Lemon Grove voters could completely overhaul the five-member City Council in November — three seats are on the ballot — and decide if the sale of commercially bred birds should be banned.
Voters will select two candidates to fill full-term council spots and one for a two-year, partial term.
Controversy is not unfamiliar to the Lemon Grove City Council. This comes after the 2024 municipal election brought a fresh slate of members to the council, including a new mayor, Alysson Snow.
Ongoing tensions have persisted long enough that some city leaders even campaigned in 2022 and 2024 on the promise that they could ease the toxicity. That trend has lived on for the current election cycle, with many candidates pitching themselves as the person to end division among city leaders.
Four candidates are competing for the two full-term council positions: Joe Smith, Minola Clark-Manson, Krystle Johnson and Seth Smith.
Joe Smith is a community engagement director and educator who applied to serve the remaining year of late Councilmember Steve Faiai’s term, but was not selected. If elected, he aims to restore trust and rebuild the city’s legacy, according to his campaign website.
He is “committed to a Lemon Grove that works for every resident, across every generation,” according to his website. He has the support of the San Diego County Democratic Party.
Minola Clark-Manson moved to Lemon Grove four years ago and currently sits on the Lemon Grove Planning Commission. She is also vice chair of the county’s Behavioral Health Advisory Board and co-chairs Revitalize Broadway, a local organization that focuses on the urban revitalization of Lemon Grove’s Broadway Street corridor.
With over 30 years of experience in social and government services, she hopes to increase community engagement, ensure budget sustainability and improve systems for city employees, according to her website.
She has the backing of Mayor Pro Tem Jessyka Heredia, the Democratic Women’s Club of San Diego, the San Diego Progressive Democrats and Community First Lemon Grove.
“I am guided by integrity, transparency, inclusion, and accountability,” her website reads.
Krystle Johnson has lived in Lemon Grove for over a decade and is a special education teacher. She is involved with local organizations that provide food, legal assistance and housing to those in need, according to her website.
If elected, she plans to improve street safety and build more sidewalks, help local businesses by improving the permitting process and support residents by easing affordability struggles.
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Overall, her vision is to “build a thriving Lemon Grove where all citizens can prosper and flourish,” her website reads. She has the endorsement of the San Diego County Democratic Party, Congresswoman Sara Jacobs and the local labor union, AFSCME 127.
Seth Smith was appointed to the Lemon Grove City Council earlier this year to fill Faiai’s vacant seat. The 15-year Lemon Grove resident and architectural designer previously served as chair of the city’s planning commission. He also unsuccessfully ran for city council in 2024.
He designed The Neighborhood, a community hub for entertainment events and gathering, and regularly volunteers with the Busy Bee Co-Op and Revitalize Broadway.
If elected, he hopes to create more housing, safer streets, thriving local businesses and modernized infrastructure, according to his website. He is endorsed by Mayor Pro Tem Jessyka Heredia, Councilmember Yadira Altamirano and former Councilmembers Jerry Jones and George Gastil.
Two candidates are competing for the two-year council seat, Yasmin Mendoza and Councilmember Jennifer Mendoza.
A healthcare worker and longtime Lemon Grove resident, Yasmin Mendoza wants to make the community safer, support small businesses and increase government transparency and efficiency. She is endorsed by Councilmembers Seth Smith, Yadira Altamirano and Mayor Pro Tem Jessyka Heredia.
“I will prioritize practical solutions, improved lighting, cleaner streets and small business support, ensuring every resident is heard and empowered,” her website reads.
Councilmember Jennifer Mendoza is a 25-year Lemon Grove resident. She has served on the council for over 14 years and previously served on the planning commission.
As an elected official, she has focused on improving infrastructure, maintaining financial stability, attracting new businesses, restoring recreation services and addressing homelessness, according to her candidate statement. She was endorsed by the San Diego County Democratic Party.
“Lemon Grove is at an important crossroads,” her statement reads, noting she is running to “provide stability, continuity and steady leadership during this critical transition.”
Voters will also be asked if the sale of commercially bred companion birds should be banned. Measure E would extend the state’s existing rescue-only pet store policies for dogs, cats and rabbits to include birds like parrots, parakeets and doves.
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