New Palm Springs mayor seated, talks safety after San Bernardino shooting

A night celebrating the new mayor of Palm Springs started very somberly.

“Pougnet said the most important role of government is to protect the citizen so he recognized our first responders,” new Palm Springs mayor Robert Moon said.

Former mayor Steve Pougnet held a moment of silence at Wednesday night’s council meeting for the victims of the massacre in San Bernardino.

Then, the newly elected city leaders were sworn-in: council members Geoff Kors, J.R. Roberts and Mayor Robert Moon.

“I’m doing this full time, no jobs or consulting jobs and I’m looking forward to being here every day,” Moon said.

The meeting also marked the end of Mayor Pougnet’s troubled tenure. He did not run for re-election, under a cloud of conflict of interest allegations and an FBI investigation.

“From the beginning of my campaign I promised integrity, transparency and accountability and I plan to deliver that,” Moon said.

Now, after the mass shooting, the city’s security is on the new mayor’s mind.

“This morning was my first day on the job, and first thing I did was sit with Police Chief and new incoming Chief and talked about security in Palm Springs, I know they are well prepared. We have our own SWAT team. Well trained and motivated,” he said.

With past troubles on his mind, and current tragedy in his heart, he’s looking forward to making Palm Springs the best it can be.

“It was a celebration, we were celebrating work the outgoing council has done for the city and we were celebrating new people coming in,” he said.