• Memorial Service of Marine Sgt. Eric Seaman

Today was a most somber day out at The Diamond (AKA Storm Stadium) in Lake Elsinore. At 10:00AM the funeral for Marine Sergeant Eric Seaman started with the family walking in from the area behind the fence in left field, down the line and to the infield where they had seats set up just behind the home plate area.

He died on May 12, 2015 while on a mission of mercy, delivering aid to the people of Nepal, when the helicopter he was in crashed.

The American flags were flying as the pallbearers fulfilled their duties.

Then the pallbearers brought the flag draped casket, containing Eric Seaman's body, to a central spot between the podium and the grieving family.

There were many fine eulogies by those closest to him. I especially liked the one from his brother-in-law Brad Case. He touched on how they were friends since high school and that Eric had talked him into playing football... and not long afterward he chose soccer instead; a lighthearted moment illustrating Eric's ruggedness.

A moment that was difficult to go through... and I'm just a stranger.

The eulogy that was the most inspirational came from Eric's widow Sam Seaman. It's hard to choose highlights, so let me invite you to listen to her own words in the video I put together below. Please forgive the echo of the stadium and some ambient crowd sounds. The video portion is a slow montage of images taken during the procession. It's about nine minutes, and well worth a listen.

If you're a human being, of course you'll well up while listening to her words. I suggest that you take a moment to listen to them and then reflect. Reflect on the service he gave to the country, and that he lost his life while trying to help others. You may just feel moved enough to dish out a round of hugs to your family members and lavish them with smiles and kisses too. ☺

A wide angle look from just behind the third base dugout.

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Extraordinary Moment I

During the final few moments of the service, three marines dressed in their finest uniforms, noticed something that none of the rest of us did. A gust of wind was about to send the flag that was draping the coffin to the ground, and in unison... as if it were planned, they all three took a few rapid steps and dove to keep it from hitting the ground. 

If it hadn't been for the overwhelming reverence for the day, I'm sure that the crowd would have given them a standing ovation for their diligence.

A large banner for people to write thoughts onto was hanging just inside the turnstiles on the right hand side.

♥

Extraordinary Moment II

As the chaplain was finishing up his remarks a series of shrill cries could be heard from the air above. It was three birds of prey that were rejoicing that the lead bird had something in its talons. Then the bird perched in the light standard directly behind the first base area. 

A moment later, it came swooping down and dropped the mouse and it was hurtling towards the crowd. The hawk then dove and caught it just yards above the heads of the crowd and then soared back up and perched itself on the center of the net lined up with the coffin and the podium. (as seen at the end of the video).

It sat there throughout the last few moments of the service and the closing prayer. The chaplain asked that all would remain in their seats until the family had left the field. After the pallbearers had returned the casket to the hearse, and the family was about 80% down the base line, the hawk then took to flight and followed them, making a sharp left turn at the restaurant near the foul pole disappearing from sight for a moment. Then returned halfway between the foul pole and third base and hovered for a few moments and then was off.

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In closing I ask this, that each and everyone of you here today honors Eric's legacy by simply being good, honest, hard working, loving and loyal people to one another. I ask that we honor Eric's life by doing what he did when he lost his. Helping others when they need it no matter the costs. Be there for the people you love when they need you no questions asked.  Be a hero... be Eric Seaman.
 — Brad Case, Eric Seaman's brother-in-law

Wildomar Rap wants to express our deepest condolences to Sam Seaman and her two children Roman and Ryleigh, and all those that will be missing him for the rest of their lives. 

• City Council Meeting June 2015

The meeting started with a moment of silence for marine Sgt. Eric Seaman, who died in a helicopter crash in Nepal; Wally Edgerton, the first mayor of Menifee; and Joe Semon, a Wildomar city staffer. 

Presentations

• Recognition of the 2014 Miss City of Wildomar Queens.

If you go to any city events, you're bound to see these young ladies there.

• Fire Department update

Fire Chief Joel Vela reminded us all about the drought conditions and the ever present fire danger. He also reminded us about fireworks, and that ALL fireworks are illegal in Wildomar. Something tells me that the people that love to shoot these off really don't care about the danger they pose to others. 

Public Comments

This is where comments about things NOT on the agenda are given by residents.

