George Zander, President of the Desert Stonewall Democrats, ran a great meeting today.  The montly DSD meeting took place at the Desert Pride Center and had between 45 and 50 progressive Democratic political activists in attendance.

Those in attendance included Bob Thomas, Co-Chair of the Palm Springs Democratic Club, Steve Pougnet, newly-elected mayor of Palm Springs, Ginny Foat, Palm Springs City Councilwoman, elected last week as Palm Springs Mayor Pro-Tem, and Palm Springs power-broker, Rick Hutcheson newly-elected Palm Springs City Councilman, Craig Ewing, Palm Springs Planning Director and newly-elected boardmember of the Desert Water Agency, and April Hildner from No on C.  John Williams, an appointed Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation boardmember and defeated candidate for Palm Springs City Council, Greg Pettis, Mayor Pro-Tem of Cathedral City and candidate for the CA 80th Assembly District to replace the termed out Bonnie Garcia, Richard Oberhaus, Pettis’ Campaign Manager, Paul Marchand, Cathedral City Councilmember, Greg Rodriguez from Yes on Measure E and the Hillary Clinton for President campaign, Robert Simmons, Palm Springs Airport Commissioner and supporter of the Barack Obama for President campaign, and Paul Clay and David Hunsicker, candidates for the CA 45th Congressional District to replace Mary Bono also attended.

More below the flip…

Thomas, co-chair of the Palm Springs Democratic Club, provided a thoughtful powerpoint presentation on the figures from the November election.  Democrats turned out in greater numbers than did the disillusioned Republican voters.  In addition, DSD voters turned out at an amazing 70%!  DSD clearly represents an important voting block for all progressive Democratic candidates.  Thomas attributed Williams’ loss by only 76 votes to the division of the vote between Hutchesion, Bob Mahlowitz, and Williams.  On the other hand, voter turn out may have been greater due to the interest in the hotly contested races.

Pougnet, recently elected as Mayor of Palm Springs, with his twins in tow, spoke elequently regarding his vision for the future of Palm Springs.  He thanked his supporters who lived in Palm Springs as well as his supporters, yours truly included, who did not.  Pougnet noted that downtown Palm Springs is important not only to residents of Palm Springs, but also to the entire Coachella Valley.

Hutcheson, recently elected to his first term as Palm Springs City Councilman, gave brief comments and thanked his supporters and the DSD and PSD Democratic Clubs for their support.  Hutcheson also noted that with the changing demographics of the Palm Springs area, it is important to continue to build the local Democratic Party from the grassroots level on up.  Hutcheson made a special effort to thank Williams for running such an outstanding campaign.

Foat, elected last week as Mayor Pro-Tem of Palm Springs, discussed the need for ongoing activism and a better approach to handling the negative campaigning of the Repugnant Party (my phrase, not hers) in the Coachella Valley.  Foat indicated that given the Repugnant behavior Nationwide, we should have expected that they would go negative here as well.  But the viciousness of the attacks against Williams and Hutcheson and the collusion of The Desert Sun was never anticipated.  I say, “Fool me once…”

Ewing, Palm Springs City Planning Director and recently elected to the Desert Water Agency, delivered a short statement and focused on what his own election means for the future of the Palm Springs and Coachella Valley Democratic Party.  Ewing noted that his was a breakthrough election and succeeded in part due to the complacency of the opposition.  He duly noted that in the next election, three of the Desert Water Agency seats will be up for election.  He expects that Democrats will continue to make gains on the DWA.

April Hildner of No on C discussed the resounding win.  No on C succeeded with 60% of the vote.  Hildner hoped that this will bring to an end the efforts of developers in the community to ravage the Chino Cone with unrestricted and unnecessary development.

Greg Pettis, Mayor Pro-Tem of Cathedral City and candidate for the CA 80th Assembly District, discussed his recent efforts to reach out to the Asian-Pacific Islander caucus in the California State Assembly.  With the most recent endorsements, Pettis is poised to receive endorsements from the entire caucus!  Pettis has also been actively seeking the support of labor and discussed his recent endorsement by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 440.  Other union endorsements are apparently coming down the pike.  And, next weekend, Pettis celebrates his 50th Birthday Party.  We expect that Pettis will fete us at Johnny Pasta’s in Cathedral City in a fashion to which we became accustomed with Hillary Clinton’s 50th birthday soiree.   Lol.

