We will start with the seats up for re-election in November of 2018.
Anyone wishing to verify the statements can click on the links for the full article.
Today July 3, 2017 we add Councilman Ben Benoit District 1
You will find the word RURAL in only one place of all the articles that could be located. You will also find “ I am opposed to any new taxes for our citizens “. The most interesting article contains his thoughts about those that oppose the direction of the city and chose the route of a lawsuit to affect change.
Once again I have highlighted, what I consider important comments.
Personal Bio on City Website
Growing up in the Coachella Valley and starting his own computer networking business in 2001, Council Member Benoit moved to the City of Wildomar in 2004. After personally going though(sic) the development process of building a house off of an unmaintained dirt road in Wildomar, he became a strong supporter of the effort to incorporate Wildomar as a City in order to bring local control to the community.
September 30, 2010
WILDOMAR: Ben Benoit, politician’s son, runs for city council
“Once you find out there’s going to be an opening, it’s much more inviting,” Benoit said. “Without that open seat, I probably would not be running.”
“I walked a lot of streets and knocked on a lot of doors,” Ben Benoit said about participating in his father’s campaigns. “I’ve learned from watching different races that you can’t go into this halfway. You have to understand what you’re going to do and what you’re going to say.”
This campaign is Ben Benoit’s first stab at running for elected office. The owner and operator of a computer technology service, he became a planning commissioner last May, after being nominated by Farnam to fill a vacancy. The council voted 4-1 to
Benoit said the potential of a city that has just passed its second birthday was what inspired him to get involved.
“What really fed my interest in looking at the city is there is so much room for growth,” he said. “There is much potential. I wanted to get involved with that.”
“One of my biggest pet peeves is you can’t go anywhere in Wildomar to buy a TV or a vacuum cleaner,” he said. “We need to be looking for a big box-type sales generator. … Along with that comes the responsibility of keeping our rural feel. I feel we can do that while ensuring that commercial growth can happen.”
http://thevalleybusinessjournal.com/community-news/item/599-city-council-candidates-faceoff/
October 1, 2010
Ben Benoit
In running for city council I have talked to a lot of Wildomar residents, and there are plenty of ideas out there about what people want to see done in our young city. We have people that want dedicated trails, better code enforcement, speed enforcement, improved roads, historical downtown district, street sweeping (or in some cases a street to start with), and many other ideas.
All of these proposed projects have their supporters and detractors, but all of them have one thing in common… a need for Wildomar to grow its tax base. I am opposed to any new taxes for our citizens, but we have the opportunity through improved commercial growth that will allow the citizens of Wildomar to start spending their money at home and supporting their own city.
http://brightstarswildomar.blogspot.com/2010/10/candidates-for-wildomar-city-council-on.html
October 10, 2010
Ben Benoit (my summary based on a telephone conversation):
I learned that Ben and I both own the same type of telescope. His scope and that he complimented me on the recent astronomy night in the park suggested a genuine interest in astronomy, and therefore, an appreciation for protecting the night sky. He doesn’t see dark skies protection as an impediment to commercial growth, but it may not be reasonable to correct via punitive measures lighting that, though in violation, was given an approval by the appropriate agency, such as County before incorporation, and City, after. As I relayed examples of newly constructed facilities that are in violation of our lighting ordinance, he offered to examine whether these new projects were given approval by the County or City Planning Department.
http://www.aqmd.gov/home/governing-board/board-members/board-member?name=ben-benoit
Mayor Pro Tem Benoit’s community involvement is motivated by his family. “My daughter ( ) is the primary reason I decided to become politically involved. Wanting to ensure a better quality of life for her is the primary reason I spend so much time focused on improving our community.”
https://patch.com/california/lakeelsinore-wildomar/meet-mayor-pro-tem-ben-benoit
October 6, 2014
Meet Mayor Pro-Tem Ben Benoit
WR: There is a very vocal minority that appears to dislike everything that goes on in Wildomar. I’ve actually read repeated assertions from them that City Staff and the City Council are both INEPT and CORRUPT. When you get wind of such comments circulating around, what are your reactions and thoughts on it?
BB: That they are a very small minority. They’re a very disingenuous group that’s in it for the wrong reasons. If you had to pick out who’s corrupt… I’m sorry, they’re the ones getting the checks from the developers at the end of the day when they are extorting the money from them. That’s probably the biggest part of CEQA I’d love to see changed is —where does the money go?
