College of the Desert Board Chair Rubén Pérez issues statement

Less than eight hours after Uken Report published a story about a rally planned for Saturday to pressure College of the Desert officials to build a long-planned auto training center within Cathedral City’s city limits, College of the Desert Board Chair Rubén Pérez issued a statement.

In short, he told rally organizers to slow their roll.

Perez’s statement follows in its entirety.

“We are disappointed to learn that less than 24 hours before a scheduled meeting to specifically discuss Roadrunner Motors, with Cathedral City Mayor Gutierrez and City Manager McClendon, information about a public rally in Cathedral City was announced via social media. However, we remain committed to working together and had a productive scheduled meeting on Wednesday, COD staff and myself explained to Mayor Gutierrez and City Manager McClendon, nothing is off the table; our Board remains committed to developing the Roadrunner Motors project and will consider three potential sites – two of which are in Cathedral City.

“At the March 18, 2022, COD board meeting, Roadrunner Motors was discussed in great detail. It was made clear during the presentation that Roadrunner Motors would be the subject of a special COD board meeting on April 6 (with the goal of making a site selection at our next regular meeting on April 22). The April 6 special board meeting is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m., and the agenda will be posted by Friday, April 1. I will personally be in attendance at the Cathedral City rally.

“However, I encourage the public to attend our special board meeting on April 6, to make their voices heard to all board members and be part of the official record.”

Image Sources

  • Ruben Perez: File photo