Desert Political Opinion: Recent Comments

Comment on A Palm Springs Day of Shame?

2012-02-01T13:52:44Z

Wessman handed out $95,000 to get it passed while passing on making repairs for tenants in a building that had mold and many serious problems while Wessman's friend restaurateur Harold Matzner, who is chairman of the Palm Springs International Film Festival, gave $52,000 to the pro-Measure J effort. Why is Wessman allowed to donate to his own cause? Isn't that conflict of interest? Why is a city allowed to accept donations like that? It's THE VERY DEFINITION of conflict of interest! I suggest "MEASURE K" on the next ballot which will make such conflicts completely illegal and provide jail time to those who break the law. City council has recused themselves on things that "could" be a conflict on the smallest of matters that are only possible conflicts yet we have a developer spending money he's supposed to not have, not on desperately needed repairs on his building for his prior tenants of late, rather, spending it on getting tax hikes slammed on the public because THAT'S where the big return on investment is at, that's wrong. I went to those meetings last year and became sickened by it all after realizing that the whole thing was a big show. It all looked so good at first, but then it sank in. Wessman appeared all slicked DOWN looking like a poor old man was bull crap, one of many ways used to deceive the public. That man's filthy rich and put on the show of "oh poor me" and "poor Palm Springs". Granted it will be an improvement to raze that building, and is long overdue, but I agree with Bond that the whole thing stinks and is really way beyond a shameful of greed and manipulation that would have in the short and longer terms been much better had they used a different approach, even if it took just a few more years to accomplish. The 13% hike in sales taxes is hardly a blip for these rich dudes who donated, and will get at least ten fold back for their investment, but for the many retired residents that are not so wealthy it really makes a dent in their ability to spend. Each new purchase and that next new car is going to suck 13% more in taxes and hand it to these guys for the next 25 years or in Wessman's case, right now. For most residents of Palm Springs that take of their money towards rebuilding that dinosaur downtown actually could do the exact reverse of what is intended. It can mean they will not be going to downtown Palm Springs those extra few times every year for a nice dinner out at those fine restaurants! Think about that. Think about that long and hard and see who's bitter after a few years when all the hype dies down and downtown stalls out. If someone has a way to explain how that 13% taken from residents is going to help them have MORE MONEY to visit downtown MORE please let us know! We all know Wessman will have it as well as Matzner but how much will the spending of these guys having dinners out downtown actually make for revitalization? I mean really, who wants to go downtown to see these guys lavishly eat our tax dollars?

Comment on A Palm Springs Day of Shame?

2012-01-30T22:52:42Z

Bond, maybe most people really liked Measure J and have faith in the process?
That is the simple explanation.
The shame is that if there really was something sinister behind Measure J you were very passive and lazy in fighting it. You only did what was simple and threw up your hands.

Comment on A Palm Springs Day of Shame?

2012-01-26T01:03:51Z

During last week's Palm Springs city council session Mayor Steve Pougnet singled me out by name for public criticism (during a time when public response is not permitted). He concluded by saying I would probably post a blog "but that's okay".

So, not only did the Mayor signal his approval of my blogging but it might well be concluded that he was offering me encouragement. I hope this most recent blog adequately addresses his expectations.

Comment on A Palm Springs Day of Shame?

2012-01-25T19:23:16Z

Bitter! Party of one.

Comment on Election Day - Final Decision Day - Campaigning Ends Day

2011-11-09T19:03:49Z

Sad day for the city. I think the NO campaign would have done better had it EMPHASIZED that the taxes would go up a whopping 13%. Voters are dumb and think it's only a 1% increase because that's been the mantra repeated over and over.

Comment on The "Official" No on Measure J FAQ

2011-11-05T22:46:21Z

Thanks very much for the update. I was unaware of costs for The River and, like you, am surprised by their $51 million costs whencompared to the $60+ million for partial Desert Fashion Plaza renovation.

Comment on The "Official" No on Measure J FAQ

2011-11-05T21:00:03Z

Prior to the election, you have two significant opportunities to message in a way that's clear and resonant for Palm Springs Citizens.

FIRST -compare the tremendously overblown COST of this project and Palm Springs POSSIBLE 20% stake in the total surface property, with the Project Cost for The River in Rancho Mirage. Formulate your message for RADIO or for a LETTER TO THE EDITOR. Make it stick.

