IE Chatter

Murietta City Council to Support Temecula NIMBYism?

For those living under a rock, the city of Temecula has been battling Granite Construction for years over their attempt to build a quarry on the Riverside-San Diego county line. 

For those who live in the fantasyland of radical environmentalism, a quarry is a facility designed to extract rock and sand from the earth to build those things you drive your Prius on.  They provide us with the materials needed to build cheaper homes.  And don't forget the jobs it creates directly and indirectly.  Of course, the lion share of these workers will probably take their paychecks and buy meat and eggs at the grocery store...

Temecula can't stand the fact that a company wants to take the land that they control and actually build a job producing, economic engine.  You would think they would spend more time going out and draining pools of abandoned McMansions before we have a West Nile epidemic.  Maybe, just maybe...with a few economic engines like Granite's proposed quarry, maybe a few homes could be saved.

Now, the Murietta City Council wants to join hands with their NIMBY neighbors!  Great.

An environmental report detailing the effects that a quarry would have on the site is expected to be wrapped up soon and released in April, said Karie Reuther, Granite Construction's director of community affairs. Reuther said that if Murrieta approves the resolution in support of Temecula's annexation request, the city's elected officials will have put politics before sound decision-making.

"If I was a city official, I would make more of a fact-based decision, and you can't until you have all the facts in front of you," Reuther said of the coming report.

Exactly!  For those that don't know, you are more likely to see an illegal alien jumping the 15 freeway than you are to see the quarry itself.  It will be invisible.

FPPC Investigating Two Temecula City Council Members

I previously mentioned a complaint that was filed against a city councilman in Temecula due to an alleged conflict of interest regarding a vote that may or may not have benefited himself and/or his employer.

The article reads:

The complaint against Comerchero alleges he voted with City Council colleagues to acquire property in which he had a financial interest, an accusation Comerchero contends is without foundation. Naggar said he is unaware of the basis for the complaint against him.

The commission's letter warns against drawing any conclusions from its decision to investigate.

"Please be advised that we have not made any determinations about the validity of the allegation you have made or about the culpability if any, of the person(s) you identified," Porter wrote in the letter dated Oct. 6 to Lutz. It was also copied to Comerchero and Naggar.

As I mentioned before, this wreaks of political shenanigans given the timing of the complaint.  Additionally, Comerchero has stated that his votes were made after consulting with the city attorney.

Unless Comerchero is not being honest...this is an issue that I do not think is going to go anywhere.

Temecula Councilman Jeff Comerchero: Conflict of Interest Allegations

A formal complaint has been filed with the Fair Political Practices Commission against Temecula Councilman Jeff Comerchero concerning a vote he made in 2003.

While I agree that the relationship between members of the council and Rancon do appear to be a little fishy...Comerchero is saying that he acted on the advice of the city attorney.  This smells of a political stunt to me, even if Comerchero isn't running for office this year.

This alleged conflict arose in 2003...why is this person bringing a complaint forward today one month out from a city council election?

You can read the article here with an excerpt posted below:

The complaint filed by Volker Lutz, the president of the citizens' group Rescue Temecula, was received by the commission Sept. 22, according to a copy of the complaint.

The allegations center on a December 2003 vote cast by Comerchero, then a consultant for the Rancon Group, in which multiple pieces of land in Old Town Temecula ---- where the new city hall is being built ---- were purchased from Rancon Real Estate.

Lutz contends the Rancon Group was and is tied to Rancon Real Estate. Hence, Lutz alleges Comerchero violated Section 87200 of the Government Code that states council members, when facing a vote on a project in which they have a financial interest, must publicly identify their interest and leave the room.

At that meeting, Comerchero moved to approve the staff recommendation to enter into sale agreements for the Rancon Real Estate property in Old Town. The motion was seconded by Councilman Ron Roberts and the four council members present voted to approve the purchase, according to minutes of the meeting.

-----

Comerchero said he sought and continues to rely on the counsel of City Attorney Peter Thorson to determine how to proceed with votes that may appear to present a conflict of interest.

"These matters are not judged on perception; they are judged by the law," Comerchero said. "The city attorney has determined there was no conflict of interest. I am not employed by Rancon Real Estate. That corporation has its own president, Mike Diaz."