• Pam Nelson spoke about the Sierra Club and the recent ribbon cutting ceremony for Murrieta Creek Regional Trail being a success.

• Ken Mayes spoke about the Murrieta Creek Trail.

• Patti Hatch spoke about the proposed name changes to the streets.

Council Communications

Mayor Ben Benoit mentioned that we got a grant from RCTC for $250,000 for the bike path on Grand project.

2.1 2015 development Impact Fee Update (DIF Fee)
This was the most interesting part of the evening and it was the most energetic I've seen the council get about something in the last 20 months. There were two public speakers on this agenda item. Ken Mayes and Nathan Miller.

I uploaded a video of it [the link is below] if you'd like to see the public comments and the council discussion and vote.

(The start of the video) The take away quote from Mayes was in his final words, as he was clearly in support of this: "Developers should want to build in Wildomar not because it's cheap, but because it's a nice place to live."

(Starting at 2:12 in the video) Nathan Miller, basically a shill for the Riverside County Building Industry Association, let the council know that he his group are against any fee increases. Well knock me over with a feather, who'd a thunk such a thing to be possible? He basically did his best hand wringing/woe is me act for the remainder of his time at the podium.

The council members all had good points, but I sympathized more with the Bob Cashman/Bridgette Moore side that felt the DIF Fees needed to be raised now. The other side of the point had Tim Walker, Marsha Swanson and Ben Benoit not wanting the fees hiked (or at least not as proposed).

DIF fees are what is charged for those that want to build in an area. Historically speaking, Wildomar has had some of the lowest fees by far. Low fees are attractive to developers because that is less money they will have to payout (ie MORE PROFIT). One problem with such low fees is that not nearly enough money gets collected for things that a modern city needs (take a look at present day Wildomar and you'll quickly see what low fees do to an area).

So you have two basic choices here. Either keep the fees low to appease the developers, or boost them up to what the neighboring cities are charging and stop being a doormat for them.

We all hate taxes, but we live in a modern world and to pretend that we can live on the cheap is silly. Life costs money, and most of us want to live in a nice city. Sorry, but I'm tired of being the Building Industry's booty call. If they want to build here, let them pay the same as they would pay to build in other cities. 

The upper portion of the graphic is our current DIF fees. The lower one is what was voted on tonight.
A 76% increase from total fees, with a 657% increase in the Parks Improvements portion.

You can see in the graph above that the Park Improvements fee went from $597 to $3,926. An increase of 657%. Thing is, we were WAY under what neighboring cities charged and it's time we stopped acting as if we were happy to be treated like a rented mule.

As you can see, the new fees take us from the bottom of SWRivCo to top dog here.
Sorry about the image quality, this was rehabbed from a cellphone pic of the presentation.

Below are a few pull quotes from the City Council. 

Bob Cashman (6:24 in the video) We don't have to build all the houses this year. There's no problem building the houses because they're going to come some time or another in the future. We don't have to have special rates to make sure we get more houses this year when I know these houses are going to come later.

Bridgette Moore (7:55) As I said last time, I'm for it and (looking towards the developer rep) I understand and I hear you, but they're building in other cities and their prices (fees) are higher than ours. I don't see why our city should be shortchanged.

Marsha Swanson (8:20) Again, this is a really tough decision for me. I see both sides of it... I cannot support this unless we phase it in. Maybe even just a three year period. 

Tim Walker was fiery in his opposition, particularly about the Park Improvements increase. He spoke of how people (like his kids) won't be able to buy a home in the city they were raised in.

Tim Walker (10:22) I see it [the proposed increases] as a negative, with the numbers, because my kids won't be able to buy a house here in Wildomar. They can't afford a $400,000 home, it's not possible.

My problem is that it's going to be $12,000 and that doesn't include school bonds and everything else. By the time you're said and done [a new house] is costing $50,000 more than it should.

I'm just not for it. I'm sorry but unless it can come in slowly or something I'm going to be against it.

(13:35) Walker started talking about people "not paying their fair share." Sorry, but I disagree. Where is the precedence that people that bought their homes years ago, and paid the appropriate fees then, are supposed to be hit with more developer fees as new houses go in? If you want to make things fair, propose a new city-wide tax.

Ben Benoit  (15:00) It's a huge price tag and whether or not it can be burdened or not is a question for anyone coming out here to buy a home someday. They look at that bottom dollar and [ask] can they afford it?

