By Heidi Simmons
The Consolidated General Election is Tuesday, November 3rd. For two of the nine desert cities, that means the possibility of new leadership and fresh ideas. Desert Hot Springs and Palm Springs will be voting for Mayor and City Council.
Eight candidates are running for Palm Springs Mayor, six for City Council. In Desert Hot Springs, two are running for Mayor and seven are running for City Council. Both Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs have only two seats open for City Council.
CVW wants to know more about the personal interests of those running for office. In the last CVW issue, nine candidates responded to our questionnaire. Below are answers from the remaining candidates in their own words and in the order they responded:
ROBERT MOON — Candidate for Palm Springs Mayor
CVW: What is your favorite thing to do in the CV?
Camping and hiking.
CVW: What’s your favorite CV restaurant?
Johannes on Indian Canyon.
CVW: What kind of music do you most enjoy?
Jazz, Blues, and Opera.
CVW: What was the last book you read or what books are on your nightstand?
Just worked through the entire works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Currently reading 17 Carnations: The Royals, the Nazis, and the Biggest Cover-Up in History by Andrew Morton.
CVW: What’s your favorite TV show or favorite movie?
Madam Secretary and The Good Wife.
CVW: If you are elected, and can do whatever you want without any restrictions or cost concerns, what would it be?
Bring all of our Palm Springs streets up to good condition.
J.R. ROBERTS — Candidate for Palm Springs City Council
CVW: What is your favorite thing to do in the CV?
Anything out doors. Hike, bike and walk.
CVW: What’s your favorite CV restaurant?
Jakes, 849 and Peppers for dinner. Tyler’s and Spencer’s for lunch.
CVW: What kind of music do you most enjoy?
Many types but R&B gets my ear first.
CVW: What was the last book you read or what books are on your nightstand?
“The four Agreements” and “Design and Destiny: The Making of the Tucker Automobile.”
CVW: What’s your favorite TV show or favorite movie?
Past favorite is: “Six Feet Under” Current: “Shameless” Film: “ Rear Window” Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
CVW: If you are elected, and can do whatever you want without any restrictions or cost concerns, what would it be?
Solve homelessness, help our police and fire departments attract and fund the quality staff they seek while fully funding their retirements. Underground all power poles. Put away a few hundred million dollars to get us through economic downturns. Build a brand new main library. Restore the Salton Sea. Purchase all hillside lands as permanent open space. Fully fund our art museum. Add all needed staff to all our departments for better customer service. Build new and fund all of our parks and rec centers. Fully fund our animal shelter. Build affordable and workforce housing. Purchase and restore all of our vintage commercial buildings. Fully fund our senior centers. Create and fund state of the art free clinics. Repave most of our streets and upgrade our infrastructure. Build two new parking garages downtown. Are you kidding? I could go on all day with this!!!
ADAM SANCHEZ — Candidate for Desert Hot Springs Mayor
CVW: What is your favorite thing to do in the CV?
Hiking and enjoying cool breezes and seeing beautiful sunsets in Desert Hot Springs.
CVW: What’s your favorite CV restaurant?
Thai Smile Restaurant.
CVW: What kind of music do you most enjoy?
Rock & Blues
CVW: What was the last book you read or what books are on your nightstand?
“Creativity, Inc. Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration” (Ed Catmull) last book read. “The Great Escape: Health, Wealth, and the Origins of Inequality” (Angus Deaton) nightstand
CVW: What’s your favorite TV show or favorite movie?
“The X-Files”
CVW: If you are elected, and can do whatever you want without any restrictions or cost concerns, what would it be?
Build in Desert Hot Springs a Health & Wellness Convention Center with a Water Venture Park with the world’s best rides and hot water pools that attract tourists from around the world.
GUY BURROWS — Candidate for Palm Springs Mayor
CVW: What is your favorite thing to do in the CV?
Enjoy bike riding and taking day trips to Joshua tree national park as well as other spots including the Tram and trails.
CVW: What’s your favorite CV restaurant?
We enjoy several restaurants depending on budget including LuLu’s, Jakes, Trios, Le Vallueris, Spencer’s, Johannes, Woody’s and Elmer’s to name a few. We have many wonderful restaurants including newer one’s I have yet to visit.
CVW: What kind of music do you most enjoy?
Classic rock, 80’s music, Country rock, Alternative, R & B, Blues, Jazz, Hip Hop, specifically Moody Blues, The Birds and Beach boys are favorites.
CVW: What was the last book you read or what books are on your nightstand?
