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!!!

December 6, 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).

Chilly desert nights and progressive, Support-the-Troops/Stop-the-Insanity Democrats joined by throngs of locals, visitors, and prospective voters.

The Democratic clubs were represented as usual with Desert Stonewall Democrats (DSD) staffing the tables thanks to George Zander, President of DSD, Bob Silverman, Treasurer of DSD, and Bill Gonzales.  Re full disclosure, BlueBeaumontBoyz iz a member of DSD.

Greg Rodriguez made a visit to the Registration and Candidate Information tabling with his two young children in tow.  Rodriguez is an activist with the Hillary Clinton for President campaign and in the local schools.  Rumor is that Rodriguez is running for a seat on the Palm Springs Unified School District school board.

More exciting details about Palm Springs Village Fest below the flip…

Proud progressive Democrats were celebrating the swearing in of Steve Pougnet as Mayor of Palm Springs, Rick Hutcheson as Palm Springs City Councilman, Karl Baker as Desert Hot Springs City Councilman, and Craig Ewing as member of the Desert Water Agency last night at Palm Springs City Hall.

Pougnet, attending the ceremony with his domestic partner and their two children, gave an empassioned speech concerning Palm Springs and his family.  Hutcheson also attended with his domestic partner.

Back to Village Fest.  Tracy Turner, Vets for Peace, helped stoke the fires of intelligent discussion and activism.  He discussed the Vets for Peace plans for an uncoming holiday vigil.  More on anti-occupation efforts as information becomes available.

Yours truly, Captain of the Palm Springs for Edwards One Corps Chapter, staffed the John Edwards for President table.  I distributed position papers from the John Edwards for President campaign, provided campaign buttons and bumper stickers, signed up volunteers for the Edwards for President Campaign, and solicited voters to register to vote.  We discussed Edward’s current strong standing in the Iowa caucus polls and his strengths in the recent candidate forums.

Other Democratic Party activists staffed tables for the Hillary Clinton campaign and the Barack Obama campaign.  One of the Obama volunteers was Dave Hunsicker, candidate for the CA-45 Congressional seat now held tenuously by Mary Bono.  A leader of the local Obama effort reported that he expected Clinton to continue to falter in Iowa with Edwards and Obama finishing one-two in either order in the January 3 Iowa Caucuses.

We registered voters last night, including additional changes of party affiliation.  Moderate and progressive Republicans continue to express their distain for 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 and his friend, Renee, Silverman, Turner (Vets for Peace), Gonzales, and yours truly attended the Unofficial Drinking Liberally (UODL) after-party at Bongo Johnny’s!  Ever celebrating the Coachella Valley and Palm Springs turning deeper shades of blue!

Re full disclosure, BlueBeaumontBoyz is a supporter of Greg Pettis’ amazing campaign for the CA-80 Assembly District seat.

I received this Press Release from the Greg Pettis for CA-80 Assembly District, a seat occupied by the termed-out potty mouth Repugnant Bonnie Garcia.

For Immediate Release  November 27, 2007
For More Information  Richard Oberhaus 760-413-7938

PETTIS LAUNCHES BID FOR ASSEMBLY WITH DISTRICT-WIDE TOUR AND WEB LAUNCH

El Centro – Veteran Cathedral City Councilmember Greg Pettis officially kicked off his campaign for the open 80th Assembly District seat today, surrounded by supporters in front of the El Centro Regional Medical Center and Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs.

Pettis pledged to use his two decades of experience, building relationships and working on issues that benefit families to create a healthier California.

“I’m launching my campaign in front of a hospital because it is the symbol of hope for a better tomorrow. It’s time to extend that hope to the 6.5 million uninsured Californians as well as individuals and businesses who are struggling each week with the high cost of health care,” Pettis said.

Pettis’s Press Release continues:

“A healthy California doesn’t stop with just the health care issue,” Pettis added, “but also a healthy economy and environment and schools that give our children the opportunity to live their dreams close to their roots.”

