Meet Supervisor V. Manuel Perez Feb. 21

Riverside County 4th District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez will be at the Town Hall from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, to meet and talk with Hill residents who are now part of his supervisorial district.

Having spent many summers at Pathfinder Ranch, Perez is familiar with the Hill. Now he would like to meet and to get to know the current residents, his new constituents.

“As of the start of this year, with changes from county redistricting, Idyllwild and the mountain communities are part of Riverside County’s 4th District, which Supervisor Perez proudly represents on the Riverside County Board of Supervisors,” said Perez’s Communication Director Darin Schemmer.

While the desert, which is the vast majority of the 4th District, is much hotter and drier than the Hill neighborhoods, there have been several common issues.

For example, short-term rentals (STRs) have been the dominant county issue on the Hill in the past several years. Perez is well aware of local views and has had to cast several votes on the issue during 2022.

Now Perez has responsibility for the Hill. And he notes here are also many STRs in District 4. “I had some struggles, maybe not as bad as Chuck [Washington, 3rd District] but there are events, such as Coachella, that take place and require some sort of accountability process,” he mentioned.

“I do believe in private property rights. But we need a balance, especially when folk rent space. Nevertheless, because of trash or parking or other nuisances, we need to hold the renter accountable,” he has said.

While many local residents may have different opinions about STRs than Perez, he has clearly indicated flexibility. “I have had no opportunity to talk with folk. Here [the desert areas of District 4] there are properties with humongous houses – four, five thousand or even 10,000 square feet … In Idyllwild, it’s quite different. The lots are not as big, and more traffic concerns and other different issues. Now there is a moratorium which is good for right now. I’m not sure of the future.”

There will be other county issues to discuss with the supervisor and next week’s session offers local residents the opportunity to meet Perez, ask questions, offer their views and listen to him.

“As he works closely in the community, Supervisor Perez looks forward to meeting community members and being available to assist,” Schemmer wrote.