Menifee City Council: New era begins with new mayor

Neil Winter is sworn in as mayor of Menifee by city clerk Sarah Manwaring Wednesday night. Menifee 4/7 photos: Doug Spoon

City Hall was packed and optimism ran high Wednesday night as Neil Winter was sworn in as mayor of Menifee, signalling a significant change in leadership for the city.

Winter replaces Scott Mann, who had served on the City Council all but two years of the city's eight-year history -- the last four as mayor. Mann was defeated by Winter in the Nov. 8 election, just weeks after it was reported that he was penalized $60,000 by the Fair Political Practices Commission for personal use of campaign funds.

Winter, 63, has never before held public office. A retired business executive and 11-year resident of Menifee, he ran his campaign from street corners and through social media, accepting only $400 in private donations. Yet this is exactly what seems to make him so popular with Menifee residents, who have often said they hope to put the controversies of the Mann era in the past.

"I'm not a politician," Winter told the audience after taking his seat on the dais. "I don't really have anything to gain by being mayor. I ran because I saw we needed a change.

"I can't tell you how humbled I've been the last few months. I don't do anything traditional; my campaign was really just Deb (his wife) and I. But what we accomplished and the support we got was highly rewarding.

"I hope we have shown that it doesn't take a great deal of money to run a successful campaign. It just takes a lot of hard work. I have already started to immerse myself in the job. I have a lot to learn, and I will rely on my colleagues and staff for support. We're starting a new chapter. I'm excited. It will be rewarding, and it's going to be different."

Winter made a point of telling residents he has officially terminated his campaign, completing all reporting forms and closing out his campaign bank account. This may have been in reference to Mann, who continued to use funds from his campaigns of 2010, 2012 and 2014 for personal use, according to the FPPC.

Council members Greg August and Lesa Sobek were also sworn in, retaining their council seats after running unopposed in District 1 and District 3, respectively. Sobek was elected to serve the last year of the late Wallace Edgerton's term a year ago. Matt Liesemeyer, who along with John Denver was not up for re-election this term, was voted mayor pro tem by the council.

Winter will be the first Menifee mayor to serve a four-year term, as the other council members do. That term has been increased from two years to four through the passage of a November ballot measure -- legislation that was supported by Mann as he prepared to run for re-election.

Greg August is sworn in for a second term on the City Council, representing District 1.

Lesa Sobek is sworn in for her first full term on the City Council, representing District 3.

A capacity crowd attended Wednesday's council meeting and thousands more watched on a Menifee 24/7 live stream.