All Sorted Out . . . (article) by L. K. Craft

Posted 10/26/2007 8:28 AM

Last night I attended part of the forum at the Palm Springs Library. It was my last attempt to sort out the candidates before I cast my ballot. Some of the candidates have ‘professionally evolved’ from the early days of campaigning. The candidates appeared more comfortable and relax with being put on the spot. They spoke with clarity regarding their positions and even the candidates with endorsements showed a bit more restraint with flaunting them as their primary answer to the questions. Although I found the last round of the forums helpful, I am not completely resolved on one of the two city council seats. Therefore, I will take the weekend to decide. All my earlier comments and personal assessments stand, I must whittle four candidates down to two. My rationale on my process will be shared.

However, there is no doubt when it comes to my choice of Steve Pougnet for Mayor of Palm Springs. Sorting through the candidate's responses, positions and projected plans, it is my belief that some candidates lack an understanding of the role of city council and the mayors office. Always, Mr. Pougnet kindly educates us by how he answers questions. He consistently and professionally reflects the truth about how city government works without ever saying, ‘they don’t get it’. . . Other candidates leave me believing that city council is the ultimate ‘workforce machine.’ The city manager is at the helm as the leader of the work force. The mayor and city council are like a ‘board of directors’ and it is their responsibility to make sure they have the key leadership personnel in place and they're doing the job. City council is to oversee, govern and provide the direction. So often I hear candidates saying, ‘when I get in office I am going to do this . . . and that.’ It’s like the role of the mayor and city council is in the trenches doing the work, rather than overseeing it. I recall the first forum when some mayoral candidates were saying there was ‘no disaster preparation’ in place. It was Mr. Pougnet who spoke about the many city services and city agencies that have worked hard and have plans. He reminded us of our first responders. If I was a city employee, I would want to have a mayor that took pride in my hard work and I would surely be uneasy about any candidate who didn't . . . Sure we can improve, but I’m a little tired of hearing candidates fault find, shame, blame and not celebrate the hard work of others.

Last night the issue of the length of city council meetings was discussed. Some mayoral candidates proclaimed that under their leadership, no city council meeting would last over two and half hours. Their emphasis was on length and concern about resident’s bedtime. Once again, Mr. Pougnet had to nicely bring us back to reality. He kindly educated us with the facts, explaining that the length of meetings is dependent upon many factors, including the vast number of public comments. The Brown Act provide the right for the citizens to participate in government and public comments sometimes last well over an hour. Dignity and respect includes the involvement of key city employees, planners and developers, vendors, along with the residents. Therefore, I believe in an attempt to win votes, candidates often say what they believe the voter want to hear. As a voter, I want to be educated and brought along, not placated. Mr. Pougnet has been sound in keeping us real, educating us to the realities and yet, he is still very open to look at better ways. Personally, as a voter, it’s not agreeing with me that important, it’s the candidates willingness to bring me along by educating and providing evidence. I found Mr. Pougnet’s consistent demeanor of always keeping us real regarding issues to be very refreshing.

I am voting for Steve Pougnet, yet that does not mean I didn’t find some wonderful qualities in the other candidates. It is Mr. Pougnet’s grasp of the whole picture, his experience, education, and his professional demeanor that are key in my decision.

All Sorted out . . . Steve Pougnet for Mayor of Palm Springs.

All Sorted Out: Mayoral Candidate