as well as sports and exercise science at San Diego State University. As a city council member, Townsend says he would strive to promote policies that encourage healthy lifestyles, support local businesses, and enhance the quality of life for all residents. His priorities would include fiscal responsibility, transparency, and collaboration to ensure that La Mesa thrives for generations to come. Townsend says since making the decision to run for office in 2022, “I have incorporated my campaign into my training for the 2023 Triple Crown, a challenging series of three half marathons.” As a result, he says, “In less than a year, I had the privilege of running on every street in La Mesa, gaining firsthand knowledge of the city’s infrastructure, neighborhoods, and landmarks. Along the way, I engaged with residents, business owners, and community leaders, listening to their concerns and aspirations. This experience reinforced my belief that I can make a positive impact on our city.” “My passion for fitness and my commitment to community service have always been intertwined,” he says. “As a personal trainer, I have had the opportunity to help countless individuals achieve their health and wellness goals. This experience has taught me the importance of setting realistic objectives, developing tailored plans, and providing unwavering support. I believe these same principles can be applied to addressing the challenges and opportunities facing our city.” Jose Fernandez Jose Fernandez has pulled papers to run, according to the city’s website. It is not yet confirmed whether he has qualified for the ballot. He has no website and has not yet returned a message left on his phone. A Jose Fernandez has previously pulled papers to run in La Mesa, but later withdrew from the race. Update August 22, 2024: Fernandez s no longer listed on the city’s website as a candidate, meaning he either did not turn in paperwork or failed to qualify. Printer-friendly version
LA MESA COUNCIL CANDIDATES SHARE STRENGTHS AS THEY VIE FOR TWO OPEN SEATS
By Miriam Raftery Photos: Genevieve Suzuki,Lauren Cazares, and Shawn Townsend. August 9, 2024 (La Mesa)—La Mesa’s City Council will have two new members after the November election. That’s because Councilman Jack Shu is retiring and Councilman Colin Parent, whose term expires, is running for State Assembly. Both Parent and Shu have endorsed two Democrats running for Council seats: Genevieve Suzuki, an attorney, journalist and community volunteer, and Lauren Cazares, a policy advisor at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. The County Democratic Party and prominent Democratic officials have also endorsed Suzuki and Cazares. The County Republican Party has not endorsed any candidate in this race. Two other candidates have pulled papers to run: fitness company CEO and personal trainer Shawn Townsend, an independent, and Jose Fernandez, whose information is not yet available. Genevieve Suzuki Suzuki has practiced law in La Mesa for 10 year and now leads a law firm in San Diego. She was named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers, one of San Diego’s top young attorneys by the San Diego Daily Transcript, and one of San Diego Metro Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40. She received her law degree from California Western School of Law in San Diego. Suzuki was former editor-in-chief of the La Mesa Courier, holds a journalism degree from the University of Hawaii, and is co editor of San Diego Lawyer Magazine, a publication of the County Bar Association. She and her husband, Derek, have lived in La Mesa for 15 years. If elected, she would be the first Asian-American Pacific Islander woman on the Council. She has also been an active community volunteer, serving more than a decade on the City of La Mesa Community Services Commission, on the board of directors for the La Mesa Park and Recreation Foundation, and president of the Parent-Teacher Group at St. Martin Tours Academy, where she is a parish member and her two children have been students. Suzuki calls La Mesa a “fabulous community with a unique identity.” She says she is running to do more to make the city “safe, prosperous, and welcoming for families, workers, and small business owners.” Lauren Cazares As policy advisor at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Lauren Cazares specializes in environment and sustainability, education and workforce, small business, and economic development. She has volunteered to serve on the La Mesa Community Police Oversight Board, San Diego Community Power advisory committee as La Mesa’s representative, San Diego Leadership Alliance board, as well as volunteering with the League of Women Voters, MTS Community Advisory Committee, and more. Daughter of small business owners and granddaughter of Latino immigrants, her passion for politics began in her youth. Later, her political experience included working for San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria as director of scheduling and administration, and as his campaign manager and fundraiser. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and women’s studies from Point Loma Nazarene College, where she graduated cum laude and has worked toward equality for students and faculty. If elected, she would be the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the La Mesa City Council. She also has a background in arts and sports, including dance, theater and soccer. Cazares says, “As a lifelong La Mesan , I am committed to the quality of life for all La Meas residents by enhancing public safety, keeping our city clean, and promoting smart growth to ensure that local business can flourish and working families can enjoy all that our beautify City has to offer,” adding that she aims to make the “Jewel of the Hills sparkle.” Shawn Townsend Shawn Townsend is the CEO of Reflection Training Gear and a former clinical exercise physiologist at Nellis Air Force Base, according to his Facebook page. He has also worked as a fitness instructor at the Navy Base in San Diego, at the Navy Seal Base, and at private fitness companies.He studied psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as well as sports and exercise science at San Diego State University. As a city council member, Townsend says he would strive to promote policies that encourage healthy lifestyles, support local businesses, and enhance the quality of life for all residents. His priorities would include fiscal responsibility, transparency, and collaboration to ensure that La Mesa thrives for generations to come. Townsend says since making the decision to run for office in 2022, “I have incorporated my campaign into my training for the 2023 Triple Crown, a challenging series of three half marathons.” As a result, he says, “In less than a year, I had the privilege of running on every street in La Mesa, gaining firsthand knowledge of the city’s infrastructure, neighborhoods, and landmarks. Along the way, I engaged with residents, business owners, and community leaders, listening to their concerns and aspirations. This experience reinforced my belief that I can make a positive impact on our city.” “My passion for fitness and my commitment to community service have always been intertwined,” he says. “As a personal trainer, I have had the opportunity to help countless individuals achieve their health and wellness goals. This experience has taught me the importance of setting realistic objectives, developing tailored plans, and providing unwavering support. I believe these same principles can be applied to addressing the challenges and opportunities facing our city.” Jose Fernandez Jose Fernandez has pulled papers to run, according to the city’s website. It is not yet confirmed whether he has qualified for the ballot. He has no website and has not yet returned a message left on his phone. A Jose Fernandez has previously pulled papers to run in La Mesa, but later withdrew from the race. Update August 22, 2024: Fernandez s no longer listed on the city’s website as a candidate, meaning he either did not turn in paperwork or failed to qualify. Printer-friendly version