Pettis’ campaign launch coincided with the launch of his campaign website at www.gregpettis.com, where viewers can view videos and read about the Pettis Plan for Progress.

“Over the last 10 years, I’ve been working with Greg in Sacramento to improve Imperial County’s transportation system. As a member of the Assembly, I know he’ll give the Valley the priority we deserve,” said El Centro City Councilmember Sedalia Sanders.

“From his 13-years on the City Council in Cathedral City to his work on the Salton Sea Authority to building new parks for our kids, he brings a reservoir of practical experience making government work for our corner of the state, said Palm Springs City Councilmember Ginny Foat.

Pettis is considered the Democratic frontrunner in the race to replace Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia, who will be stepping down due to term limits. He has raised more money hand has more donors than all the other Democratic candidates combined based on the last filings with California’s Secretary of State.

He has also won the endorsements of the San Bernardino/Riverside County Central Labor Council, Building Trades of California, Democracy for America, Victory Fund, Desert Stonewall Democrats, Cathedral City Professional Firefighters; State Controller John Chiang and former State Controller Steve Westly; State Board of Equalization Member Judy Chu; State Senators Carol Migden, Christine Kehoe, Sheila Kuehl and Darrell Steinberg; and Assembly members John Laird Lloyd Levine and Mark Leno.

Democrats now outnumber Republicans by 9%, i.e., 13,000 voters in the 80th AD.  This district, with its open-seated status, will be in the top-two most contested seats in the State in the General Election.

Re full disclosure, BlueBeaumontBoyz is a supporter of Greg Pettis for CA 80th Assembly District and blogs under the nom de plume BluePalmSpringsBoyz in mydesert.com.

Tonight, at the Campaign Kick-Off tonight, the Greg Pettis campaign for the CA-80 Assembly District previewed its new website at www.gregpettis.com which will be officially launched tomorrow, November 27, 2007.  Then, Cathedral City Council veteran and Mayor Pro-Tem Greg Pettis officially launches his bid for the 80th State Assembly District seat.  The CA-80th AD seat is currently held by Repugnant Bonnie Garcia.

The Campaign Kick-Off Event tonight at the Cathedral City Public Library was extremely well-attended and included presentations by Pettis, Richard Oberhaus, Campaign Director, and Pettis’ campaign consultant.  Those in attendance included elected officials, political activists, media representatives, and campaign volunteers.

Elected officials in attendance, included Ginny “Ma” Foat, Palm Springs City Councilwoman, Paul Marchand, Cathedral City City Councilman, Pat Hammer, Cathedral City City Clerk, and Karl Baker, Desert Hot Springs City Councilman-elect.  Political activists in attendance included George Zander, President of the Desert Stonewall Democrats, Bob Silverman, Treasurer of the Desert Stonewall Democrats, and Chuck McDaniel, President of the Desert Hot Springs Democratic Club.  Other political activists included Bob Mahlowitz, Chair of the Palm Springs Office of Neighborhoods, Robert Marchand, Chair of the Cathedral City Public Arts Commission, Sonia Marchand, Jono Hildner of the victorious No on C pro-environment campaign, Roger Tansy, Bill Cain-Gonzalez, and many others.

Media representatives included a reporter from The Desert Sun, The Observer and BluePalmSpringsBoyz, bloggers from mydesert.com, and BlueBeaumontBoyz.

Pettis discussed the strengths of his campaign, including strong financial backing, sizable electoral base, significant relevant experience, and support in the Hispanic and Latino communities.  Pettis reported that his campaign has already raised more monies than that raised by all of his Democratic opponents combined!  Pettis also reported significant electoral support in each of his election campaigns in Cathedral City, one of the largest cities in the 80th AD.  Amazingly, Pettis garnered even more support in the Hispanic and Latino communities during his last re-election campaign than he did in the Anglo community!  Pettis reviewed his primary campaign themes including:

• Health Care: Affordable and Accessible Medical Coverage for All Californians
• Economy: Good-paying Jobs and Opportunities for All Californians
• Clean and Safe Environment

Regarding health care, Pettis said:

“It’s time to extend the hope of affordable and accessible health care to the 6.5 million uninsured Californians as well as to individuals and businesses who are struggling each week with the high cost of health care.  California also requires a vibrant economy, clean and safe environment, and superior schools that give all of our children the opportunity to live their dreams.”

