• My Vote Is Going To Bianco

I'm voting for Chad Bianco.

I'm not telling you how to vote (how presumptuous that would be, and thinking too much of myself). I'm telling you how I'm voting because people want to know. 

Many residents will use it as a litmus test, and I'm fine with that

Wildomar City Councilman Joseph Morabito, Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco, and Wildomar City Councilwoman Bridgette Moore at a League of California Cities event, May 2026.

If you're a staunch blue-teamer, my support of Sheriff Bianco for Governor may now give you a dimmer view of me... if so, ok, I'm fine with that.

If you're a longtime member of Team Red, maybe that makes me a bit easier to tolerate. Again, I can't be worried about such things. 

If you're curious, I've been registered as NPP since I moved to Wildomar in the spring of 2001. 

This was taken in October of 2019 after an event. I had driven with Bridgette Moore, and as we were heading to the parking lot, we asked the new Sheriff to be part of a selfie. 

Sheriff Chad Bianco and I were elected in 2018 and I've been a supporter of his from the get-go, even though I'm a staunch NPP voter (No Party Preference). 

Look at the parties, BOTH OF THEM, and in my estimation, they've sorely lost their way... but this blog isn't about partisan noise, it's about the best pick for California Governor in 2026.

At the Deputy Calhoun Fundraiser event at Angelo's in January of 2023.

George Cambero, Joseph Morabito, Chad Bianco, Angelo Catalano, Bridgette Moore, Ashlee DiFilippo.

If you're looking for details of Chad Bianco's background, this isn't the right source. Those facts are everywhere out there (ask your favorite AI), both through the blue lens and the red lens.

Sheriff Chad Bianco and Wildomar City Councilman Joseph Morabito. January 2024. I believe this was taken at the one year anniversary of Deputy Darnell Calhoun's murder.

As I mentioned above, I came in at the same time as Chad and have liked his work all along the way. He's of high moral character and he gets things done. That's a great combination.

At a 2024 League of California Cities event, we heard details about Prop 36. 

There is only one way that you have a dim view of Sheriff Chad Bianco, and it's from taking in baseless partisan smears, or, I guess, you're just one of those odd ducks who hate all law enforcement. 

From an Oct 2024 town hall meeting at Wildomar City Council Chambers.

L-R: Joseph Morabito, Bridgette Moore, Sen Kelly Seyarto, Sheriff Chad Bianco, Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez, Carlos Marquez.

October 2024

At Deputy Calhoun’s Highway Dedication Ceremony, April 2025. 

Let me add a couple of stories here

The first dates back to the early Covid days. During the lockdowns I was watching the Board of Supervisors meeting as our Sheriff gave his speech heard round the world, where he became famous for saying, "[I won't be] making criminals out of business owners and single mothers for exercising their constitutional rights," and ", There can't be a new normal."

As I was watching it, I knew I had to share it. I backed up the livestream a bit and hit record. I then shared it on social media. 

Haters gonna hate

Blog about sharing the video and the reactions it got.

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We met up at The Diamond (often mislabeled as Storm Stadium) in Lake Elsinore, May 21, 2020. This was in the early whirlwind of Covid and the idea was to get the positive cases lowered so that life could open back up.

LINK TO BLOG

L to R: Canyon Lake Mayor Jordan Ehrenkranz, Lake Elsinore Mayor Brian Tisdale, Menifee City Councilwoman Lesa Sobek, Lake Elsinore City Councilwoman Natasha Johnson, Canyon Lake City Councilman Jeremy Smith, Menifee Mayor Pro-Tem Matt Liesmeyer, Wildomar City Councilman Joseph Morabito, Murrieta Mayor Gene Wunderlich and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. 

Ah, how the years can be seen on our faces. The grays in my beard really hadn't appeared yet, and his signature mustache wasn't a thing yet either. 

The next story is from a city council meeting in 2024. A resident commented on an agenda item regarding RSO and then said this, "My final question for the council is, "How do you feel about being policed by a Sheriff's department, Riverside County Sheriff's Department, that is led by a racist Sheriff who's constantly being investigated for corruption and violation of civil rights?"

She had asked for our reply, and I was happy to oblige.

"I 100% repudiate your assessment of our Sheriff, he's not a racist. I get it, you're entitled to your opinion, but that is not shared by me, and probably not anyone up here (the rest of the city council)."

Vote however you want, but as for me, I'm quite ready to take California in a new direction, and Sheriff Chad Bianco fits that bill perfectly. 

• City Council Meeting May 2026

The meeting began with a statement from Mayor Carlos Marquez discussing the social media dust up regarding items in last month's Planning Commission agenda. 

