A former city councilmember, a school administrative assistant and a construction law attorney are vying on March 5 for a seat on the San Fernando City Council left vacant by the death of Cindy Montañez, a beloved public servant and environmentalist who represented the area in the state Assembly, and on the city council until her death last fall.
The small city of San Fernando, population 25,000, is encircled by the city of Los Angeles in the San Fernando Valley. Roughly 25 by 30 blocks in size, its population is 92% Latino and the city is known for its charming historic district of shops and cafes.
The election will fill the seat left empty when Montañez died from an aggressive cancer at the age of 49. She was a barrier-busting lawmaker who had an elementary school named after her and was CEO of TreePeople, a volunteer-based environmental organization. A San Fernando native, one of her passions was to grow the city’s shopping district.
San Fernando is dealing with the same challenges facing other Southern California cities: homelessness, crime, and increasing traffic violations such as speeding and running stop signs.
Funding and how to spend those funds is one of the main issues on the City Council, whose members have different points of views. The candidate who wins the empty seat will have a significant voice.
Sylvia Ballin: Ballin is a former councilmember and mayor in San Fernando, was first elected to the council in 2011. She is seeking to return to the council to fill Montanez’s seat.
Ballin says she will continue Montanez’s efforts and is the best choice due to her extensive experience in navigating San Fernando through a financial crisis in 2012 and into financial stability.
“I also prioritized the needs of our residents over special interests, evidenced by my track record of supporting public safety, repairing streets and sidewalks, supporting a water infiltration project, promoting water conservation and economic development,” Ballin said. “With this background, I am well-prepared to hit the ground running.”
Her platform centers on public safety, continued economic development, and environmental justice. She promises to strengthen partnerships between law enforcement, local organizations and residents to implement effective crime prevention strategies and enhance emergency response services.
Ballin believes economic growth and prosperity are essential to San Fernando and says she will advocate for policies that support local businesses, attract new businesses, and promote entrepreneurship and sustainable development.
Ballin pledges to protect the environment and promote sustainability. “I will prioritize initiatives to address climate change, improve air and water quality and preserve green spaces,” Ballin said. “Additionally, I will work to ensure that environmental policies are equitable and inclusive, addressing the disproportionate impacts of pollution and environmental degradation on marginalized communities.
As of the end of January, she raised $5,000 and had been endorsed by the San Fernando Police Officers Association and Laborers Local 300.
Victoria Garcia: Garcia is a construction law attorney. She has not held an elected position but has been appointed as a transportation and public safety commissioner in San Fernando.
“One of my opponents moved to San Fernando last year, and another opponent has served on the City Council for over a decade,” Garcia said. “I believe I bring the right balance of stability and new ideas that residents are looking for because I have deep roots in the city, but will also bring a fresh perspective to the City Council.”
The UCLA, Stanford Law School and Harvard University School of Government graduate says she would bring her education and professional experience to the job, fight to increase public safety, and bring in new businesses so residents don’t need to shop, eat or play outside the city.
“But I will also support our local businesses so that they can thrive too,” Garcia said. “We all rise together.”
Her platform list includes increasing the number of police officers first and foremost, maintaining the city’s small-town charm, and prioritizing the needs of the residents.
“Our residents still complain about streets, sidewalks and speeding (cars) that has not been addressed for years,” Garcia said. “The basics should come first.”
Garcia acknowledged that the city lost a strong leader in Montanez and understands the focus on female leadership. She believes voters will choose the candidate who is committed and capable of improving San Fernando.
Sean M. Rivas: There has been a notable presence of female power on city councils in San Fernando and candidate Sean M. Rivas is okay with that, given that he has two of the three current female council members supporting him in this race.
The 35-year-old school administrative assistant says he is the only candidate supported by the Democratic Party and brings 14 years of experience working directly with the community’s families through his work in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
“In addition, my 20 years of community involvement provides me with relationships and knowledge of resources to ensure the city moves forward,” Rivas said.
Rivas has not held any elected seat but promises to bring experience and dedication to ensure residents get quality city services, safe neighborhoods and opportunities for families to be successful.
“I will work to improve city services, strengthen public safety and empower youth and families with additional resources and programs, he said. “My first motion will be in response to the needs of the community that I have heard firsthand while canvassing. This includes creating an advocate (committee ) to address parking challenges throughout the city which impacts residents, businesses and visitors.”
Rivas has the support of San Fernando Mayor Celeste Rodriguez and Congressman Tony Cardenas, D-Panorama City.
2024 presidential primary election
Election Day: March 5, 2024. Polls close at 8 p.m.
Early voting: You can vote at the Los Angeles County registrar’s office beginning Monday, Feb. 5. The registrar’s headquarters are at 12400 Imperial Highway, Room 3002, in Norwalk. That office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Vote-by-mail: Ballots began going out on Thursday, Feb. 1. You can submit VBMs in three ways: By mailing them to the registrar’s office (VBMs include return envelopes with the correct address and postage already included); by placing them in an official drop box; or by dropping them off at any county Vote Center.
VBM deadline: VBMs sent via mail must arrive no later than seven days after the election, but they must be postmarked by March 5. The deadline to place VBMs in a drop box or deliver them to a Vote Center is 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Vote Centers: Vote Centers open 10 days before Election Day. This year, that’s Saturday, Feb. 24. You can vote at any Vote Center in Los Angeles County. Prior to Election Day, the Vote Centers will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Election Day, they will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
About the ballots: In California, the order races are listed on ballots goes from local to federal, meaning the nominees for president will be listed at the bottom. Except for presidential races, California’s primaries for “partisan” offices – now known as “voter-nominated offices” have a top-two system. That means the top two vote getters in a given race advance to the general election, regardless of political party.
To find a drop box or Vote Center and for more information: lavote.gov.