Can you name your Temecula city councilors? How about this years Mayor? Did you know the City of Temecula has a City Council? Most residents know we have a mayor, but know little about the City Council. Temecula has five residents that form a panel of representatives that determine policy as to how our city functions and develops. They decide which types of businesses should or should not be allowed here. They are responsible for charting the course of the City for years to come.
The current councilors would have the residents believe a city council needs to be a group of similar people from similar backgrounds. They have impressed upon the residents of Temecula that it is essential to keep them in office as long as possible because of the experience they possess. The council, as reported in the mainstream press, have repeatedly used fear tactics to influence the residents into believing that any disturbance or loss of a council member would create chaos and ruin for Temecula.
The fact is we have a group of CAREER POLITICIANS in office who do not want to lose their power. We have all seen the dangers of having career politicians in public office, how they become beholden to the special interest groups, develop secret agendas and lose touch with the people who put them in office.
The Sunshine Report would like to remind the residents of Temecula what a city council was intended to be and why.
A city council was intended to be a representative group of individuals from the community. That is to say, not all doctors, lawyers, real estate developers, etc. should occupy the five seats that make up the council. There would be no need for a council if we had five real estate developers as our representative body; a mayor would suffice because the agenda would be one and the same.
Does experience count? YES. But not necessarily as we have been told. Experience as a council member was intended to come from personal education (college or life knowledge) and business experience. Residency in Temecula is a prerequisite to being on the council. This is because the councilor needs a vested interest to fully understand and appreciate the facets of the city. Experience from years of serving as a council member can be a good thing but is not the intended experience that the job title implies.
As a reminder, the next time you hear how experienced the current city council is and how that seems the only way to be able to run a city, remember each of them had no executive level governing experience when they were elected. Comerchero- toy Salesman, Edwards- public relations in banking, Naggar- real estate, Roberts- law enforcement and Washington- airline pilot. With the exception of Washington none of the council members have a degree in higher education.
All you really need is time, passion, a love for Temecula and the courage to step into the public arena. Maybe you should consider running for city council and help chart the course of the future Temecula.
