Lakewood City Council Committee of the Whole Interviews for Ward 4 Appointment - January 12, 2026

The Committee of the Whole met on January 12, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Lakewood City Hall Auditorium to interview four candidates for the vacant Ward 4 council seat, vacated by Cindy Marx. The committee also approved minutes from the December 5, 2025 meeting. After interviews and an executive session, the committee voted to appoint Matthew Bixenstine to the seat.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the December 5, 2025 meeting without a reading.

Discussion Items

Candidate Interviews: Alann "Pixi" Mallo

• Opening Statement: Mallo, a transgender woman, U.S. Navy veteran, and Senior Operations Analyst at PNC, expressed deep love for Lakewood as the first place she felt safe and welcomed. She highlighted her experience in logistics, operations, and asset management, and her desire to advocate for those without a voice, especially the LGBTQ+ community following the closure of Studio West.
• Q&A Responses:
  • Engagement: Mallo has volunteered with Hunger Network Food Rescue and helped with Lakewood Soccer. She has not been in Lakewood long but is committed to staying.
  • Two-Year Goals: Mallo identified improving communication on speed bump requests, adding cooling stations and shade at Madison Park food festivals, and working to keep Studio West in the LGBTQ+ community. She also proposed a social media series to highlight city resources and a scavenger hunt to increase engagement.
  • Ward 4 Needs: She noted small businesses in Ward 4 receive less spotlight and suggested social media features and smaller festivals to highlight them. She also advocated for protecting trees during trimming and for tree canopy preservation.
  • Personal Motivation: Mallo has a history of public service and volunteerism, including creating a school recycling program and helping organize protests. She sees the council seat as a natural next step.
  • Managing Diversity: Mallo emphasized listening first, being kind but firm, and developing action plans together. She cited her experience communicating across language barriers overseas.
  • Work Style: She described herself as a collaborative consensus-builder who listens to all sides and proposes options to move forward.
  • Closing: Mallo reiterated her passion for advocating for LGBTQ+ people, veterans, and affordable housing, and stated she would be interested in serving on an environmental board if not appointed.

Candidate Interview: Jason W. Frederick

• Opening Statement: Frederick, a graphic designer and member of multiple Lakewood boards (LCRAC, Public Art Advisory Board, Anti-Racism Task Force), expressed gratitude for the opportunity and shared his volunteer work, including the successful traffic box art project.
• Q&A Responses:
  • Engagement: Frederick has served on the Community Relations Advisory Commission (LCRAC), Public Art Advisory Board (vice-chair), Anti-Racism Task Force, and graduated from the Citizens Police Academy. He also volunteers with youth sports.
  • Two-Year Goals: He proposed listening sessions or town halls to bridge divides in Ward 4, using common interests like dogs (advocating for a new dog park) or shared frustrations (e.g., construction noise) to bring people together.
  • Work Style: Frederick described himself as ego-free, focused on getting the job done by listening and compromising. He values big-picture thinking.
  • Managing Division: He acknowledged the challenge of polarization but stressed the importance of meeting anger with understanding and love. He expressed strong support for LGBTQ+ rights and criticized efforts to limit gender-affirming care.
  • Personal Motivation: Frederick wants to serve as a voice for those who lack resources or time to advocate for themselves, citing his experience as a postal carrier seeing income inequality in Ward 4.
  • Neighborhood Needs: He suggested a youth center for tweens, possibly subsidized memberships at existing facilities, and advocated for municipal energy generation and municipal health insurance for taxpayers.
  • Closing: Frederick reiterated his commitment to public service and his gratitude for the city's police and fire response to a house fire.

Candidate Interview: Sydney Lightner-Canaday

• Opening Statement: Lightner-Canaday, a 25-year-old renter and legislative intern, shared her background in constituent casework and her belief in effective, accessible government. She stressed the importance of preparation, accountability, and respect.
• Q&A Responses:
  • Engagement: She serves on the Lakewood Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) reviewing CDBG, HOME, and ESG funding, and has been politically active at the county and state levels.
  • Two-Year Goals: She proposed a "Ward 4 Walk Through" program to engage residents directly on needs and concerns. She identified housing stability and quality-of-life issues (noise, code enforcement) as key challenges.
  • Neighborhood Needs: Lightner-Canaday cited building code enforcement and a need for safe spaces, especially for marginalized groups. She emphasized building trust by explaining processes and showing results.
  • Personal Motivation: She sees herself as a representative of young renters and wants to ensure Lakewood remains a place where people can build their lives. She has long-term political aspirations.
  • Managing Diversity: She acknowledged that not all solutions fit all and stressed listening, empathy, and finding consensus that works for the whole community.
  • Work Style: Lightner-Canaday described herself as easygoing, a good listener, and focused on long-term thinking over short-term pressures. She values respectful disagreement.
  • Closing: She reiterated her commitment to listening, asking informed questions, and making decisions grounded in facts and community impact.

Candidate Interview: Matthew Bixenstine

• Opening Statement: Bixenstine, founder and president of Friends of Madison Park, and a former Marketing & Development Manager at LakewoodAlive, highlighted his extensive volunteer work including the Little Free Locker Room, community garden, block club, and tree giveaway program. He stated his priorities: representing Ward 4 residents, improving engagement, enhancing green spaces, prioritizing safe and affordable housing, and emphasizing pedestrian/bicyclist safety.
• Q&A Responses:
  • Engagement: Bixenstine detailed his leadership of Friends of Madison Park, the Clarence Avenue Block Club, service on the Lakewood Tree Advisory & Education Board, Keep Lakewood Beautiful, Lakewood Soccer Association, Hike and Bike Program, and Harrison PTA.
  • Two-Year Goals: He identified increasing community engagement (reviving block club captain meetings, loosening block party permit rules) and pedestrian safety (improving Hawk signal signage, enforcing distracted driving laws) as achievable. He also noted specific Ward 4 issues: noise at Neograph, parking in Birdtown, the void left by Studio West, and nuisance motels in the Gold Coast.
  • Work Style: Bixenstine described himself as a team player who practices open, honest communication and respects disagreement. He cited his experience balancing competing interests in the Madison Park Master Plan.
  • Managing Diversity: He emphasized listening, empathy, and meeting people where they are. He gave examples of inclusive efforts: the Little Free Locker Room providing free sports equipment, a potluck block party with no fee, and a community garden free to all.
  • Personal Motivation: Bixenstine sees the role as a natural progression of his community work. He has no political aspirations beyond city council but wants to grow as a leader.
  • Neighborhood Needs: He discussed parking solutions in Birdtown, the need to engage Gold Coast apartment residents, and citywide priorities like tree canopy replenishment and small business support. He shared a story of community cooperation after a storm.
  • Closing: Bixenstine thanked the council, fellow applicants, and his wife, and stated he would remain involved regardless of the outcome.

Key Outcomes

• After executive session, Councilmember Vice President Baker moved to appoint Matthew Bixenstine to the Ward 4 seat. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
• The resolution (2025-77) will be amended with Bixenstine's name and referred to full council for adoption at the next regular meeting (likely Tuesday, January 20, 2026).
• Council members encouraged the other candidates to remain engaged in the community and offered to help them find other opportunities for service.