Menifee 24/7 newspaper Oct 17, 2018 by Doug Spoon

Menifee 24/7

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OCT. 17, 2018

VOL. 3 NO. 4

This 10-year-old is all grown up Menifee celebrates a milestone birthday By DOUG SPOON Editor There has been a town called Menifee for more than a century, since some time after a man named Luther Menifee Wilson first staked a gold mining claim in this Valley in the 1880s. But it wasn’t until the first decade of the 2000s that a group of local residents got together and, with the support of Riverside County officials, gained incorporation for the city that has celebrated

its 10th birthday all month long. The official date of incorporation was Oct. 1, 2008. That marked the culmination of an effort that included adding the unincorporated areas of Menifee Valley, Romoland and Quail Valley to the retirement community of Sun City in what became the City of Menifee. Local residents approved cityhood by vote that summer, and a lot has happened since then. Looking back through the Menifee 24/7 archives,

we note some of the highlights of that special year in the history of Menifee: June 7, 2008: Menifee 24/7 owner/editor Steve Johnson reported final results of the voting from the County Registrar of Voters. Although there was resistance from many “old-timers” in Sun City who opposed incorporation, cityhood Measure F received 61 percent of the vote with 6,095 “yes” votes to 3,882 “no” votes. In addition, the city See BIRTHDAY A/6

File photo In this photo from July 2008, original Menifee City Council members John Denver (passenger seat), Fred Twyman, Darcy Kuenzi and Wallace Edgerton ride in the Independence Day Parade. Scott Mann is not pictured.

Jake Drost: A life taken too soon

By DOUG SPOON Editor

Messages of love and support continued to pour in this week following the Oct. 5 death of Jake Drost, a 14-year-old freshman at Paloma Valley High School in Menifee. Jake was doing something he loved – running during drills at an early morning workout of his school’s NJROTC battalion – when he collapsed on the track inside the football stadium. Staff members performed emergency measures on Drost before he was transported to a local hospital, where he died. Jake was born with a heart defect and had endured several heart surgeries in his young life but had been cleared by a doctor to work out and loved his NJROTC unit, his father Jeff told the Riverside Press-Enterprise. Although his life was cut short by what was reported to be cardiac arrest, his memory lives on through those who knew him. In the hours following news of his death, Jake’s NJROTC fellow cadets and other students gathered around a school flagpole, where the flag was lowered to half-staff. Many knelt in silent tribute and prayer. Some

Two of his older brothers, dressed in military uniform, took part in the opening coin toss of the annual football game between Paloma Valley and Heritage high schools Oct. 12. The next night, a large crowd gathered at Wheatfield Park for a candlelight vigil. And on Oct. 16, family and friends gathered at a church in Temecula for Jake’s celebration of life. The outpouring of love for the enthusiastic and well-liked young man was reflected in a message posted by his family on the GoFundMe page:

Photo courtesy of Candace Reines Paloma Valley High School students kneel around a flag at half-staff Oct. 5 following the death of freshman Jake Drost (inset photo). made signs and left flowers and candles on campus. Residents gathered at the Drost home in expressions of support.

Several fundraisers for the family were organized. The largest, a GoFundMe page, generated more than $9,000 in the first nine days. It can

be accessed at www.gofundme.com/drost-family. Jake comes from a military family and wanted to serve as well.

Thank you so much for your kind words, love, support and prayers. Today, tomorrow, and every day for the rest of our lives we mourn our baby Jake and our lives are forever changed and hearts will be forever broken by this loss. Jake was the sweetest boy and had so much life to give and he was taken from us too soon. Life is not fair and it’s definitely too short. Never take it for granted. Love and hug your families a little harder today and every day because you never know when it’s over. I love you all and please continue to pray for my kids and my family.

You can’t afford not to vote Everyone is talking about the importance of the November mid-term elections from a national and state viewpoint. We’re not here to argue those issues. Our focus is on Menifee, and the intent here is to convince every registered voter to exercise their right to help determine the future of our fair city. We have previously discussed the campaign platforms of candidates running for Menifee City

Council and the Menifee Union School District governing board. We invited those candidates to public forums and allowed them to state their case. Video broadcasts of those forums are still available on the Menifee 24/7 Facebook and website pages. Today our emphasis is on three ballot measures that will have an impact on the lives of Menifee residents – whether personally, through taxes paid, or indirectly, through the

Doug Spoon

form of city government used. Becoming informed on these issues is important as Menifee voters prepare to cast their votes. On the next few pages, you will read a simple explanation of each: -- Measure W, a bond measure to raise funds to help build a new high school in Menifee. -- Measure I, which would change the office of Menifee mayor from an at-large elected position to a rotating position among five Menifee City Council

district representatives. -- Measure J, which would repeal term limits for City Council members. Careful study of these measures is necessary to make an informed decision. To remain neutral and be fair in our presentation, we have invited residents and local officials to write “pro and con” arguments on each ballot measure. We urge you to read these carefully and make the best decisions possible.

MUSD: A war of words

Online comments spark controversy Menifee 24/7 Staff In a self-evaluation workshop Oct. 8, members of the Menifee Union School District board identified the need to improve the board’s communication with the public. Concern was expressed about how board members should -- or whether they should -- respond individually to others on social media. That concern was brought to light the next day during the MUSD regular board meeting, when the one incumbent seeking re-election to the board was confronted by the head of the Menifee Teachers Association. In objecting to trustee Jerry Bowman’s comments on Facebook about some of the other candidates running for MUSD board seats in November, MTA President Shelli Sullivan showed just how heated the school board race has become. A strained relationship between MUSD teachers and a board they say shows them little respect certainly doesn’t appear to be getting any better heading toward the election. At issue in the latest war of words is the MTA’s endorsement of candidates running for three seats on the five-member board. Those endorsed include Kyle Root, who is running against Jason Rider in Area 3; Jackie Johansen, who is running against Dennis Silva in Area 4; and Kenyon Jenkins, who is one of five candidates in Area 5, including Bowman. Area 3 incumbent Ron Ulibarri died after a lengthy illness in August; Area 4 incumbent Randy Freeman has chosen to See MUSD / A2

Oct. 17, 2018

MENIFEE 24/7

Measure W: Proposal for school funds Bond is a necessity to build high school

PUHSD taxes have shown little results

By Jennafer Griswold Past President Menifee Valley Council PTA

By Arthur Ma

A Yes vote on Measure W is the only solution to school overcrowding, ensuring a new high school will finally be built for Menifee. Measure W will provide safe schools and access to high quality instructional programs to prepare all students for college and skilled trades. As a 20-year resident, I have always appreciated all of the things that make our community such a great place to live and raise a family. Friendly neighbors, a vibrant and supportive community and quality local schools all add to our unique quality of life and strong local property values. Those of you who know me know that I have dedicated my life to advocating for the children in this area. I have served in

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the PTA from the school level up through the 23rd District level. I have worked with young children within the Menifee Union School District, where I worked for 10 years, and currently work with high school students in the Perris Union High School District. Over the past few years, the communities in the areas served by Perris Union High School District -- including Menifee, Perris, Romoland, Nuevo and part of Murrieta, Winchester and Lake Elsinore – have been growing at an exponential rate. It seems each year more houses are being built as families continue to move to the area. The result of this growth is very apparent in local schools, where classroom overcrowding has taken its toll on the quality of education. Take Paloma Valley High School, for example, where I currently serve as a Paraeducator and where my children recently graduated. Originally, that campus was built for 2,200 students, but today it serves over 3,200. Looking at the current enrollment in local elementary and middle

Measure W is proposed as a bond measure to construct a high school for Menifee, additional classrooms at high schools serving Perris, Romoland, and Nuevo, relieve severe overcrowding, and improve schools, and student safety,. This Perris Union High School District measure would authorize $148 million in bonds at legal rates, levying approximately 3¢/$100 assessed value (averaging $10 million annually) while bonds are outstanding, with citizen oversight and all money locally controlled. In 2012, voters approved Measure T, which raised $153 million for PUHSD. Approximately $75 million of that amount was set aside for construction of a new high school in Menifee. District officials planned to receive the other $75 million from the state, but that amount has not been delivered.

