Councilman Joe Males hosted a meeting with Police Chief Eddie Pust. Several local business owners were present, including Steve Norman, owner of Gatekeepers Security Company and others. Mayor pro-tem Karlee Meyer joined the fray with some solid suggestions of her own.

Males declared that he invited the group to have an open discussion about the problems business folks and others are having and how they can be resolved.

Chief Pust stated, “As your Chief, I am aware of what goes on. Not a day goes by that someone doesn’t remind me. I hear the frustration from the business community. He said that one of his goals is having the ROC Team operate full-time. We are confronted with vandalism, broken windows and other crimes. I’m here to listen and address the problems. I want to move forward just as much as you do.”

It was further put forth that the community needs to get together – form a city watch – a trained group like The Gatekeepers.

There was quite a bit of insisting that Proposition 47 was the cause of much of our crime. You can steal as much as $950 and it ends up being a citation, a few hours in the cooler and then back on the streets to start all over again. Store owners are afraid to apprehend these thieves most of the time because they don’t want to risk being shot by some thief packing heat.

When someone brought up the age-old adage that the homeless are being bused into the Valley, the Chief said, “Bring me the evidence and I’ll pursue it. They don’t just come here. There are no borders on crime. They come here to commit crimes. They go from Hemet to go to other cities to do the same.”

The Chief responded to someone who thought having neighborhood volunteers to assist the Police Department might help.

“I would welcome volunteers. Call my office and we’ll get you into the program. We have a very solid volunteer program, but we can always use more.”

The Chief allowed, and most agreed with him, that in many ways he is stifled by state laws. He said he understood that there are times when the police make mistakes but added, “Remember, the police officer is also human and humans make mistakes.”

Local Developer and businessman John Petty had some serious observations. “I’ve been working with Dr. Chadhuri on the new PetSmart and Marshall’s stores in West Hemet. From the day we open, there have been thieves walking out the door. We write it off as the cost of doing business because they are corporations and can absorb the costs. I understand how it is with small businesses. It bites into their bottom line, but that is just the way our society is today—some things we just have to live with. Also, we have the situation of the homeless and everyone else coming to the Valley. The Welfare Dollar goes farther in Hemet. That is a fact.”

Someone suggested expanding the local jail to house more criminals. The Chief doesn’t think that’s a good idea. “If they are really out of control, we send them to the county. The Sheriff waives the transportation fee. We normally can accommodate 12 to 15 inmates.”

As always, homelessness is a big issue. We will never completely erase homelessness but there are ways to curb it. Don’t just feed them or house them overnight. That only helps for one day. This city has enough large empty buildings that could be converted into barracks to accommodate them while they are trying to get back on their feet. Most of them are not criminals or drug addicts; some of that comes about because they are in hopeless situations. This city has “help wanted” signs all over town. Teach those down on their luck a trade and if they have a trade, talk to business owners about hiring them. Spend some city funds and bring business owners into the mix to share and train future employees. It is an established fact that many who turn to drugs and alcohol do so because they see a hopeless future. The drugs stifle the pain. Those who are patently crooks or will not work make it uncomfortable for them to be in our community. People who won’t work, don’t want to work, wouldn’t work if you handed them a job – make their visit here so uncomfortable they want to go somewhere else. But don’t put all of the homeless in one category. How many times have I heard someone say when they see some homeless young person, “Just another druggie.” You don’t know that. How easy it is to assume. It is like judging a book by its cover. Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!

Someone suggested we have no manufacturing that would provide jobs for the locals. That has been an argument put forth by the City Council for years. Apparently, it falls on deaf ears while the Council is more interested in accommodating those who will help them to make it through the next election.

There seemed to be more than one in the crowd who went after Simon Chu who owns many empty storefronts along Florida Avenue and on Harvard Street, some of which are simply vacant eyesores. The Gibbel Building, for instance, has been sitting empty at the northeast corner of Florida and State in the heart of Hemet for several years. It has no roof, the windows are boarded up and the floor and basement have been cemented in. Simon has been called out time and time again by many of the taxpayers but the City Council, as far as most of us can see, has a dead ear to such complaints.

