Temecula Valley News

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Knee Deep in the Hoopla, A-3

VALLEY

Coffee with a Cop creates camaraderie, A-5

Temecula Football Club offers summer camp for young soccer players, D-1

A

Section

NEWS

June 26 – July 2, 2015

www.myvalleynews.com

Local

Pechanga Chili Cookoff crowns local champ

Volume 15, Issue 26

Father’s Day Car Show cruises into Murrieta, brings fun to families

Ashley Ludwig Staff Writer Temptation is the word for the new regional chili champion at the annual Pechanga Microbrew Festival and Chili Cookoff. Recently held at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, this seventh annual event showcased the Pechanga chefs in a chili challenge. see page A-8

Opinion

Ready.gov puts resources at fingertips Kim Harris Managing Editor Here in Southern California Wildfire is always a risk. But, this year that risk has increased exponentially as the worst drought in the state’s history continues to drag on. see page B-3

Tony Coria takes a picture of his son Evan, 4, next to a 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 during the Murrieta Father’s Day Car Show.

Tessa Fieri Intern The first day of summer was Sunday, June 21 and the weather was perfect for everyone to enjoy the Murrieta Father’s Day Car Show at California Oaks Sports Park. Opening at 8 a.m., the annual event brought waves of families who strolled about with umbrel-

Entertainment

Jazz concert to be held at Temecula Rec Center TEMECULA—The Bravura Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Bravura Youth Jazz Band, under the musical direction of Don Marino, will give their first jazz concert on Saturday, June 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Temecula Community Recreation Center Amphitheater at 30875 Rancho Vista Rd.

VALLEY NEWS

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID FALLBROOK, CA PERMIT #499

see page B-4

las, hats and sunscreen to protect themselves from the summer sun. Fathers of all ages came with their children to admire cars at the popular event. The collectible cars offered glimpses of the American family throughout the decades. Some once had kids piled into the truck cabs for road trips or had cruised along the highway for first dates. And

now, those cars are pristine, polished and preserved show pieces. Cars were recognized in several categories: Dad’s Top 40, Best in Progress, Mayor’s Choice, Family Projec, and Best in Show. The car voted Best in Show will be featured on the apparel of the event the following year. Tom Elling, Temecula resident and Fallbrook High School teacher, gave his vote to a crowd

Shane Gibson photo

favorite, the pagoda green 1964 ½ Ford Mustang. Local car owner John Kratz showed a 1987 Cadillac Brougham, and spoke affectionately of its history. “My mother-­in-­law brought it down to Temecula from Northern California, but then she became ill, and couldn’t drive it anymore.

see SHOW, page A-6

Menifee state of the city City managers cite highlights city growth strengths, challenges at SRCAR forum Kim Harris Managing Editor

Menifee Mayor Scott Mann paid tribute to Councilman Wally Edgerton during Menifee’s annual state of the city address on Thursday, June 18. Edgerton passed away while still holding a seat on the city’s council in May. Mann pointed out a reserved seat for Edgerton in his honor and called for a moment of silence for Menifee’s first mayor who died on May 26 from complications of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a fatal illness first diagnosed in 2009. “I know that Wally would have appreciated all the outpouring of support and kind words that his family and friends have received during this difficult time,” Mann said. “I know that he would never miss an event. As he did with most city business, he was steadfast in his commitment to our great city.” Following the moment of silence, Mann took the time to point out the city’s standing as the second fastest growing city in the county and sixth fastest growing city in the state. According to Mann, population in Menifee has increased to nearly 85,400 people – an increase of just over 82 percent. Since its incorporation seven years ago, the median age has shifted from 56 to 38. Housing appreciations are 26 percent higher than the national average and schools spend roughly $10,116 per student with a student to teacher ratio of 26 to 1 and job growth increased by 1.17 percent since 2014. “Our unemployment rate has been steadily decreasing, down from 14.3 percent to 8.3 percent since the Great Recession,”

Mann said. “Menifee is an attractive city to residents and visitors alike and it’s a continued goal of the city to be at the forefront of these changes. I can personally attest to how much is going on.” Mann said that during his time as mayor, he has had the privilege to work with some “outstanding” people, neighborhoods and businesses within the community and that under the leadership of City Manager Rob Johnson the city has been successful in making “serious and positive impacts.” The city spans a total radius of 46.4 miles and only has 46 employees, Mann said, noting that the roughly one employee per city square mile is much lower than the neighboring cities of Murrieta and Lake Elsinore. “Many neighboring cities comment about what is our city’s secret in accomplishing so much, with such a small staff and with such a lean budget,” Mann said. “I will clue you into a trade secret, ‘we are investing in better tomorrows.’ We aren’t planning for what is, but for what will be. We have heart, vision, and integrity in making our city the best it can be.” In addition to praising city employees, Mann also praised City Council members for their ability to work together, “Like a well-oiled machine.” “We have been in-sync with moving Menifee forward as one city, and preparing for the future and for that I am truly grateful for the leadership of my colleagues, Mayor Pro Tem John Denver, Councilman Greg August, Councilman Matt Liesemeyer, and former Councilman Wally Edgerton,” he said. Since its inception the city has

see MENIFEE, page A-3

Tim O’Leary Staff Writer Four top leaders from a swath of Southwest Riverside County fielded a unique metaphor as they cited their cities’ strengths and challenges at a wide-ranging forum last week. The session featured a Disneyland comparison that was offered up by Wildomar City Manager Gary Nordquist. “It has been called Southwest Riverside County’s Magic Kingdom,” said Nordquist, who noted that his city is at the hub of the fastgrowing, diverse area. He triggered playful applause from audience members and his colleagues when he detailed the rationale for his characterizations. Temecula is “Fantasy Land,” he said, because of its hot-air balloons, gunfights in Old Town and get-rich dreams at the Pechanga casino. Menifee is “Jungle Land” because of its rapid growth and evershifting waves of orange cones and road crews. He dubbed Lake Elsinore “Adventure Land” due to its skydiving, water sports and many off-road vehicle attractions. Murrieta is “Tomorrow Land” because of its focus on high tech and international exposure, an approach that includes the Chinese language being taught as part of its high school curriculum. Wildomar’s rural roots and rustic setting makes it “Frontier Land,” he said. And Canyon Lake can be characterized as “It’s a Small World,” he added. “Look at all the choices you have if you live here,” Nordquist said. “I’m almost at the point where I don’t want to tell anybody.” But the audience at the an-

nual breakfast event, the fifth of its kind sponsored by the Southwest Riverside County Association of Realtors, is in the business of championing the area’s charms. About 135 people paid $20 each to attend the nearly four-hour session in Murrieta on June 18. Aaron Adams, Temecula’s city manager, noted the importance of the real estate industry in attracting new residents and retail customers to the area. He described his audience as “ambassadors” to the region and “disciples” of the upbeat messages that he and his colleagues were presenting. “We know your job is to sell the community and we thank you for it,” Adams said during his remarks. “We really embrace quality of life and we know you do, and we look forward to working with you in the future.” Kim Summers, Murrieta’s assistant city manager, represented her community. Menifee did not send a representative because the SRCAR event coincided with its annual State of the City presentation. The forum was salted by political commentary and satire from Gene Wunderlich, the association’s government affairs director. Wunderlich also led a questionand-answer session that touched on several sensitive issues that included an increase in homeless encampments in area stream beds. Much of the focus of the event was on commercial growth, new housing construction and the region’s slow rebound from the crippling “Great Recession,” a sharp downturn that hit in 2008 and gripped the area for nearly five years.

see WILDOMAR, page A-8


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