Temecula: Chuck Washington Candidate Profile

The North County Times is cycling through their candidate profiles for the upcoming elections and I will post them below so that readers can make an informed decision.  If a candidate in the Inland Empire would like me to post information about their campaign, I will do my best to be fair and balanced.

All posts containing candidate profiles or event/campaign releases will be posted free of any commentary on my part.

Chuck Washington

Chuck Washington is not good at being retired.

Back in 2005, he retired from Delta after 18 years of being a commercial pilot. In March, he went back to work flying as the first "rehired retired pilot" at Delta Airlines ---- no joke.

In 1999, Washington left Murrieta politics behind after serving on that city's council for four years, including a stint as its mayor. Just four years later in 2003, Washington was elected to Temecula's City Council and last year served as the city's mayor ---- making him the first person in California, possibly the nation, to hold the key to the city of two separate towns.

Now he has the support of his wife, Kathy, and his adult daughter, Lindsey, to seek a second term on Temecula's council, and Washington says he plans to remain an active public servant if re-elected this November.

Washington, 55, is one of five candidates vying for two seats on the Temecula City Council. Also on the Nov. 4 ballot are Albert Abbott, 29, office manager; Rita Hernandez, 73, retiree; Mike Naggar, 46, incumbent and businessman; and James "Stew" Stewart, 47, business owner. Council terms are for four years.

Washington identified three main issues he will focus on during his campaign and, he hopes, his next term: traffic, higher education and youth, and health care.

He doesn't shy away from saying that much of Temecula's traffic is because of the city's success as a place where people want to live, shop, work and visit. But he also knows there is a need to create better traffic flow for drivers and to reduce the amount of time commuters spend in their vehicles.

"In the early 1990s, we had people directing traffic on Rancho California Road," he recalled. "That was a time when there were fewer cars on the road, but traffic congestion was worse. In the intervening years, there have been improvements to managing the traffic."

He said two projects that will alleviate congestion are the planned extension of Overland Drive on the west side of Jefferson Avenue that will connect to Diaz Road. He said a similar project on the drawing board involves the creation of a series of bridges and roads that will connect Rancho Way in the Rancho California Business park to Ynez Road on the other side of Interstate 15.

"The larger picture is to position ourselves to secure resources to get those things done," he said in terms of planning, clout in the region, funding abilities and acquisition of rights-of-way.

As for addressing the community's health care needs, Washington not only wants to make sure the Temecula hospital, which was approved in 2006, is built ---- but he wants to foster the development of urgent care facilities in the city and see the newly formed Cal State San Marcos nursing program flourish in Temecula.

Washington said he will remain focused on reaching more young adults and delivering the academic resources they need.

"With the issue of higher education comes the question of how do we create a nurturing environment for our youth as they grow, so they have the best opportunity to reach their fullest potential?" he said.

While at the forefront of exploring youth issues in 2007, chairing the city's Youth Master Plan committee, Washington said he's not yet ready to disengage from his focus on Temecula's predominantly young population ---- especially teens and those in their 20s. Washington, a former Navy pilot, has his Facebook and MySpace pages ready to reach out to demographics who many times aren't actively involved in local politics.

"Being a city leader is not all 'bricks and mortar' projects. It's being out in the community," Washington said. "The job is so in-depth, it just fills your life. I just want to keep going while I have the energy and passion. It fills me with that good sense that I've done something right.

"I'm running again because the job is fun and rewarding to do, and there are things that still have yet to be done."

Contact staff writer Nicole Sack at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2616, or nsack@californian.com.

Chuck Washington

-- Age: 55

-- Occupation: Pilot

-- Civic involvement: Incumbent, Temecula City Council since 2003, Murrieta City Council 1995 to 1999, past vice chairman, Boys & Girls Club board of directors; past president, Habitat for Humanity; past vice chairman, Economic Development Corporation, past chairman: Western Riverside Council of Governments; past board member, Inland Empire Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation; Families First Award 2008; Temecula Citizen of the Year 2004; Murrieta Citizen of the Year 1995; Kiwanis Citizen of the Year Temecula Valley, 2000; PTA Honorary Service Award Recipient.

