Myer Seeks District 1 Seat in Palm Springs

PALM SPRINGS — Scott D. Myer, 57,  a Civil Rights Attorney, has filed a Candidate Intention Statement to seek the seat in District 1 in the Nov. 5 election.

To date, Myer is the fourth person to file a Candidate Intention Statement to seek the District 1 seat. Others are Summer H. Morris, Les Young, and Grace E. Garner. All but Garner have responded to questions from Uken Report.

It is still early in the process, which means more residents could add their name to the growing list of possible contenders. The nomination period for the Nov. 5 election is Monday, July 15, 2019 through Monday, Aug. 12, 2019.

The Nov. 5, 2019, election is designed for the purpose of electing three City Councilmembers — one each from Districts 1, 2, and 3. This election will begin the first phase of the city’s transition to district-based elections. The transition will be fully complete following the November 2020 election when City Councilmembers are elected from Districts 4 and 5.

You may view check the District in which you live by checking out the city’s Interactive Map Viewer by clicking here.

Uken Report has reached out to all candidates who have filed a Candidate Intention Statement with a series of identical questions. It serves as a benchmark of the candidate to see who he or she matures throughout the election cycle, whether any of them changes positions, and to help residents gauge who is serious.

Following are Uken Report’s questions and Myer’s unedited answers.

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

Myer: I grew up in the Palos Verdes/South Bay area of Los Angeles. But, every year my family went to visit my great aunt in Palm Springs during the Winter/Spring season decades ago. She was one of the original Snow Birds. I remember Palm Springs from those decades ago to be sun, pools and dates. Then, when I moved here a few years back it was only supposed to be temporary, but I fell in love with the City of Palm Springs and decided to stay. And, now that the City has been broken into five smaller districts, now is the time to step in and run for council to make a difference to the City. I will be here for the City, rather than the City here for me.

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 does that mean to you and your constituents?

Myer: Politics in general has become too partisan. Long are the days when liberals and conservatives actually even listened to each other. Despite being polar opposites politically, Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neill, after 6 p.m. each day were buddies, and frequently went out after work to simply have a beer together. In my younger years, I voted for both Reagan and Bill Clinton. An unusual combination, but I am neither conservative nor liberal, and neither a Republican nor a Democrat. I am a Libertarian, which means that I support both personal freedoms and economic freedoms. Because I am neither conservative nor liberal, I can be a bridge between the two.

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

Myer: The most obvious pressing issue after the winter rains and flooding this year, is the road conditions and lack of access bridges. While the adverse impact of the lack of passable roads and lack of bridges over the rivers and washes adversely impacted the entire city, most of the access roads to the city that were destroyed or closed during the storms are located in District 1. In fact, road conditions are a year round issue in District 1, as Indian Canyon Drive was closed again this week due to blowing sand dunes. Another issue affecting District 1, the changing airport traffic patterns has caused increased noise and complaints by some residents. Additionally, in District 1 there are concentrations of cannabis cultivation facilities, some with unpleasant odors permeating the residential neighborhoods.

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

Myer: I would like to make Palm Springs the International Beacon that it had previously been, while at the same time rectifying any remaining vestiges of discrimination as a result of Palm Springs’ history. Additionally, I would like to remove identity politics from the city, and would like the City of Palm Springs to become a model of self-sufficiency with no further tax increases.

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

Myer: While I have not directly worked for any governmental entities, in my over three decades of lawyering, I have successfully argued before numerous courts, judges and governmental entities, successfully arguing my clients’ positions before them. In addition to graduating from UCLA with a degree in Economics Magna Cum Laude, and then from UCLA School of Law, for the last seven years, I have been included each year with the honor of being included in the Southern California Super Lawyers List, an honor reserved for only the top five percent of the lawyers in Southern California. As a Palm Springs City Council Member, I will continue that success by arguing on behalf of the people of Palm Springs and District 1, in particular.

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

Myer: As a Civil Rights Attorney, I have served the needs of and represented hundreds of individuals of all races, nationalities, religions, marital statuses and sexual orientations for over three decades throughout Southern California, including Palm Springs. In light of the diverse nature of District 1, I am uniquely suited to represent the interests of all of the residents of District 1, who come in all races, nationalities, religions, marital statuses and sexual orientations, just as I have done for over thirty-two (32) years as a Civil Rights Attorney.