TEMECULA: Incumbent not done with Temecula goals
Mike Naggar is running for a third term
By NICOLE SACK - Staff Writer | ∞
Mike Naggar (Photo by Steve Thornton - Staff Photographer) TEMECULA ---- When Mike Naggar first ran for Temecula's City Council in 1999, he ran on a platform that included suing the county for allowing runaway development without having infrastructure in place.
"That's probably still one of my proudest accomplishments. The result of those suits led to growth management practices countywide," said Naggar, who is serving as the city's mayor.
Naggar is one of five candidates vying for two seats on the Temecula City Council. Also on the Nov. 4 ballot are office manager Albert Abbott, 29; retiree Rita Hernandez, 73; barber and businessman James "Stew" Stewart, 47; and pilot Chuck Washington, 55, the other incumbent in the race.
Naggar, 46, works as a land development and planning consultant in Perris.
In Temecula, Naggar said there is still much he would like to get accomplished. This November, Naggar will seek his third term on the council so that he can see three of his main goals come to fruition.
Topping his list is moving forward with the city's plan for $250 million worth of roadway improvements, including the construction of the French Valley Parkway Interchange. He said that $140 million project will help alleviate traffic on main city thoroughfares, such as Winchester Road, as well as reduce congestion on Interstates 15 and 215.
"Keep in mind, this is what we are working on now," he said noting that $83 million in road improvements have been completed since 2000, when Naggar first began serving on the council. He lists the widening of Winchester and Rancho California roads, as well as the Diaz Road realignment, among his roadwork-related accomplishments.
Naggar's second goal is to find a permanent, approximately 50-acre site for a Cal State San Marcos campus. An extension office of the school will begin offering nursing classes this September after a yearlong effort by Naggar and other city leaders to lure the public university to Temecula.
"We've landed Cal State San Marcos here and got them open," he said. "We've also had Concordia and Mt. San Jacinto come to Temecula as well as Redlands College come to Murrieta. The goal is not that Temecula land every college campus, but that we have higher education in the region. It's an extremely important economic development tool."
The city has also fostered the formation of a foundation that will raise funds for higher education; Naggar was appointed as a member of that foundation last week.
Rounding out the councilman's top three goals for his next term is getting a hospital planned in southern Temecula built.
"The hospital was approved in 2006, the legal hurdles were overcome and now we have to hold their hand through the end of the process," Naggar said. "The hospital is not only vitally important to the health care needs of the region, but it will also bring jobs here."
Naggar said that moving forward with all three issues ---- roads, higher education and the hospital ---- will lead to a better quality of life for residents of the city. He said the special quality of the town is what drew him to Temecula to begin a family with his wife, Mylah, in 1991. The couple has two children: Sienna, 16, and Liam, 3.
While there are things he would like to improve, he says he can't deny the progress that has already occurred in the rapidly growing city, such as the highest police-to-resident ratio in the county: 1 to 910, a park ranger program, four-person staffing on fire engines ---- which allows firefighters to attack a blaze more quickly ---- and 200 acres of open space he helped acquire for the city at the cost of $1.
"In the past nine years, we've accomplished a great deal of victories but there is a lot left to do. Temecula is one of the premier cities in the state of California and in order to stay that way we can never rest on our laurels."
Contact staff writer Nicole Sack at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2616, or nsack@californian.com.
Mike Naggar
-- Age: 46
-- Occupation: Land-use consultant
-- Civic involvement: Incumbent, served on City Council since 1999; planning commissioner, 1997 to 1999; League of CA Cities Policy Committee on Housing & Economic Development; Â General Plan Update Committee (Traffic Element); Vail Elementary School Site Council; Temecula Valley Unified School District Safe Schools Committee; California Republican Assembly treasurer; Boys and Girls Club board of directors; Coach: youth soccer and basketball; Starlight Ridge HOA
-- Contact: mike@mikenaggar.com or call (951) 551-7730
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WOLF wrote on Aug 21, 2008 8:28 PM:ONE OF THE RANCON KNIGHTS.
