The community of Lemon Grove is mourning the loss of Councilmember Sitivi "Steve" Faiai, whose death was announced by the city yesterday. Faiai, elected just last year and who served as a football coach at Helix High School, is survived by his wife and two children. In addition to his role on the City Council, he was known for his work as a retail manager.
In a statement to the public, the City Government of Lemon Grove highlighted the profound impact Faiai had on the community, "During his service on the City Council, Councilman Faiai brought with him a spirit of integrity, collaboration, and heartfelt commitment," and went on to thoroughly detail his focus on key issues such as improving public safety, addressing homelessness, and supporting youth and families. The statement revealed that his approach to leadership was rooted in service rather than politics, touching on his desire to create a stronger, unified local environment. The city paid tribute to his legacy, extending condolences to his loved ones and those influenced by his leadership.
According to his election statement from the Times of San Diego, Faiai expressed his dedication to listening and being a dependable leader. "I believe that supporting working families through strong leadership is critical for a community seeking to improve and repair itself after years of neglect," he said. Faiai's ambitions for the city were to ensure that his constituents had a cleaner city they could take pride in, stating, "I’ll listen to you, be a leader you can depend on and together we can build the community we deserve!"
