Palm Springs Gets A Reality Check

I have had the great fortune of getting to know Hank Plante.. Hank relocated to Palm Springs a few years back after a tremendous career in journalism winning numerous awards. He has always been very kind to me and it is appreciated.

Hank has a column coming out tomorrow in the Desert Sun and it could be a defining moment in the downtown redevelopment of Palm Springs. I am not going to steal any of Hank's thunder so you are going to have to read the article but it is critical of the designs submitted by developer John Wessman for the the retail phase of the development.

It is going to be interesting to see how the political elites in Palm Springs act upon reading Hank's article. So far one councilman, Paul Lewin has sided with those who want perhaps a different design.

I have been covering politics in this area for almost 15 years and one thing I have learned is that the some of our local politicians can be hyper sensitive to any criticism real or perceived to their grand plans. While Palm Springs tries to portray this cool, hip image to the rest of the world, many times its political leadership is strictly Mayberry RFD. Hank has gravitas that the Palm Springs leadership will find hard to shunt aside.

It is ironic that I find myself not as concerned about the downtown renderings submitted by Mr. Wessman as I am by the obvious lack of tenants that are to fill the new buildings. We have been promised now for a few years that “National and prominent” tenants are lining up. If so who and where? 

The next few days around here are going to be interesting and I for one can't wait.

Murrietta Madness

It has been nearly a week since a buses carrying undocumented immigrants from Central America were turned away by protestors at a Murrietta check point. In a moment reminiscent of Bull Connor and the embarrassing George Wallace movement, the worst of America turned out to demonstrate.

Conspiracy theories, Islamic terrorists, and of course fear and ignorance gave our county a bad name. In fact even the mayor, who at first was a chief cheerleader and the town's city manager later said these idiotic protests were not the image the town wanted to project.

Jeff Stone, a Riverside County Supervisor and candidate for the State Senate addressed a town hall meeting and demanded that the border be made more secure. Stone who never met a PR opportunity he didn't like even drafted a letter to President Obama saying “He was willing to meet with him” to discuss all the issue.” Well I am sure the President will get on it right away.

The amount of ignorance in this matter is startling. The people were shipped to Murrietta to be screened and in most cases deported. Throw in some racism and you get the rest of the picture. Thank goodness for the citizens of Coachella who are collecting items for these refugees.

Also what was interesting to me was the amount of people who came out to support the undocumented immigrants. I think the Tea Party types were stunned that even in Murrietta, there were demonstrators who were willing to stand up to them in 90 degree heat.

The “Crisis At The Border” will soon be handled like all such in the past. However the stench out of Murrietta may take some time to dissipate.          

Judge Kelly Rules On Failed Strategy In The 28th State Senate Race

Oh well the votes are tallied and it is time for Judge Kelly to render his verdict on the quixotic attempt by some LBGT Democrats to gain influence in the 28^th State Senate Race. Using Equality California as their umbrella, they endorsed GOP candidate Glenn Miller. Miller was the lesser of 3 evils by this line of thought. The other 2 were social conservatives current County Supervisor Jeff Stone and former Assemblyman Bonnie Garcia. A fringe candidate Bill Carrns was also in the race on the GOP side.

The Democratic duo in the open primary were state party endorsed Phil Drucker and perennial candidate Anna Nevenic

Now the strategy of Equality California appears to have been spearheaded by Cathedral City Councilman Greg Pettis. Using some of his supporters, he accompanied Mr. Miller to various events in the Valley. A lot of local Democrats could not understand this strategy. While many conceded that Mr. Drucker was not the most charismatic of candidates, the idea of a cross party endorsement struck some as bizarre and somewhat disloyal. The Democrats for Miller countered that this was a GOP district and a Republican was going to win anyway, so why not one they could work with?

On election night, the 4 Republicans garnered 62,960 votes while the 2 Democrats received 32,079. Mr. Stone finished first and will face Ms. Garcia who finished 2^nd beating Mr. Miller by 449 votes. She beat Mr. Drucker by about 1500 votes. This of course is the worst case scenario for both Equality California and local Democrats.

If Mr. Drucker had finished 2^nd, he most likely would have been easily defeated by Mr. Stone. And that would have been that.

But because of the game playing, local Democrats are in a bit of a pickle. In the fall there will be a huge get out the Latino vote effort for Congressman Raul Ruiz and Assembly candidate Eduardo Garcia. And who will also benefit from this? No doubt Bonnie Garcia. How do like them apples Equality California?

For not thinking things through and winding up with the worst case scenario, Judge Kelly sentences Equality California and Greg Pettis to read Man Of The House by Tip O'Neil and learn about how local politics should work and expand their horizons.

By the way, Glenn Miller has already endorsed Jeff Stone. How about that?

Election Predictions

Okay kids, here where I put my neck on the chopping block trying to predict the results of tomorrow's primary elections. You can check back Wednesday to see if I am right or feel free to call in my radio show on 1450 KPTR Palm Springs from 4 to 6p Pacific Monday-Friday.

Cal Governor: Jerry Brown for D's of course. The Republican race much more interesting. If Tea Party loon Tim Donnelly beats Neil Kashkari the GOP will be crushed in November.

