• State of the City 2018

Just a brief recap of the 2018 State of the City even held at Wildomar City Council Chambers. The event was free to attend, which included samples of food from Angelo's Brick Oven Pizzeria, Pie Nation, WaBa Grill, and Dunkin Donuts.

The opening slide of the presentation.

The event was put on by the Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber, and they were pouring craft beer from 8 Bit Brewery during the reception hour, which began at 5:00pm.

Mayor Ben J. Benoit delivering The State of the City address.

The attendees included many residents of Wildomar and several elected officials from nearby towns. The program started a bit after 6pm with an introduction by one of the chamber board members, followed up by a prayer from John Pleasnick of Faith Bible Church. 

Boy Scout Troop 332 served as color guard and brought the flags to their places in the room. This was led by newly minted Eagle Scout Damion Gonzalo as the audience then recited The Pledge of Allegiance.

The theme had Wildomar as the heart of Southwest Riverside County.

From there Mayor Benoit spent about 40 minutes giving some history of Wildomar, some statistics, a look at our emergency services, roads, parks, and a pitch for Measure AA, with several videos woven in between.

The coming name change of Baxter/Central/Porras/George/Shopping Center
to Wildomar Trail was highlighted.

This wasn't the type of meeting that needs to be quoted or analyzed. State of the City events are really just a chance to show off what's going on in a city, and do some networking at the same time. 

The 2018 Wildomar City Council: Tim Walker, Dustin Nigg,
Ben Benoit, Bridgette Moore and Marsha Swanson.

Great job Mayor! (and thanks for the shoutout) ☺

I liked the way the front of the Council Chambers looked, and the white chairs inside. The videos were nice as was the speech. The only way to improve it would be to get the production live streamed on a city source. Maybe next year. 

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Beauty is variable, ugliness is constant.
– Douglas Horton

One thing you can say about Wildomar Rap is that it's been pretty constant over the years. 

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• State of the City 2017

People began arriving a little after 5pm for the State of the City address. This was the third consecutive year that the event was held at the council chambers. This year the entrance area was all gussied up western style.

The front of the council chambers all decked out for the occasion.

The guests were fed by Da Big Show BBQ, and the Wildomar Rotary Club served beer and wine. I recommend the pulled pork sandwiches and the mac n cheese.

Around 6pm a reminder that the event was about to start came over the PA system and people went in and found their seats. 

Mayor Pro-Tem Ben Benoit greeted the crowd and introduced Joseph Franco who gave the opening prayer. 

Ben Benoit, all cowboyed up.

Boy Scout Troop 332 lead the group in the pledge of allegiance, followed by the National Anthem sung by Samantha Aguiar.

Samantha Aguiar sings as Troop 332 looks on.

After the local dignitaries were recognized, a cutesy video called A Day With The Mayor was played. 

It showed Mayor Tim Walker at city hall with his grandsons, then at the high school, DeJong's, Round Up loading bales of hay, Jolie Day Spa, rushing to get to the city hall on time with stops at Barons, Dunkin Donuts and Ace Hardware before finally arriving at city hall where one of the local Little League teams was there to great him before his grand entrance.

Mayor Walker enters wearing his signature smile.

Like most State of the City occasions, it was mostly a recap of things already known or heard in the past. The theme was, The Past Makes Our Future.

No breaking news... though it did sound like there might finally be some movement with the long promised Walmart next year, and not long after that the Wildomar MSJC campus. 

Walmart was referred to the elephant in the room since we're all wondering when the first shovel will hit the ground. Hopefully sooner than later.

Mayor Walker started off with the history of Wildomar, discussed the various commercial projects that are in the works, the various residential projects coming to town and finished up with "I love this valley, I love this town. Thank you for coming tonight."

A collage of the Mayor... it appears that he favors the left side of the room here. ☺

One of the videos featured the late great Stan Smith at his July birthday party at the VFW, and again in front of the camera speaking of his time in Wildomar. It was a touching moment when he came on the screen.

Stan being honored at his birthday party by his son Kevin as seen in the video.

I didn't shoot any video for this, it was already covered by more than one entity, but I will add a link to the live streaming done by Councilmember Bridgette Moore below. 

It's a Facebook video, so I'm not certain if it is or isn't visible to non Facebook users, or to people that have managed to get on her bad side... you have to be pretty diligent at being an ass to find her bad side... most of us didn't even know that such a thing existed.

One thing I took away from the Mayor's words dealt with the new city council districts.

"You can call any [of the five city council members], because we're [of] one mind. We're five people, and we love our districts, but we're about Wildomar, we're not about districts. [...] We're going to do it as a collective. We share. We do it all the fair way because Wildomar is one family. Not five different families all living in the same house."

