October 4, 2008 by PT Rothschild.

This is the last in a series of three articles by PT Rothschild about the challengers in the Temecula City Council race. - Ed.

Perhaps the old expression, ‘saving the best for last’ could apply here. Certainly the most surprising candidate (for me) was the final candidate I interviewed, ‘Wise(wo)man’ Rita V. Hernandez, a member of good standing on St. Catherine’s Pastoral Council, who established that Church’s Women’s Guild.

A widow of three years after being married to the same man for over 50 years, Rita was anything but humdrum. I actually expected to be talking to some woman’s auxiliary senior citizen who would be looking forward to civic events and tea cozies, especially after she missed my first two interview appointments due to her daughter’s medical problems. What I garnered from my interview was a strong matriarch and retired medical office manager, a woman with 3 grown children, 9 grandkids, and 5 great-grandchildren.

“My family is all local, most are in Temecula but a few also live in Murrieta. I’m interested in the youth because they are dear to my heart.” she said.

In short, I found a woman still very full of life and determination, which it turns out, applied for a job on the planning commission over a decade ago, but was not chosen. She waxed poetic about the ‘melting pot’ of the Big Apple and that she tore up her rejection letter from the City “I wish I had saved it”.

“Having a big family means my first main impetus is getting something going for the youth. My 19 year old grandson plays in a band (Logic) that gigged at Safari Sam’s and he also did some performing arts at the Christian Youth Theater. I drove up to Torrance (CA) to talk to the Community Center person and looked at their programs. I would like to have (the City Council) look at what they’re doing up there. They have a fine program in place that actually serves the youth. What is happening here is ridiculous. That new city hall should never be built. It is a boondoggle and it’s the tax payers who are going to foot the bill for their ‘Taj Mahal’. Whenever you go to a city council meeting, you can’t get a straight answer from anyone sitting there. My second big concern is about the seniors. That group is rapidly expanding thanks to ‘Baby Boomers’ and all we have is the (little dinky) Mary Phillips Senior Center, and it’s stuck over out of the way. Many times when there is an excursion a lot of the seniors don’t go and it’s because the bus fare is more than they can afford. They need a cheaper bus provider and the city could (underwrite or sponsor) the fares, plus offer new programs. What do these (older) people have left (but to enjoy their remaining time here in this lovely valley and not always be taken to a casino for entertainment)? I’d like to establish a Council on Aging to present things to the City Council. And the traffic (or lack of) system here is another thing. What’s called for here, NOW, is ‘a new voice’ to run the City and make it beneficial to groups, the youth and the seniors. Also I believe (a City Council seat) should not be a lifetime position. There should be ‘term limits’. I’ve lived here for 19 years and I think, through ‘word of mouth’ that there are people in this town who would like to see change” said Rita.

When I asked her why she was running now her sharp reply brought a familiar refrain to my mind when she remarked, “I’m getting older and I don’t want to wait any longer.”

But suddenly a James Brown tune came over the PA and Rita started to move. Though I couldn’t coax her up on her feet to dance as I bogeyed in front of the interview table, her smile and glint in the eye told me she’s no wallflower, and nobody’s fool.

“There are a lot of nice people from New York and I’m one of them” she stated.

Contact Rita at www.rita4citycouncil.com , rita@rita4citycouncil.com

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October 4, 2008 by PT Rothschild.

This is part two in a series of articles written by PT Rothschild about the 3 people running against the currently seated council members in the election on November 4. - Ed.

Albert ‘Al’ Abbott, who has a mind for numbers and finance, came prepared to meet me and you could tell it by the smile on his face. At 29, he is the youngest of the ‘Wiseman’ running for the city council and, I thought, the most astute.

“I’ve lived here for 22 years, since I was 9 years old. I graduated from San Marcos and returned here to live so I know there is nothing for the kids (outside of sports, BMX, and motocross) or the next generation, the 18-33 market, to do (for entertainment). It seems that every time the kids get something (like The Vault or Java Joz) or a place to go (like Barnes & Noble), the ‘City’ finds a way to shut it down. I’ve lived here and the City has never done anything. The ‘Youth Master Plan’ is a joke. That ‘Plan’ costs a lot of money and what did we get out of it?” asked Abbott.

