Three years ago, when I announced my candidacy for Palm Springs City Council, I shared that it only took two visits for Oscar and me to decide to make Palm Springs our home; we fell in love with the city.  Today, 16 years later, that love affair continues.

 

In the three years since I was honored to be elected by the residents of District 2 to the city council, we have made great progress.
 

In that time, several major new infrastructure projects, in which I am proud to have played a significant role, were launched.  We began ambitious large-scale plans for modernizing our airport and convention center, and developing a new Downtown Convention Center District. Last year, I led the committee that explained and presented to voters the option of removing the sunset on Measure J that is used to fund many city projects.  I am proud to say that voters overwhelming supported the ballot measure.  As a result, the city will now have the funds to continue these type of infrastructure projects for years to come.  Most importantly parks, infrastructure projects, the convention center, the renovated Palm Springs Library and the new downtown fire station.  It's notable that these projects progressed at the same time as more open space was protected from development.

Together with my colleagues, we have made major investments in the quality of life of our residents: significantly increasing the rate of road paving, constructing five new playgrounds, breaking ground on our library renovation and pickleball courts, and approving swim center and other upgrades.

 

Projects which had long been in the works have also become a reality.  We saw the completion of three affordable housing developments and the opening of the Navigation Center, a critical resource that provides homeless residents with support to reintegrate and again become valuable contributing members of our community.  Three years ago, I committed to making sure that the center was completed on a timely basis – and it was.  The issue of unhoused residents and affordable housing remain a priority for me, and I have worked with my colleagues to identify new locations for future housing developments.

 

We also saw the beginning of construction of the College of the Desert Palm Springs Campus, something I have been working on since my election. I believe that the future vibrancy of our city depends on our youth, and our ability to provide them with opportunities that give them an exciting future in the community they grew up in.

 

We have also faced great adversity: a hurricane and a terrorist bombing.   As experienced time and again, our public safety remains second to none.  Few places were as prepared to handle Hurricane Hilary as Palm Springs.  Amid the tragedy of the terrorist bombing in May, we saw our police, fire and all city departments rise to the occasion.  They worked with our residents and businesses to help those impacted, creating an almost inconceivable outcome: we felt safer than ever.  Truly, a place like nowhere else.

This is why I am especially proud to have the early endorsement of the Palm Springs Police Officers Association, the Palm Springs Police Management Association, and the Palm Springs Firefighters Association.

 

There is, as always, still much to be done, many projects in process that we need to see completed, and new projects and policies we need act on.  I do believe that the future of Palm Springs is bright.

 

In terms of new projects.  When I first ran for election, I spoke about the importance of developing new revenue sources for our local economy.  Since then, I have been focusing on our economic development strategic plan to ensure there are good paying jobs for our residents and graduating students. Working with a new city department, we have identified four potential economic drivers for our city; Arts & Culture, Tech, Clean Energy and Healthcare.  I look forward to working to develop these into thriving new sectors that will support a year-round economy. 

 

Two other initiatives that I believe are critical to move our city forward are:  a city-wide shade and heat mitigation plan and a city tech plan.  We have made progress on shade initiatives in our sustainability departments, planning and parks departments. However, shade and heat mitigation is also essential for our economic development.  A comprehensive action plan will safeguard the future of Palm Springs.  While I have been very focused on tech as an economic driver, a city tech plan can help us to streamline city operations and improve consistent services.

 

I remain committed to continuing to work as hard as I can for Palm Springs, together with all of you.  I believe that my experience in the last three years, my long-tenured community involvement, and role as a small business owner provide me skills and a perspective that I can use to benefit our city.  That is why I have decided to run for re-election to the Palm Springs City Council in November 2026.