-- Web site: www.chuckwashington.org

Temecula: Stew Stewart Candidate Profile

The North County Times is cycling through their candidate profiles for the upcoming elections and I will post them below so that readers can make an informed decision.  If a candidate in the Inland Empire would like me to post information about their campaign, I will do my best to be fair and balanced.

All posts containing candidate profiles or event/campaign releases will be posted free of any commentary on my part.

James "Stew" Stewart

James "Stew" Stewart hasn't been shy about putting his name on the ballot when he saw an opportunity to spur change and discourse during an election.

While the 47-year-old has made two "statement" runs for governor and U.S. Senate, this November will be the second time Stewart makes a serious attempt for a Temecula City Council seat.

"I've always enjoyed politics, and I have thousands of people who have asked me to run again," Stewart said.

Stewart is one of five candidates vying for two seats on the Temecula City Council. Also on the Nov. 4 ballot are Albert Abbott, 29, office manager; Rita Hernandez, 73, retiree; Mike Naggar, 46, businessman and incumbent; and Chuck Washington, 55, pilot and incumbent. City Council terms are four years.

Stewart and his wife, Lisa, have lived in Temecula since 1991. The couple have three adult children. He operates two barber shops in Temecula and Murrieta.

Stewart said the main issues he would like to focus on in the council race are: how redevelopment money is used in Old Town; building a police station inside the city limits; decreasing traffic; and increasing the number of local jobs.

Stewart said he has concerns about the amount of money being spent in Old Town and long-term debt the city may be accruing. He said his primary concerns rest with the civic center project, which city officials have reported will cost approximately $76 million, and the city's redevelopment agency ---- which is responsible for stimulating private investment in the redevelopment area, primarily Old Town.

"My main issue is that money can be spent without voter approval. I don't have a problem with free enterprise. But I would rather see individually initiated development rather than city-sponsored development," he said of the use of redevelopment funds and incentives.

Stewart's second issue is to have a police station located in central or southern Temecula. He cited the amount of man hours being lost when Temecula officers have to travel to the Southwest Justice Center to start and end their shifts.

Stewart said that building a city-based police station ---- and not just a police storefront ---- should be done soon.

"We're running out of land; if we don't do it soon, we're going to paint ourselves into a corner," he said.

Stewart said the last issues he would like to address, jobs and traffic, are interrelated.

"If we had more local jobs, we'd have less traffic," he said.

"Why not spend the same amount of time and money to help provide stable incomes for our residents, as the city did to pay for a new garage at the mall?" Stewart said in reference to an $11 million city contribution toward the construction of The Promenade mall's new 936-space parking structure.

He said the lack of high-paying jobs in the region forces not only Temecula residents to travel to San Diego or Los Angeles, but also residents of other communities such as Murrieta and Menifee to do the same, which creates additional pass-through traffic. He also believes Temecula should capitalize on the city's existing industrial parks to bolster the presence of manufacturing and white-collar jobs.

"In all those areas, we should promote, entice, woo ---- whatever it is going to take to get those jobs to the city," said Stewart. "I think that would be money well-spent by the city."

This will be Stewart's second run for Temecula City Council, which he categorizes as his serious attempts at public office. However, Stewart ran for governor in 2002 and for U.S. Senate in 2004, "out of sheer frustration."

"Those races featured some of the biggest boneheads, and voting for any of them was a complete waste of time," he said.

When Stewart ran for Temecula City Council in 2006, he spent only $850 of his own money ---- and still collected just more than 6,000 votes, finishing a not-too-distant fourth in the race for three seats.

Stewart said he still plans to take a regular-guy approach to this campaign. He doesn't want your money.

"It doesn't take a dollar to get a vote; it takes people voting for you," he said. "Passing my campaign around by word of mouth is the greatest endorsement I could get."

Contact staff writer Nicole Sack at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2616, or nsack@californian.com.

James "Stew" Stewart

-- Age: 47

-- Occupation: Barber/business owner

-- Civic involvement: Second run for Temecula City Council, supporter of Christian Youth Theatre, Little League, Pony League, Pop Warner, Temecula Soccer and Youth Basketball.