Greg Rodriguez discussed the importance of Measure E.  The Measure will assist in upgrading and renovating existing existing schools, making health and safety upgrades, constructing new schools, and constructing permanent classrooms at the elementary schools to replace portable classrooms.  Pougnet discussed his involvement with the Palm Springs Unified School District and his support for Measure E.  Pougnet also noted that much of the construction mandated by Measure E would take place in Desert Hot Springs and not in Palm Springs.  After a notably civil debate and discussion, DSD members voted to endorse Yes on Measure E by a vote of 20 yea, 6 nay, and an uncounted number of abstentions.

Clay and Hunsicker each individually discussed his candidacy for the CA 45th Congressional District.  Either way, it will be great to have a Representative who comes to the 45th CD for more than just fundraising and photo-ops (Bono is notorious for missing important votes on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.)  Clay and Hunsicker were well received, especially with their positive stands re Marriage Equality, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), Sentate Bill 777, and the Hate Crimes Bill.

Turner discussed the activism of Vets for Peace and their petition to deter the warmongering Bush Administration from any military action against Iran.  (Yes, even though the war effort in Afghanistan is suffering from lack of soldiers and lack of equipment, and though the occupation effort in Iraq is faltering with more and more civilian and military casualties, this Administration is obviously considering military action against a Nation so much larger than Afghanistan and Iraq combined.  In area and in population.  

All-in-all, a great meeting.  Please join us at the next meeting on January 12, 2008.  In the meantime, Zander requested additional assistance for the DSD Voter Registration and Candidate Information tables at Palm Springs Village Fest.  Village Fests in December are scheduled for Thursday, December 13, 20, and 27, 2007.  

And, now the race for the CA 80th Assembly District and for the CA 45th Congressional District are in full swing.  Keep turning the Coachella Valley Blue!!!

According to the The Desert Sun Wire Service today, John Williams, Candidate for Palm Springs City Council, has requested a recount of the election results.  The initial unofficial vote tally had Williams losing to Lee Weigel by 104 votes.  The official tally shows the difference to be 76 votes, a narrowing of the difference by 28 votes.  If a recount delivers the election to Williams, then the majority on City Council would be 4-1 Democratic rather than the 3-2 majority of the incoming Council.

John Williams, who lost his Palm Springs City Council bid to former police chief Lee Weigel by a 76-vote margin, has requested a recount by the Riverside County Registrar’s Office.

County Registrar Barbara Dunmore says the recount will begin Tuesday at 9 a.m.

Some in the Coachella Valley decry the recount request as ‘sour grapes.’  Others, myself included, see it as insuring that every vote was counted, and that every vote was counted accurately.

Re full disclosure, BlueBeaumontBoyz has been an enthusiastic supporter of Williams.

The following is based on a Reader-submitted opinion to The Desert Sun at mydesert.com by Kurt Barrie, Democratic activist.

With the election victories of openly-gay Steve Pougnet, Palm Springs Mayor-Elect, and of Rick Hutcheson to the City Council, they join Councilwoman Ginny Foat to make a majority on the Palm Springs City Council.  All three are openly-gay Democrats and are strongly supported by the local Desert Stonewall Democrats Democratic Club (DSD).  DSD is a local branch of the National Stonewall Democrats.  In addition, openly-gay Democrat, Craig Ewing, unseated a Repugnant incumbant in the Desert Water Agency race.  These elections are only a few of the many in the Desert that prove changing demographics and voter participation have occurred in this once conservative hold.

In Desert Hot Springs openly-gay Democrat Karl Baker secured a seat on the City Council and in Cathedral City two openly-gay Democrats serve, including Mayor Pro-Tem Greg Pettis and Paul Marchand (the third gay Council member, a Repugnant, Chuck Vasquez, is only openly-gay north of CA-111 in the predominantly gay Cove area of Cathedral City and is in the closet in the rest of Cathedral City).

More below the flip…

These victories by openly-gay Democrats are due in part by the influx of Gays and Lesbians that have been moving to the Desert over the past several years.  One of the reasons this has made a difference here, is that 82% of those in the Gay and Lesbian Community who are registered to vote are Democrats.  This is mirrored by national trends that show the same numbers for Gays and Lesbians who are aligned with the Democratic Party which has been at the forefront of change for gays and lesbians on issues of Marriage Equality, Civil Rights, Hate Crimes, and other legislation.  This margin of Democratic voter registration has produced victories for those running for local, State, and National seats on City Councils, the State Assembly, State Senate, U.S. Congess and the U.S. Senate.