City Leadership Addresses Planning Commission Process and Rural Animal Setbacks

In the most recent city council meeting, Mayor Carlos Marquez and the City Manager took time during the opening remarks to address community concerns regarding a recent Planning Commission item.

Clarifying the Legislative Process

Mayor Marquez emphasized that the item in question... which sparked significant public debate, was initiated by city staff for a Planning Commission meeting, not by the City Council or the Planning Commissioners themselves. He clarified that the Commission serves an advisory role, and any final policy changes would require a full public hearing and City Council action before being implemented.

Acknowledging Communication Gaps

The city leadership acknowledged that the item was scheduled for a "special" meeting, which legally allowed for a shorter notice period than a regularly scheduled meeting.

The Issue: The shorter notice period did not provide residents with adequate time to review the proposal and participate meaningfully.

The Fix: Moving forward, the City Manager is implementing internal changes to avoid using special meetings for major community-impacting items. The goal is to ensure earlier and clearer communication with residents.

Focus on Rural Character and Large Animals

A major point of concern for residents involved setbacks for large animals in rural zones. The Mayor announced that the Community Development Director will be bringing back the setbacks previously adopted during the general plan update. The administration’s stated goal is to avoid overly restrictive rules for large animals while maintaining the community's compatibility.

Commitment to Transparency

The City Manager apologized for the "scare" caused by the proposal's appearance on the staff report and reiterated that there is no desire to change the equestrian or rural nature of the area. He noted that the community's quick response is a sign that the public is engaged and watching, which helps keep local government accountable.

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I didn't know if the matter was going to be addressed or not, but I have to say that was a great example of leadership in a contentious time. No running from it. No excuse making. Just ownership, contrition, and remedy. 

Watch the short video and judge for yourself.

The tale of two public comments

There were two public comments on the issues the Mayor addressed. I loved the first and shook my head at the second.

"Why?" You may ask...

The first speaker, from her own words, "I was prepared to come with 'guns ablazin', but I will not do that, I accept your apology."

The second speaker started off pretty much the same way, but then decided to give her prepared speech anyway. Essentially accusing the city of "silently ripping away" her property rights. 

We all have the right to say whatever we'd like, but maybe reach out to the people you're about to lambast first, and learn how to edit on the fly when your prepared speech is obviously off the mark to the point that the dart didn't even hit the wall the board is hanging on. 

Your rights were never in jeopardy 

There was no way the items in the April planning commission agenda were going to be passed by the planning commission in the first place. 

Please stop insulting the members of our planning commission.

The commission is made up of five people who are homeowners in Wildomar and take their charge very seriously. Behind them is the city council, who also would never have let such setbacks be adopted, EVER!

I've heard the same rationale as to how the setbacks got to the planning commission agenda from our city manager, and though I accept it, I think it's a blemish that will take a very long time to fully fade away. Let's move on. 

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Presentations: Shelly and Michael Wiggs. 

Actually, this part of the meeting was to honor retiring LEUSD teachers from Wildomar, but I'm keying in on Michael and Shelly because I have known them (we're family friends) for twenty years. 

They both started at Donald Graham Elementary when it opened back in the 1990s. They've each put in 36 years and are truly great people. Exactly the type we'd all want teaching our children. 

Back row: Mayor Protem Dustin Nigg, Ashlee DePhillippo, Joseph Morabito, Bridgette Moore. Front Row: Mayor Carlos Marquez, Shelly Wiggs, Michael Wiggs, Mrs. Brady (WES), and  James Judziewicz.

Photo courtesy Samantha Virrey

We also said goodbye to Officer Baca 

She has been part of the RSO Lake Elsinore Station as long as I've been paying attention. Happy retirement. 

Officer Baca is in the middle.

Other Public Comments 

It's so inspirational to see the youth participating, not an easy feat even for adults. Annabelle spoke about the historic bell at Wildomar Elementary, and Stella spoke about her idea of a Wildomar museum. 
Here is a link to the video where her comments begin

Annabelle (behind the microphone) and Stella to her right. 

Consent Calendar

Item 1.19 $459K for a Specific Plan of "Old Town".

For me, this was the most interesting part of the agenda.

I want to say that I was pleased with the way this item was handled by the council. I didn't count any of us who were sanguine with it being on the consent calendar. 

In the end, this was tabled for the next meeting, where there will be a proper presentation, and the public will have more notice so they can weigh in. 

This item should have been a general business item with a full presentation, not a "routine matter" found on the consent calendar.

Though I'd love to see a specific plan as described, I'm not going to vote to approve any (serious) money for the endeavor. 

