PALM SPRINGS – Michael Joseph Dilger, 45, relocated from Manhattan to Palm Springs in April 2018, and is positioning himself to go head-to-head with incumbent Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Kors for the vacancy in District 3.

Dilger has filed a California Form 501, a Candidate Intention Form. It does not commit him to seeking election in the November election. The Candidate Intention Statement must be filed before residents can solicit or receive any contributions or before they make expenditures from personal funds on behalf of their candidacy.

As with all residents who have filed a California Form 501, Uken Report reached out to Dilger with a series of questions as a way to introduce him and his platform to the public.

He did not immediately respond, so Uken Report reached out, again.

“Thank you for your emails. I didn’t immediately respond yesterday because I have not committed to campaigning for office in Palm Springs,” Dilger said. “I simply landed in Palm Springs desert last April and have taken the time to know the people who then asked me to run for Mayor to help Palm Springs. However, the Mayor of Palm Springs is no longer directly elected by the people. So…I have to give you a Joe Biden response in that I need more time to think. Thank you very much. In the meantime, I will be happy to fill out your questions to my best ability-with respect to being undecided.”

Since he moved to Palm Springs, the City Council voted to move district-based elections. 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.

Following are the series of questions Uken Report has submitted to all residents who have filed a Candidate Intention Statement. Dilger’s responses were peppered with smiley face emojis,which do not translate into this platform. His word responses are not edited.

Uken Report (UR): Occupation?

Dilger: No occupation in Desert. I currently  deliver food for Postmates at night, making gas and food money, but this is completely unsustainable (If this is the new gig economy, the US is in real trouble and will have mass poverty, homelessness with a perpetual spike in crime—wait…I’m only running for City Council and not President, so what do I know.).

Meanwhile, I work on funding for the Steamy Intel Bureau (SIB) which is a nonpartisan interdisciplinary organization to help the Flourish in Energy, Biotechnology/Medicine (i.e. furthering Quality and Quantity of life), National and International Security, Reducing Poverty, and other areas along with Novel Products all to help make our lives better 🙂

UR: Why specifically are you running?

Dilger: I drink coffee and eat a muffin everyday at Starbucks. I initially went to The Coffee Bean but decided to switch things up and Starbucks reminded me of NYC. At both coffee shops, I have taken the time to know many people, and the people asked me to run for Mayor of Palm Springs to help the community. However, Palm Springs Mayor is no longer directly elected by the people which is a shame and completely unDemocratic and unAmerican.

UR: City Council races are typically nonpartisan, but local races of late have been highly partisan. This is your chance to set the record straight and speak for yourself. Are you liberal, conservative, or other and what that means to you and your constituents?

Dilger: I’m nonpartisan because I actually have ideas to heal the political divide and form solutions so we can advance, tackling new problems. Meanwhile we better life:

UR: What is the most pressing issue in your specific district?

Dilger: We will allow the people to decide this, and then I will think about it and propose ideas for the Flourish. So to be decided.

UR: With what issue, ordinance, and/or project do you want your name to be most associated?

Dilger: We will allow the people to decide this, and then I will think about it and propose ideas for the Flourish. So to be decided. However, let it be known: The Desert and California will Flourish.

UR: Do you have any local government experience, serving on boards, commissions, etc.?

Dilger: I’ve never served on a Board because I get easily Bored.

UR: What sets you apart from your challenger(s)?

Dilger: I’m Michael J. Dilger, (a.k.a. Yoda…LoL), and I write “The Flourish”….

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