Unsocially Yours In Palm Springs

Drama on social media involving Palm Springs and elected officials seems to be a recurring issue. The fact that a recent event has now hit the local press is embarrassing. I encourage all elected officials in that town to think seriously about what they post. Yes there are unfair things said on these sites. But as public figures,because you have a bruised ego, a petty disputs should never be fought out on the internet. For a few reasons:

First as a public figure, part of the price you pay for office is sometimes people act unpleasantly. Want to wear the fake construction helmet and hold a shovel while getting your picture snapped at a projec? Then be prepared to be yelled at if there are potholes. 

Secondly, No one likes a martyr or excess drama. And some of the responses I have seen on social media by public officials are more melodramatic than Days Of Our Lives. Palm Springs is a nice place. Nice people too for the most part. Think before you type.

Finally, do what I do. If I find someone is getting too personal or ridiculous I block the person. Life gets simpler. 

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

Mr. Sanders Comes To Cathedral City

It was a nice day here in the Valley. Not too hot for May which sometimes can be brutal. Of course political interest was sparked by the appearance of Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders (I-VT) at Big League Dreams in Cathedral City.

Without getting into the policy issues and differences among the 2 Democratic presidential candidates, I thought I would just offer some general observations.

The campaign staff and law enforcement were absolutely terrific. The event went off without a hitch and as a press corp invitee, I can tell you these people were total pros.

The organizers said they were going to get 6,000 people there. I would estimate they got between 3500 and 4000. Not bad for 3 days notice.

Lots of young people and little kids there.

Credit must be given to Councilman Greg Pettis of Cathedral City and the Oderkirk family which owns Big League Dreams for getting this rally. It was good for the city and the Valley.

The crowd was well behaved. Some foul language but not a lot. Many were college students.

Finally, I was amazed that a 74 year old could give a 50 minute speech. Like him or not, that was impressive.

On a side note, I did feel like a dinosaur when the lady handling the press asked me if I had ever covered a Presidential candidate's appearance before. I said I had and to her utter befuddlement and amusement, I told I had covered John Anderson for a few events in 1980!! She told me she had no idea who that was as she been born in 1991. Ah, youth.

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

An Open Invitation Palm Springs Residents: Feel The Bern In Cathedral City

When news of Bernie Sanders impending campaign rally Wednesday in Cathedral City broke, all I could think was bravo. I am proud of my town getting such an event. And to my friends and residents of Palm Springs, I extend to you a hearty welcome and invitation to cross into the wild and exotic world of Cathedral City.

While we may lack vegan cosmopolitan drinking hipsters and the 2009 9th place runner up chef from some faux reality TV show, we have some great dining options. From Wienerschnitzel to Boys Hamburgers to Applebees and Don and Sweet Sues, you can find great food.

Despite what you may have heard at OnePS meetings, no passport is required to crossover to our town. There is no 10 foot Trump-like wall on on Vista Chino, Ramon or Highway 111. If you really want the full Cathedral City experience, may I recommend you take the line 30 bus. Many of the people who clean Palm Springs hotels and houses and  cook in your Palm Springs restaurants do so every day. A bit rough I know but what an adventure.

I believe at tomorrow's rally, there will be no red carpet. But if you want to go carpet shopping, hit Perez Road. You can even go to Trader Joe's on 111. (We now forgive Palm Springs's attempt to steal it a few years back.)

We hear that Palm Springs is 'the new Hamptons." Well then, we are the new East Hampton. The town that makes Palm Springs work. Come on over and check us out. You may have Leonardo, but we have Monty Hall!!

And yes we too have had our political scandals. We even had one of our council members wear a wire undercover in the investigation of a colleague. City Hall raid, how declasse!! Plus we sell fireworks!!

A few weeks ago in jest, the esteemed journalist Hank Plante referred to Indio as "Greater Palm Springs." In following his lead, I welcome all of "Greater Cathedral City", including our quaint suburb of Palm Springs to "Feel the Bern" tomorrow at the epicenter of the universe. Palm Springs, er Cathedral City.

