Back in July, I added a photo to the Wildomar Rap Facebook page. If you visit that page you'll see how I enjoy changing the banner photo on a somewhat regular basis.
The photos are nearly always of one view of Wildomar or another. The one in question was at Marna O'Brien park looking through the breezeway to the hills.
The original caption was, "One of my favorite places to be in Wildomar."
Shortly after the photo was uploaded I got a comment from a resident on the photo that went like this, "It would be mine too if the parking lot had lights on at night! Especially on a very crowded night like the Wildomar Bash."
I'll add screenshots of the conversation, but if it's difficult to read on your device, please click this link to read it as it was on Facebook.
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From the screenshots above if they aren't legible on your device.
Now I've spoken with the main park's person. I'm glad that you brought this to my attention because now I know I am up on the issue.
To make a long story short, the replacement bulbs in question are obsolete. The city is looking to retrofit them to LEDs, and that has been an eye opening process as they've been learning about mistakes that other cities have made in this process.
The lights won't be retrofitted this calendar year, but they are looking to do this in the first quarter of next year.
That's not to say that they aren't working on the issue, but it needs to be part of the budget and approved. All that takes time.
I hope this helped answer your question about the lights in the parking lot.
—from the screenshots above
Then, in a further update that I received from City Manager Dan York, I got a few more details that I can share with the community as to what's being done about it.
Marna O'Brien Lighting
We are in the process of Requesting Quotes to retrofit the lamps at the park.
FAQ's: we have 32 lights in the parking lot and 57 lights on the pathways. The budget allocates $10,000 our current estimate to be confirmed by quotes is closer to $17,000. Our goal is to have the lights updated before day light savings time.
This is one example, among countless dozens, of similar questions and concerns that I've helped get an answer to since being elected to city council in back in 2018.
There aren't a lot of things that a member of the city council has power over, but we do have power over getting information out... even if the answers aren't always what we're were hoping for.
The campaign has begun and really heats up from Labor Day through most of October. I'll be looking for endorsements from residents in Wildomar. If you've been helped by me, or are otherwise happy with my work on city council, and would like to share your experience, I'd be very appreciative to be able to use your story in a Facebook post.
For comments, questions and concerns please reach out to me at my campaign email josephmorabito2018@gmail.com, my city council Facebook page with this link, or if you'd like to talk on the phone, here's my number (951) 285-1663. (leave a message, and I'll be sure to return your call)
There's always room for improvement, but based on the stats from Safewise.com, it's time thrust out our chests and stand proud and tall!
As you can see in the image, Wildomar jumped up 21 spots to hit #22.
Gotta love being ranked above places like Dana Point, Eastvale and Irvine. Not to mention that Temecula, Menifee, Canyon Lake and Lake Elsinore didn't even make the list.
The only local city that ranked safer than Wildomar was Murrieta.
California’s 50 Safest Cities of 2022
(the population is followed by the median income)
#1 Danville 44K $160K
#2 Rancho Santa Margarita 47K $121K
#3 Moorpark 36K $107K
#4 Aliso Viejo 51K $112K
#5 Yorba Linda 68K $129K
#6 Laguna Niguel 66K $108K
#7 Poway 49K $107k
#8 Mission Viejo 94K $118K
#9 Rancho Palos Verdes 41k $138K
#10 Thousand Oaks 126K $109K
#11 San Ramon 76K $109K
#12 Murrieta 117K $90K
#13 Santa Clarita 221K $99K
#14 Lake Forest 86K $109K
#15 Temple City 35K $78K
#16 Lincoln 48K $88K
#17 Camarillo 70K $93K
#18 Chino Hills 84K $106K
#19 Oakley 42K $104K
#20 San Juan Cap 36K $91K
#21 Simi Valley 125K $99K
#22 Wildomar37K$74K
#23 San Marcos 98K $80K
#24 Dana Point 33K $99K
#25 Irvine 297K $105K
#26 Eastvale 65K $119K
#27 Santee 58K $87K
#28 Encinitas 63K $116K
#29 Cupertino 59K $171K
#30 Folsom 82K $114
As it happens, I had made a screenshot from 2021 when we were ranked #43.
