Page 3 - The Friday Flyer ● SEPTEMBER 07, 2018

SEPTEMBER 7, 2018 THE FRIDAY FLYER A-3

Candidates answer question on city policies

The four-year terms of council members Dawn revenue issues facing our city and alleviate some of the
Haggerty and Vicki Warren end in November, leav- reliance on measures like the UUT. Tax and other non-
ing two seats open on the Canyon Lake City Council. monetary incentives, like expedited permitting, could
Four residents have announced their candidacy: Kasey revitalize our town centers and contribute to the quality
Castillo, incumbent Dawn Haggerty, incumbent Vicki of life of our citizens.
Warren and Jeremy Smith.
The Friday Flyer invited the four candidates to an-
swer a series of questions leading up to the Novem-
ber election. During this period, residents will have
a chance to hear from the candidates and learn more
about them and what they hope to accomplish if elect-
ed to serve a four-year term on the City Council.
Last week, The Friday Flyer asked the candidates
why they wanted to serve on City Council and what
their qualifications are. This week, The Friday Flyer
asked each candidate to answer the following question PHOTO BY CITY OF CANYON LAKE
in 300 or less words:
What policies would you like to see the city imple-
ment in the near future?
The candidates are listed as they appear on the bal- Vicki Warren
lot. PHOTO BY CITY OF CANYON LAKE against it.

Four years later, I still think many of the points made

in favor of term limits. The primary argument against
Dawn Haggerty were valid; however, I also clearly see the arguments
it is that the people set their own term limits by either
Dawn Haggerty not re-electing an incumbent or voting to keep them in.
This was the very argument that sold me.
First, thank you to all who have supported me over The opposing argument is that quite often long-term
the years. I’m grateful for your vote of confidence. incumbents are voted in, each term, simply because
I would like to see completion of a joint cities coop- they are recognized. For instance, the mayor of Santa
erative fire department. Our Cal Fire cost is over one Ana has been in place since 1994, after starting with
million dollars annually and increasing steadily. As the council in 1986. How many of the people in Santa
many cities are doing, we could reduce costs signifi- Ana know what his policies are, what he stands for, or
cantly by a multi-city joint venture. We’ve been work- know his track record? How many voted for him sim-
PHOTO BY JILL TORKELSON completion soon. Next would be adding a joint venture be okay? If he’s been there that long only because he’s
ing on this for some time and hope for a successful ply because he’s already been there so long, he must
police department, again reducing costs significantly. recognized, is that good enough?
Perris, Norco and Menifee have had recent discus-
This would put our city in a solid financial position.
Another exciting project is potential acquisition of sions, to name a few, so perhaps this should be brought
Kasey Castillo government land (BLM), which we hope will be avail- to our voters. There are good arguments on both sides
able soon. This finally seems to be coming to fruition of this issue and maybe it’s time for a change. That’s
after years of speculation. Development would in- not up to me to decide though, that’s up to the citizens
Kasey Castillo crease our tax income base and also give us options for and, if desired, it will be brought before the City Coun-
According to this year’s federally mandated count, adding benefits for our citizens. cil for discussion. Someone just has to ask.
our neighboring cities of Menifee, Murrieta, Lake I will assure that marijuana distribution centers are
Elsinore, Perris and Wildomar have seen an increase kept out of the city. History shows an increased crime
in the homeless population from the year prior. A new rate where they are present.
policy I’d like to see enacted by the City Council would Reviewing processes of communication between
be one for emergency response to an encampment. councilmembers, city manager, mayor, attorney and
Our city regulates actions within the BLM lands citizens could ultimately improve all lines of commu-
under municipal code sections, and while the land nication, in order to better share information and pro-
surrounding our gates is maintained by the BLM or vide feedback to assist in improving city functions.
covered by the county, a proactive policy prepared in It would benefit all if there was a way to increase
cooperation with relevant agencies for emergency re- participation of the city council with the people of our
sponse to an encampment and its inherent dangers puts city. This is a discussion worth having.
in place a mechanism whereby the city can immedi- I would like to start discussion on possible ways to
ately become involved, should one take root. reduce utility costs, particularly for those on a fixed in-
A variety of state and federal court rulings apply to the come. Utility costs have become increasingly difficult
enforcement of camping ordinances, which can create for many. This is a state-wide issue and would require
a lengthy process. Given limited resources and the pri- eventual cooperation with our county and state repre-
ority of calls for service facing law enforcement, a city sentatives but discussion needs to begin. PHOTO BY DONNA RITCHIE
emergency response plan could provide guidance, cut I care about this city. Your vote will keep me on the
red-tape hassles and involve the other agencies need- city council.
ed to efficiently and appropriately address the issue. Vicki Warren
Presently, the options to increase revenue to our city Jeremy Smith
are limited. I am not in favor of increasing or creating I believe it is up to the citizens to inform their coun-
taxes to support the city on the backs of its residents. cilmembers what policies they would like to see put Jeremy Smith
Our city has a very small sales tax base and many of in place, but let’s talk about the one that came to me
the businesses in our two town centers are service pro- several times recently: term limits. I’m running for Canyon Lake City Council because
viders. I’d like to see our city implement a policy that When I first started as a councilmember, term lim- I believe we live in one of the best communities in
provides for incentives to merchants. Setting a mini- its were proposed to the City Council. After lengthy Southern California and I want to keep it that way.
mum percentage for the required number of sales-based discussion and some input from the audience, it failed. As your councilman, I will focus on making Canyon
businesses is a good start that could assist in the current I was one of several councilmembers who spoke out uuCONTINUED PAGE A4

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