An Open Letter from Menifee Mayor John Denver

The following is an open letter to the residents of Menifee from John Denver, who has served the city as mayor for the last year and has two...

The following is an open letter to the residents of Menifee from John Denver, who has served the city as mayor for the last year and has two years remaining on his City Council term. This letter has been edited only for space concerns.

What is leadership? In this election year, this question is an important one for all of us to answer. It is especially important for the future of Menifee. Now I know that we can all go to the dictionary and look up the standard definition, but what do you want in a leader for Menifee? I thought I would take a minute and tell you what I am looking for.

In picking a leader, I want a person with a heart for Menifee. A lot of people say they love Menifee, but I am looking for someone that has shown a passion for Menifee. I ask candidates what they have already done to serve the people of our City rather than relying on campaign promises of what they want do. I believe that the best indicator of future action is the quality of a person’s past actions. Look at each candidate’s work history and their volunteer history and weigh that against their promises. Does it look like they can deliver based on what they’ve already accomplished? Have they already made a difference in Menifee?

I also want a person with integrity. Again, a lot of people say they are principled leaders but if you look closely, the facts just do not support their claim. There has been some slanderous and untrue information spread around this community about several candidates for office. It’s pretty easy to determine which political camps that information came from. Oh, I am sure that the favored candidates will tell you they had nothing to do with it, but they have also failed to denounce it as false or to tell their supporters to stop. This is a perfect example of unprincipled leadership. Look for someone who has consistently kept their word to the citizens of this City. Pick those who have refused to bend to political pressure and who did the right thing, no matter how seemingly unpopular.

Finally, I am looking for an honest person. They say politics is a dirty business, and it certainly can be. But still, some politicians present well. They list their accomplishments, their degrees, and their experience. But for many of them it’s a game, it’s about the deal, not the people they represent. They pedal influence, broker power, and scheme behind the scenes. They take advantage of the fact that most people don’t remember the past and only make decisions on sound bites and catchy phrases.

Don’t be fooled by long political careers, or election to several political offices. All that proves is that they know how to get elected. Look beyond the superficial to their character. Have they kept their word? Have they consistently told you the truth, even if it isn’t what you want to hear? Many say that honest politicians are hard to find. So, I say don’t elect a politician. A true citizen government is run by people who care about people. People who have integrity. People who are honest.

When we became a City, we inherited all of the approved building plans from the County. These plans cover more than 80 percent of what we now see as open land. These land owners and builders will eventually build those projects and we will grow. You have heard that the City doesn’t need to honor those plans, that we can fight them. Truly, this is nothing more than campaign rhetoric. It would cost us millions in legal fees to try to deny these land owners their rights, and the end result would be the same. The projects will be built. We can throw road blocks in front of these projects, spend City money delaying their completion, but to what end? They will be built.

One last thought. Many of you have heard, read about, or seen what appears to be a dysfunctional Council. The papers say we argue a lot and can’t agree on the simplest of policies. Again, this is just not true. We have some council members and a small group of citizens that like to stir the pot by making outrageous comments and petty requests of staff when the business at hand does not align with their political goals. They stall and complain in an attempt to bully or embarrass their colleagues into submission. But it hasn’t worked.

I ask you to just look at the progress our City has made. In spite of this negative background noise, our City is flowering. We now have several dedicated council members that can see through the smoke and make sound decisions for the future of our City. That vibrant vision I wrote of a bit ago is within our grasp. Think carefully and vote wisely.

John Denver
Mayor of Menifee

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Post a Comment

  1. This is a very odd letter to the citizens. I find it odd that even in a letter in which I thought would be something else it sounds like an endorsement. Look Menifee I'm not telling anyone which way to vote but with just a little bit of research like on YouTube search Menifee City Counsel meetings, you can learn a lot. I'm sad for how the counsel has behaved and I wonder why..all of them are really there because the bickering, I've seen does nothing for our city. Just my opinion please do your own research before you vote.

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  2. Okay council...I really should spell check before I post. Oh well, I hope everyone gets the point.

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    Replies
    1. I got it and it was well said

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  3. Thank you Mayor Denver for bringing some sanity to the Council meetings! I agree with your comments and I know which city council members are working for us and for a better Menifee. I can only vote for Mayor, and I will be supporting the committed leader that loves Menifee!

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  4. There was mention of a YouTube video.
    To be informed, search "Edgerton Menifee" on YouTube to see the short clip.