More below the flip…

Pettis has already won the endorsements of the San Bernardino/Riverside County Central Labor Council, Building Trades of California, Democracy for America, Victory Fund, Desert Stonewall Democrats, Cathedral City Professional Firefighters; State Controller John Chiang, former State Controller Steve Westly; State Board of Equalization Member Judy Chu; State Senator Carol Migden, State Senator Christine Kehoe, State Senator Sheila Kuehl, State Senator Darrell Steinberg; and Assemblyman John Laird, Assemblyman Lloyd Levine and Assemblyman Mark Leno, Palm Springs City Councilwoman Ginny “Ma” Foat, Cathedral City Councilman Paul Marchand, Desert Hot Springs City Councilman-elect Karl Baker amongst many others.

In a related event, a Media Advisory from the Greg Pettis Campaign indicated that the official announcement of Pettis’ candidacy for the CA 80th AD will occur in two stages, one in El Centro tomorrow morning and the second in Palm Springs in the afternoon.

DATE:  November 27th, 2007
TIME:  10:00 AM
LOCATION:  1318 South Imperial Ave., El Centro (across from El Centro Regional Medical Center)

TIME:  2:30 PM
LOCATION:  E Tachevah Dr & N Avenida Olivos, Palm Springs (Outside of Desert Regional Medical Center)

Greg Pettis will officially launch his bid for the open 80th Assembly District seat. Pettis is a Democrat who has served 13 years on the City Council in Cathedral City. He will be joined by 80th District leaders and supporters.

The 80th Assembly District encompasses eastern Riverside County and all of Imperial County including the communities of Blythe, Brawley, Calexico, Calipatria, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, El Centro, Holtville, Imperial, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Springs, and Westmorland.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Campaign Manager Richard Oberhaus

760-413-7938

Kakie Urch, reporter from The Desert Sun, indicated today that

Cathedral City Council veteran Greg Pettis on Tuesday will officially launch his bid for the 80th State Assembly District seat currently held by Bonnie Garcia.

Pettis and his campaign plan two events, one in El Centro and one in Palm Springs, to kick off the campaign for the Democrat who has been on Cathedral City Council for 13 years.

In Palm Springs, Pettis will make his announcement at 2:30 p.m. outside to Desert Regional Medical Center at E. Tachevah Drive and North Avenida Olivos.

In El Centro, the announcement will be across from El Centro Regional Medical Center at 1318 South Imperial Ave.

Garcia, a Republican cannot run for re-election to the Assembly seat because of statewide term limits.

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.

Mary Bono, sometime Congresswoman for the CA-45 Congressional District has been renowned for her absentee voting system.  No, I do not mean that she has developed a better method for Vote By Mail for Nationwide distribution.  Rather, Bono has identified a way to marginally represent her Riverside County District by masking her many missed procedural and bill votes.  Seems that Bono did not get the memo from Nancy Pelosi, D-CA regarding increasing the hours of the Congressional work week.  Also, it seems that Bono is much more interested in registering herself on Connie Mack, R-FL, than registering her opinion on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

To summarize, Bono obviously takes the same amount of vacation time that the rest of the Congress takes during Congressional recesses.  In addition, Bono obviously feels it necessary to take additional time.  Bono took addional vacation time during the Congressional work week of March 5-9, 2007, and again during the work week of June 6-9, 2006.  I fathom that Bono needs more than average amount of downtime from her strenuous voting schedule.

