PS Town Hall tackles current city issues

It may be a heated election season in Palm Springs, in the wake of allegations of conflict of interest surrounding Mayor Steve Pougnet, who’s not running for re-election.

At a Town Hall hosted by Geoff Kors, a candidate for city council, residents expressed their desires for change when it comes to how the city runs its day-to-day business.

“We’re looking to a time when it’s going to improve,” said Joshua Edmundson, who lives in Palm Springs and attended Monday night’s forum. “I feel like there’s some great people coming onto the council. I think it’s going to be a great future.”

More than 100 people gathered for the forum, held at the Jewish Community Center of Palm Springs, to address issues like quality of life, development, and open government.

“As you can see they broke into groups with facilitators to get their ideas out,” Kors said.

The breakout groups talked for about an hour on ways the city process can be better, more accessible and more transparent.

Many of those conversations were influenced by the current city council and recent questions raised about incentive programs and land sales.

“We just need rules that not only avoid legal conflicts of interests but appearances of conflicts,” Kors said.

“Of course we discussed the situation with the mayor and the city council and what can be done to mitigate the possibility for corruption,” said Michael Birnberg, who’s running for mayor.

One group suggested a solution is to make the mayor’s position full-time, with compensation that wouldn’t require the mayor to hold another job. Several people also discussed the idea of a committee on ethics.

But the overall message at the forum, was that progress is possible and it’s not just in the hands of the leadership to make it happen.

“It’s great to see there are so many people who are passionate and looking forward to a better future for our city,” Edmundson said.

The current candidates who have filed an intent (Form 501) to run this November:

Donald Benway — City Council
Michael Birnberg — Mayor Ginny Foat — Mayor (currently a Council Member) Jim King – City Council Geoff Kors – City Council Paul Lewin – City Council (currently a Council Member) Robert Moon – Mayor JR Robert – City Council Robert Weinstein – Mayor