Sobek Officially Joins City Council; August Mayor Pro Tem

Lesa Sobek is sworn in as a Menifee City Council member by city clerk Sarah Manwaring. Menifee 24/7 photo: Kristen Spoon

Lesa Sobek, who won a special election last month to fill a vacant seat on the Menifee City Council, was sworn in as a council member during Wednesday night's meeting at City Hall.

Sobek received 48 percent of the votes cast Nov. 3 by residents in District 3, the southeast portion of the city. She won easily over candidates Neil Winter, Stu Blaze and Darcy Kuenzi to fill the last year remaining on the term of longtime council member and former mayor Wallace Edgerton, who died last May.

Council members had the option of naming a replacement for the last year of Edgerton's term or calling a special election. They opted for a special election at a cost of an estimated $12,000, which mayor Scott Mann Wednesday called "money well spent" to let the voters decide. In the end, the winner was Sobek, who was Edgerton's recommended choice before his death.

Appointed to the Menifee Planning Commission by Mann in 2013, Sobek is involved in a variety of community activities. She spearheaded the city's program for banners honoring military personnel and veterans. As a member of the Menifee Interfaith Council, she is one of the leaders of the city's annual "Menifee Better Together" community clean-up campaign.

Sobek, her husband and three children have lived in Menifee since 1989.

"It's an honor to be able to serve District 3," Sobek said. "One thing I've learned is that councils counsel together. I am prepared to do that with my fellow council members. I believe in honesty and having integrity, and I will continue to live my life that way."

After Sobek was sworn in, council members voted unanimously to name District 1 representative Greg August (left) as mayor pro tem. This position traditionally is rotated among council members but most be voted on by the council. August assumes the role filled by council member John Denver in the last year. Prior to that, Edgerton filled the position, which that year was termed deputy mayor.

Sobe's District 3 seat will be up for election again next November, along with August's District 1 seat and the office of mayor. Denver and council member Matt Lieseyemer are elected to serve through 2018.