• Better Know a Candidate Veronica Langworthy

I've been doing "Better Know a Candidate" blogs since 2014 and this year there will be a total of three blogs for District 4.

In August I reached out to all three candidates and I heard back from all three. In the end, two sat for the interview (Karen Ellison and Bridgette Moore) while one candidate declined, Veronica Langworthy. 

I do have a copy of her ballot statement, so I'll post that here where a softball Q&A would have gone. 

I have thoughts, but this blog will not have opinions, that'll be in the next blog that discusses the race in District 4. Look for that in a week or two.

Link to blog discussing the 2024 District 4 race

I have no recent photos of Veronica Langworthy, so I'll use this photo taken in front of Montegue Brothers Coffee.

Wildomar incorporated in 2008 to begin local control and to end the need to drive to Riverside County meetings to address city issues. Early local meetings were filled with people
sharing dreams of keeping Wildomar family-friendly, re-opening parks. and addressing issues such as land use, police, fire and public safety. 

I got involved and was appointed Planning Commissioner, serving for eight years.

Road maintenance is an ongoing concern today. Both private and public roads are in similar disrepair. The road maintenance budget is stretched, yet money is allocated for councilmember's health insurance, retirement, and other benefits.

The use of a "consent calendar" allows the council to vote on multiple agenda items without discussion. On April 10, 2024 the council approved thirteen items in one vote including their opposition to "The Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act." This act would have amended the California Constitution to define all state and local levies, charges, and fees as taxes. 

All state tax increases passed by two-thirds legislative vote would have an additional requirement to be passed by a majority of California voters. This hasty process benefits Governor Newsom rather than the citizens of Wildomar.

Discussing, informing, representing citizens: Vote Veronica Langworthy 

A "hardcopy" of her ballot statement.

Below is the email exchange regarding the blog invitation extended to Veronica. I never got a follow-up after Labor Day.

Links to the other two Better Know a Candidate blogs for the 2024 District 4 Race.

Karen Ellison

Bridgette Moore

• SoCal City Faces Wrath of Sacramento

The state of California on Monday, Sept. 23, warned the city of Norwalk that if it does not take steps to repeal a moratorium on emergency shelters and supportive housing by its next City Council meeting the state will revoke the city’s housing element compliance.

On Friday, Sept. 20, Norwalk asked for an extension of the Sept. 23 deadline set by the state to respond to a notice of violation sent by the California Department of Housing and Community Development over the city’s moratorium.

Last week, the Norwalk City Council unanimously voted to extend the moratorium until August 2025. The initial moratorium, passed last month, halts new development of the following uses: convenience stores, discount stores, laundromats, vehicle washing, payday loan establishments, emergency shelters, single-room occupancy, supportive housing and transitional housing.

The day before the council vote to extend the moratorium, Newsom and HCD announced a notice of violation had been sent to the city over the moratorium and demanded a response by Monday, Sept. 23.

HCD responded to the request for an extension on Monday in which it wrote that seven days was enough time for a response.

“However, HCD recognizes that the City may need time to identify the quickest path to resolving the issue,” the response read. “As such, HCD will monitor the October 1st City Council meeting and will expect your formal response the following day.”

Wildomar Rap opinion time

When I come across examples of California cities trying to stand up to the State machine (especially when it comes to housing and homeless issues) and the inevitable consequences they'll be facing, I like to share them with the residents of Wildomar.

It's one thing to suggest going full Rambo and "taking no prisoners" (or whatever the current phrase may be) but in practice, it costs municipalities a ton of money to remedy if they choose to go down such a primrose path. 

One of my stated goals is to keep Wildomar out of the news for making pigheaded decisions that are sure to blow up in our faces. 

The City Council, according to HCD, must either vote to repeal the moratorium on Oct. 1, and if necessary conduct a final vote on Oct. 15 or direct staff to prepare an ordinance to repeal the moratorium for consideration at a council meeting on or before Oct. 15.

“If the city chooses the latter option, HCD will revoke its finding of housing element compliance if the City Council does not vote to repeal the moratorium on or before October 15th and, if necessary, conduct a final adoption vote on or before November 5th,” the response read.