In 2012, Menifee taxpayers approved Measure T, which authorized $153 million in bonds to allow Perris Union High School District to “upgrade” and “update” its schools and classrooms as well as build a high school in Menifee. PUHSD promised that the new high school “would support eventual unification.” That was the PUHSD promise written on the 2012 ballot. It was the primary reason Menifee voters approved Measure T. It also explained why did Measure T received an overwhelming 61.83 percent approval. However, when it comes to Measure W, it may not be the same anymore. If one reads the language of Measure W carefully, it is not hard to find there are many troublesome areas that will cause the voter dismay. It is because it reads simi-

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lar to Measure T, except it’s missing the words “support eventual unification.” Directly extracted from the voting guide, “Measure W will authorize $148 million in bonds at legal rates (levying approximately 3 cents per $100 assessed value) for Perris Union High School District to construct a high school for Menifee, additional classrooms at schools serving Perris, Romoland, and Nuevo.” (Note: this is the same high school that Menifee taxpayers had already approved in 2012 and have been paying for through Measure T since 2013.) It is evident that this is a re-enactment of old tricks by the PUHSD. The bonds are not solely for the new high school. Measure W will also allow PUHSD to modernize, improve its facility safety systems. Also, it will improve facility safety with smoke detectors, fire alarms, and sprinklers as well as enable the Perris Union High School District to expand and construct physical education facilities and modernize school facilities. There is no specific method to explain See NO ON W / A5

See YES ON W / A5

MUSD From Page A1

run for a seat on the Perris Union High School District board. Root, Johansen and Jenkins all are spouses of teachers in MUSD -something Bowman has publicly stated on multiple Facebook pages he believes is a conflict of interest. The degree to which he has stated his position and responded to comments on Facebook threads prompted a lengthy reaction from Sullivan Oct. 9 during her regular MTA report to the board. “Mr. Bowman believes our candidates have been specifically solicited because they have spouses in the district and that any board member married to a teacher in the district would gain financially,” Sullivan said, referring to allegations that such trustees could vote to increase teacher wages and therefore benefit themselves. “The candidates we selected (for endorsement) were chosen because of their dedication to the needs of the community, their extensive knowledge of the issues our district faces, and most of all their commitment to serving all stakeholders, especially the students. They have the leadership to bring our district into the next decade -- and it insults them and our teachers to insinuate they are interested in serving so they can increase their spouses’ paychecks.” Sullivan pointed out

Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon Shelli Sullivan, president of the Menifee Teachers Association, addresses the school board Oct. 9. that board members are not part of the bargaining team that negotiates contracts with the teachers, who are working without a contract and are among the lowest paid teachers in Riverside County. In social media posts, Bowman has been accused of suggesting that the election of such candidates would be against board policy, then deleting his comments when shown portions of the board bylaws that show otherwise. Restricted by the Brown Act from responding to Sullivan’s comments during the board meeting, Bowman denied those allegations when contacted by Menifee 24/7 after the meeting. “I simply posted that it presents potential for a

conflict interest,” Bowman wrote in an email to Menifee 24/7. “I also provided slides that explain various scenarios by a law firm from a training. As to serving on the board, of course it can happen. However, any involvement in closed session conversations that has anything to do with bargaining, etc., they would not be able to participate. “I have pointed out that whether I get voted in or not, there are several very viable candidates that do not carry this political baggage.” Joe Long, Debbi Manion and William Hoag also are running for the Area 5 board position. Bowman regularly posts on social media the names of individuals who have

endorsed him. In these posts, he said he has not sought the endorsement of any group, however. Sullivan said during her remarks to the board that Bowman and Ulibarri “initially expressed interest in our endorsement until they received our questionnaire. After they recognized what concerns the MTA had, Mr. Ulibarri and Mr. Bowman chose not to seek the endorsement of the MTA.” Bowman gave a different explanation. “I was approached with an email about whether I would be interested in their endorsement and I responded I would be interested in talking,” Bowman said. “However, before I received anything from them, I had decided

what I told them in my written response. My response to them later had nothing to do with the questions (on the questionnaire). It stated that I was not going to seek endorsements from any organization or group and would not ask for or accept any money for my campaign to prevent any perception of favoritism or conflict of interest.” Although social media has become a major platform for discussion among the candidates, teachers and parents on this issue, there has been one opportunity for faceto-face discussion of the issues in a public setting. Menifee 24/7 hosted a Candidates Forum on Sept. 27 and the issue of candidates married to

teachers was discussed. Bowman did not attend that forum. It is clear that the disagreement extends far beyond the issue of candidates married to teachers. Difficult salary negotiations in recent years and complaints by teachers about working conditions are also issues in a campaign that has produced multiple candidates for the first time in 10 years. “Our teachers are tired of the condescension we have received from this board,” Sullivan said during her remarks to trustees. “We are tired of not being heard when we shared how inappropriate the curriculum was. We’re tired of working in broken down portable classrooms where roofs cave in after the first heavy rains. Respect is what we are hoping for and expect from a new board.” In the self-evaluation workshop -- a public meeting that was attended only by Menifee 24/7 and one other person -Freeman first raised the concerns about communication with the public through social media. “It goes back to the interactive nature of it,” he said. “How do we respond?” Bowman replied, “We’re a board member 24 hours a day. We can’t separate being a board member from being a personal Facebook user. I suggest the entire board go through training to discuss a lot of these things.” Meanwhile, a heated school board race gets even hotter.

Oct. 17, 2018

MENIFEE 24/7

Measure I: Status of mayor’s position Mayor’s job should not be separate role

Measure will rob citizens of rights

By Greg August and Lesa Sobek Menifee City Council Members

By Anne Pica, Grant Yoders and John Smelser

The voters’ decision to create the position of Mayor at Large in 2012 was well intended, but time and experience has shown it to be costly, awkward and cumbersome for the mayor, council members, and city staff. Although most voters perceive Menifee’s mayor as a “working mayor,” he is actually a ceremonial mayor, with no more power or authority than a council member representing a specific district. He is really a council member without a district, although elected by all the people, in a much more expensive election than district elections. The mayor runs the meetings, signs documents, is the face of the city and has one vote, just like the rest of the council members. It is felt that it would be better for

Editor’s note: Anne Pica was the author of ballot Measure AA, passed by the voters in 2010, creating the mayor’s position as an at-large position. This commentary was originally published in the Riverside County Voters Guide.

