Temecula Says Goodbye To Long-Time Councilman Mike Naggar

TEMECULA, CA — In 1998, the City of Temecula was less than 10 years old. Since that time, the "jewel of Riverside County," as some like to say, has grown from a quiet town to a thriving Southern California destination.

With 22 years on Temecula City Council, Mike Naggar has participated in the metamorphosis, but on Tuesday night he said goodbye to colleagues and staff during his last council meeting.

Naggar, 59, decided not to run for reelection this year and instead announced he would retire from the council at the end of 2020.

He was emotional during Tuesday's meeting, which was live-streamed.

"You wonder if you made any sort of difference," he said from the dais, choking back tears. "I hope I've affected something that would last."

Naggar was appointed as Temecula mayor five times, served on numerous boards, and created more task forces than anyone in the history of the city, said City Manager Aaron Adams.

Naggar has participated in some of Temecula's biggest projects — the revitalization of Old Town, the new city hall complex, Ronald Reagan Sports Park, the battle against Liberty Quarry, and countless others, but he is perhaps best known for special needs advocacy following an autism diagnosis for his now teenage son, Liam.

"You certainly deserve credit for being the champion over a decade ago to our awareness and understanding of special needs advocacy, and you brought education and collaboration of inclusive programs to a city where none existed before," Adams told Naggar.

Mayor Pro Tem Maryann Edwards, who is also a long-time council member, said she met Naggar in the mid-1990s.

"We really are family," she said.

In a nod to the outgoing councilman, last month his colleagues voted unanimously to rename Margarita Community Park in his honor. The Michael “Mike” Naggar Community Park will also be the site of a public pool planned for the facility's recreation center. The pool will be named Liam's Place.

In Naggar's District 2 seat is newly elected council member Jessica Alexander. A Marine Corps veteran and former New York Police Department officer, Alexander's resume states that she has served in U.S. Embassy postings and presidential security details.

"I have a lot to learn," said Alexander of her new position. "It's a privilege to be here."

Alexander was sworn in Tuesday night alongside another new member with a familiar face.

In June, James "Stew" Stewart resigned his District 4 Temecula City Council seat and his position as mayor after allegations of racism emerged. His seat remained vacant following his departure, because — rather than appoint an interim District 4 council member — the council decided to let voters choose who should fill it.

Stewart was already on the 2020 ballot because his term was expiring this year. So despite the controversy, he was elected again on Nov. 3 — by a wide margin.

"I have learned a lot in these last six months," Stewart said Tuesday night. "I have a new appreciation of this job and what it entails."

With the two recently elected members sworn in and seated Tuesday night, the five-person council appointed Maryann Edwards as the city's 2021 mayor and Matt Rahn as mayor pro tem.

Council member Zak Schwank was reappointed to serve as Community Services District president, while Stewart was appointed as CSD vice president — a post he was serving at the time of his resignation.