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

Mr. Holland's Palm Springs Opus And Other Thoughts

Well it was quite a night Wednesday at the Palm Springs City Council. I was watching the proceedings at home at first and then decided to pop on in. I know how much some members of the city council enjoy being in my presence. Well here are some of my takeaways from all the excitement.

The public comments section is torture. Half the time taken up last night was about an issue I support but  of which the council has zero jurisdiction. And zero influence.

There really needs to be better interaction between staff and council. Several times Geoff Kors politely talked about receiving information at the last minute. This has to improve.

We could all do without the segment council members commenting on what they do in the community. Although mercifully short last night, the temptation to blow their own horns is omnipresent.

After a nearly hour and half sign ordinance debate, I went home. I have sat through Palm Springs sign debates in 3 different decades now. The city always screws up. They will impose an ordinance, it will be challenged and they will lose in court. Sun will rise in the East too. So back to the computer.

I was pleasantly surprised by the 5-0 vote on changing the city attorney to an in house set up. I thought Geoff Kors and Rob Moon did a great job in framing the debate. I'm sure because of legal ramifications or legal advice, they were never going to bring up the real impetus behind the change. That of course being the questionable legal advice of Doug Holland before and after the raid on the PS City Hall in September. The fact that a hybrid system (In house attorney plus law firm for help.) is being considered means they want Holland gone. I caution readers that this change will take place slowly over probably 5 or 6 months complete with the usual "search for the best candidate" mantra taking place. I do think city council members should state for the record that they would not support bringing Mr. Holland or his firm into a hybrid set up. Not a lot of fun in Costa Mesa today as Doug Holland has to explain to his partners about the loss of a million dollar contract.

The debate over the hiring and continued employment of former DA Rod Pacheco was an interesting insight into the decision making process in Palm Springs. 3 of the people who were there when he was hired, council members Chris Mills, Ginny Foat and  city attorney Doug Holland spoke about the reason for the hire. Curiously, city manager David Ready was silent.

Basically all 3 spoke of the shock of the raid on Palm Springs. Holland said he hired Pacheco because of the former DA's contacts in law enforcement and his expertise. He took responsibility and for that he should have been let go. Ginny Foat spoke passionately about how torn she was and scared for the city. To her credit, she did acknowledge that she knew the hire would be controversial. No one addressed the form of payment to Pacheco nor was who signed off on the hire totally clear. Mr. Ready was as quiet as a church mouse.

Chris Mills, who in May opined that the thought of a raid on City Hall was laughable was on another planet last night. He talked about how much value the city had gotten from Rod Pacheco and how Pacheco had started the task force that raided Palm Springs. The latter point is bogus as a 1 minute google search proved. He was the lone vote to keep the Pacheco contract. No way he runs again in 2017.

Geoff Kors and Rob Moon focused on Pacheco's unsuitability. JR Roberts stuck to the absurdity that the only reason Pacheco was controversial was because of Warm Sands and if it it had never happened, no one would be complaining. But it did happen. And Rod Pacheco was not just hostile to the gay community.

Anyone who has done an hour's research on Pacheco knows he did a lot more odious things. He shut down county civil and juvenile courts for 2 years in the his no plea bargain reign. I repeat my assertion that no other city in the Valley including the traditionally conservative Cove Communities, (Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert and Indian Wells) would touch this guy.

My biggest takeaway from last night is that Palm Springs may and I emphasize may be in a new era. Finally.

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

All Eyes On Ginny Foat Tomorrow Night

When the Palm Springs city council meets tomorrow night, all eyes will be on veteran council member Ginny Foat. Despite losing her bid for Mayor, she remains a formidable presence in the city. And on Wednesday night, she will decide the fate of City Attorney Doug Holland.

The council will discuss and may vote on whether or not to hire an in house attorney or continue with outside counsel. Mr. Holland works for the Orange County law firm of Woodruff, Spradlin and Smart where he serves as a director. His firm is currently contracted to the city. And while the city council could vote to change firms, it appears that option is not going to be exercised. It will be in house or no house tomorrow night.