Mayor Tim Walker, State of the City 2017

Though my guess is that if you're just an unremitting jackwagon (you know who you are) you're going to be told to hit up the council member from your own district if you go too far off the rails.

It was a great evening, and again no revelations in it. However, if one listened closely enough, it sounded like Councilmember Dustin Nigg will get the Mayor Pro-Tem job for 2018, which would line him up to be Mayor in 2019. 

Also, I was able to glean from the Mayor's words that he'll be running for his third term next year. I have to wonder if there will be any challengers in District 3 or not... time will tell.

Wildomar Rap Opinion Time

Great evening, great theme and decorations, great message and great delivery. It was both informative and entertaining. There were many laugh lines and I thoroughly enjoyed the Mayor's delivery of them.

My concern would be that, for people that don't know the Mayor, they might take some of his joking around seriously.Think about it, it's 2017 and Social Justice Warriors are always looking to be angry over some blown out of proportion issue or another.

I thought about culling out my favorite lines of the evening, but there were too many, and when in print could easily be misunderstood. 

Without quoting him verbatim, I did love his lines about BBQ and the Animal Shelter, and his thoughts on guns and self protection.

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Other than that, if I had a complaint it was that it ran too long and... and he didn't give even one update on the Dodger blowout over the Cubs. What up wit' dat?☺

At the outset Mayor Walker talked about how his last time at the State of the City mic had him speaking (often off topic) for 45 minutes and he'd left out many things. 

In hopes of avoiding a repeat, this time a script was prepared.

Alas, as the revered Scottish poet Robert Burns noted in his poem "To a Mouse".

If you prefer it in the original Scottish brogue.
The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men, Gang aft agley.

He shattered his previous high water mark with an indomitable performance, where his speech eclipsed the one hour and fifteen minute mark. Oh, doctor! You can hang a star on that one!

Thing is, he was in his element, and was enjoying the moment. That and, if any successive Wildomar mayor wants to break his record, they'll really have to work at it. ☺

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The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.
– Helen Keller

Wildomar Rap would like to add that being up close and personal with someone that has a raging case of halitosis runs a close second.

• Upcoming Events Final Quarter 2017

So many times I've heard people say, "Oh my, I only wish I'd have known about (insert name of event here), I'd have loved to have gone."

Well, here's your chance to put several events on your calendar, before they happen this go round. ☺

First up is the State of the City event. 

I've been to several of these, and though they are generally filled will fluffy happy talk, it's still good to get an assessment of where the city leaders think we stand. 

Tickets are free, but you need to get them ahead of time.

Here's the link to get tickets.

 City of Wildomar's 2017 State of the City 

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Next up on the calendar is the inaugural showing of the Scary Dairy. It's a fundraising event from the Wildomar Rotary Club. 

This will be happening on Friday and Saturday evening, October 21st and 22nd.

It'll be at Wildomar's famous DeJong's Dairy. See the flyer for more details. 

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Sunday October 22nd there will be a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for shooting victim Chelsea Romo at the Elks Lodge in Wildomar. 

There is a big window from 3pm to 8pm to come out to be part of this fundraiser. Leave the cooking and cleaning to others as you help out a local family in need.

Spaghetti is the the international food of friendship. ☺

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On Saturday October 28th, at Marna O'Brien park will be the site of Wildomar's 4th annual Trunk or Treat event. This event has really grown into a terrific community event. 

Plan on coming before dark and visiting all the candy-passer-outers. Come dressed in an original or clever costume and enter one of the contests and you might go home with a prize.

If you'd like to be one of the official "vendors" see the flyer below for details. There is no cost to sign up. It's a great way for your business or organization to meet a large swath of the community. Bring a lot of candy with you, and think of a clever way to decorate your vehicle too.

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Community Clean Up Day

Not as much fun as the other things mentioned, but for some maybe just what they've been waiting for. If you've got junk, then bring it to one of the two designated areas. 

This will be happening on Saturday morning, November 4th.

Be sure to check the conditions in the flyer before heading out... you don't really want to dress your truck up like that of the Beverly Hillbillies just to learn you showed up at the wrong location... or to mistakenly bring things on the contraband list.

Also, you'll be needing to unload your own junk, so bring a crew with you.

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Other things to consider include:

• Twin events, potluck at the VFW and a crafts fair the Elks Lodge on November 11th. The craft fair is starts at 10am and goes to about 2pm, whereas the potluck kicks off at 1pm. 