It takes a team effort to make a city safer. It starts with the desires (the demands) of the residents and it takes a responsive city council that listens and changes the policies that need tweaking (beefed up code enforcement working as a team with RSO and SWAG).
Though I've never met a single person that enjoys paying taxes, the big turning point was when the voters chose to add an additional penny per dollar sales tax back in 2018 by passing Measure AA, with 58% of the vote.
That has allowed the City of Wildomar to focus on many quality of life issues that it simply couldn't address in the past.
(I can't imagine our city without the improvements the additional tax money has made possible)
Are we done?
Have we crossed the finish line?
No way, no how... not even Murrieta would say that about their city.
There's always room for improvement, but what a great leap forward we've taken in just a few short years.
There are lots of other interesting stats found in the link below.
First, look at the median incomes of the safest cities and you'll see that Wildomar managed to get up there despite our lower median income.
Our median income, reported as $74K, was the lowest in the top 30 rated cities. Don't get me started on where we rank when it comes to the size of our tax base and city budget.
Yet, still, we ranked 22nd.
That's worth repeating.
Second, very often we'll see things that upset us about our city or neighborhood on social media. When we hear about someone's car or trailer being stolen, a catalytic converter being stolen, we get angry... and rightfully so.
I'm not looking to minimize such things when I point out that crime is something that has been plaguing society since the caveman days... that's why we have a police force in the first place.
Then throw in the new approach that Sacramento has when it comes to crime and punishment and it gets very challenging for the law abiding to stay safe.
As we have learned from Neighborhood Watch meetings, don't make yourself an easy target (sometimes easier said than done) and if you are victim of a crime (or see one) be sure to report it to the police.
Posting it on Facebook or Nextdoor doesn't count as "reporting" it.
Just for fun, let's compare Wildomar to Lake Elsinore at the website bestplaces.net. As you can see, they are below the fifty percentile too.
When you look at these FBI stats from bestplaces.net you see why Wildomar is ranked among the safer places to live with a score of 12.8 out of 100 for violent crime. (The closer to 0 and further away from 100, the better).
For those that may not know, my name is Joseph Morabito and I've been writing Wildomar Rap since 2013. I also have the honor of being Mayor Pro-Tem of Wildomar this year and I'm on the ballot for re-election this November.
Let's keep Wildomar going in the right direction. Please vote for me this November.
This blog is indeed an advantage for me to get my message out to the voters.
My phone number is (951) 440-2284 if you have questions that you'd like to bounce off me... that's what I'm here for.
Email at jmorabito@cityofwildomar.org
If you call, leave a message.
These days I don't answer unknown numbers... I'm tired of being warned about my warranty being ready to expire.
This year three of the five seats are up and will be on the ballot.
One seat for sure will be getting a new face, district 1, the seat that 2022 Mayor Ben Benoit has held since 2010.
Which district are you in?
He is running for a county wide seat, Controller/Auditor, and cannot be on the ballot for two races at the same time.
That leaves his seat wide open
I've heard that one person from district 1 has made an appointment with the city clerk to "pull papers" as it's now. That's when you get a chance to stick your toe a little deeper into the exciting waters of local politics.
The other two seats that are up are district 3 and 5. That's Joseph Morabito (me) and recently appointed Ashlee DePhillippo.
I have it on good authority that both Joseph Morabito (me) and Ashlee DePhillippo are planning on running for another term.
In my case, a second term. In Ashlee's case this will be her first election run.
► My thoughts on seeking reelection
I've enjoyed my four years on council and would be honored to be elected for another four years, but as I've said since day one of my campaign back in 2018, "It's not about me, it's about the voters."
I know that sounds a bit corny or contrived, but it's not, it's true. I don't have an agenda, other than to provide clear and timely communication from the city to the residents.
