The Desert Sun endorses Hutcheson, Weigel for council

The Desert Sun - October 14, 2007

In a crowded race for two Palm Springs City Council seats, Rick Hutcheson and Lee Weigel stand out from the rest, bringing with them an impressive record of serving the city. They are well prepared to handle the myriad challenges facing the city. They balance each other and would strengthen the City Council.

Hutcheson, a planning commissioner and co-owner of a real estate company, is a creative thinker with an impressive background in business and government. He brings ideas for the future. Weigel, a former Palm Springs police chief, offers extensive law enforcement experience. He understands the city inside and out.

RICK HUTCHESON

On the Planning Commission, Hutcheson pushed for conservation, green building standards and renewable energy in the general plan.

He's voted for developments like the Mondrian Hotel and Port Lawrence, showing he recognizes the importance of development to the city's economic vitality. But he also understands the need to balance development and preserve neighborhoods.

He is proposing an emergency ordinance to review current regulations, like signage and parking, that affect businesses. He wants "ambassadors" to assist people seeking permits or approvals from the city. He also favors using the city's business improvement district to develop a block-by-block marketing plan. "This is not Manhattan," he said. "This is a workable amount of space and working with our local residents we can figure out how to do a better job."

He wants to create more signature events to bring people downtown in slow months, and he favors giving John Wessman a deadline for replacing the Desert Fashion Plaza. He said the city must "act quickly." But we think it will be harder and far more complex than he realizes.

Strong leadership in business will be tantamount to ensuring the type of downtown revitalization Palm Springs is going to need. Hutcheson can do this job. He has great ideas.

Hutcheson recognizes the importance of public safety and has some ideas for increasing the number of police officers on the street. One idea: consider using private security to respond to alarms. He said the city responds to 2,000 false alarms a year.

He knows what matters. "First thing, the city has to deliver on the basics," he said. "That means clean streets, clean benches, stop the graffiti and vandalism, trim the Palm Trees."

He has broad-based support from the planning commissioners, neighborhood groups and three Democratic clubs, the AFL-CIO, the Palm Springs Police Officers Association and the Fire Safety Unit. He also counts councilman and mayoral candidate Steve Pougnet as one of his closest advisers.

Hutcheson is smart, has been actively involved in the city and is a progressive thinker.

Lee Weigel

Weigel would bring balance to the City Council. He is a calm, methodical thinker. He brings the perspective and institutional knowledge of a long-time city resident. He grew up in Palm Springs, attended Palm Springs High School and worked for the city for 32 years.

He knows what's important in the life of the community. While the council is nonpartisan, several council members and Hutcheson are Democrats and Weigel would bring the perspective of a Republican.

As a former Palm Springs police chief, Weigel knows the inner workings of city hall. He's a skilled manager and knows how to get things done. Weigel has run a large department and currently oversees 500 employees for a security company.

Weigel would use tax revenues from new developments to hire more officers. The Palm Springs Police Officers' Association, District Attorney Rod Pacheco and current and past Riverside County sheriffs have endorsed him.

Weigel pushes for the city to pay greater attention to code enforcement and called for a major change in policy. He also says the city needs to improve roads and make greater capital investments in its infrastructure.

He supports the current height limits and said exceptions should not be made without a substantial public benefit. He also wants more events downtown.

Weigel has shown he is an independent thinker. He did not favor giving the city manager a $40,000 raise, saying it was too much of an increase at one time. He will need to demonstrate the same fiscal discipline when voting on new compensation and benefit packages for city employees.

On one of the most vexing issues facing the city, the fate of the Desert Fashion Plaza, Weigel had the best answer of any candidates. While some candidates talk about using eminent domain as a last resort, Weigel rightly cautions against that. He says the city probably cannot afford to buy the Fashion Plaza. He says there will be faster results if the city continues to work with John Wessman, who has already made some concessions to the city.

Some of the other candidates have been more involved in the city in recent years and Weigel would need to spend more time with different stakeholders if he were elected.

Weigel is not a politician. That is both a strength and weakness. As a councilman, he will need to demonstrate that he can develop coalitions and bring people together - both other council members and civic groups. He must show he's a force to be reckoned with.