Being her employer, I do not recall that Bono ever provided me with a medical excuse or explanation as to why she takes so much time off.  As a former supervisor at one of the biggest retail concerns in the country, if someone kept Bono’s work schedule, I would have to give the requisite reprimands and then suspension and then termination.  At present, I am a sole practitioner.  I do not take this much time off, and I work for myself!!!  Jesus!!!

Bono missed 43 votes in 2007, 38 in 2006, and 19 in 2005.  Seems that as the Republican spirits declined during 2005 – 2006, so did Bono’s.  Or maybe she just became busier trying to justify herself to her constituents?  Also, please note how often during the corrupt Republican regime in the House, Bono missed days on Tuesdays (the first day of their work week) and Thursdays (the last day of their three-day work work)!!!  In my profession, the issue of substance abuse is considered when employees consistently miss the first day of the work week.  In politics, as with Fred Thompson, the alternative hypothesis is laziness.

Paul Clay, Candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives CA-45 has indicated that he will raise voters’ expectations rather than lower them, will vote rather than miss votes on the floor, and will adequately represent the interests of all peoples of the Coachella Valley rather than the monied few.

The following is a list from The Washington Post of Missed Votes by Mary Bono/Congress Votes Database/

Date / Vote / Bono Position / GOP opinion / DEM opinion

10/30/07 (Tuesday) Vote 1013: H RES 773: Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 3867) to Update and Expand the Procurement Programs of the Small Business Administration, and for Other Purposes. Not Voting No Yes

10/24/07 (Wednesday) Vote 997: H RES 764: Providing for Consideration of H.R. 505, Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2007. Not Voting No Yes

9/10/07 (Monday) Vote 866: H RES 643: 9/11 Commemoration Not Voting Yes Yes

9/10/07 (Monday) Vote 865: H RES 257: Supporting the Goals and Ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month Not Voting Yes Yes

8/4/07 (Saturday) Vote 824: On Motion to Adjourn Not Voting Yes No

8/2/07 (Thursday) Vote 816: H R 3161: Making Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Programs for the Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2008, and for Other Purposes. Not Voting None Yes

8/2/07 (Thursday) Vote 815: H R 3161: Making Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Programs for the Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2008, and for Other Purposes. Not Voting Present Yes

7/31/07 (Tuesday) Vote 776: H R 3161 Not Voting Yes No

7/31/07 (Tuesday) Vote 775: Call in Committee Not Voting Present Present

7/19/07 (Thursday) Vote 686: H R 3043: Making Appropriations for the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies for Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2008, and for Other Purposes Not Voting No Yes

7/19/07 (Thursday) Vote 685: H R 3043: Making Appropriations for the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies for Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2008, and for Other Purposes Not Voting Yes No

Other missed votes:

7/19/07 (Thursday) Vote 684: H R 3043 Not Voting Yes No
7/19/07 (Thursday) Vote 683: H R 3043 Not Voting Yes No
7/19/07 (Thursday) Vote 682: H R 3043 Not Voting Yes No
7/19/07 (Thursday) Vote 681: H R 3043 Not Voting Yes No
7/19/07 (Thursday) Vote 680: H R 3043 Not Voting Yes No
7/19/07 (Thursday) Vote 679: H R 3043 Not Voting No No
7/19/07 (Thursday) Vote 678: H R 3043 Not Voting Yes No
7/19/07 (Thursday) Vote 677: H R 3043 Not Voting Yes Yes
7/19/07 (Thursday) Vote 676: H R 3043 Not Voting Yes No
7/19/07 (Thursday) Vote 675: H R 3043 Not Voting Yes No
7/19/07 (Thursday) Vote 674: H R 3043 Not Voting Yes No
7/19/07 (Thursday) Vote 673: H R 3043 Not Voting Yes No
7/19/07 (Thursday) Vote 672: H R 3043 Not Voting Yes No