I only want your vote if you believe that I've done a good job representing you. If you are ready for new representation I fully respect that. It's your choice, and you will owe no one (especially not me) an explanation as to why or how you voted.
If you would like to support my bid for reelection, please comment. To be fair, if you're sick of me and ready for new representation, it's fair to let me know that too.
I've heard that someone in District 3 has made an appointment to get their nomination papers. That's how it should be. Those on council want to be elected in, we really don't want to just walk into it, even if that's an easier path.
The idea is for Wildomar, and in my case District 3, to have solid representation.
That'll be up to the voters to determine in November. In the meantime, I'm still willing to do "Better Know a Candidate" blogs on all the candidates, and that goes for any challengers against me... even if that's a bit awkward. 😅
I'm also happy to meet with all the candidates or just the ones from District 3 for a meet and greet, or a debate that's opened to the voters.
If you're interested in running for any of the seats, even mine, you need to make an appointment with the city clerk. Those appointments start on July 18th and run through (I believe) the second week of August (the 12th). But double check on that, I may be mistaken.
Please check below to see if you meet the qualifications to run.
From the city's website
Election Information
The City of Wildomar consolidates its election with the Riverside County Registrar of Voters who provides the voter registration, ballot materials, polling places and other activities. The City Clerk serves as the local Election's Officer and is responsible for issuing and receiving Nomination Papers, accepting City Measures and for the publication of all legal notices.
City’s General Municipal Election Schedule
The City of Wildomar is a General Law City governed by a five-member City Council. Members of the City Council are elected by district for a four-year term. Pursuant to California Elections Code Sections 1301(b), 1000 and 10403.5, beginning in November of 2010 and every even-numbered year thereafter, the City’s general municipal election shall be consolidated with the statewide general election held on the second Tuesday following the first Monday in November. (Ord. 08-15 § 2)
District Election Schedule
Councilmembers shall be elected in Council Districts 2 and 4 beginning at the General Municipal Election in November, 2016, and every four years thereafter.
Council Members shall be elected from Council Districts 1, 3, and 5 beginning at the General Municipal Election in November, 2018, and every four years thereafter. (Ord. 118 § 2, 2016)
Candidate Qualification
- Must be 18 years of age. - Must be a Citizen of the United States. - Must live in, and be a registered voter in, the district in which he or she seeks election at the time nomination papers are issued, pursuant to California Government Code Section 34882 and Elections Code Section 10227. Termination of residency in a district by a Councilmember shall create an immediate vacancy for that Council district unless a substitute residence within the district is established within 30 days after the termination of residency.
For specific questions, contact: City Clerk - Janet Morales Phone: 951-677-7751 x 210 Email: jmorales@cityofwildomar.org
Wildomar Rap is the name I've chosen for this blog. I was going to go with Wildomar Fishwrap, but it lost in a coin flip.
The most recent drawing of me
The point of this will be to post my observations, opinions, diatribes and occasional ◄barkings at the moon► when it comes to things that involve Wildomar. For those that may have found this page, but don't know what a "Wildomar" is... it's a small city in South West Riverside County, USA. It's where I've lived since 2001.
I like making friends, and if I happen to be friends with your enemy, that's the way it goes (and vice versa). Give me some time to make my own enemies thank you very much.
The tricky part about posting opinions, that involve people that you are on friendly terms with, is that the moment the opinion starts to detail something less than positive, some people stop being friendly, and even start being hostile. Oh dang... if that happens I can only assume the friendliness was just an act in the first place.
Presuming that anyone ends up reading this, and they choose to comment, I don't anticipate too many rules for it. Thing is, if you're going to go to the ad hominem card, you'd better be funny about it, no one wants to read recycled yammerings. I don't want a lovefest going on in the comments, but I also don't need verbal fisticuffs either. If you want to tell me that I'm full of crap, great, I already know it. If I post something inaccurate, then by all means I'd like to be corrected, so correct me. If I simply post an opinion that you disagree with... well, that's to be expected.
Ok, let's see how far this lead balloon will float.
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