Other candidates may be more charismatic than Weigel. What makes him an attractive candidate is his being level-headed. He would undoubtedly bring different views to the council, but would not do so in an antagonistic or dogmatic way. He is a good and decent man with great integrity who we expect would be a good councilman.

The Challengers

John Williams ran for council before and lost, but he is no loser. He picked himself up and worked hard to fill gaps by participating in a host of civic groups.

Williams would not bring the same broad-based experience that Weigel does. We are also troubled by his having allowed his hotel to be used for the production of pornographic films. Williams said he allowed this because as a new hotel owner he needed to pay the bills. He did not remember when it stopped. Nor did he say he would not allow the films to be made again if he needed the money. While his activities were perfectly legal, we would have preferred that he had voiced regrets and say he would not do it again.

Sheila Grattan said the city is "top-heavy" with administrators and thought a $40,000 pay increase for the city manager was inappropriate when there is not enough to add more police and firefighters.

She keeps her eye on the dollar and that is good.

She's pro-development, but takes strides to put issues surrounding the working poor and homelessness at the forefront of her conversations.

She should look for more opportunities to serve Palm Springs in the future.

Bob Mahlowitz his the potential to be a good councilman and we would encourage him to become actively involved with the city.

Vic Gainer has been a community activist and we believe he should continue to serve the community in that way.

We believe that Weigel and Hutcheson will fit in well and work hard for Palm Springs.

Captain Sven Holm
Historic Tennis Club Neighborhood

I have been on the ONIC since its inception and have had a chance to watch all the members for some time now.  Rick Hutcheson would by far be my top choice for city council out of this membership.  Rick is well spoken, he is direct and unlike others does not suffer from paralysis of analysis by overanalyzing and always sending issues to a sub-committee, he is good at making sound decisions, he has no problem taking on projects, and he is very eloquent in expressing his opinions.  He would be a real asset to city of Palm Springs.

David Carden, jr., Chair
Baristo Neighborhood Organization

Palm Springs needs a council member who is fair, thorough in his research and always listens to all sides.  Rick is a team player.  He is not afraid of the tough decisions.  Rick Hutcheson has those qualities and as a council member his enthusiasm for helping turn our city around makes him a top choice for City Council in November!  He has my vote and I hope others feel the same.

President of Police Advisory Board

Jack Becker, President of the Police Advisory Board, also endorsed Rick Hutcheson today. "Rick has been an active member of the Police Advisory Board, and I believe that Palm Springs will benefit in terms of improved safety and security with the election of Rick Hutcheson to City Council."

"By serving on the Police Advisory Board and through my involvement in neighborhood organizations, I'm developing specific ideas about how to improve public safety," said Hutcheson.

"I believe that City Council must involve and listen to crime victims, and law enforcement professionals inside and outside of our Police Department, and then work together to adopt a detailed action plan."

San Bernadino / Riverside Counties Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO,

The Labor Council of the AFL-CIO of San Bernadino and Riverside Counties has enthusiastically endorsed Rick Hutcheson for Palm Springs City Council.

The largest labor organization in the Coachella Valley, representing thousand of local workers and retirees, called Hutcheson the choice for City Council. Locally their membership includes active and retired teachers, truck drivers, musicians, firefighters, farm workers, engineers, editors, pilots, public employees, nurses, painters and laborers.

Rick Hutcheson said "I'm honored to have support of the AFL-CIO in our area and I pledge to look out for the interests of all middle class families in Palm Springs. I look forward to being an independent voice on the City Council who votes based on what is right for all of our citizens."

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White House Chief of Staff 1977-81, Hamilton Jordan:

"I have known Rick Hutcheson for thirty years and worked as his direct supervisor for almost a decade. Rick is one of a handful of the most capable and dedicated people I have worked with.

Right beneath that calm and pleasant exterior is a brilliant, committed and responsible man, a team player, someone who is always prepared both to argue his point but also able to accede to someone's else better idea.

Government today is about being able to build coalitions and partnerships that look for solutions beyond narrow partisan interests. Rick is such a builder.

