Three Candidates Are Vying for Pasadena City CouncilDistrict 3 Vacant Seat
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Justin Jones
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When the Honorable Councilmember John J. Kennedy passed away on July 21, his seat opened up on the Pasadena City Council (District 3).
The Pasadena City Council will fill the vacancy by appointing a successor.
According to Pasadena’s City Charter, “If a vacancy occurs among any other members of the City Council, the remaining members shall within 75 days after such occurrence appoint a qualified resident voter of the unrepresented district who shall hold office until the office is filled at the next general municipal election.”
Applications from qualified registered voters residing in City Council District 3 were due no later than 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8. Those who applied had to circulate a nomination petition and gather at least 25 qualified signatures from registered voters in District 3 and pay a $25 fee. In addition to this, applicants are required to attend a designated meeting of the City Council in September/ October 2022, which will serve as a public interview by the full council itself.
Four candidates requested a nomination petition for the vacant seat: Justin Jones, Brandon Lamar, Lucious Smith, and Flavio Andrade. Three of the candidates, Jones, Lamar and Smith filed their petitions before the deadline and have qualified for the appointment process.
Jones, a Pasadena native, has experience working for and with the city. He served on the City of Pasadena Integrated Resources Planning Committee to help guide future decisions, increase procurement of renewable energy and reductions in Green House Gas emissions. Furthermore, he served as chair on the City of Pasadena Human Relations Commission, as an executive board member of his neighborhood association and as the vice president of his homeowner’s association.
“I am a dedicated public servant, and I believe my civic and professional experience allows me to bring an innovative, analytical approach to help solve present and future challenges,” said Jones.
Lamar, also has close ties to the city. He is currently the Chair of the Human Relations Commission and serves on the Executive Boards of Pasadena NAACP, Pasadena Organizing for Progress, Leadership Pasadena, and Black Los Angeles Young Democrats. If appointed District 3 councilman, Lamar plans to focus on attacking issues in four major areas: affordable housing, public safety, economic development, and climate change.
Lamar wants to “build affordable housing units for all economic groups, restore trust between law enforcement and the community through engagement, partner with local non-profits to expand apprenticeship programs to create long lasting employment opportunities, and promote/expand conservation programs.”
In a YouTube post announcing his campaign for the District 3 seat where he finished second to Kennedy in the June 3 primary, Lamar spelled out his goals and aspirations for the office.
“I think it’s time for us to bridge the gap between the old and the new, and for us to see new perspectives, new ideas so that we can bring ideas into our district for a brighter district,” Lamar said.
Smith is a senior pastor at Friendship Baptist Church in Pasadena with a history of contributing to the growth of the city. In addition to his current role at Friendship Baptist, he’s held positions as the Vice President of the Clergy Community Coalition and President of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Greater Pasadena.
Smith hopes the city council will be able to properly fill the seat in a way that honors the legacy of the late Kennedy.
“My hope is that whoever the Council will appoint to that seat will take into account what the needs of the city are, and what the qualifications of the person are. And if indeed that is me, then wonderful. But I’m more concerned that the right person gets put in the seat as opposed to it just being me,” Smith continued.
Andrade was the last applicant for the vacant council seat. However, he did not meet the deadline for turning in his application according information the City Clerk posted online.
The three qualifying candidates have committed to participate in a community townhall on Thursday, Sept. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. hosted by One Day and sponsored by Conversation Live, Pasadena Community Coalition, and Pasadena Black Pages. The event will be held at 175 N. Euclid Ave (near City Hall) and it will be moderated by Pasadena Community Coalition Chair Martin Gordon.
Once selected, the newly appointed District 3 City Councilmember’s effective date of service will begin following the administration of the Oath of Office by the City Clerk and run through December 12, 2022. At that time, the City Council could appoint the same person to serve, or appoint a different person to fill the vacancy, and that person will serve from the date of appointment until December 9, 2024
More information on the appointment process can be found at the Pasadena City Hall, Office of the City Clerk.
The Pasadena City Council will fill the vacancy by appointing a successor.
According to Pasadena’s City Charter, “If a vacancy occurs among any other members of the City Council, the remaining members shall within 75 days after such occurrence appoint a qualified resident voter of the unrepresented district who shall hold office until the office is filled at the next general municipal election.”
Applications from qualified registered voters residing in City Council District 3 were due no later than 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8. Those who applied had to circulate a nomination petition and gather at least 25 qualified signatures from registered voters in District 3 and pay a $25 fee. In addition to this, applicants are required to attend a designated meeting of the City Council in September/ October 2022, which will serve as a public interview by the full council itself.
Four candidates requested a nomination petition for the vacant seat: Justin Jones, Brandon Lamar, Lucious Smith, and Flavio Andrade. Three of the candidates, Jones, Lamar and Smith filed their petitions before the deadline and have qualified for the appointment process.
Jones, a Pasadena native, has experience working for and with the city. He served on the City of Pasadena Integrated Resources Planning Committee to help guide future decisions, increase procurement of renewable energy and reductions in Green House Gas emissions. Furthermore, he served as chair on the City of Pasadena Human Relations Commission, as an executive board member of his neighborhood association and as the vice president of his homeowner’s association.
“I am a dedicated public servant, and I believe my civic and professional experience allows me to bring an innovative, analytical approach to help solve present and future challenges,” said Jones.
Lamar, also has close ties to the city. He is currently the Chair of the Human Relations Commission and serves on the Executive Boards of Pasadena NAACP, Pasadena Organizing for Progress, Leadership Pasadena, and Black Los Angeles Young Democrats. If appointed District 3 councilman, Lamar plans to focus on attacking issues in four major areas: affordable housing, public safety, economic development, and climate change.
Lamar wants to “build affordable housing units for all economic groups, restore trust between law enforcement and the community through engagement, partner with local non-profits to expand apprenticeship programs to create long lasting employment opportunities, and promote/expand conservation programs.”
In a YouTube post announcing his campaign for the District 3 seat where he finished second to Kennedy in the June 3 primary, Lamar spelled out his goals and aspirations for the office.
“I think it’s time for us to bridge the gap between the old and the new, and for us to see new perspectives, new ideas so that we can bring ideas into our district for a brighter district,” Lamar said.
Smith is a senior pastor at Friendship Baptist Church in Pasadena with a history of contributing to the growth of the city. In addition to his current role at Friendship Baptist, he’s held positions as the Vice President of the Clergy Community Coalition and President of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Greater Pasadena.
Smith hopes the city council will be able to properly fill the seat in a way that honors the legacy of the late Kennedy.
“My hope is that whoever the Council will appoint to that seat will take into account what the needs of the city are, and what the qualifications of the person are. And if indeed that is me, then wonderful. But I’m more concerned that the right person gets put in the seat as opposed to it just being me,” Smith continued.
Andrade was the last applicant for the vacant council seat. However, he did not meet the deadline for turning in his application according information the City Clerk posted online.
The three qualifying candidates have committed to participate in a community townhall on Thursday, Sept. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. hosted by One Day and sponsored by Conversation Live, Pasadena Community Coalition, and Pasadena Black Pages. The event will be held at 175 N. Euclid Ave (near City Hall) and it will be moderated by Pasadena Community Coalition Chair Martin Gordon.
Once selected, the newly appointed District 3 City Councilmember’s effective date of service will begin following the administration of the Oath of Office by the City Clerk and run through December 12, 2022. At that time, the City Council could appoint the same person to serve, or appoint a different person to fill the vacancy, and that person will serve from the date of appointment until December 9, 2024
More information on the appointment process can be found at the Pasadena City Hall, Office of the City Clerk.
