LA QUINTA —  Brian Hanrahan, a retired teacher, is looking to fill one of two open seats on the La Quinta City Council in the November election.

Hanrahan is one of five people vying for one of the two, four-year terms. The others are:

  • John Peña, incumbente
  • Robert Radi, incumbent
  • Joseph Johnson
  • Dante Gomez

Mayor Linda Evans is unopposed in her bid for re-election.

Hanrahan, who declined to give his age, has lived in La Quinta for close to 20 years.

“I am a progressive Democrat, Hanrahan said. “I am running to help repeal our Short-Term Rental Ordinance.”

In addition, Hanrahan said he would would like to bring Cannabis dispensaries and cultivation facilities to La Quinta, one of the more controversial issues facing Coachella Valley communities.

Currently, La Quinta prohibits cannabis businesses in the city unless it is a medical marijuana delivery service that is licensed with the city. Current ordinance also prohibits residents from growing their own marijuana as a patient or primary caregiver. Medical marijuana deliveries are restricted to qualified patients at residences or residential care facilities for the elderly.

In March 2017, La Quinta reconsidered its stance on delivery, instead viewing delivery of medical marijuana as a way to meet the needs of residents without lifting a ban on dispensaries and cultivation. The City Council’s decision was unanimous.

“I am looking at various sources of revenue for our town,” Hanrahan told Uken Report. “I think I have a lot of common sense and can work well with others. I am constantly examining other cities to get new ideas and  approaches to problems.”

The list of issues needing attention does not stop there, he said.

“Affordable housing is a major problem, along with empty retail stores,” Hanrahan said.

Stories on the other four people vying for a seat on the City Council will be published this week on UkenReport.com.