Two Candidates Bring Controversy To Palm Springs Mayor Race

Phyllis Claire Burgess is back in the spotlight. She’s now running for mayor, using a straw-made statue of a chicken as a prop.

“Don’t chicken out!” she said. “Vote for Phyllis.”

Burgess made headlines in 2008 when Prop 8 passed. She arrived at a city hall rally carrying a cross. An angry mob attacked her, as television cameras rolled.

“I am the birth baby of beat down politics,” she said. “I’ve been there, done that.”

She still favors traditional values. For example, she wants to keep the definition of “marriage” as between one man and one woman.

But as mayor, she said, she’s for equality.

She said she plans to woo gay voters one-by-one.

In fact, she said it was a gay couple who encouraged her to run for office.

Burgess has lived in Palm Springs for more then 30 years, and the lack of jobs worries her. But, she found a way to unearth thousands of job in the city: urban farms.

“For each of these homes…to open up their backyards to agriculture and produce,” she said, “and sell fruits, vegetables and herbs.”

As mayor, Burgess would waive the $2,400 fee for families to farm in their backyards and sell their crops.

Seven candidates are running for mayor, including incumbent Steve Pougnet. Most of them have run for office before or have been in the spotlight.

There are a couple of fresh faces. One of them is gaining some attention for his public support of marijuana.

Jeffrey Nichols owns a vacation rental known as the “420 Retreat House.” 420 is the slang term for marijuana. Guests may light up as long as they have the proper medical papers.

“I myself am a medical marijuana cardholder,” he said. “I really believe in it. I believe education and knowledge will breed more education and knowledge and awareness.”

Describing himself as spiritual, a marketing expert and a small business owner, he always wanted to be mayor despite what others say about him.

“I gave it a lot of thought,” he said, “and I figured I would fall on the sword because there is absolutely nothing that I’ve done in my past that I’m ashamed of.”

If elected, Nichols will revive the economy by honing in on tourism.

“Like Utah and Oregon and states close enough…that people will come here if we have what they’re looking for,” he said. “I believe that we do. The core of Palm Springs is already there.”

Both Burgess and Nichols agreed: They open up themselves to public scrutiny by running for office. And they’re okay with it. They’ll take a licking and keep on ticking.

Or, in Burgess’ case, keep on clucking.

The mayoral elections will be held November 8.