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the City and its residents to adopt a form of governance similar to most surrounding cities, rotating the mayoral position annually, giving each district the opportunity to be represented by the mayor. The rotation of districts would give more representation to each district. Under the Mayor at Large system, depending what district the mayor lives in, a district can have two elected representatives. This could result in legal challenges in the future. Menifee is growing into a big city with 102,000 residents expected by 2020. As Menifee continues to grow, it would be an opportune time to go to five districts. This would give the citizens better representation. A rotating mayor position would provide stability to the city if a mayor unexpectedly leaves for any reason. This change would be best for Menifee’s future. Voting yes on Measure “I” will require the city to form five districts, subsequent to the results of the 2020 Census. Districts would not be formed until after analysis

File photo Bill Zimmerman, appointed to fulfill a mayoral term after the death of Neil Winter, serves as mayor at large rather than a district rep.

The Menifee City Council has placed before the voters the question of whether to create a fifth City Council District and eliminate the citywide election of the Mayor, starting in 2022. The Menifee Municipal Code currently provides for four City Council Districts. Each City Council District elects a City Council Member. The Mayor is selected separately based on a citywide election. If Measure I is adopted, residents in each of five districts would vote for one council member. The City Council would then rotate the mayor’s position.

See YES ON I / A4

The original measure authorizing mayoral elections passed in 2010 with 74 percent voter approval. We’ve been choosing our mayor by free elections ever since. Now this City Council wants to rob you of your right to elect the mayor of your choosing, so that they can privately select a mayor from among themselves. The council voted 4-1 in favor of this ploy, with the only dissenting vote from the late Mayor Neil Winter. This is the third time City Council has

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tried to kill the people’s vote -- first in 2008, second time in 2010. I (Pica) spoke in opposition to Measure I at the City Council meeting and received a phone call from a council member who tried to explain the reason for getting rid of the mayor position. She stated they needed to place themselves on county boards that only the mayor gets to sit on. How un-American is that and so self-serving to think only of their political gain and deny citizens the right to vote? This City Council has wasted thousands of taxpayer dollars to put Measure I on the Ballot, all to advance their own political careers? REALLY?? Please don’t let them get away with it! Having a mayor elected by the people rather than selected by the City Council has served Menifee well. The voters need to continue electing our mayor at the ballot box, rather than self-serving politicians selecting a mayor in back room deals at City Hall. Please join the late Mayor Winter and the citizens of Menifee and vote NO on Measure I.

Measure J: Repeal council term limits? Limits put Menifee at a disadvantage

2010 decision by voters should stand

By Greg August and Lesa Sobek Menifee City Council members

By Ken Laymon

A limit of two four-year terms for Menifee City Council members and the mayor hurts the City. It puts the City at a distinct disadvantage in terms of regional power, city planning, continuity, and council/staff stability. Experience shows that two four-year terms is not enough time to ripen one’s skills and expand the knowledge needed to make the most informed decisions for the City and our residents. Surrounding cities without term limits have a decided advantage when seeking executive board positions for regional agencies, meaning Menifee will have little influence in regional planning. Local term limits remove those council members who may be the most talented, most respected, hardworking and effective leaders – those who truly make a difference in our community. Some elected leaders are too important to lose, deserving the opportunity to serve until the voters decide otherwise. Since incorporation, Menifee voters have voted four leaders out of office, meaning Menifee voters are engaged, informed, and know who their elected leaders are. After the November 2018 election, the average years of experience on the City Council will be less than three years. In 2020, it could go as low as one year. Term limits of two four-year terms will prevent the city from ever having a council member with more than eight years’ experience, and in all probability, much less. This can result in a decided disadvantage in the “people’s power,” as it relates

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See YES ON J / A4

To the citizens of Menifee:

John Denver, who leaves office next month, will become the first Menifee City Council member to leave because of term limits.

The Menifee City Council has placed before the voters the question of whether to eliminate term limits that are currently applicable to City Council members and the mayor. The Menifee Municipal Code currently specifies that any person who has served two successive terms or eight consecutive years as a council member shall be ineligible to serve in that office again until an intervening two- year period has elapsed.

In November 2010, you, the voters of Menifee, approved Measure Z overwhelmingly with more than 81 percent of the vote, thereby imposing term limits on all of those who would serve our city as council members. You wisely demonstrated an understanding of the consequences of having our elected officials remain in office for long periods of time, whereby they could become influenced by the pressures of special interests, tempted by money and power, while at the same time becoming removed and distant from the very people they serve -- you. The fact is even good people can become corrupted and out of touch with constituents when they remain in office too long.

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Witness the U.S. Congress today. Term limits are a necessary tool in the ever-present fight for responsible government, yet our Menifee City Council is today telling us that such limits are unnecessary for them and that the measure you, the voters, approved should be repealed. I ask you, who would be best served by such an action, incumbent council members or the public? What might the motivation be to seek unlimited terms for council members? Would the removal of existing term limits really be in the best interest of our citizens and our communities? Perhaps a better question is, why does our city council continue to show such disdain for the will of the voters? The arguments for and against term See NO ON J / A4

YES ON I From Page A3

of the 2020 Census. The voters will vote for a mayor in 2020, but it would be a two-year term. Therefore, elections in the five formed districts would not occur until 2022. The City of Menifee, as a General Law City, is a manager/council form of government, not a mayor/council form of government. The Mayor At Large form of governance has brought about a lot of confusion as to how we all relate and are responsible to one another. Measure I, repeal of the Mayor at Large system, was voted on by the City Council and approved by a 4-1 vote in favor of “repeal.” Vote YES on Measure I to repeal the Mayor at Large system.

Mediacom will offer scholarships Mediacom Communications is offering $55,000 in scholarship support for high school seniors who plan to obtain further education. The scholarship program is in its 18th consecutive year and Mediacom’s investment will award $1,000 World Class Scholarships to 55 high school seniors. Scholarship recipients are given the flexibility to use the financial award to support educational expenses for higher education or vocational training from any accredited post-secondary institution starting in the fall of 2019. Applications for Mediacom’s World Class Scholarships are available online at www.mediacomworldclass.com. Deadlne is Feb. 15, 2009.

Oct. 17, 2018

MENIFEE 24/7

Scott Road groundbreaking held By DOUG SPOON Editor Local and regional officials gathered Oct. 11 to celebrate the groundbreaking of the next major project in the City of Menifee’s Capital Improvement Projects plan -- the Scott Road Interchange. Ten years in the making and following numerous delays in securing funding, the $57.8 million project will include a new Scott Road bridge over the 215 Freeway, built just north of the current bridge and expanded to six lanes. The interchange will include a partial cloverleaf ramp design, with looping on- and off-ramps. When completed -- an estimated 18 months from now -- the project will dramatically improve traffic circulation on the south end of the city. “It’s definitely a proud moment in Menifee today as we celebrate the start of this project,” said Jonathan Smith, director of public works for the

Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon City and regional officials take part in the Scott Road groundbreaking event. City of Menifee. “This interchange project will provide easier access to the freeway and improved traffic flow east and west on Scott Road. It will relieve the kind of congestion that many of you today know about.” The original plan for a bridge 11 lanes wide was modified to reduce cost and avoid problems with

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contribution from Riverside County. “It’s a historic day for Menifee,” Mayor Bill Zimmerman said to a crowd gathered for the ceremony. “Menifee is 10 years old, and what a birthday present this is for the city. We’ve experienced wonderful mobility improvements from the Newport Road project.

