Menifee, the “Hometown of Heroes” was this year’s theme of Menifee Mayor Bill Zimmerman’s annual State of the City address taking place at the Mt. San Jacinto College Menifee campus on Thursday, Oct. 24.
It was the second time the State of the City was presented in the college stadium and the 16th time such an address has taken place in one of California’s fastest growing cities, now the home of over 105,000 residents.
Zimmerman said at this year’s State of the City hosted by the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce at the MSJC HCN Bank Stadium, “This marks my final year as the mayor of Menifee and my last State of the City address. We do have a lot to celebrate tonight. The city continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in California. Why? It’s because people want to be here in our safe neighborhoods. From our roads and shopping destinations, to new and unique restaurant offerings, to our beautiful parks and open spaces. Menifee continues to enhance and improve our quality of life.”
With that, he praised the city team and introduced the members of the city council, Mayor Pro Tem Dean Deines, Council Member Ricky Estrada and Lesa Sobek. He could not introduce Council Member Bob Karwin who was not at the address that evening, but did so later in a video presentation of his District One.
He brought Mayor Pro Tem Deines to the speakers stand who brought the theme “City of Heroes” to life this year. Deines, an Army veteran himself, then joined Zimmerman in trading off the accomplishments in the community in the past years with videos from each of the four city districts.
“I am really excited to celebrate our Hometown of Heroes tonight,” said Deines. He then recognized the many individuals and groups who are considered those Hometown heroes including a six -year-old boy, Tanner, who saved his brother from drowning. Deines also honored veterans, saying, “Menifee is a town who cares about its veterans,” who are all seen as hometown heroes.
Deines mentioned the 4-year-old Menifee Police Department and its officers, saying they “Are doing a great job, making Menifee one of the safest cities in California.” Both Deines and Zimmerman continued to praise the city’s firefighters, medical workers, code enforcement and other public safety and city employees and organizations calling them “Hometown Heroes” as well.
Deines viewed the city’s schools, colleges and educators and students as outstanding in the city and said they are, “Helping to inspire our next generation of heroes.”
Zimmerman praised the local nonprofit and service clubs in the community like the Rotary Club, Women’s Club of Menifee, MilVet, and others. Deines pointed out the Menifee Valley Community Cupboard helps those in need, including families in crisis throughout the city.
Zimmermam reviewed the city’s latest Capital Improvement Programs that included a 5-year $700 million in infrastructure improvement programs plan and providing the city with a burgeoning reserve fund of 40% in the event of catastrophic events. He said the city was in a unique position in having no unfunded pension liabilities for its employees.
A video was shown with the many highways and other accomplishments made in the city during the past year. Some included:
- New traffic signals at Menifee and Garbani roads, Antelope Road and the MSJC entrance, Murrieta Road and Sun City Blvd.
- Interior of Fire Station 68 with better crew quarters
- La Piedra Sports Park enhancement
- E L Pierson parking lot
- Bell Mountain Road pedestrian improvements
- Bradley Road entrance at Paloma Valley High School
- Romoland 3rd Street improvement
- Road resurfacing projects from Menifee Road to Holland Road; Murrieta Road and Salt Creek; Casa Blanca Community; Willow Community; and Audie Murphy Ranch slurry seal
- The City adopted a complete street plan
- Pedestrian crossing improvements across the city
- The grand opening of the Holland Road Overpass
- Quail Valley Fire Station No. 5 nearing completion replacing the old station.
- Public Works made over 48,000 construction inspections, 1,200 fleet orders and 2,000 field service work orders, and 78 improvement plans.
- A comprehensive strategic plan was created for the next few years.
Zimmerman praised the efforts of the city to enhance its many social events. “There is never a shortage of things to do in Menifee,” said Zimmerman.
Each city council member gave the improvements and accomplishments in their four districts on videos.
In conclusion, Zimmerman on video encouraged everyone to be sure to cast their ballots in the upcoming November 5 General Election. “We are in good hands with those at city hall…I have full confidence that our city is going to continue to soar thanks to the hometown heroes we have celebrated tonight,” Zimmerman said.
He thanked the many residents, Scouts and children who unfurled a giant American flag on the stadium field during the event and the Heritage High School Band and the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce for making this year’s State of the City a success.
Jesse Simms of the Chamber and Vicky Carpenter, a member of the MSJC Board thanked all for coming to the special event that evening.
The event began with a VIP Taste of the City networking event in the front of the stadium The Invocation was given by Pastor Steve Lennertz from Eagle Ridge Church who actually gave the invocation to the first ever State of City 16 years ago. The Menifee Police Department Honor Guard posted the colors. Spicer Consulting Group was the Platinum sponsor with Pulte Group, SRCAR, MSJC, FTL, AES, Lennar, Waste Management, and Howard Industrial Partners were the Gold Sponsors for the evening.
Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com.
