Four candidates in Palm Springs mayoral race

Palm Springs Councilwoman Ginny Foat is officially running for Mayor, joining 3 other candidates so far.

Foat made the announcement Thursday morning. Embattled Mayor Steve Pougnet has already announced he won’t seek re-election.

As the only candidate who currently sits on the Palm Springs City Council, Foat said she’s the only one qualified.

“Everything that is happening in the city is in a forward motion and I am convinced that the only way it can stay that way is for me to run because I feel my skills are what is needed right now,” said Foat.

To continue that growth, Robert Moon, retired Navy commander,says the city of Palm Springs needs a change in leadership and a full-time mayor.

“I will not take any consulting fees, any money, anything from anybody when I am serving as mayor. I want to be completely independent and I think that is very important,” said Moon.

Psychologist Michael Birnberg said he wants to bring back ethics to the council and said his unique position in the community is exactly what is missing from city leadership.

“If everyone agrees, then you have situations where, for instance, ethical questionable behavior, it becomes passable. It’s very important that people have different points of view, different backgrounds, different levels of experience,” said Birnberg.

Civil rights attorney Bob Weinstein said if elected he doesn’t want a salary and wants to focus on new development and crime issues especially on the south end of the city.

“We still have crime that is affecting a lot of people, it appears to me that south Palm Springs is being neglected not much is being done to help the people of south Palm Springs,” said Weinstein.

Other candidates have until Aug. 7 to join the race.

The election is Nov. 3.