Lafayette Youth Advisory Board hosts forum for 10 city council candidates
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The Lafayette Youth Advisory Board on an evening forum hosted 10 candidates competing for four Lafayette City Council seats. Abigail Aguilera Garcia, co-chair of the Lafayette Youth Advisory Board, opened the event and described the board’s role in elevating youth voices and organizing tonight’s three-part forum for the candidates.
The forum format included one-minute opening statements, a short-answer question-and-answer period on topics selected by the Youth Advisory Board, and a final series of yes-or-no questions answered with paddles. Candidates addressed public-health concerns for youth, youth programming and after-hours opportunities, preservation and representation of Lafayette’s history, the local cost of living and housing, and policies affecting immigrant residents.
The forum drew a mix of current elected officials and challengers. Current Councilor Crystal Gallegos and Council member Saul Tapia Vega both appeared as candidates for re-election. Other candidates included Kyle Bollier, Luke Arrington, Adam Gianola, Rob Glenn, Anne Marie Jensen, Josh Barrell, Eric Ryan and Michael Watson; several described volunteer and committee experience in Lafayette.
Candidates frequently cited existing local and county resources during discussion. Speakers pointed to the county mental-health funding discussion and a ballot measure referenced during the forum, the ongoing Willoughby Corner housing project, library and recreation programming, and community partners such as Sister Carmen. Several candidates urged the audience to engage with schools, libraries and the city’s recreation offerings.
The forum closed with a round of yes-or-no questions posed by the Youth Advisory Board and attendees were reminded of upcoming election-related decisions, including a 2025 ballot item mentioned during the forum. Abigail Aguilera Garcia invited respectful participation and thanked the candidates and audience for attending.
The Lafayette Youth Advisory Board organizes candidates forums and other youth engagement events; the board said it intends to continue convening similar events during the campaign cycle.
The forum format included one-minute opening statements, a short-answer question-and-answer period on topics selected by the Youth Advisory Board, and a final series of yes-or-no questions answered with paddles. Candidates addressed public-health concerns for youth, youth programming and after-hours opportunities, preservation and representation of Lafayette’s history, the local cost of living and housing, and policies affecting immigrant residents.
The forum drew a mix of current elected officials and challengers. Current Councilor Crystal Gallegos and Council member Saul Tapia Vega both appeared as candidates for re-election. Other candidates included Kyle Bollier, Luke Arrington, Adam Gianola, Rob Glenn, Anne Marie Jensen, Josh Barrell, Eric Ryan and Michael Watson; several described volunteer and committee experience in Lafayette.
Candidates frequently cited existing local and county resources during discussion. Speakers pointed to the county mental-health funding discussion and a ballot measure referenced during the forum, the ongoing Willoughby Corner housing project, library and recreation programming, and community partners such as Sister Carmen. Several candidates urged the audience to engage with schools, libraries and the city’s recreation offerings.
The forum closed with a round of yes-or-no questions posed by the Youth Advisory Board and attendees were reminded of upcoming election-related decisions, including a 2025 ballot item mentioned during the forum. Abigail Aguilera Garcia invited respectful participation and thanked the candidates and audience for attending.
The Lafayette Youth Advisory Board organizes candidates forums and other youth engagement events; the board said it intends to continue convening similar events during the campaign cycle.
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