As we get closer to the fall, and closer to election time in Palm Springs, there is starting to be some discontent among the electorate. It seems all may not be perfect in that little corner of Riverside County. The discontent seems to fall along the lines of some people being upset that a large number of candidates have filed to run for Mayor and City Council.
I read some hand wringing fro some GOO GOO types (Good Government) who complain that with so many "Unqualified candidates", it may clutter up the Chamber of Commerce/One PS debate!! Oh the horrors!! The riff raff went out and got the signatures required to be on the ballot. Those candidates deserve their roster spot at the debate.
Having moderated debates in the past, I am more than certain that my friend journalist Hank Plante can readily handle all challenges. Hank is an award winning pro and this will be like water off his back.
What should really concern Palm Springs residents is that it appears the fix is in for 4 of the candidates. Ginny Foat for Mayor, Geoff Kors, Paul Lewin JR Roberts all appear to be the choices of the wealthy and connected. While personally I feel all 4 are good candidates the fact that groups such as the Stonewall Democrats, Equality California and big movers and shakers like Harold Matzner are on board with the 4 makes me wonder whether we are going to have an election or a coronation. (I have it from multiple sources Stonewall will endorse Ginny Foat, Geoff Kors and Paul Lewin tomorrow night.) All 4 are pretty much status quo, nothing wrong with Palm Springs, tourism approved candidates. The coup de gras will probably be all getting some endorsements by the Palm Springs Police and Fire Associations.
For all of the claims of being a progressive city embracing diversity, when you have oodles of cash and single party interest groups pushing the same candidates how is diversity served?
Steve Kelly is a free lance journalist in Cathedral City California. He can be reached at svericker@yahoo.com
No comments:
Post a Comment