Let's take our monthly trip back in time and explore stories making news in Southwest County 20 years ago in March 1990.

The timing could not have been better for students of Murrieta's Avaxat Elementary School, who had earthquake preparedness training the week before, then felt the ground rumble under their feet.

A 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck northwest of Upland on Feb. 28 and more than 100 aftershocks were recorded across the region, including Southwest County, in the days that followed.

Avaxat students were asked to bring nonperishable food and extra clothing to school as part of their training and, though the extra supplies were not needed this time ---- little damage was reported in Southwest County ---- about 90 percent of students had brought the requested items.

It was a tough month for the leadership of the recently incorporated city of Temecula.

The first City Council, elected in November, was reprimanded for speaking out of turn, arguing and encouraging rowdy audiences at their meetings. The person doing the scolding was Temecula City Manager Frank Aleshire, who said the council's meetings had turned into "a prime-time TV situation comedy show."

Aleshire criticized council members for not researching issues and denounced the hand-clapping and foot-stomping taking place at meetings.

Outside one of those council meetings, about 15 sign-carrying residents picketed, saying they were concerned with rapid development in the city. The protesters were unhappy with "the free rein the county had given developers in the community" and with the new council's lack of effort to slow that growth.

"We voted them in so that they would slow down development and it's not happening," resident Jim Allman said.

Meanwhile, Temecula was sued for $10 million, the first lawsuit filed in the new city's history. Outdoor Media Group of Murrieta filed the paperwork claiming the council would not allow it to place two billboards in the city, signs the company claimed met all legal requirements.

Just when it seemed the month could not get any worse, a group of about 30 disgruntled Temecula residents vowed to launch a recall effort targeting Councilwomen Peg Moore and Pat Birdsall.

The group announced the effort at a City Council meeting saying the two councilwomen had voted against the public's wishes on density, housing and planning.

Mayor Ron Parks asked the recall's leaders why he had not been included in the effort because he had voted the same as both Moore and Birdsall on most issues.

No answer was forthcoming at that meeting and Parks later said he doubted the recall effort against the two council members would succeed.

As the month ended, recall leaders said they were considering adding Parks to their effort.

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