As always, it has been a tumultuous year in local politics. With little fanfare, here we go with our 2015 Year In Review
Winner: Dr. Raul Ruiz. Barring unforeseen circumstances, he is a shoo-in to be re-elected. Popular in the district, the local GOP can't even field a candidate at this stage of the campaign.
Loser: Mayor Steve Pougnet. Despite his assertions to the contrary, he was planning on running for a 3rd term. The financial links to local developers ended any chance of that and the FBI raid on Palm Springs permanently tarnished his reputation. A maudlin and over the top farewell ceremony didn't help much.
Winner: Geoff Kors. The new Palm Springs City Council member ran a terrific campaign and owes no one. He is being mentioned for higher office already.
Loser: Ginny Foat. Blown out in the mayoral election in Palm Springs garnering only 25% of the vote. Did not run a good campaign coming across at times as a self-centered martyr.
Winner: Rob Moon. Moon had the guts to go up against entrenched power interests in Palm Springs. Aided by the scandal in the City Hall, he won.
Loser: Palm Springs Police Officer Association. Union had a bad year. Dropped it's lawsuit on naming officers in police involved shootings. Only one candidate it backed, Geoff Kors won so there was 35 grand down the tubes. Also the city paid 2.5 million dollars in a wrongful death lawsuit involving a police shooting in 2012.
Winner: Greg Burton. the editor of the Desert Sun courageously led his staff in reporting the events in Palm Springs. A hit piece mailer was sent out on him. That did not stop him or the paper from doing an outstanding job on local coverage.
Loser: DHS Voters. They gave Mayor Adam Sanchez the boot in favor of Scott Matas but also re-elected Russell Betts and put Yvonne Parks back on the council. Look for more craziness in 2016. By the way, Sanchez is now working as a clerk in a medical pot store.
Winner: Dana Hobart. The feisty Rancho Mirage City Council member has put CVAG on the defensive and is causing a much needed look at CV Link. Buoyed by an arrogant roll out, Hobart vows to continue the fight in 2016.
Loser: Palm Springs Power Elite. From Harold Matnzer's obscene campaign donation amounts given to council candidates to Aftab Dada allowing a motor cycle gang to rent out his hotel, there were several look behind the curtains moments in Palm Springs. And now John Wessman is also being targeted by residents over his downtown hotels. But don't count them out yet.
Winner: J.R. Roberts The Planning Commission Member eked out a win for a council seat in Palm Springs.
Loser: Paul Lewin. Lost his seat over the ongoing scandals in Palm Springs. He may still have a future in local politics but that remains to be seen.
Winner: Social Media. While there were the expected gaffes and craziness, there were new pages devoted to politics and they were widely consumed.
Loser: Chris Mills. The Palm Springs Council member seemed out of touch many times. In a May council meeting he dismissed calls for a criminal investigation into land deals by Palm Springs as "ridiculous." The Feds didn't see it that way.
Mixed Bag: Palm Springs Modernist movement. They had some successes in 2015. They help elect JR Roberts to City Hall and stopped Nexus for a redevelopment project in Palm Springs. However they seem to have started a fight with the Agua Caliente Tribe. A fight they can not and should not win.
Steve Kelly can be reached at skelly@rrbroadcasting.com followed on Twitter at @skellynj
Monday, December 28, 2015
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Time To Reset Tribal Relations In Palm Springs
With the news that the Agua Caliente Tribe are starting to move on the development of their portion of downtown Palm Springs, it is time to reset tribal-city relations. In the past few years, there has been a disconnect between the tribe and the city, In fact, I would go as far as to say that it borders on disrespectful to a people who were here long before the first pseudo-hipster downed a Cosmopolitan at a trendy Palm Springs Hotel. And who will be here long after Palm Springs loses its glitter.
Many newer residents and preservationists have no idea that Palm Springs is part of an Indian reservation. They complained that the tribe never consulted them on the tearing down of the Spa Hotel. Before the demolition PS ModCom came up with a plan that told the tribe how to run their own hotel!! Rather patronizing! Then after it was torn down this insulting Op Ed appeared.
There was the whole Magruder building tear down. It took the city 4 months to sit down with the BIA and Congressman Ruiz and the tribe to resolve this. That should have been done in April, not dragged on for months. Totally mismanaged by the city.
I was dismayed that during the Palm Springs televised candidates debate, there was not one question asked about tribal relations. It should have been addressed at the most visible forum in the election cycle. Instead there was a question about a living wage!! Talk about esoteric.
The tribe in my opinion is reaching out asking for comments on how to rebuild their portion of downtown. They don't have to do this. I think their project and downtown garage will be a welcome addition to the area. I have been here 24 years, not 10 and know that the tribe has always been top shelf. This is also a great chance for you architectural buffs out there to weigh in.