The Desert Sun has called for an in house attorney. This being Palm Springs, no one really wants to address why this matter is being brought up. Well, I will. The main reason the city is having this discussion is because of the perception of screw ups by Mr. Holland Whether it be the bizarre hiring of possible reality-challenged former DA Rod Pacheco to advise the city on the process involving the raid on City Hall or convoluted redevelopment land sales, Doug Holland has certainly been under intense scrutiny recently. It certainly didn't help when City Manager David Ready apparently threw him under the bus in a dispute with the local newspaper.

Tomorrow night Ginny Foat could be the deciding vote  for a recommendation to go to an in house counsel. She and her holdover colleague Chris Mills, have shown great reluctance to vote to change anything they feel tarnishes the prior council's legacy. Firing Doug Holland would do just that. But keeping the situation status quo may cause more tumult in the city that desperately wants to move forward.

Right now there appears to be 2 votes in favor of going to an in house counsel. Mayor Rob Moon and Geoff Kors. I believe Chris Mills will vote no. I also believe J.R. Roberts will follow along with Ms. Foat's line of thinking. I have no idea how she will vote so this will be interesting.

Oh and as for the contract with Rod Pacheco. That is on the agenda as well. It is item 4C. You may note that the name Rod Pacheco does not appear anywhere. But the law firm name of Theodora Oringher does. That is because of the Rube Goldberg way in which Pacheco was hired and paid. All through a third party which one may reasonably assume was to mask his hire. Bizarre.

Steve Kelly can be followed on twitter at @skellynj or e mailed at skelly@rrbroadcasting.com

Your News My Views

Back by popular demand, Your News My Views:

Your News: Classic Rock Show scheduled in the fall at the Polo Grounds in Indio.

My Views: This show could be fun. God knows this is Woodstock for seniors. The line up includes many "mature acts." It is expensive so let us see how the tickets sell. For God's sake, hopefully no panties will be tossed at the stage. If the Rolling Stones play Start Me Up, it may be for a defibrillator.

Your News: Both PS Council member Ginny Foat and PS Mayor Rob Moon selected as Hillary Clinton delegates for the 2016  Democratic Convention.

My Views: Hope they sit next to each other on the trip to Philadelphia. It would a great bonding exercise. Odds of that happening, same as snow in July in Palm Springs.

Your News: Lawsuit charges discrimination and claims children barred from playing outside at apartment complexes.

My Views: As I recently posted, most of this activity took place in Palm Springs and involves lower income Hispanic residents. They have zero political clout in Palm Springs. So far, absolute crickets from the "progressive" leaders of Palm Springs. Have not seen one statement from OnePS. There has been more discussion of the Forever Marilyn Statue than these real life human beings. Is Palm Springs becoming a 1% community?

Your News: Greg Pettis and John Aguilar seek re-election to the Cathedral City council.

My Views: The status quo will remain supreme in Cathedral City. The power block in town will back these 2 100%, although Hispanic residents may be upset at Greg Pettis. He works for Jeff Stone who made some outrageous comments during the Murrrietta stand off 2 years ago.

Your News:  Riverside County spends 44 million dollars on consultants to learn how to save money.

My Views; Face palm. Why is John Benoit given a free pass on this?

Your News: Indian Wells to vote on CV Link

My Views: Surprised Larry Ellison and the big hotels haven't weighed in. One would think they would be in favor of this project. CV Link suffered from a really poor roll out. Its troubles were of its own making.

And finally, I wrote a few weeks ago I was surprised that former PSPOA union head William Hutchinson was selected to be the Palm Springs Police Public Information Officer based on his prior very public disdain for the media. Well it took all of  5 days after that blog for the Palm Springs Police Department to stop sending me releases. Not a big deal because I have other means at my disposal but pettiness thy name is Wi, ah skip it. I don't need a jaywalking ticket. But thanks for being a loyal reader

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