I, too, was prepared to come with 'guns ablazin' on this item, but once I saw the direction the council was heading, I recognized it was better to 'keep my powder dry'  and save my A-game for when it comes back to the dais (which is said to be next month).

Stay tuned and please be ready to weigh in on this, be it in person at the next meeting, or by sending in an email with your thoughts. 

View the item on video with this link

The full meeting video is below.

• City Council Meeting Preview

I don't usually do previews on city council meetings beyond my customary bullet points that list the items.

There are only two items on the regular agenda: 

3.1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation - 

Program Summary and Potential List of 

Streets for FY 26/27 Project

3.2 Streetlight Program Feasibility Analysis and Phase 1 Streetlight Project

These are fairly routine, straightforward items. What I find most interesting is in the Consent Calendar. 

The Consent Calendar is billed as: 

CONSENT CALENDAR

All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be enacted by one roll call vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless members of the City Council, the Public, or Staff request to have specific items removed from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion and/or action.

I'm sorry, but a couple of the items in the April 2026 Consent Calendar agenda seem a bit outside of my definition of "routine". 

Specifically item 1.19 

Professional Service Agreement with Albert A. Webb & Associates (WEBB) for planning and environmental services for creation of the Old Town Specific Plan

If you go read the agenda item, it comes with a lovely 70 page PDF that is easy to get lost in... except for the tip I recently got about using AI to break down exhaustively long documents (Thanks RC). 

Of that, well more than half the file is fluff that doesn't pertain to Wildomar, and the images they submit of other areas may be nice and all, but they didn't do anything for me. 

The image was blurry, so I upgraded the font in the legend so it was more legible. Gotta love how they notched out Gina's house. lol

Staff recommends: Approve a supplemental appropriation for Fund 110 (Cannabis DA) in the amount of $459,225... (if that money is going to be earmarked, it's going to be going to parks). 

I don't begrudge people high-dollar payouts, they put a lot of time into learning their craft, but I do not see value to the city even at 1/10th that price (okay, maybe 1/5th). 

I had this table made from the information on page 23 of their presentation.

According to my AI pal, Claude, there were challenges that WEBB identified in their proposal.

Key Challenges They Identify

• Alquist-Priolo Fault Zone — most of the project area sits in an earthquake fault zone, which limits where buildings can go
• Palomar Road — the main corridor has large overhead power transmission lines and is planned as a wide arterial road, which conflicts with the goal of a walkable, human-scaled Old Town feel
  
  

Hmmm... "will require expensive fault studies"? I wonder if they consider their proposed work to be "expensive," too? 

I'm not going to go further into this, it's Mother's Day, and there's a lot to do, but I thought you'd like to know about this...

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...oh, and another 51 houses in a place that will be known as Mission Hills - Como.

I'm not sure where the hills are and I'm not sure where the mission is, but it's almost as cool as the street name in Windsong called Empire Penguin.

The proposed development includes a 51-lot single-family residential subdivision, including 6 very low income, 6 moderate income, and 3 unrestricted ADUs, utilizing the affordable ADUs for a density bonus.

This hasn't come to the Planning Commission yet, and according to the information in the presentation (viewable at the link below), such a meeting date hasn't been determined yet. 

1.17 Tri-Party Consulting Service 

Agreement for the Mission Hills 

Wildomar Project (PLN-25-0085) 

Environmental Documentation

Here's what is in the staff report: 

BACKGROUND: On December 19, 2025, the Planning Division received a formal application package (PLN 25- 0085) from Oliver Investments to establish the “Mission Hills Wildomar” project. The proposed project includes a 51-lot single-family residential subdivision, and development of park and open space facilities, walls and fences, and necessary infrastructure. The project will include 15 ADUs, including 6 very low income ADUs, 6 moderate income ADUs, and 3 unrestricted ADUs, utilizing the affordable ADUs for a density bonus. The Proposed Project requires environmental documentation and analysis under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the proposed subdivision and development review entitlements. 

When are these out of town firms going to figure out to use actual photos of the place they're looking to work in? At least this one doesn't come with a "fiscal impact" to the city budget. 

FISCAL IMPACT: The cost associated with preparation of the environmental documentation is the sole responsibility of the Applicant, thus, there is no fiscal impact to the City’s General Fund. 

Don't be mistaken. I'm a staunch property owner's rights type of person. That goes for being able to use your property as you see fit, within the community codes and ordinances, and the same applies to landowners wanting to build on their property.  

And if you're dismayed at more development, keep in mind that the State of California has passed countless dozens of laws since the short time I've been on the Wildomar City Council that have stripped away local control. 

An election for Governor is happening this year. Will you be looking for more of the same, or are you ready to see a change in Sacramento?