Ahead of the June primary election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.
Name: Noel Almario
Current job title: Birth Doula
Age: 40
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: N/A
City where you reside: Los Angeles, Neighborhood of Eagle Rock
Campaign website or social media: noelfordistrict1.com
Rate the job the current Board of Supervisors is doing. (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
I believe the current Board of Supervisors has made some incremental progress, but overall, they are moving far too slowly for the scale of the crises our communities face.
For too long, the Board has operated with a status-quo mentality — managing poverty rather than working urgently to end it. While they have taken steps on homelessness, the results remain inadequate, with too many families still living on our streets and in temporary shelters. Their approach to health care, juvenile justice and housing affordability has been fragmented when it should be holistic and bold.
What we lack is not resources but political will and a fresh set of eyes. The Board needs members who understand systemic failure not from policy briefings but from frontline experience. I respect the work being done, but we cannot afford to wait any longer for transformative, trauma-informed leadership. It’s time for a brave voice willing to challenge the status quo and build systems designed for care, not control.
Due to impacts from federal government cuts to Medi-Cal, the Board of Supervisors put a measure on the June 2 ballot, a half-cent sales tax to raise about $1 billion to stop-gap financial losses and keep hospitals and clinics functioning. How do you stand on this ballot measure? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
I believe our first responsibility is to protect the health and dignity of the people of Los Angeles County. When federal cuts threaten Medi-Cal, they don’t just impact budgets — they put lives at risk, especially for our most vulnerable residents who rely on county hospitals and clinics for essential care.
I support this measure because it provides an immediate, local solution to stabilize our healthcare system and prevent devastating service cuts. Without it, we risk overcrowded emergency rooms, reduced access to preventative care and the loss of critical services in communities that already face barriers to care.
That said, support must come with accountability. Taxpayers deserve transparency in how these funds are spent, clear metrics for outcomes and a long-term strategy that doesn’t rely solely on local residents to fill federal gaps.
We cannot allow our health care system to collapse while we wait for outside solutions. This measure is about keeping our doors open today — while we fight for a more sustainable and equitable system tomorrow.
The County is in a fight with LAHSA regarding homeless services and has formed its own Department of Homeless Services & Housing. What are your thoughts on that plan and the break from LAHSA? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
Homelessness is one of the most urgent crises facing our County, and the public deserves a system that is effective, accountable and coordinated. The challenges with LAHSA have been well documented — fragmentation, lack of clear outcomes and difficulty tracking results.
I support the County taking a more direct role through its own Department of Homeless Services & Housing if it leads to better coordination, faster deployment of resources and measurable outcomes. But restructuring alone is not the solution. We must ensure this transition does not disrupt services or leave people behind.
What matters most is performance — getting people off the streets and into stable housing. That requires real-time data, strong partnerships with cities and providers and a focus on prevention, mental health services and permanent housing solutions.
This is an opportunity to reset our approach, but we must do it with urgency, transparency and a clear commitment to results.
After the Palisades and Eaton fires, the County Fire and Sheriff have moved to develop a new CAD communications system to better notify residents in case of fire or other disaster. Have the Board of Supervisors and County departments done enough to prevent another such disaster? What else would you like to see implemented if you are elected? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
The recent fires were a wake-up call. While investments like a new CAD communication system are important, we have to be honest — more needs to be done to prevent and respond to disasters at the scale we are now facing.
We need stronger coordination between agencies, more proactive vegetation management and better land-use planning in high-risk areas. We must also invest in early detection systems, community alert infrastructure and modernized emergency response tools.
Equally important is ensuring our first responders have the staffing, equipment and training they need to act quickly and effectively.
Disasters are becoming more frequent and more severe. We cannot afford to be reactive. We need a forward-looking strategy that prioritizes prevention, preparedness and rapid response — because lives depend on it.
More specifically, what would you do to get LA County residents more prepared for a fire or other major disaster, such as a major earthquake? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
Prepared communities save lives. We need to move beyond awareness and into real, accessible preparedness.
That means investing in neighborhood-level training — CERT programs, school-based preparedness education and community drills that reflect real-life scenarios. Every household should know evacuation routes, have emergency kits and understand how to respond in the first critical minutes.
We should also expand multilingual alert systems, partner with local organizations to reach vulnerable populations and ensure residents without access to technology are not left behind.
