Benoit Files For Council Candidacy

Newly seated planning commissioner Ben Benoit has filed to run for city council in November. Just days after attending his first planning commission meeting, Benoit reportedly filed documents at city hall to become the first official candidate for city council.

Three seats on the city council will be up for election this fall, those currently held by Scott Farnam, Marsha Swanson, and Sheryl Ade. Farnam recently held a fundraising re-election kick-off event at the Lake Elsinore Diamond. Marsha Swanson has enlisted the aid of a political campaign director and has indicated her intent to run at local functions by setting up information tables. No visible re-election efforts on the part of Ade have been presented.

As reported by Michael J. Williams in The Californian: Click Here

Wildomar Planning Commission Postpones Action On Marijuana Dispensaries

The medical marijuana dispensary decision was postponed until August 4, 2010 commission meeting as not all commission members were present last night. Commission chair Robert Devine was not in attendance.

Media reports indicate a near capacity crowd was in attendance. Some indicate the majority were in favor of allowing the facilities, while all reported at least some attendees against. The commission received public comment on the topic before it decided to postpone their decision.

Commissioner Gary Andre suggested the postponement to allow the full commission to weigh in.

New commissioner Ben Benoit suggested postponement until after the November election, where California voters will have the opportunity to vote on legalizing marijuana for those over the age of 21 without a prescription.

As reported by John F. Hill in The Press Enterprise: Click Here

As reported by Michael J. Williams in The Californian: Click here

As reported by Toni McAllister on SWRNN.com: Click Here

Planning Commission To Consider Marijuana Dispensaries

The Wildomar Planning Commission to consider marijuana dispensaries: allow them, not allow them, regulate them, etc., at their Wednesday July 21, 2010 regularly scheduled meeting.

By 4-1 vote (Mayor Bridgette Moore dissenting), city staff was directed to research marijuana dispensaries in California and to provide direction for the planning commission to consider.

To download your own copy of the report the commission will consider: Click Here

As reported by John F. Hill in The Press Enterprise: Click Here

City Council Announces Public Hearing On Park Maintenance Fee

The Wildomar City council announced Thursday that a public hearing will be held to discuss the assessment they approved at Wednesdays council meeting.

The council voted unanimously to impose a $28 dollar per year assessment on residents that mirrors the assessment amount deemed illegal by the state court of appeals. That decision may be heard by the State Supreme Court at a future date as the County has announced their intention to petition there. In the interim, the City intends to assess the fee to help maintain it's three parks. When the city's fourth park is built, the assessment may increase to $45 per year.

The location and time of the meeting was not announced - only the date: July 28, 2010, which is a regularly scheduled city council meeting date.

As reported by Yazmin Alvarez on SWRNN.com: Click Here

Wildomar City Manager Responds to Grand Jury Report

Wildomar City Manager Frank Oviedo has drafted a report that refutes all claims made by the grand jury regarding the city's awarding of contracts, council voting on Cornerstone Church project, and city hall hours change.

The council voted to send Oviedo's report as their official response to the grand jury.

As reported by John F. Hill in The Press Enterprise: Click Here

City Council Moves To Charge Park Fee

Wildomar city council voted unanimously to charge residents a $28 per year parks maintenance fee. The fee was deemed illegal on appeal by resident Steve Beutz. The city has decided to continue the assessment while the matter makes it's way through yet more appeals.

Riverside County has been denied a re-hearing by the appeals court and has stated their intention to take the matter to the State Supreme Court.

As reported by John F. Hill in The Press Enterprise: Click Here

Wildomar Parks Face An Uncertain Future

Wildomar resident Steve Beutz on Wednesday May, 26, 2010 received a favorable decision on his appeal regarding parks assessments. His suit contended that the County decision to assess fees on property owners to fund then shuttered parks in Wildomar was unconstitutional. He lost that suit, but appealed the decision. He has now won on appeal.

What does this mean for Wildomar's parks? Can the cash strapped, fledgling City of Wildomar find the funds necessary to keep them open, or will the parks yet again be closed to public use?

Beutz ran a failed attempt at election to the inaugural city council in 2008. He campaigned against Wildomar incorporation.

Beutz and associate Gerard Ste. Marie have filed multiple lawsuits regarding issues relating to Wildomar.

To download a copy of the decision: Click Here

Added 5/29/10 per Mayor Bridgette Moore request: Wildomar Park Supporter: Please see the Press Release below.  As soon as we know more, Mayor Pro Tem Marsha Swanson and I will call for a Parks Meeting. All will be invited. ed.

Added 6/2/10: Wildomar Park Funding Threatened By Court Ruling, an article by John F. Hill as published in The Press Enterprise: Click Here ed.

Grand Jury Critical of Wildomar City Council Actions

Riverside County Grand jury report criticizes Wildomar city council decisions regarding Cornerstone project and awarding of contracts to local business.

The council voted 3-2 to approve a project brought by Cornerstone Church while at least two council members are members of or attend the church.

Wildomar business Diamond W Events was awarded contracts that were not competitively bid. The company owner has prior relationships with current council members.

To download your own copy of the grand jury report: Click Here

As reported by John F. Hill in The Press Enterprise: Click Here

Council members Farnam and Moore respond to grand jury report, critical of it's conclusions, in the below interview.

