I had a great time at the Desert Sun's political pop-up event on Saturday. There were of course, a lot of local candidates there. The sane, the reality-challenged, the good, the bad and the ugly. It was great to see a lot of folks I haven't seen in quite some time. At some of these events, I feel like Methuselah. In a fast moving area like the desert, I suppose that should be expected.
There were also issue tables as well. Since many of you know I live in Cathedral City, I paid particular attention to both the sides on Measure HH, the Charter City Ballot Initiative. I found it both interesting and flattering that both groups asked me I were running for council in 2018. I'll take a flyer on that for now. What was intriguing is what I learned about HH on both sides of the issue.
No On HH
The opponents of HH are really focused on one portion of the initiative. That being the end of the direct election of mayor and going to a council rotation system, Really nothing was said about the other aspects of a charter city such as more control in state relations and better contract negotiating ability. It was all focused on the mayoral question.
Yes On HH
This is the city powers baby. Nothing wrong with that. But they have a lot of work to do. I got a great explanation on one aspect of HH that many in the public do not know. The start of the mayor's rotation does not commence till 2018. Stan Henry will serve as mayor for 2 more years.
My Thoughts
A lot of the usual players in Cathedral City politics are here. The Yes on HH say a directly elected mayor with only a 2 year term leads to division on the council. Perhaps, but the mayoral rotation system has led to problems in at least one city out here, Indian Wells.
The city fathers say they all like each other so that can't happen. Harmony on city councils is like love in spring. Wonderful while it lasts, but usually oh so fleeting. At some point a council member is going to be elected who the rest don't like.
By the way, hats off to the YES on HH video on youtube. It plays EDM music while someone who is 35 years younger than anyone on the council dances.
If you live in Cathedral City, read both the pro and con. They have both some good arguments and some not-so-good explanations. Then vote.
Steve Kelly is a blogger/broadcaster in the Coachella Valley, He can be reached at kellyscorner@gmail.com or on Twitter at @skellynj
Steve, thanks for the round up. My only comment would be it seems sort of arrogant for the Desert Sun to hold this pop-up event in PS when there are no council races in PS and the only thing even remotely related to PS is the Desert Health Care District. Had I been in charge I would have opted to try and find an old store front in the PD Town Center Mall and held it there. People from all over the Valley would be more likely to go there and also get a chance to look at real stores not just big box stores! Tim Parrott
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by our booth at the Pop Up Steve. It was good to chat. So many people, Steve, are STILL unaware of Measure HH and when there is only a minute or two to grab a voter's attention, not being able to vote for the mayor position directly resonates quickly. Steve, we do follow up with other issues flawed with this proposed charter as there are many. Dale in our group has done an incredible job of creating a great website from a shoestring budget documenting both sides of the Measure's arguments. Your readers should check it out. www.citizensagainstmeasurehh2016.com
ReplyDeleteIf your readers are unaware, the city has spent around $80,000 of taxpayers' dollars for the push poll in May and in "educational" material on the charter. We've come a long way from having no money in our city coffers to the point of spending it like drunken sailors (all due respect to drunken sailors!).