Zimmerman, Karwin, Sobek sworn in for new Council terms

Robert Karwin makes his first remarks as a Menifee City Council member at Wednesday night's meeting.

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Mayor Bill Zimmerman, District 3 representative Lesa Sobek and new District 1 representative Robert Karwin were sworn in at Wednesday’s Menifee City Council meeting.

Each took the oath of office after city clerk Sarah Manwaring announced the certified final results of the Nov. 3 election, which were adopted by resolution by the council. Each were elected to serve four-year terms.

Manwaring reported that of the 60,758 registered voters in Menifee, 51,747 cast ballots – an 85 percent turnout rate. Here are the official final city election results:

Mayor:
Bill Zimmerman – 29,062
Ricky Estrada – 13,804
Keith Davis – 5,181

City Council, District 1:
Robert Karwin – 6,439
Yamil Tomassini – 4,645

City Council, District 3:
Lesa Sobek – 8,963
Cecilia Truman – 2,162

Measure M (initiative to recall Measure DD):
No – 30,397
Yes – 17,362

Zimmerman (shown taking the oath of office) was appointed mayor in 2018 after the death of Neil Winter. He thanked the voters who elected him to his first full term. He also thanked his council colleagues and staff.

“Two years ago, I was humbled to be appointed to this position, and since then I have learned so much,” said Zimmerman, a Menifee resident since 1989 and a former member of the Planning Commission; Parks, Recreation and Trails Commission; and Mt. San Jacinto College Board of Trustees.

“We’ve all been thrown a curveball with his coronavirus, but we’re still finding ways to serve our residents every day,” Zimmerman said about City Council members and city staff. My prayer is that soon we’ll be able to celebrate together again.”

Sobek, who was appointed to complete Wallace Edgerton’s council term after his death in 2015, was elected to her second four-year term. She was also voted Mayor Pro Tem for the coming year by her colleagues at Wednesday's meeting.

“I would like to thank my colleagues and all the residents who have supported me,” Sobek (right) said. “I am truly humbled.”

Karwin, like Zimmerman and Sobek a former Planning Commissioner, was elected to his first District 1 council term to fill the seat vacated by Greg August, who termed out.

“I ran for this office because I love this city,” Karwin said. “I want to help us keep plowing ahead over the obstacles in front of us. I take this job very seriously and I promise to come prepared for the job.”

August did not attend what would’ve been his final meeting before turning his seat over to Karwin. In a statement read during the meeting, August said, “I would like to congratulate those who were elected, and I would like to thank the entire City Council and city staff,” August said. “I thank the voters for the trust and confidence they had in me.”

Each council member expressed appreciation for August’s service.

“I thank Greg for his service,” council member Matt Liesemeyer said about August (left). “He and I didn’t always agree, but in the end we both were fighting for the city. He championed for his part of the city. The Cherry Hills Plaza in Sun City has Greg to thank for the improvements made there.”

“When I joined the City Council in 2015, Greg took me under his wing,” Sobek said. “He was a great example to me. We worked together in forming the Homeless Task. Force. He truly was an advocate for District 1.”

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