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From Page A3

to an imbalance in knowledge and experience between the council and city staff, while also inhibiting Menifee’s influence in City Council, recognition, power and influence throughout the region. If we want to attract the business, features and amenities the people say they want, we need well-seasoned, wellknown council members who need the time to learn and to cultivate relationships that give the city the opportunity to compete and thrive. Term limits is an im-

land acquisition on the south side of the current bridge, which includes business centers on both sides of the freeway. Even with the modifications, however, the final funding was not secured until voters approved the Measure DD 1 cent sales tax increase, which contributed $2.2 million to the project, along with a $15 million

From Page A3 pediment to success and a distinct disadvantage when competing against cities that opt not to employ them. The notion that politicians become corrupt as a result of time served is self-defeating. An informed public will weed out the politicians that serve improperly or violate the public’s trust. Measure J was voted on by the City Council and approved by a 3-2 vote. Elections are the means to make needed changes on the council. End term limits and trust the voters. Vote YES on Measure J.

limits are the same today as they were in 2010, so I will not restate all of them here. Suffice it to say that limiting the tenure of our council members and our mayor, whether he be elected at large as he is now, or selected on a rotating basis by the city council, is healthy for our city and necessary for responsible representation. It is incumbent upon all of us, the voters of Menifee, to ensure that this valuable tool is not lost, but remains in place as a check against self-serving politicians.

Our Menifee City Council, without any voter initiative, has placed Measure J on the November ballot in an effort to overturn Measure Z and repeal the term limit statute. I ask all Menifee voters to join me in defeating this repeal effort by voting NO on Measure J. Just the fact that this referendum originated with the council, and not the people, speaks volumes.

Lake Elsinore teenage girl dies in crash A 17-year-old girl from Lake Elsinore died in a single-vehicle crash on Railroad Canyon Road Oct. 13, authorities said. The County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Kennedie Ryan. Sheriff’s deputies responded at 10:35 a.m. to the westbound shoulder of Railroad Canyon Road near Church Road, according to a news release. A a black Cadillac traveling westbound had collided with a power pole.

The Scott Road project will be just as much of an improvement as Newport Road is. “Menifee is one of the fastest growing cities in Southern California. It’s the third fastest growing city in Riverside County. When you think about growth and how many vehicles are going to be on the road with all the homes that are coming, we need to have our infrastructure in place to handle all the growth that’s coming.” Many agencies have been involved in the planning and funding of the project, including Caltrans, the Riverside County Transportation Commission and Western Riverside Council of Governments. Many of those organizations were represented at Thursday’s ceremony. In addition to Smith, Zimmerman and City Council members Lesa Sobek and Matt Liesemeyer, speakers included County Supervisors Marion Ashley and Chuck Washington; David Bricker, deputy district director of environmental planning for Caltrans District 8; and John Standiford, deputy director of RCTC. Preliminary work has already begun with restriping of freeway lanes, placement of K-rail and installation of temporary electrical lines. This is resulting in some lane closures, which will be updated by the City and announced here. Thursday morning, crews were clearing a grove of trees near the southeast corner of Scott Road and Antelope Road in preparation for the wider approach to the new bridge. The new bridge will be completed just to the north of the current bridge, allowing traffic to continue on the old bridge during construction. Unlike the Newport Interchange, in which one loop is north of the bridge and and other south of the bridge, both loops will be north of the Scott Road bridge because of land acquisition restrictions on the south side. Westbound motorists on Scott Road wishing to head south on the freeway will use a looping onramp (4), similar to that on the Newport Road interchange. Also present were officials from Murrieta, whose boundaries include the southeast corner .

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MENIFEE 24/7

Oct. 17, 2018

Hometown girl puts heroes in spotlight TOMMIE BROWN Staff Writer As a new writer for Menifee 24/7 after relocating my life to my hometown from New York City, one of the projects I am most eager to bring back is the “Hometown Heroes” news feature. It made a quick debut at the beginning of this year, and will be brought back now as a regular column. Growing up in Menifee and being an active member of our town,

I first-hand have witnessed all the unsung heroes who live in our community. From the teachers who go above and beyond for students, to the coaches who volunteer endless hours in leading their teams, to the retail associates who makes sure every visit we have at a local store is pleasant and helpful, there are countless people in Menifee who deserve recognition. Having left Menifee for the last five years before recently moving

Hometown Heroes back into the city, I was reminded of all of the influential people who took part in raising me here. From kindergarten to Mt. San Jacinto College, there have been so many individuals I saw have a hand

in not only mine, but so many others’ success. It is my honor to take this Menifee 24/7 platform and use it to highlight others who have made a difference in our community and our lives.

If you know someone who has made a difference in your life or others, no matter how big or small the deed, email Menifee 24/7 at info@ menifee247.com and let us know who and why you feel that individual deserves a shoutout. Whether they be a member of City Council or a parent who leads a morning car pool, Menifee 24/7 is asking you to help us showcase the excellence you see day to day often goes unnoticed. Regardless of how

large Menifee expands, what businesses come and go, and what growth we are bound to see happen here, what never changes is the feeling of community we all share. “Hometown Heroes” is our way of letting the community know you are seen, and you are appreciated. Editor’s note: Tommie Brown, a graduate of Paloma Valley High School, returns to her hometown to join the staff of Menifee 24/7.

YES ON W From Page A2

schools, that number will very likely reach 4,000 within five years. That’s basically double the intended capacity and it will only keep growing from there. With that many students, there simply is not enough lab space to meet student demand for science, technology and engineering classes, meaning students can’t get the 21st Century education they need. Wait lists for AP Chemistry and other competitive academic programs are commonplace at local high schools. There are only so many seats in each class and only so many spots on each sports team. I see so many kids who are missing out on opportunities that would be available to them in less crowded schools. The biggest concern to me however, is the safety of our children, and crowded schools are unsafe for teachers and students alike. Working at Paloma Valley, I see the impact of overcrowding every day. Until we can build the high school for Menifee that it so clearly needs, this crowding will only get worse and the safety issues will only continue to grow. That’s why we need Measure W. It provides a dedicated, locally controlled source of funding that can only be spent on local secondary schools. The state can’t take one penny and the project list is straightforward. Specifically Measure W will: -- Build a new high school for Menifee to relieve classroom overcrowding at all schools and provide a path to future unification. -- Complete the final phase of construction at Perris High School, including additional career technology classrooms and establishing a single point of entry for student safety. -- Improve access to modern classrooms, labs and career training facilities to support quality instruction in math, science, engineering, technology and skilled trades. -- Increase access to career training facilities that prepare students for careers in healthcare,biomedical science, computer science, agriculture and skilled trades. The plans for the new high school have already been completed, the land has been purchased and half the money needed to build the school has already been secured. Mea-

