Candidates Jockey for Seats on Healthcare Board

Four Seats Open on Desert Healthcare District Board of Trustees

PALM SPRINGS — Despite a tumultuous year for the Desert Healthcare District Board of Trustees there is no shortage of candidates seeking four open seats.

Two incumbents — Arthur Shorr in Zone 5 and Leticia De Lara in Zone 7 — are seeking reelection. Two — Les Zendle in Zone 1 and Carmina Zavala in Zone 3 — are relinquishing their seats.

Three candidates are vying for the Zone 1 seat, which includes most of Palm Springs, a small portion of Cathedral City, almost all of Rancho Mirage and a small part of Palm Desert. They are Greg Rodriguez, Dr. Robert Piecuch and Rick Lykins.

Zone 3 includes parts of Indian Wells, La Quinta, Palm Desert and Bermuda Dunes. Two candidates are vying to represent the area. They are Claudia Galvez and Dr. Daniel Logsdon.

Incumbent Arthur Shorr is seeking another term as director in Zone 5, which includes parts of Palm Desert, Bermuda Dunes and Indio. Carlos E. Garcia is challenging him for the seat.

Leticia De Lara is unopposed for her reelection bid to the Zone 7 seat, which represents Coachella, Thermal, Mecca, Oasis and other communities around the Salton Sea. The registrar will request the Riverside County Board of Supervisors to appoint De Lara to serve another four-year term, according to the district, unless a petition is filed with the Riverside County Registrar of Voters.

The Desert Healthcare District and Foundation is a local government agency with a goal of helping Coachella Valley residents receive health care resources, housing, food and other services. There are seven district zones, each represented by an elected director.

Uken Report distributed candidate questionnaires to all candidates. Participation was voluntary. Candidates who responded to the Q&A and their responses can be found in the politics section of our website.