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Paloma Valley freshman baseball team finishes 30-0
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Register now for summer session at MSJC
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Cultural dance performances set for June 4 at Paloma
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MUSD proposed hiring of executive with felony record
Menifee Union School District officials had no comment Wednesday regarding allegations questioning the hiring process for an executive position and the proposed hiring of a man previously indicted on felony conflict of interest charges.
The agenda for the May 8 MUSD board meeting included a personnel item recommending the board approve the hiring of Ludwig Velez as Executive Director of Facilities and Operational Services, effective May 21. Without explanation, the item was pulled from the agenda at the start of the meeting.
Six days later, at another MUSD board meeting, three individuals expressed concern over the proposed Velez hiring process. Brenda Myers, president of the Menifee Teachers Association, alleged in her comments to the board that the position was especially created for Velez.
In July 2007, Velez was indicted on charges that he used his elected position as Hawthorne City Council member to trade favors with a developer. According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, Velez rented his home from a developer who later came before Hawthorne's City Hall to bid on projects. Velez was indicted on felony charges and pleaded guilty in Feb. 2008 to avoid jail time.
According to a 2008 article in the Los Angeles Daily News, the court action prohibits Velez from ever running for public office in California. Velez, who had faced three years in prison, was sentenced to one year of probation and required to pay $1,000 in fines plus court fees.
Myers expressed concern about an allegedly expedited hiring process and the creation of a new position of Executive Director of Facilities in the District.
According to the website transparentcalifornia.com, Velez' total salary package as Facilities Director with the Hawthorne School District in 2016 was $156,351. The MUSD Facilities Department is currently headed by a Director, Bruce Shaw, who is retiring this year. His 2016 salary (including benefits), according to transparentcalifornia.com, was $137,745.
Among the concerns expressed by Myers was "the necessity of filling a position that currently is a Director’s position, and now is to be an Executive Director’s position. The salary for this Executive Director is not to exceed $141,948. In a time when departments are taking cuts, why is this position being filled at a higher cost?"
Myers also alleged favoritism in the hiring process.
"First, more than six months ago, I was told that 'a friend' from Hawthorne would be coming to Menifee to work in the Facilities Department," Myers said. "It appears then that this position was 'created' for this friend months before April of 2018 [when the position was approved by the board].
"Second, this executive position flew on EDJOIN.ORG for four business days. Perhaps this was a sufficient amount of time to gather enough applications, but considering the level of this position, more time may have been given to allow for qualified applicants to apply.
"The application deadline was Tuesday, May 1, at 4:30 pm. By May 4, Mr. Velez’s name was on the Board Agenda for approval. It took two days, two and a half at the most, for all applicants to be screened, interviewed and one selected. Again, would not more time be given to find the most qualified applicant to fill the position?"
Another speaker during the May 14 meeting was Jackie Johansen, a teacher in another school district who lives in Menifee.
"If [Velez] is being considered, who recommended him or vetted Mr. Velez and why was he selected for the position?" Johansen asked. "Was he a longtime friend of anyone already in the district?
"Were the appropriate procedures followed in flying and attempting to fill this position? If so, I cannot imagine that Mr. Velez would still emerge as a top-level candidate in our great district."
Because of Brown Act restrictions, board members were prohibited from responding to the public comments at that meeting. The item was not on the May 22 MUSD agenda. Asked about the situation on Wednesday, MUSD public information officer Betti Cadmus replied that the district cannot discuss confidential personnel matters.
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Boys & Girls Club offers taekwondo classes beginning in July
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Chambers honor PUHSD Students of the Month
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| From left to right: Mayor Pro Tem Lesa Sobek, City of Menifee; Tim Moore, Perris Valley Chamber of Commerce and VFW Post 888 Commander; Connor Gibson, Paloma Valley High School; Wendy Alvarez, Perris Lake High School; Evelyn Sicairos, Perris High School; Katelyn Thomas, Heritage High School; Grant Bennett, Superintendent, Perris Union High School District; Bardy Leblanc, Les Schwab Tire Centers, Perris; and Mayor Pro Tem Malcolm Corona, City of Perris. |
Contributed content:
The Perris Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce recently honored April Students of the Month in the Perris Union High School District. The students are nominated by their teachers and staff at their respective school sites and are chosen for their character, integrity, love of learning, ability to persevere and overcome challenging circumstances, community service, and how they make a difference on their high school campus.