I have my own opinions and I’ve let the Chief of Police know that anytime he wants to put something out to the public in the way of information or requesting help, to give me a call and I’ll see that it meets the public’s eye. Many of our citizens have no idea how the city works or how certain actions taken by the Council affect them.

To begin with, when anybody brings up to me how wonderful it was 30 or 40 years ago in Hemet, I remind them that back then this was a retirement community with an average age in the 60s. They weren’t interested in manufacturing or big businesses. They stayed home and played table games and golfed on weekends. Florida Avenue was like a cemetery after dark and we might as well have had a town crier up and down Florida with a bell, calling out, “All’s well tonight.” And so it went.

Today the average age is in the mid-30s; young people have moved here from other places, happy to vacate the noisy cities with their traffic and crime; however, in the process, they brought a different society; computers, internet, Cablevision, gaming boxes, violent movies, violent music and violence in general. What they sought to escape, they brought with them.

The days of everyone being friendly and neighborly slowly faded away, giving vent to road rage, teenagers out of control, drugs and other habits that do not contribute to being good community folks.

The problem is not “them.” The problem is “us.” It is all too easy to say, “They should do something.” I would suggest that “We” as individuals should do our part. You see something, do something. The police can’t know everything that’s going on in your neighborhood. You don’t want criminals stealing your FedEx packages from your doorstep. Talk to your neighbors and form a neighborhood watch because they are in the same situation. It takes one person to start something and bring back neighborliness. Don’t be so quick to say, “Why don’t the cops do something about crime.” Why don’t you do your part. Have you noticed where there is a neighborhood watch, crime decreases? Imagine what that would do for this Valley if we took the time to be involved and not just complain?

You don’t like the laws? You think they are too lenient? Form a neighborhood political committee with like thinkers. Know who you are voting for. Hook up with communities in the same district. Politics is organization. Who knows, you might change some minds and get new lawmakers who do your bidding.

Downtown Hemet, a subject that was barely touched on as far as aesthetics are concerned, should become a garden of beauty. Cut off traffic from going north and south except for the main intersections and create a downtown garden of beauty with nice shops and sidewalk cafes; perhaps some awnings – and get rid of the thrift shops. They do nothing to enhance downtown or welcome folks to come and have lunch or take a walk through the gardens. Hemet is far behind other communities. If Temecula could do something like that with their downtown, we should be able to do likewise. We were here first.

Future get-togethers with city officials and the public are promised. When the city develops a City Watch, get off your couch, turn off the TV and attend. Also, you might want to catch the City Council Meeting in person or on zoom – preferably in person. It is a disgrace that those who complain the most are never seen at Council meetings. If you want to see our city improved, get involved.

We have a good and decent Chief of Police, which hasn’t always been the case, and we should appreciate his efforts. Whatever he is doing, he is doing it for the benefit of the City of Hemet and I, for one, am proud that we have such a caring man in charge. Oh yes, I hope I haven’t misquoted anyone. After all, I’m also human. Just sayin’

rustystrait@gmail.com

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

The post HEMET COUNCILMAN JOE MALES HOSTS MEETING WITH BUSINESS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

A: Overall, I felt that we were accomplishing a lot in the city and I felt that I had more to do. We’re not finished with what we started. I hope that one full term will help finish it and I can get out and let somebody else come in.

Q: Everybody says something needs to be done, but it is usually the same old same old when they get into office.

A: The council I was elected was the first actually to start to clean up our streets. We got CR&R involved. I worked with Chris Lopez, the City Manager, and told him that we needed to get it done, and I pushed for it and so we pushed together and he involved CR&R. One day, we got them out there and cleaned up the streets. The day was planned. Different clubs became involved – the Rotary, American Legion, VFW, other clubs and churches. The American Legion came in with two trucks and two trailers going out and picking up trash that was left on the streets. They made 10 to 15 pickups. Some Legionnaires kept count of how many vehicles that came and dumped trash at CR&R. The final count was 97 vehicles.