State Senate 28th District: Jeff Stone and Glenn Miller. Bonnie Garcia needs a big Latino turnout. If she gets that from the Manny Perez campaign, she might sneak by.

Supervisor: John Benoit. There will be a lot of recriminations as the Democrats blow a golden opportunity.

Assembly: Chad Mayes  and Gary Jeandron in the 42nd. Keep your eye on Kara Lee Hargrove. Heavy GOP District but I believe a rising star in Democratic circles. Eduardo Garcia and  Charles Bennett in the 56th.

DA; Wackiest race of all. I predict Mike Hestrin will win. If he defeats incumbent Paul Zellerbach, he will not take office till December because of a quirk in the law.

Both tax measures, B in Cathedral City and F in DHS pass. Although F will be harder because it requires a 2/3 vote.

Only one day.

Election Thoughts

Well we are one week away from our local elections here in Riverside County. Today we will talk about the local State Senate Race

28th Senate

This race started off in the sewer and has sunk even lower. The 3 main Republicans in the race, Jeff Stone, Bonnie Garcia, and Glenn Miller have all acted atrociously. Juvenile behavior and crazy antics. The latest bombshell in this race is the release of a road rage incident involving Jeff Stone back in December. .http://www.pe.com/sections/news/politics/.

Jeff Stone according to the above article pulls out an honorary badge and flashes it at another driver. This happens in December. No action is taken against Stone and the real cops, the Riverside Sheriff's Association endorses him in February. Wow. So the group that is so exercised over campaign signs being torn down has no problem with a fake badge?

Meanwhile Bonnie Garcia has not seemed to catch traction with the voters. Press stunts and an outside committee that has spent several hundred thousand dollars on her campaign seem to have little traction.

Then you have Glenn Miller who through the work of longtime Democrat Greg Pettis has received the endorsement of  Equality California which in this valley is primarily Stone Wall Democrats. Mr. Miller who hopes his Coachella Valley base will help him in the primary, has been widely attacked in GOP circles for accepting this endorsement. Also many local Democrats are mad at Mr. Pettis for going off the reservation.

Even though he is given little if no chance, Democrat Phil Drucker is probably thrilled probably thrilled to be below the radar in this mess.

League 3 Send Them Here To USA

One of the many benefits of the communications revolution in the past quarter century has been the ability of football fans in the US to watch the greatest league in the world, the Barclays EPL. The pace, the drama and the excitement has spawned millions of fans across the pond. BT's Ian Darke is now a cult hero in the US and is considered the voice of football here. (Let's skip Piers Morgan doing analysis for an Arsenal FA quarterfinal on Fox. Yikes)

I try to keep up with all aspects of the game and recently read the proposal by Greg Dyke about the creation of a League 3. Basically a farm system of younger players. It got me to thinking. Instead of tinkering with and destroying traditions that go back generations, why not look across the pond and try to do an affiliation deal with MLS?

There are already a few dual ownerships between the leagues. Each Premiere league club could send out 3 players each and have them subject to recall. That would be 60, young English players getting match time. They would guaranteed playing time and their wages should be supplied by the parent teams.

While MLS may at first be hesitant, the influx of talent and a visiting summer friendly by the parent club would go along way to making this possible. It would also go about increasing the visibility of the BPL in the largest sports media market in the world.

I certainly don't mean to impose my views on anyone but one of the reasons I love English football is the history of the clubs both big and small. Plus the fact that small clubs have their most die hard supporters. Leave them alone.

Order In Judge Kelly's Court 2014 RivCo DA Election.

With only a few weeks to go, it is getting close to the wire in the important Riverside County DA Race. Incumbent Paul Zellerbach has stumbled badly with sign gate. His energetic opponent Mike Hestrin has played it cool and continues to hammer Judge Z with attacks on office morale and crime statistics. Zellerbach has tried hard to link Hestrin with former DA Rod Pacheco, a Colonel Flagg from MASH like character. Hestrin is endorsed by the Desert Sun and Zellerbach by the Press Enterprise.

Where We Stand Now: Right now I think the challenger has a lead. One wild card may be  how the public feels about the funding for Hestrin's campaign. Hovering over the campaign like Banquo"s ghost,are huge donantions from the Deputy DA's union, Riverside Sheriff's Association and local police unions. Most of the police groups have achieved some form of infamy over the last few years with the funding of sleazy attack ads against opponents both real and imaginary. The DA's association of course has a very vested interest in who their boss is.

I interviewed Mr. Hestrin and was impressed with his manner and decorum. He came across as calm and dself-assured. I am awaiting a response from Judge Zellerbach. Mr. Hestrin has denied he is linked at all to Rod Pacheco and also says he will be a capable administrator. He has also been endorsed by former DA Grover "BBK Rainmaker" Trask. Trask literally lives next door to Zellerbach. Awkward.

Another wild card in the race is how much the sign gate aspect of the story has penetrated Western Riverside County. The media market for them is LA and I doubt the Great Indio Blvd Sign Massacre has gotten as much notice there. Out here in the desert we have been inundated with a ton of sign reportage. (One station in fact is using it as TV promo material!! Bad form.) 

This election should prove fascinating.

Steve Kelly can be heard everyday on 1450 KPTR Palm Springs or on 1450kptr.com from 4p to 6p Pacific