As a medical doctor, I read constantly leaving little time for pleasure reading. As a teenager, I read “Gone with the Wind” in one sitting over 2 days, “The Hobbit” and “Lord of the Rings” trilogy were favorites, “Fahrenheit 451” and “A road less traveled” have messages I admire.
CVW: What’s your favorite TV show or favorite movie?
“Sunset Boulevard” is a classic, “North By Northwest” and “Charades” are my favorite Cary Grant movies, “Breakfast at Tiffany”s” favorite Audrey Hepburn movie, Action movies include “Indiana Jones” series, Inspirational fantasy “Star Wars” movies and entertaining fantasy includes “The Hobbit” movies. “Lord of the Rings” trilogy and of course, “The Harry Potter” movies. My list of favorite moves is too long to continue.
CVW: If you are elected, and can do whatever you want without any restrictions or cost concerns, what would it be?
Address homelessness with a coordinated program than works to get people back on track and off the streets. I was homeless as a youth and it bothers me greatly. I would stop the over building that is currently being promoted and instead turn to measured growth over a longer period with a goal to preserve our beauty and our village charm most enjoy who come here. Thirdly, fiscal responsibility and clarity for our citizen’s about what our city government is doing. I have several proposal including investing in Wind Turbines to generate ongoing revenue for our city with job creation and green energy for our city with the goal to have all energy in our city from green energy, A veteran’s clinic in Palm Springs with access to Desert Regional Medical Center for specialty care instead of having to travel to Loma Linda and lastly a plan to provide low income housing including inclusion requirements in large planned communities and look at developing a neighborhood of Tiny Homes as a low cost alternative.
RICKY WRIGHT— Candidate for Palm Springs Mayor
CVW: What is your favorite thing to do in the CV?
My family and I like to go out to breakfast together on Sunday’s and then go to the movies.
CVW: What’s your favorite CV restaurant?
Sammy G’s and Melvin’s.
CVW: What kind of music do you most enjoy?
Jazz and Old School.
CVW: What was the last book you read or what books are on your nightstand?
I haven’t read a book in a while.
CVW: What’s your favorite TV show or favorite movie?
Forensic Files and Law and Order.
CVW: If you are elected, and can do whatever you want without any restrictions or cost concerns, what would it be?
I would raise the minimum wage and implement a program where homes were more affordable.
BILL GUNASTI — Candidate for Palm Springs Mayor.
CVW: What is your favorite thing to do in the CV?
Restaurants, movies, roller blades, walking in the neighborhood.
CVW: What’s your favorite CV restaurant?
Many restaurants in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage. Too many to list.
CVW: What kind of music do you most enjoy?
70s, Andrea Bocelli, Kid Rock, Luciano Pavarotti, Amy Winehouse, Eric Clapton. Elton John, Barry Manilow.
CVW: What was the last book you read or what books are on your nightstand?
Last books: “In this together: My Story” by Ann Romney and “Killing Reagon” by Bill O’Reilly. On the night stand: “Saving Amy” by Daphne Barak. “Blood Sugar Solution” by Dr. Mark Hyman.
CVW: What’s your favorite TV show or favorite movie?
“Shark Tank” and sports events UEFA, FIFA, MLS, NFL, NBA, MLB. Fox News is also always on.
CVW: If you are elected, and can do whatever you want without any restrictions or cost concerns, what would it be?
I am fortunate enough to do whatever I would like to do without any restriction or cost concern at this time thanks to my life partner who is a well known, accomplished personality with resources and worldwide fame. Her name is Daphne Barak. When I am elected my constituents in Palm Springs and all of Coachella Valley will benefit from our lifestyle that involves all the A-listers of Hollywood and the world at large. Many of them will visit us here and many residents of this great valley will see them more often in their restaurants, hotels and other venues where they will frequent regularly.
GINNY FOAT — Candidate for Palm Springs Mayor
CVW: What is your favorite thing to do in the CV?
My volunteer time with the Palm Springs Animal Shelter and the Film Festival.
CVW: What’s your favorite CV restaurant?
I have many favorites and they are all in Palm Springs.
CVW: What kind of music do you most enjoy?
It depends on my mood: classical when I need to de-stress, soft rock when I am socializing, Broadway Show tunes when I am missing my hometown and disco re-run when I am out dancing.
CVW: What was the last book you read or what books are on your nightstand?
Elizabeth Warren, “A Fighting Chance.” “Books of Kabbalah” and of course the entire collection of “Harry Potter!”
CVW: What’s your favorite TV show or favorite movie?
“Homeland,” “The Good Wife” and “The Voice.” Movies: “Avatar” and all of the Harry Potter Series.