The students and their families attended a breakfast sponsored by the Perris and Menifee Chambers of Commerce along with local businesses and organizations. Principals and teachers from each high school shared stories about the students and they each received certificates of recognition, numerous gifts, congratulations and encouragement from local, county, state and federal dignitaries.
Heritage High School’s Student of the Month is Katelyn Thomas. Katelyn currently holds a 4.08 GPA and is a scholar athlete. Her passion for swimming is evident in that she became the first Heritage High student to qualify for the CIF State championship meet. Katelyn began swimming competitively at the age of 5. She has held a number of national records and strives to improve her time. However, these goals have not come without its setbacks having to deal with a number of injuries.
Through these experiences, Katelyn has become stronger both physically and mentally. The one thing that Katelyn will take with her throughout life is that every person goes through their fair share of lows. Obstacles don’t have to stop anyone. Katelyn has received a full scholarship to Concordia University, where she will be pursuing a career as a physical therapist.
Paloma Valley High School’s Student of the Month is Conner Gibson. Conner is leader of the NJROTC Battlecats. It is a smaller unit within the NJROTC equivalent to what the Seals are to the Navy and the Green Berets are to the Army. There is a higher standard with this group and Conner models, and is the example, for all other cadets. Not only is he a leader in NJROTC but he has also earned his Eagle Scout this year.
With Conner’s leadership abilities, the Paloma Valley NJROTC was able to place second in the nation at a recent military competition in Florida. Conner shared that NJROTC has been one of the most influential experiences in his life and plans to take the many lessons he’s learned with him to college and beyond. He will be attending Auburn University, where he will major in business marketing and will pursue a career in professional MMA fighting within the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Perris Lake High School’s Wendy Alvarez was also honored. Wendy is described as a quiet fighter, according to Principal Dean Hauser. She also happens to be Perris Lake’s Valedictorian. This is quite an accomplishment as Wendy admitted struggling with her academics. However, as she has matured and has done some soul searching, she has worked hard to become successful in school and coming to the place she is now.
This has not come without its struggles, though. During her senior year, Wendy’s mother was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. Throughout this experience, Wendy has continually maintained her grades while helping to take care of her mom. As a result, she is not only class valedictorian but was recognized as a Top Scholar by Dr. Judy White, Superintendent of the Riverside County Office of Education. Wendy shared that she feels blessed and is forever grateful for the love and support of her family. She plans to continue her education seeking a career in veterinary medicine.
Evelyn Sicairos is Perris High School’s Student of the Month. Perseverance and determination would be two of most apt words to describe Evelyn. Although she was born in the United States, her family decided to move to Mexico. Evelyn stated there until she completed the eighth grade. Wanting to seek the best education possible, she chose, on her own, to come back to the United States to attend high school.
She had to work twice as hard and take additional English classes to keep up with her academics. Now she has accomplished this without having her parents with her as they remained in Mexico and Evelyn lived with an aunt. All of her hard work has now paid off and she has not only been accepted to UC San Diego but also to university in Mexico. Evelyn plans to enter the medical field and pursue a career in pediatrics.
If you wish to learn more about the Student of the Month Program, please contact founder Sally Myers at 951-506-8024.
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Enjoy great food, drink, entertainment at Pitstop Pub
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Proposed budget prompts questions about police manpower
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| Members of the Menifee City Council and city staff discuss the proposed city budget for 2018-19. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon |
Story has been updated to correct a quote from city manager Armando Villa to read that code enforcement officers have "citation power."