sure W will provide the rest of the funds needed to build a new comprehensive high school for Menifee. You can see the plans for the new high school on the PUHSD website. On that page, you can also read more about the detailed public process undertaken by the district to closely examine the overcrowding issue in the year leading up to Measure W. The process was transparent, open and public, including three town halls and a survey mailed to all local residents. The result was the community-driven Measure W. Measure W requires a clear system of accountability, including a project list detailing exactly how the money will be used, a Citizens’ Oversight Committee and independent audits to ensure the money is spent properly. By law, no funds can be used for administrator salaries or benefits. For less than $7 per month for the average homeowner, we can solve the overcrowding problem once and for all. We know we can’t count on Sacramento to protect our students and do what is right for our area. The state is a notoriously unreliable funding partner to local school districts like ours, so we know that we’re going to have to solve the overcrowding problem on our own. Measure W is the local solution we need. It provides the funding needed to address the most urgent needs in local schools, with local funds under local control. At the end of the day, I believe that every student deserves a chance at 21st Century success at a safe school campus. That’s why I am so proudly voting Yes on Measure W. It will open the doors to the academic opportunities our kids need and deserve. Measure W is endorsed by the Menifee Valley Council PTA, which includes all the local school PTA units in Menifee and Perris, as well as the City of Menifee Mayor Bill Zimmerman and the City of Perris Mayor Michael Vargas. I hope you will join me and countless local parents, teachers, business leaders and community members of all ages in voting Yes on W: The local solution to school overcrowding. Visit www.YesonWforSchools.com for more information.

An architectural rendering shows part of the design for the new high school planned for Menifee.

NO ON W From Page A2

to voters how much PUHSD will utilize the bond funds on the high school and how much it will use on improving and modernizing the school facilities. Also, the ways to use the bond funds are ambiguous. Only a few words state the bond funds would “construct a high school.” Of course, Measure W never mentions or reminds taxpayers that they have already approved $153 million to build the same high school in 2012, and PUHSD is now using the same excuse to ask for more money. If Menifee taxpayers approve this new bond in November, it will start with the fiscal year 201920, and it will end in the fiscal year of 2047-48. Per the measure itself, this $148 million bond will re-

quire approximately $297 million in tax dollars to cover the debt service, principal and interest to pay back. With $149 million going to interest throughout 28 years, that is an average of $5.32 million a year frittered away on interest. Could PUHSD use that $5.32 million per year in their operating budget? Of course they could! How many extra benefits could students enjoy with the additional $5.32 million per year for the next 28 years? The improving and modernizing of the school facilities, security cameras and fencings are all regular maintenance issues. The administration should take care of all of these issues through their annual budget. It is disturbing to learn that Perris

Union High School District needs to authorize a 28-year general bond for itself to take care of its regular maintenance issues. It does highlight another question: How did PUHSD spend its annual budget previously? How could the administration allow all of these regular maintenances to be deferred and piled up without being addressed? Would voters refinance their homes and take a 30year loan to pay for their regular maintenance? There are many homeowners associations in the areas that have annual budgets with reserves funds that can pay for any significant improvements and repairs. While homeowners associations are made up of volunteers that don’t receive any pay-

ment for their services, all of the people at the top administration of PUHSD are receiving a very high salary to do their jobs. Why can they not even do a better job than the volunteers in the homeowners’ associations? The author also received many verified complaints from seniors who live in the Sun City and other 55+ communities that people are knocking on their doors and canvassing their neighborhoods with deceptive information. In the Internet era, old tricks will work well as long as people are confused and uninformed. So, please be informed and educated before voting. But for my family, and me, we will VOTE NO on W!

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Oct. 17, 2018

MENIFEE 24/7

BIRTHDAY From Page A1

name of Menifee won out over Menifee Valley, receiving 53 percent of the votes. And the top five recipients of votes for the original Menifee City Council were Wallace Edgerton (3,499 votes), Darcy Kuenzi (2,969), Scott Mann (2,571), Fred Twyman (2,561) and John Denver (2,457). As the top vote getter, Edgerton was proclaimed mayor. June 8, 2008: With no City Hall, the first City Council meeting of a city nor yet incorporated took place in the Kay Ceniceros Center, a county facility that is now under city control at Newport Road and Evans Road. As Johnson noted in his Menifee 24/7 report, city business was not the only priority that night, however. “The assembly hall we were gathered in had to be vacated by 6 p.m. because another group had it reserved,” Johnson wrote. “So we all moved into a different room that was very tiny and cramped, about the size of someone’s bedroom. One of the attorneys there, representing a law firm, and who was competing for business, addressed the council, saying that there was not enough room to fit everyone, and many others could not see or hear the meeting, and therefore it constituted a violation of the Brown Act.” The meeting was adjourned until further business could be conducted. Aug. 18, 2008: Betti Cadmus, public information for the Menifee Union School District, reported that “new fam-

File photo The first Menifee City Council meeting was held even before official incorporation, on June 8, 2008. From left are Scott Mann, Darcy Kuenzi, Wallace Edgerton, Fred Twyman and John Denver. The meeting was held in the Kay Ceniceros Senior Center. ilies moving into Menifee” was the reason for a recent increase in student enrollment to 8,536. Today, district enrollment is well over 10,000. “The home foreclosures and short sales have perhaps reached a saturation point where Menifee is looking very attractive to those in higher rent communities in San Diego and Orange Counties,” Johnson wrote. “Or at least, that’s my take anyways. All these younger students moving in will make it tougher for unification to become reality.” Ten years later, unification still has not taken

place. Sept. 15, 2008: From Johnson’s report on public safety: “Commander Jim Mcilvane of the Perris Sheriff’s Substation gave a presentation of their proposed service to Menifee. It was a long presentation, so to make a long story short, here’s the big stuff. “Total cost would be $7,267,714 for 20082009. However, he’s suggesting a higher price of $7,464,415, which includes a couple of Community Service Officers. These CSOs are sworn officers that handle all the petty stuff so that armed

The Menifee Teachers Association endorses KENYON JENKINS for Menifee School Board, Area 5

deputies can spend more time doing the big stuff. “He’s still suggesting 29 sworn deputies to patrol all of Menifee.” Today, police protection through the Sheriff’s Department costs nearly $17 million for 54 sworn officers. Oct. 1, 2008: According to Johnson, the highlight of the official incorporation ceremony, held in a packed auditorium at Bell Mountain Middle School, was the speech given by Edgerton. “The guy electrified the audience,” Johnson wrote. “He spoke with such great conviction, you could

see the words drawing up from his chest. If the mayor personifies Teddy Roosevelt’s mantra of ‘speak softly and carry a big stick’, then tonight we saw the big stick. “ ‘Come hell or high water, we promise this city will maintain a surplus in its budget!’ were words he hammered out with authority to the roar of the audience. When he promised not to raise taxes and fees on the people, his intensity put George Bush Sr’s ‘read my lips’ speech to shame. He had total confidence when he reminded the audience that we have a conserva-

tive council who promised to not blow our money the way state and federal governments have done. “I even saw (County Supervisor) Jeff Stone’s head nodding with approval when the mayor promised to build more parks and preserve the rural nature of Menifee so that ‘children will not have to grow up in a sea of asphalt!’” Whether all that remains true is a matter of opinion. The fact is, Menifee has experienced a huge growth spurt since then. What does the next 10 years hold for Menifee? Time will tell.

GLORIA SANCHEZ Retired Business Owner “A history

of leadership... A Lifetime of Service.”

My name is Gloria Sanchez and I’m proud to announce my candidacy for the Menifee City Council representing District 4 in the November 2018 election.