-- Web site: www.temeculastew.com

Temecula: Mike Naggar Candidate Profile

The North County Times is cycling through their candidate profiles for the upcoming elections and I will post them below so that readers can make an informed decision.  If a candidate in the Inland Empire would like me to post information about their campaign, I will do my best to be fair and balanced.

All posts containing candidate profiles or event/campaign releases will be posted free of any commentary on my part.

Mike Naggar

When Mike Naggar first ran for Temecula's City Council in 1999, he ran on a platform that included suing the county for allowing runaway development without having infrastructure in place.

"That's probably still one of my proudest accomplishments. The result of those suits led to growth management practices countywide," said Naggar, who is serving as the city's mayor.

Naggar is one of five candidates vying for two seats on the Temecula City Council. Also on the Nov. 4 ballot are office manager Albert Abbott, 29; retiree Rita Hernandez, 73; barber and businessman James "Stew" Stewart, 47; and pilot Chuck Washington, 55, the other incumbent in the race.

Naggar, 46, works as a land development and planning consultant in Perris.

In Temecula, Naggar said there is still much he would like to get accomplished. This November, Naggar will seek his third term on the council so that he can see three of his main goals come to fruition.

Topping his list is moving forward with the city's plan for $250 million worth of roadway improvements, including the construction of the French Valley Parkway Interchange. He said that $140 million project will help alleviate traffic on main city thoroughfares, such as Winchester Road, as well as reduce congestion on Interstates 15 and 215.

"Keep in mind, this is what we are working on now," he said noting that $83 million in road improvements have been completed since 2000, when Naggar first began serving on the council. He lists the widening of Winchester and Rancho California roads, as well as the Diaz Road realignment, among his roadwork-related accomplishments.

Naggar's second goal is to find a permanent, approximately 50-acre site for a Cal State San Marcos campus. An extension office of the school will begin offering nursing classes this September after a yearlong effort by Naggar and other city leaders to lure the public university to Temecula.

"We've landed Cal State San Marcos here and got them open," he said. "We've also had Concordia and Mt. San Jacinto come to Temecula as well as Redlands College come to Murrieta. The goal is not that Temecula land every college campus, but that we have higher education in the region. It's an extremely important economic development tool."

The city has also fostered the formation of a foundation that will raise funds for higher education; Naggar was appointed as a member of that foundation last week.

Rounding out the councilman's top three goals for his next term is getting a hospital planned in southern Temecula built.

"The hospital was approved in 2006, the legal hurdles were overcome and now we have to hold their hand through the end of the process," Naggar said. "The hospital is not only vitally important to the health care needs of the region, but it will also bring jobs here."

Naggar said that moving forward with all three issues ---- roads, higher education and the hospital ---- will lead to a better quality of life for residents of the city. He said the special quality of the town is what drew him to Temecula to begin a family with his wife, Mylah, in 1991. The couple has two children: Sienna, 16, and Liam, 3.

While there are things he would like to improve, he says he can't deny the progress that has already occurred in the rapidly growing city, such as the highest police-to-resident ratio in the county: 1 to 910, a park ranger program, four-person staffing on fire engines ---- which allows firefighters to attack a blaze more quickly ---- and 200 acres of open space he helped acquire for the city at the cost of $1.

"In the past nine years, we've accomplished a great deal of victories but there is a lot left to do. Temecula is one of the premier cities in the state of California and in order to stay that way we can never rest on our laurels."

Contact staff writer Nicole Sack at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2616, or nsack@californian.com.

Mike Naggar

-- Age: 46

-- Occupation: Land-use consultant

-- Civic involvement: Incumbent, served on City Council since 1999; planning commissioner, 1997 to 1999; League of CA Cities Policy Committee on Housing & Economic Development; � General Plan Update Committee (Traffic Element); Vail Elementary School Site Council; Temecula Valley Unified School District Safe Schools Committee; California Republican Assembly treasurer; Boys and Girls Club board of directors; Coach: youth soccer and basketball; Starlight Ridge HOA

-- Contact: mike@mikenaggar.com or call (951) 551-7730

Another Email Blunder

Rita's email address is:  rvh-lajefa@msn.com

I know it is probably ticky-tack to nitpick on this stuff, but I think Rita Hernandez has also committed a blunder with her email address. 

