Lake Elsinore’s Mayor Delivers Verve During State Of The City Address

Lake Elsinore Mayor Bob Magee was pumped Thursday night at The Diamond Club. He rode into the Club’s entrance on his Honda XR 250 and rocked it to Empire of The Sun’s “Walking On A Dream.” 

It all provided an edgy vibe as he delivered his State of the City Address to a packed crowd. 

Clearly, he was sending a message: “Welcome to the fastest growing city in Riverside County,” he told the audience, reminding them that Lake Elsinore has also been tapped as the third fastest-growing in the state.

The verve in Thursday’s 45-minute address seemed to come naturally. The city is the action sports capital of world, proclaimed Magee, and the extreme activities available in Lake Elsinore popped up everywhere in his address: Storm Baseball, Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park, Skydive Elsinore, Thunder in the Channel jet-boat races, Links at Summerly.

As several well-choreographed videos rolled on a big screen during Magee’s address, the mayor grooved to the “On Any Sunday” soundtrack that accompanied clips of the legendary 1971 motorcycle racing film of the same name featuring Steve McQueen and partially shot in Lake Elsinore.

The “Godfather of Motocross,” otherwise known as Mike Metzger, even took a turn at the microphone Thursday night with Magee. After the video wrapped, he said watching it “makes it that much more radical to be a part of this.”

Not only is Metzger a top rider, he owns Mob Syndicate Tattoo in Lake Elsinore.

“I am proud to be a part of Lake Elsinore,” Metzger told the crowd.

Magee kept the same flying high mood as he discussed the nuts and bolts of the city’s budget, which currently includes a $6.3 million rainy day fund reserve. The more than 800 housing starts expected this year, along with new businesses opening in town, an anticipated rehab of the Lake Elsinore Outlets, more police and fire services, and a $6.7 million investment in community services like family friendly park upgrades, helped fuel a positive spin. 

Magee told the crowd that he gets asked by officials in neighboring cities, “Why are people flocking to Lake Elsinore?”

“Why not?” Magee said. “Why wouldn’t you land here?”

In its 125 years, Lake Elsinore has surely had its ups and downs, but that history is part of what makes the city such an interesting place to be, according to Magee.

Toward the end of his address, video rolled featuring the Aerosmith track, “Dream On.” In the clip, Lake Elsinore Mayor Pro Tem Natasha Johnson says, “This is our chance to get things right.”

In conclusion, Magee thanked his wife, Gina, and son, Richard, who were in the audience Thursday, and he gave a shout out to the many local businesses, community leaders, volunteers and residents.

“Walk with me as we continue this journey together,” he said.