Kenyon Jenkins has been a Menifee resident for over 15 years. He stands for sound management of district budgets and he has extensive experience in national and international business. He advocates for Special Needs students. Kenyon promotes an improved curriculum for all students. He seeks to develop a partnership between parents, teachers, board members, district leaders, and community members. When elected to Area 5 on the Menifee Union School Board, Kenyon pledges to: -- Make the classroom the focus of the district budget -- Strengthen the district’s special education program to better serve student needs -- Commit to coordinating across-the-board teacher input to design and provide quality curriculum -- Develop and build a partnership with parents, teachers, district leaders, and the Menifee community “The school board’s role is to uphold the

overall direction, goals, and mission statement of the district. We do this by putting families first, properly supporting teachers and staff and communicating the goals to the superintendent to uphold the board’s vision.”

Paid for by Menifee Teachers Assn. PAC #1402820

• I have lived in Menifee for the past 17 years in The Oasis Senior Community. • I strongly believe in planned growth, quality growth and smart growth for Menifee. • I believe in strong communities that are actively raising their youth, nurturing neighborhood relationships, and embracing and honoring senior citizens and veterans. • Public safety is very important; let’s make this a priority. • I will push for real solutions in road improvements. • My plan is to protect and preserve what we already have, but show that Menifee is also business friendly. • We need effective, unbiased, elected ofﬁcials who can face the challenges ahead of us. • A lifetime of service has prepared me for this council seat, having worked with youth, seniors, veterans, and the community at large.

VOTE GLORIA SANCHEZ FOR MENIFEE CITY COUNCIL Paid for by Gloria Sanchez for City Council ID #1406876

Inside Menifee 24/7 OCT. 17, 2018

www.menifee247.com

SECTION B1

Heritage wins a soggy Menifee Bowl Lightning puts early end to game By DOUG SPOON Editor The Menifee Bowl was heavily impacted by Thunder and Lightning -in more ways than one. As lightning bolts lit up the sky and thunder rolled around Heritage High School Oct. 12, the Heritage running back tandem with that meteoric nickname helped lead the Patriots to a 42-14 victory over crosstown rival Paloma Valley. Ika Tuatala -- nicknamed Thunder by his coach -- ran for 125 yards and three touchdowns and Kenny Teter -- AKA Lightning -- had a big interception return and two touchdowns. Heritage (6-2) had the game well under control with 11 minutes remaining when the head referee called the game after lightning moved closer to the area. A steady rain fell throughout the third quarter, but it was the lightning that both entertained the crowd and concerned game officials. Paloma Valley quarterback Mason Carvalho had just completed a long run when another flash of lightning brought about the decision to end the game early. The referee, who had consulted with school and district officials about the weather at halftime, made the call after a meeting at midfield. “At first we thought it was going to go around

Photo by Kristi Jo Aguirre Heritage running back Kenny Teter leaps to avoid a Paloma defender during the Menifee Bowl. us, but the referee was right,” Heritage coach Kraig Broach about the decision to stop play. “That last one ... it seemed pretty darn close.” By that time, the Patriots had shown once again their ability to move the ball effectively on the ground. In addition, they had contained the elusive Carvalho well enough in the first half to maintain a healthy lead. Paloma Valley’s 5-foot-5, 150-pound quarterback ripped off some sensational runs in the third quarter -- shedding tacklers left and right -- but it came too late to save the Wildcats. “He’s one of the best football players I’ve ever

seen,” Broach said about Carvalho, who finished with 273 yards rushing, including 150 yards in the third quarter alone. “I know he’s gotten a lot of press and he just seems like a great kid. Every time he touches the ball, he’s the kind of kid where you hold your breath. And he proved why tonight on a number of occasions. “Within the scheme, you try to get as many hats to the ball as possible. One guy’s going to have a difficult time bringing him down. At times we did a real nice job of that, and other times he showed us he’s a great football player.” Unfortunately for Car-

Photo by Kristi Jo Aguirre Heritage coach Kraig Broach holds the city trophy while addressing players.

Photo by Kristi Jo Aguirre The brothers of Paloma Valley student Jake Drost, who died Oct. 5, take part in the coin toss.

valho, he didn’t get to touch the football until Heritage had already compiled a 14-0 lead. Heritage marched 63 yard on the opening drive, using four runs for 22 yards by Teter and two runs for 33 yards by Tuatala, including a 4-yard touchdown run. After a Paloma Valley fumble on the ensuing kickoff gave the ball back to Heritage, it took just two plays for the Patriots to score again, this time on a 38-yard run by Tuatala. Broach and Tuatala gave credit to the offensive line, which opened holes for Tuatala and Teter throughout the game. “Our offensive line is

playing banged up, and I’m the one giving excuses; they don’t,” Broach said. “What they did tonight was pretty impressive. When you’ve got guys like (quarterback) Trey (Goodlow) out there, and Kenny and Ika running the ball with purpose ... they did well. “That kickoff we were able to recover ... I don’t want to say a turning point, because it was early in the game, but it was a boost for us right away.” “Our linemen were awesome tonight,” Tuatala said. “We were able to find the holes and make a play out of it.” Paloma Valley (5-3) got on the scoreboard in the

first minute of the second quarter when Carvalho scampered 28 yards for a touchdown. Heritage came right back on the next drive, however, with Tuatala going into the end zone standing for a 6-yard TD run at the end of a 51yard drive. A 30-yard touchdown run by Goodlow made it 28-7 later in the second quarter. Paloma’s bid to score on the next drive was thwarted when Teter intercepted a Carvalho pass at the Heritage 6-yard line and returned it 90 yards. On the next play, Teter ran 4 yards for a touchdown, making it 35-7. “We were in cover 3 and I was doing my backpedal,” Teter said about the interception. “Mason threw it up the middle and I picked it. I got caught, but I scored on the next play. It’s all good.” This was the first league game for both teams in the Ivy League, which has only four teams. Both will still have to face Rancho Verde, a CIF champion last year. Broach was complimentary of Paloma’s performance this season under head coach Tom Tello, Broach’s former assistant. “What he’s doing over there and just knowing what type of man and coach he is ... you can tell the way Paloma is going about business, he’s doing a great job,” Broach said about Tello and the Wildcats. “I’m rooting for Paloma from here on out.” Heritage plays at Valley View Oct. 20 while Paloma Valley plays at Rancho Verde.

Photo by Kristi Jo Aguirre Ika Tuatala tries to avoid Paloma Valley defender Jalen Rembert.

Photo by Kristi Jo Aguirre Paloma Valley quarterback Mason Carvalho found lots of running room on this play.

Oct. 17, 2018

MENIFEE 24/7

New principal Menifee Crossword Puzzle named at Heritage Erika Tejeda has been named the new principal at Heritage High School, according to officials of the Perris Union High School District. Tejeda succeeds Frank Arce, principal since 2015, who left the position Oct. 5 to become director of human resources for the Chino Valley Unified School District. Tejeda had been serving as assistant principal at Heritage. Tejeda brings with her over 16 years in public education. She began her career as a Spanish Teach-

er at Paloma Valley High School and later taught at both Heritage High and Perris High. She has been an assistant principal in the PUHSD since 2014, serving at Perris High, Pinacate Middle School, and most recently at Heritage. Tejeda holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State San Bernardino, a Master of Arts in Education from National University and a Master of Arts from CSUSB. The PUHSD board was scheduled to formalize her promotion Oct. 17.

