Long time Menifee resident, Lesa Sobek, recently elected the City’s Third District Council Member, was introduced to many of the City’s Businessmen and Businesswomen, Wednesday, February 17 during the Menifee Chamber of Commerce, hosted Meet and Greet Breakfast at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse on Haun Road.

Sobek was at the Meet and Greet to answer questions the guests might have.

Lesa started the event with a brief introduction:  “I represent the people and truly believe I'm a public servant and that's why I'm out here today.  You're my first Meet and Greet.  I'm here today to hear from you, to hear your questions and your concerns. I care about Menifee and I’m grateful to the people who voted for me. Infrastructure is a big thing in Menifee and the City is developing approval of Holland Road overpass and plans to expedite Scott Road.

She was most interested in finding suggestions from the residents about the Newport Road Interchange. The intersection is in part of her District that spreads from the eastern side of Haun Road to the city limits and from the freeway to the southern city limits.

At the Meet and Greet, Sobek said she has three priorities as a City Council Member. The first is family. Any decision she makes is the people who live here, work here and have a place to play and enjoy their family.

Traffic is her second priority. “We are working hard as a Council adding that the city is coming up with creative ideas on how to solve that problem.

Her third priority is parks. People want some really nice parks. How can we get better parks here?

During the question and answer period, Sobek was asked about the possibility of combining the Menifee Union School District serving K-8 students with the High School District. Menifee is served by the Perris Unified High School District.

Other members of the Council recently met with the District Superintendent and learned that they are now considering building a fourth High School because of the population growth in the Menifee area. 

The district boundaries are set by the State and the Menifee area now qualifies for only eight of the ten requirements needed to form its own District. Those who are interested in forming a Menifee School District might want to attend a Perris Unified High School District meeting to inform district leaders of their desire.

A representative of the Riverside Transit District said that RTA is working on different routes at this time from Menifee to connect with the Metrolink stations opening in the area.

Sobek introduced Jeff Wyman, Interim Development Director to update the Chamber and guests on the economic growth coming to Menifee and the surrounding area.

Jeff Wyman said  "We have over 100 development projects either under construction or going through the entitlement phase at the city."  Jeff notes the importance of having entertainment in the city instead of having to travel outside of Menifee.  "Our goal is to build amenities in the city to bring people back so they don't need to travel."

Super Wal-Mart is still underway.  "Wal-Mart is working at their own pace.  It is already approved.  They have some infrastructure to do.  We have been trying to push them as hard as we can.  They are like a big giant and pushing a big giant is not the easiest thing to do."  said Jeff Wyman.

At the end of the event, Lesa Sobek talks about the 5 foot rule.  "You pay attention to 5 feet around you.  No matter where you are at.  Pay attention to what's around you.  Somebody might just need a handshake, a smile and a word “hello”.  

That's what will make Menifee a little bit better, and a little bit more special than a lot of places around us.  That “hometown feel."