City officials not happy with CVAG comments
It is not a surprise that the city of Rancho Mirage is not a supporter of the CV Link project; in fact, the pathway will have a major hole in that area when it is built. Now, things are getting even messier for developers after city officials called recent comments made by the Coachella Valley’s Association of Governments’ executive director “preposterous.”
“We don’t accept that, and we want to speak out when we see our city being misused,” Rancho Mirage City Councilmen Dana Hobart told CBS Local 2’s and KESQ News Channel 3’s Katie Widner Wednesday afternoon. That was Hobart’s response to a comment made Monday by executive director Tom Kirk.
“There will be a couple of gaps unfortunately in CV Link, and bicyclists and riders, and wheelchairs and golf carts will have to use Highway 111 like they currently do,” Kirk said Monday. “Unfortunately, that’s a very dangerous piece of roadway.”
Hobart said the City Council was humored but also maddened by the comment, and that they have been the “bad guys” since they interfered with what he described as a “$100 million legacy.”
The city pulled out of the plan in 2015 over concerns about its impact. Hobart said city officials became disillusioned with the project after what was initially introduced as a tranquil trial- suddenly morphed into a roadway.
“Because of all of the uproar that we have created. Little things like this, “Oh we’re keeping the people in their wheelchairs from having a place to go,” well, anybody that hears that knows that it’s just malarkey.” Hobart said. “We do a lot for our city.”
Hobart said city officials are saving their taxpayers millions of dollars.
A representative from CVAG told CBS Local 2 and KESQ News Channel 3 Wednesday that the association had no comment, except that it respects the city’s opinion. CVAG added that while Rancho Mirage is a member of the association, CVAG ultimately goes by the vote of the executive committee.
On Monday, CVAG said it plans to start construction in Cathedral City first.