The Temecula area is pretty well known for its anti-illegal immigration sentiment. I am not exactly sure that having anything in spanish in your email is the way to go about getting votes...

Temecula: Rita Hernandez Candidate Profile

The North County Times is cycling through their candidate profiles for the upcoming elections and I will post them below so that readers can make an informed decision.  If a candidate in the Inland Empire would like me to post information about their campaign, I will do my best to be fair and balanced.

All posts containing candidate profiles or event/campaign releases will be posted free of any commentary on my part.

Rita Hernandez

Rita Hernandez only has to look to Temecula's city seal ---- Old Traditions, New Opportunities ---- to underscore why she is running for City Council.

"I love old traditions," said Hernandez, 73. "And why not give someone new an opportunity to bring some different ideas to the table? Why does it have to be the same people, the same faces every year making the decisions for this city? I want to be a new face and a new voice for the people of Temecula."

Hernandez is one of five candidates vying for two seats on the Temecula City Council. Also on the Nov. 4 ballot are Albert Abbott, 29; Mike Naggar, 46; James "Stew" Stewart, 47; and Chuck Washington, 55. City Council terms are four years.

Hernandez has lived in Temecula since 1989. She had previously planned to run for office during the last election cycle, but her plans were curtailed by the death of her husband, Pascual "Pat" Hernandez. She credits her own zest for life and community to her three children, nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Hernandez identified her top three issues in the race as being a focus on youth and senior citizens; working people and safety.

"We've got our young ones covered, but our teens ---- ages 14 to 18 ---- are left out of the loop," she said. "You always hear these parents saying there is nothing for these kids to do. We have movies in the park and sports park, but there are still those who aren't satisfied. We could do better."

Hernandez said she has been in contact with other cities that have alternative programs and approaches for reaching that specific demographic, though she is not yet ready to reveal her plans. She also would like to see more attention given to the city's senior citizens.

Hernandez said the construction of a second senior center, more centrally located to the population base of Temecula, is one avenue the city could take to increase services to older generations. She also suggested forming an advisory committee that would make recommendations to the council on senior citizen issues.

There also needs to be a better way of assisting the working population of Temecula, she said, adding that the daily commutes residents endure to travel to high-paying jobs outside the county will eventually take a toll on them. She said more recruitment needs to be done to lure new employers to Temecula.

"I know that we have several large companies that employ people here in town," she said. "But I think we need to do more to recruit more companies. It's something that needs to be discussed and explored further."

She suggests creating a city committee to entice new companies to come to the community.

For Hernandez, the issue of safety ranges from better handling of traffic to making sure neighborhoods are secure during this time of rampant foreclosures.

"We have a fantastic police department, but things do still happen," she said citing a recent burglary near her home. "I think we need to try to avoid as many of those problems as we can."

She suggests working with the police chief to determine what existing programs, such as Temecula Citizens Corps or the gang task force, are the most effective. At that point, she said, the city could bolster the programs that yield the best results by diverting resources away from others that are not effective.

Hernandez said she worked in the medical field for 34 years, until she retired from her job as a medical office manager in 1986. She said she has been a volunteer for the Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival and the Arts Council of Temecula Valley. She serves on the pastoral council at St. Catherine's Catholic Church.

She said though she never had a title for her efforts, she successfully petitioned to have Avenida de la Reina closed off to through traffic and fought against a "bus barn" being built in her neighborhood.

"I think I'm well-qualified and have life experiences to be a successful city leader," she said.

Contact staff writer Nicole Sack at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2616, or nsack@californian.com.

Rita Hernandez

-- Age: 73

-- Occupation: Retiree

-- Civic involvement: Volunteer for the Temecula Valley International Film Festival, the Arts Council of Temecula Valley, and for Birth Choice. She serves on the pastoral council at St. Catherine's Church.

-- E-mail: rvh-lajefa@msn.com

Brief Thoughts on Albert Abbot

Don't have much time to comment on the article below and will add some more thoughts later. 