To put things into perspective, here's a LOCALcomparison:

The 245,000 square foot open air retail facility that we all know as THE RIVER in Rancho Mirage

Project Size: 245,000 square feet includes: 88,000 square feet retail 67,000 square feet dining 70,000 square feet cinema (15 screens and 3,000 seats) 20,000 square feet office

COST: $51 million

Again, who are the brilliant business people behind spending $43 million for a PARTIAL stake in DFP & Town & Country center?

Source: GPI Website http://wwwgoldsteinplantingcom/investments/retail-projects/-river-rancho-mirage.php

SECOND

TELL the citizens of Palm Springs, that despite the VOID of the finance agreement that MAY take place if the city cannot find funding, THEIR city leaders have GIVEN AWAY THEIR RIGHT to acquire this property by right of EMINENT DOMAIN. This RIGHT IS EXPRESSLY worded to survive for THREE YEARS regardless of the oucome of the financing agreement.

This is RECALL material, and certainly reason NOT to re-elect.

Comment on NO on Palm Springs Sales Tax Hike

2011-10-14T00:52:27Z

STOP WESSMAN...he has choked this city for many years...raised rents and stayed his ground and dared the city to do anything...I sat with David Reddy and all the Mayors...David asked me what I would do...I said GET RID OF WESSMAN of course with shocks wailing in the wind...AND build a Pedestrian Mall like Santa Monica...I was there. tens of thousands there every day..all the international designer stores there...we have lost Robinsons, J.C. Penny, Bullucks, Buffims, Sacs 4th Ave, K-Mart, Gottchalks, and others...ask them why they left...we are not business friendly. we should have bought from the Indians for 25 Million. I brought a contact from the 555 club of Malls of America and sat with David and Building. Could have had a possible $30 million for the mall...the decision at the end of that meeting was that if Wessman didntcomply with something...we would Eminant Domain. We didnt and that was 5 yearts ago. I just told David...we are no further along than at that time...all have gond down valley as I told him they would. I have talked to hundreds of stores when Sales Manager for Palm Canyon Times....they want understanding, not promises, or threats. I have been the Amabassador Chairperson for three cities and on the board of Directors...I saw and still see what is happening. Build it they willcome by the thousands to the New Palm Springs Pedestrian Mall... the previous Mayors all poo pooed it ...why ? because they didnt even see the possibilities and now look at us...I did the fund raising event for the Star on Palm Canyon in front of the Welman Library for Deyna Lee Hodges our first female councilwoman to have a star. She saved that library and other establishments...she is sorely missed after her death. We should float a bond issue for the $40 million...not raise a stupid tax that Wessman puts in his pocket..when will we ever learn...now is our chance to scuttle his attemtp to strangle the city and us at the same time. If any of you would like...go to Santa Monica Place and see what they did to the old one for now its Nordstrom/Broadway...and three levels open...we can do the same with the mall..it has the depth and space...I have indicated this also to some candidates who support it . If we dont. we will lose the tourists who are now flocking right thru our fair city and going East to Indio an on with all the stores...we even lost the skating rink to Cathedral City who now will reap the benefits and profits and the tourists. If we can still use signs as your posted note said they have to be removed..?? and put Wessmans name on them...that will stop it . So many of the purple blush ones are telling the people the wrong story...

Build it ...they willcome. trollies and all..we have two lots still available for parking...I helped open the one we have...we can be anbother Grove in Beverly Hills...just try.

Thank you

Comment on Palm Springs Community Workshop #3 - A Report

2011-09-30T06:40:39Z

Great Idea!!!! Many people told me they never know where museum in Palm Springs because it is hard to find, but new building and new walk to museum in the future to make people happy and excited. They will find way to museum :-D

Comment on Committee for No on Measure J - Mission Statement

2011-09-23T23:26:00Z

Thanks for taking time to share your thoughts, for doing so is appreciated and the content certainly worthwhile.

Our committee for No on Measure J" leadership team is incomplete agreement a good downtown revitalization plan is needed and we would certainly be supportive. Our only objection to Measure J is that it is there to provide $43 million in taxpayer funds as a gift to a developer. If it were not for the gift aspect we would be supportive of the current development plan or anything that others believe appropriate. However, none among our leadership team has the expertise to adequately assess what type of development is appropriate. That is something we will have to leave to the property owner, city officials and others who possess the appropriate knowledge and skills to make the decisions with respect to the future of Desert Fashion Plaza.