Morris Sets Sights on Palm Springs District 1 Seat

PALM SPRINGS – Summer H. Morris, a self-described entertainment executive, philanthropist, and humanitarian, is one of three people to date who have filed a Candidate Intention Statement to seek the seat in District 1.

Morris declined to provide her age.

The other two who have filed California Form 501 to seek the District 1 seat are Les Young, 67, a retired banker, and Grace E. Garner. Of the three who have filed paperwork to date, Garner is only one who has declined to answer a series of questions from Uken Report.

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

Geoff Kors, 57, Mayor Pro Tem of Palm Springs, to date is the only person who has filed a Candidate Intention Statement for District 3.

The questions are designed to help introduce to the public those residents who plan to mount a campaign for the November election.

You may view the District map by clicking here. 

Following are Morris’ unedited responses:

Uken Report (UR): Why specifically are you running?

Morris: Palm Springs Tourism is not being Promoted or Utilized in a way that is profitable to each local neighborhood nor is it being expanded in the way it needs to throughout Palm Springs as a whole. With the proper promotion and utilization of Tourism opportunities in Palm Springs we can use that increased revenue to improve our local communities. When we get more movies made here, we can get more tourists in and we can get more money!

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 you self. Are you liberal, conservative, or other and what that means to you and your constituents?

Morris: While I am a liberal Democrat, I do not always fit the mould! I am VERY socially liberal BUT fiscally conservative. For my constituents this means that they have someone who is neither wholly liberal nor wholly conservative, someone who looks at the issues from all angles and looks for a solution where everyone benefits, coming out better than they went in!

My constituents will have a representative that wholly belongs to them with no conflict of interest, who is interested in social equality and closing the gap between the “haves and have nots” through expanded tourism and local film production. More importantly I cannot be influenced (or bought), something almost none of my opponents can claim.

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

Morris: Social and Economic inequality.

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

Morris: Tourism and expanded filming in Palm Springs as well as protection for local businesses.

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

Morris: In just the last year I have been president of more then one PTA, on the Board of Directors for multiple nonprofits and I am the current ONE-PS representative for our district.

UR: What sets you apart from you challenger/s?

Morris: My family have had businesses in Palm Springs for close to 40 years, I have worked with and for all of them. While I have moved through out my life Palm Springs has always held a special place in my heart. After adopting my two children I realized this is where they deserved to grow up, though my oldest is now off to serve our country, Palm Springs is his home and what he fights for, if he is willing to serve in the armed services, how can I do any less than to serve Palm springs and its people.

This city is a slice of history and a way to move into the future!

I have served Palm Springs, its people, it’s businesses and its non-profits as long as I have been here. I am NOT an attorney or a career politician as many of my opponents are, I CAN NOT BE BOUGHT!