I simply wanted to point out that I find Abbot's public email address to be an odd choice.  "GonzoMurrieta"?  I find it bizzarre.

Not that any person running for city council needs to be ready for "prime time", but come on.  In the grand scheme of things, this is a pretty minor thing to get your dander up over.  Hopefully, there will be some discussion about the issues important to the people of Temecula.

Temecula: Albert Abbot Candidate Profile

The North County Times is cycling through their candidate profiles for the upcoming elections and I will post them below so that readers can make an informed decision.  If a candidate in the Inland Empire would like me to post information about their campaign, I will do my best to be fair and balanced.

All posts containing candidate profiles or event/campaign releases will be posted free of any commentary on my part.

Albert Abbot

Albert Abbott is running in the November election for City Council because, while he says Temecula is a great place to live, he adds that he believes there is still a ways to go to make it a well-rounded community.

"Everyone says they love to live in Temecula, but no one really says this is the place where they work and play," he said. "I suppose that is why I am running, because why not make Temecula the place to live, work and play?"

Abbot, 29, has lived in Temecula since 1984. He graduated from Temecula Valley High School in 1997. Later, while he still lived in Temecula, he commuted to Cal State San Marcos where, he said, he earned a bachelor's degree in psychology.

"I love Temecula," he said. "That's why I never left. I stayed here with my family, and now I've started my own family. Temecula is a wonderful place to live. It's centrally located. I don't want to live in Los Angeles or San Diego, but I want to be able to travel to those places for entertainment."

Abbott is one of five candidates vying for two seats on the Temecula City Council. Also on the Nov. 4 ballot are retiree Rita Hernandez, 73; incumbent Mike Naggar, 46, a businessman; barber and business owner James "Stew" Stewart, 47; and incumbent Chuck Washington, 55, a pilot. City Council terms are four years.

Abbott said he has lived in Temecula for three years with his fiancee, Michele Herring. The couple have a son, Joseph, who will be 2 in October.

Abbott worked as a human resources manager at Pechanga Resort & Casino. He said he also worked at a local movie theater and in the human relations department of Home Depot in Temecula ---- at which time he took night classes and earned a master's degree in business administration.

He now works as an office manager for a family-run investment firm.

"Working at a home-based business gives me more freedom than a typical 9-to-5 job," he said. "I may not be politically connected, but I read the local papers, I talk to people and I've grown up here. Some people feel the city is going in the wrong direction, while some are very happy. There is room to have that mix of opinions."

Abbott said his three major issues are traffic, luring higher-paying jobs to Temecula and creating more higher education and trade school opportunities.

He also believes there should be more thought given to what happens to students after they graduate high school.

"Where people go after high school to get an education is likely where they will stay to begin their careers, because businesses have gravitated to those environments and the potential work force," he said.

Abbott said there should be a greater offering of trade schools and corporate partnerships, so education can quickly result in employment for students.

"I think we have more than enough restaurant workers and sign twirlers in Temecula," he said. "We need more job opportunities that will offer at a minimum $45,000 a year and which will allow people to afford to live here."

Having more employment interrelates with Abbott's other top issue ---- traffic.

"Every morning, hundreds of thousands of people are getting on our freeways, heading to their jobs in San Diego, L.A., and Orange County," he said.

Besides congesting the roads, he said, those long drive times also cut into residents' time spent with their families, and result in a loss of sleep and added frustration. He said it is not uncommon to be at an intersection where signs warn of potential $371 tickets for red light violations, yet some drivers still take a risk to cut down their drive times.

"People are so frustrated that they will chance those huge fines just to get home, but those actions are causing an unsafe environment for all of us," he said.

While he said there are long-term bus, light rail and trolley options the city should consider, he has other suggestions for making travel easier on residents, such as synchronizing traffic signals based on hourly demands and deactivating some timers and sensors at peak hours so main thoroughfares can flow better.

Albert H. Abbott II

-- Age: 29

-- Occupation: Office manager

-- Civic involvement: volunteer at the Temecula Balloon & Wine Festival

-- E-mail: gonzomurrieta@aol.com