• The annual Christmas Tree Lane held at the Elks Lodge, Saturday December 2nd. 

• The annual Breakfast with Santa event that is held at Fire Station 61, on Gruwell St. 

There is no flyer made yet, but it's not too early for you to block out part of that morning to be part of one of Wildomar's most endearing and anticipated happenings.

• CERT reunion dinner, Thursday December 28th (other details to follow as we get nearer). There are many CERT alumni, but probably have lost contact after our classes were completed. 

As we've seen repeatedly this year, emergencies happen all the time, and seldom with much notice. If you've taken the CERT classes, it would be a good chance to reconnect over dinner... no cribbing on the menu. ☺

Come on out to one —or all of— these events and get a sampling of the Wildomar community in action. See you there.

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We know what we are, but know not what we may be.
– William Shakespeare

To Wildomar Rap or not to Wildomar Rap, that is the question. Nobility of suffering in the mind notwithstanding.

• State of the City 2016

The event had a start time of 6:00pm with appetizers starting at 5:30pm. Los Reyes, Waba Grill, Stadium Pizza and Go Nutz Donuts provided the food and the Wildomar Chamber of Commerce furnished the cocktails.

Sisters Jocelyn and Galilea Leon sing the National Anthem.

The program began with Councilmember Tim Walker opening with a prayer, boy scout troop 332 led the group in the pledge of allegiance followed up by the singing of the national anthem by the Leon sisters.  

Dana DeJong, chairman of the chamber, was the emcee and introduced the local dignitaries that were in the audience before handing it over to Mayor Bridgette Moore.

During the presentation, that lasted about 45 minutes, there were seven well made videos that highlighted various aspects of Wildomar. They were weaved together with comments from the mayor and powerpoint imagery on the four large screens in the chamber.

One of the themes had our valley area as "The Magic Kingdom" with Wildomar as Frontier Land, Lake Elsinore as Adventureland, Murrieta as Tomorrowland, Temecula as Fantasyland, Menifee as Jungleland and Canyon Lake as "It's a small world."

All the videos were terrifically done, and as someone that produces small time videos and knows what it takes to make them, I have to applaud the team from Cherished Memories for delivering such quality with so little time to do it in.

Nothing like going to a coffee with the mayor event and finding out you're about to be on candid camera. Stewart Moore was pressed into service as "Wildo-Reporter" that day and it was a natural fit, as for me... not so much. ☺

When it comes down to the nuts and bolts of the "state of the city" we have no debt and no unfunded pension obligations. Businesses are opening and people are moving into town. Current population is just over 35,000.

As parting gift, those that attended were given 2017 Wildomar themed calendars, distributed by the Wildomar Queens as people left. 

I'm never sure what to expect from such events, but I really thought that the city did itself proud with the entire evening, and the mayor's delivery was very smooth throughout with well delivered laugh lines. 

The event was live streamed on facebook by the Wildomar Chamber of Commerce. Here is a link to the video. It's a bit pixelated in spots, but it's a great first attempt to live stream a Wildomar event.

I only have one suggestion for the next time Bridgette Moore is the mayor and is slated to host the State of the City event.

Arrange for Chase Bank to hire extra guards that day. 

As it turns out, when Mayor Moore hosted the State of the City back in 2010, the bank was robbed the same day... lo and behold, it happened again in 2016.

Link to blog about 2015 State of the City

Link to blog about 2014 State of the City

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The most perfect political community is one in which the middle class is in control, and outnumbers both of the other classes.

— Aristotle, 384BC-322BC

Wildomar Rap is getting ready for the holiday season... are you?

• State of the City 2015

Tonight was the State of the City presentation by Mayor Ben Benoit.

It started around 5:30PM, though many people were already there by 5:15. There was food provided by Los Reyes Mexican Restaurant, pizza by Pie Nation and chicken skewers by Old Market Grill for those that attended.

Alfredo Garcia looks on as Lake Elsinore Mayor Pro-Tem Brian Tisdale (left) waits for an enchilada. 

Many local dignitaries were on hand. Including State Senator Jeff Stone, Assembly Woman Melissa Melendez, County Supervisor Kevin Jeffries, representatives from Lake Elsinore and Temecula, and a host of others.

Chief of Wildomar Police Leonard Hollingsworth, Electra Demos of The Assistance League,
Mayor Pro-Tem Bridgette Moore and another person from The Assistance League whose name I didn't get.

The presentation started with Boy Scout Troop 332 leading the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Followed by the singing of the national anthem by City Clerk Debbie Lee.

Brandon Benline and Debbie Lee go over specifics of the opening ceremonies.

