Parks, Community Events Commissioners Resign

Two Parks and Community Events Commissioners resign for different reasons

CATHEDRAL CITY — The City Council on Wednesday is poised to accept the resignations of Chip Yarborough and Robert Puentes from the Parks and Community Events Commission effective immediately.

Yarborough was appointed to serve on the Parks and Community Events Commission on October 23, 2019, and reappointed on June 16, 2021, for a full-term expiring on June 30, 2023.

He told Uken Report that he is resigning for health reasons.  “… so, it is purely to relieve stress and take care of myself.”

Puentes was appointed to serve on the Commission on June 16, 2021, for a full-term expiring on June 30, 2024.

Puentes told Uken Report there are “numerous reasons” for his resignation, but added, “At this time I’m not making any statements.”

In recent months, he has repeatedly posted on social media his frustrations with the lack of progress at city parks. At the Jan. 3 Commission meeting during a discussion on the Dream Homes Park program, his frustrations reached a boiling point and he abruptly walked out of the meeting.

“I’ve been on this (Commission) for 18 months and nothing’s gotten done,” Puentes said.

You can watch the meeting here. It all begins after the presentation on the Dream Homes Park program.

The city doesn’t typically comment on commissioner resignations, Ryan Hunt, Communications & Events Manager, said. “We’re accepting both and will work to fill the vacancies as soon as possible. We currently have three commissioners which will allow us to run meetings and have a quorum if full attendance takes place.”

The five-member Parks and Community Events Commission assesses the recreational services and facilities of the community. It makes recommendations to the City Council on such matters as implementation of the Parks Master Plan, parks facilities and usage, funding and sponsorship solicitation, recreational programming, special events and cooperative partnerships with other agencies, businesses and organizations to leverage resources.