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RIVERSIDE COUNTY
Can Libertarian Jeff Hewitt Do It Again? RUSTY STRAIT | SENIOR REPORTER
lems of homelessness for what it is, I think we will get a lot more traction.
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our years ago, Jeff Hewitt startled the political world when he upset Russ Bogh to win the office of Supervisor in Riverside County's Fifth District. He won as a Libertarian at a time when Libertarians were "also-rans." This time he has a variety of competitors from more established parties. However, he has a record of running on and a solid agenda if re-elected. I recently sat down with him over a beverage at Denny's in Hemet and discussed his future: Q: What's different this time around? A: To begin with, it is a realigned district. Q: How so? A: It has six cities in it; four from the old and an additional two in the new. Three Pass Cities - Banning, Beaumont and Calimesa plus Moreno Valley. Perris and Menifee have been replaced by Hemet and San Jacinto.
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID HEMET, CA PERMIT NO. 69 92543-9998
Q: After four years in office, what do you think you've accomplished? A: Obviously, I've brought a different outlook into the district as one of the highest-ranked Libertarians in the history of our party. I came in with my number one agenda to solve CALPERS unfunded and unsustainable pension disasters. Riverside County has the largest employment of CALPERS employees, only after the state. The three larger counties have their own plans. We have a 3.6 billion dollar unfunded liability. It was going to be my idea to help resolve something that most politicians have been kicking down the road so that future generations have been kicking down the road so that future generations would have to pay for the sins of their fathers.
JEFF HEWITT: Supervisor in Riverside
County's Fifth District. | Photo: Wikipedia
Q: If you are re-elected, what do you think you can do to rectify that? A: Had it not been for COVID I think I would have rectified quite a bit of it. With a second term, these public employee unions understand that I am the one person who wants to make sure that they get what they may have been promised . We can't continue going on hiring new employees with this same unsustainable person plan now in place. Q: I'm sure you are aware of the homeless situation here in the Valley. A: I am. Every homeless person has a different issue. There are categories. Some are criminals who choose to be homeless. Many self-medicate and have serious health issues. They use controlled substances. And then, there are those who are just down on their luck who can't find anywhere to live even when they have jobs. Their pay isn't adequate to pay for housing in today's economic situation. What I, as a County Supervisor can do is try to make sure we back up programs that work. Involve the non-profits who are willing to help out in finding a place for them to live until they manage to escape their situation. If we address these specific prob-
Q: Only 17% of the workforce in Hemet actually works in the Valley. There is a lack of incentive for new businesses to move here, so our citizens also shop where they work. What can you do to try and eliminate that situation? A: Right now, this Valley is a cul de sac. You don't open up a new business in a residential cul de sac. The Mid Valley Parkway and realignment of Highway 79 should open us up to more access from the outside, making it easy to come and go from and to the outside world. If I am re-elected, it will happen.
GENERAL MSJC graduation May 26. | Courtesy Photos of MSJC.
SAN JACINTO, CA.
MSJC Celebrates Record-Breaking Class with In-Person Graduation at Pechanga Resort Casino MSJC | CONTRIBUTED
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Q: What else can you as Supervisor do to promote small businesses coming into the Valley? A: I've been a small businessman all my life. I understand the challenges. As you know, when COVID fell upon us, just about all progress stopped. However, I have no intention of meddling in the sovereignty of two cities. In the County areas, I can do a lot by showing innovations in the sense that Riverside County is the first of the 58 counties of California, that came up with a home cooking program where, if someone wants to cook and sell hot meals out of their home, they can do that with our program where environmental health does a small investigation to make sure the environment and location is safe and all. I can work with our friends at City Council and say, "Hey, look, anyway I can help you that involves the County, I am there for you." To make it more affordable and easier for people to become entrepreneurs to create jobs for people who can hire five or ten employees or more. That's the way to recruit business. You
See STRAIT ON on page C4
t. San Jacinto College celebrated a record-breaking 2,226 graduates on Thursday, May 26 during two graduation ceremonies at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula. MSJC awarded 3,219 degrees and certificates to the most graduates in the college's nearly 60year history. They earned a total of 2,717 associate degrees and 502 certificates, as some students earn more than one degree, certificate, or a combination. This year's theme was “Eagles: Unstoppable Today, Tomorrow, and Always.” Jennifer Larimer and her brother Robert Turcotte graduated together. Jennifer, of Hemet, served as student speaker. Despite her struggles with dyslexia and ADHD, she was able to complete her goals at MSJC. "I wouldn't have made it this far without the unwavering support of my loving husband, my wonderful family, and the abundant support from the MSJC staff who helped me achieve my goals," Jennifer told the MSJC Class of 2022. Kayla Jones of Banning earned a degree in science while remaining active at MSJC as a member of Umoja and Honors Enrichment. Kayla is pursuing a career in orthodontics. She also served as a Supplemental Instruction
Aylssa West at the Graduation.
MSJC Cap.
(SI) leader. On Thursday, she led her fellow graduates in the "Pledge of Allegiance." She also served as the student speaker at the college's Imani Celebration for graduates on May 13. "I'm pretty excited," Kayla said after the ceremony. "I feel like I just can't wait to expand in my career."
SAN JACINTO, CA.
Soboba Honors Its Fallen on Memorial Day SOBOBA BAND OF LUISEÑO INDIANS | CONTRIBUTED
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rior to Monday’s Memorial Day Flag Raising ceremony at the Soboba Cemetery, miniature flags were placed at the gravesites of veterans. At dawn, members of the Soboba Fire Department raised the American flag, located on the center flagpole behind the Veterans’ Memorial, to full staff and then slowly lowered it to half-staff to honor America’s fallen servicemen and women. After a morning mass by Father Earl Henley at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, adjacent to the cemetery, Tribal members gathered at the shrine that is “dedicated to the memory of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians and non-Tribal members who gave their all for us.” Father Henley said the patriot-
ic wreath that stood next to the shrine was “adorned with love, memories and our faith.” He offered a blessing and prayer for those veterans. “With reverence we visit this shrine where their bodies were placed within the womb of the earth to await their final day of glory,” he said. “We pause in silence to be united with them. May the breath of creation that surrounds these graves, trees, grass, earth, birds and sun, join us in prayer. May this pilgrimage remind us of what we already know: that nothing dies, rather life is transformed into new life.” A roll call of the deceased veterans, most of which have been inscribed on the memorial, was read by Soboba Parks and Recreation Director Andy Silvas. This was followed by the flag being raised to full staff once
anime riverside
Alice Helms and her two sons, Neal, left and Junie, enjoy brunch at the Soboba Sports Complex after a Memorial Day service at Soboba Cemetery on Monday, May 30. | Photo courtesy of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians
again in recognition of living military veterans who served their country. Junie Helms, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1967-1973, did the honors. Then members of the Soboba Fire Department raised the state of California flag as well as the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians flag which all remained flying until sunset. Soboba Tribal Chairman Isaiah Vivanco recognized other Tribal Council members in attendance and thanked Tribal member Marian Chacon for her years of ded-
ANIME & COSPLAY CONVENTION
ication to making sure this event happens each year. Chacon’s mother and aunt began the official Memorial Day ceremony during World War II, after Maria Helms’ two sons were killed in action overseas in 1944. Chacon said she is probably related to more than half of the veterans honored at the event. She was happy to see the Soboba Youth Council step up and take over the annual program because
JUNE 4TH & 5TH RIVERSIDE CONVENTION CENTER animeriverside.com
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