Menifee entered a new chapter at the December 7th city council meeting where Neil Winter was sworn in as mayor by City Clerk Sarah Manwaring in front of a pack room. Council members Greg August and Lesa Sobek were also sworn in, retaining their council seats after running unopposed in District 1 and District 3.

Winter, 63, has never before held public office. A retired business executive and 11-year resident of Menifee, He also worked closely with the Menifee Chamber of Commerce. 

Winter ran his campaign from street corners, a few signs, social media and one small ad in the Menifee Buzz Newspaper. "I hope we have shown that it doesn't take a great deal of money to run a successful campaign. It just takes a lot of hard work. “

Neil Winter gained the support of the residents, businesses and local politicians making him very popular to thousands of votes that helped him beat out incumbent Scott Mann.

Winter after being sworn in to the excided crowd of supporters said "I can't tell you how humbled I've been the last few months. I don't do anything traditional, my campaign was really just Deb (his wife) and I. But what we accomplished and the support we got was highly rewarding. 

Winter will serve a four-year term. Measure FF was also approved by voters during the Nov. 8, 2016 election. Measure FF passed with a 54.94 percent vote to change the term for mayor from two to four years.

Mann has served two terms as mayor and resigned in mid-November after losing his seat in the election. Mann agreed to a proposed settlement with the California Fair Political Practices Commission for $60,000 in October for campaign fund violations.

Congratulations to Neil Winter on becoming Menifee newest Mayor, you have our support!