Desert Political Opinion

Palm Springs Mayor Sold To Highest Bidder?

2012-02-21T23:40:26Z

Palm Springs, California. California-Colorado commuting Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet may be on the brink of genuine financial independence. After years without private sector employment he has a new job that should free him from dependence on others for continuing financial support. And he gets to keep his current mayoral position with its $40,000 annual salary. Mayor Pougnet has managed to sell himself, though the salary from his new job remains secret, and only he knows if his services are going to the highest bidder.

Palm Springs Mayor Sold To Highest Bidder?

It appears the Palm Springs City Council has a new unofficial member, one without an actual vote, but with substantial behind-the-scenes influence. Local political power player Harold Matzner has hired California-Colorado commuting Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet for full time work as his assistant at the Palm Springs International Film Festival where Matzner serves as chairman. In these types of relationships it's not the employee who calls the shots and those in need of influence with the City Council could surely do worse than line up Mr. Matzner in their corner.

Matzner shared leadership of last Fall's controversial Yes on Measure J campaign and at $75,156.75 was that campaign's second largest contributor. He and his Spencer's Restaurant also hosted Mayor Steve Pougnet's reelection campaign kickoff and victory party events. And his influence undoubtedly facilitated inclusion of a new theatre complex as a requirement for the Desert Fashion Plaza renovation plan. He has previously been identified as a local philanthropist who is often in the news as the contributor of $100,000 checks to various charitable activities. It's surprising to see him step out of the philanthropy mode and extensively dabble so prominently in local politics.

Much speculation surrounds the shocking purchase of the Mayor's services by Matzner, but few believe it is for personal financial gain. He reportedly is a man with extensive New Jersey-based financial resources and his real interests may lie in producing a lasting legacy as a significant local personage. While the names Frank Bogart, Sonny Bono, Jackie Lee Houston and even John Wessman are the stuff of local legend, the name Harold Matzner has not achieved that level of recognition. He surely doesn't wish a John Wessman reputation but any favorable comparison to recently departed Palm Springs Angel Jackie Lee Houston would be the legacy desired. Why Matzner would derail his legacy goals by walking down the political trail and picking up the California-Colorado commuting mayor as his assistant is a question that doesn't seem to have an obvious answer. One would assume a carefully nurtured legacy would not be well served by the friends and foes involvements often found in the political arena. Perhaps there is an irresistible degree of personal satisfaction in knowing that one is in a position to manipulate the local levers of power.

As for Mayor Steve Pougnet the question that's been raised is whether he sold himself to the highest bidder? Or did Matzner merely acquire something off the shelf?

Bond Shands
Palm Springs

CLICK ONE OF THE FOLLOWING LINKS TO VIEW AN EARLIER BLOG

Measure J Oversight Commission Application Hoax

Mayor Pougnet takes job with film festival

Money Buys Elections - Does It Buy People?

Republican Leadership Handling I-10 Traffic Planning Disaster

Measure J Oversight Commission Appointment Process

Committee to Support Measure J Campaign Financing Reports

A Palm Springs Day of Shame?

The Desert Observer Website

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Measure J Oversight Commission Application Hoax

2012-02-19T19:22:33Z

Palm Springs, California. The Palm Springs City Council has now made clear the application process for the Measure J Oversight Commission was a hoax. The vast majority of those encouraged to apply will not be interviewed and the new commission appointments will go to a hand-picked few.

Measure J Oversight Commission Appointment Process Strictly Political

In response to extensive advertising the City of Palm Springs received a hundred and two (102) qualified applications from residents interested in being appointed to the new seven (7) member Measure J Oversight Commission. The City Council has decided against having all applicants interviewed and instead opted to whittle the number down to a fraction of the original count. They have decided each Council member will select fifteen (15) applicants and submit to the City Clerk who will prepare a short list. Afterwards each Council member will then select five (5) applicants from the short list for interviews.

When citizens were repeatedly encouraged to apply for appointment to the new Measure J Oversight Commission, none were made to understand they probably would not be interviewed or given further consideration. All had good reason to expect the application was but a first step in the interview process. As one applicant stated, many individuals express themselves better orally than in writing. The only stated qualification to serve is to be a resident and a registered voter. For council member Ginny Foat to reportedly dismiss applicants as "unqualified" based on her personal reading of applications is unfair and arrogant on her part. What should applicants have done? Go to a professional and have application forms filled out in a manner that would please her and other council members?

The stated intent with the creation of the Measure J Oversight Commission included the following:

"This Commission will be comprised of Palm Springs residents and charged with serving as community watchdogs. The members will be appointed to provide various local perspectives and ensure that taxpayers have their voices heard. Each of the members will be independent - they will not be City employees or contractors. The City is committed to transparency."