What does all this mean locally?  Well, take Shadowrock Development for instance, not long ago Shadowrock would not have had a problem passing because the demographics were much more conservative and supportive of development in general.  Having a Democratic majority now, you will see that conservation issues, preservation issues and Democratic Party platform issues will predominate.  Mayor-Elect Pougnet has promised a Green symposium, and Councilman-Elect Rick Hutcheson has made it clear that he too will agressively pursue green technology and eco-friendly and new energy sources in Palm Springs.  All three openly-gay Democrats opposed Shadowrock, which means that it would not have been approved by our new City Council.  This is significant since Democrats pulled out the votes in this election and is in part why Shadowrock failed on the ballot in a landslide victory by the No on C campaign.

Democrats in the Desert are celebrating victories and are promising change.  In the future we can expect more conservation, more preservation and more focus on eco-sensitive, green development, as well as more of a focus on changing business patterns in the Coachella Valley.  However, with a few victories of Repugnants in the Coachella Valley, including Weigel’s election to the City Council, edging out openly-gay John Williams by a mere 104 votes, and the various homophobic stances of the Desert Sun, it keeps the Repugnants in the game.  The Repugnants were also succesful in keeping one incumbent on the Desert Water Agency and had a few victories in Desert Hot Springs.  So, the Desert Communities can expect interesting changes ahead.  And local Gay Democrats have much to celebrate with this election and will apparently have many more to celebrate in the future.

Well, it looks like the totals are now in this a.m.  This was an excellent day to be a Democrat in the Coachella Valley!!!  Democrats easily won the race for Mayor in Palm Springs, one of two City Council races in Palm Springs, one of two City Council races in Desert Hot Springs, and one of two seats on the Desert Water Agency.  In addition, No on C easily won as well.

What these wins mean is that progressive Democrats have gained control of Palm Springs City Council and now have a presence on both the Desert Hot Springs City Council and on the Desert Water Agency.  This is evidence of the continuing surge of progressive Democratic leadership in the Palm Springs and Coachella Valley!  Next step?  Solidify the wins and take over the CA 80th Assembly District where Democrats now outnumber Republicans by 13,000 voters!  Congratulations to all candidates, volunteers, and their supporters for fighting the good fight!

Regarding irregularities, a poll watcher reported that in some instances, the chain of custody was not completed with at least four vans arriving at the central location with only one occupant.  Less serious concerns involved the ‘packaging’ of some of the cartridges as they were not in clear plastic bags as apparently required. 

Concerning campaigning and mudslinging, Republican candidates and/or their backers issued a mailing over the weekend that was a smear campaign clearly aimed at either suppressing or redistributing the vote.  Republican candidates had also been consistently attacking Pougnet, Hutcheson, Williams, and Mahlowitz as minions of ‘Ma Foat,’ hardly an effective approach to winning.  (Ginny Foat is a City Councilwoman who during the 2005 election received the largest vote totals for any Councilperson ever and remains highly popular in Palm Springs).  Republican candidates and their lackey, The Desert Sun also engaged in subliminal homophobic attacks against the above candidates, calling for a ‘balanced’ City Council.  Most recently, City Council included three openly-gay members including Mayor Ron Oden, Foat, and Pougnet.  If Pougnet, Hutcheson, and Williams all won, then four of five councilmembers would be openly-gay.  (Presently, three of five Councilmembers in Cathedral City are also gay, though only two openly).  ‘Balanced’ is now the code word amongst the Republicans in the Coachella Valley for electing White Republican heterosexuals.  Another concern is the developing story involving the alleged ‘illegal activities’ of the General Manager and CBS affiliate Channel 2.

As expected, Steve Pougnet (D) won handily.  In its editorial endorsement, the Desert Sun predicted him to win about 75% of the vote, and he almost met that estimate with 71.07%.  Arlene Battishill, a resident who divides her time between Palm Springs and Los Angeles, garnered 17.73%.  It is clear that Pougnet has a mandate for his first term.  With this election, Palm Springs now has a Democratic mayor who will actually vote according to Democratic principles.  Congratulations, Steve!!!

I’ll have to check these total versus totals from prior year elections in a future post to shed further light on these amazing wins.

More below the flip…

Palm Springs Mayor (NP – Non-Partisan)
36/36 100.00%

Vote Count Percent
NP – BILL FERRA 458 4.93%
NP – JOHN TYMON 210 2.26%
NP – ARLENE BATTISHILL 1,647 17.73%
NP – STEVE POUGNET (D) 6,601 71.07%
NP – DON COOK 372 4.01%
Total 9,288 100.00%

The overall numbers for Democrats in the races for Palm Springs City Council are impressive.  Of the 18,056 votes, 11,506 or 63.72% were given to Democrats (Hutcheson, Williams, Mahlowitz, and Gainer).  Unfortunately, at least thus far, the votes were diffused between the four Democrats, and as a result, we did not thump as clearly.  Rick Hutcheson (D) is a clear winner with 25.23% of the vote.  John Williams is a close second with 20.08% of the vote, but trails Lee Weigel by 104 votes!  Although these votes mimic the Vote By Mail totals that I cited earlier today, they may not include the late Vote By Mail or the provisional ballots.