Chris wrote on Aug 21, 2008 8:56 PM:Mike has steered this city in a great direction. Seeing this city grow and mature has been a pleasure that many people will never get to experience in their lifetime. We can thank a very smart city council and set of mayors that haven't let us become the next Moreno Valley...
NOMORE NAGGAR wrote on Aug 21, 2008 9:37 PM:ANYONE BUT NAGGAR! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
what did chris say wrote on Aug 21, 2008 9:50 PM:Mike steered the city? To where? You have a short memory. When Mikey was first elected, he was the red-headed stepchild of the council along with Sam. No one would listen to him because the Three Amigos were in power. Now that they're long gone, he can actually say something. Too bad though, it was better when he wasn't heard from. How is he trying to take sole credit for the French Valley interchange? Hello! Many people were involved in that! It'll help French Valley, Murrieta and a SMALL portion of Temecula. If you're lucky, it's an 1/8 of a mile. Sheesh. That's an accomplishment? His goal was to help his developer buddies build at Ynez and Date, nothing more.
Exemplary wrote on Aug 21, 2008 10:21 PM:Mayor Mike has been a big part of what has made Temecula a great place to live. The Temecula Citizens Corps was his idea and he has served selflessly. I don't always agree with Naggar, but give him credit as a straight shooter. You have my vote, Mike!
Sour Grapes huh Al wrote on Aug 22, 2008 12:04 AM:Anyone who says four new freeway lanes with three new offramps and two separate access roads leading to the I-215 is no accomplishment must be focused on personal revenge. Facts don't lie, and this $100 million-plus interchange is ALREADY PAID FOR by developers who were forced to build roads BEFORE they were allowed to build homes. Amazing! There's no city in California that has accomplished so much in only 19 years and remains DEBT FREE, paying CASH for all its well-planned and budgeted projects. Our leaders have worked hard to make Temecula beautiful, safe, and debt free. Anyone who argues otherwise is either delusional or on a personal vendetta fueled by the jealousy of his own failures.
to Chris wrote on Aug 22, 2008 7:12 AM:Mike is also "steering" in Canyon Lake and in Hemet, where 100's of signatures have been gathered to stop his development projects. Lets hope he can be stopped in Temecula.
to Chris wrote on Aug 22, 2008 7:36 AM:Mike is also "seeing through" in Canyon Lake and in Hemet, where 100's of signatures have been gathered to stop his development projects. Lets hope he can be stopped in Temecula.
Founding Father wrote on Aug 22, 2008 7:41 AM:As time goes by and council memebrs move on they are typically forgotten. Thats politics. However, in this city, to date thhere are a few that will, by necessity, always be remembered. They are Jeff Stone, Ron ROberts, Jeff Comerchero, Pat Birdsall and Mike Naggar. None of them were perfect. Nor could you agree with them all the time, but there hard work and contributions can not be ignored. They did the job the promised to do.
state st. wrote on Aug 22, 2008 7:51 AM:yes the people in Hemet are not happy with mike and I live there and I am one of them.you people in temecula, you better watch out for that man.
VotingForMike wrote on Aug 22, 2008 8:27 AM:I am voting for Mike because I know that he makes decsions to protect the quality of life in Temecula. He cares about our safety, transportation, kids, education, parks, and most of all the residents of Temecula. I know that he will do his best to keep this City a place he is proud of.
ford wrote on Aug 22, 2008 8:39 AM:look at old town it is a mess thanks to mike.no where to park, low income and more to come that is NOT good.follow the money trail.
Since wrote on Aug 22, 2008 8:59 AM:Mike has served since 1999. Why would anyone want to serve that long. This position take a lot of time for little money. I understand he loves his community but doesn't his family suffer? He has his own biz which consumes most of his time. I can't understand why anyone would want to serve this long. It's a full time volunteer position! I have to question anyone who would serve for more than 2 years, especially if they have small children to raise. I can't imagine putting public service ahead of my family. Then again I'm not driven by ego or the potential to hop nob with the elite. (I'm not saying Mike is either) As citizens of Temecula I think it's time to loosen our grip on the poor man and let him get back to his family.
