Temecula Politics: Mike Naggar - who he is and why he deserves to stay on the Temecula City Council
Below is the interview I did with Mayor Mike Naggar of Temecula. I asked him many of the same questions as I asked Councilperson Chuck Washington. Mike is a sharp man with a boisterous personality who has done some great things for Temecula in the last 9 years. You can read the interview and make your own informed choice as a registered voter for the future of Temecula.
Bill: What have you done to secure more high paying jobs in Temecula?
Mike: Over the past nine years as council member I have presided over one of the greatest job and economic development expansions in Riverside county. Job growth has been a whopping 93% increase. We have done this in a number of ways. First we built a quality of life that makes people want to come here. We have done that in a number of ways from our park and trails system to our community theater to all the family activities we are known for. Next you want to make sure you can move traffic. We have spent over 100 million on road improvements the past 5 years and have another 250 million ready to go including the new French Valley Parkway interchange breaking ground in 2009 fully funded. Of course, Abbot is expanding, the mall is expanding, PHS is expanding and a hospital is coming to town. Today, right now, over a half of billion dollars is being invested in Temecula and creating over 1500 permanent jobs. This does not even count the construction jobs that are created by this activity. Lastly, linking economic development to higher education is also the key. We have brought 3 colleges to town, Mt San Jacinto, Concordia and Cal-State San Marcos! We formed a foundation to begin raising money for a permanent 50 acre college campus site.
Bill: What are your goals for the future in getting high paying jobs to Temecula to reduce commuting?
Mike: We keep doing what we have been doing. Job creation is regional. Temecula has been the economic engine in this region the past 9 years. However, there is no guaranty that a job we create in Temecula will go to a Temecula resident. Therefore the regions success is our success. I have already put together a coalition of council members from Perris, Canyon Lake, Elsinore, Hemet, Murrieta and the county supervisors office to study the future medical needs for the region and coordinate this need together. This cooperation will result in regional job growth. A rising tide floats all ships
Bill: Teens and Jobs - any ideas, things you have done to help?
Mike: Water Park= 300 jobs on the way. We held 2 youth expos this year attend by over 3000 students. We are putting the youth in touch with the employers
Bill: What is the Youth Master Plan and what is being done to make a difference? Was someone hired to help?
Mike: The youth master plan was an effort of over 500 community stakeholders to evaluate all things youth. Many of the participants were youth. We have also brought on a Harvard Grad to facilitate the plan and all youth activities in the city. His name is Charles Walker.
Bill: There is a lot of discussion about Old Town and the City Hall. What are the plans for old town, the City Hall and parking?
Mike: Old Town is our future downtown. A plan was put together about 15 years ago, with the community participating, as to what OT would become. That plan is coming to fruition with the construction of the civic center complex. Downtown Temecula is becoming a place where you can live, relax, enjoy the park or one of two museums, see a show, have a great meal at a number of restaurants and attend a myriad of special events.
Bill: I know a ton of people are concerned about the proposed quarry, what is going on with that?
Mike: No Quarry!. The city is annexing the land. The city, since 1992 has always planned to annex the land. We have started to commence this process and will be conducting hearings in this November and December.
Bill: What is the deal with ‘Art in Public Places’, how is it funded and where can it be used?
Mike:The city charges developers many fees for developing in our community. One of those fees is a “Public Art Fee”. This money, can only be used for art. Our community is at a stage in its evolution where the arts have become important to people this includes, musical, literary, performing and others.
Bill: How does the city work with the wine country area to preserve the rural feel?
Mike: The wine country is under the jurisdiction of the county. The plans for the wince country have been in place for a number of years and for councilman and now County Supervisor Jeff Stone is doing a nice job seeing that the development adheres to the approved standard. That said, the wine country is zoned and intended to be built with estate homes, wineries, bed and breakfasts, as well as restaurants. There is a requirement that a certain portion stay agricultural.
Bill: What was your role in the almost complete Promenade Mall expansion?
Mike: I worked very closely with the developers on the plan that you see. We are also doing the entire traffic circulation element around the mall to cure some problems. Please keep in mind that as a Planning Commissioner, the mall was approved on part of my watch and as a council member the past nine years everything that sprang up around it a had a hand in in one way or another.
Bill: OK, this one is for the kids, what is the status of the proposed Waterpark?
Mike: An environmental Impact report is being done. I expect them to break ground mid next year to open in summer of 2010!
Bill: What is your biggest accomplishment as a councilperson?
Mike: In 9 year you get a lot done. Its hard to point to just one thing. I, as a campaign promise took the county to task by suing them more then four times and winning, to prevent uncontrolled growth on our borders. As a result impacts from outside the city can no longer affect the city. They have to put in roads along with the development or they can’t build. We have literally change the way business is done in the county and citizens will never realize how bad it would have gotten if we did not do so. Also, the French valley parkway, the hospital, the children’s museum, as well as singlehanded acquiring over 200 acres of open space from a developer.