More Goals

Create an "Ambassador" Program for Existing and New Businesses

In listening to many persons in this campaign, I have met far too many who are frustrated with barriers and delays encountered at City Hall. Business owners struggling to succeed, homeowners seeking to upgrade their property and improve the neighborhood, companies and entrepreneurs seeking to bring new restaurants, retail and other opportunities to Palm Springs -- few are getting the results they have a right to expect from City Hall. Let's change this.

I propose that City Council partner with the Chamber of Commerce and Palm Springs Economic Development Corporation to create an “Ambassadors” program, both for new businesses trying to navigate their way through City Hall and certainly for frustrated existing businesses. Here’s how it might work:

Palm Springs is home to many retired businesspersons and executives with extraordinary experience. Let’s invite these persons to contribute their talents to help our City become more customer friendly.
City and business leaders then screen applicants to select a core team of constructive, results-oriented pro bono facilitators.
Ambassadors are trained by personnel in the Building and Planning Departments, so that our city employees may regard these volunteers as allies and helpers.
Persons seeking permits and approvals from City Hall are assigned Ambassadors to whom they may turn for help. Let’s start with a pilot program, work out any kinks, and then expand it carefully.
Once we’re seeing positive outcomes for businesses, let’s extend the program to help homeowners who encounter similar frustrations while building or renovating homes.

Taxpayers, city employees and businesspersons all want the same outcome – a customer friendly city. Let’s join together and get it done.

Careful Stewardship of Our Heritage

Maintain our easy-to-get around, pedestrian-friendly village
Protect our architectural and design heritage, unique homes & neighborhoods
Safeguard our precious natural resources - our mountains, our views, our environment
Build on our reputation as a world-renowned destination to relax and rejuvenate - a center for wellness

Business Development – Critical for the Future of Palm Springs

Palm Springs has always been bigger than life, with a brand name known the world over. Supporting this brand are our current core industries: tourism and real estate, as well as health care and gaming. We must support our leading businesses -- when there are opportunities as a City to support our tourism and real estate industries, count me in!

California Green Building

Palm Springs has not been a leader on environmental issues. Palm Desert adopted aggressive conservation goals. We weren’t first, we were third to adopt California Green Building. This must change.