More Change Needed In Palm Springs City Hall

With the continuing investigation into prior city practices in Palm Springs, it comes time to think if the 3 new members of the city council should effect more change at the top of city government. While it seem presumptuous and maybe too early, I think the city should consider ending the employment of City Manager David Ready and the contract with the law firm that employs City Attorney Doug Holland.

Now I am in no way implying that either of the above 2 are guilty of any criminal wrongdoing. What is apparent is that they should have exercised some better judgement when presented with various aspects of the redevelopment of Palm Springs. They, not the City Council, are the real managers of day to day affairs in Palm Springs. They set both the tone and the bar at City Hall.

David Ready has been here a long time. While personable, he always give the impression of being fey in his actions and words. It now seems pretty obvious that Rich Meaney got a ton of dispensations from City Hall. As City Manager, Mr. Ready should have put a stop to it. Period.

This crazy story alone should have tongues wagging. It made no sense and it appears to have been solely done for the purpose of enriching a property with connections to Meaney. The fact that it didn't happen should not lessen the gravity of it. Mr. Ready was heavily involved in the preliminary meetings.

As for Doug Holland, he works for the law firm of Woodruff, Spraldin and Smart based in Orange County. I have not seen one piece of evidence that he offered any advice critical of the way the city was winding down it's disposal redevelopment properties n  Palm Springs.

Also this may be a minor incident but it may be telling. Back in the spring of 2015, a FOI (Freedom Of Information Act) request was filed for then Mayor Steve Pugnet's schedule. Holland angrily rejected it n writing. At the same time Mayor Pougnet was inviting members of the public to read it!!

Mr. Holland and his firm should also be held accountable for his colleague Patick Desmond's comments invovling the 2012 shooting death of Marine Corporal AJ DeVillena by PSPD officers in November of 2012. Those comments were over the top, and disrespectful of a Marine combat vet.

The city has a chance to start afresh. Now is the time go big and go bold. Many in the Palm Springs power establishment would protest if Ready and Holland moved on. Council members Ginny Foat and Chris Mills would be upset. But the time to make a change is now when the 3 new members of the council are still riding high with a sold base.

Almost all agree that business as usual can not and will not continue in Palm Springs. But 2 of those practitioners, Doug Holland and David Ready still remain in place. Should they?

Steve Kelly can be reached at skelly@rrbroadcasting.com or followed on Twitter @skellynj

Old Home Weekend at CareerBuilder Challenge

I first was at the old Bob Hope Chrysler Tournament back in 1996. I was so excited because it was the first time I went to a PGA event as media. I tried to act cool but I was nervous. Unlike the time I broke the soda machine at the BNP Paribas, things went swimmingly.

Fast forward 20 years and here I am again at the CareerBuilder Challenge, the successor to the Bob Hope. And I am home. From the great PR Firm Brenner Zwikel, the great golf writers like Larry Bohannan, the media center and the drive down Jefferson Street in La Quinta, it just feels right.

They have a new sponsor but the old spirit. The Clinton Foundation has added some luster and yes modernized things. The fans now have some great amenities. I was shocked a few weeks ago when I heard some local media make a stink about the Clinton Foundation. When the tournament was on the ropes, the Clinton Foundation came through. This event brings a huge amount of torism dollars to the Valley. The weather usually

I think what has happened is that whether by chance or choice, this has become my tournament. And as such, I must partake in certain rituals each and every year. One of them is to thank the PGA Tour Officials for coming here. I am pleased to report that after 20 years, I still am doing that.  I just heard on that CareerBuilder has a 5 year commitment here. That is great news.

Who knows if I will be here for all 25? But I do know that the last 20 have been special. Thanks for my memories.


Steve Kelly can be reached at skelly@rbroadcasting.com or followed on Twitter @skellynj

Time For A CV Link Timeout

A great Political Insider column this week by Jesse Marx documents the testy feelings over the proposed CV Link project. I, too, have been following the debate and have been surprised at the tone taken by both sides, pro and con. I think it is time to dial back the rhetoric and stop throwing bombs.

On the pro CV Link side, comments about the age of the Rancho Mirage City Council or the attributions of racist motives to the cities of Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells are deleterious to the that position. Some Hispanic leaders in the East Valley opposed CV Link and wanted the money to be spent on health clinics. Also the City Councils of both Palm Springs and Cathedral City, who are both in favor of the project, are not populated by spring chickens.

The anti-CV Link foes must get their financial facts in order. While I appreciate the concern over finances and maintenance costs, pure speculation on what those costs might be is not helpful. Plus having Jim Ferguson call proponents "thugs" before a fringe La Quinta political group is not conducive to a productive dialogue.