As expected, questions and concerns about public safety and city infrastructure dominated a public workshop held at Menifee City Hall Thursday morning as City Council members were presented a proposed budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year by city staff.
The meeting was conducted by Mayor Pro Tem Lesa Sobek, who is serving in the mayor's capacity following the death of Mayor Neil Winter last Saturday. She and the other three council members were presented a detailed presentation by interim finance director Wendy Preece, with city staff members on hand to answer questions.
And there were plenty of them.
The proposed total general fund budget is $43.5 million, and it was presented as a balanced budget. But much of the discussion centered on the expenditures for and manpower provided through the Sheriff's Department contract as it relates to the Measure DD sales tax, which was approved by voters in 2016. The language explaining Measure DD in the 2016 voters' information guide promised to "keep Menifee safe by restoring the number of police officers we need to be full force" and "addressing our street infrastructure and traffic flow."
Measure DD revenue so far in the current fiscal year, according to the budget presentation, is $9.2 million. The amount budgeted from that fund for additional police officers was $3.57 million. However, because the Sheriff's Department has not completed the recruitment and training of additional deputies, five of the eight sworn officers budgeted for have never arrived.
According to city manager Armando Villa, the budget was adjusted in mid-year to put the unused funds set aside for those salaries -- as much as $3 million -- back into the reserve fund.
The proposed Measure DD budget for next fiscal year devotes $3.27 million to police. Thus the money will once again be there to pay for the four additional patrol officers and one additional motor officer, but there still is no timetable for when they will arrive. No additional officers beyond that are being requested in the proposed budget, and the city's contract with the Sheriff's Department will once again increase. The Riverside County Supervisors recently approved a 6.65 percent increase in the cost of police services for contract cities.
In fact, the only significant increase in the proposed Measure DD budget is in the area of code enforcement. The proposal includes $350,000 in Measure DD funds for three additional code enforcement officers.
Villa said this proposal was brought before the Measure DD Oversight Committee, made up of Menifee residents, and that committee members agreed with that strategy.
Council member John Denver asked when the additional police officers budgeted for in the current budget will be added to the Menifee police force. The response from Villa was, "They're still working on it."
Sheriff's Lt. Scott Forbes replied, "We've fulfilled all the requirements except for four deputies and one motor officer." The fulfilled requirements include four non-sworn community service officers, one sergeant dedicated to Menifee from the Sheriff's Department Perris station, and one crime prevention officer.
"We continue to have these increases," council member Matt Liesemeyer said about the expenditures for police through the Sheriff's Department. "If we lose Measure DD, it will only be more obvious that we need to do something. We need to look at the alternatives heavily."
One alternative is to further study a presentation made to the City Council by consultant Tom Hicks last October suggesting Menifee could create its own police department with more officers than the Sheriff's contract allows, and at a reasonable cost. No further discussion on that proposal has ever taken place.
City officials are well aware that a ballot measure asking voters to repeal Measure DD, authored by former mayor Scott Mann and resident John Smelser, will be on the November ballot.
Another key topic in Thursday's meeting was infrastructure. The proposed budget for Capital Improvement projects funded by Measure DD is $4.5 million. That amount includes $2.2 million to make the final payment for construction of the Scott Road interchange, expected to begin in August.
An additional $2.4 million is being reserved to go toward the eventual construction of the Holland Road Overpass. Those funds are coming from sources other than Measure DD.
"I've been here six years, speaking about this ad nauseam," said council member Greg August. "There's no DD funding for the bridge? It should at least be identified in here as a capital improvement project. Put aside $5 year for it -- something. Every year we talk about that bridge and every year the project disappears."
Denver agreed.
"I don't know how the Bradley Road bridge got moved down the list," he said. "If something happens on the freeway and there's rain, nobody's moving in Menifee."
Villa said city staff members were "taking notes" during the workshop and adjustments could be made before the budget is officially presented to the City Council for approval on June 20. He also spoke about the priority given to capital improvement projects.