Despite the stated intent, the entire application process actually represents an artfully scripted charade. Individual council members undoubtedly have already decided on their choices for appointment to the new commission. When the matter is viewed from this perspective it probably makes sense for council members to forego the interview process. To actually interview applicants would merely serve to perpetuate the cruel hoax being played on those who believed an independent selection process would occur. Council members may well have never intended to seek appointees with qualifications other than friend, supporter and financial contributor. Some may assert those who fail to understand that these processes are strictly political must be rather naive. If that's truly the case then the concept of public service must definitely be an oxymoron.

Citizens who have applied for appointment deserve better than to have their applications dismissed in the arbitrary and capricious manner council members have demonstrated. The process the council has chosen casts doubt on whether "various local perspectives" will be represented, or "ensure that taxpayers have their voices heard", and that "the members will be independent". The council appears to have used the application procedure merely to shroud a politically motivated appointment process. Having done so is simply wrong. The council's only concern appears to be their own self interests, rather than to the public service role to which they were elected.

Shame on them!

Bond Shands
Palm Springs

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Mayor Pougnet takes job with film festival

2012-02-18T21:42:19Z

Palm Springs, California. Local political power player Harold Matzner has hired Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet as his assistant at the Palm Springs International Film Festival where Matzner serves as chairman. Pougnet plans to remain in office as the city's mayor (annual salary $40,000) while working full time for Matzner at the festival.

Money Buys Elections - Does It Buy People?

"Mayor Pougnet takes job with film festival" headlines a front-page story in today's The Desert Sun. Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) chairman Harold Matzner hired him as an assistant to "Help relieve the stress". Matzner said "...the mayor came to mind for the fundraising position after Mayor Pro Tem Ginny Foat was hired in April as executive director of Mizell Senior Center..".

Harold Matzner chairs the Palm Springs International Film Festival. It's sort of his baby - a personal pet project. One important goal his festival has is more theater screens and a permanent home. Fortunately plans for the city-funded Desert Fashion Plaza just happen to include a brand new theater complex which should certainly solve that festival need.

Matzner was the second largest contributor to the Yes on Measure J campaign that will provide city subsidized funding for the new theater. And when the theater is built it may come to pass that additional city funding will be found for this community activity. Mayor Steve Pougnet was a key player in making Measure J happen and in the negotiations that specified a theater would be part of the new Desert Fashion Plaza.

Harold Matzner and his Spencer's Restaurant were major contributors to Mayor Steve Pougnet's re-election campaign. The Mayor's starting and ending campaign party events were sponsored by Matzner and held at Spencer's. The Yes on Measure J election victory party was folded into the Mayor's ending campaign event, as well.

Matzner has now employed Mayor Steve Pougnet to work for him as a part of the festival staff (City Manager David Ready is already in the loop for he sits on the festival's Board of Directors).

Is it fair to ask whether money in politics buys anything other than elections (and access to taxpayer funds)? Does money in politics buy people?

Is any of this illegal? That's a question best addressed by legal minds or those with expertise in the fields of ethics, government and law.

Bond Shands
Palm Springs

The following comment was posted on MyDesert.com by Ethan Davis - Associate Counsel at Baker & McKenzie, in response to the online copy of the story.

"I agree with Steve Grasha, this has more than just a wiff of impropriety and should be looked in to by criminal justice authority's. If there are Federal dollars involved, I would encourage Representative Bono-Mack to request that The Department of Justice conduct a probe of what is going on in regard to this."

Click Here or use the following to locate the film festival story on MyDesert.com

http://www.mydesert.com/article/20120218/LIFESTYLES010201/202180315/Steve-Pougnet-job-with-Palm-Springs-film-festival

The Desert Observer Website

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Republican Leadership Handling I-10 Traffic Planning Disaster

2012-02-16T19:12:39Z

Palm Springs, California. On Sunday February 12th (Lincoln's Birthday) on Interstate 10 in the Banning Pass area west of Coachella Valley, freeway vehicle traffic was reduced to single lanes due to faulty road work planning and implementation. Freeway "pothole" work that was started during low-traffic nighttime hours remained incomplete throughout the day and traffic reportedly backed up for twenty-one (21) miles with some motorists experiencing four to six hour delays. Newspaper and other media reports made clear it was a disaster and one that could have been prevented had CalTrans and CHP staff members followed existing procedures.

In the aftermath residents of Coachella Valley are entitled to answers and solutions so all may be reassured such an event will never again occur. Words and promises from contrite CalTrans and CHP officials will not be enough. Written assurances - no, make that absolute guarantees - should be required of those in positions of authority so that future freeway roadwork will never again be allowed to create lengthy traffic backup situations.