Q: Over what period of time?

A: I believe we started at 8 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon in one day. We had the city clean up just that one day and it was amazing. Trucks, cars, station wagons. We were planning it as a quarterly event. I haven’t seen anything happen or be talked about since that first time, but it was a happy day for one and all. The community coming together to accomplish something besides talk. Something being done to benefit the city. Working together. I was so thankful for the people that participated. The Rotarians and the Legion each providing almost 25 bodies. There were some other organizations, but I can’t recall them all by name at the moment. VFW was one. Churches. It was a great day for our community.

Q: People will dump couches and beds or refrigerators in front of their homes and apartment buildings. How do you deal with people like that?

A: Code enforcement should be out there covering the streets. They have no business sitting around at a desk in an office doing nothing. They need to be out on the streets and when they see something wrong they should be issuing tickets. That’s their responsibility.

Q: I’ve seen them drive right by stacks of old furniture and not stop.

A: So have I. That’s part of the problem. They drive like they have blinders on. They don’t want to get involved. I’m sure they don’t like to hear me say that but I’ve seen it for myself. I’m a worker. Not all of my Saturdays are available because I have other events on my schedule, but I go out there with the Living Wage. I wear a purple shirt showing that we care. It’s called “Adopt a Block.” We pick up trash from the streets. Picking the worst area and go out with 20 to 50 people at a time, often going separate ways into different areas picking up trash. We have grabbers and trash bags donated. Home Depot has been very generous in donating a lot of trash bags and grabbers to help us out.

Q: We have fewer police officers now than before Measure “U.” How do you feel about that?

A: That’s a problem we discussed during the five months that I was on the council. A big problem is recruits. They come, take a year’s training and then move on to a better-paying position. We often discussed that at the council. We need a clause in their contracts that stipulates they stay with us for a set period of time—giving them a bonus every 2-1/2 years, say, up to ten years to make our investment worthwhile. And if they leave before the period is up, then they pay back the bonus for that time promised and not given. An incentive clause, if you will. Then we haven’t wasted the city’s investment.

Q: What about our street drug situation, and we certainly have one?

A: A good question. I’ve seen this before. I grew up in Whittier where my mother was president of the Women’s Club. I had my run-ins with the wrong crowd. Got picked on, chased and beat up until I started fighting back. Once I found out I was a natural fighter and could fight, I did, which kept me from being beaten up all the time. I saw how drugs came into the neighborhoods. If a young man doesn’t have someone he can look up to, guide him as a kid, these gangs become his role models. Not good.

Q: Do you believe a kid is raised right more by example than by being preached to all the time?

A: Absolutely. When I was growing up in the streets, it was easy to get involved in the wrong things with the wrong people. I had my problems. However, I always wanted to lead to help the younger kids. I actually started my own group in Whittier. I had a truck, and on weekends I would take a group of kids to the beach. We would mow lawns and stuff for spending money and a day at the beach exposed them to a clean, fresh world they didn’t have on the streets at home. And boy, did they love riding in the back of a pickup truck. They can’t do that anymore, but it was one great thrill for a young guy back then. The kids enjoyed those trips, having lunch, getting out of the neighborhoods and showing them there is something else in the world besides gangs and fighting. If they get their influence from the wrong people, they will do wrong things. Hemet is ripe for that kind of investment in our youth. We can do that in Hemet and more people ought to invest their time with our youth, setting an example. I want to do that here in our community. We have Boxing for Christ, but not all kids want to box. They want to be involved in other things, like music and dancing, for instance. I would like to be involved with the local skating rink. It is a healthy outlet and kids love it. They are brought together in a healthy situation, not a soon-to-be criminal event. We definitely need more youth activity centers. I wanted to keep at that. Instead, I got bounced over a technicality that was really nobody’s fault.