Try your luck at today’s Menifee Crossword Puzzle. The theme is “World Series.” Clues with an asterisk refer to the theme. Answers, Page B5. ACROSS

DOWN

1. Got some shuteye 6. Pop-ups, e.g. 9. Mound 13. String quartet instrument 14. Wisecrack 15. Batu Khan’s posse 16. Famous fabulist 17. *Number of World Series won by the Senators 18. Blue-Green scum 19. *One of two baseball teams to play for both leagues 21. *Home of team with most World Series titles 23. Reggae precursor 24. “The Man Who Mis____ His Wife for a Hat” 25. Have a bawl 28. Wing-shaped 30. Handrail’s main supports 35. It often runs deep 37. It cuts a furrow 39. Double, in French 40. Shakespeare’s tragic monarch 41. Sunny prefix 43. Notary Public’s mark 44. Run on a bank, e.g. 46. Building extensions 47. 18-wheeler 48. *One of two teams to win in its only appearance 50. Dutch cheese 52. Actors’ group 53. OK 55. *”____house Gang” nickname for 1934 World Series victors 57. *Fall ____ 61. *Baseball league award 65. Bald symbol 66. Bauxite, e.g. 68. Andrea Bocelli, e.g. 69. Walk like a peacock 70. *R in RBI 71. Old but in 72. Clothes line 73. Tennis divider 74. Are not

1. Union foe 2. Sinister look 3. “What ____ can I say?” 4. Works the soil 5. Brown v. Board of Education city 6. ____ ‘n’ Andy 7. *He pitched the only World Series perfect game 8. Shorthand 9. Sacred 10. “Cogito, ____ sum” 11. Month of Purim 12. Sneak a look 15. Sold 20. Actor Fiennes 22. Long time 24. Streetcar named Desire, e.g. 25. Planktonic tunicate 26. 2018 movie “____’s 8” 27. Edible cannabis substance 29. Away from wind 31. Weak one 32. The Three Musketeers’ swords 33. Camel’s cousin 34. *Commissioner Emeritus of Baseball 36. Great Lake 38. *____ card 42. Missouri River tributary 45. Skeleton’s hiding place 49. Hit the slopes 51. “I think I can, I think I can...”, e.g. 54. Oak fruit 56. Expression of contempt 57. ____pool or ____pit 58. Like the White Rabbit 59. Taj Mahal city 60. Shantytown 61. Closely confined 62. A chip, maybe 63. Fate of Norse mythology 64. Turkey dance 67. Poe’s Morgue

MENIFEE 24/7

Oct. 17, 2018

MSJC football team still perfect at 6-0 Late rally key in latest victory, 35-32

The Mt. San Jacinto College football team scored 15 points in the final 4:51 on Oct. 13 to come back and win their American Mountain Conference opener over visiting Victor Valley 35-32 and remain unbeaten on the season at 6-0. The Eagles got off to a bit of a slow start as Victor Valley was able to put together a pair of first-quarter drives to open up a 13-0 lead with just over two minutes to go in the period. MSJC quickly grabbed the momentum back, however, on an electrifying 84-yard kickoff return by former Heritage High star James Phillips to give the Eagles their first points of the day. MSJC went on to score 20 straight points to take a halftime lead 0f 20-13. After Phillips’ touchdown return, MSJC was able to score with 9:02 to go in the second quarter when they capitalized on good field position. Quarterback Brett Virgil, another Heritage High graduate, connected with Eric Elli-

son on a 33-yard TD pass to cut the Victor Valley lead to 13-12. The Eagles then took the lead into the locker room after a 13-play, 75yard drive that took 5:55 off the clock and was capped off by a 5-yard run from Virgil, and a twopoint conversion. The Rams seemed to regain their footing in the

second half as they cut the lead to 20-19 with 10:31 to play in the third quarter with an efficient 8-play, 70-yard drive. The game remained 20-19 into the fourth quarter before Victor Valley reclaimed the lead with a pair of TD runs by Khadeem Richards, the second coming with just 6:49 to play, putting the Rams ahead 32-20.

The Eagles then roared back with a quick 7-play, 65-yard drive that ended in a Virgil to C.J. Sullivan touchdown pass with 4:51 to play, cutting the deficit to 32-26, and Victor Carbajal’s extra point made it 32-27. On the ensuing kickoff, Victor Valley’s special teams unit had a bit of a mental lapse and downed the ball at their

own 1-yard line, pinning them deep in their own territory. MSJC’s defense responded by forcing a three and out and forced the Rams to punt. A short punt by Victor Valley gave the Eagles the ball at the Rams’ 33-yard line with 2:37 left to play. Virgil completed two passes to Phillips to move the

ball down to the 15-yard line, but MSJC now faced a fourth and 3 with just 51 seconds left in the game. On the fourth-down play, Virgil once again found Sullivan and he crossed the goal line with 44 ticks left on the clock. The Eagles added a twopoint conversion to push the lead to 35-32. The Rams had one more desperation chance to tie or win the game on their final possession, but sacks by Justin Wilson and Travis Shippen secured the win for MSJC. The Eagles ended the day with 426 yards of total offense. Virgil went 23 of 43 passing for 297 yards with 3 TD passes. Virgil was also the top rusher on the day for MSJC as he picked up 108 yards on 14 carries. Sullivan finished his day with 6 catches for 103 yards, while Phillips had a game-high 10 receptions to go along with his kickoff return. Shippen and Wilson had big days for the Eagle defense with 12 and 8 tackles, respectively. Shippen also had 2.5 sacks. James Kelly ended his day with an interception and broke up five passes. The Eagles will travel to San Bernardino Valley Oct. 20 .

Fall is in the air and that means it’s time for Mt. San Jacinto College’s Homecoming, featuring food, fun, football and festivities for everyone, Oct. 27. Beginning at 8 a.m., there will be a 91-mile

scenic Motorcycle Run for Veterans beginning at MSJC’s Menifee Valley Campus and ending at the San Jacinto Campus. Proceeds go to scholarships for MSJC veteran students. This year’s event is held in memory of Dean

Tom Spillman. For more information, contact Fred Frontino at 951-639-5301 or ffrontino@msjc.edu. To register for the ride, visit msjc. edu/motorcyclerun. At 11 a.m., there will be a tailgate at the San

Jacinto Campus near the football field and Parking Lot C. The Motorcycle Run will end at the tailgate gathering. Come and enjoy a free chili dog barbeque, games and live music. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. fea-

turing the MSJC Eagles vs. Antelope Valley College on the San Jacinto Campus at Carl Quandt Stadium. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for grade school students (high school and junior high with ASB). It’s free to

MSJC students with ASB and children under 5. Guests can also celebrate a sneak peek night of family fun at the Homecoming Harvest Festival on Oct. 25 from 5-8 p.m. on the San Jacinto Campus lawn.

MSJC news release

Photo by DeeAnn Bradley C.J. Sullivan scored two touchdowns and caught a PAT pass in the final five minutes of Saturday’s game.

