LFP City Council picks six candidates for council vacancy

The Lake Forest Park City Council voted to eliminate two candidates, Fred Grant and Joshua Rosenau, from the applicant pool for a council vacancy, igniting debate among council members. Councilmember Ellyn Saunders expressed concern that appointing a candidate running for election would provide an unfair advantage in the upcoming November election. In contrast, Councilmember Semra Riddle argued that all candidates had an equal chance to apply and should not be disqualified based on their election status. The council will interview six remaining candidates, including Richard Saunders, who has served on the Planning Commission, and Ashton Alvarez McCartney, a former chair of the same commission. The interviews are scheduled for June 4 and 5, with the council aiming to fill the vacancy left by the passing of Council Member Lorri Bodi.

This interim appointment will last until the results of the November 2025 General Election are certified. The council is required by state law to appoint a qualified resident within 90 days of the vacancy. The process involves advertising the position and reviewing applications from registered voters who have lived in the city for at least one year.