Temecula Valley News

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Restaurant & Wine Bar is a gusto-filled culinary journey, C-4

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Election

Three San Jacinto Council seats up for grabs

Volume 16, Issue 44

Día De Los Muertos celebrates deceased loved ones

Tony Ault TAULT@REEDERMEDIA.COM

The San Jacinto City Council has three council seats opening this election year with five qualified candidates running. The candidates are incumbents, Andrew Kotyuk and Crystal Ruiz, and challengers, Ken Kidby, Russ Utz and James Pangrazzi. see page A-6

Entertainment

Field of Honor opens Saturday, celebrates Veterans MURRIETA – The eighth annual Field of Honor opens Saturday, Nov. 5, in Murrieta Town Square Park, located on the corner of Kalmia and Jefferson in Murrieta and will continue for a full week, ending Nov. 12. see page C-3

Pets

Paws on the Promenade attracts hundreds

Folklórico dancer Ayden Barron, 3, prepares for a dance performance during the 5th Annual Día De Los Muertos Celebration at City Park in Lake Elsinore, Oct. 29. The holiday, which was originally celebrated in Central and Southern Mexico, is a festive holiday for families to remember and honor their deceased loved ones. See more photos on page C-1. Shane Gibson photo

Searing flash points erupt in supervisor race pitting appointed incumbent against challenger Tim O’Leary TOLEARY@REEDERMEDIA.COM

Paul Bandong PBANDONG@REEDERMEDIA.COM

It was all about the dogs at Animal Friends of the Valleys’ Annual Paws on the Promenade Spooktacular Dog Walk. Creatively-costumed dogs, children and pet owners were everywhere at the outdoor plaza in front of the theatres at the Promenade Mall in Temecula.

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID HEMET, CA PERMIT #234

see page D-1

A high-stakes race for an open Riverside County supervisor seat has suddenly gone from simmering to searing. The waning days of the Nov. 8 race that pits appointed incumbent Chuck Washington against challenger Shellie Milne has been marked by each side releasing stacks of documents aimed at painting their opponents in a negative light. The opposition research, released by campaign surrogates beginning Oct. 13, mark a toe-totoe political brawl that may rank as the most vitriolic in the county’s fast-growing 3rd District. One of Washington’s financial backers, Howard Rosenthal, touched off the exchange when he

delivered a packet of materials to the “Valley News” that he claims indicate Milne “lacks the experience and stability” needed for such a crucial elected office. “Unfortunately, this candidate is a financial wreck with a bad track record and was a nightmare for us in the city of Hemet on the council,” Rosenthal said in a subsequent email. Rosenthal’s actions prompted Milne’s political consultant to respond in kind, releasing a trove of materials. In an email cover letter, Alex Avetoom characterized Washington as “a pay-to-play politician with countless conflicts of interests and favors done for donors with business before the government.” Avetoom, director of the Irvinebased Venture Strategic, went on to say that Washington over the years has tapped into “lavish perks and

Shellie Milne

Courtesy photos

gifts” that include Las Vegas trips, extra pay, free beer, hot air balloon rides and an admission to an array of ticketed events. As the exchanges unfolded, both candidates agreed to answer email questions. Milne also did a telephone interview. Milne said she had initially

Chuck Washington

hoped that the race would solely be framed by county issues. She said it is regrettable that the race has veered off that path. The race started with three political powerhouses vying in the June 7 primary. Rarely had three

see SUPERVISORS, page A-4

VALLEY NEWS

Hemet City Council race draws eight candidates Tony Ault TAULT@REEDERMEDIA.COM

Eight Hemet City Council candidates, two incumbents and six hopefuls vying for three open council seats and an unopposed city treasurer candidate will appear on Hemet City ballots in the upcoming Nov. 8 General Election. Hemet City Council consists of five members elected from the city and it is the first year the council will be selected by districts. The councilmembers serve four-year staggered terms. There are five districts in Hemet. The ballots will show the candidates from each district. The top vote-getter in each district will take his or her post January 1, 2017. Following the election, the new City Council will select the new mayor and vicemayor who will serve one-year terms. Under the Hemet’s managermayor city government rules the city manager does not have a vote on the Hemet Council, and is appointed by the council.

see HEMET, page A-8

City of Hemet Mayor Bonnie Wright, addressees the council and guests attending a July 26, 2016 City Council meeting at the Hemet Public Library. Shane Gibson photo


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