December is upon us, and as we prepare to string the lights, trim the tree and max out the credit cards, let's take our monthly look back at life in Southwest County in years gone by. Today, we'll harken back two decades and check out the news in Southwest County from December 1988.

Home builders in the area complained of long delays in getting their development plans through Riverside County's planning department, saying the holdups were costing them both time and money. Grumblings of delays of up to six months were being voiced by developers trying to build homes for the thousands of people they anticipated would be moving to Southwest County.

Fast food restaurants were flocking to Temecula to take advantage of the growing community. El Pollo Loco announced plans to open on Jefferson Avenue. It would join Temecula's seven other fast-food restaurants: Carl's Jr., Del Taco, Jack In The Box, Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonald's, Naugles and Taco Bell.

Despite vehement protests from area residents, Riverside County officials were pressing ahead with their plan to build a jail in Southwest County.

A county advisory committee recommended a site near Auld and Leon roads, close to the French Valley Airport, for the new 288-bed jail.

Bedford Properties announced plans for a restaurant and four-story hotel at Rancho California and Ynez Roads in Temecula. The new hotel would mean the closing of the older Rancho California Inn located nearby. The company was also in negotiations to close the 15-year-old Arco service station near the intersection so two large office buildings could be built at the site.

Nominations for the coveted Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce "Citizen of the Year" award were announced. Eleven individuals, all of whom contributed to the welfare of the community and participated in community service activities, were nominated. This was the fourth year the award was to be given. Previous winners were Ruth Chesher in 1985 and Allan McDonald in 1986 and 1987.

The 1988 nominees were: Timmy Daniels, Paul Humbert, Richard Kurtz, Tom Langley, Christine McCusker, Sandy Morgenstern, Jimmy Moore, Peg Moore, Judy Rosen, Greg Normand and Ruth Chesher. The winner would be announced at the chamber's annual installation banquet held in January at the Temecula Creek Inn.

A photo spread in the newspaper showed steady progress was being made on both the Target store and Albertsons market in a new shopping center on Rancho California Road.

Construction was about to begin at the new county administration center near Winchester and Ynez roads in Temecula. The center, to include offices and a municipal court, was to be named for Walt Abraham, the area's county supervisor.

Contact columnist John Hunneman at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2603, or hunneman@californian.com.