3/9/07 (Friday) Vote 135: H R 720: Water Quality Financing Act of 2007 Not Voting No Yes
3/9/07 (Friday) Vote 134: H R 720: Water Quality Financing Act of 2007 Not Voting Yes Yes
3/9/07 (Friday) Vote 133: H R 720 Not Voting Yes No
3/9/07 (Friday) Vote 132: H RES 229: Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 720) to Amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to Authorize Appropriations for State Water Pollution Control Revolving Funds, and for Other Purposes Not Voting No Yes
3/8/07 (Thursday) Vote 131: H RES 202: Providing for the Expenses of Certain Committees of the House of Representatives in the One Hundred Tenth Congress. Not Voting No Yes
3/8/07 (Thursday) Vote 130: H R 700: To Amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to Extend the Pilot Program for Alternative Water Source Projects. Not Voting Yes Yes
3/8/07 (Thursday) Vote 129: H R 700: To Amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to Extend the Pilot Program for Alternative Water Source Projects. Not Voting Yes Yes
3/8/07 (Thursday) Vote 128: H R 700 Not Voting Yes No
3/8/07 (Thursday) Vote 127: H RES 219: Providing for Consideration of the Resolution (H. Res. 202) Providing for the Expenses of Certain Committees of the House of Representatives in the One Hundred Tenth Congress Not Voting No Yes
3/7/07 (Wednesday) Vote 126: H R 710: Charlie W. Norwood Living Organ Donation Act Not Voting Yes Yes
3/7/07 (Wednesday) Vote 125: H R 569: Water Quality Investment Act Not Voting Yes Yes
3/7/07 (Wednesday) Vote 124: H R 569: Water Quality Investment Act Not Voting Yes Yes
3/7/07 (Wednesday) Vote 123: H R 569 Not Voting Yes No
3/6/07 (Tuesday) Vote 122: H RES 149: Supporting the Goals of International Women’S Day Not Voting Yes Yes
3/6/07 (Tuesday) Vote 121: H RES 98: Honoring the Life and Achievements of the Late Dr. John Garang De Mabior Not Voting Yes Yes
3/5/07 (Monday) Vote 120: H R 497: The Brigadier General Francis Marion Memorial Act Not Voting Yes Yes
3/5/07 (Monday) Vote 119: H R 995: To Amend Public Law 106-348 to Extend the Authorization for Establishing a Memorial in the District of Columbia to Honor Veterans Who Served in the Armed Forces Not Voting Yes Yes

2/6/07 (Tuesday) Vote 77: H R 386: Yakima-Tieton Irrigation District Conveyance Act Not Voting Yes Yes
2/6/07 (Tuesday) Vote 76: H R 161: Bainbridge Island Japanese American Monument Act Not Voting Yes Yes

11/15/06 (Wednesday) Vote 523: H RES 1078: Congratulating the St. Louis Cardinals on Winning the 2006 World Series Not Voting Yes Yes
11/15/06 (Wednesday) Vote 522: H R 5585: Financial Netting Improvements Act Not Voting Yes Yes

