Well here we go again. Another July 4th in the desert. I was driving today with an non-political friend of mine in Cathedral City and she remarked, "Why are they selling fireworks in the middle of a drought?" Why indeed?
I have been fighting the battle against "safe and sane" fireworks for at least a decade. It defies common sense. In the last few years, a lot of citizens in Cathedral City have joined in the fight. To his credit, Councilman Shelly Kaplan fulfilled a campaign promise to bring it to the Council's attention last year. It failed.
The reason give for that failure wass the fact that non-profits in the city raise money selling fireworks. A few years ago, St, Louis Church used the money they raised to send kids to see the Pope!! Today's Desert Sun even chimes in with a planted article on how a local church is feeding the homeless by selling fireworks. Ex Cathedral City Councilman Chuck Vasquez is prominently featured in the story. Is this the only way to raise money?
The Desert Sun, opining on this topic last year somehow equated fireworks sales with military service!!! Yeah there will be no Pulitzer for that editorial.
The sale of fireworks in the desert, suffering through a drought of biblical proportions is absolutely insane. Anyone with an ounce of common sense can see that. It is lunacy.
The city needs to work with non-profits to ensure that they can have safe and sane fundraising!! The sale of fireworks is an action that contains no sparkle. None at all
Steve Kelly can be reached at @skellynj or at skelly@rrbroadcasting.com
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF DOES NOT PASS SNIFF TEST ON GUNS
As the fallout continues
from the shooting at the Pulse Night Club in Orlando, once again
responsible Americans are asking how did Omar Mateen legally purchase
the AR 15 Assault Weapon that he used in part to slaughter 49
innocent people?
As usual; the NRA and
their fellow travelers are trying to block any sensible look at
stopping these weapons from getting into the hands of terrorists or
lunatics or both. Somehow, this all Barack Obama's fault.
As a journalist, I am
strong believer in the Bill Of Rights. But as a citizen of Riverside
County, I am perplexed by the fascination with firearms by Sheriff
Stan Sniff Jr. A look at his official, not private Facebook page show
a complete and rather unhealthy obsession with guns. It contains ads
for gun shows. NRA propaganda. Sniff uses both his official position
and stationary to write letters opposing any attempts at sensible gun
legislation. I didn't realize all this was part of his official
duties. I am pretty sure it isn't.
Now even though he is
Sheriff, Mr. Sniff doesn't lose any of his rights as a citizen. But
his political positions belong nowhere on official stationery. It is
baffling to me why the Board of Supervisors hasn't asked him to cut
this out. This isn't his first time.
In 2013 the Sheriff
attacked Senator Diane Feinstein for proposing an assault weapons ban
after the massacre in Newtown. Connecticut. I wrote a Valley Voice
piece on the subject then. I was attacked not be Sheriff himself but
his pals in the Cowboy Action Shooting group to which he belonged.
These people dress up like Wyatt Earrp and Annie Oakley and fire
guns. Think Zane Grey on LSD.
As part of his vocal
attack on Proposition 47. Sheriff Sniff constantly brings up that the
stealing of a firearm is now treated way too leniently under the
statue. You know what, I agree with him. I think the law should be
changed in regards to firearms. What I do not agree to is a Sheriff
who is using his office to further the objectives of a rabid band of
irresponsible zealots. Who may one day use legally purchased Assault
Weapons against the brave men and women he commands.
Steve Kelly can be reached
at skelly@rrbroadcasting
or followed on Twitter @skellynj
\
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
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
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
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
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.
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.
Thursday, May 19, 2016
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
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
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
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