In an early assessment, it looks like the major contributing factor is the fact that the major Democratic Clubs in Palm Springs did not coallesce on two candidates.  The Riverside County Democratic Central Committee cited this as the deciding factor in its decision not to endorse for Palm Springs City Council.  Other factors also probably include the negative campaigning conducted by Republican candidates and the sandbagging of Williams by the Desert Sun once again on a non-issue for most of Palm Springs residents (i.e., that so-called pornography had been filmed at his Warm Sands hotel.  When last we looked, pornography was legal and protected by the U.S. Constitution as an expression of Freedom of Speech).

Nevertheless, Hutcheson and Williams both need to be proud of their positive and issue-based campaigns, and Congratulations to Rick! and hopefully to John as well!!

Palm Springs City Council

36/36 100.00%
Vote Count Percent
NP – ROXANN PLOSS 1,128 6.25%
NP – RICK HUTCHESON 4,555 25.23%
NP – LEE WEIGEL 3,729 20.65%
NP – JOHN WILLIAMS 3,625 20.08%
NP – SHEILA GRATTAN 1,442 7.99%
NP – ELOISE GARCIA-MOHSIN 251 1.39%
NP – VIC GAINER 880 4.87%
NP – BOB MAHLOWITZ 2,446 13.55%
Total 18,056 100.00%

In the race for Desert Water Agency, Craig Ewing (D), unseated a Republican incumbant and came in second with 32.31% of the vote.

Dir, Desert Water Agency
94/94 100.00%
  Vote Count Percent
NP – TOM KIELEY, III 7,469 38.63%
NP – CRAIG A. EWING 6,247 32.31%
NP – WILLIAM ”BILL” BYRNE 5,619 29.06%
Total 19,335 100.00%

Regarding Measure C, an attempt to open up the Chino Cone for more unrestricted development, No on C won 60.03% of the vote.  Proponents of Measure C spent $750,000 in a failed attempt to change development code.  Congratulations to activists involved in furthering reasonable and measured development on and near the Chino Cone!!!

Measure C – City of Palm Springs

36/36 100.00%
Vote Count Percent
Yes 3,822 39.97%
No 5,741 60.03%
Total 9,563 100.00%

In Desert Hot Springs, Adam Sanchez (D), barely lost to Yvonne Parks by 113 votes!

Desert Hot Springs Mayor

14/14 100.00%
  Vote Count Percent
NP – ROBERT ”BOBBY” BENTLEY 266 14.89%
NP – ALEX BIAS 252 14.10%
NP – ADAM SANCHEZ 578 32.34%
NP – YVONNE PARKS 691 38.67%
Total 1,787 100.00%

On another positive note, Karl Baker rebounded from his earlier loss in the election for the City Council seat of the late, great Gary Bosworth by winning his first term as Desert Hot Springs City Councilman with 17.87% of the vote.  Congratulations to Karl!!!

14/14 100.00%

Vote Count Percent
NP – RUSSELL BETTS 906 26.80%
NP – KARL BAKER, JR. 604 17.87%
NP – MARY K. STEPHENS 359 10.62%
NP – SHARON SANDISON 344 10.18%
NP – TERRY SCHEURER 395 11.69%
NP – AL SCHMIDT 400 11.83%
NP – HENRY J. ”HANK” HOHENSTEIN 372 11.01%
Total 3,380 100.00%

Elections results have been painfully slow in coming in.  Thus far, as of 1:44 a.m., apparently only the Vote By Mail ballots have been counted and released to the news media.  The tallies are as follows:

Mayor of Palm Springs:  Steve Pougnet (D) leads with 71.61% of the vote.

Council of Palm Springs (Two Seats Open):  Rick Hutcheson (D) leads with 26.26% of the vote counted thus far; John Williams (D) is in third place with 19.86%; Bob Mahlowitz (D) is in fourth place with 12.68%.

Desert Water Agency (Two Seats Open): Craig Ewing (D) is in second place with 32.70% of the vote

Proposition C:  No on C votes lead with 62.02% of the total vote

Re full disclosure, BBBz is a supporter of Pougnet, Hutcheson, Williams, Ewing, Sanchez, Baker, and No on C and is a member of Desert Stonewall Democrats.