6/28/06 (Wednesday) Vote 331: On Motion to Adjourn Not Voting No No
6/22/06 (Thursday) Vote 318: H RES 323: Supporting the Efforts to Increase Childhood Cancer Awareness, Treatment, and Research Not Voting Yes Yes
6/9/06 (Friday) Vote 250: H R 5522: Making Appropriations for Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs for the Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2007, and for Other Purposes Not Voting Yes Yes
6/9/06 (Friday) Vote 249: H R 5522 Not Voting No Yes
6/9/06 (Friday) Vote 248: H R 5522 Not Voting No No
6/9/06 (Friday) Vote 247: H R 5522 Not Voting No Yes
6/9/06 (Friday) Vote 246: H R 5522 Not Voting No Yes
6/9/06 (Friday) Vote 245: H R 5522 Not Voting No No
6/9/06 (Friday) Vote 244: H R 5522 Not Voting Yes Yes
6/9/06 (Friday) Vote 243: H R 5522 Not Voting No Yes
6/9/06 (Friday) Vote 242: H R 5522 Not Voting No Yes
6/8/06 (Thursday) Vote 241: H R 5252: Communications, Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006 Not Voting Yes Yes
6/8/06 (Thursday) Vote 240: H R 5252: Communications, Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006 Not Voting No Yes
6/8/06 (Thursday) Vote 239: H R 5252 Not Voting No Yes
6/8/06 (Thursday) Vote 238: H R 5252 Not Voting Yes Yes
6/8/06 (Thursday) Vote 237: H RES 850: Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 5252) to Promote the Deployment of Broadband Networks and Services Not Voting Yes No
6/8/06 (Thursday) Vote 236: H R 5522 Not Voting No Yes
6/8/06 (Thursday) Vote 235: H RES 850: Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 5252) to Promote the Deployment of Broadband Networks and Services Not Voting Yes No
6/7/06 (Wednesday) Vote 234: S 2803: Mine Improvement and New Emergency Respose Act Not Voting Yes Yes
6/7/06 (Wednesday) Vote 233: H R 5449: To Amend Title 49, United States Code, to Modify Bargaining Requirements for Proposed Changes to the Personnel Management System of the Federal Aviation Administration Not Voting No Yes
6/7/06 (Wednesday) Vote 232: H R 5254: Refinery Permit Process Schedule Act Not Voting Yes No
6/7/06 (Wednesday) Vote 231: H R 5254: Refinery Permit Process Schedule Act Not Voting No Yes
6/7/06 (Wednesday) Vote 230: S 193: Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act Not Voting Yes Yes
6/7/06 (Wednesday) Vote 229: H R 5521: Legislative Branch Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2007 Not Voting Yes Yes
6/7/06 (Wednesday) Vote 228: H RES 842: Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 5254) to Set Schedules for the Consideration of Permits for Refineries Not Voting Yes No
6/7/06 (Wednesday) Vote 227: H RES 842: Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 5254) to Set Schedules for the Consideration of Permits for Refineries Not Voting Yes No
6/6/06 (Tuesday) Vote 226: H R 5441: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007 Not Voting Yes Yes
6/6/06 (Tuesday) Vote 225: H R 5441: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007 Not Voting Yes No
6/6/06 (Tuesday) Vote 224: H R 5441 Not Voting Yes No
6/6/06 (Tuesday) Vote 223: H R 5441 Not Voting Yes No

5/24/06 (Wednesday) Vote 200: H R 5427 Not Voting No Yes

4/26/06 (Wednesday) Vote 103: H RES 774: Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 5020) to Authorize Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2007 for Intelligence and Intelligence-Related Activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for Other Purposes Not Voting Yes No

3/2/06 (Friday) Vote 18: H RES 702: Providing for the Consideration of H.R. 4167, National Uniformity for Food Act Not Voting Yes No

2/8/06 (Thursday) Vote 7: H R 4297: Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act Not Voting No Yes
2/8/06 (Thursday) Vote 6: H RES 657: Honoring the Contributions of Catholic Schools Not Voting Yes Yes
2/8/06 (Thursday) Vote 5: H RES 670: Congratulating the National Football League Champion Pittsburg Steelers for Winning Super Bowl Xl and Completing One of the Greatest Postseason Runs in Professional Sports History Not Voting Yes Yes

