• 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.