Another top candidate for Lemon Grove City Council withdraws

Another top candidate to fill the vacancy on the Lemon Grove City Council withdrew from consideration, leaving 10 applicants for the upcoming round of interviews.

This comes two weeks after another top candidate, Lauren Faiai, removed herself from consideration. The unexpected passing of her husband, Sitivi “Steve” Faiai, created the vacancy in July.

Jay Bass had been the top pick for Mayor Alysson Snow and Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Mendoza.

A retired Navy veteran, he was frequently involved in local government, including serving as a trustee of the Lemon Grove School District, commissioner on the city’s Planning commission and a member of the Lemon Grove Community Advisory Committee and the Lemon Grove Historical Society.

Bass said he withdrew his application last week.

“I just wanted to focus on my health and family, and don’t need a distraction from the city,” Bass said during an interview after the Lemon Grove City Council met on Tuesday.

Bass said a slew of “good” candidates had applied and he trusted the City Council would make a sound selection.

His withdrawal essentially sends the appointment process back to square one. Faiai had been the top pick for Councilmembers Yadira Altamirano and Jessyka Heredia, so his decision leaves neither of the council’s prior top picks in the mix.

Their exits came following a vote by the City Council that reopened the application process on Oct. 21 after reaching a stalemate over who should fill the seat.

Applications closed Nov. 13. There are 10 applicants to be considered by the council for appointment: Amanda Martin, Brianna Bearce, Jennifer Hopper, Joseph Smith, Minola Clark Manson, Seth Smith, Sophia Felix, Stephen Browne, Victor Vega and Yasmin Mendoza.

The complicated appointment process has been marked by community and council members emotions surrounding Steve Faiai’s passing.

Manson had been considered in the initial process, but withdrew out of support for Lauren Faiai. After Faiai announced she was no longer interested in the seat, she reapplied.

“At that moment, it was an opportunity for the community to really come together and have commonality around something that was about emotion, compassion and community,” Manson said.

Her decision to reapply was centered around timing, and Faiai’s withdrawal played a role in the choice, Manson said.

Candidate applications will become available to the public no later than Nov. 26. The City Council will interview each candidate at its next regular meeting on Dec. 2 and vote for the appointment on a ranked-choice model.

If appointed on Dec. 2, the new council member would begin their term on Dec. 16.