"We focus on infrastructure that is an investment on which we can get a return," said Villa, referring to road projects related to major development. "I'm not sure we got direction today on the Holland Road Overpass vs. the Bradley bridge, but we will come back and clarify the issues."
The proposed budget also includes funding for 11 new full-time positions, which would bring the size of the city staff to 86 full-time and 10 part-time employees. Also in the budget is funding for the move to a larger City Hall, which is reported to be in a two-story office building being built down the street from the current City Hall on Haun Road.
During the May 2 City Council meeting, council members approved such a move, which would increase City Hall space from 13,000 square feet to 24,000 square feet at an improvement cost of $387,240. The city’s monthly lease payment would increase from its current $19,990 per month to $42,000 per month.
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Memorial Day ceremony May 28 at Veterans Memorial
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Celebration of Life of Mayor Neil Winter set for June 2
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Seniors celebrate graduation from Santa Rosa Academy
Story and photo by Jackie Ballard, Menifee 24/7 Intern
The Santa Rosa Academy class of 2018 celebrated their graduation on Wednesday.
A total of 150 high school seniors and over 1,600 others packed into Santa Rosa’s gymnasium to recognize the end of one chapter of their lives, and the exciting beginning of a new one. The valedictorian, Winona Kraus, and the salutatorian, Tucker Shaw, gave speeches congratulating their peers and thanking their teachers.
The ceremony also included a speech by Dr. Daniel McKinney, the physics, astronomy, and environmental science teacher, as well as a commencement address by Mike Hestrin, the District Attorney.
McKinney urged the graduates to follow the four pillars of happiness, and Hestrin implored the students to live by one golden rule: Never stop learning.
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Donations in memory of Neil Winter to Boys & Girls Club
A GoFundMe account has been established for those wishing to make a donation in memory of Menifee Mayor Neil Winter. Click on the link below to make a donation to Winter's favorite charity, the Boys & Girls Club of Menifee Valley:
GoFundMe site for Neil Winter donations
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Council has options to consider for selecting a new mayor
With Mayor Pro Tem Lesa Sobek acting in the mayor's role, the City Council on Thursday met for the first time since Winter's death, for a previously scheduled budget workshop (right). While city finances was the sole topic of that meeting, it is clear that the mechanism of choosing a new mayor is beginning.
The City Council must follow strict guidelines set forth in the California Government Code in moving forward, but it does have options to consider. According to city manager Armando Villa, options for replacing Winter will be discussed at the next council meeting on June 6.
According to California Government Code 34902, the City Council may appoint a new mayor, but that must take place within 60 days of the vacancy. If that doesn't take place, a public election must be scheduled at the next established election date -- in this case, Nov. 6.
According to Government Code 34902, "a person appointed or elected to fill a vacancy shall hold office for the unexpired term of the former incumbent." Thus an appointed mayor could conceivably serve until November 2020, when Winter's term would've ended. On the other hand, according to Government Code 36512, the City Council could enact an ordinance to appoint a mayor for a six-month period, until a November election is held to choose a mayor for the next two years.
By law, any of the four current City Council members could be appointed mayor immediately to serve the remainder of Winter's term. That includes John Denver, whose term as the District 4 representative is up in November because of term limits.
As written in the City of Menifee Municipal Code, council member positions and the mayor's position are considered separately regarding term limits. Council members may not serve more than two consecutive terms or eight consecutive years in that capacity. Neither may a mayor serve more than two consecutive terms. This language allows for a "termed out" city council member to remain in the council in the at-large mayor's position.
If Denver is appointed mayor in the near future, District 4 would be without a representative only until November, when a new representative is elected. Gloria Sanchez and Daniel Moreno have already announced plans to run for that position. The same would be true if District 2 council member Matt Liesemeyer were appointed, because his term also is up in November.
The council terms for Sobek (District 3) and Greg August (District 1) run until 2020. If either of them were appointed mayor, the City Council would either have to appoint a new council member to fill their district council seat or call for a special election for that position.