More details below the flip…

Palm Springs Mayor
6/36 16.67%

Vote Count Percent
NP – BILL FERRA 279 5.59%
NP – JOHN TYMON 102 2.04%
NP – ARLENE BATTISHILL 824 16.50%
NP – STEVE POUGNET 3,577 71.61%
NP – DON COOK 213 4.26%
Total 4,995 100.00%

Pougnet was endorsed by the Desert Stonewall Democrats and the Palm Springs Democrats.  BlueBeaumontBoyz wonders about the Democrats of the Desert Democratic Club decision to not endorse for mayor and to only endorse for City Council.  BBB would like to be a fly on the wall when Pougnet meets next with the leaders of the DoD.

Palm Springs City Council
6/36 16.67%

Vote Count Percent
NP – ROXANN PLOSS 670 6.89%
NP – RICK HUTCHESON* 2,554 26.26%
NP – LEE WEIGEL 2,063 21.21%
NP – JOHN WILLIAMS** 1,931 19.86%
NP – SHEILA GRATTAN 692 7.12%
NP – ELOISE GARCIA-MOHSIN 124 1.28%
NP – VIC GAINER 458 4.71%
NP – BOB MAHLOWITZ*** 1,233 12.68%
Total 9,725 100.00%

*Endorsed by the Desert Stonewall Democrats, the Palm Springs Democrats, and the Democrats of the Desert.
**Endorsed by the Desert Stonewall Democrats and the Palm Springs Democrats.
***Endorsed by the Democrats of the Desert.

Hmmmm.  Again, DoD seems out of step not only with the other Democratic Clubs but also with the results thus far.  It will be interesting to see how voters split their ballots.  If Mahlowitz siphoned votes from Williams, then one could argue that DoD cost the Democrats the election.  (As a reminder, DoD leadership endorsed Mahlowitz and Gainer for Palm Springs City Council, but the membership voted to endorse Hutcheson and Mahlowitz.  In addition, the Riverside County Democratic Central Committee declined to endorse in these races since the DoD endorsements did not correspond to the DSD and PSD endorsements.)

Dir, Desert Water Agency
60/94 63.83%
  Vote Count Percent
NP – TOM KIELEY, III 4,584 37.64%
NP – CRAIG A. EWING 3,982 32.70%
NP – WILLIAM ”BILL” BYRNE 3,613 29.67%
Total 12,179 100.00%

Ewing (D) was endorsed by the Desert Stonewall Democrats

Measure C – City of Palm Springs
6/36 16.67%

Vote Count Percent
Yes 1,952 37.98%
No 3,188 62.02%
Total 5,140 100.00%

Proposition C:  No votes lead with 62.02% thus far.  Yes on C spent approximately $750,000 while No on C spent about $50,000 on the respective campaigns.  Desert Stonewall Democrats voted to endorse No on C.

Desert Hot Springs Mayor
13/14 92.86%

Vote Count Percent
NP – ROBERT ”BOBBY” BENTLEY 263 14.79%
NP – ALEX BIAS 252 14.17%
NP – ADAM SANCHEZ 574 32.28%
NP – YVONNE PARKS 689 38.75%
Total 1,778 100.00%

Sanchez was endorsed by the Desert Stonewall Democrats for Mayor of Desert Hot Springs.

Desert Hot Springs City Council
13/14 92.86%

Vote Count Percent
NP – RUSSELL BETTS 901 26.78%
NP – KARL BAKER, JR. 600 17.83%
NP – MARY K. STEPHENS 357 10.61%
NP – SHARON SANDISON 343 10.19%
NP – TERRY SCHEURER 394 11.71%
NP – AL SCHMIDT 398 11.83%
NP – HENRY J. ”HANK” HOHENSTEIN 372 11.05%
Total 3,365 100.00%

Baker was endorsed by the Desert Stonewall Democrats for Desert Hot Springs City Council.

John Williams Endorsed by
Prominent Associations and Community Leaders

MyDesert.Com
September 26, 2007

Below is a partial listing of associations, business and community leaders who have endorsed Williams for City Council.

• Palm Springs Police Officers Association
• Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIA), Desert Chapter
• San Bernardino/Riverside County Central Labor Council
• Service Employees International Union (SEIU) /United Healthcare Workers West
• Palm Springs Democratic Club
• Desert Stonewall Democrats Democratic Club

Re full disclosure, BlueBeaumontboyz is a supporter of the John Williams for Palm Springs City Council Campaign.

More below the flip…

Below is a partial listing of associations, business and community leaders who have endorsed John Williams for City Council.