Joe Citizen wrote on Aug 22, 2008 9:09 AM:One man in bed with so many. Bad news. Temecula-The next Irvine.
Go figure wrote on Aug 22, 2008 9:58 AM:Mr. Naggar seems to be doing a good job for Temecula. As long as he concentrates on over developing our neighoring cities, he should be good to go.
Nice wrote on Aug 22, 2008 10:03 AM:Like the shirt with the "Temecula City Council" logo. He's definitely got my vote.
Pledge and Results wrote on Aug 22, 2008 10:11 AM:Mike Naggars pleadge and platform when he first ran for the Council, was slow and careful growth. Look around and that will tell you about the value of that pledge.
To to Chris wrote on Aug 22, 2008 12:04 PM:Get your facts straight. The petition is against Canyon Lake's plan to annex Meadowbrook and other surrounding territory, including part of Lake Elsinore's sphere of influence.
Admirer wrote on Aug 22, 2008 12:22 PM:Keep repeating "I Like Mike." This man single-handedly built Temecula into a major metropolis. He was the sole visionary for Temecula's growth--just listen to his state of the union address on TV every day. I know he's an honest man because he told me so personally and that is good enough for me. Sure he is connected to Rancon but isn't everybody? And he has a right to make money anyway he wants to.Sure he sacrifices his family to serve on the council but he knows the full citizenry needs him more than his family and I call that DEDICATION. He knows we the citizens do not understand the complexities of government so he unselfishly donates his time to "council" us and rule over us because he knows how politics works. Like James Madison was the Father of the Constitution," Mike Naggar is the Father of Temecula. Vote for Mike--he won't sell you down the pike."
What was that wrote on Aug 22, 2008 12:26 PM:Did I hear that the developers paid for all that infrastructure?
I think all the people that bought homes in Temecula paid for that, with the price of the homes.
The Reality wrote on Aug 22, 2008 12:27 PM:As altruistic as any of the council members say they are with how little they get paid for what they do. Yes, it is technically true, they make very little on the front end. But on the back end their benefits are quite substantial. Has anyone pulled their expense reports? I'd be interested in the total spent on council benefits and expenses they have been reimbursed for. It may be $200 or however much per meeting, but I bet it's 100K+ for their expenses.
WRH wrote on Aug 22, 2008 12:57 PM:GREAT NEWS CAL STATE SAN MARCOS IN OUR TOWN. AT LAST, A POWER ENGINE TO DRIVE LOW INCOME HOUSING INTO TEMECULA.YOUNG STUDENTS HAVE LITTLE MONEY. WE MUST PROVIDE FOR THEM. MAYBE ALL THE REPO. HOMES CAN BE AQUIRED CHEEP, FOR LIVING DORMS. YOU GOT MY VOTE
To WRH wrote on Aug 22, 2008 1:16 PM:Way too late. Built homes and strip malls and the like before considering the job infrastructure. The reason many other communites are balanced is because they considered both. So many dollars were being made in the home market, and communiting was cheap that our City leaders paid little attention to jobs here. I don't figure I'd like to reward them for playing a slow game of catch up.
dog wrote on Aug 22, 2008 2:15 PM:Let,s change the name of temecula to ranconville. we need to get rid of all five of the council members,not just Mike.
Naive wrote on Aug 22, 2008 2:41 PM:MAYBE I AM JUST NAIVE BUT EVEN THE PREZ OF THE UNITED STATES ONLY GETS 2 CHANCES TO "GET ALL OF HIS GOALS ACCOMPLISHED" HEY MIKE, IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE IT BY NOW WHY WOULD WE BE SILLY ENOUGH TO BELIEVE THAT ALL YOU NEED IS 1 MORE CHANCE.
power trip wrote on Aug 22, 2008 10:07 PM:absolute power corrupts absolutely...sound familiar? Bye bye Mikey!
No more Naggar wrote on Aug 23, 2008 9:33 AM:No more Naggar! No more Naggar!
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