Government at any level would be enhanced by having citizens like Rick involved in positions of authority."

President, Palm Springs Economic Development Corporation, Ed Torres:

"I have tremendous confidence in the abilities of Rick Hutcheson to be a wonderful addition to the Palm Springs City Council. He has an excellent working knowledge of how effective government should run.

While on the Planning Commission, Rick has taken a balanced approach to critical development issues and has been a strong supporter of Downtown Development Guidelines.

President, America Online & Chief Operating Officer, AOL Time Warner 1996-2000, Robert W. Pittman:

"Rick worked for me as a senior Time Warner executive for 6 years, dealing with business development projects ranging from environmental audits and policies for Time Warner businesses to branding research for theme parks and attractions. When I asked him to take on a project, I knew he would get it done - quickly, reliably, and competently. Among many admirable qualities, his intelligence and judgment stand out. If Palm Springs has the opportunity to put him to work for the City, it should grab him. I sure would!"

Founding President of the Palm Springs Modern Committee , Peter Moruzzi

"Yes, protecting Palm Springs' historic modern heritage and maintaining our quality of life are vital to the long-term appeal of our beloved city.

Based on our conversation the other day I would be proud to be counted as publicly endorsing your campaign."

“On public safety, Rick took the time to get involved, attended the Citizens Police Academy and serves on the Police Advisory Board. These are just some of the reasons why he’s endorsed by the Palm Springs Police Officers Association.” 

— Troy Castillo, President

Leadership that Listens and Includes us all

“Rick Hutcheson is a bridge-builder, he listens to people. His experience, temperament and level-headed approach are absolutely essential for the responsible future of Palm Springs.”  ”

– Palm Springs Airport Commission Chair, Robert Elsner

Experience Big Enough for our Big League City

“Rick is one of the most capable and dedicated people I worked with on the White House senior staff. He is a brilliant, committed and responsible team player.”

– Former White House chief of staff, Hamilton Jordan.

Turns Ideas into Accomplishments

“When Rick took on a business development project, I knew he would get it done – quickly, reliably, competently.”

– Former President of America Online, Robert W. Pittman

Balanced Approach to Find Common-Sense Solutions

Rick understands the need to balance development with the environment, preserving the beauty that brought us here in the first place, while developing a vibrant and growing city.”

– Roger Tansey, Chair of the Palm Springs Resource Conservation Commission

Those Who’ve Worked with Rick Want Him on City Council

“Rick has proven he can work together constructively with people who have different points of view. That’s one reason he has broad support from colleagues who have worked with him on the Planning Commission.”  

– Leo Cohen, Planning Commissioner

“Rick supports the right kind of growth, the kind that grows the economy without threatening the unique character of the community. He understands what makes Palm Springs special and can be trusted to protect our quality of life here.”

– Doug Hudson, Architectural Advisory Committee

“Rick has proven he can work together constructively with people who have different points of view. That’s one reason he has broad support from colleagues who have worked with him on the Planning Commission.”

– Leo Cohen, Palm Springs Planning Commission

“Rick Hutcheson is a bridge-builder, he listens to people. His experience, temperament and level-headed approach are absolutely essential for the responsible future of Palm Springs.”  ”

– Palm Springs Airport Commission Chair [and Former Interim CEO, Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce],  Robert Elsner

“Rick understands the need to balance development with the environment, preserving the beauty that brought us here in the first place, while developing a vibrant and growing city.”

– Roger Tansey, Chair of the Palm Springs Resource Conservation Commission

"Rick Hutcheson embodies vital characteristics essential to the type of candidate many citizens currently yearn for on Palm Springs' five member city council. His attentive consideration and always-informed approach to the issues are reflected in his tactful voting record both as a planning commissioner and responsible citizen. Furthermore, Rick's position that our cultural, environmental, historical and architectural heritage is as important to our future as new development shows his competent understanding of a well-rounded and balanced approach to healthy progress in moving our city confidently forward."

– Jade Thomas Nelson, Vice Chair Historic Site Preservation Board
Palm Springs native

"Titles and affiliations of each individual are provided for identification purposes only."