Sidney Williams, Chair Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board
Michael Stern, Chair Palm Springs Public Arts Commission
Robert Elsner, Chair Palm Springs Airport Commission
Barbara Barrett, Palm Springs Human Rights Commission
Sidney Craig, Palm Springs Human Rights Commission
Bill Scott, Palm Springs Planning Commission
Leo Cohen, Palm Springs Planning Commission
Doug Hudson, Palm Springs Architectural Advisory Committee
Lance O’Donnell, Palm Springs Architectural Advisory Committee
Christopher Sahlin, Palm Springs Architectural Advisory Committee
Ed Torres, President Palm Springs Economic Development Corporation
Lawrence Rael, Developer of Port Lawrence Project
Mike Hutchison, Owner Contempo Homes
Joy Meredith, President Mainstreet Downtown Merchants Association
Michael C. Green, President Palm Springs Hospitality Association
Aftab Dada, General Manager Hilton Palm Springs
Duane Rohrbaugh, General Manager Wyndham Hotel Palm Springs
Tim Ellis, General Manager Palm Mountain Resort & Spa
Dania Duke, General Manager Hyatt Regency Suites Palm Springs
Craig Blau, Owner Chase Hotel
Larry Pilcher, Owner Old Ranch Inn
Maurice Minno and Jim Moje, Owners of Hacienda Warm Sands
Matthew Lund and Doug Wylie, Owners of Warm Sands Villas
Ricardo Gomez, President of the Desert Gay Tourism Guild
Rick Erwin, Owner R&R Menswear
Aimee Lockwood, Owner Palm Springs General Store
Keith McCormick, Owner Palm Springs Exotic Car Auctions
Michael Estrada, Partner Falls Steakhouse and Matchbox Restaurant
Don Hill, Owner of Barber Don’s
William Robinson, Owner of Palm Canyon Insurance
Ian Danielski, Owner of Cafe 285
Wesley Cole, Owner of www.experiencegreen.com
Frank Tysen, Owner Casa Cody Hotel
April Hildner, Vice-chair of Tahquitz River Estates Neighborhood Organization
Catherine Marcy, Chair of Warm Sands Neighborhood Organization
Peter Moruzzi, Chair of Palm Springs Modern Committee
William Kopelk, Chair of Palm Springs Preservation Foundation
Claire Jordan-Grant, Community Activist
Jeanne Bourgeois, Community Activist
Carol and Mike Balasa, Co-chairs of PFLAG
Randy Roy, Owner Zephyr Real Estate
Andy Linsky, Windermere Real Estate
Sven Vennen, Windermere Real Estate
Ginny Foat, Palm Springs City Council Member
Greg Pettis, Cathedral City Council Member
Paul Marchand, Cathedral City Council Member

The Palm Springs for Edwards Chapter of the One Corps is proud to join the Desert Stonewall Democrats (DSD) and other local progressive political groups at the Greater Palm Springs Pride 2007 Festival on November 3 & 4, 2007.

Seek me out at the DSD booth to discuss the local, state and National political scene.  DSD endorsed candidates include Steve Pougnet for Mayor of Palm Springs.  Pougnet has also been endorsed for Mayor by the Palm Springs Democratic Club, the only other club to endorse in the race, and by The Desert Sun.  DSD has also endorsed Rick Hutcheson for City Council of Palm Springs.  Hutcheson has also received the endorsements of the Palm Springs Democratic Club, the Democrats of the Desert Democratic Club, and The Desert Sun.  DSD also endorsed John Williams for City Council of Palm Springs who has also been endorsed by the Palm Springs Democratic Club.  Other candidates endorsed by DSD include Greg Ewing for Palm Springs Water Board and No on C.

Re full disclosure, BlueBeaumontBoyz is a supporter or the Pougnet, Hutcheson, and Williams’ campaigns for City Council of Palm Springs.

(Don’t forget to either mail in your Vote By Mail by Tuesday, November 6, 2007, postmarked November 6, 2007, drop off your Vote By Mail ballot at your local precinct, or vote on election day, November 6 at your precinct!)

I will be tabling at the Festival for the John Edwards for President Campaign and for the Palm Springs for Edwards One Corps Chapter.  I’ll have campaign materials, position papers, bumper stickers, and buttons.

Headliners at the P.S. Pride 2007 Festival will include Ari Gold, Martha Wash (of Weather Girls fame!), and Brian Kent.

Armistead Maupin (author of “Tales of the City”) will also appear at the Greater Palm Springs Pride 2007 Festival.

