Reflections On My Time with Dana Hobart [Opinion]

‘Dana and I became close … ‘ [Opinion]

For me, Dana Hobart was a supporter, he was a mentor – and – he was my friend.  In November of 2021, after I had served on the Rancho Mirage Planning Commission for a couple of years, Dana came to the conclusion that it was time for him to retire and step down from public service.  After conversation with, and encouragement from Ted Weill, I applied to fill the remainder of Dana’s term.  I was surprised, but grateful, when the council unanimously voted to appoint me.

I remember walking into the chamber for my first full council meeting thinking about how I was following in the footsteps of a Rancho Mirage legend.  I knew that I had no hope to truly fill Dana’s shoes – but – I also knew that I had an obligation to him to try.  I was mindful of something I’d said in my application speech to the city council, “whoever is appointed to fill the balance of Dana Hobart’s term will stand in the shadow of a giant.”

Dana and I became close, we’d have lunch, and he would school me in the history and background that would be important knowledge for me in my service to the city over the years to come.  This was valuable knowledge from a man who had been responsible for such small things as the “heart of the Palm Springs valley” tag line on the city’s tourism logo to such big things as the city’s magnificent Observatory.  Every time I was with him, I was struck by how the Dana Hobart legacy is writ large in the history of the city of Rancho Mirage.  Dana and Vicki have always been warm and gracious with me and when I ran for a full four-year term in the November 2022 election, they endorsed me and appeared at campaign events to support me.

I remember the last time Dana came to city hall.  It was a few months ago.  City Manager Isaiah Hagerman walked him through the halls.  They came by my office and Dana asked me to join him on one last visit to our council chamber.  Walking into the chamber with him that day, I was struck with the same awe of him as I had been on my first full council meeting – I knew that I was walking in the shadow of a giant.  Dana sat in the Mayor’s seat at the dais, a seat he had often occupied as Mayor of our city.  He reflected on his two decades of service to Rancho Mirage.  He talked about victories and difficulties.  He spoke about his joy in having the opportunity to serve the city he loves.  He shed a tear – so did I.

We will miss our friend.  We will mourn his loss.  But – we will also celebrate a life well lived, we will cherish his memory, and we will be forever grateful for his guidance, for his leadership, and for the legacy he created in Rancho Mirage.