Bill Zimmerman, current chairman of Planning Commission, wants to see more family entertainment, improved overpass bridges and more jobs in the city of Menifee.
Menifee City Council candidate Bill Zimmerman (Courtesy photo)
Zimmerman, a 23-year resident of Menifee, is running for the District 3 council seat, which represents the southeast portion of Menifee.
“When you’ve lived somewhere this long, you can’t help but love the city,” he said.
Zimmerman and his wife, Julie, have a daughter, Jennifer, who attends Paloma Valley High School. The morning school drop off routine for his daughter includes a daily trip over the 215 freeway, which is part of the reason Zimmerman understands why freeway overpass bridge improvement is so important for the city.
“My number one focus is to improve our freeway overpass bridges,” he said.
Newport Road, Scott Road and Holland Road are all in his sights for improvement, and he believes each bridge should be a priority.
Since arriving in Menifee, Zimmerman has become involved in a great variety of service organizations, including the Menifee Trails Advisory Group, Arts Council Menifee, the Menifee Valley Historical Association, the Boys & Girls Club Steering Committee and the MSJC College Foundation.
“What I am is more of a servant leader,” he said. “I immersed myself in the city with all our different groups and I feel so connected.”
Zimmerman is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce.
“They work so hard to promote jobs and business,” he said. “I think that’s what people have been asking for. I really want to stay involved in our business community and circulate our wealth right here in town.”
As planning commissioner, Zimmerman has been instrumental in designating city land for its appropriate use.
“We’re fortunate to be intersected by a freeway and we should take advantage of that by having our retail there,” he said. “And further out are our rural areas, which we should be protecting. The right usage for the appropriate places has been my method as planning commissioner and I’d like to continue that.”
Riverside County recently adopted a Healthy Communities master plan and Zimmerman would like to see the city of Menifee adopt the ordinance, which would promote the health, safety and general welfare of Wildomar residents and visitors.
The master plan would include the growth of parks and facilities for recreational and cultural activities, improved roadway networks that would feature biking and hiking trails and improved healthcare with strong school, police, fire and recreation services.
Zimmerman is already a member of the Trails Advisory Group, which is in the process of creating a system of strategically connected recreation trails.
“We want contiguous trails that make sense, that have been master planned,” he said. “It would really benefit the people here in Menifee.”
In addition to the recreation trails, Zimmerman hopes the growth of more entertainment options in Menifee will keep residents close to home, spending money in Menifee, rather than in other cities.
“We drive to spend our money for food, movies and family entertainment,” he said. “Let’s circulate our wealth right here in Menifee.
Jennifer Dean is a local writer and regular contributor to SWRNN.
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