WR: I know that city services, such as police protection are important to you. What are some realistic options to increase the level of patrols in Wildomar?
BB: Open a Walmart. The tax revenue from Walmart can support one more officer on another shift. We’ll slowly move forward on that. It’s very upsetting how long it can potentially take to get back to where we even were… let alone more. Because even when we had what we had it was not enough.
WR: Can you name some projects that are in the works, even just the early stages, that you’re excited about seeing come to fruition in Wildomar?
BB: Besides Walmart? I think one of the ones I’m most excited about is our potential development of the park near Ronald Reagan Elementary School. Of all the things that could come forward on this side of the city, in the near future, that’s the one I’d love to see happen. The next one would be the college. I’m really hopeful that the college can move forward, we’ll have to see how their bond measure does.
Marsha Swanson, District 5
If she runs this will be her 4th time. In 5 separate articles she has used the word Rural 1 time. I have hi-lighted certain, what I feel are important, statements made by her.
She was elected the first time on February 5, 2008. She received 2,209 votes placing her third place behind Bob Cashman and Bridgette Moore. In that election 6,517 people voted on the measure to incorporate.
She ran the second time on November 2, 2010 for a full four year term. She garnered 2,889 votes placing her once again in 3rd place behind Ben Benoit and Timothy Walker.
The third time was a charm, nope, third place again behind Timothy Walker and Ben Benoit.
AARON CLAVERIE – The Californian December 23, 2007
“We moved here because of the rural atmosphere and we wanted a safe and clean place to raise our children,” she said.
“You’re not going to be able to bend the rules,” she said. “The ethics have to be there, because this is a job that can easily be swayed by some people.”
“I have so much pride in my community and I want to see it move forward effectively,” she said. “That doesn’t mean you can please every person every time, but you can’t sit on the sidelines and complain if you’re not willing to act.“
She supports cityhood because it would give residents local control of their tax dollars and allow a council to tailor new developments based on what Wildomar wants, not what Riverside County leaders think it should have.
The top issue facing the area is traffic and the condition of roads, she said.
Another important issue for Swanson is the law enforcement presence in Wildomar
At some point, maybe three or five years after incorporation, the city could even start thinking about forming its own police department, she said.
Another issue Swanson would like to tackle as a council member is the dearth of community gathering spots.
Seniors need a place to meet. Children need a place to meet. And there needs to be more park areas, she said.
To pay for construction of the community centers and the establishment of new park land, Swanson said, developers will be asked to chip in their fair share.
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/feb/07/local/me-ievote7
“Wildomar has wanted its own identity and to be a city for a long, long time,” said Marsha Swanson, one of the council winners. “The first thing we need to do is find a city manager.”
Swanson said the start-up should go smoothly because “we all get along.”
http://thevalleybusinessjournal.com/community-news/item/599-city-council-candidates-faceoff/
October 1, 2010
I WILL….keep a balanced budget, be a strong voice for the people, listen to your concerns.
Wildomar is a City in progress; we need to improve our roads, keep our parks open and have strong police and fire departments – and one day our own community center.
Marsha Swanson
https://patch.com/california/lakeelsinore-wildomar/meet-mayor-marsha-swanson
At that time, local government didn’t exist. If we wanted to touch government, we had to drive to Riverside. That was before the freeway was in, so it took awhile to get there. So it was nice to have some input [with the MAC]. In the three years that I was on there, the library went in. We didn’t get to pick the name, but we did get to pick many of the things… what the building was going to look like, the colors. That kind of got me started.
Ms. Swanson’s memory is a bit fuzzy, the Mission Trail Library was opened on July 28, 2001. The library was named the Mission Trail Library because it served more than just the people of wildomar (per http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2001/Jul/27/library-to-open-in-wildomar/ )
The 15 freeway was opened in 1985 per
http://myvalleynews.com/local/election-responsible-growth-key-in-wildomar-council-election/
By Kim Harris on October 31, 2014
Swanson said if re-elected she will work to do what is best for the city of Wildomar and its residents.
“I am asking to be re-elected because I do not see myself as a politician, but as a community member,” she said. “I will work for the good of Wildomar residents. Wildomar has been my home for 40 years. I am a wife, mother, grandmother and businesswoman. I care where we are now and about the future of Wildomar.”
Her Person Goal statement on the city website says:
To have local control and balanced growth within our City.