6/17/05 (Friday) Vote 282: H R 2745: Henry J. Hyde United Nations Reform Act Not Voting Yes No
6/17/05 (Friday) Vote 281: H R 2745 Not Voting No Yes
6/17/05 (Friday) Vote 280: H R 2745 Not Voting No No
6/17/05 (Friday) Vote 279: H R 2745 Not Voting No No
6/17/05 (Friday) Vote 278: H R 2745 Not Voting Yes No
6/17/05 (Friday) Vote 277: H R 2745 Not Voting Yes Yes
6/17/05 (Friday) Vote 276: H R 2745 Not Voting Yes Yes
6/17/05 (Friday) Vote 275: H R 2745 Not Voting Yes Yes
6/17/05 (Friday) Vote 274: H R 2745 Not Voting Yes Yes
6/16/05 (Thursday) Vote 273: H RES 324 Not Voting Yes No
6/16/05 (Thursday) Vote 272: H R 2745 Not Voting Yes Yes
6/16/05 (Thursday) Vote 271: H R 2745 Not Voting Yes Yes
6/16/05 (Thursday) Vote 270: H R 2745 Not Voting Yes Yes
6/16/05 (Thursday) Vote 269: H RES 315: Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 2863), Department of Defense Appropriations, Fy 2006 Not Voting Yes No
6/16/05 (Thursday) Vote 268: H R 2862: Science, State, Justice, and Commerce Appropriations, Fy 2006 Not Voting Yes Yes
6/16/05 (Thursday) Vote 267: H R 2862 Not Voting Yes No
6/16/05 (Thursday) Vote 266: H R 2862 Not Voting No Yes
6/16/05 (Thursday) Vote 265: H R 2862 Not Voting No Yes
6/16/05 (Thursday) Vote 264: H R 2862 Not Voting No Yes

November 8, 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).

Cool desert nights and progressive, Support-the-Troops/Stop-the-Insanity Democrats.  Milling crowds of locals, visitors, and prospective voters.  Village Fest was knee-deep in conferees from the United States Conference on AIDS 2007 (USCA) as well as attendees at Leather Pride Weekend.  I was approached assertively by two military people who angrily questioned my ‘Support the Troops/End the War’ position.  The male trooper expressed his concerns about stopping terrorism in Iraq and early withdrawal of troops meaning making insignificant the loss of thousands of U.S. military lives in Iraq.  I tried to educate both about the nature of the Occupation of Iraq and its present Civil War.  In addition, I was able to point out that the assault on Iraq was initially about avenging Sadaam Hussein’s alleged assassination plot agains George H.W. Bush and about securing a vast oil supply in the Middle East.  Also, the pointless loss of U.S. soldier’s lives lies at the feet of the warmongers in the Bush Administration (e.g., Bush, Cheney, Rice, Rumsfeld, Gates, Pace, etc.).  We need to communicate with our troops and educate them that they are pawns in the service of a vengeful, cruel, incompetent despot.  And I do not mean S. Hussein.

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

Progressive Democrats were rejoicing in the resounding victories in Tuesday’s elections across the Coachella Valley.  More specifically, we discussed the win of Steve Pougnet for Mayor of Palm Springs, Rick Hutcheson for Palm Springs City Council, Karl Baker for Desert Hot Springs City Council, Craig Ewing for Desert Water Agency, and No on C.  Democrats were also excited about the prospect of John Williams winning the second Palm Springs City Council seat following the counting of the additional Vote By Mail ballots and a possible recount of the overall votes.

Vic Gainer, of the recently defunct Vic Gainer for Palm Springs City Council campaign slunked past the tabling without a word, probably embarrassed that we had discovered that he registered as a member of the American Independent Party after none of the Democratic Clubs endorsed his candidacy.

More exciting details below the flip…

Paul Clay, declared Candidate for the CA-45 Congressional District, raised awareness about his candidacy.  Amalia Deaztlan, Campaign Director for Manuel Perez, Vice-President of the Coachella Valley Unified School District and Candidate for the CA 80th Assembly District also spent time with the Democratics discussing the recent election victories and Perez’ prospects in the 80th.

Tracy Turner, Vets for Peace, helped stoke the fires of intelligent discussion and activism.  He discussed their plans to march in the Palm Springs Veteran’s Day Parade, Sunday, November 11, 2007.  More on anti-occupation efforts as information becomes available.

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, signed up volunteers for the John Edwards for President Campaign, and solicited voters to register to vote.  We discussed Edward’s surprisingly strong standing in the Iowa caucus polls and his strength in the recent candidate debates.

Wayne and the boyz staffed the Sen. Hillary Clinton table.  Dave and his wife 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.

