Cathedral City Mayor Gregory Pettis dies
Cathedral City Mayor Gregory Pettis has died at the age of 63.
“It is with devastating sadness that the City of Cathedral City has learned of the passing of the Honorable Mayor Gregory Pettis, age 63,” read a release issued by Cathedral City Communications/Events Manager Chris Parman. “Mayor Pettis will be remembered for his progressive legislative ideas, supporting civil rights and social justice for all people, and at the same time, working hard to bring economic development to the city he loved to call home since 1979.”
“He’s (Pettis) a fighter, always has been. To this end, we didn’t think this would happen, because he’s so strong and he’s always been a strong advocate for the city,” sad Parman, “he was always a person who fought for the underdog, always making sure whether it was social justice or civil rights. He was always the person leading the charge.”
Last week, Pettis had reportedly undergone health complications which caused him to opt out of a trip to Cathedral City’s sister city in Mexico.
“I can confirm that Mayor Pettis has encountered some health complications and is under his doctor’s care,” Parman told News Channel 3 last week. “He did not travel to our sister city Tequila, Jalisco (Mexico) as previously planned.”
Kathy DeRosa, a former Cathedral City mayor worked alongside Pettis for 16 years.
“Sixteen good years. We came from very different positions a lot of times, but at the end of the day we were able to change each other’s minds,” said DeRosa, “Being mayor of Cathedral City was something Greg truly wanted for many, many years. The other thing is, the economic development of downtown. That’s something that’s always been near and dear to everybody who sat on council, and Greg worked really hard at that.”
According to the release, Pettis was the city’s longest-serving member of the City Council, having been elected in 1994 and also the first openly gay public servant in Cathedral City history.
Outside of his office, Pettis was thoroughly involved in the community, serving as the President of Cathedral City’s Evening Rotary Club and Business Association and the Executive Director of the Palm Springs Youth Center. He also served the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy and United Cerebral Palsy of the Desert as a board member.
“I know he’s watching over us. He reached the title of mayor. I know that was always a goal of his, and he gets to keep it,” said Parman. 
City officials confirmed Mayor Pro-Term Carnevale will be the city’s next mayor. Carnevale told News Channel 3 the entire city council is currently in Sacramento for a League of California Cities meeting. He is attempting to travel back to the city as quickly as he can.
