Former Menifee City Councilman Tom Fuhrman said he is running again because he wants to see more improvements made in District 2, particularly when it comes to roads and infrastructure.
Fuhrman, who served on the City Council from 2010 to 2014, has lived in Menifee for 36 years. He said he has watched the city grow and believes areas including Quail Valley and Scott Road have not received the same attention as others.
“All the improvement seems to be being spent somewhere else,” Fuhrman said.
Fuhrman pointed to dirt roads throughout District 2 and traffic at Holland and Murrieta roads as areas he believes need more attention. He said traffic at the intersection can back up significantly, especially during school hours, and questioned why Murrieta Road has not been widened to four lanes up to Scott Road.
Fuhrman said residents around Scott Road enjoy living on larger properties and the country lifestyle found in that part of the city. He also lives on a 22-acre ranch in the area.
When it comes to development, Fuhrman said he agrees with residents who have opposed warehouse projects.
“I agree with the citizens. I don’t like warehouses, and they should be out on no man’s land,” Fuhrman said. “I think the people that live here should have been listened to.”
If elected, Fuhrman said he plans to select 25 District 2 residents at random to get their input on issues facing the city.
“I get the citizens’ opinion before I go to the council meeting,” Fuhrman said.
Fuhrman also discussed the city’s use of Flock license plate reader cameras. He said he has mixed feelings about the cameras and wants to do more research before forming a firm opinion.
“If they’re connected to other crimes, fine,” Fuhrman said. “As long as they’re not going to use them for traffic violations.”
Fuhrman also criticized some of the city’s spending decisions, including the Menifee amphitheater.
“I think it was a bad decision in the long run,” Fuhrman said.
He also questioned why the city continues to rent its City Hall space instead of building a permanent City Hall.
Fuhrman is retired and previously worked as a tool and die specialist.
When asked why voters should choose him, Fuhrman pointed to his experience and connection to the community.
“I have the experience, I have the knowledge of what people like since I’ve lived here for 36 years, and I talk to a lot of people,” Fuhrman said.
In 2014, while a Menifee City Council member, Fuhrman was arrested on a charge of conflict of intertest and related charges. The case did not result in a conviction that disqualified him for holding office or running for office in the future.
Fuhrman pleaded guilty, served one year probation, and served 100 hours of community service. After one year, the felony was expunged.
