Gregory Seeks Second Term in Cathedral City

Saying ‘there is still work to do,’ Raymond Gregory seek second term on City Council

CATHEDRAL CITY — Saying it has been an honor to serve Cathedral City representing the residents of District 5 for the past four years, Raymond Gregory this week laid the groundwork for another four-year term.

He pulled the essential papers to become an official candidate on the Nov. 8 ballot. Mark Carnevale has done so as well in his quest for a third term. 

Gregory, who previously served more than 27 years with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, before retiring in 2017, was elected to the City Council in November 2018 as the first representative from the recently-formed District 5. His District covers the Panorama and La Pasada neighborhoods, the southern and western portions of the Rio Vista neighborhood, and the Park David Senior Housing complex.

“Four years ago, when I first joined the City Council, I promised to use my leadership skills and ability to build consensus working within a team to get things done for the residents of Cathedral City,” Gregory told Uken Report, I immediately took action to eliminate the unfair Panorama and Century Park taxes, worked with residents to limit and regulate troublesome short-term vacation rentals, and set about instituting stronger policies within city government to ensure transparency and compliance with existing laws and processes.”

During his first term, Gregory said he has worked diligently to improve the quality of life in Cathedral City, promoting public safety and supporting sustainable growth in police, fire, ambulance, code compliance, and other vital departments.

Additionally, Gregory said he has helped lead the city in a refocused effort on neighborhood parks and smaller community events, like art pieces in the parks, yoga in the amphitheater, public swimming at Cathedral High School during the summer break, and was a main proponent behind the new Panorama Dog Park.

During 2021, as the COVID crisis peaked and the city began emerging into a new landscape, Gregory served a year as mayor. He said he is proud of the balanced way the city was able to weather the crisis during his term, while maintaining needed services and keeping the growing pipeline of projects moving forward.

“I also worked hard to sound the alarm when the COD Roadrunner Motors Project was in peril and am very proud of the way our local residents and businesses stepped up to save it,” he said.

“But there is still work to do and I am committed to keep things moving in the right direction,” Gregory said.

Among several assignments as part of his role on City Council, Gregory serves as the city’s representative on the Riverside County Transportation Commission. There, he chairs the Budget and Implementation Committe, where he works to make sure the Coachella Valley gets its fair share of transportation funding and where he is a strong proponent for continued development of daily rail service between the Coachella Valley and Los Angeles.

“The city has been experiencing a reawakening in the opening of new businesses and in residential construction, and I will utilize the experience I have gained these past few years to continue to work to promote and manage a balanced approach so that development continues at the right pace and the city continues to attract the right kinds of business,” Gregory said. “There are so many great things that have begun, and many great opportunities just over the horizon. I believe I have proven myself as a leader, the kind we need to continue to help guide Cathedral City as we face the challenges and prospects ahead.”