CVW: If you are elected, and can do whatever you want without any restrictions or cost concerns, what would it be?
Build a roller skating rink, more affordable housing, increase the BUZZ to 7 days per week serving much more of the City and create our own solar and wind powered electric company.
GEOFF KORS — Candidate for Palm Springs Mayor
CVW: What is your favorite thing to do in the CV?
Spend time with friends in our beautiful city and enjoy one of our amazing restaurants, hike, bike and swim.
CVW: What’s your favorite CV restaurant?
There are so many terrific restaurants in Palm Springs that it is not possible to select just one favorite.
CVW: What kind of music do you most enjoy?
80s New Wave and Modern Rock.
CVW: What was the last book you read or what books are on your nightstand?
The two I’m currently reading are “Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design” and “Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic.”
CVW: What’s your favorite TV show or favorite movie?
My favorite movies are “American Beauty” and “Lion in Winter.” My favorite current TV shows are “Elementary” and “The Voice.”
CVW: If you are elected, and can do whatever you want without any restrictions or cost concerns, what would it be?
I would create a world class entertainment venue, have 100% renewable energy in Palm Springs, build affordable housing so people who work in Palm Springs can live in Palm Springs, fully fund our terrific police and fire departments and ensure that no child or adult goes without food or shelter due to poverty.
JIM KING — Candidate for Palm Springs City Council
CVW: What is your favorite thing to do in the CV?
Living Desert.
CVW: What’s your favorite CV restaurant?
Nicolino’s Palm Springs/El Mirasol and for special occasions Tropicale/Trio.
CVW: What kind of music do you most enjoy listening to?
R & B, Electronic Dance Music and Hip Hop.
CVW: What was the last book you read or what books are on your nightstand?
“Love and War” by Mary Matalin and James Carville
CVW: What’s your favorite TV show or favorite movie?
Basketball and Football. “Lady Sings the Blues” with Diana Ross.
CVW: If you are elected, and can do whatever you want without any restrictions or cost concerns, what would it be?
Build housing for: Homeless and low-income housing.
ANAYELI ZAVALA – Candidate for Desert Hot Springs City Council
CVW: What is your favorite thing to do in the CV?
I love hiking throughout the Coachella Valley and particularly exploring the trails in Desert Hot Springs.
CVW: What’s your favorite CV restaurant?
My New Year’s resolution was to eat in as many locally owned restaurants as possible this year. It’s difficult to choose only one restaurant!
CVW: What kind of music do you most enjoy listening to?
I enjoy listening to classical music, salsa and indie pop.
CVW: What was the last book you read or what books are on your nightstand?
I’m reading A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin.
CVW: What’s your favorite TV show or favorite movie?
My favorite TV show is Grey’s Anatomy.
CVW: If you are elected, and can do whatever you want without any restrictions or cost concerns, what would it be?
Build sidewalks, crosswalks and bike paths so that Desert Hot Springs becomes a walkable community. Renovate all the parks in the community to make sure our children have good soccer fields, basketball courts as well as playground equipment with more than one slide. Identify all hiking trails in the city with proper signage. Build a small local hospital. Build a College of the Desert campus to provide residents with educational opportunities. Strengthen both our educational and recreational after school programs for our children. Build a state-of-art library with telescopes for stargazing. Hire additional police officers and pay them competitive wages to keep them working in our community. Bring a movie theater, sit-down restaurants, coffee shops, and a shopping strip. Build an amphitheater for free community concert series. Connect all homes to a sewer system.
JEANETTE JAIME – Candidate for Desert Hot Springs City Council
CVW: What is your favorite thing to do in the CV?
Movies and outdoor events.
CVW: What’s your favorite CV restaurant?
Applebee’s.
CVW: What kind of music do you most enjoy?
Christian/Country/Oldies.
CVW: What was the last book you read or what books are on your nightstand?
“10 minutes with Jesus”/ “Gang Prevention in our Schools.”
CVW: What’s your favorite TV show or favorite movie?
“Dancing with the Stars”/Lifetime Channel
CVW: If you are elected, and can do whatever you want without any restrictions or cost concerns, what would it be?
Build a Prevention & Intervention Program and open the Boys & Girls Club Basketball gym to the public after hours.
Palm Springs Candidate for Mayor, Bob Weinstein and Desert Hot Springs Candidates for City Council, Richard Duffle and Asia Horton, did not respond to the CVW requests.
CVW thanks the candidates who did share their interests and community vision. As a member of the media, CVW recognizes the commitment and sacrifice that public service requires and wishes the candidates best of luck.