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  5. I agree with Norma, this blog started out as one thing and ended up as another. We all know who Mr. Denver is referring to, talk about a slide of hand. Did you really 'feel' you had to write this, who prompt you to write such a blog? IF anyone has half a brain we can certainly figure out what Mr. Denver is trying to do here. Hey, there is a light at the end of the tunnel...soon he will be no more ....

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  6. The bullying of our city staff was the action led by a few from the Sun City Core was an eye opener for me and I was not happy with the behavior of these people whom I use to be a part of. Going to the County DA in an attempt to discredit our city clerk is a despicable act by one of the challengers to Susan Kristjansson and then the unsigned hit pieces against Susan and Darcy cemented my view on this upcoming election because I would not want a person serving on our Menifee City Council who have exhibited the behavior. Do you?

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  7. Mr.Denver, let me remind you prior to you becoming Mayor it was you who would often of ues the phrase " that's the most stupid thing I have ever heard." It came out of your mouth often times in retort to somethong Mayor Edgerton had said. Your countless harping on Mr. Edgerton's age continues to this day. Since you have the dictionary out look up the word "class." Please refer to the CD's of council meetings. Greg August

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    Replies
    1. Do you consider being ejected from a council meeting "class"?
      Refer to the video clip.

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  8. Mr. August,you should also refer to the definition of class and then review the meeting CD,s of the meetings for your behavior.

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  9. This type of a letter from Mayor John Denver is despicable act perpetrated on the voters of Menifee in a last minute attempt to discredit the candidates who are running against Kuenzi, Kristjansson, and Zimmerman. You are a mayor part of the dysfunctional City Council as reported. The proof is in the pudding just listen to the audio on CD that can be purchased for $1.00 at City Hall. The only bullying done at the city Council meetings is done by you allowing Sue Kristjansson to attack a member of the Audience namely Greg August for 13 minutes violating your own Decorum policy. And this little noisey background group of citizns has done more for the citizens of Menifee then you by creating 4-By Districts and the Mayor voted in by the people. while you spent thousands of our taxpayer dollars fighting against measure AA that won at the ballot box. And Mr. Ruetter The City Clerk committed a crime by recording someone on the telephone without their permission and she had her hands slapped by the DA. I have a copy of the letter that was sent to the City. I took it to the DA and would turn in anyone who violates the law.

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    Replies
    1. As usual you fail to mention what Kristjansson was responding to. Namely a disrespectful tirade by Greg August.I hope your adherence to the law extends to slanderous flyers distributed anonymously.

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  10. Just by watching Pica and August at council meetings and who they support helped me make my decision........Kuenzi and Zimmerman.

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    Replies
    1. Watching private citizens in the audiance at a city council meeting helped you make a decision to vote for Kuenzi and Zimmerman. Shows how much thought goes into your decision making process. And if your going to talk about people you should have enough courage or Courtesy to put your own name on the blog not use anonymous to hid behind when you try to insult people.

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    2. What say you about the crudely constructed flyer distributed in Sun City?

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    3. I sure hope your wrong

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  11. vote Scott in and Greg and Wally

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  12. Here's a thought! Let's get rid of all members of the City Council and actually elect people who want to do only good things for our city. The problem is that some of the best people for the job cannot afford the costs to advertise and in most cases do not have the time to make such a commitment. I would love to be a council member because I don't care what people think of me and I don't put on an act just to please people. I would do what is in the best interest of our city and citizens without taking contributions(bribery) from anyone. That's what we need and only wish I could do it.

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  13. going to walk to make sure Mr. Denver isn't re elected

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  14. Anne & Greg,
    The Mayor never mentioned any names. Why would you be so offended? Is this a tacit admission that you are the root of all the negative bullying?

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    Replies
    1. But those of us who attend trhe council meetings know who is depending on you to get them re-elected

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  15. John Denver has had a little more than a year to reverse the three years damage done by his predecessor.He has done an admirable job.

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  16. This Council put Menifee on the National Map. Unfortunately, everyone was laughing at us. This Council could not even agree on a policy to agree with one another.
    There needs to be change.

    ReplyDelete

Readers are invited to leave a comment to contribute to public dialogue. Comments will be reviewed by a moderator and will not be approved if they include profanity, defamatory or libelous comments, or may otherwise be considered objectionable by Menifee 24/7 editors.

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