“It’s ridiculous. The way (they) brag about having a city surplus, and not just a few hundred thousand but millions of tax dollars, is pure political arrogance. If you have that much in surplus it means that they have over-taxed the voters, and then they brag about? (Someone on the Council) said, “Well we have all this money, it’s up to us (on the City Council) to spend it.” Look at how they want to spend it. That new (proposed) Civic Center is going to cost so much more than they say it will.” stated Al.

“You know the reasons? The numbers don’t add up for the Civic Center. The (Old Town) Theater was supposed to cost $6Million but came in at $14Million. It’s taken me years of investigation and most people voting here don’t have the time to do (all) the research. They say the new city hall won’t cost the tax-payers anything but they are going to sell bonds to finance its building and where does that bond money come from? The tax payer” explained Abbot.

“The picture is quite clear. The people deserve better, the city deserves better, and we can do better. To the young people I say, this is our city and we’re taking it back. In ’97, some 1200 kids went away to college if they wanted an education. They leave this area to go to other cities and become a part of (their landscape). (The Council) wants to (tout) about having some extension of San Marcos (Cal State) here but where does a young person go to finish? San Marcos, not here. This town could have a four year college here. That would help bring in new businesses to the area which would in turn provide new jobs. I’m not a politician, I’m a businessman and we need to do things for the people. If we can (marry) education and business, buy jobs to encourage other companies to move here…,” his voice trailed off as if a vision filled his mind.

“Work IN Temecula, and get back 2-3 hours a day to spend with your family. Right now, unless you make at least $45K or you have a couple of people living in your home with you, you can’t afford Temecula.” said Abbott.

When asked about the now defunct music ‘scene’ Al brought some scene news of his own and more insight.

“Do you know what happened out at Killarney’s? The Code Enforcement people walked in one night and said they might have to shut the place down because ‘they didn’t like the feel of the music from the band (Killarney’s) had playing. (If elected) I would support (all) the new bands playing in the (re-opened/new) venues. We need to invest in the kids. I’m not going to give up on being a part of change in this town regardless of how the (upcoming) election turns out. I live here, I work here, and I’m not going away. We, this town, deserve better. We deserve to have something interesting for the kids, a four year college, and job growth. How cool would it have been to, say, pay the rent of Ben & Jerry’s so they could stay open (maybe another 17 years), instead of $170K for overpass artwork? How cool would that have looked to other cities to see how we take care of our long standing businesses?” Albert asked.

Contact Al at gonzomurrieta@aol.com

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October 4, 2008 by PT Rothschild.

WE ARE IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY!!! YOU MUST REGISTER TO VOTE BY MONDAY OCTOBER 6, 2008!!!!!  

We are only 31 days from the most important election of our lifetime. MONDAY OCTOBER 6, 2008 IS THE DEADLINE. We are at war, banks are closing, people are losing their jobs and houses every day. It is our responsibility to protect our futures. Time is running out. You must register by Monday October 6th. Barack Obama cannot win this election on his own; he needs our help. This election is about us. This election is about our children’s future. If you have not registered to vote, you are disrespecting everyone that sacrificed their lives for you to have this right. You are also disrespecting your future. The time is NOW for us to use the voices with which God has blessed us. We need you to do all you can. Here is what we need to do: 1. Register to vote BY MONDAY, OCTOBER 6th 2008  2. Get as many people as you can to register with you. 3. Go to the poll and vote on November 4th Barack Obama said it best, “Eight is Enough.” No longer will we stand by and follow leadership with no regard for us and no accountability to us.
We can be the deciding factor in this election, but you must register to vote to make your voice heard. Who are we? We are young America. This is our moment of truth. Are you registered for change? October 6th is only a few days away. Make sure that on November 4th, we are able to say that we did everything in our power to make sure that Barack Obama becomes the next President of the United States. We owe this to our children, our parents, our grandparents and ourselves. We need you to become a part of Team Obama. This is the most important election in our lifetime. REGISTER TO VOTE BY MONDAY OCTOBER 6th and VOTE TO MAKE HISTORY ONNOVEMBER 4th!!!! Visit www.VoteForChange.com  to register to vote TODAY!! It is our duty to make our voices heard. STOP what you’re doing right now and lets REGISTER TO VOTE. Time is running out!!!!!!!!! God Bless,

Sean “Diddy” Combs

Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter

Mary J. Blige

Kevin Liles

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