The Coachella Valley is fortunate in having Assemblyman Brian Nestande, Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit and Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack representing us for all have stepped up to the plate and are seeking answers and solutions. The assemblyman will be holding hearings in Sacramento, the county supervisors have placed the subject high on their February 28th meeting agenda and the congresswoman has contacted U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood (I-10 is an Interstate Highway maintained with federal funds). With such high level interest we can be certain answers and solutions will surely be forthcoming.

It is disappointing to realize that no Democratic official appears to have stepped forward and shown leadership in seeking the necessary answers and solutions. That silence leads one to conclude all must be on vacation or else assume the issue is of little continuing importance. With respect to the "little continuing importance" point, nothing could be more wrong-headed. To paraphrase Supervisor Benoit, during a local broadcast interview on radio station KPSI, had a traffic debacle of this magnitude occurred during the hot summer period, the possibility of serious health concerns, and even deaths, would have been present. Assemblyman Manuel Perez and his entire staff appear to be ignoring the issue for their response has been little more than an inadequately worded press release sent out to the media. Valley residents have a right to expect more from their political leadership and Republican representatives appear to be working hard to respond to that expectation and need.

Kudos to Assemblyman Brian Nestande, Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit and Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack.

Bond Shands
Palm Springs

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Measure J Oversight Commission Appointment Process

2012-02-15T19:40:24Z

Palm Springs, California. Tonight the City Council will decide the process for selecting Measure J Oversight Commission applicants they may wish to be interview and consider for appointment.

The staff suggests council members may not wish to interview all candidates and has made the recommendations listed below.

________________________________________________________

Due to the number of applications received, staff recommends that the City Council review the written materials received from applicants, and develop a process to create a short list of approximately 20 to 25 applicants to interview.

The City Council may wish to consider the following alternative motions/actions:

1. Direct each Councilmember to select five (5) applicants to determine the short list to interview and submit applicants to the City Clerk by [insert date]. The City Council may also want to consider selecting one additional alternate, for potential interview, if the City Council selections result in duplication to reach the 20 to 25 short list.

2. Appoint a two member City Council Subcommittee to review written materials and select twenty (20) applicants and submit to the City Clerk to prepare a short list. The City Clerk to distribute the short list to the three Council members, not on the Subcommittee, who shall each add two (2) applicants to the short list for interviews.

3. Direct each Councilmember to select fifteen (15) applicants and submit to the City Clerk to prepare a short list and distribute to the City Council. Direct each Council member to then select five (5) applicants from the short list for interviews.

________________________________________________________

The link below displays a copy of the staff recommendation from which the above has been extracted.

Measure J Oversight Commission Selection Process Staff Recommendations

The link below displays a copy of the Desert Fashion Plaza Project Milestones document that indicates March 21 is the date actual commission appointments are expected to be made.

Desert Fashion Plaza Project Milestones

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Committee to Support Measure J Campaign Financing Reports

2012-02-05T23:21:22Z

Palm Springs, California. Desert Fashion Plaza developer John Wessman's "Committee to Support Measure J" campaign raised and spent $259,817.45 in their massive effort to pass the November 8, 2011 Sales Tax Hike ballot issue in Palm Springs. According to their campaign financial reports, $200,436.35 in Cash Contributions and $59,381.10 in Nonmonetary Contributions were received during the period from September 1 through December 31, 2011.

As was to be expected John Wessman's $94,227.40 was the largest contribution to his campaign and its success will now make possible the City Council's plan to award $43 million for renovation of the plaza property. His $94,227.40 investment in exchange for $43 million in taxpayer funds definitely qualifies as a sweet deal.

Spencers Restaurant owner Harold Matzner was the second largest contributor with $75,156.75 in cash, free meals, and newspaper advertising costs, etc.

Almost 95% of the Cash and Nonmonitary contributions, totaling $246,708.50, came from eleven (11) contributors. The following is a listing of the eleven (11) large contribution sources.

