Former COD President Named Palm Desert City Council Member

In a special meeting of the Palm Desert City Council, council members named Dr. William Kroonen on Monday afternoon to take the seat left vacant by the passing of Dick Kelly last month.

Kroonen had served as president of College of the Desert from 1996 to 2001, and currently serves on the Riverside County Board of Education and the Board of the Regional Access Project.

Kroonen was among 25 applicants vying to hold the seat left vacant by Kelly, including Kelly’s wife. He was sworn into office on Monday afternoon.