Dec 10
New 4th District Supervisor John J. Benoit Tours Mecca Area
Supervisor John J. Benoit toured the Mecca area Wednesday, experiencing first hand both the
challenges and the available services in the bustling unincorporated community.
Supervisor Benoit, recently appointed by the governor to fill the vacancy on the Riverside
County Board of Supervisors in the wake of the death of former Supervisor Roy Wilson, was greeted
warmly by Mecca residents, service providers and governmental representatives.
The new supervisor was given a tour of the Mecca Family and Farmn Worker Resource Center,
Mecca Community Library and Sheriff’s Substation. He also passed out health and safety
information to families as part of the Healthy Kids Holiday event.
Clinicas de Salud del Pueblo, Inc. guided a tour of the Community Health and Dental Clinics
for Supervisor Benoit and Susan Lowe, Director of the Department of Public Social Services
(DPSS). He then met with representatives of DPSS, who provided information on nutrition
programs operated in Mecca.
Supervisor Benoit then met with Jerry Wengerd, Director of the Department of Mental Health and
the Fourth District Substance Abuse Advisory Board Members regarding substance abuse and mental
health programs in the county.
After his busy afternoon of tours and meetings, Supervisor Benoit attended a ribbon cutting
ceremony for the Department of Mental Health and Riverside County Latino Commission’s new Mecca
Office at 91-275 66th Ave.
Supervisor Benoit wrapped up his tour by addressing the Mecca Community Council and Saul
Martinez Elementary, where he spoke about his personal relationship with his late friend and fellow
CHP officer Saul Martinez.