Honesty, Decency, Fair Play Prompt Campaign Pledge

CATHEDRAL CITY — Every candidate for public office in California is encouraged to subscribe to the Code of Fair Campaign Practices and pledge to follow the basic principles of decency, honesty and fair play to protect from dishonest and unethical practices.

In Cathedral City, Mark Carnevale, who is seeking a second term on the City Council, wasted no time in signing the voluntary pledge honesty, decency and fair play. His aim is to set the stage for a clean, above-board campaign that is focused on the issues. He is the first to do so.

“I believe that when anyone runs for public office, the campaign should showcase the person’s core beliefs and what the candidate will do that is best for the position and/or what the candidate has done in the past for the community,” Carnevale told Uken Report. “I plan to run a campaign based on my experiences of being on City Council, featuring my achievements and accomplishments.”

As example, Carnevale said he has been on City Council for 3 1/2 years and not missed a single City Council meeting.

“By bashing an opponent or slandering in mean-spirited ways, it accomplishes nothing,” Carnevale said. “I believe it shows a candidate’s ‘

Carnevale said he will campaign “hard, intelligently, fiscally responsibly and fair.”

“If that is not good enough then the better candidate wins,” he said. “At the end of the day, I have four more years to accomplish what this City Council of 2014 started, or I have four years of fantastic memories.”

You may read the pledge and see the form here.

“It is not mandatory that they sign the form, however, it is encouraged,” Deputy City Clerk Tracey Martinez said. “They can submit the form anytime between the time they file their nomination papers and the election. Most individuals return it with their nomination papers.”

The nomination period closes Friday, Aug. 10.

Carnevale, who owns and operates Nicolino’s Italian Restaurant in the community, is seeking election in District 3. He was elected to the City Council in November 2014. He ran on the principles of being a careful listener to his constituents, improving police and fire services, and increasing economic development opportunities in the north side, downtown as well as targeted areas throughout Cathedral City.

Juan Carlos Vizaga, a Realtor with HomeSmart Professionals has announced he will also seek the District 3 seat.

District 3 includes the neighborhoods of Rio Vista, Verano, Rio Del Sol, Tapestry, Aldea, and Montage. It also includes the Desert Sands Mobile Home Park and Caliente Sands Mobile Home Park.

The state Legislature adopted the Code of Fair Practices more than 20 years ago as part of its Elections Code. The purpose in creating the Code of Fair Campaign Practices is to give voters guidelines to determine fair play, honesty and decency to encourage candidate to discuss issues instead of untruths or distortions.

Any resident who declares his or her intent to run, files nomination papers or any other document that indicates a bid for public office will receive a blank form and a copy of the code.

All forms must be retained for public inspection until 30 days after the election. Every form signed by a candidate is a public record and open for inspection.