Zimmerman is First Candidate to be Certified for Election

Bill Zimmerman poses with Perris Mayor Daryl Busch at National Night Out in Menifee.

Bill Zimmerman Friday became the first announced candidate to officially qualify for the ballot in the November Menifee city election. His eligibility was certified by the Riverside County Registrar of Voters office, city officials confirmed.

Zimmerman, currently chairman of the Planning Commission, is running for the city council seat in District 3, representing the southeast portion of Menifee. He was certified as an eligible candidate by submitting an application with at least 20 and no more than 30 signatures from registered voters in his district.

Seven others who have pulled papers to run for either a city council seat or the at-large mayor position have until next Friday, Aug. 10, to submit the required number of signatures and be certified for the election.

Zimmerman said Friday he is on a mission to make Menifee a better place for those who live here. He said he believes the message being sent recently to business owners who might consider relocating here is that Menifee is a hostile environment. Recent turbulence during city council meetings, which has received considerable publicity, can hurt a city's reputation, he said.

"I intend to do a little damage control," he said. "A councilman shouldn't be there trying to win arguments, Instead, he should concentrate on the people's business. We should be working together as a team, and we should also be working with our surrounding cities to collaborate and build amenities together for those who live here."

At Menifee's celebration of National Night Out last weekend at Wheatfield Park, Zimmerman chatted with Daryl Busch, major of Perris, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

"We should be honoring them and celebrating with them," Zimmerman said.