Lakewood council interviews three candidates for at‑large seat; decision moved to Jan. 13

Lakewood City Council on Jan. 6 interviewed three candidates for the vacant at‑large council seat — Alexandra Bonacuse, Becky Makovic and Nicole Greenfield — and agreed to continue the process next Monday, Jan. 13, with a final appointment expected the week after.

The vacancy fills an at‑large seat through the remainder of a one‑year term; the successful appointee would need to run to retain the seat in the fall (a primary could be as early as Sept. 2025, with the general election in Nov. 2025). Councilmembers told candidates the role typically requires about 20 hours a week, with regular Monday evening meetings that can start as early as 5:30 p.m.

Why it matters: the at‑large member represents the entire city and could run in a contested fall election. Councilmembers said they wanted to hear comparable answers from each candidate before making a choice.

Candidate backgrounds and priorities Alexandra Bonacuse, a lifelong Lakewood resident, highlighted pedestrian safety and active‑transportation improvements as immediate priorities, citing the recent crash at the Hilliard Triangle and the coming Lakewood Hospital project. She said she would “do everything in my power to try to find creative ways to fundraise, find funds to make sure that it is safe for all members of the community.”

Becky Makovic, a renter who moved to Lakewood in 2014 and works in government affairs for a regional nonprofit, emphasized public safety and housing affordability. She described volunteer work with regional arts organizations and said she would use her grants and budgeting experience to help direct resources during the city’s upcoming budget season.

Nicole Greenfield, a near‑lifelong resident with a background in contract management and municipal finance, said public safety and both housing for young families and options for the aging population are priorities. She described hands‑on community work through volunteers and employer‑supported programs and said she would bring that operational experience to council.

What happened next Council received and filed an oral report from the Committee of the Whole summarizing the three interviews and scheduled the remaining interviews for Jan. 13. No vote was taken on an appointment at the Jan. 6 meeting; councilmembers said they will reconvene next week to continue interviews and deliberate before making a final appointment.

Quotes from candidates (selected) “Listen up, Lakewood. We’re better with Bonacuse,” Alexandra Bonacuse told council in a closing remark. “I would strongly consider it,” Becky Makovic said when asked whether she would run for the seat if appointed. “It was really an honor to be here and be selected for an interview,” Nicole Greenfield said in closing.

Next steps and timeline Councilmembers said interviews will continue Jan. 13. The council indicated it expects to deliberate that evening and make an appointment the following week; the appointee, if selected, would serve the remainder of the one‑year term and may need to run in fall 2025 to retain the seat.

No formal appointment vote or ordinance related to the at‑large seat occurred at the Jan. 6 meeting; the Committee of the Whole’s oral report was received and filed by council.