Q: Some say your opponent in the 2020 election was just a poor sport.

A: I’ve heard that.

Q: How do you feel about your competition this time?

A: I like Marc Searl.

Q: Funny. He said the same thing about you.

A: We talked the other night at a Seven Hills Town Hall. He seems like a decent. We had an exchange of views. We agree on things like having enough police officers and safety. Of course, we don’t agree on everything. If we did, one of us shouldn’t be running.

Q: What happened to all the Measure “U” money?

A: They say it goes for police and fire equipment and communications equipment and stuff like that—all part of public safety. The bulk should be spent on keeping cops on the street where they are needed. People have more of a tendency to behave themselves on the streets when police cruisers are more visible in the streets and neighborhoods. I’m pro-police, pro-fire fighters, pro first responders, and we need to properly equip them and have more of them doing public safety jobs that they are trained for. They shouldn’t be the community’s babysitters and they don’t want to be. Good police and fire departments doing the jobs they’re paid to do are the ones that guarantee us a crime-free city.

Q: Good cops who let bad cops exist. Is that a problem?

A: Always. When you let a cop do something bad, it reflects on the entire force, and something should be done to keep those guys out of the law

Q: Anything else you would like to tackle if you get elected?

A: Bring in more business. This city desperately needs new business. Businesses who hire local help. It is not right that so many of our people work and shop outside the valley. Because it is more convenient during lunchtime and right after work, they shop because by the time they get home, they are tired from traffic, hungry and just want to relax.

Q: Hemet has for a long time been known to be rough on small business owners.

A: That’s true and I’d like to see that change.

Q: Corporations can fight city hall with expensive lawyers—an advantage not shared by the small business owner. Permits drive them.

A: And I’ve seen that up close. For instance, all the hassle we had at the Legion Hall getting solar on our roof in downtown Hemet. We went through all kinds of problems that were really unnecessary. Three and a half months after installation and we barely go live because of the city having the wrong billing address. A problem between the City of Hemet and Edison, but we suffered the consequences. This happens all too frequently when a small business tries to open in Hemet and it shouldn’t. We should welcome them into our community and make them feel at home, not long strangers from another world.

Q: Sometimes, one person with power can hold up all progress. Something about he who has the money has the power.

A: Whoever has the money has the power, I’ve been told.

A: I know.

No matter whether or not one agrees with Joe Males, he is a straight shooter and as a few members of American Legion Post 53 told me, “If Joe were organizing city council like he has this Post, we would have no problems in Hemet.

Just sayin’ rustystrait@gmail.com

Rusty Straight | Senior Reporter

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

The post JOE MALES SAILS INTO COUNCIL ELECTION FULL SPEED AHEAD appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

The deadline set by the City of Hemet for filing of nomination papers was originally on August 6; however, the deadline was extended by the City of Hemet to August 12, 2020. A Statement of Contest of Election was filed by Kenneth J. Graff, a resident of District 4, claiming that Mr. Males missed the original filing date and thus, was disqualified to run for nor to occupy the seat he currently holds as Mayor pro tem as a councilman for the City of Hemet.

The City extended the filing date on the assumption that Ms. Wright was an incumbent, which she was not, having resigned. Under those circumstances, there would not have been a problem, according to Mr. Graff’s suit filed on December 23, 2020, in Riverside Superior Court.

Further, Mr. Graff claims that Males was not registered to vote in District 4 on July 20, 2020, when nomination papers were issued to him and thus, not eligible to hold office as City Council Member in District 4 at the time the election was held.

The deadline set by the City of Hemet for the filing of nomination papers was originally August 6, 2020, but was extended by the City to August 12, 2020, and according to the claims of Mr. Graff, that was six days past the deadline for filing, thus preventing Males from being a legitimate candidate for the seat vacated by Ms. Wright.

On January 25, 2021, Joe Males filed an answer to Graff’s Statement of Contest of Election in which he denies all allegations and denies that Graff states grounds to annul Males election. He further states that Graff’s claim fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted.