At a Thursday, Sept. 19, press conference announcing the signing of more than 30 bills related to housing and homelessness, Newsom mentioned Norwalk as an example of local jurisdictions not doing enough to address the crisis.

“Various consequences apply when a city does not have a housing element in compliance with Housing Element Law, including the immediate application of the ‘Builder’s Remedy’ and ineligibility or delay in receiving certain state funds,” the response read. “HCD may also refer the matter to the California Office of the Attorney General to seek court-imposed financial penalties and other remedies.”

Levy Sun, a spokesperson for the city, said in an email Monday afternoon that the city would continue to evaluate the HCD’s response.

By David Wilson of the SGVT September 23, 2024

https://www.sgvtribune.com/2024/09/23/state-to-norwalk-end-homeless-shelter-ban-or-risk-housing-blueprint-funding/

• Sacramento Keeps Chipping Away At Local Control

Newsom Signs More Housing Bills

Governor Newsom signed the full list of housing bills below

Preventing and Ending Homelessness 

• AB 3093 by Assemblymember Chris Ward — Land use: housing element
• AB 799 by Assemblymember Luz Rivas — Interagency Council on Homelessness: funding: state programs
• SB 7 by Senator Catherine Blakespear — Regional housing need: determination
• SB 1395 by Senator Josh Becker —  Shelter crisis: Low Barrier Navigation Center: use by right: building standards

Accountability 

• AB 1886 by Assemblymember David Alvarez — Housing Element Law: substantial compliance: Housing Accountability Act
• AB 1893 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks —  Housing Accountability Act: housing disapprovals: required local findings
• AB 2023 by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva — Housing Element: Inventory of Land: Substantial Compliance: Rebuttable Presumptions
• SB 1037 by Senator Scott Wiener — Planning and zoning: housing element: enforcement 
• AB 1413 by Assemblymember Phil Ting — Housing Accountability Act: disapprovals: California Environmental Quality Act
• AB 2667 by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago — Affirmatively furthering fair housing: housing element: reporting
• SB 393 by Senator Steven M. Glazer — Civil actions: housing development projects
• SB 450 by Senator Toni Atkins — Housing development: approvals

Housing Streamlining and Production

• AB 2243 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks — Housing development projects: objective standards: affordability and site criteria
• AB 2488 by Assemblymember Phil Ting – Downtown revitalization and economic recovery financing districts: City and County of San Francisco
• AB 2199 by Assemblymember Marc Berman — California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: residential or mixed-use housing projects
• AB 2694 by Assemblymember Christopher M. Ward — Density Bonus Law: residential care facilities for the elderly
• SB 312 by Senator Scott Wiener — California Environmental Quality Act: university housing development projects: exemption
• SB 1123 by Senator Anna Caballero — Planning and zoning: subdivisions: ministerial review
• SB 1211 by Senator Nancy Skinner — Land use: accessory dwelling units: ministerial approval

Transparency and Efficiency

• AB 1053 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel — Housing programs: multifamily housing programs: expenditure of loan proceeds
• AB 2117 by Assemblymember Joe Patterson — Development permit expirations: actions or proceedings.
• AB 2430 by Assemblymember David Alvarez — Planning and zoning: density bonuses: monitoring fees
• AB 2553 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman — Housing development: major transit stops: vehicular traffic impact fees
• AB 2663 by Assemblymember Timothy S. Grayson — Inclusionary housing: fees: reports
• AB 2926 by Assemblymember Ash Kalra — Planning and zoning: assisted housing developments: Notice of expiration of affordability restrictions
• SB 937 by Senator Scott Wiener — Development projects: fees and charges

Housing Protections 

• AB 2801 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman — Tenancy: security deposits
• AB 2747 by Assemblymember Matt Haney — Tenancy: credit reporting
• SB 611 By Senator Caroline Menjivar — Residential rental properties: fees and security
• SB 900 by Senator Tom Umberg — Common interest developments: repair and maintenance

Tribal Housing

• AB 1878 by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia — Housing programs: tribal housing program
• SB 1187 by Senator pro tem Mike McGuire — Housing programs: Tribal Housing Reconstitution and Resiliency Act

Wildomar Rap opinion time

What we need most is an informed electorate. 

