Election 2012: Naggar sees even brighter days ahead for Temecula

Mike Naggar has one primary goal in mind should he be re-elected on Nov. 6 for a seat on the Temecula City Council.

Mike Naggar (Courtesy photo)

“Our challenge is not rest on our laurels,” Naggar said.

The longtime Temecula resident and three-term councilman said that, while the city is sitting pretty right now with a budget surplus, a new hospital under construction and higher education coming to town — there are many more good things to work toward.

“Right now, we’re doing everything right and that is being recognized up and down the state,” Naggar said. “To have a surplus in this economy is unheard of.”

Naggar said he is most excited about plans to build a second hospital and efforts to revitalize the aging Jefferson corridor as was done with Old Town Temecula.

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He also said he is committed to a vigorous defense of outside forces that are trying to bring the Liberty Quarry to Temecula.

“What (Granite Construction) wants to do is to destroy one of our most pristine environments,” Naggar said, adding that the threat to Temecula’s way of life might necessitate that the city finds a way to purchase the land.

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A more personal project is Naggar’s recent appointment to the Inland Regional Center’s Board of Trustees — an organization that supports, raises awareness, and provides enrichment opportunities for residents with disabilities.

“This is a shadow population — people go off the radar. We want Temecula (and surrounding cities) to be a place of inclusion, where we accommodate people with special needs.”

Responding to opposing candidates’ allegations of Temecula’s embrace of the controversial Agenda 21 stemming from a U.N. initiative, Naggar said that the notion of sustainability is not one to be dismissed.

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Walkable communities like Harveston and Old Town Temecula are an example of sustainable living, Naggar said.

“This is about putting money aside to make sure the city is maintained — that 20 years from now, our parks still operate. The concept that the U.N. will decide how we live is not going to happen. No one is going to make anyone leave their homes,” Naggar said.

“This notion that (the current city council) is not listening to residents is wrong,” he said, noting the hours of public hearings that have been logged for various community projects, including the Jefferson corridor.

“For the city council to have the 96 percent approval rating (demonstrates) that we do listen,” he added.

To learn more about Mike Naggar, visit his Facebook page.

Leading up to the November elections, SWRNN.com will run a series of candidate profiles describing each potential contender for this year’s open City Council seats. Stay tuned for continued Election 2012 coverage.

Kerri S. Mabee can be reached at kerri.mabee@swrnn.com. Follow me on Twitter @kerrimabee.