Mayor Ben Benoit spoke for a little less than half an hour about the current state of Wildomar.

A key thing to take away from it is that we're not in debt, something many other cities can't claim.

He highlighted many coming projects, including Mount San Jacinto College (currently battling predictable litigation).

He also reminded us about the recent veto by Governor Brown of SB 25 that would have stopped diverting nearly $2,000,000 a year away from the city. A fight that will continue until it's returned.

 Part of Wildomar's A-Team, from L-R; Gary Nordquist, Leonard Hollingsworth, Thomas Jex, Dan York, Debbie Lee,
 Bridgette Moore, Ben Benoit, Marsha Swanson, Janet Morales, and Tim Walker. 

City Council Members: Mayor Pro-Tem Bridgette Moor, Mayor Ben Benoit, Tim Walker and Marsha Swanson.

A suggestion for next time. Let's work in a ringmaster of sorts that will corral people into photo ops. Someone that will be able to get people lined up for photos. It would have been great to get more posed pictures with those that attended.

I was very surprised that Council Member Bob Cashman was a no show. Though he never comes to city events, outside of the Bell Ringing (he's usually the MC for that one), I thought this would be different.

Thing is, at a recent city council meeting he went out of his way to say that he was now retired, and that he'd be able to spend more time concentrating on Wildomar. I guess he's waiting for a special occasion or something.

Sort of like on a classic Simpson's where Bart got Marge some perfume for her birthday and he asked her why she didn't put any on. Her response was, "I'm waiting for a special occasion."

With Bart's retort being, "what's more of a special occasion than your birthday?" 

Bringing it back to Wildomar, what's more special than the State of the City address?

Temecula City Council Member Maryann Edwards happened to be sitting next to me during the Mayor's presentation and afterward quipped after seeing Bob Cashman's name on the screen, "I don't know Bob Cashman, I haven't seen him at any event."

I smiled and said, "Yeah, he doesn't bother coming to city events."

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Dead people receive more flowers than the living ones because regret is stronger than gratitude.  
― Anne Frank

Wildomar Rap missed out on Pie Nation's pizza, but was happy to have a plate of Los Reyes' food... and yes, the whole enchilada was great.

• State of the City 2014

I'd never been to a "State of the [fill in the blank]" before. So my attendance at today's State of the City was something new for me. w00t!

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It was attended by local dignitaries from neighboring cities and organizations. Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake, Murrieta and Temecula were represented. As were county supervisor Kevin Jeffries' office, state assemblywoman Melissa Melendez's office, county supervisor Jeff Stone, of California Secession fame. *link to that story if you've forgotten*

Rounded out by our own city peeps, except for Bob Cashman that is... I'm pretty good at photoshop and can add him into any official photos if the city would like.

The list of dignitaries was so long that it took up about 10 minutes to go through. I was sitting next to Doug Ames, and at one point he leaned over to me and said, "looks like we're the only [average] citizens here." 

Even his son, Mike Ames, was among the honored guests, on his way to becoming an Eagle Scout, he lead the group in the pledge of allegiance.  Ready? Begin....

The theme for today's event was:

Had I seen this theme in the first ten years I lived here, I would have scoffed at it. Back then I didn't do much more than wave to some of my neighbors from time to time. I never got out of my own bubble long enough to know if there was a community or not. Ever since I ventured out of my safe zone last year, I've seen that there is indeed a community in this city, and it's full of good people.

Mayor Marsha Swanson giving the State of the City speech. 

Remember when I said  I am pretty good with photoshop? Well, those banners weren't behind the mayor until I put them there. I'm telling you, I can insert council member Cashman into pics of any event he can't make it to.
 
 

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Now let's get down to the nuts and bolts of the speech.

***Spoiler Alert***

[There weren't any "nuts and bolts" of the speech.]

First, let me ask you... have you ever heard a State of the Union speech? After you listen to one of those, no matter which party is in the White House, you end up scratching your head and asking... what was all that? There's no difference here.

There wasn't going to be any fiery rhetoric. These speeches are meant to be flowery and glowing, filled with optimism —which it was. Though I did appreciate it when the phrase "frivolous lawsuits" was uttered, as did the rest of the crowd... if you can deem groans mixed with muffled laughter, as people "appreciating" something that is.

I enjoyed the experience for what it was and look forward to going next year too. A round of thanks to those that made it come off so well. Mayor Swanson did a nice job with the speech, though some of the surnames, of the local dignitaries, did give her a run for her money. :)

A view of the north side of the Elks Lodge banquet room.

Mayor Marsha Swanson posing between banners.

 

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