I urge Mayor Moon to sit down with Chairman Grubbe ASAP. I also urge Councilman Chris Mills to help as he has dealt with the tribe for years. I would like to see the old joint meeting of the Palm Springs City Council and Tribal Council to come back.
And finally I think the citizens of Palm Springs, especially the modernists and newer residents should educate themselves before they go off on tangents that like Shakespeare said are merely, "Sound ans Fury" signifying nothing.
Steve Kelly can be reached at skelly@rrbroadcasting.com or on twitter @skellynj
Many newer residents and preservationists have no idea that Palm Springs is part of an Indian reservation. They complained that the tribe never consulted them on the tearing down of the Spa Hotel. Before the demolition PS ModCom came up with a plan that told the tribe how to run their own hotel!! Rather patronizing! Then after it was torn down this insulting Op Ed appeared.
There was the whole Magruder building tear down. It took the city 4 months to sit down with the BIA and Congressman Ruiz and the tribe to resolve this. That should have been done in April, not dragged on for months. Totally mismanaged by the city.
I was dismayed that during the Palm Springs televised candidates debate, there was not one question asked about tribal relations. It should have been addressed at the most visible forum in the election cycle. Instead there was a question about a living wage!! Talk about esoteric.
The tribe in my opinion is reaching out asking for comments on how to rebuild their portion of downtown. They don't have to do this. I think their project and downtown garage will be a welcome addition to the area. I have been here 24 years, not 10 and know that the tribe has always been top shelf. This is also a great chance for you architectural buffs out there to weigh in.
I urge Mayor Moon to sit down with Chairman Grubbe ASAP. I also urge Councilman Chris Mills to help as he has dealt with the tribe for years. I would like to see the old joint meeting of the Palm Springs City Council and Tribal Council to come back.
And finally I think the citizens of Palm Springs, especially the modernists and newer residents should educate themselves before they go off on tangents that like Shakespeare said are merely, "Sound ans Fury" signifying nothing.
Steve Kelly can be reached at skelly@rrbroadcasting.com or on twitter @skellynj
Monday, December 14, 2015
Jeff Stone For Congress Thank You Santa
Despite the dark and dreary days that happen in December, there always appears to be light at the end of the tunnel. I myself have suffered from the holiday blahs. But the Desert Sun like the angels of old brings me tidings of great joy. It appears that State Senator Jeff Stone may step up and run for Congress in the 36th District against 2 term incumbent Raul Ruiz.
Local Republicans are desperate to find a candidate and I guess Dwight Kealy, a lawyer who doesn't even live in the district, doesn't fit the bill. Jeff Stone is said by political insiders to be considering such a race. Why even such a Valley GOP honcho as Dick Oliphant is quoted in the article.
One of the factors in his decision must be the amount of money Stone could potentially raise against Ruiz in a short time. He would need a lot. What makes me salivate about a proposed Stone-Ruiz match up is the fact that Jeff Stone has more baggage than the Ace Hotel. A pharmacist by trade, let just say that Stone is generally considered by most to be a few tablets short of a full prescription.
He has links to Scientology, wanted to secede from California, and demanded a face to face meeting with President Obama last year when Central American refugees came to Murietta. And of course there was the now infamous badge incident a few years back. For those of you who remember the old MASH television show, he is definitely the Colonel Flagg of our local political leaders.
Stone has been trying to be a little more serious in the last year. He has also tried to reach out to the gay community and employed CC Councilman Greg Pettis in his office. In fact, someone pointed out to me that Stone had gone to an Equality California breakfast. While that is all well and good, I would bet Ruiz would be pretty happy to have Jeff Stone as his opponent.
Stone is a man for his times. If those times were 1950. But he would certainly add color to what appears to be right now a one-sided race. Run Jeff run.
Steve Kelly can be reached at skelly@rrbroadcasting.com or followed on Twitter @skellynj
Local Republicans are desperate to find a candidate and I guess Dwight Kealy, a lawyer who doesn't even live in the district, doesn't fit the bill. Jeff Stone is said by political insiders to be considering such a race. Why even such a Valley GOP honcho as Dick Oliphant is quoted in the article.
One of the factors in his decision must be the amount of money Stone could potentially raise against Ruiz in a short time. He would need a lot. What makes me salivate about a proposed Stone-Ruiz match up is the fact that Jeff Stone has more baggage than the Ace Hotel. A pharmacist by trade, let just say that Stone is generally considered by most to be a few tablets short of a full prescription.
He has links to Scientology, wanted to secede from California, and demanded a face to face meeting with President Obama last year when Central American refugees came to Murietta. And of course there was the now infamous badge incident a few years back. For those of you who remember the old MASH television show, he is definitely the Colonel Flagg of our local political leaders.
