Transparency and Communication

All of us deserve to understand how our city’s decisions affect us. Residents of La Cañada Flintridge are too often notified late (or not at all) about projects and policy decisions that directly impact their homes and businesses. By the time many people learn about a development proposal or regulatory change, key steps have already occurred. That creates frustration, reduces meaningful public input, and erodes trust in city government.

As a city council member, Quemars will advocate for a clear presumption of notification policy: when in doubt, notify residents early. If outside agencies or other stakeholders are informed about a project, impacted residents should be notified at the same time. Early communication ensures the community can engage before decisions are locked in.

At the same time, city staff are stretched thin. La Cañada Flintridge has fewer staff per resident than many comparable cities, while facing complex state mandates and increased development pressure. Limited capacity contributes to communication gaps and process delays.

Quemars will push for reviewing staffing levels and improving internal coordination to ensure residents receive timely information and the city meets its legal obligations. Clear expectations, early outreach, and competent staffing will strengthen accountability and restore confidence in our city government.

Emergency Preparedness

The Eaton Fire demonstrated how critical robust emergency preparedness is for La Cañada Flintridge. Most of our residents can recall confusion, gaps in coordination and communication from our leaders, and a lack of a consistent city presence at the regional emergency coordination site at the Rose Bowl. These shortcomings highlight a larger issue: the city does not have enough dedicated, professionally trained staff focused solely on emergency preparedness and public safety coordination.

As a city councilmember, Quemars will advocate for adding dedicated public safety or emergency preparedness staff positions to improve coordination with our county and regional partners. Rather than relying on outside consultants for planning and grant writing, the city can build internal expertise – improving responsiveness while potentially reducing long-term costs. 

Quemars will also support practical mitigation measures, including replacing highly flammable trees with native species, exploring rebate programs for home hardening and fire-preventive upgrades, and pursuing participation in programs like Firewise. These steps can reduce risk and help address rising homeowner insurance costs.

Though the city council does not control Southern California Edison, our reliance on their infrastructure continues to be a challenge as continued power outages and wildfire ignition risk impact all of us. Q will fight aggressively for undergrounding power lines and filing formal complaints with the California Public Utilities Commission when service failures occur. 

Together, we can ensure La Cañada Flintridge is better coordinated, better prepared, and better protected before the next emergency occurs.

Fiscal Responsibility

La Cañada Flintridge has paid a high price for its zoning and housing element mistakes – and has paid it with our tax dollars. A lack of professional, thoughtful oversight has exposed the city to costly lawsuits, diverting public funds away from services and into avoidable litigation. In the process we have lost a great deal of local control, putting our planning and safety at risk.

City council decisions and its oversight of city staff should be grounded in legal compliance, fiscal responsibility, and long-term planning. As a councilmember, Quemars will anticipate state requirements, not reacting after deadlines have passed, to protect our public funds and retain local control.

This can be done while still shaping development in a way that fits the character of LCF. With thoughtful planning, the city can reduce legal exposure and regain local control over how and where housing is built. Strategic, well-designed development can help meet mandates, ease pressure from Sacramento, and create opportunities so teachers, first responders, and young families can afford to live here — and seniors can afford to stay here.

Finally, Quemars will push to create a part-time Economic Development Council to strengthen the city’s commercial base. With a low vacancy rate but limited retail diversity, LCF should be more intentional about attracting businesses that serve residents and enhance quality of life. 

With responsible fiscal management, proactive compliance, and strategic growth, everyone in La Cañada Flintridge can be a part of a thriving community that puts residents first.

Education

The top reason families choose to move to La Cañada Flintridge is its exceptional public schools. This has been true for Quemars’s family, for generations before them, and for the new residents who arrive each year. Q knows that our school system’s excellence comes from strong leadership and a deeply committed community, and he believes the city must continue supporting this defining strength and the parents who uphold it.

Quemars maintains that just as fire preparedness shapes major city council decisions, the needs of our schools should guide the city’s broader agenda. As a member of the LCF city council, Q will approach traffic planning, development, and fire safety policies with the goal of improving daily life for students, teachers, and parents.

Thoughtful infrastructure improvements can make a meaningful difference by enabling more children to walk to school safely, reducing congestion during pick‑up and drop‑off, advancing sustainability goals, and strengthening emergency evacuation routes. Quemars will advocate for the city to work hand‑in‑hand with the school district to support families and protect our community’s most valued asset.