MSJC Homecoming festivities Oct. 27

Heritage play set for Oct. 18-20 Oct. 12 marks the 20th anniversary of the vicious beating death of Matthew Shepard, and the Heritage High School Drama Department has taken on the challenge of commemorating the event by producing the play, “The Laramie Project.” Matthew was a gay student at the University of Wyoming who was tied to a fence and beaten into a coma on Oct. 7, 1998. He died five days later. The details were so gruesome that they created an outcry that hate speech, bullying, and violence directed toward homosexuals should no longer be tolerated. The play “The Laramie Project” is unique in that it attempts not just to document the injustice, but to examine the attitudes of the people of the town. The Tectonic Theatre Project of New York City traveled to Laramie to interview the people in the story and to determine which attitudes towards gays might have precipitated the act. A broad spectrum of the personal and religious views of those inside and outside of Laramie are displayed. However, the play fights not to make conclusions for you, but to have the audience filter the information for themselves. The production will run for three days, on Oct. 18, 19, and 20 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students.

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Oct. 17, 2018

MENIFEE 24/7

Festival celebrates Wizard of Oz

Two of the best Wizard of Oz themed costumes were shown off by this Dorothy and Cowardly Lion.

Kids had fun playing “Soak the Witch” at the game zone provided by RE/MAX Cynthia Nemelka.

Menifee residents enjoyed a variety of food trucks and listened to local musical performances. Kids enjoyed a fun zone and a fun craft booth. After dark, guests enjoyed a sing-along version of the 1939 classic “The Wizard of Oz” at the Menifee Eat ‘N Sing Food Truck Festival Oct. 6 at La Ladera Park. Menifee 24/7 Photos by Tommie Brown

Anahi Garcia-Rodriguez dressed up like Dorothy and entertained the crowd with her singing.

The Menifee Valley Middle School Eagle Choir was one of several entertainment acts.

Poker run celebrates area history

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The Menifee Valley Historical Association celebrated the 70th year of the community center that hosts its meetings and countless other events Oct. 3, inviting residents to take part in a Poker Run and barbecue. The event started and ended at the Antelope-Menifee Rural Center on Haun Road -- considered the original town meeting place. After first checking in at the Rural Center to get a playing form, players were given directions to five of the 12 historical monuments erected at historical sites around town. At each historic site, players drew one playing card. After visiting the five sites, they returned to the Rural Center and showed event organizers the poker hand they were given. Those with the best hands received prizes donated by local businesses. For information about the history of the Menifee area, visit the website menifeehistory.com

MENIFEE 24/7

Oct. 17, 2018

Photos from local residents...

Menifee in Pictures

Medicare selection important StatePoint Media For the millions of Americans aged 65 and older, Medicare is a critical source of health care. And during the Medicare Annual Election Period between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7, those eligible can select or make changes to their plans for 2019. Experts say that this selection is vitally important and should be done with care. “It’s a good idea to go shopping for potential plans and consider each element of them,” says Brian Evanko, who leads Cigna’s government programs, including Cigna-HealthSpring, which is a supplier of Medicare Advantage products. “Your goal should be to choose a plan that strikes

the right balance between the benefits you’ll need and what you can afford.” To help you choose a plan and get the most from it, consider these tips from the experts at Cigna-HealthSpring: -- Determine your priorities. Plans can vary widely, and certain plans go beyond the basics to include such benefits as transportation assistance to doctor appointments, fitness classes, discounts on home delivery of covered prescription medications and even nutritious meals after a hospital discharge. -- “Special needs plans” are available to those with qualifying conditions, such as having certain chronic illnesses or being eligible for both Medicare

and Medicaid. Taking the time to identify your priorities and health care needs will help you evaluate your plan options from an informed standpoint. -- Know your network. The right plan will offer you support in navigating a complex health care system, saving you time and money. Seek out a plan that offers you a team of providers that will commit to getting to know your needs and delivering coordinated care. If you have favorite doctors or pharmacies, make sure they are within your network.

Photo by Melissa Juarez

-- Leverage preventive care opportunities. Preventive care saves lives and helps you delay or avoid the onset of disease.

Photo by Hong Liem

Photo by Eileen Yanez

Menifee 24/7 EDITOR Doug Spoon ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kristen Spoon Editorial phone: 951-729-9865 Advertising phone: 951-729-9875 Website: www.menifee247.com Facebook page: Menifee 24/7 General info: info@menifee247.com Menifee 24/7 Print Edition is distributed twice a month by Premier Media Group. For a list of distribution sites, see menifee247.com. All content in this publication is Copyright 2018, Menifee 24/7. To subscribe for home delivery, mail a check for $25 for a year’s subscription to Menifee 24/7, 27070 Sun City Blvd., Menifee CA 92586. You may also pay for a subscription online by using the Print Edition tab on menifee247.com

Menifee 24/7 has a new mail address

The Menifee 24/7 office has a new mailing address. You can now mail items to us at 27070 Sun City Blvd., Menifee CA 92586. This is where you would mail us any kind of correspondence, including a check to pay for your annual subscription. The Menifee 24/7 newspaper is published twice a month, on the 1st and 15th. You’ll receive all the news the way you want it, without having to search local businesses for copies before they run ou To sign up for a year’s subscription, mail a check for $25 to us at this address. Be sure to include the address for your home delivery.

Oct. 17, 2018

MENIFEE 24/7

Wickerd Farm

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Hay rides Fun for all!

OPENS SEPT. 30

Photo by StatePoint Media There are lots of ways to have a fun and safe Halloween without emptyhing your wallet.

Save cash this Halloween StatePoint Media Halloween may be the spookiest night of the year, but it’s the prices for costumes and decorations that are scarier than any vampire (and they’ll drain your wallet even faster). This year, Americans plan to spend $3.2 billion on Halloween costumes and $2.7 billion on decorations, with the average person spending nearly $87 on their costume alone, according to the National Retail Federation. There are easy ways to save money and still enjoy this season’s favorite holiday. And you can even use Halloween as an opportunity to put some extra cash in your pocket. Consider

the following tips: Haunt your house for less. If you’re planning a Halloween party, the cost of tables, chairs, decorations and music can really put your monthly budget in the grave. Instead of scraping together décor from a party store, use a local marketplace app to seek out better deals and more interesting finds. For example, OfferUp, the nation’s largest mobile marketplace, connects buyers and sellers securely. Use the app to score eclectic dinnerware and serving dishes to make your home feel like a haunted mansion. Plus, there’s plenty of gently used spooky decorations to be found. Potluck your party. From candied apples to

mummified cake pops, there’s no shortage of great Halloween recipe ideas out there. If you’re hosting, save yourself the cost of feeding everybody by having your guests bring their favorite spooky dish. Clean out the ghosts of closets past. If your closet or garage is packed with boxes full of items from years gone by, Halloween may be the perfect time to sell stuff locally to creative costume hunters near you -- either by having a garage sale or by using a local marketplace app. Your pastel windbreaker from 1985 could just be the missing piece for someone’s jazzercise costume, and those old white ski pants could help outfit

a Marshmallow Man. DIY costumes. You can skip the full-priced Halloween stores and get creative with the items you or your neighbors already have around the house. Search your closets and listings of nearby sellers to put together some fun, spooky costumes and give yourself the opportunity to let your imagination run wild. With a little bit of planning and some crafty buying and selling in your neighborhood, you can go all out this Halloween without over-spending. Or, take all that extra cash you saved to buy the kingsize candy bars for your trick-or-treaters and be the envy of the block.

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