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Serving Temecula , Murrieta , L ake E lsinore , M enifee , Wildomar , H emet, San Jacinto and the surrounding communities October 28 – November 3, 2016
Election
Menifee’s Measure DD seen as must for quality of life
www.myvalleynews.com
Volume 16, Issue 44
Optimism replaces uncertainty in Murrieta State of the City address
Tony Ault TAULT@REEDERMEDIA.COM
The crowd gathered for the second Menifee Measure DD information session was told the one-cent sales tax measure must pass in the Nov. 8 election or the city will not be able to make up millions in revenue lost to the State of California. see page D-2
Local
Six-year-old proves, no age limit to making a difference TEMECULA – Six-year-old Brady Johnson of Temecula has proven you’re never too young to make a difference in the lives of children less fortunate than yourself. see page A-7
“The most powerful force we can count on to make this region the future of Southern California is a robust sustained economy,” Murrieta Mayor Randon Lane tells the crowd that had gathered at the City of Murrieta Community Center for the city’s annual State of the City address Oct. 20. Kim Harris photo
Paul Bandong PBANDONG@REEDERMEDIA.COM
Business
Rose Again Foundation inspires involvement Paul Bandong PBANDONG@REEDERMEDIA.COM
The Rose Again Foundation is only 3-years-old, but is already inspiring community members, some as young as 6, to get involved and to give.
Murrieta Mayor Randon Lane addressed an audience of 200 community residents, civic and business leaders “to review the progress of our City … to speak of unfinished work, and to set our
sights on investing in a healthy future.” He contrasted the tone of his first State of the City address in 2011, one of uncertainty, with an address of optimism. His theme was “Growing a Healthy Future.” Murrieta was at a crossroads in 2011. Foreclosure rates were
among the highest in the country while property tax revenue dropped dramatically as did the pricing of housing. Many local residents lost jobs in the recession and that affected consumer spending which negatively affected sales tax revenue to the city, resulting in a 30 percent drop. The State of
see ADDRESS, page A-3
Economic development hot button issue for Murrieta City Council candidates Kim Harris VALLEYEDITOR@REEDERMEDIA.COM
Economic Development was the name of the game during two Murrieta candidate forums recently held in the city. The candidate forums were co-sponsored by the Southwest Riverside County Association of Realtors and the Murrieta Chamber of Commerce. The first event, held Monday, Oct. 10, at the SRCAR, was a bit of a “lovefest,” moderator Gene Wunderlich said when introducing the candidates during the second event, held Oct. 13 at Shivela Middle School. Wunderlich reminded the candidates that the goal of the forum was to convince voters to cast their vote for them. “On Monday night, quite frankly, if you were there, it turned into a lovefest,” Wunderlich told the crowd of about 60 who had come out to hear the candidates’ stance
see page B-7
Wine Country
Mount Palomar Winery prepares for expansion Andrea Verdin AESTRADA@REEDERMEDIA.COM
The rolling hills surrounding Mount Palomar Winery will soon be home to several villas, fine dining restaurant, wedding pavilion and amphitheater due to an expansion to the 209.2-acre winery. see page C-6
California also “borrowed” $10 million from the city. The city tightened its belts, reduced 68 jobs and utilized its $9 million economic contingency funding set up in 2008 to ensure service levels and to soften the
Murrieta City Council candidates gather for a forum held at Shivela Middle School, Oct. 13. Candidates from left, Harry Ramos, Randon Lane, Robert Tyler, Brian Barton, Kelly Seyarto and Keelan McCullough. Shane Gibson photo
see CANDIDATES, page A-4
Menifee City Council splits decision to censure Mann
Blotter
One dies in officer involved Shooting in Wildomar Kim Harris VALLEYEDITOR@REEDERMEDIA.COM
An officer involved shooting that happened in the early morning hours Saturday, Oct. 22, occurred after a pursuit that led officers through parts of Murrieta and Wildomar. see page D-6
Kim Harris VALLEYEDITOR@REEDERMEDIA.COM
In a split vote, Menifee City Council opted to not censure Mayor Scott Mann following the announcement of a proposed settlement with the Enforcement Division of the Fair Political Practices Commission. The settlement in the amount of $60,000, is for campaign violations that included misuse of only $45,000 in campaign funds. The vote came about during a special called meeting Wednesday, Oct. 15. With chambers filled to capacity, Councilman Matt Liesemeyer made a motion to censure Mann that was
seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Sobek. However, the measure was quickly shot down when council members Greg August and John Denver voted against it. Mann also registered a no vote on the motion that would have only amounted to a “statement of disapproval,” as explained by City Attorney Jeffrey Melching. Melching outlined council’s options, including taking no action, directing staff to cooperate with the investigation, directing the city to authorize its own independent investigation or to censure Mann. “It is in your power within the
see MANN, page A-6
Menifee Mayor Scott Mann attends a special city council meeting Oct. 19, to address Mann’s campaign money violation reported by the California Fair Political Practices Commission. Shane Gibson photo