Former City Councilwoman, Lori Van Arsdale states in her declaration that she checked the voter registrations for Riverside County and discovered Joe Males, as of October 30, 2020, had a residence at 1129 Hornbeam Court, Hemet CA 92545 (in District 5), and yet he updated his voter registration on August 10, 2020, to show that he lived in District 4.

This seems to be that Mr. Males lived in District 4 as registered in August 2020 or did the registrar of voters fail to update his records, or did he violate a law by filing late based on information from the City of Hemet that he presumed to be accurate – that is the extension of time after Wright left her seat.

Further research developed shows that Mr. Graff’s attorney Patricia A. Madrid in Anaheim Hills, CA, has the same last name as Miguel Madrid, Mr. Males opponent in the November election. Coincidence?

As I recall, Ms. Van Arsdale had some issues about residency when she first ran for office in Hemet. Issues, Issues, Issues. Fasten your seat belts folks for a rough sleigh ride into July 20, 2021, when this web of disagreements makes it to court. Meanwhile, Mr. Males will still be a member of the Hemet City Council for eight months. Would you like saltine or oyster crackers in your soup? Just sayin’

rustystrait@gmail.com

Rusty Strait • Senior Reporter

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

The post IS JOE MALES A HEMET CITY COUNCILMAN OR IS HE NOT appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

I interviewed Joe Males, Commander of the American Legion Post 53 in his Hemet offices on one of our city’s hot and humid days. While I was sweltering, Joe seemed as calm and cool as a cucumber. I would know why. He is very organized and seems to know the meaning and intent of every word spoken. From my viewpoint, he is a very organized and determined person.

Q. What most qualifies you for the office of councilman?

A. What qualifies me is my ability to lead. I believe everything I’ve ever been involved with, I have been a leader. I learn quick. In the Marine Corps, except for Lance Corporal, I got all my promotions meritoriously from the Marine Corps Commandant because of my leadership. I have owned my own business for 22 years. I was CEO, CFO, Salesman and Marketing Director. I had 7 employees. I made sure they were paid, had insurance and were taken care of. I arrived here at the Legion, and after two months, I became First Vice-Commander. Now I am the Commander. This post was in shambles. It was terrible with no money in the bank. They were talking about closing the place down. Now we have tens of thousands of dollars in the bank and had it not been for COVID-19, we would be doing even better.

Q. In your opinion, what does the city of Hemet need?

A. Take a good look at Hemet. This city needs someone who can lead it into prosperity. There are the homeless everywhere, drugs and gangs. They need a strong leader and I know what I’m going to get out there and make necessary changes. I want our city to be different. I want it to be like it used to be where the elderly can go out into the street without being afraid that someone is going to mug them. I don’t want somebody else’s son to be murdered on a parking lot like mine was.

NOTE: Joe’s son, a U.S. Marine, was stabbed to death on the parking lot next to the old Elite Night Club on downtown Harvard Street and no one has ever been arrested for his murder.

Q. How long have you lived in Hemet?

A. Fifteen years.

Q. When did you decide you ought to get involved with the Council?

A. It has often crossed my mind and especially after my son was murdered in the middle of town. I get along with everyone. I don’t push my weight around. I can work with anyone despite our political affiliations. I have a heart that wants to be associated with good people. I love people and that’s it. The death of my son nearly killed me. I was at that time recovering from a liver transplant in October. I wished it had been me that died, not my son. I was a wreck. After 4 years in the Marine Corps, a veteran of the Persian Gulf War, coming back to his home to die the way he did. I have great empathy for families who lost a husband or son in war.

Q. What do you think can be done about the ever-increasing homeless situation in Hemet?

A. We can’t just whisk them off to another city and ignore them. We have other groups around here who work with the homeless. We need to put money into something, maybe buying a building exclusively for that purpose and creating beds for them. However, housing alone will not solve the problem. Many of them need mental care. I’d like to meet with the hospital and see how we could partner in getting treatment for the mentally ill. I’d like to see us also sit down with those folks who are currently working with the homeless and see what ideas they have. I’m not someone who only comes up with ideas. I like to get people to sit down with me and talk and figure out what we can do when everybody contributes his or her piece to come to a joint solution where we all pitch in. It should be a community solution because it is a community problem.

