Menifee City Council District 2 candidate Laz Peterson said he is running to improve quality of life for residents, with a focus on youth and economic development and bringing more amenities to the city.
Peterson has served on Menifee’s Parks, Recreation and Trails Commission since 2023 after previously serving on the committee that became the city’s Quality of Life (Measure DD) Oversight Committee. He said his experience on the Parks Commission made him want to contribute to the city at a higher level.
“I want to supercharge what I feel are the priorities for the people that have moved to Menifee since we moved in,” Peterson said. “I feel like many of us have come here expecting things that really didn’t happen, or it didn’t happen the way we expected.”
Peterson moved to Menifee with his wife in 2015. The couple has five children, and Peterson said much of his time outside of work is spent at schools, parks, soccer fields and other community activities.
Peterson owns three technology-related businesses focused on internet hosting, application development and IT support. He also manages data for industrial companies and works in communications and network security.
His experience raising five children in Menifee has influenced his desire to bring more amenities to the city.
“As a family, we don’t find 100% of what we need to raise our children here in Menifee,” Peterson said.
He said families often travel to Temecula, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore and other surrounding communities for recreation and amenities. He said some older residents also have to travel outside Menifee to see medical specialists.
Peterson said he also believes the city’s infrastructure and amenities have not kept up with its growth, pointing to parks, open space and sewer infrastructure as examples.
On warehouse development, Peterson said the type of use matters more to him than the warehouse itself.
“I am not opposed,” Peterson said. “I just want to see the land being used for something that benefits our residents locally.”
He said one example would be using warehouse space for an indoor sports facility.
Peterson said he has seen some developers make an effort to respond to what the community needs, while others are more focused on the financial side of development.
“We have catered to the corporate side of things for too long,” Peterson said.
When asked how he would make sure residents feel heard, Peterson said he plans to continue talking with residents at parks, schools and community events.
Peterson also discussed the city’s Flock license plate reader cameras. With his background in data management and network security, he said he is familiar with concerns surrounding privacy, data collection and cybersecurity.
“I do feel strongly that a Flock camera has more benefit than it has consequence,” Peterson said.
Peterson said that if an overwhelming majority of District 2 residents wanted the cameras removed, however, he would represent their position despite his own opinion.
Peterson said his reasons for seeking a seat on the city council ultimately come back to giving back to the community.
“I feel absolutely blessed for my personal situation, and there’s no way I can appreciate that without giving back,” he said.
