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
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