        Wessman Holdings, LLC                                           $ 94,227.40
        Harold Matzner & Spencers Restaurant                            75,156.75
        The Penta Building Group                                              22,000.00
        Palm Springs Hospitality Association                            16,000.00
        GHA Enterprises                                                        7,500.00
        Lulu Restaurant                                                        6,276.43
        Buzz Factory                                                              6,166.66
        Issues Mobilization Political Action Committee             6,000.00
        G&M Construction                                                        5,000.00
        Legacy Palm Springs, LLC                                          5,000.00
        Palm Springs Art Museum                                            3,381.26

Total contributions received 9/1/2011 through 9/24/2011        $ 64,774.21
Total contributions received 9/25/2011 through 10/22/2011     $ 84,846.99
Total contributions received 10/23/2011 through 12/30/2011 $ 110,196.25

It should be noted the City of Palm Springs budgeted an additional $60,000 in campaign funds which were administered independent of the Wessman campaign by City Manager David Ready. Those funds appear to be exempt from the Fair Political Practices Commission reporting requirements. City Manager Ready insisted his campaign was "educational" though it lacked an unbiased, independent point of view and instead promoted the passage of Measure J.

Copies of the three Committee to Support Measure J Campaign Financing Reports may be viewed/downloaded using the links below.

Bond Shands
Palm Springs

Click here to view/download first filing period report through 09/24/2011.

Click here to view/download second filing period report through 10/22/2011.

Click here to view/download third filing period report through 12/30/2011.

The Desert Observer Website

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A Palm Springs Day of Shame?

2012-01-25T18:54:51Z

Palm Springs, California. Will future Palm Springs residents recall Thursday, January 26, 2012, in their city as a Day of Shame and one associated with a time of political corruption?

On November 8th, 2011 Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet, City Manager David Ready and developer John Wessman celebrated the victory of their Measure J campaign to hike the local sales tax rate and hand over millions of dollars to Mr. Wessman. That campaign, born of greed and self-interest, proved that vast amounts of money can buy an election. More than $250 thousand was spent on a propaganda smokescreen of unenforceable promises, half-truths, fake statistics and demonstrations that included massive amounts of television, radio, newspaper, billboards and other signs, along with email and direct mail advertising, all designed to bury the truth and convince voters that a meaningless term, "Downtown Revitalization", would somehow result from their support of the new tax. "Downtown Revitalization" is an undefined concept, without a time line, that fitted neatly into a propaganda campaign that saw more than $40 spent for each of the votes it received. In winning that election, Mssrs Pougnet, Wessman and Ready definitely had reason to celebrate, for they too proved "you can fool ... some of the people all of the time..."

The City Council has since authorized expenditure of $500 thousand from the General Fund to allow developer John Wessman to immediately begin demolition work on his Desert Fashion Plaza property. A well-funded propaganda campaign has been mounted seeking community support for the start of the demolition work on Thursday, January 26th. According to a City press release the following will be part of the spectacle.

"A champagne toast and free block party celebration sponsored by Wessman Development, featuring finger foods from LULU California Bistro, Kaiser Grille, Matchbox, Las Casuelas Terraza and dessert donated by local realtor Brady Sandahl is slated for about 2 p.m. in the parking lot behind the old Bank of America."

It may be many years before the financial outcome of the decision to renovate John Wessman's Desert Fashion Plaza will be known. Even then it may not be possible to determine whether and to what extent, if any, the downtown community benefited from taxpayer funding of the Wessman property's renovation. What is known is the City will never recover those taxpayer funds for they will be handed over without expectation of repayment or sharing of profits. That meaningless "Downtown Revitalization" phrase will continue to defy precise definition; and no time line will ever be attached to whatever process it pretends to represent. The waste of taxpayer funds will take its place in the history of local politics but no one will ever be penalized or held accountable for the failure of the renovation project to meet the promised expectations of the taxpaying community. Even so, over 42% of the voters realized Measure J was bad legislation and they voted against it. Their consolation may come with the passage of time when their no votes will surely be proved right.

When city officials join with affluent interests who pool their funds to buy an election intended for their benefit, does that qualify as political corruption? When city officials offer champagne toasts to celebrate their successful fleecing of the taxpaying community, does that not represent a Day of Shame? And is the undefined "Downtown Revitalization" phrase little different than the search for the proverbial "Fountain of Youth"? It is probably too early for these and similar questions to find definitive answers. It may require the passage of considerable time before full realization becomes apparent and voters learn the extent of how they were fooled into voting gifts of public funds for the sole benefit of private interests.

Thursday's demolition party spectacle should remind us that money buys elections and Measure J proved that to be true. The sight of the elections' beneficiaries orchestrating community champagne toasts memorializing their success should be remembered as a Day of Shame. And each time those beneficiaries of taxpayer funds take additional victory laps, such events should also be remembered as Days of Shame.