As reported by Michael J. Williams in The Californian: Click Here

Yet Another Funding Setback For Wildomar

Wildomar resident Gerard Ste. Marie sued in 2008 claiming County decision to provide partial funding for new cities was unconstitutional. Appellate court decides in his favor. Future funding for the Cities of Wildomar and Menifee is now in jeopardy.

This decision coupled with Ste. Marie associate Steve Beutz's recent favorable appellate court decision has placed the future of the City of Wildomar in a most precarious financial position. The combined negative affect on Wildomar's budget is estimated will be nearly $450,000. With reserves of just over $1 million in the just approved budget for 2010-2011 the City will be severely cash strapped.

For background on this Ste. Marie challenge: Click Here and Click Here

Ste. Marie and Beutz are long time cityhood opponents and have mounted numerous challenges against the County of Riverside and the City of Wildomar.

As reported by Michael J. Williams in The Californian: Click Here

UPDATE 06/30/10: As reported by John F. Hill in The Press Enterprise: Click Here Ed.

Appeals Court Denies County Request To Rehear Parks Matter

Riverside County is denied in it's first attempt to have a parks assessment decision revisited. For now, the supreme court decision that invalidates the assessment of a $28.00 annual fee on property owners for parks maintenance stands.

County officials are quoted as stating they may appeal the decision to the State Supreme Court.

Wildomar resident Steve Beutz filed the initial suit against the assessment contending it violated a portion of the state constitution. His initial suit failed, but on appeal was successful.

The City of Wildomar may need to find the approximately $200,000 per year the assessment raises in order to keep it's three parks operating. For more on the City's stance on the matter: Click Here

As reported by Michael J. Williams in The Californian: Click Here

As reported by John F. Hill in The Press Enterprise: Click Here

As reported by Yazmin Alvarez on SWRNN.com: Click Here

UPDATE 6/29/10: County likely to appeal to California Supreme Court, as reported by John F. Hill in The Press Enterprise: Click Here

Nevada Hydro Keeps LEAPS Alive

Nevada Hydro resubmits application to construct 500 kilovolt transmission line in Cleveland National Forest West of Wildomar, Lake Elsinore, Murrieta, Temecula, and Fallbrook.

The controversial Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage (LEAPS) project would use the transmission line to deliver it's electricty to the regional power grid.

For background on the LEAPS project: Click Here

Photo renderings of what the transmission line might look like: Click Here

As reported by Michael J. Williams in The Californian: Click Here

Farnam Appointment Announces Possible Council Run

Ben Benoit, son of County Supervisor Ben Benoit, announced last week through a public relations firm his possible intention of seeking a council seat, even before being sworn on to the planning commission panel he had just the week prior been appointed to. Benoit was nominated to a vacant planning commission seat by council member Scott Farnam. The Benoit appointment by Farnam has raised the ire of council member Sheryl Ade, who suggests the appointment of the inexperienced Benoit was politically motivated by Farnam. Ade supported the appointment of a long time Wildomar resident and community supporter George Taylor over relevant newcomer Benoit.

Farnam's residency was brought into question by Ade as well. Farnam recently relocated his business from Lake Elsinore to a residential address in his native Redlands area. Family law court records indicate Farnam's wife petitioned for divorce in January of this year. Recently thereafter Farnam announced the relocation of his business.

Three council seats will be available on the November ballot currently held by Farnam, Ade, and Marsha Swanson.

As reported by John F. Hill in The Press Enterprise: Click Here

Wildomar Pair Mount Numerous Challenges

Wildomar residents Steve Beutz and Gerard Ste. Marie have a history of mounting legal challenges.

Beutz' most recent favorable decision in court, the overturning of the validity af a parks assessment, is estimated will cost the City of Wildomar $200,000.

As reported by John F. Hill in The Press Enterprise: Click Here

Wildomar Council Appoints Supervisor Benoit's Son to Commission

Ben Benoit, son of former state senator and current Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit, was appointed May 26, 2010 to a vacant City of Wildomar planning commission seat. The relatively recent member of the Wildomar community was selected over long time resident and community supporter George Taylor. The council voted 4-1 to accept the appointment. The dissenting vote was cast by council member Sheryl Ade.

Benoit was nominated by council member Scott Farnam. During nomination discussions council member Ade lobbied for Taylor to be appointed to the seat. Ade contends the appointment of Benoit may be self-serving on the part of Farnam. Farnam at one point last year mounted a challenge to Ade's appointee to the commission, Gary Andre. That challenge met with community resistance and was abandoned by Farnam.

The discussion brought to light the current residency situation of Farnam. Council members are required to be a resident of the community they serve. Public records indicate that Farnam's wife filed for divorce in January of this year. Farnam recently announced the relocation of his business from Lake Elsinore to the community of Mentone, an area east of Redlands where Farnam once lived. The address listed for his new business location is a residential property, a property listed as the address for multiple businesses that the Farnam family has operated. Farnam maintains he still resides in Wildomar.

As reported by Michael J. Williams in the Californian: Click Here

Elk Grove Civil Suit Lists Wildomar City Manager As Participant

As published by ElkGroveNews.net

Sacramento County Superior Court Case Number 2010-00072916

Wildomar City Council Meeting - November 12, 2009