Monday, October 27, 2025

21 Candidates to Face Altadena Voters in Virtual Forum Tuesday Night

Community gathering on Zoom offers residents first comprehensive look at historic slate seeking eight council seats

Twenty-one candidates are scheduled to make their case to Altadena voters Tuesday evening in a virtual forum that organizers hope will draw residents from across this scattered community as they prepare to elect eight members of the Altadena Town Council.

The forum, hosted by Neighbors Building a Better Altadena, will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the organization’s Facebook page, with this Zoom also link posted on the NBBA Facebook group page: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3383057874?omn=85946412876 .

The event marks the second major candidate gathering in about a week, following an emotional in-person session during last Tuesday’s Town Council meeting where the candidates introduced themselves to voters.

Tuesday’s virtual format will feature candidate presentations followed by a novel approach designed for community engagement: breakout groups organized by census tract, allowing residents to question candidates specific to their neighborhoods.

NBBA, a volunteer-run grassroots organization, has hosted Altadena Town Council candidate forums in 2017, 2018, and 2023.

Format Designed for Displaced Residents

The virtual format reflects a practical reality: many Altadena residents remain displaced over nine months after the January 7 Eaton Fire destroyed more than 9,000 structures and forced tens of thousands to evacuate. Holding the forum on Zoom and Facebook allows participation from residents still unable to return home.

The breakout session structure will divide participants by census tract — the geographic districts that determine representation on the 16-member council. Two representatives serve each of Altadena’s eight census tracts in staggered two-year terms, with one seat per tract up for election this year.

For displaced residents uncertain about which census tract to follow, election officials have established guidelines: those planning to return to their original homes during the upcoming term should participate in their original tract’s discussion, while those expecting to remain elsewhere in Altadena for more than two years should engage with their current tract.

Historic Candidate Field

The 21 candidates represent the largest field in the tenure of current council chair Victoria Knapp, who lost her own home in the Eaton Fire. At last week’s in-person forum, Knapp noted: “I don’t think that certainly in my time on council that we’ve had this many candidates.”

According to the official Altadena Town Council website, the candidate roster includes Brandon Perez, Courage, Morgan Z Whirledge, Kim Yu, Brandon Smith, Dorothy Wong, Heidi Luest, Jon Carmody, Matthew Lorscheider, Anton (Antonio) Anderson, Jose Ortega, Nicole Galvan Ortega, Torin Joseph Floyd, JD Angel, Pat Sutherlen, Lori Juma, Reginald Wilkins, Alexandra Kershner, Sylvia Vega. Several are incumbents seeking reelection, including Carmody, Vega, and Wong.

The eight seats up for election represent census tracts 4601 through 4603.02, and 4610 through 4613. Current members whose terms expire include Knapp (4601), Kim Yu (4602), Wong (4603.01), Carmody (4603.02), Japhena K. Musson (4610), Pat Sutherlen (4611), Reginald Wilkins (4612) and Vega (4613).

What Voters Will Hear

At last week’s in-person forum, candidates gave presentations that included emotional testimonies from fire survivors, according to news reports. The event was described as “historic.”

Council member Nic Arnzen, who serves as vice chair, told candidates and attendees: “I really appreciate that. I also want to remind the candidates and the public listening that this council has a healthy number of committees that are always strengthened by community members.”

Tuesday’s virtual forum will likely cover similar ground, with candidates outlining their priorities for Altadena’s future and their visions for council leadership during a critical period of recovery and reconstruction.

How to Participate

Residents are encouraged to prepare questions for candidates specific to their neighborhoods. The census tract breakout format means voters will have dedicated time to address local concerns directly with candidates seeking to represent their area.

The Altadena Town Council website offers a census tract finder tool for residents uncertain about their district.

About the Host Organization

Neighbors Building a Better Altadena describes its mission as promoting “community-wide engagement to make Altadena economically strong and socially cohesive, while preserving our cultural and economic diversity.”

The volunteer-run organization has established itself as a forum for civic engagement, having previously organized candidate forums at the Altadena Community Center and, in 2023, at the Altadena Public Library with moderation by the League of Women Voters-Pasadena Area.

NBBA originated when Walmart sought to locate in Altadena, with the organization successfully advocating for businesses with higher worker standards and living wages. Its website notes that volunteer capacity limits regular updates, directing residents to check its Facebook page for current information.

The Stakes

The Altadena Town Council, established in 1975, serves as the primary voice for residents in this unincorporated community. While the council has no legislative authority — Altadena is governed by Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger — it acts as an ombudsman, conveying resident concerns to county, state and federal officials and providing a forum for community discussion.

The council’s role has taken on heightened significance following the Eaton Fire, which began at approximately 6:18 p.m. on January 7 and burned 14,117 acres before being fully contained on January 31. The fire killed 19 people and destroyed an estimated 9,400 structures, fundamentally altering the community landscape.

“This election is about ensuring every voice in Altadena is heard — especially those still rebuilding their lives,” said Isis Moulden, chair of the council’s Election Committee and the representative for Census Tract 4610.

As of October, nearly 400 building permits have been issued for reconstruction, with 262 projects under construction. The newly elected council members will help shape how Altadena rebuilds and whether the community maintains its distinctive character.

Election Timeline

Following Tuesday’s forum, voters will have three opportunities to cast ballots:

Saturday, November 1: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tuesday, November 4: Noon to 6 p.m.

Saturday, November 8: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Six polling locations will be available, including the Altadena Main Library, Altadena Library at Loma Alta Park, Prime Pizza, the Altadena Town & Country Club and Altadena Grocery Outlet. The Bob Lucas Memorial Library & Literacy Center will be open only on November 4.

Altadena’s voting rules are notably inclusive: every resident aged 18 or older may vote, regardless of citizenship status. Voters need only bring proof of residency — a driver’s license, utility bill, rental agreement or official mail showing an Altadena address.

The NBBA virtual candidate forum will be held Tuesday, October 28, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Access via the NBBA Facebook page at facebook.com/groups/altadenaNBBA or by Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3383057874?omn=85946412876.

More information: altadenatowncouncil.org.