Bond Shands
Palm Springs

The Desert Observer Website

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An Open Letter to Mayor Steve Pougnet

2012-01-25T00:38:03Z

Dear Steve,

As you probably know I don't attend City Council meetings. I also don't watch the televised proceedings. So was unaware of your comments during the last council session until I received calls from concerned citizens. One provided me with a copy of the video and I've now had an opportunity to view your statements. That portion of your remarks chastising those opposed to Measure J (including some PSNIC members and myself) were unworthy of comment by a city official in a public forum that provides no opportunity for rebuttal. In my opinion the comments you made during that meeting did yourself and our community a disservice.

With regard to the new Measure J Oversight Commission, I posted information on my Desert Observer website advising citizens about the application process. A similar posting was made to the Palms Springs Taxpayers Facebook page. And an email was sent to all on the Committee for No on Measure J distribution list. The information sent included copies or references to the City's publicity release about the Oversight Commission application process. No opinion was expressed in my postings for the intent was simply to publicize the application availability period. Surely you will agree I have been supportive of the new Measure J Oversight Commission application process.

With respect to appointments of actual members to the Measure J Oversight Commission, neither you nor any member of the city council are on record as favoring a community healing process. None have suggested that all segments of the community should be represented on the new commission. And none publicly called for participation in the commission application process by those who were opposed to Measure J. When Yes on Measure J campaign chairman Dave Baron stated his view that the new commission should include representation from those who opposed the measure, you were asked to commit to that suggestion during a radio broadcast interview. You declined to favor or otherwise make that commitment! The foregoing reasons left me, and others, concluding none of those publicly identified in opposition to Measure J would receive consideration for appointment to the new Oversight Commission. Nothing I have seen, heard or you have said has served to change my understanding with regard to this subject.

Bond Shands

Palm Springs

p.s. Thanks for the public invitation to attend Thursday's Desert Fashion Plaza demolition event that is being paid from Palm Springs city funds. I remain completely opposed to these gifts of funds to developer John Wessman and view Thursday's associated evidence of inappropriate city funds use as a Day of Shame. I do not plan to attend that event.

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Measure J Oversight Commission Applications

2011-12-16T19:33:11Z

Click Here to view or download copy of City Clerk Transmittal Letter.

Click Here to view or download copy of Commission Objectives document.

Click Here to view or download copy of Commission Application Form.

Click Here to view or download copy of Revitalization Plan Description.

Click Here to view or download copy of Revitalization Plan FAQ.

The Desert Observer Website

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Election Day - Final Decision Day - Campaigning Ends Day

2011-11-08T17:49:26Z

Committee for No on Measure J
VoteNOonMeasureJ.org
Tuesday, November 8, 2011

News Release
For information:
Contact: Bond Shands
Email: pstaxpayer@gmail.com

Election Day - Final Decision Day - Campaigning Ends Day

The Committee for No on Measure J and the Palm Springs Taxpayers group have always viewed Measure J as a bad idea. It resulted from private negotiations involving city officials without input from voters or any of the City Boards or Commissions. The Measure's intent is to benefit developer John Wessman and his Desert Fashion Plaza property. The principal flaw in the Measure is the $43 million bailout using taxpayer funds with no provision for repayment or sharing of revenues or profits from the proposed city-subsidized plaza renovation.

We view the $43 million bailout as a misuse of public funds and for that reason remain adamantly opposed to Measure J. There are other avenues available for plaza development that do not involve gifts of public funds and we encourage City officials and developer John Wessman to explore those options. Taxpayer funds should never be used to line the pockets of individuals or private business enterprises.

Elections do have consequences. Today's vote on Measure J will send a message how Palm Springs voters view using taxpayer money to fund a privately owned development. Whether in favor, or opposed, today is the last day to participate in that decision. Tomorrow, of course, is for moving on.

Finally, thank you to all who have supported the No on Measure J movement with your endorsements, financial support, expressions of encouragement and, of course, your votes.

The "Committee for No on Measure J" Leadership Team

Andy Hirsch - Voter Outreach
Bob Richmond - Campaign Strategy and Voter Outreach
Bond Shands - Media Spokesman
Elise Richmond - Finance & Fundraising
Jack Webster - Campaign Strategy and Voter Outreach
Kelly Eustis - Campaign Consultant
Renee DeVolt - Treasurer (Finance & Fundraising)
Sue Ferguson - Recording Secretary

______________________________________________________
Committee for No on Measure J
Renee DeVolt, Treasurer | Committee ID #1341720
1111 Tahquitz Canyon Way - Suite 111
Palm Springs, Ca. 92262
pstaxpayer@gmail.com | www.VoteNoOnMeasureJ.org

Visit us on our "Palm Springs Taxpayers" Facebook page.
www.facebook.com/PalmSpringsTaxpayers

Click here to view or download a PDF copy the No on J FAQ.

The Desert Observer Website

www.DesertObserver.com

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