November 1, 2007 – Palm Springs Village Fest Voter Registration and Candidate Information Tabling at Palm Canyon & Arenas, Palm Springs, CA, Thursday nights from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Adult beverages enjoyed thereafter at the local pubs).

Hot desert nights and progressive, Support-the-Troops/Stop-the-Insanity Democrats.  Milling crowds of locals, visitors, and voters.  I was able to discuss my letter-to-the-editor in today’s Desert Sun with the other progressive Democrats at Village Fest.  The theme of my letter was the incompetence of Bush and Mary Bono R-45 and the expecancy that their promises re helping the victims of the Southern California wild fires are probably empty given nature of the promises made to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.  Years following Hurricane Katrina, and New Orleans, a great American city, and the Gulf Coast remain devastated.

The Democratic clubs were well represented as usual with Desert Stonewall Democrats staffing one table thanks to George Zander, President of the Club, Bob Silverman, Treasurer, Bill Gonzalez, and Randy.  The Democrats of the Desert staffed another table thanks to Eleanor, and the Palm Springs Democrats staffed another table as well.

Hopefully, we will see visits from Greg Pettis, Steve Pougnet Mayor-elect of Palm Springs, John Williams, City Councilman-elect of Palm Springs, and Rick Hutcheson, City Councilman-elect of Palm Springs at the next Village Fest.  Remember, Tuesday is Election Day.  You must vote on Tuesday or have your Vote-by-Mail postmarked by then to make a difference in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley!
More exciting details below the flip…

Craig Ewing, Candidate for the Palm Springs Water Board spent hours meeting and greeting the voters of the Palm Springs area.  Crowds met him with unanticipated enthusiasm.  Paul Clay, declared Candidate for the CA-45 Congressional District, raise awareness about his candidacy.  I discussed with him the unsubstantiated rumor that Mary Bono may wait until the last minute to announce that she will not run for re-election and will anoint Bonnie Garcia as her replacement.  The thought of Bonnie Garcia (“I wouldn’t throw Arnold out of bed”) as a Congresswoman in the District brought peals of derisive laughter from the surrounding voters.

April Hildner, of No on C, discussed the misrepresentation by the Yes on C people, the absence of committment to build a hotel by the developer, and the misinformation in the hands of the voters.

Tracy Turner, Vets for Peace, helped stoke the fires of intelligent discussion and activism.  More on anti-occupation efforts as information becomes available.

Richard Oberhaus, campaign manager for Greg Pettis, Candidate for the 80th Assembly District, helped the Democratic Clubs and local candidates.  Come to Palm Springs Pride 2008 this Sunday and see the local candidates in the Pride Parade!!

We had representation at the tables from the Sen. John Edwards campaign, i.e., yours truly, captain of the Palm Springs for Edwards One Corps Chapter.  I distributed position papers from the John Edwards for President campaign, provided campaign buttons and bumper stickers, and solicited voters to register to vote.  We discussed how poorly Obama did in the debate this week and how ill-conceived that nature of his attacks on Hillary were.  I am sure that the image of an African-American attacking a White woman is not the image that the Obama campaign wants to linger in the minds of Middle America.

Wayne and the boyz staffed the Sen. Hillary Clinton table.  Burt and Dave Huntzinger spearheaded the Sen. Barack Obama table.  The Obama people were active in collecting information from potential volunteers.  Bob Morris of the Draft Al Gore campaign circulated petitions to get Nobel Prize Winner Gore on the 2008 California Democratic Primary ballot.  Morris expects an announcement from Gore during his Leno appearance.

We also registered 9 voters last night, including one change of party affiliation from the Dark Side.  Moderate and progressive Republicans have long had enough of the incompetence, ineptitude, and callous disregard for the truth of the Bush Administration.  Now they are voting with their feet by moving quickly to the Democratic Party!

Zander, Silverman, Morris, Oberhaus, Tracy Turner (Vets for Peace), Gonzalez, Randy and a worker from one of the San Diego Democratic Clubs attended the Unofficial Drinking Liberally (UODL) after-party at Bongo Johnny’s!  Keep turning the Coachella Valley blue!

October 25, 2007 – Palm Springs Village Fest Voter Registration and Candidate Information Tabling at Palm Canyon & Arenas, Palm Springs, CA, Thursday nights from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Adult beverages enjoyed thereafter at the local pubs).

Temperate desert nights and progressive, Support-the-Troops/End-the-War Democrats.  Large crowds of locals, visitors, voters and refugees from the Southern California fire storms surrounded the tables.  Many people from the mountain resorts, coastal cities, and San Diego County attended Village Fest.  One family donated funds for John Edwards’ campaign materials and the young daughter nabbed an Edwards button to wear!  German tourists from Laguna Beach sought refuge in Palm Springs from the smell of the smoke and the haze.  Our hearts and prayers go out to the families deeply affected by the Santa Anas.