Q. What could the city council have done that they haven’t?

A. My feelings are that some of them are more interested in something else. We need to stop prioritizing. Everyone has to be on the same page at the same time. It continues to be worse because everyone isn’t working together. If they worked diligently at trying to get problems resolved, the situation wouldn’t be as bad as it is.

Q. Karlee and Mike get shot down when they make suggestions.

A. Because of Measure U. Look what happened there.

Q. The good old boys’ syndrome?

A. Exactly. That’s what has to cease. I mean, if I can get in there with people who want change, like Karlee and Mike want, we can become the majority and things will start to happen in this city.

Q. People with money always seem to have the upper hand.

A. I’m not controllable. They tried that here at the Legion and it doesn’t work that way with me. I’m a Marine Corps veteran and I’m a warrior. I’ve always considered myself a warrior. I’m not an “I” man; I’m a “we” man. Together we can get things done. I can’t do it by myself and if I have the right council members with me that believe in what I believe in like Karlee and Mike do, we can get things done, but we have to become a majority for that to happen.

Q. Understood. It can’t be one-sided all the time.

A. Right. I believe in diversity, and this is a non-partisan position. In my veteran’s committee that meets once a week, we have two republicans and two democrats. My finance officer is a democrat and Jake Alexander is a democrat. I work with them all the time. I don’t care what party you’re with. Party doesn’t matter to me. I don’t believe in all that nonsense. We need more people who are willing to work with others despite party affiliations. I want to bring jobs to this community and I believe if we all get together and come up with a plan, that will happen. Before I started running, I became Commander of the American Legion Post 53 in Hemet I went to see all the new buildings coming up over in Pernis by the Riverside National Cemetery and I would take pictures of the help wanted signs. I posted the following on my web site: “There are jobs here. There’s no reason for you to be home. Get a job.” I want to call on businesses and try to get them to bring jobs here. I know we don’t have a freeway, but we have plenty of access to this valley. We need to cut back on liquor stores and gas stations. We need real businesses that hire people and I’m talking about 100 or 200 new jobs at a time. Manufacturing jobs. It is not my habit to sit behind a desk. I believe in getting out and dealing directly one on one with these companies. I won’t be sitting around and bragging about being a city councilman. I work hard at everything I undertake and always have. I was adopted at four. My dad is Caucasian and my mother is Mexican. My dad came from a farm in Missouri and mom from a farm in Texas. They come from hard-working stock and I am a product of that kind of upbringing. I once asked my mother why I was adopted. She said, “Because you were wanted. Your birth parents might not have wanted you, but we did.”

Q. How do you feel about virtual or on-site schooling during the COVID pandemic?

A. I know it is serious. Look at all the stats and you’ll come to the conclusion that kids should be in the classrooms. Schools should be open. That’s my opinion. People who are vulnerable to becoming sick should stay home. And maybe avoid family members that might become infected. You know people are dying from depression because of being confined in their homes and not being able to get out. Some are even committing suicide. These things are happening. Listen to the experts, although even they disagree on some things. Using common-sense is not bad advice.

Q. What are your thoughts about the median up and down Florida Avenue in Hemet?

A. It ruined a lot of businesses. I’ve attended some city council meetings where small business owners were complaining how it was costing them a lot of business and look at our parade? It can’t be held on Florida Avenue anymore because of the median. It won’t be able to take place on the city’s main street anymore. That median has ruined downtown Hemet. That’s one reason I hope I win. We can start straightening up the city of Hemet and restore it to a city instead of a mess.

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

The post JOE MALES – CANDIDATE FOR HEMET CITY COUNCIL – DISTRICT FOUR appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.