Colorful Candidates Used To Be The Rule In Palm Springs

As I sit back and watch the 2017 Palm Springs Election, I can't help but smile as I think of candidates and elections from past years. This year there has been dramatic charges of misogyny, Trumpism and the trampling of First Amendment rights. Hyperbole seems to be the norm in this election which features 2 establishment candidates vs. 4 others. The sun will rise after election day but in order to provide the reader with a smile, here are some of the funnier election moments and candiates in recent Palm Springs history.

The Cat Burglar And Campaign Signs

Back in 1995, Will Kleindienst was the frontrunner and would soon be elected Mayor. However, a Planning Commissioner did not like him. At the same time, a cat burglar was operating in Palm Springs. The police set up a stakeout. Imagine their surprise when they caught this middle aged woman tearing down signs at 1 in the morning. She was promptly arrested. (Protecting her name as she is still around.)

Airport Expansion

All the powers that be got behind a Palm Springs Airport expansion referendum.. The stated reason was to allow non-stop fights from Europe in the summer. Really. They plastered the entire town with Yes On Airport Expansion signs. Opponents went out. measured the Yes word, ordered a couple hundred No signs the same size and over night, the town was now plastered with No On Airport Expansion signs. The next morning was pretty funny. (By the way the airport expansion was approved and turned out to be needed for Canadian tourists who saved the Valley in the Great Recession. Right outcome, wrong reason.)

Kitty "Cole" Bang

This towering drag queen ran for Mayor in 1995. After the election, it turned out Kitty had a credit score of minus 400 and she disappeared.

Fred "The Hat" Ebeling

A wealthy eccentric Fred ran for Mayor in the 90s while driving a hearse!! He later filled up a hot air balloon and floated it over downtown.

George Margolis

By my count George ran for Mayor in Palm Springs twice and Desert Hot Springs once. Only problem, he lived in Rancho Mirage!! George would drive to Village Fest, set up a lawn chair and campaign without a permit.

Wayne Boyd

Wayne Boyd ran as a write-in candidate for mayor in 2003. When I asked him why he didn't gather enough signatures to get on the ballot, he told me he forgot there was an election. He got 12 votes.

Measure J Signs

The Yes on J Campaign had every city big shot and interest group behind it. To be against it one risked being branded a troublemaker. Soon Yes On J signs sprouted up all over town. There was one slight problem. They violated the campaign sign ordinance. They were too big!!! Thousands of dollars from the best and brightest in Palm Springs and that was the end result!!

There are a few more but my point is, a few moments of comedy in a municipal election is never a bad thing.

Steve Kelly hosts the Coachella Valley Report on 1450 KCOD at noon on Saturday.

New Downtown Park Should Bear Richard Milanovich’s Name

As the growth and expansion continue in downtown Palm Springs, things are finally beginning to take shape. The recent announcement by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians of a new Cultural Center in the heart of Palm Strings will only add to the luster.

One of the accouterments is a new downtown park. Locals are excited as this can be an oasis away from the hustle and bustle. Community gatherings and concerts can be held there. The only thing lacking right now is a name.

While some would like to see the park named after pioneer Nellie Coffman, I would like to see consideration given to naming it after long-time Chairman of the Agua Caliente Band Of Cahuilla Indians  Richard Milanovich.

For over 3 decades, Mr. Milanovich chaired the Tribe. Through the tumultuous times of the introduction of Indian Gaming, He was at the forefront of helping to bring Native people in California out of the crushing poverty he had himself had grown u in.

Besides all that, he just was a generally great man. I interviewed him on many occasions and with deeply impressed with his generosity of spirit. He truly loved Palm Springs. Under his tutelage, the Tribe gave away vast amounts of money to help local agencies and charities. None of which they were obligated to do.

One of my favorite interactions with him involved baseball. We were planning on trying to get Palm Springs to name a baseball field after Johnny Tortes, a member of the Agua Nation, who played in the major leagues in the early 20^th century. Richard took ill and then passed away in 2012 before we could finish the project.

Naming the new park after Mr. Milanovich would go a long way to helping heal some recent rifts between some local residents and the Tribe. It would serve also as a reminder to recent arrivals that Palm Springs is also part of an Indian Reservation and the Agua Caliente people have both a spiritual and historical connection to the land.

And finally, naming the park after Richard is simply the right thing to do. He loved Palm Springs and helped so many people. In life, he never sought the limelight. Let’s do something to change that.

Steve Kelly is a longtime Coachella Broadcaster who currently serves as a broadcast consultant at College Of The Desert. He can be reached at skellykcod@gmail.com

Conventionality Big Winner In 2017 Palm Springs Council Race

Palm Springs prides itself on being on the cutting edge. Its leaders constantly tout it as a world-class getaway and an "International Brand". So why is it having such a humdrum city council election? Without disparaging any of the candidates, I think I can provide the answer.

Years ago, council candidates either came up from the commission system or were picked by the "Good Old Boys Network." (This network consisted of people such as the late Milt Jones and Joe Garcia. They were longtime business and civic leaders.) Now candidates still come from the commission systems but in Palm Springs, local and state LGTBQ organizations are filling the role of the "Good Old Boys"

Looking at the field this year, there can be no doubt that both Lisa Middleton and Christy Gilbert Holstege are the establishment candidates. The 4 others, known in the community by varying degrees have an uphill fight. The smart money at this point has to be on Middleton and Holstege who will strong organizational effort behind them.

Now this being Palm Springs, there has to be a certain amount of drama and well, just plain silliness in a council election. Charges of misogyny, Trumpism and even Neo-Nazism have flown on social media. It is both complementary and horrifying at the same time that citizens can get so passionate about a local council election.

As someone who has interviewed candidates, moderated forums and covered these elections since 2000, I can honestly say that this is a rather tame affair. There are no drag queens, frauds or candidates driving campaign hearses this time. The color of this election is beige rather than paisley. And maybe a little conventionality is a good thing.

Steve Kelly hosts The Coachella Valley Report Saturday at noon on 1450 KCOD. He can be reached at sverickr@yahoo.com