• Volunteer Group of the Year: Wildomar Beautification Volunteers PART 2

You may be thinking, "Hey, wait a minute, wasn't this already covered?"

Joseph Morabito, Dan Gonse, Jerry Orchard, Ann White, Jim Webster, Debi Southerland, Keith Johnson, Nancy Linton, Sandi Fandrick, Bridgette Moore and Ashlee Dephillippo.

Yes, but no. The previous blog announced the news, this blog has some pictures of the day and an 8 minute video from the Board of Supervisors meeting where the non Wildomar portions were edited out. 

We invite you to come out and join us in making Wildomar beautiful. You don't have to become a regular, even once would be great. If you'd like to follow along with what the group is doing, use this link to get to the Facebook page.

Use this link for previously published info about Wildomar Beautification Volunteers.

Outside the County Building along with the volunteers of the year from other districts in Riverside County. 

From L to R: Wildomar Mayor Ben Benoit, Councilwomen Ashlee Dephillippo and Bridgette Moore, Mayor Pro-Tem Joseph Morabito with the mic, Supervisors Kevin Jefferies, Jeff Hewitt, Karen Spiegel and V. Manuel Perez.

Group shot of all the groups honored.

Wildomar Beautification Volunteers taking up the whole front row.

Can you name these people? Hint, they've been named up above. 😁

If you can't see the video above, you can use this link.

The Wildomar Beautification Volunteers have many, many members. Some are more active than others. There were several very active members that weren't able to make it to this meeting, I don't want to name them here, because invariably I'd leave out a name or two... but we know who you are. 😊

• Volunteer Group of the Year: Wildomar Beautification Volunteers

In the most recent issue of Supervisor Kevin Jeffries' newsletter he announced that Wildomar Beautification Volunteers were selected as this year's Volunteer Organization of the Year, and last of the original Wildomar city council members, Bridgette Moore, was selected as Volunteer of the Year.

The group will be honored at the April 26th Board of Supervisors Meeting.

Early on a Saturday morning, getting ready to beautify Wildomar.

Link to Supervisor Jeffries' Newsletter

If the font is too small to read on the image, here it is again. 😁

Supervisor Jeffries has selected the Wildomar Beautification Volunteers as the First District Volunteer Organization of the Year. 

In July 2020, Wildomar Councilwoman Bridgette Moore asked Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Morabito if he would accompany her on a litter pick up. They quickly saw that once a month would not make a dent so they planned for every week. Residents started joining in and a movement was started! The residents have created this wonderful group and have about 20 dedicated volunteers that are out in the community consistently. 

In 2022, they started picking up litter everyday. In addition, they have adopted 4 miles of the I15 freeway within the City. 

Their totals for 2021: Hours 1, 323 hours Bags 1,352

Bridgette spends countless hours out in the community cleaning and organizing daily events, supplies, and encouraging others to get involved in the community. 

Thank you Bridgette for all you do in the community. 

Bridgette and members of the Wildomar Beautification Volunteers will be honored at the April 26th Board Meeting during our Volunteers of the Year Presentation.

Link to September 2020 Blog About The Group

Bridgette has always been kind enough to include me (Joseph Morabito) as one of the founders of WBV. 

Yes I was there, much like the McDonald's brothers were there at the start of McDonald's, but it was Ray Kroc that made it a household name, and it's Bridgette Moore that breathed life into Wildomar Beautification Volunteers.

Ok, here's the reverse angle of the story... before Covid hit, there were a couple of residents that had been picking up litter on their own, most notably was Kathy Bundy and Jerry Orchard. I'm aware of a couple of others that regularly picked up litter, but they had been flying below my radar at that time.

In early 2020 a couple of friends and I went and picked up a couple of bags of trash at what used to be the Baxter/Central curve. I wrote a blog about it, but it didn't become a regular thing by any means. 

Then in the Summer of 2020, after a lot of chatter on Facebook about trash on our roadways, Bridgette asked if I'd join her in picking up litter in town, I said, "Sure." 