We also registered 8 voters last night, including two changes 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 and his friends, Tim, Renee, and Caesar, Silverman, Morris, Turner (Vets for Peace), Clay and yours truly attended the Unofficial Drinking Liberally (UODL) after-party at Bongo Johnny’s!  Then, Zander, Tim, Renee, Caesar, Turner, and yours truly slipped over to Hunter’s Video Bar to trip the progressive light fantastic, celebrating yet another day in turning the Coachella Valley blue!

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.

Once upon a time, you looked out across the Coachella Valley and all that you saw was sand, desert, windmills, golf courses, persons of a certain age, and lots and lots of Repugnants.  But, as you should know by now, the times, they are achangin’!  Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Indio, and Coachella each gave a majority of their votes to the Kerry/Edwards ticket in 2004.  In the CA 80th Assembly District, the Democratic voter registration outnumbers that of the Repugnants by about 13,000!!!  The city council of Palm Springs has a majority Democrats including the outgoing mayor, Ron Oden, and City Councilpersons Ginny Foat and Steve Pougnet.  The Cathedral City City Council enjoys the benefit of having two Democratic members including Greg Pettis and Paul Marchand.  The City Councils of Palm Springs and of Cathedral City each has three openly-gay council members (if in Cat City, you count the member who is only openly gay in the predominantly gay Cove district and is a member of the Log Cabin Repugnants but is closeted in the hetero parts of Cat City).

To celebrate the Bluing of the Coachella Valley, the Desert Stonewall Democrats threw a Get-Out-The-Vote fundraising party in order to support its slate of candidates in the upcoming November 2007 local elecctions!  Steve Pougnet, Candidate for Mayor of Palm Springs, John Williams, Candidate for Palm Springs City Council, Rick Hutcheson, Candidate for Palm Springs City Council, Craig Ewing, Candidate for the Water Board, Jono Hildner from NO ON C, Adam Sanchez Candidate for Mayor of Desert Hot Springs, Karl Baker, Candidate for Desert Hot Springs City Council, Ginny ‘Ma’ Foat, Palm Springs City Council, Greg Pettis, Cathedral City Mayor Pro-Tem and Candidate for the CA 80th AD, Paul Marchand, Cathedral City City Council, and George Zander, President of the Desert Stonewall Democratic Club, amongst others, hosted the soire.

More details and names are named below the flip…

Steve Pougnet, Candidate for Mayor of Palm Springs, was quite knowledgeable about the electorate and is a Gary Bosworth-in-waiting.  Meaning, he has quite the grasp of the Palm Springs voter stats.  Pougnet clued this writer into the 13,000 registration advantage that the Democrats have over the Repugnants in the CA 80th AD.  Also, he reported that he has quite the ad campaign hitting the stands in the upcoming ‘Bottom Line’ and elsewhere.  Check it out for some great pics of the Candidate for Mayor and his amazing family.

John Williams, Candidate for Palm Springs City Council, was quite the socializer.  He attended the Desert Women for Equality Board Meeting prior to also attending the Desert Business Association Mixer, and then the DSD fundraiser.  Rick Hutcheson also ran the Monday night gauntlet, attending both the DSD fundraiser and the DBA meeting.  Craig Ewing was quite knowledgeable re the water needs of the District and will give waterboarding a good name (pun intended…please cite me as a reference in the retelling).

George Zander, President of DSD, and Bob Silverman, Treasurer of DSD mingled and schmoozed with the revellers.  Tracy Turner, of Vets for Peace had a great anti-war sticker that he promised to get me.  Jono Hildner of No on C circluated easily and was quite well received.  Mike Balassa and Carol Balassa, leaders of PFLAG-Coachella Valley, regaled me with stories of the Equality California Fundraiser.  Apparently, Carol was quite the socialite and Mike the bon vivante!

The event took place on Monday, October 22, 2007 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Look Restaurant in Downtown Palm Springs.

If you were unable to attend and still wish to send money, Zander says to send it to:

Desert Stonewall Democrats
31855 Date Palm DR #3 PMB #275
Cathedral City CA  92234