Preparedness must be practical and inclusive. If elected, I will prioritize community-based strategies that empower residents with the tools and knowledge to protect themselves and their families before disaster strikes.
The county’s voters approved Measure G, bringing the number of supervisors up to nine. Other changes include requirements for the county CEO to be elected and for department heads to present budgets periodically to the Board of Supervisors as an act of transparency in budgeting. Give your thoughts on Measure G, its changes and future changes to county governance. (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
Measure G reflects a growing demand for transparency, accountability and more representative governance in Los Angeles County.
Expanding the Board can create more localized representation, which is critical in a county as large and diverse as ours. Requiring an elected CEO and greater budget transparency are also steps in the right direction — they give the public more visibility into how decisions are made and how resources are allocated.
However, structural changes alone won’t fix systemic challenges. We must ensure these reforms lead to better outcomes — more responsive government, clearer accountability and improved service delivery.
I support reforms that bring government closer to the people, but we must remain focused on results. Governance should not just be more complex — it should be more effective.
People who comment on a board item or a general comment are limited to one minute. Some say that is way too short for them to fully express their opinion. The County says they often have hundreds who request to speak on the same item, dragging out meetings until evening. Do you agree with the one-minute rule? Why or why not? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
Public participation is the foundation of democracy, and every resident deserves the opportunity to be heard.
I understand the challenge of managing long meetings with many speakers, but a one-minute limit can feel restrictive — especially on complex issues that deeply impact people’s lives.
We should be looking for balanced solutions. That could include extending time limits for major agenda items, allowing pooled comments or incorporating more digital and written testimony options that are meaningfully considered.
The goal should be to expand access, not limit it. People shouldn’t feel rushed when speaking to their government. We can maintain efficiency while still respecting the public’s right to fully express their views.
All the Board of Supervisors are also placed on the LA Metro board, a powerful board in itself. Do you believe all nine members should serve on the board? And, should the LA Metro board, at the request of Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn, add actual transit riders to the Metro board, in addition or instead of nine supervisors? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
Transportation decisions shape our economy, environment and daily lives. Representation on the Metro Board should reflect the people who rely on the system.
I believe there is value in having County Supervisors involved, given the scale of investment and policy decisions. But I also support expanding representation to include actual transit riders.
Riders bring lived experience — insight into safety, reliability and accessibility that policymakers may not always see. Their voices can lead to better, more responsive decisions.
This doesn’t have to be an either/or. We can create a more inclusive board that balances governance, expertise and real-world experience. Public transportation should be built with riders, not just for them.
Recently, the Board of Supervisors has been using public health and emergency powers, meaning it can pass laws (i.e., for rent stabilization, price-gouging, eviction restrictions, etc.) countywide, affecting not just unincorporated areas of L.A. County, but all 88 cities as well. Do you believe this is justified or too much power? Does this help with these issues? Please explain your thinking. (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
Emergency powers are important tools, especially during crises, but they must be used carefully and with clear limits.
In moments of real emergency — like a pandemic or natural disaster — countywide action can be necessary to protect public health and safety. But extending those powers broadly across all cities requires transparency, collaboration and accountability.
Local governments should not feel sidelined. We need clear communication, defined timelines and regular review of any emergency measures to ensure they remain justified.
These powers should be used to stabilize — not overreach. The goal is to protect residents while maintaining trust in government.
Responding to a surge in jail deaths over the past year, the Board of Supervisors has called on the Sheriff’s Department and other agencies to implement a series of wide-ranging reforms. Supervisors demanded more thorough security screenings and safety checks at the jails, consistent monitoring of surveillance cameras and better access to drug treatment and drug reversal medications. What do you think of this approach to the problem? What else, in your opinion, needs to be done? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
The rise in jail deaths is deeply concerning and demands urgent, systemic action.
The Board’s focus on increased monitoring, better screenings and expanded access to treatment and life-saving medications is a necessary step. But we cannot stop there.
We need a comprehensive approach that includes mental health services, substance use treatment and alternatives to incarceration for non-violent individuals. Many people in our jails are there because of unmet health needs — not because they pose a threat to public safety.
Accountability is also critical. We must ensure policies are not just adopted, but implemented effectively, with clear oversight and transparency. This is about dignity, safety and responsibility. Our system must do better — and we have the tools to make that happen.