• 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.