Very often I run into people who think that common sense is what rules the day in politics, which is a flat out joke.

If someone would make a graph of housing costs and government interference (the road to Hell paved with good intentions and all) we'd see a direct correlation. 

Above and below you'll see dozens of new laws added to the books with the desired intention of making housing more affordable for all, but we all know that there will be an inverse reaction that will see affordability issues compound to the negative over time. 

Remember, elections have consequences. Yet, I don't see the voters of California wising up and changing out the one-party rule that has systematically made this state ever-increasingly too expensive for most people. 

Look on the bright side of things, next year there are sure to be dozens more similar bills looking to remove local control and push their one-size-fits-all agenda onto those of us who still live here that Governor Newsom is sure to sign.

• AB 3093 (Ward) — Makes changes to the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) process, including requiring local governments to account for people with extremely low incomes and those experiencing homelessness in their housing elements.

• AB 1893 (Wicks) — Modifies/clarifies the Builder's Remedy law under the Housing Accountability Act. New Builder's Remedy projects must comply with certain site restrictions, density limits, and other standards. However, builder’s remedy projects will also have a lower percentage of affordable housing required.

• AB 2488 (Ting) — Allows San Francisco to establish a downtown revitalization and economic recovery financing district.

• AB 2667 (Santiago) — Requires local governments to use a new standardized reporting format for the 7th and each subsequent revision of the housing element.

• SB 450 (Atkins) — Makes changes to California’s upzoning law, SB 9. Local governments will be required to approve or deny an application for a new SB 9 unit or lot split within 60 days and provide homeowners with a reason and remedy if their application is denied. It also mandates consistency in local objective zoning, subdivision, and design standards to ease the burden on applicants. 

• SB 1037 (Wiener) — Strengthens the Attorney General’s ability to seek civil penalties against cities that violate state housing laws. 

• SB 1395 (Becker) — Makes it easier for local governments to use tiny homes as shelter for the unhoused.

For a full list of the enacted housing legislation, click here. 

On Thursday, the Governor also announced new guidelines for the HomeKey+ program, which will provide up to $2.2 billion in funding for permanent supportive housing.

At the signing, Newsom took another potshot at cities and counties for their role in the housing and homelessness crisis.

“There’s never been more support to address all of those concerns than in the last four or five years,” Newsom said. “So what gives? Time to do your job. Time to address the crisis of encampments on the streets in this state. And yes, I’m not going to back off from that. And you will see that reflected in my January budget. I’m going to fund success and I’m not going to fund the rhetoric of failure anymore.”

Originally seen at California City News

https://w.californiacitynews.org/2024/09/newsom-signs-housing-legislation-impacting-local-governments.html

• Better Know a Candidate Bridgette Moore

I've been doing "Better Know a Candidate" blogs since 2014 and this year there will be a total of three blogs for District 4.

If you're already familiar with my style, you know that I'm not here to "fact-check" the candidates. This is a conversation, and I let the candidates speak, including a few "fun" questions.

First up was challenger Karen Ellison, now time for the incumbent Bridgette Moore. The third blog will be opinions about the race as there will be no opinions in this blog.

There is a third candidate on the ballot, but she declined the chance to be in a blog. I'll touch on her candidacy in the opinion blog. 

With that out of the way, let's chat with Bridgette Moore.

Bridgette Moore

1) What made you choose Wildomar as your hometown?

Back in 1998 we were living in Orange County, we had a condo, we had a one-year-old boy and we wanted a house with a front yard and a backyard. We looked in Temecula, we looked in Murrieta, and the last house the realtor showed us was in Wildomar. 

 

She told us it was an unincorporated community, we did not know what that meant as we were coming from Huntington Beach, but we loved the house. We checked out the police and fire station and then put in an offer and we got it.

 

2) What got you interested in running for city council?