Stone has been trying to be a little more serious in the last year. He has also tried to reach out to the gay community and employed CC Councilman Greg Pettis in his office. In fact, someone pointed out to me that Stone had gone to an Equality California breakfast. While that is all well and good, I would bet Ruiz would be pretty happy to have Jeff Stone as his opponent.
Stone is a man for his times. If those times were 1950. But he would certainly add color to what appears to be right now a one-sided race. Run Jeff run.
Steve Kelly can be reached at skelly@rrbroadcasting.com or followed on Twitter @skellynj
Thursday, December 10, 2015
RIP George Zander A True Warrior
Word has just started to come via social media that George Zander, a long time political activist in the Valley passed away today. George and his spouse were the victims of a hate crime assault last month. No word yet on whether or not that contributed to today's sad event.
George was like me. a child of an FBI agent. He was a big time Democratic activist in Seattle and when he moved to the desert, he continued to be very involved with the Stonewall Democrats and Equality California. He also was an expert on Covered California. George was on the front lines in the battle against homelessness in Palm Springs.
Over the years George and I would get together to talk politics. We didn't always agree on everything but I really enjoyed spending time with him and I hope he felt likewise. I last saw George back in October at the Desert Sun's pop-up political event. We chatted in the parking lot about various candidates and the usual pomposity that reigns supreme in Palm Springs politics. Within 20 minutes, we were both laughing. When I think of George, that last chat is what I will remember.
A warrior for the underdog, no matter what community they were in. Bless you my friend.
Steve Kelly can be reached at svericker12@gmail.com or on twitter @skellynj
George was like me. a child of an FBI agent. He was a big time Democratic activist in Seattle and when he moved to the desert, he continued to be very involved with the Stonewall Democrats and Equality California. He also was an expert on Covered California. George was on the front lines in the battle against homelessness in Palm Springs.
Over the years George and I would get together to talk politics. We didn't always agree on everything but I really enjoyed spending time with him and I hope he felt likewise. I last saw George back in October at the Desert Sun's pop-up political event. We chatted in the parking lot about various candidates and the usual pomposity that reigns supreme in Palm Springs politics. Within 20 minutes, we were both laughing. When I think of George, that last chat is what I will remember.
A warrior for the underdog, no matter what community they were in. Bless you my friend.
Steve Kelly can be reached at svericker12@gmail.com or on twitter @skellynj
Friday, December 4, 2015
We Interrupt Reality To Bring You Palm Springs
A few weeks ago I was telling one of our Valley leaders how shocked I was at the lack of even a hint of embarrassment in official Palm Springs over the ongoing corruption investigation and September City Hall raid. He said to me, "Steve you have lived here almost 25 years and you still haven't figured out this place is less like reality and more like Disneyland?"
Well he turned out to be a prophet at least for the first half of the last meeting of the Palm Springs City Council. The city said farewell to Mayor Steve Pougnet and Councilmen Paul Lewin and Rick Hutcheson. It commenced with 94 year old Broadway legend Carol Channing grabbing the microphone and wishing "Mayor Steve" well. Pougnet then regaled us with the story of how Ms. Channing had given his daughter a feather boa when she got cold a few years ago. Okay.
The meeting then turned to a city produced video montage of the Mayor and departing others. Bear in mind one was departing because he lost an election and the other 2 declined to run again. It was not like they were overthrown by coup d'état. The song played during the video was by a group called 10,000 Maniacs. Enough said.
Then came the goodbye speeches. While I understand this council has done a lot, I must say their self-aggrandizing patting on the back is getting rather tiresome. I found it incredible that no one even acknowledged the investigation into the city. Instead like some group engaged in a tontine of mutual admiration, the tears flowed as each up on the council took their turn lauding their colleagues. Several of them also lauded the first responders who were in the audience. A good touch but also bear in mind the Palm Springs Police Department has paid out almost 3 million dollars in lawsuit claims in the past year.
When he spoke to the crowd, Pougnet never once addressed the issues that are currently dogging him. He was in good spirits and it was clear that he was enjoying this swansong to the point of it becoming a victory lap. If you listened to the list of accomplishments both he and the others rattled off, you wonder what the Council did on the 7th day? Did they rest?
Although despite my astonishment at how ludicrous at times it was, I couldn't help but feel sad that these people, even upon their departure failed to acknowledge that some of their actions caused shame and embarrassment to the city. And that is also part of their legacy.
Steve Kelly can be reached at skelly@rrbroadcasting.com. You can follow him on Twitter @skellynj
Well he turned out to be a prophet at least for the first half of the last meeting of the Palm Springs City Council. The city said farewell to Mayor Steve Pougnet and Councilmen Paul Lewin and Rick Hutcheson. It commenced with 94 year old Broadway legend Carol Channing grabbing the microphone and wishing "Mayor Steve" well. Pougnet then regaled us with the story of how Ms. Channing had given his daughter a feather boa when she got cold a few years ago. Okay.