We thought that we'd pick up from McVicar to Grand and all the way to Clinton Keith. We were rookies then and had no idea how much time it actually took to pick up trash. We barely made it to Grand and back to the creek before we ran out of time.

We realized that once a month wasn't going to do anything, so we upped it to every other week, and then weekly. I remember the first time that other people joined in. I believe that it was Ann White and another person.

I was pretty regular with picking up trash on a weekly basis until the weather changed in December and it was barely light outside at our start time (great excuses, right? 😅). I went MIA until late January, and when I returned about eight weeks later, I saw how there were many new volunteers ready to make Wildomar beautiful. 

This is where things really changed. I was concerned that we couldn't keep up the pace of weekly, and was trying to lobby for twice a month or even monthly. I'm glad that Bridgette didn't listen to that and now the group has a couple of dozen regular members, all with great personalities and stories of their own, plus many others that come now and then. 

Not only is it a weekly thing now, there are some in the group that go out several times during the week, and the impact of all the volunteer hours really shows as Wildomar roadways continue to look better and better.

Thank you Bridgette Moore for having the tenacity and sticktoitiveness to take this from its humble beginnings to the point that you can take a week or two off and the group won't skip a beat. 

If you'd like to join the Wildomar Beautification Volunteers (even just one time), please reach out to either Bridgette or Joseph... but mostly Bridgette. ☺

Here's a link to the group's facebook page if you'd just like to take a look at what we do. 

 

• Wildomar Conversations: 4 Keith Johnson

Meet Keith Johnson. 

Keith Johnson at his place of employment, The Anchor.

He went into the Army at age 19. He spent fourteen years in the California Army National Guard with a rank of Sgt E5. He was discharged in 2016 and then opted to pursue a musical career in a band in the Lake Elsinore area. 

Things didn't work out as he'd planned, and within six months of that move he found himself homeless. He'd lost his place to live, his car, his family photos and records... he was on the streets of Lake Elsinore.

In 2018 he attempted a 90 day course of rehab, but only made it about 55 days before he headed back out to the street. It was about a year later that he first encountered SWAG. That occured at the lake bottom in Lake Elsinore. 

Three different looks of Keith; then, then and now.

It was around that time that local law enforcement changed their approach to homelessness and started arresting people for warrants, paraphernalia, trespassing, and other things that go unchecked in places like Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Keith was arrested for trespassing multiple times and paraphernalia. Each time that happened SWAG was there to offer help. They knew who he was and had taken his information multiple times. Eventually, after six years of being homeless, he walked to The Anchor seeking help on his own. 

Click to read more about The Anchor

Keith has now had a year away from the streets 

He has goals and desires. He was able to reach this level by saying "yes" to help. Something he wasn't ready for earlier, but with persistence from the community partners of SWAG, RSO and code enforcement, he took that big first step and is well on his way to being an asset to the community. 

Please take a look at the interview with Wildomar Councilwoman Bridgette Moore to get a more complete picture. Note: the original video ran more than 20 minutes. I pared it down to a little over 10 minutes. 

I know that Keith credits Gloria Strippling and Ashlee Dephillippo for their help, but also the entire "SWAG tribe" as he referred them, in his success.

Though homeless individuals need food along with things like clean socks, clothes and even fresh shoes fairly regularly, it's counterproductive to hand them cash. Cash generally is used for one thing: Drugs or alcohol. 

If you're so moved as to want to donate money, seriously consider what it's going to be used for and seek out a trusted local organization, such as SWAG, to give the money to instead. This is where the well worn phrase comes into play, give a hand up, not a hand out.

What homeless people, or addicts, need the most is to know that there are people that sincerely care and CAN help. Not just clothes and food.

— Keith Johnson

Joseph Morabito and Keith Johnson.
Even with my super foofy hair, I'm still much shorter than Keith.

Below is a video regarding The Anchor. 

As an aside, "Say Yes" is a recently proposed campaign in the quest to assist chronic homeless people in getting off the streets put forth by Lake Elsinore City Councilwoman Natasha Johnson. 