Back in 1998 our parks were open, which was one of the reasons we bought the house, along with the elementary school being nearby in the same tract. I took my son to the park for the first year that we lived here and then the parks closed. I started volunteering to bring the parks back to Wildomar and at that same time the question of incorporating Wildomar into a city was happening, and I started volunteering for the Wildomar Incorporation Now committee. 

 

When that got to the ballot, and after all the time and effort involved, I put my name in for city council. There were fourteen people running and I was the second top vote-getter. 

 

3) Tell me about your family.

I'm married to my husband, Stewart, and we will be married for thirty years come October. We have one son, Jake.

Bridgette and Stewart Moore.

 

4) It takes a certain desire to serve the community as an elected official, what is your past community involvement?

I was involved in our community even before cityhood. I volunteered to bring our parks back to Wildomar which successfully happened. I volunteered for the Lake Elsinore/Wildomar Elks Lodge. 

I, also, volunteer for the VFW, my grandfather served during WWII and earned a Purple Heart and bronze medal, so I'm a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars auxiliary. Our son was in Scouts and both my husband and I volunteered for Scouts.

Bridgette in the blue blouse with members of RSO and the VFW.

5) How long have you considered running for this seat?

Actually, it took me the first few months of this year, it took me a while to decide if I'd run for reelection. People were asking me and I would respond, "I don't know, I haven't decided".  I've been volunteering [for the community] for twenty-four years.  But then I knew I wasn't done and I want to run again.

 

6) You're at the dentist's office with ten minutes to kill, and your smartphone is NOT getting a signal (gasp!). Which magazine do you reach for: The New Yorker, Sports Illustrated, Vanity Faire, People, Newsweek, Popular Mechanics, or Highlights?

I'd say, Vanity Faire

Bridgette at a reading event at Wildomar Elementary School.

7) What is your day job? 

The entire time I've been on city council I've worked full-time. The last twelve years I've been in the mortgage industry. With the interest rates being high right now, a lot of the mortgage industry has been laid off, and that includes me. I'd never been laid off in my life and worked forty years straight until April 5th, that was my last day of work at that company. 

I have recently started a position with Pacific Estate Planning. Right now with being Mayor, running my own nonprofit [Wildomar Community & Parks Foundation], and running for reelection, my days are pretty full. Then, we'll see where it goes from there. 

 

8) What's your understanding of the job of city council members and/or what your job would be after you're elected?

As council members we make policy decisions for the city, and we create the budget. We decide how the budget is going to be [and] then the city manager is tasked with [carrying out the policy]. 

 

For example, if 'we're going to hire two new code enforcement officers' and include those positions into the budget, then the city manager goes out and handles that task. 

 

We also represent the city at different meetings and different regional events.

With the 2023 award for Woman of the Year from Senator Kelly Seyarto. 

9) What’s a nice relaxing afternoon for your family?

Stewart and I like live entertainment. We go to concerts or to plays and then get dinner afterwards. 

 

10) Being on city council can be very time-consuming. When elected will your schedule allow for you to be "all in"?

Yes! Even when I was working full-time I still was "all in" in the job [of city council]. Whatever task I'm going to do I'm all in on it. Be it city council or whatever other job I'm doing.

Mayor Bridgette Moore emceeing the 2024 Memorial Day observance.

 

11) When you get a break in the action, how do you unwind/hobbies?

I like to garden. Pre-pandemic we didn't own a houseplant. We didn't have one plant that was alive, and during the pandemic, we changed our backyard to grow watermelons, strawberries, and tomatoes. 

I no longer have time for growing fruits but I do have many succulents, so many plants, hundreds of plants now. I love to go [into the backyard] and tend to the plants.

Bridgette and her longtime friend Janna Vicario donating time to decorate the Rotary Club's Rose Bowl Parade float.

12) What are your top three concerns for Wildomar?

Parks and Rec. We're on the cusp of providing more parks and recreation for our community. I want to be a part of that, it's my passion, and we're right there, right there to get that done. Bring more parks and recreation. We hear it all the time that we need a community center, we need opportunities for our families to get together and stay right here in Wildomar. 

 

Our unhoused is also a concern. Doesn't seem that there's an easy answer. I don't know the answer to solve it. Right now the partners that we (Wildomar) are working with seem to be doing a good job. 

