In a race that could see a dramatic change on the Lemon Grove City Council, two-term incumbent Mayor Racquel Vasquez is being challenged by two council members, including one she has had confrontations with on several occasions. Councilmember and mayoral candidate Liana LeBaron often has been critical of Vasquez, 55, a public information officer with the city of San Diego, while LeBaron, 34, herself has been criticized by fellow council members for disruptive behavior at meetings. The City Council once threatened LeBaron with a censure motion, and Councilmember Jennifer Mendoza once obtained a temporary restraining order against her for alleged abusive conduct. A judge later dismissed the request for a civil harassment restraining order and removed the temporary order. LeBaron also has missed or been tardy to more council and committee meetings than her colleagues, a January 2023 San Diego Union-Tribune review of her attendance found. LeBaron also has her supporters, including City Council candidates Sitivi “Steve” Faiai and Jessyka Heredia, who are running on a ticket with LeBaron and would represent a new council majority if all three were elected. Vasquez and LeBaron did not mention one another in their candidate statements, but the two have a history. Just months after LeBaron’s 2020 election, the City Council created policies and procedures to discourage what was considered her disruptive behavior during meetings. The policy prohibits disturbing or interrupting other council members while they are speaking and puts a 10-minute limit on council reports. In March 2022, a vote to censure LeBaron failed 2-3 after a four-hour debate in a meeting that saw an overflow crowd of supporters for her. LeBaron also has been accused of bullying city staff and making a racist comment toward Vasquez, which LeBaron denied. LeBaron once filed a complaint with the city alleging that she herself was subjected to bullying from the city manager and the city attorney, whom she claimed had created a hostile work environment. The city has launched investigations into LeBaron’s and Vasquez’s behavior. Also running for mayor is Councilmember Alysson Snow, 50. Unlike LeBaron, whose four-year term is ending, Snow still has two years left on her council term and would retain her seat if unsuccessful in her bid to be mayor. The three candidates were asked by email to state their priorities. Only Snow and Vasquez responded; LeBaron stated her reasons for running for mayor in her campaign statement. Lemon Grove Mayor Racquel Vasquez.  Racquel Vasquez Economic development, infrastructure and public safety, and housing and homelessness are Vasquez’ top priorities, she said in an email. “These are complex, interconnected issues that will require collaboration and creative solutions from city leaders, residents, and other stakeholders to address effectively,” she said. Referring to economic development, Vasquez wrote that Lemon Grove continues to focus on revitalizing its economy, supporting small businesses and attracting new investments. “The need for street repairs, storm water management, and maintaining public safety services is a significant priority,” she said. Valdez also said she championed efforts with the council to establish the city’s first storm drain master plan to ensure the city is prepared to apply for any federal or state infrastructure grants. Regarding housing and homelessness, she said Lemon Grove is the only city in San Diego County to meet its state-mandated affordable housing demands during the last housing cycle. “This issue is closely tied to the problem of homelessness, as a lack of affordable housing options can contribute to people ending up on the streets,” she said. Liana LeBaron Lemon Grove City Councilmember Liana LeBaron. LeBaron, a sales professional at Mossy Nissan, is the first Latina and youngest woman elected to the City Council. “I am running for mayor because I believe our city needs leadership willing to listen and accurately represent the people of Lemon Grove, not only from within the city but at the county level and beyond,” she wrote. LeBaron also said she has “represented the everyday resident with conviction that has earned mass public support.” “I have fought for greater government transparency, public fund accountability and city wide improvements that actually increase the value of our city and the quality of our lives,” she continued. “We work hard for our families and it’s time the city has a mayor who works hard for them. “Band-aid ideas to address homelessness have proven ineffective, and I’ll be advocating for solutions that actually address root causes of the societal issues our community faces,” she wrote, adding that the city should reopen the recreation and senior center. Alysson Snow Lemon Grove City Councilmember Alysson Snow. Snow, a professor at the University of San Diego School of Law, said her top priority was housing and homelessness, with infrastructure, financial stability and business development other priorities. “Lemon Grove historically was a place you could afford to buy your first home,” she wrote. “That’s one of the reasons we chose to raise our family here.” Snow said the city needs more town homes, condos and starter homes and efforts to keep people in their homes. “Helping people stay housed and helping those experiencing homelessness is critical for our working families and seniors,” she said. “I am working on building partnerships with the state, the county, and other cities in the region to bring housing and homelessness solutions to East County.” She also said the city has about $151 million in deferred maintenance on its streets, sidewalks and storm drains that needs to be addressed. “Repairing our streets, building new sidewalks, installing more street lighting, and fixing our storm drains are one of my top priorities,” she said. “I want to see Lemon Grove be the best place to start your first business,” she said. “As our businesses thrive, our community will prosper. Measure T, the sales tax initiative, is another component to helping Lemon Grove really improve and invest in itself.”