The situation could be problematic if more than one of the current council members seeks the appointment of mayor, considering that there now is no fifth council member to break a 2-2 tie in the voting.
There is also a planned ballot measure asking voters if they want to continue to elect the mayor separately or create a fifth district and rotate the mayor's position each year. Even if the public vote is to rotate the mayor's position, that wouldn't take effect until 2020.
City attorney Jeffrey Melching has presented council members options to consider and discuss at the June 6 council meeting.
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Harvest Valley students learn about jobs at Career Day
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| Paramedics teach a student how to administer CPR during the Harvest Valley Elementary School Career Day May 18. Menifee 24/7 photos: Doug Spoon |
Students at Harvest Valley Elementary School in the Romoland School District learned about job opportunities and got to ask lots of questions May 18 at the school's second annual College and Career Day.
A variety of career professionals made presentations, including a Sheriff's Department deputy, paramedic unit, aviation mechanic, FBI agent, adventure camp director, computer tech, speech therapist, district attorney, karate instructor and more. Students rotated among four stations during the morning presentations and used a form given them to ask questions.
Throughout the day, the importance of a college education was emphasized by the presenters. Harvest Valley participates in the Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID) college readiness program. In the afternoon, an AVID assembly was held for the students. In addition, 10 AVID students from Heritage High School participated in a panel discussion.
"What we want them to hear at an early age is all that can be on the horizon for them, and that it's something they can attain," said school counselor Rosalyn Carroll, who coordinated the event. "Without college, a lot of these professions won't be available to them. We ask the presenters to bring in tools of their trade or some type of visual so the kids can see what's out there.
"Presenters are encouraged to tell them all the positives as well as the struggles. Then they go back to the classroom and discuss the event and write thank you notes to the presenters."
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| Sheriff's deputy Frank Rice talks about a career in law enforcement with students. |
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| Students ask questions of Alvie Midlin, a motorcycle mechanic. |
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| Charles Mosley, a tennis instructor, gives a student tips on how to make a shot. |
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| Harvest Valley students served as greeters for the presenters as they arrived. |
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Class of 1,607 graduates from Mt. San Jacinto College
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| Karla Foster gives a speech during the Mt. San Jacinto College commencement on Friday. |
Story and photos by Mt. San Jacinto College Public Information Office:
Karla Foster doesn’t believe in waiting for magic to turn her dreams into reality. She believes in rolling up her sleeves and making it happen. That’s how the single mother of four realized two of her dreams: receiving two associate degrees on Friday from Mt. San Jacinto College and earning a full-ride scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley.
“All those sleepless nights my children would … wake up at the sight of me studying for an exam or writing an essay, I was delivering a message: dreams are not touched by a magic wand, but with hard work and perseverance,” Foster, 31, of Temecula said.
Foster, a first-generation graduate, served as a speaker at MSJC’s 2018 Commencement, held at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula for the first time in the college’s history. She was one of 1,607 graduates who made up the Class of 2018. Those graduates earned a total of 2,571 associate degrees and 148 career certificates, as some students earn more than one degree, certificate or a combination.
This year’s graduation theme was “MSJC Eagle Proud, Soaring to New Heights.” Foster embodied the theme. She said she was tired of working an entry-level job, living paycheck to paycheck. With English as her second language, she embarked on her educational journey at MSJC. She admitted she was scared. She knew there would be sacrifices. But she knew she had to do it.
“I knew money would be tighter than ever before,” Foster said. “I knew my children would not get to go to Disneyland or Universal Studios, let alone the movie theater, like most children do; but what I do know is that they will get a better chance in life. I am not only fighting for my future, I am fighting for theirs. I am opening doors for them that weren't open for me.”
Her nod to hard work and perseverance wasn’t just a good soundbite. In addition to her children and her studies, she was a Phi Theta Kappa International Society member and 2014 scholarship officer, was on the President's Honor Roll, was employed as an MSJC student worker, and received multiple scholarships, including the full ride to Berkeley.
