Competition Emerges in Palm Springs District 3

PALM SPRINGS — Incumbent Mayor Pro Tem Geoff Kors, 57, has some competition in his bid for the vacant seat in District 3.

Michael Joseph Dilger has filed California Form 501, a Candidate Intention Statement, with the City Clerk’s office.

Until now, Kors has not had any publicly announced competition though there were whispers.

“One of the goals of district elections is to make it easier for people to run and we are seeing that in all three districts which, in my opinion, is a good  thing,” Kors told Uken Report.

Dilger’s filing brings to eight the number of people seeking seats in the newly drawn districts. The election is in November. Only residents in Districts 1, 2, and 3 will be eligible to vote.You may check to see which District you are in by clicking here.

If you’re keeping score, following is a list of who’s who to date in the competition.

Those who have filed a California Form 501 to win the District 1 seat are Les Young, 67, a retired banker; Summer H. Morris, no age provided, a self-described entertainment executive, philanthropist, and humanitarian; and Grace E. Garner, who has declined to answer questions from Uken Report.

Adrian M. Alcantar, 36, owner of Adrian Alcantar Hair Studio & Spa, is one of three people who have filed a Candidate Intention Statement to seek the open seat in District 2. The others, to date, are Peter J. Maietta, 51, an interior designer; Carlton (Carl) A. Baker, 57, director of Legal & Legislative Affairs for Desert AIDS Project.

The Candidate Intention Statement, better known as California Form 501, must be filed before residents can solicit or receive any contributions or before they make expenditures from personal funds on behalf of their candidacy.

The City Council voted 3-2 vote on Dec. 10 to approve a final five-district voting map in compliance with the California Voting Rights Act. Within a five-district Electoral process, the position of mayor will rotate among Council members and be appointed annually. The finalized district map is available to view by clicking here.

The move to districts is designed to empower more minority residents to seek public office. As an example, Latinos make up approximately 25 percent of Palm Springs’ total population and about 16 percent of all voters, according to City Manager David H. Ready.

There are currently no minorities on the City Council — and no minority residents sought election in the most recent city race. All candidates were Caucasian. The current panel of elected city officials is comprised of two women and three men; all are Caucasian.