Me?. . .  I am not going anywhere.  I kept a file on all the promises the candidates made.  I did not exhaust all this time and energy for the fun election night parties. . . All the election process provided was the appointment of a new coach and a couple new first string players.    These newly elected individuals must never forget the PEOPLE picked them.  They made a lot of promises to the people.  They have been the center of our electoral universe for the past months, now they must humbly keep their promises and serve us.  If you read my early blog posts, I made it clear that I am about work ethic, healthy communication, honor, and character.  All those play a huge role in carrying out promises.   Now my blog will be used to attempt to hold them accountable.  So see, the game hasn't yet began, but I got a great seat!  Getting out to forums and talking with people provided me with so much insight, I'm ready for the game!

 

I don's desire to point a finger, BUT that said,  I did attend three election night parties and I heard one of the candidates say, "I'm so glad this is almost over."   I smiled and thought, ' I won't ruin this delusional moment of bliss for them'. . .  Believe me, It's not over, the game has not yet began!  

 

Mayor Elect Pougnet, the promise you made that immediately won my vote was your comment in The Desert Sun, Sept 25, 2007 (shortened and paraphrased), "if Wessman does not submit a plan for the Museum Market Plaza in 90 days I would lead the council on an effort to start eminent domain."   Great!  You'll be sworn in January and so by April 15, 2008 (I'll give you a couple days to set up office) Wessman will have agreed to timelines and plan or you'll be seeking eminent domain.  GREAT!  I am counting on this one Mayor-Elect Pougnet, and I believe you'll do it.  Thank you for your definitive promise, now produce the evidence that you kept it!   . . . I will be watching.

 

Councilman Elect Hutchenson, although I didn't endorse you, I did provide much justification that you were indeed qualified for this position. I clearly stated that you touted an amazing history and experience that would indicate you could do the job.  Certainly all your experience, history, polish, money, endorsement and superlatives worked, congratulations!  Now remember, you have been appointed to be a servant of the people and now you must wipe off the polish, put away the endorsement letters, close your campaign balance sheet and now, put on your work clothes.  I want you to prove me wrong big time!  I really want to be wrong about my gut level feeling that you are the tin man without a heart.  I don't want to have to write in my blog that "I know he could do it, if he only had a heart"... My suggestion is for you to get personable with us.  You no longer can hide behind yesterday glitter.  It would be to advantage to discard that weird smirk at the end of your commercial.  As a management consultant, I believe an exercise in imagery might help you.   Imagine the public on the top of a building looking down at you, all eyes are on you, they stand there not talking just staring at you. . . how that feel?  Let's take it one step further, imagine all them with that same smirk you had on your face at the end of that commercial.   Rick, Rick, Rick I am so wanting you to be human like us, please just talk with us and not stare at us. NO longer can expensive flyers, posters, contributions and endorsement to speak for you.  You can't hide, you have got to perform . . . I will be more than happy to write a blog post that humbly admits I am so wrong. I really, really want to be wrong.... What's in your favor is that I am wrong sometimes, I am hoping I am wrong.  I wish you the best. 

 

Councilman Elect Weigel, we have shown you our respect, affection and appreciation by our vote.  We don't want a thank you note for our efforts, we want action.  No more gentle soul, father earth, laid back, friend of the universe . . . No, what we want a serious focused councilman that is ready to make the tough decision. I know you will provide an outstanding professional demeanor on council, but quite frankly you must be willing to get a little roughed up when the issues get tough.  You no longer can be in the middle, you have a vote and it is yes or no.  I really do believe that you are the one that knows the people the best, but don't just listen to us and placate us . . . bring us along, educate us, help us understand what changes are needed.  I really look forward to having you on the council.  But make no mistake, I need to see you be a active ingredient in the chemistry of the council, not just a friendly face. 

Ok, maybe I am being tough here.  I apologize, after all I have a fever, bad cold and I'm a little off today.  All that said, I do care so much about Palm Springs and care about all these newly elected officials as well.  We have worked hard to support them in the belief that they will carry out their promises.  I don't know what keeping a promise means to any of you, but to me, it means everything when assessing one's character.  I want everyone of these newly elected candidates to soar...   I can honestly say that I believe they can.  Make no mistake, I took their promises seriously and I will sort out their character by matching the evidence of their words. 

 

Now I'll take a few asprins, drink a little juice and in a few day I will be a little gentler when I write <wink>.