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| Makeez Manely, the Mt. San Jacinto College student trustee, plans on becoming an attorney. |
Other students also represented the commencement theme. During the 2017-2018 academic year, Makeez Manely served as a student trustee along with the five-member elected officials who make up the MSJC Board of Trustees. Manely said receiving her diploma was a bittersweet moment.
“On one hand, I have to say goodbye to this group of people who have become my family and on other hand, I have a bright future to look forward to.” Manely said. “These past two years will forever be unique because of all the amazing opportunities and kind hearts at MSJC.”
Manely, of Lake Elsinore, received her associate’s degree in social behavioral sciences. She was accepted into several universities and is deciding between attending the University of California, Los Angeles or UC Berkeley for a bachelor’s degree in political science. She will eventually attend law school to become a lawyer.
Aaron Gregory, of Banning, said the commencement theme resonates with his goals and plans. Gregory is transferring to the University of California, Riverside to obtain his bachelor’s in science in chemistry. He plans to conduct research and become a chemistry professor and said he will remember MSJC as the place it all started.
Shiji Yuan, of Murrieta, said one of the greatest features of being an MSJC student is “having wonderful supportive professors walk you through your education.” He plans to transfer so he can obtain a degree in psychology, become a clinical therapist and teach at a community college.
Forty-four graduates received their nursing degrees. As part of their studies, more than half will continue to serve as interns with local hospitals that partner with MSJC in the upcoming Summer 2018 Occupational Internship program.
This internship supports the mission of transition to practice. Last year, MSJC graduated 44 students, with all 44 passing the National Council for Licensure Exam (NCLEX) and MSJC anticipates the same for this current group of graduates. Last year, all graduates who participated in the Occupational Internship program secured employment through their internship opportunity.
Getting a job in the field of study is one of the reasons MSJC’s Allied Health & Nursing Program received a Silver Star award from the California Community College Chancellor’s Office. The Career Education programs at MSJC that were also recognized by the state for their success in helping students land jobs and increasing earnings were:
Automotive Technology: 56 percent increase in earnings
Business Administration: 57 percent increase in earnings
Drafting Technology: 100 percent of students are employed in a job similar to their field of study
Water and Wastewater Technology: 80 percent of students attained the regional living wage
Computer Information Systems: 55 percent increase in earnings
Administration of Justice: 69 percent increase in earnings
Fire Technology: 107 percent increase in earnings
MSJC’s summer 2018 registration is open. A new modular village on the Menifee Valley Campus will house more classes in science, math and other high-demand classes. The eight-week summer session starts on June 4 and six-week session starts on June 18. For more information on getting started this summer, call 951-639-5313.
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Male shot, killed during large party on Menifee street
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| Cleary Street is taped off and investigative tools sit in the street in front of the scene of a fatal shooting. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon |
A male died from his injuries after being shot at a large party at a Menifee residence late Friday night, authorities said.
The shooting occurred shortly before midnight near the corner of Michener Drive and Cleary Street, according to a Sheriff's Department news bulletin. Police arrived to locate a gunshot victim who died a short time later. Homicide investigators were on scene throughout the night and the street remained taped off at 8 a.m. with no one allowed in or out of the area.
Police have released few details. There has been no report of any arrests being made. The victim's age was not released.
Tim Cluney, who lives across the street, said a couple walked over from that house Friday morning to notify neighbors that a large party would be held that night. A couple who rents the home were out of town on vacation, he said.
"They said, 'Were having a party for someone graduating from Paloma Valley,' " Cluney told Menifee 24/7. "I said, 'There's no graduation there tonight.' They said, 'Well, it's a pre-graduation party.' "
Cluney said cars started arriving about 7 p.m and filled streets in the area. He said there was not a lot of loud music and he didn't notice anything unusual until hearing a single gunshot a little before midnight.
"After that, there were tires screeching, cars leaving," he said. "The next thing, police were there."
