Minus Mayoral Hopefuls, Council Candidates State Their Case

A large crowd gathered in the Kay Ceniceros Senior Center for Wednesday's candidates forum. (Photos by Kristen Spoon)

Candidates for Menifee City Council in districts 2 and 4 presented their campaign platforms and answered questions from a moderator Wednesday morning at a public forum hosted by the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The event, held at Kay Ceniceros Senior Center, did not include either of the candidates for mayor. Incumbent mayor Scott Mann was out of town for a business meeting. A prepared statement on his behalf was read by resident Lori Stone. His opponent in the mayoral race, Paul Wiggins, did not respond to an invitation to attend, according to a Chamber of Commerce official.

John Baker, a city council candidate for District 2, also was absent. A prepared statement was read on his behalf by resident Michael Mudd. The five candidates who did attend were allowed to make opening and closing statements and each answered three questions posed by the moderator. No questions were taken from the audience.

The majority of those in the crowd were residents of District 4 -- the northeast portion of the city -- in which incumbent John Denver (left) is running against challenger Gloria Sanchez. Denver, a city council member since the city's incorporation in 2008, stressed his experience in local government among his qualifications for re-election.

"I would like to compliment my opponent, Gloria Sanchez," Denver said in his opening remarks. "She has been working diligently with the senior community in Riverside County -- so much so that even I voted for her to be on the senior committee in the city of Menifee. But there's no government experience, no experience in things other than seniors."

In contrast, Denver pointed to his years of work in local government, including as a 17-year member of the Perris Unified School District Board of Trustees during the time the high schools were built in Menifee; the Menifee Valley incorporation committee; and as city council member and mayor.

Denver explained later in the forum that he believes Menifee is on the right track with its plans for development and that property owners can't be forced by city officials or residents to agree to zoning changes or other alternate plans.

"Some time ago, a poll was taken asking Menifee residents why they moved here," he said. "They said it was because they liked what they saw. I do too. I like Menifee as it is. I do not want to change it much, except to get bigger. It was already developed when you moved here. Riverside County approved 82 percent of the properties in Menifee before you moved here. It's all done. We will not have an issue to discuss a project for 20 years.

"If we were to try and undo some of the things that were approved, as some of my council people suggest, all we'll do is get sued and lose, which is your problem because you get to pay for it. If you want Menifee to be a high quality place, vote for me."

Sanchez (right) is a longtime activist for seniors in the community, a 15-year member of the Riverside County Council on Aging and the current chair of the Senior Advisory Committee. She stressed that she will represent all residents, not just seniors.

"Yes, I am a strong advocate for seniors, and I also know we have to nurture our youth in many ways," she said. "I am ready to work with developers so we can bring in the smart development we need so we can have enough parks and the right environment for our youth.

"I believe in low density. I love developers, but I want low density for our city. I still believe we really need to look at the way we grow. I know it's been said that 82 percent has already been bought out by developers, but I still feel we have a voice in how that development is going to continue. I think you need new leadership on the city council to represent District 4."

Differences in opinion on the extent of development were also expressed among the candidates in District 2: Incumbent Tom Fuhrman and challengers Matt Liesemeyer, chair of the Planning Commission; and Sue Kristjansson, former city council member.

Fuhrman (left) began his comments by stressing the fact that he is retired from the work force and is able to work full-time on city council duties and in visiting members of the community. He also addressed published news articles and comments relating to his issues with the city concerning code issues on his Wooden Nickel Ranch.

"This is my only job and I give it 100 percent," he said. "I receive the most press, probably because I'm the most involved; I'm the largest land owner. I've thrown myself and my property on the sword to fight for property rights. It's a shame people can hide behind a pseudo name and hide behind comments that really aren't true. I do have a bunker and I do have a right to have a container now that those ordinances have passed. And I do have a plan for Quail Valley."

Quail Valley is a key issue in the race for the council seat in District 2, which includes many rural parts of the city. The Quail Valley community, located in the hills above the western part of the city, has suffered from the lack of a sufficient sewer system and has very little business development.

"I hope to have a lot of economic development in Quail Valley," Fuhrman said in response to a question about his vision for the city by 2030. "The advances we're doing in the sewer system, only about 25 percent of it will be done in five years. We have to concentrate on repairs to get economic development in Quail Valley."

Fuhrman believes the economic development of Quail Valley has been severly restricted because of a building moratorium imposed in 2006 by the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board after dozens of septic systems failed during storms that year.

"I believe there has been a governmental injustice to Quail Valley. Since 2006, nobody's been able to build anything over there. Property values are going down and people are walking away. I have a plan for Quail Valley," Fuhrman said, urging residents to watch a YouTube video he has produced about his plans.

Liesemeyer (right) said economic development should be focused on the economic corridor, which is identified in the general plan as being the areas along Haun Road and Newport Road near the 215 Freeway.

"I've served five years on the Planning Commission, where we put together the city's general plan," he said. "We've laid out that economic corridor, which is going to bring businesses to this town. I want to see more business come in on the central corridor, where it makes sense. We need to leave Quail Valley alone. There are a lot of residents out there who are already living their lifestyles the way they want to."

Liesemeyer also said Menifee should take advantage of some development opportunities explored by the City of Murrieta on the southern border of Menifee.

"They brought in the hospital and recently Kaiser has purchased property there," he said. "I envision the south end of town being part of the business corridor as you enter Menifee. Down in that area we could build a nice synergy for this city to help build the tax base."

Kristjansson (left) emphasized her experience as a former city council member and her community involvement in the Boys & Girls Club of Menifee Valley as well as the local chapter of the United Way. She had a quick answer when asked about her own vision for the city by the year 2030.

"We have a very distinct senior population and we have a very distinct rural population, and that is the charm of the city," she said. "What we don't do well now is that we don't blend that together, so that all are working as one.

"Quail Valley really has been left behind in this, as has Romoland to some extent. I see nearly 50 square miles of amenities for people where you can live here, you can work here, you can play here and you can drive here. My vision would be that everyone here would be able to stop commuting and we would have a functioning city council by that point."

In her opening comments, Kristjansson emphasized the need for council members to work together and avoid the contention that has been obvious in recent years.

"I think we all agree that we want our leaders to be knowledgeable, experienced, committed to the community, and I think we want them to be someone who can represent the city in a positive and strong position," she said. "I have done all of those things, both on the city council and in my regular career. I have the experience to do this, I have the drive and I have the proven capability I can make a difference in Menifee."

The city elections will take place Nov. 4.