 

Then of course we always need road maintenance. 

Bridgette at a park event. 

13) Currently each council member appoints a planning commissioner. What's your approach to future growth and how heavily would that factor in when choosing a commissioner?

When I've chosen planning commissioners before I meet with the [applicants] that have submitted, but I want them to have their own ideas. They're not going to be what I say, I want them to have ideas and I want them to be thorough in their research and how they vote. 

 

Growth is coming whether they're pro-growth or for non-growth, growth is coming, and it's just how we're going to manage that and what's the right fit for Wildomar. I'd really just want to hear their views and what they think is right for Wildomar.

 

14) How do you envision your community outreach if elected? 

I'm out in the community all the time. I regularly hear from people about the energy I have and I'm still committed to bringing that kind of energy. 

Even though I've had two surgeries this year and I'm still out there. I love being in the community and where [the people] are. If I'm at the gym people will ask me questions and though I may be out of breath I'm still answering questions. So wherever I'm at, the community knows I'm available.

With members of the Girl Scouts at city hall.

15) SoCal is close to many areas, would you say you're more of a beach, mountain, or desert person?

I grew up in Costa Mesa, so we were close to the beach. I'd say the beach.

 

16) Why are you the best candidate for the job?

I love serving our community and I feel I'm a good representative for the community. Giving back to the community, I'm involved in every facet of our community; from making high dollar decisions down to picking up litter. 

Bridgette Moore (with the broom) working a clean-up with the Wildomar Beautification Volunteers.

17) If you could speak directly to the Wildomar voters, and tell them why they should vote for you, what would you tell them?

Since I've been serving in our community for twenty-four years I love giving back to the community, love connecting, love those partnerships, and networking. When someone needs help, say from the VFW, then I know with one phone call I can get that help for them. I love bringing our community together. 

https://www.facebook.com/bridgette.moore.180/

https://www.facebook.com/MooreforWildomarCityCouncil

www.BridgetteMoore2024.com

From Bridgette's campaign website at the time of publishing.

Wildomar Rap notes

Both candidates were given a copy of the unpublished blog more than a week before publication so that we could smooth out any wording in the answers above, or transcription errors. 

Bridgette made a few edits to the original transcription that I'd made of the conversation.

Link to blog of challenger Karen Ellison

Link to blog of challenger Veronica Langworthy

Link to opinion blog on this race

• Wildomar Ranked #6 in the State and #249 Nationally, Really?

I was doing some research on where California cities rank in relation to each other and this popped up. 

Please don't shoot the messenger as you fall on the floor laughing your derriere off. 

Seriously, for those of us who love our hometown of Wildomar, we aren't such homers as to think we're ranked number 6 in the state.

Read below to see what I'm going on about. I'll add some of my own photos of The W in between the words of bestplaces dot net.

Wildomar does have many beautiful settings.

Wildomar, CA is a small city located in Riverside County, California. 

So Far, So Good!

It has a population of 33,120 people according to the most recent census and is a great place to live. Wildomar is ranked highly in terms of livability amongst US cities, coming in at #6 in the state and #249 nationally according to BestPlaces.net.

The city also has a low crime rate and good air quality for its residents. 

No real arguments yet... other than the population number being off by 12%

I'm not even sure where this was located. 

This is where Pinocchio's nose sprouted a bird's nest

Based on their rankings, Wildomar has excellent amenities such as quality healthcare facilities, good schools, plenty of jobs and career opportunities, an abundant supply of housing options, and plenty of entertainment activities and outdoor recreation areas nearby. 

Beautiful skies in Wildomar happen in an endless variety of ways.

Overall, Wildomar is an excellent place to settle down with a high quality of life that makes it an attractive option for potential new residents or visitors alike.

I'm fine with the previous sentence.

Best Places ranks thousands of places to live based on analysis, data, and key statistics from the U.S. Census and our Best Places To Live Expert Insights.

https://www.bestplaces.net/rankings/city/california/wildomar

I'm guessing that this was written by AI, especially if you look at the other rankings where they have Wildomar listed.

The same goes for nearly everything else on the internet too.