It was an angry Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet on the offensive about a series of articles in the local newspaper referencing his former ties to a local developer, Richard Meaney, who paid him over 200 grand for 2 years of consultant work. He was joined in his outrage by a few of his other council members. As per usual these council meetings are part governance, part informative and part theater of the absurd.
The Good
For the most part the citizens who spoke at the dais were respectful and made some salient inquiries. Council members Paul Lewin and Rick Hutcheson were measured and temperate in their remarks. While I personally feel that Mr. Lewin's call for an outside auditor was not enough, he stated his position eloquently. Mr. Hutchesoon was very calm in his statements. I also think the Mayor did an admirable job for the most part in keep his temper in check.
The Bad
Steve Pougnet calling out audience members who had complained about him from the dais. May have felt good but not smart. Also his remarks to Orlando Gotay about releasing his schedule were not correct. Originally Doug Holland, city attorney, refused to release his schedule.
The Absurd
Councilman Chris Mills categorized his remarks as "rambling." No truer words perhaps have ever been spoken at a city council meeting. . Councilperson Ginny Foat explanation of why a pizza company did not get grant money while a business across the street and owned by Mr. Meaney got 10 times the amount the pizza owner requested was bizarre.
Finally the Mayor had a laundry list of who to blame for his woes. His attack on the newspaper predictable. But saying the investigative pieces were triggered by political opponents not accurate. And implying that questioning his actions is an attack on the city is the height of hubris.
These allegations and the questions they raise are not going away anytime soon so stay tuned.
Steve Kelly can heard daily 4p to 6p on 1450 KPTR
Good report. I also was more than a bit amused by some of Chris Mills' statements. His dislike of Governor Jerry Brown and blaming the State of California for so many of our woes sounded almost political. But it was his comments about water and the drought that really got my ear. Implying all the water we use goes back into the ground so restrictions on use may not be justified. Then there was the assertion that our water supply is independent of the rest of the state and that too is reason we should not face restrictions. Although he seemed to be saying all our water comes from our valley's aquifer, he neglected to mention that the aquifer needs water from our State Water Project allotment in order to maintain its level. And it's that need for state water that brings into question his claim our water sources are different than that of other areas in the state.
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