The meeting then turned to a city produced video montage of the Mayor and departing others. Bear in mind one was departing because he lost an election and the other 2 declined to run again. It was not like they were overthrown by coup d'état. The song played during the video was by a group called 10,000 Maniacs. Enough said.
Then came the goodbye speeches. While I understand this council has done a lot, I must say their self-aggrandizing patting on the back is getting rather tiresome. I found it incredible that no one even acknowledged the investigation into the city. Instead like some group engaged in a tontine of mutual admiration, the tears flowed as each up on the council took their turn lauding their colleagues. Several of them also lauded the first responders who were in the audience. A good touch but also bear in mind the Palm Springs Police Department has paid out almost 3 million dollars in lawsuit claims in the past year.
When he spoke to the crowd, Pougnet never once addressed the issues that are currently dogging him. He was in good spirits and it was clear that he was enjoying this swansong to the point of it becoming a victory lap. If you listened to the list of accomplishments both he and the others rattled off, you wonder what the Council did on the 7th day? Did they rest?
Although despite my astonishment at how ludicrous at times it was, I couldn't help but feel sad that these people, even upon their departure failed to acknowledge that some of their actions caused shame and embarrassment to the city. And that is also part of their legacy.
Steve Kelly can be reached at skelly@rrbroadcasting.com. You can follow him on Twitter @skellynj
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Will Steve Pougnet Leave Them Laughng When He Says Good Bye
Tonight at 6PM, change will be afoot in the Palm Springs City Hall when along with new Mayor Rob Moon, Councilmen Geoff Kors and J.R. Roberts take office. Leaving will be Rick Hutcheson, Paul Lewin and embattled mayor Steve Pougnet. And in this case like so many times in life, how you leave can be as important as how you arrive.
I know I will be watching to see the closing statements of the departing council. Local politicians normally embarrass themselves as they luxuriate in accomplishments both real and perceived. The book on this city council has not been written yet. There are unfinished chapters that will be penned by forces and groups outside of Palm Springs.
For a dozen years, Chris Mills, Ginny Foat and Pougnet have been fixtures on the city council. Now 2 remain. They will tonight one assumes wax poetically on days gone by while lavishing their departing colleagues with praise. Rick Hutcheson has been a relative non-entity for the last 2 years a will be probably on the I-10 at 945P headed to his new digs in LA. Paul Lewin, who is a young dynamic leader, should take a few months off and then plan a race in 2017, when both Ms. Foat and Mr. Mills are up for re-election.
That leaves us with Steve Pougnet. What thoughts must be swirling in his head tonight!! Oh the sycophants will line u in public comments to praise his time in office. They will be joined by the Hallelujah Chorus of big mony and tourism interests. This should be a time of tremendous pride for Mr. Pougnet. Alas even the most die hard supporter knows it is not. The circumstances of the ongoing corruption probe in Palm Spring hover over him like the Sword of Damocles.
Which Steve Pougnet will deliver his final speech tonight to the citizens of Palm Springs. Will it be the fresh-faced newbie I interviewed in 2003? Or the bitter Mayor who went on an embarrassing public tirade last spring when published reports about his ties to a local developer surfaced? Or will he even show up? It will be fascinating to watch.
Steve Kelly can be reached at skelly@rrbroadcasting.com or @skellynj
I know I will be watching to see the closing statements of the departing council. Local politicians normally embarrass themselves as they luxuriate in accomplishments both real and perceived. The book on this city council has not been written yet. There are unfinished chapters that will be penned by forces and groups outside of Palm Springs.
For a dozen years, Chris Mills, Ginny Foat and Pougnet have been fixtures on the city council. Now 2 remain. They will tonight one assumes wax poetically on days gone by while lavishing their departing colleagues with praise. Rick Hutcheson has been a relative non-entity for the last 2 years a will be probably on the I-10 at 945P headed to his new digs in LA. Paul Lewin, who is a young dynamic leader, should take a few months off and then plan a race in 2017, when both Ms. Foat and Mr. Mills are up for re-election.
That leaves us with Steve Pougnet. What thoughts must be swirling in his head tonight!! Oh the sycophants will line u in public comments to praise his time in office. They will be joined by the Hallelujah Chorus of big mony and tourism interests. This should be a time of tremendous pride for Mr. Pougnet. Alas even the most die hard supporter knows it is not. The circumstances of the ongoing corruption probe in Palm Spring hover over him like the Sword of Damocles.
Which Steve Pougnet will deliver his final speech tonight to the citizens of Palm Springs. Will it be the fresh-faced newbie I interviewed in 2003? Or the bitter Mayor who went on an embarrassing public tirade last spring when published reports about his ties to a local developer surfaced? Or will he even show up? It will be fascinating to watch.
Steve Kelly can be reached at skelly@rrbroadcasting.com or @skellynj
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)