Here's something that I wish Cashman or Moore would have reminded their colleagues: Wildomar property taxes are generally much lower than they are in the surrounding cities and that would be a big incentive for people to choose Wildomar even with the newer DIF fees.

So what was the final upshot?

The new higher fees did pass with a 4-1 vote, but they are going to be phased in over three years. The first third on January 1, 2016, the second third in January 2017, and the final percentage in January of 2018. 

The funny thing is that Cashman voted against resolution since the fees were being phased in. I say it's funny because he voted in opposition to what he wanted, as did Walker from what I could tell.

Considering how slowly things move in government, this should be considered a win for those that wanted the fees hiked and a loss for those that wanted them to remain lower. Now let's see if there is a rush of pillow talk from developers to get their projects in the pipeline, with the old fee structure, while they still can.

2.2 Accessory Structures Code Amendment

This was discussed in the past meeting. It was to remove the need for a plot plan application for outdoor buildings larger than 20'x20', which had cost $3,940. This passed 5-0.

←•→

Below is a short video snippet that happened during 2.2. Since they referenced the camera, I decided to upload the clip... even though I didn't quite get it. My guess is that they seldom agree on matters...?

 

Remember that there is a Movie in the Park at Windsong this Saturday evening. Also, on June 23rd, the Mayor is having a community coffee at Starbucks (near D'Canters). Get your gripes primed and ready so you can pepper him over a latte.

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Since trifles make the sum of human things,
And half our mis'ry from our foibles springs.
 — Hannah More

Wildomar Rap wants to wish Sharon Heil a speedy recovery from her recent heart attack.

• Memorial Day 2015

It was beautifully overcast morning this Memorial Day as Wildomar Cemetery was the site of Faith Baptist Church's program to honor those that gave their lives for our freedom, and living veterans too.

The service started a little after 10:00am and lasted about an hour. It included patriotic music, the raising of the flag, the pledge of allegiance, poems of reflection, honoring the dead —including Eric Seaman who died on a mission of mercy in Nepal, and showing respect for the veterans that made it back.

A look at some of the veterans that were on hand.

I've never been to such an event before, and it's a shame that such important moments of reflection aren't more universally appreciated —by actual attendance (lip service is easy). My grandfather was in the Korean War, and I never actually thought to ask him about his service. I wish I could ask him today, but he died in 1999 at the tender age of 66 of a heart attack.

I bumped into Planning Commission Chairman (or Chairperson if you must) Veronica Langworthy just as I was taking some pictures of the two Korean War vets (in the light blue windbreakers). I was telling her about my grandfather, and she told me that her father had served in Korea too. I wonder if she could tell that I was having a difficult time holding it together at that moment?

↓ Here is a short video montage that captured the day from my perspective ↓

It was a great morning and very inspiring to be all that I can be, but I found something that didn't sit right with me. During a rousing 10 minute speech by Bruce Goddard, that was intended to well the hearts of the listener with pride, several times it turned to ideological politics where "The Liberal" was bashed repeatedly.

(Hit the 7:20 mark of the video to hit the first of the remarks in question. Also @ 8:20 and 8:30.)

Here is where I lose some "friends". Let me reestablish, once again, that I am neither Republican nor Democrat. Not a Liberal and not a Conservative. Though I didn't vote for Bush 43, he was my president and I didn't tolerate the Code Pinkies that tried to disparage him. Likewise, though I voted against Obama, I'm PROUD to call him MY president too.

Sorry, but the only thing worse than a Liberal is a Conservative — BOTH sides stink, and I find it disgusting to suggest that people that do not share your political leanings should have their patriotism challenged. Please keep your petty politics to yourself when we are honoring our war dead next time.

This is where I'd like to thank all those, even the liberals and the even conservatives, that fought on behalf of our nation. I can only imagine what you went through. In much the same way a life long blind person tries to imagine a sunset... yet fails. Try as we might, I'm sure that our best guesses aren't even close to what it was like in battle.

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“People say you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. Truth is, you knew what you had, you just never thought you’d lose it.” — Elite Daily

We at Wildomar Rap fondly remember mistaking "tangle" with "tango" when being reprimanded by grandpa Carter. I never understood why he wanted to dance instead of punish... silly me ☺.