Founding Wildomar City Council Member Marsha Swanson To Resign

WILDOMAR, CA — After serving the city of Wildomar since its founding more than a decade ago, City Council Member Marsha Swanson has announced she is resigning her post.

In a Feb. 10 resignation letter to City Manager Dan York, Swanson wrote, "I am grateful for having the opportunity to serve on the City Council for the City of Wildomar for the past 14 years, and I offer my best wishes for the City’s continued success."

Mayor Ben Benoit has served alongside Swanson since the city's July 1, 2008, incorporation. In a released statement, he said, "Councilmember Swanson has been a tireless leader for our community since incorporation. We will genuinely miss her calming influence on our Council and wish her the best with the upcoming free time she’ll have with her husband John Swanson, the kids, grandkids, and seven great-grandkids."

Swanson's current term on City Council expires at the end of the year. She gave no specific reason for her early departure. She has lived and worked in Wildomar for well over 40 years and is a longtime real estate agent.

Swanson represents District 5, which currently includes the southern portion of the city (see the current district map below).

A special City Council meeting was held Wednesday to decide whether to appoint Swanson's replacement to serve out the remainder of her term. Given that Wildomar District 5 voters will be choosing their representative in November, council members decided to fill the interim vacancy. The appointee can choose to run in this year's general election.

During Wednesday's meeting, council members appointed an ad hoc committee consisting of Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Morabito and Council Member Dustin Nigg. The two will hold applicant interviews and choose the most qualified candidates. The top picks will be publicly interviewed during a future City Council meeting.

Swanson said she will remain in her post to vote on the appointment.

Candidates interested in filling the pending vacancy must live in District 5 and meet certain qualifications. For more information, contact City Clerk Janet Morales at 951-677-7751 x210 or jmorales@cityofwildomar.org