Here is the flier that I distributed at Village Fest:

Question:  Who provides support and protection during National crises?

Answer:  The National Guard

Question:  Where is 50% of the California National Guard and its supplies?

Answer:  Iraq

Question:  Who is responsible?

Answer:  George W. Bush, the most incompetent President in U.S. history.

Question:  Who refuses to accept responsibility?

Answer:  George W. Bush (I guess in some respects, Bush is the answer.)

The Democratic clubs were well represented as usual with Desert Stonewall Democrats staffing one table thanks to George Z, President and Bob S.  The Democrats of the Desert staffed another table thanks to Eleanor, and the Palm Springs Democrats staffed another table as well.

Greg Pettis, Mayor Pro-tem of Cathedral City and Candidate for CA 80th Assembly District, spent two fun hours at the Democratic Club tables in order to raise awareness about his plans for the campaign and the 80th AD.  His visit came close on the heels of his endorsement of former-Sen. John Edwards for President 2008.  April Hildner, of No on C, discussed the massive funding by the proponents of C for advertising.  We wonder where that money is from.

Hopefully, we will see visits from Pettis, Steve Pougnet Candidate for Mayor of Palm Springs, John Williams, Candidate for City Council of Palm Springs, and Rick Hutcheson, Candidate for City Council of Palm Springs.

More exciting details below the flip…

We had representation at the tables from the Sen. John Edwards campaign, i.e., yours truly, captain of the Palm Springs for Edwards One Corps Chapter and Tiffany from the Coachella Valley John Edwards for President One Corps Chapter.  Tiffani and I distributed position papers from the John Edwards for President campaign, provided campaign buttons and bumper stickers, and solicited voters to register to vote.

John Edwards’ pollster, Harrison Hickman, has prepared a polling memo which proves, once again, that John Edwards is the strongest and most electable candidate. You can view this memo by clicking here: http://johnedwards.c….

Back to Village Fest.  Joy L. and others staffed the Sen. Hillary Clinton table.  Ed spearheaded the Sen. Barack Obama table with David H.’s assistance.  The Obama people were active in collecting information from potential volunteers.  Bob M., Amber Rose, and Amber Rose’s husband of the Draft Al Gore campaign circulated petitions to get Nobel Prize Winner Gore on the 2008 California Democratic Primary ballot.

We also registered 10 voters last night, including one change of party affiliation from the Dark Side.  Later, George, Bob S., Bob M., Richard, and Randy attended the Unofficial Drinking Liberally (UODL) after-party at Bongo Johnny’s!  Keep turning the Coachella Valley blue!

I received this press release from the John Williams for Palm Springs City Council campaign.  Williams received the enthusiastic endorsement from the Sierra Club.

Williams said:

“I am extremely pleased to receive the endorsement of the Sierra Club.  The endorsement was announced on Sunday, October 21st.  The letter going to Sierra Club members states On Tuesday, November 6 Sierra Club strongly urges you to vote:

“John Williams for City Council!

“Being a successful hotelier himself, John understands what brings people to Palm Springs,” states Joan Taylor, Conservation Chair of Sierra Club.  “Clearly, sprawling development on our scenic hillside backdrop is not good for tourism or our quality of life.  John supports conservation of water and energy and clean air.  With John on the City Council, the environment will have a friend at City Hall.”

“As a long time supporter of the environment and clean water and air, I respect the Sierra Club and the great work they have done to help California and the rest of the country maintain our planet.  We all have to work together to curb global warming, and the Sierra Club is taking the lead.

“A Note To My Supporters: This week is your last chance to write a letter to The Desert Sun; Friday is the deadline. These letters are literally read by thousands of people.  PLEASE write a letter to the Desert Sun on my behalf, if you have the time.  Your support is greatly appreciated!  Simple go to www.mydesert.com and click on “Get Published”, then click on “Letters to the Editor” and follow the instructions.  It is really easy.  Please remember there is a 250 word limit on your letter submissions.
Remember to Vote on November 6, 2007

Friends of John Williams for Palm Springs City Council,
P.O.Box 1611,
Palm Springs, CA 92263,
United States,
(760) 416-8848
Email: [email protected]

Previously, Williams was endorsed by the Desert Stonewall Democratic Club and the Palm Springs Democratic Club.  In addition, he has received numerous other endorsements from community leaders, civic and business organizations, and political leaders in Palm Springs and in the Coachella Valley.