• Press Release: Suspect Arrested in Connection to Multiple Burglaries

RSO press release regarding an arrest made using FLOCK to help solve a burglary series to several of our local businesses on Clinton Keith. 

Details from the press release:

K’John Henry Sands

Between the dates of February 14 -16, of 2022, multiple after hours business burglaries occurred, within the cities of Lake Elsinore, Wildomar and Temecula. The Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station -Special Enforcement Team (SET) assumed the investigation.

During the extensive investigation, K’John Henry Sands, 21-years-old, resident of Compton, was identified as the suspect in the burglaries. March 10, 2022, The Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station SET, arrested Sands and booked him into Cois Byrd Detention Center for numerous burglary related charges.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Investigator Mills at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station (951) 245-3300.

As a reminder, "Community Policing" involves partnerships between law enforcement and community members. Business owners and residents are encouraged to report criminal activity directly to law enforcement by calling Sheriff's Dispatch at (951) 776-1099, or by calling 911 if the matter is an emergency.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Jeff Reese

File # L220470015/16 - WI220470005/13 - TE220470010/12/15/17/0121

Wildomar Rap opinion time

There was some skepticism when it came to the city joining in the FLOCK camera system which is being employed throughout the SWRivCo region. There were concerns dealing with civil liberties.

I'm known to tout my "libertarian leanings" but do not believe our civil liberties cover any semblance of "privacy" when in public places and especially not when real crimes are committed. 

Though I know that our civil liberties are the most important things we have (just look what the government of Canada did to people that were peacefully protesting against a specific set of their actions), I'm not of the all or nothing mindset. Shades of gray do exist, and this is great news that I hope to see repeated over and over in solving crimes... including illegal dumping. 

If you're not sure, please do some investigation before popping off, this is not Big Brother.

Below is a video from November 2021 where Sheriff Chad Bianco discusses FLOCK cameras.

 

• Application For Remainder of District 5 City Council Term

As you know, City Councilwoman Marsha Swanson has submitted her letter of resignation effective April 1, 2022 or when a replacement is sworn in. 

Below is the text from a recent email from the city clerk that shows how to apply to have her seat for the remainder of her term, which typically would go until the first meeting in December.

Link to application page

Direct from the city email:

CITY OF WILDOMAR - CITY COUNCIL NOTICE OF VACANCY IN DISTRICT 5 & APPLICATION PERIOD TO BE CONSIDERED FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE CITY COUNCIL

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Wildomar is seeking applications for appointment to the City Council to fill a vacancy created when Councilmember Swanson resigned on February 10, 2022. 

The term of this seat is from the date of appointment to December 2022. 

Eligibility requirements to apply: 

1. Must be at least 18 years old. 

2. Must reside in District 5 of the City of Wildomar. 

3. Must be registered to vote at current address at the time the application is submitted. 

The application can be found on the City Clerk’s Department page at www.cityofwildomar.org by downloading the application; OR by emailing/calling the City Clerk at jmorales@cityofwildomar.org or 951-677-7751 x210 to request a copy.

Applications will be reviewed by the ad-hoc subcommittee. 

The top qualified candidates will be selected and invited to interview with the City Council at a Special Council Meeting tentatively scheduled for March 16, 2022 at 6PM. 

The appointment will be made at-large and will be voted upon by the entire City Council in open session. Directly following the vote by the Council, the appointed individual will be sworn in and begin the remainder of the term. 

To Apply: 

1. Complete the City Council Vacancy Application. 

2. Email the Application to jmorales@cityofwildomar.org OR Mail to: City of Wildomar, 23873 Clinton Keith Road Ste. 201, Wildomar, CA 92595 Attn: City Clerk Janet Morales or drop off at City of Wildomar 23873 Clinton Keith Road Ste. 110 Wildomar, CA 92595. 

All applications are due no later than Thursday March 10, 2022 at 5PM. 

Date: February 25, 2022 Janet Morales, City Clerk

Link to city clerk page

Link to application page

This is the original, but it's probably difficult to read, and that's why I included the text version above. 