Laurie McKibben, who lives a few doors down on Cleary Street, said she did not hear a gunshot, but she heard a lot of cars speeding up and down the street and "a lot of screaming" sometime between 11 p.m. and midnight.
"Someone was screaming, 'Get in the car, he's dead in my arms!' " McKibben said.
Cluney said a shell casing remains in the middle of the street. Investigators continued to process the scene Saturday morning.
"I've been here 20 years, and nothing like this has ever happened," McKibben said. "This neighborhood has been really quiet."
This story will be updated as soon as more information is available.
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Evans Brown Mortuary Provides Loving Care
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Paloma Valley pitcher Trevor Bateson signs with UCR
Senior right-handed pitcher Trevor Bateson, a star of the Paloma Valley High School baseball team, signed a letter of intent Thursday to accept a scholarship to NCAA Division I school UC Riverside. The signing took place on the Paloma Valley campus with coaches and teammates present.
Bateson's fastball has hit 90 mph. During the recently completed season, he struck out 64 batters and walked only 20 in 53.2 innings. He finished with a 6-3 record and 2.09 ERA.
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Medical Center Auxiliary awards 21 scholarships to students
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| Scholarship recipients pose with Jaime Hurtado of Supervisor Marion Ashley's office and community activist Gloria Sanchez. Menifee 24/7 photos: Doug Spoon |
A group of 21 students from Menifee who plan to pursue a career in the medical field were awarded scholarships May 24 in the annual presentation made by the Menifee Valley Medical Center Auxiliary.
Local students submit applications to the Auxiliary's scholarship committee with details about the college they are or will be attending, along with their career plans. The Auxiliary, made up of entirely of volunteers, has been awarding scholarships since 1993 and so far as awarded 306 scholarships worth about $468,000.
Funding for the scholarships is raised by Auxiliary members through various activities such as bake sales, Christmas tree sales and proceeds from the hospital's gift shop, said Ed Hollowell, chairman of the scholarship committee. The Auxiliary also received a grant from the Menifee Community Health Investment Program to help fund the scholarships.
As award recipients were introduced, they spoke briefly about their college choice and career goals. A luncheon was served, courtesy of the Auxiliary.
Attendees included Jaime Hurtado, Chief of Staff for Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley, and Gloria Sanchez, chair of the Menifee Senior Advisory Committee.
Members of the scholarship committee are Ed Hollowell, Rick Alvarez, Judy Bair, Maria Garcia and Sharon Von Boeckmann.
The award recipients:
Nathan Brown
Katelyn Denny
Kaleigh Dyer
Maria Gurrola
Raul Gurrola
Juliet Griffin
An Le
Donica Loney
Danielle Monzon
Alexis Munoz
Jose Olvera
Samantha Orozco
Briany Padilla
Jennifer Perez
Kathleen Phan
Trevor Salas
Andrea Serrato
Damian Torres
Kassidy Vogel
Brianna Zamago
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Marion Ashley supports Jaime Hurtado for County Supervisor
Paid Political Advertisement:
Endorsement for Jaime Hurtado as Riverside County Supervisor,
written by County Supervisor Marion Ashley:
Riverside County is the third fastest growing county in the nation. With that growth comes amazing opportunities. But that growth brings a lot of growing pains.
Since 2002, that has been my challenge as Riverside County Supervisor representing the Fifth District – capturing the opportunities and finding solutions to the problems that come with rapid growth. In my 15 years as Supervisor, Jaime Hurtado has been my Chief Policy Advisor and Chief of Staff, Jaime Hurtado deserves much of the credit for the successes and accomplishments we have achieved.
Growth strains our basic infrastructure, our roads, our schools, affordable housing, healthcare services, senior services. It stretches budgets for public safety – our law enforcement and fire services – to the point where creative solutions are required to guarantee the services residents deserve.
Managing these issues is a challenge. Just as recognizing opportunities for solutions is a challenge. It comes with experience – the experience you get with tackling these issues every day.
