There is never a shortage of politics in the Coachella Valley, no matter where you go. Here is just a sampling of some recent political activity — and this is just a bite-size taste.
La Quinta Mayor Pro Tem Kathleen Fitzpatrick is the latest elected Coachella Valley political leader to endorse Katherine “Kate” Spates, bringing to 14 the total number of elected officials to officially support the independent businesswoman.
Why?
“I have been watching the race as a first-term City Council member from La Quinta,” Fitzpatrick said. “I have been impressed with Kate’s poise under pressure, so I asked to meet with her. Kate has a good working knowledge of the issues in her city and Valley. We had an in-depth discussion across the issues that face both our city governments. La Quinta has a council that works together even if we don’t always agree on an issue. Kate wants to bring that to Rancho Mirage, too. She has the energy to do it. I like her and I’ve endorsed her.”
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Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz
The campaign to re-elect Democratic Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz to Congress is ramping up. Volunteers are sought to join Team Ruiz this week to stuff 1,500 envelopes.
Five Republicans from the 36th Congressional District have filed nomination papers to challenge Ruiz, who was first elected to the U.S. of Representatives in 2012.
If you want to help, contact Eamon at eamon@drraulruiz.com, or call him at 916-533-2181. Their office is located at 77933 Las Montanas Road #103, Palm Desert, CA 92211 (right across from Sun City, Palm Desert.
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Sheriff Stan Sniff
Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff got crossways with some supervisors and even Republican state Sen. Jeff Stone for what some said was the sheriff’s inability to operate his organization in a cost-efficient manner.
Stone used social media to publicly lambaste Sniff, who is seeking re-election, for not being the same man today he is was a decade ago.
“It’s time for the former Sheriff Stan Sniff I once knew to become the team player he once was, and make public safety his top priority instead of his ego,” Stone said.
Sniff is being challenged by Hemet Police Chief Dave Brown, and Chad Bianco of the Sheriff’s Department. Sniff has the backing of two of our County Supervisor Marion Ashley and Supervisor Kevin Jeffries. Supervisor Chuck Washington has endorsed Brown.
Supervisor John F. Tavaglione to date is uncommitted as is Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel “Manny” Perez – and it looks like Perez is going to remain that way.
“He … will be staying out of it,” said Greg Rodriguez with Perez’s campaign.
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The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and the Stagecoach Festival, an outdoor country music festival, both held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, are huge events in the Coachella Valley, drawing thousands upon thousands of people and some of the biggest names in music.
But even those classic events can’t hold a candle to the opening of Loma Linda University Children’s Health – Indio today, Monday, March 12.
The clinic, which is expected to treat thousands of children in the Coachella Valley and beyond is the “most significant” event to happen in Indio, Mayor Michael H. Wilson said. “God is good.”
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Joy Silver
Democrats of the Desert are also working feverishly for Joy Silver who is challenging incumbent Republican state Sen. Jeff Stone in the 28th District.
They are seeking phone bank volunteers from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 15. At Democratic Headquarters of the Desert, 67555 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite C104 in Cathedral City.
To help, contact Ruth at 760-318-6794.
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With so many eyes turned toward Rancho Mirage in advance of the April election, did you know that 18.7 percent of Rancho Mirage residents work in the city where they live, while 81.3 percent commute to other places?
Between 2007 and 2015, the number of manufacturing jobs in the city decreased by 70.1 percent, according to the Southern California Association of Governments.
Manufacturing jobs include those employed in various sectors including food; apparel; metal; petroleum and coal; machinery; computer and electronic products; and transportation equipment, according to the governmental agency.
Construction jobs include those engaged in both residential and non-residential construction. Between 2007 and 2015, construction jobs in the city decreased by 79 percent.