Wildomar Rap opinion time

I can imagine that some residents may take issue with this part: The top qualified candidates will be selected and invited to interview with the City Council at a Special Council Meeting tentatively scheduled for March 16, 2022 at 6PM. 

There are a few things to keep in mind. 

The subcommittee is looking for someone to fill the seat for the remainder of the term and be willing to put in all the work that comes with the position. 

This is filling a vacancy so that District 5 doesn't go 10 months without representation, and to avoid any potential 2-2 votes on items that may come before the city council between now and then. 

I see no reason to make this a search that lasts any longer than is necessary. 

The type of person that gets this seat, in my estimation, needs to already be plugged into the basics of city matters. 

That would negate the need for holding applications open for 60 or 90 days because they'll already be aware of this opening.

This is not a beauty pageant. Not a popularity contest. Not a permanent situation.

It's not preventing people from putting their names on the ballot for the coming election where the voters will make the choice.

My hope is that we receive several applications from highly motivated residents, that have a history in our city, and also a history of working in the community.

Only one person can be appointed, and they need three votes. 

Whoever it ends up being, if they have thoughts of being there longer than the remainder of the term, they'll need to submit paperwork with their intentions to run as early as July, along with any other candidates.

I have more opinions, but I'm really not at liberty to share them in a blog. I'll be saving them for the night of the special meeting on March 16th.

• City Council Meeting: Special Meeting; Resignation of Marsha Swanson

Long-Time City Council Member Marsha Swanson to Retire From Wildomar City Council

From the press release

WILDOMAR, CA – Marsha Swanson, who has been on Wildomar City Council since incorporation in 2008, submitted a letter of resignation on Thursday, February 10, 2022. 

The City held a Special Council Meeting on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 where it decided to appoint a new Council Member in Swanson’s place. 

The Council formed an ad hoc committee, consisting of Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Morabito and Council Member Dustin Nigg, which intends to hold interviews and provide a recommendation for the appointment. 

“Councilmember Swanson has been a tireless leader for our community since incorporation,” said Mayor Ben J. Benoit. “We will genuinely miss her calming influence on our Council and wish her the best with the upcoming free time she’ll have with her husband John Swanson, the kids, grandkids, and seven great-grandkids.”

Link to online version of the press release

Recap of meeting

The meeting had only one topic; how to deal with the empty seat created by Councilwoman Marsha Swanson's resignation.

There isn't time for a special election. 

In 2022, the only months available by law are April, June or November.

You may be thinking that June isn't too soon, but you'd be wrong. The election date can't be sooner than 114 days. If that sounds odd, take it up with the rule makers in Sacramento.

Initially, I was against filling the seat with either a special election or an appointment.

My reasoning was that the general election wasn't too far away, and that the voters of District 5 should be making the choice.

Outgoing Councilwoman Marsha Swanson made a point that I hadn't yet thought about. That District 5 would be without representation for the rest of the year. 

That is a good point, and even though we would make due, that doesn't make sense since there's a provision where a replacement can be appointed.

Whoever gets the nod will still have to run for election in November. The candidates that do not get selected will also be able to ask the voters of District 5 to choose them on election day.

That's really all to report now, but the idea is to get the word out to interested persons right away so that they can apply. 

Wildomar Rap opinion time

Here's something that I'll say, that I basically already said at the special meeting. I will not vote to approve a candidate that is an unknown. The voters can do that, but I won't.

If you are interested in applying, but have to be told to sign up for city emails so that you're up on things, that's a little too disengaged for me. 

I encourage newcomers to apply for a position on the Measure Z or Measure AA committees as an introduction to working within the Wildomar city government apparatus. LINK TO APPLICATIONS

If you want my vote, you need to be involved in the community on some level. I think that's a fair baseline to begin from. 

Here is my "list of things" that I expect all candidates to address in their applications... this can be seen in the video below. 

