Sobek advocates emphasis on Menifee's quality of life

Editor's note: This is the fifth in a series of interviews with candidates for mayor and City Council in the City of Menifee.

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Lesa Sobek’s campaign platform for re-election to the Menifee City Council in District 3 can be summed up in three words:

Quality of life.

Every accomplishment and issue Sobek mentions in discussing her five years of service on the council are centered around those three words. The primary issue she is supporting in her interaction with residents heading toward the Nov. 3 election is Measure DD, the 1 percent sales tax that contributes an estimated $11 million to the city for public safety but which faces a recall measure on the ballot.

Measure DD, Sobek says, is necessary not only to continue funding the new Menifee Police Department and road improvements, but because in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, revenue from other sales taxes are declining.

“Who knew we would be facing COVID and that Menifee would be stuck in a brick asnd mortar war,” Sobek said. “Businesses are struggling to stay in business because of COVID and because so many now do their shopping online. We’ve worked hard to bring in retail, but we’re not keeping up with the sales tax needed.

“Next year will probably be a real hard year. We’re not going to see the effects of people losing jobs and business closures for a while. We need strong leaders during this time. We have a city council of proven leaders right now.”

Sobek, a former Menifee Planning Commissioner, won a special election in 2015 to fill the last year of the late Wallace Edgerton’s term in District 3, which includes the southeast portion of the city. She ran unopposed for her first full term in 2016 and is seeking re-election as one of two candidates in District 3. Sobek said she remains committed to continuing her work to help make Menifee a better place.

“Having a city council with planning experience in the city is huge,” Sobek said, speaking about City Council candidates who previously served on the Planning Commission. “That learning curve is already done. We need leaders who look ahead 30 years. It’s important to look at projects and decide, ‘How will this affect the city not only now, but years from now?”

Sobek said her goals for another term include seeking control of all parks and recreation (parks east of the freeway still are controlled by Valley-Wide), more parks with tournament sports fields, and continuing to make the city business friendly.

Citing her previous accomplishments in improving Menifee’s quality of life, Sobek mentioned her role in supporting a local domestic violence shelter, working with the city’s homeless task force, and campaigning for inclusive playgrounds in the city. Such a playground designed as accessible for special needs children was dedicated in Lyle Marsh Park a few months ago.

“That came from me walking neighborhoods and talking to people,” Sobek said. “A couple ladies mentioned that there were no playgrounds for their child in a wheelchair. I’m definitely a supporter of inclusive playgrounds.”

Sobek also was instrumental in the development of a Code of Ethics for City Council members.

“I believe we should be held to a higher standard,” she said. “Now anyone who is elected or appointed to the council or a commission must read and sign that document.”

She refers to Measure DD as the Quality of Life Measure and believes it has helped make Menifee a better place to live.

“Look at the new police department,” she said. “So many of those officers were attracted here for the things they would able to do here. So many people applied because they want to be a part of it.

“When Measure DD was approved, we said we would take a look at it in five years to see if it was still needed or could be reduced. We’ve only received income from it for three years. We have a citizens’ oversight committee. It’s the only sales tax under our local control. We need it.”