One of Jaime Hurtado’s greatest strengths as a candidate for Supervisor is that he alone has that experience. For 15 years, Jaime has worked with every single department in the County to find solutions to our public safety, transportation and affordable housing problems. Jaime has worked to improve resources for education, healthcare, veterans, homeless and seniors. And Jaime has worked with local business leaders to create the environment for growing the local economy and creating quality local jobs – local jobs – so our residents don’t have to endure long commutes to earn a good living.
You will be interested to hear that a recent Economic Report Card for the Inland Empire shows that the Fifth Supervisor’s District – the district where Jaime has been working for us for 15 years – has had stronger economic recovery, more new jobs and a lower unemployment rate than the rest of Riverside County. I am proud of these accomplishments and so much of the credit for that success should go to my right hand man – Jaime Hurtado.
Riverside County is important to Jaime. His parents saw the promise and opportunity of Riverside County and they instilled that sentiment in Jaime at a young age.
Jaime’s parents worked hard in the fields picking fruit, picking vegetables and working in packing sheds. They taught him that education, hard work and dedication to public service are the keys to expanding opportunities for his family and for his community – so that we may all grow to share in the opportunities of our growing Riverside County.
Jaime Hurtado clearly has the experience and the record of accomplishment to succeed me as Supervisor. Jaime has earned my support and I hope he has earned your vote, too.
Please join me in voting for Jaime Hurtado for Supervisor. Thank you.
Marion Ashley, Riverside County Supervisor, Fifth District.
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| Jaime Hurtado has served 15 years for Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley. |
Endorsement for Jaime Hurtado as Riverside County Supervisor,
written by County Supervisor Marion Ashley:
Riverside County is the third fastest growing county in the nation. With that growth comes amazing opportunities. But that growth brings a lot of growing pains.
Since 2002, that has been my challenge as Riverside County Supervisor representing the Fifth District – capturing the opportunities and finding solutions to the problems that come with rapid growth. In my 15 years as Supervisor, Jaime Hurtado has been my Chief Policy Advisor and Chief of Staff, Jaime Hurtado deserves much of the credit for the successes and accomplishments we have achieved.
Growth strains our basic infrastructure, our roads, our schools, affordable housing, healthcare services, senior services. It stretches budgets for public safety – our law enforcement and fire services – to the point where creative solutions are required to guarantee the services residents deserve.
Managing these issues is a challenge. Just as recognizing opportunities for solutions is a challenge. It comes with experience – the experience you get with tackling these issues every day.
One of Jaime Hurtado’s greatest strengths as a candidate for Supervisor is that he alone has that experience. For 15 years, Jaime has worked with every single department in the County to find solutions to our public safety, transportation and affordable housing problems. Jaime has worked to improve resources for education, healthcare, veterans, homeless and seniors. And Jaime has worked with local business leaders to create the environment for growing the local economy and creating quality local jobs – local jobs – so our residents don’t have to endure long commutes to earn a good living.
You will be interested to hear that a recent Economic Report Card for the Inland Empire shows that the Fifth Supervisor’s District – the district where Jaime has been working for us for 15 years – has had stronger economic recovery, more new jobs and a lower unemployment rate than the rest of Riverside County. I am proud of these accomplishments and so much of the credit for that success should go to my right hand man – Jaime Hurtado.
Riverside County is important to Jaime. His parents saw the promise and opportunity of Riverside County and they instilled that sentiment in Jaime at a young age.
Jaime’s parents worked hard in the fields picking fruit, picking vegetables and working in packing sheds. They taught him that education, hard work and dedication to public service are the keys to expanding opportunities for his family and for his community – so that we may all grow to share in the opportunities of our growing Riverside County.
Jaime Hurtado clearly has the experience and the record of accomplishment to succeed me as Supervisor. Jaime has earned my support and I hope he has earned your vote, too.
Please join me in voting for Jaime Hurtado for Supervisor. Thank you.
Marion Ashley, Riverside County Supervisor, Fifth District.
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