1. Why do they believe they are the best candidate for the position?

2. What is their motivation for seeking the position?

3. Do they have an agenda, and what is it?

4. What do they believe will be their roll once appointed?

5. Are they a team player?

6. What is their history in Wildomar?

7. What is their history with community involvement?

8. Do they understand that this position is far more than the monthly city council meetings (which includes a lot of homework to prepare for)?

9. Are they aware that this position is about being an ambassador for the city in many regional events, and as many city events as is feasibly possible? That they will be one of the key faces representing the city, even on their off time and on social media?

10. Is the new appointee willing to put in the time on various county boards and commissions where needed, not representing themselves, but representing the council?

I don't want District 5 to be without representation for the rest of the year, but I won't vote for someone just because they have a pulse.

• Look For Higher Trash Rates

Before you say that you didn't see this coming...

I recognize that many people have more pressing things to do than keep up with the issues regarding what happens with their trash after it's been picked up, I was the same way until about 10 years ago.

Then something would hit me in the wallet (a rate hike due to an unfunded mandate) and I'd perk up.

Our garbage has to go somewhere.

Playing the blame game doesn't help anyone, but if you're looking for the root cause of the increases please direct your gaze northward to Sacramento. 

For a VERY long time Sacramento has been putting the squeeze on how we can throw out our trash, whether you care about it or not. After years of revving up for this, the start date finally came.

I'm not here to argue the merits of the intentions (which we all know that the road to hell is paved with good ones), I'm just letting you know that your trash rates will be going up at some point in the not too distant future.

Trash Getting Expensive –

 The State (via Senate Bill 1383, passed in 2016) is mandating that cities and counties implement new trash collection standards specifically for food/organic waste. Once fully implemented, many of us could have yet another trash bin at the curb for discarded food and other non-recyclable organic waste. 

The local trash haulers are under the gun to put together their food pick up plan and to tell the cities and counties exactly how much more they want (or need) to increase our monthly rates in order to accomplish this statewide mandate. 

Any city or county that fails to implement the new plan will receive substantial fines from the State. Details are all pending but stayed tuned!

Link to Supervisor Kevin Jeffries Newsletter.

This was discussed at the December city council meeting, and I was a little taken aback when CR&R's Alex Braicovich said that there would be no rate increases since several years ago, to accommodate SB 1383, there was said to be a minimum $2 increase if the city had signed a deal several years ago.

It was asked, "With this adjustment in service is there a price increase to cover it? For commercial or residential?" 

"In this particular instance we're proposing no increase on the residential rate payer. There will be a rate adjustment later on in the year to address the 1383 requirements, as mentioned by Mr. Riley (Wildomar's City Treasurer). There are a number of requirements that 1383 is bringing on board. Those will be addressed at that time. There will be no increase to the residential customers."

I followed up with, "No increase as of the first of the year, but probably at the fiscal year."

Mr. Braicovich responded, "At the fiscal year what we're contemplating is the regular CPI adjustment." 

The exchange can be found at the 2:03:00 mark in this video link.

My goal is to get accurate information to the public, not play gotcha. So, before publishing this blog I reached out to CR&R's Alex Braicovich again. 

Below is the email exchange.

 WR  Before publishing the blog, I just want to run it by you first to confirm that there will be no residential rate increases beyond the normal CPI adjustment. or if the above needs a clarification.

 AB  Our plan is to only pass through our regular annual CPI for residential effective July 1, 2022. 

CPI will be higher this year due to higher inflation which is reflected in our increase costs. 

Our goal has always been to minimize residential cost increase even with all these new requirements brought on by SB 1383. 

We will be asking for CPI plus an additional amount on commercial and industrial. We communicated this plan to staff months ago and we plan to honor that commitment.

Wildomar Rap opinion time

I was happy to hear that the plan is to not ask for more than the CPI (Consumer Price Index) adjustment for residential customers even with the added burden of SB 1383. 

We'll have to see how significant that ends up being considering how steep inflation has been over the last year.

Also, this is where it's time to take a page from President Reagan's playbook, "Trust, but verify". 

I had an email into Waste Management's counterpart, but I didn't get a response before publishing this blog.

Link to 2016 blog where this first surfaced.