In this week’s Desert Sun, there was a tragic story about a daughter accused of murdering her mother who was suffering from dementia.
Know that there is help available for everyone, whether it’s family, friends, neighbors, or co-workers.
- Adult Protective Services 760-770-2450
- Alzheimer’s Coachella Valley, also known as ACV, 760-776-3100
- Alzheimer’s Association National Office, Palm Desert 760-996-0006
Caregiver stress is real. However, attending a support group, accessing respite care (rest), and classes to learn coping skills are all options available. If financial concerns are a barrier, scholarships are available.
Let’s all work together to ensure this is prevented in our community.
Pat Kaplan, Palm Desert
Ackerman would work well at Palm Desert Council
I am an honorably discharged veteran and retired California law enforcement officer and am writing to recommend Dr. Greg Ackerman of the Palm Desert City Council.
I have known Dr. Ackermann for about three years and he is a capable and capable candidate. He is a devoted family member and a pillar of his community in Palm Desert, which has roots in the late 1960s. The two of us work together on his HOA board where he is a well-liked and respected chairman.
City council positions require a person of sound mind and body, with moral values, education, and integrity. Dr. Ackermann has all these qualities.
When elected, he brings the tools to foster the growth, security and prosperity of our communities. I confidently vote for Dr. Ackermann. I hope you will do the same to help our city take a step in the right direction.
Arthur Flores, Palm Desert
We rented a house and lived when COVID hit
Having a short term rental saved our family during COVID. My husband, I and my mother are all locals. At the beginning of COVID, her husband and mother were laid off. We would have had to sell our homes if we hadn’t been able to rent them out to families looking to move out of town and allow their children to escape to a comfortable home. Townsfolk who intend to flip our house and double the price.
We recognize that there is some negative talk surrounding short term villas, but the truth is, like most other owners, we operate honestly and responsibly. We are lucky to have neighbors who warn us of problems and allow us to drive down the street ourselves so our guests don’t disrupt the neighborhood.
Yes, we can personally benefit from owning these rental properties, but these rental properties bring business to our city and support it with the taxes we pay. By doing so, the community as a whole will also benefit. Code compliance, and a myriad of other benefits. Vote AGAINST Measure A to protect our quality of life.
Kirsten Cardenas, La Quinta
I never imagined STVR in a residential area
As a long-time resident of La Quinta (and a civil servant for 14 years as a planning commissioner, councilor and mayor from 1992 to 2014), I have seen many positive changes in this beautiful city. Her late wife, Diane, contributed to the city’s cultural development and loved the city as much as I do.
I am concerned about the proliferation of short-term vacation rentals across the city. Zoning laws passed in the early 1990s did not allow for weekend rentals in residential areas. La Quinta’s future revenue was found to be tied to hotels, shopping, and medical facilities located in appropriate zones. The strategy was a resounding success and put La Quinta in an enviable financial position.
Wave parks and STVR, two issues that have caught the public’s attention, make it seem like the city council isn’t listening.
So there is a stalemate between residents and parliament. To fix the STVR issue, Bill A is before voters in November to phase out short-term vacation rentals in residential areas. Please vote YES for action A to keep the atmosphere.
Don Adolph, La Quinta
Jan Harnick is an asset of Palm Desert
In 2017, I was involved in business in a local city for the first time. As part of a group of residents, we reached out to the City Council on a variety of topics.
Jan Harnik was very friendly to us. She always researched and made well-informed decisions in the best interest of all residents. I have come to greatly respect her dedication to everyone.
Yang has a record of increased spending on fiscal responsibility, balanced budgets, built reserves, and public safety.
Jan helped secure land three times the size of Cal State San Bernardino to provide higher education for all.
She has played an important role in many diverse civic organizations, bringing a valuable perspective to the city and its residents.
Jan Harnik is a great asset to Palm Desert residents. Please vote to have Jan Harnik re-elected to City Council.
Bruce Poynter, Palm Desert
California’s Confused Priorities
I wonder if there is a limit to the amount of crap Californians are willing to take. What do we have to show for that? Windmills, solar panels and bullet trains aren’t going anywhere.
Huge amounts of money are spent on education, but California ranks among the lowest in the state. Our electricity rates are among the highest in the country and there is no guarantee of uninterrupted service during periods of high demand. At the same time, we are discussing closing the last nuclear power plant and curbing new efforts to produce new energy in the state.
We are short on water and have no plans to increase its supply. Bullet trains go nowhere, but there are no plans to build a desalination plant. We are trying to provide free medical care to illegal immigrants. very! What is being done to improve the quality of life of the average citizen?
Apparently nothing. oh i forgot. We now have three state-mandated trash cans for her. Maybe that’s the big improvement we’ve been looking for.
Karen Knowles, Palm Desert
Steve Bronach votes for DWA seat
Imagine endorsing a nonpartisan candidate without dusting your opponents on the ballot. Well, it happens. like now.
Steve Bronack is running for a seat on the District 1 Board of Directors of the Desert Water Agency.
He doesn’t pretend to be a trained water expert. He records who he is and what he does. He is a university professor and his specialty is educational technology. His scholarly research publications are available for public viewing. Outside the classroom, he puts his insatiable curiosity to the intricacies of baseball analysis and puts his sense of humor to the test in golf (’nuff says).
Imagine a candidate who prefers lifelong learning to throwing curses at other election seekers. Instead of assuming he knows everything, Steve studies what he doesn’t already know. why? He certainly won’t get any votes. He does so to become a better educator and a better citizen. And he’s someone who could provide a better public service if voters chose to look beyond the roadside political signs strung across the valley.
Imagine voting for someone who seeks to improve our level of knowledge about water issues and work with others to address them. Imagine voting for Steve Bronach.
Hall Dairy, Desert Hot Springs
