Does Ricky Have The Wright Stuff?

In a very interesting move, former Palm Springs Hish School Principal Ricky Wright has decided to enter the race for Palm Springs Mayor. He joins Rob Moon, Bob Weinstein, Doctor Guy Burrows, Michael Bimberg and of course, Ginny Foat.

Ricky Wright is a popular and well known figure locally who already attracted a small buzz. He did an outstanding job at the  high school which had experienced some racial violence before he came in as the principal.

His major challenge is to see whether he can break through the money and power machine that is behind Ginny Foat. Actually that is the challenge for all of the mayoral candidates. How do they break through? I think it will take a Herculean effort considering that hotel associations, power brokers and many in the LGBT community are behind Ms. Foat with both moral support and cash.

In actuality, Ms. Foat is running as a third term of current Mayor Steve Pougnet. Pougnet remains a popular figure in many corners of the city despite his recent travails. And Ms. Foat who has promised to run for only one term, will be able to say that she wants to finish the revitalization of Palm Springs.

Ricky Wright has a ton of charisma and deep roots in the community. It will be impossible for him to be attacked as a carpetbagger or someone who "needs to pay his dues." But in this case charisma better equal cash or Mr. Wright may not get a passing grade.

Steve Kelly can be heard 4 to 6p PDT Monday thru Friday on 1450 KPTR or on I Heart Radio

Palm Springs Election 50 Shades Of Blah

There is an election coming up in November in Palm Springs. With the city going through a downtown revitalization and many important issues, one would think that a mayoral and council election would be a chance for divergent views to come forward. A real debate about where Palm Springs is headed. Unfortunately that doesn't appear to be the case.

4 candidates, Ginny Foat, Paul Lewin, Geoff Kors and J.R. Roberts appear to have all the money and power brokers behind them. They will have access to oodles and oodles of cash plus I am sure the upcoming support of the municipal unions. Remember it is interest of all council candidates to support Ms. Foat as her election to mayor will open up a 2 year council seat.

All this does not bode well for the poor souls who attempt to take on the above 4 in either the mayoral or council races. I am sure they will be branded as cranks and kooks. I for one salute their bravery. About the only chance some of these people will get for exposure is via press interviews and the One PS/Chamber debate. And that probably won't be enough.

It is ironic that a city that prides itself on diversity will have an election period that will be about as exciting as an East German election in the 1980's.

Steve Kelly can be heard on 1450 KPTR Daily from 4 to 6p PDT and on I Heart Radio. You can e mail him skelly@rrbroadcasting.com

Keeping Up With Negative Appearances

One of my late Mom's favorite TV shows was the British comedy Keeping Up Appearances. Every time I would visit, we would watch and laugh at the Hyacinth Bucket character who would go careening about. She never had a clue as to what people really thought, only what she felt looked good. And sometimes while at first glance, what looked good was okay, it later turned out to be silly.

That appears to be the case here for 2 local cities.

In Cathedral City, despite the best efforts of a group of enthusiastic citizens, the city continues to allow the sale of fireworks. Absolutely oblivious to the dangers of both fire and living in the desert, there is little if any consideration to the absurdity of the situation.

In Palm Springs, a city well known for style before substance, the city council has decided to restart 2 public fountains. We are in a drought. This is dumb. The city voted unanimously after getting the go ahead on a 3 2 vote from the DWA. 

Now proponents of the idea state that a minimal amount of water is wasted and besides, the pumps could be damaged after a long layoff. Well there may be a small amount of truth on that point, the optics are terrible. We are in a drought. This is a desert. Trying to make it look like Versailles is ludicrous.

Perhaps a compromise in Palm Springs could be reached. The fountain at the airport could become Le pas d'eau, nous sommes dans une période de sécheressecome neighborhood. That way we could keep the fountains off while Keeping Up Appearances.

Steve Kelly can be heard daily from 4p to 6p on 1450 KPTR and on I Heart Radio