I think both sides need a cooling off period before this spring's advisory vote in Rancho Mirage. Also not sure that he wants to get dragged into this mess but maybe a honest broker like Congressman Ruiz could use his office to try and help bring the parties closer. It is worth a shot.


Steve Kelly can be reached at skelly@rrbroadcasting.com or followed on Twitter @skellynj

Will Jeff Stone's Congressional Bid Awaken Local Democrats

With the announcement that Jeff Stone is going to run against Congressman Raul Ruiz in 2016, I got to wondering how this could impact the local political scene. Below are some individuals and groups who could be affected by Stone's decision.

Greg Pettis- Mr. Pettis is a longtime Cathedral City Councilman who has worked for or still works for Mr. Stone. Pettis has served as a Democratic Presidential elector. (Thanks Bond Shands for a correction.) He has rankled local Democratic leaders by appearing to use Equality California as a quasi-political party in Cathedral City. He too is up for re-election this year and will try to downplay his connection to Jeff Stone.

Chad Mayes- Mayes (R-Yucca Valley) is the Minority Leader in the State Assembly. He has given Stone 25 k for the campaign. Mayes is being challenged for his seat by the hard-working Greg Rodriguez, a former Ruiz aide. One of the great political ironies is that LBGT friendly Palm Springs is represented by Mayes, a Liberty University graduate. Obviously Mayes feels Rodriguez is not a threat or he wouldn't have given Stone the money. Will local Democrats make him pay?

Riverside County Elected Officials- Jeff Stone is a former Riverside County Supervisor. At least 3 of the Supervisors plus Sheriff Stan Sniff Jr. and various county officials will endorse him. Why? Despite the fiction of non-partisan political offices in the county, they are occupied by conservative Republicans. Also expect the RSA (Riverside Sheriff's Association) to support Stone. Our local Supervisor John Benoit is already salivating at the prospect of a Ruiz loss.

Just another quick thought. Most people are not aware that after he was defeated in 2014 by Raul Ruiz, Brian Nestande got a lobbying job from the county that PAYS MORE THAN A CONGRESSIONAL SALARY. Yes, he makes more than Raul Ruiz.

Local Democrats- Will Stone's race make them less single issue voters whether that be immigration or gay rights? If so will they finally start taking back local offices?

While Jeff Stone has more baggage than Imelda Marcos ever had, all in all this promises to be a lively election contest.

Steve Kelly can be reached at skelly@rrbroadcasting.com or on Twitter @skellynj

Downtown Donnybrook In Palm Springs

After a highly charged public meeting last night, it appears that more work needs to be done on selling the downtown redevelopment project in Palm Springs. Complaints about height and density were on display for the 3 new members of the city council to discuss. The whole imbroglio is of course, man made.

Two prior councils had numerous vision sessions with city residents. OnePS types were thrilled to be included. People were dancing with joy around the Forever Marilyn Statute assured that the average citizen's voice was heard. Then a funny thing occurred. When push came to shove, the developer charged plans and now wants more height and density, In fact, someone in favor of the new project was quoted using the term, "urban" density. I can guarantee that term was never used in the earlier public hearings.

As I see it, there are 2 major problems facing Palm Springs in the next few months.

One is the height of the proposed buildings. A six story condo building and a 5 story hotel really are a bit tall for downtown. The Hyatt has always looked out of place. The new council will probably be in some long drawn out negotiations over this.

The second problem is one that has not really been addressed. With all these new hotels being built,including the new Spa, will there be a glut of  hotel rooms? Oh I am aware that market studies say no but I am not sure. When the next recession comes, and it will, how will Palm Springs deal with it?

The new council has skipped the frying pan and went straight into the fire.

Steve Kelly can be reached at skelly@rrbroadcasting.com or followed on Twitter at @skellynj

A Star Will Shine Bright For George Zander

Pending approval by the relevant authorities, the money is there for a star for George Zander on the PS Walk Of Stars. It is confirmed that donations raised on social media with a match by phlianthropist Harold Matzner will be enough for the star. Yes, you read that right, Harold Matzner. They say that politics makes strange bedfellows. I guess that saying also applies in this case as well.

I would think even George would get a chuckle out of the irony of this. But full credit to Mr. Matzner. I have been told that Mayor Rob Moon contacted Mr. Matzner after the crowd funding had tapped out and he picked up the difference which was almost half the goal.

In the past, I had had issues with the way criteria was used for the PS Walk Of Stars. I thought the recent addition of Lisa Vanderpump had more to do with her being on Bravo TV than anything she had done in Palm Springs. With George, no issues at all.

So congratulations to all who campaigned for this and thank you Mr. Matzner

Steve Kelly can be reached at skelly@rrbroadcasitn.com or @skellynj on Twitter