Salton Sea money just one reason to support Proposition 68, the $4B state bond measure
Proposition 68 – for our sea
Proposition 68, a $4 billion bond measure on the June 5 ballot, includes $200 million for restoration efforts at the Salton Sea. For this reason alone, we should be flocking to the polls to support this measure.
The deterioration of the Salton Sea is not just a public health crisis, but an impediment to our economy and a slow-moving ecological disaster.
Recently, I attended a forum where a physician spoke with community members about the dangers of dust from the Salton Sea. Toward the end, a woman in the audience spoke about one of her sons whose nose bleeds constantly, and another son whose asthma gets particularly bad every time the wind blows. “Should I think about moving my family?” she asked.
The physician replied, “We’ve reached the point where, if you have the resources, you should move if you can.”
No parent should be forced to make decisions like this. We owe it to our children to support Proposition 68 to improve their health, preserve natural spaces and parks, and invest in their future. Join me and vote “yes” on Proposition 68 on the June 5 primary ballot.
Frank Ruiz, Coachella, director, Audubon California Salton Sea program
OUR VOICE: The Editorial Board's June 5 ballot recommendations
STRs are not needed
The No on Measure C side would have us believe that restricting short-term rentals would eliminate many services in Palm Springs. These scare tactics are being funded by outside services who make a lot of money destroying the quality of life in our neighborhoods.
Downtown is thriving with new shops and restaurants. Two new hotels are under construction. Tax revenues are flowing. Palm Springs has always had a high level of city services and a competent City Council will manage to continue to provide this quality of life without betraying our residents and ignoring zoning laws.
Residents support local business and services — beauty shops, doctors, dentists, mechanics, etc. Short-term renters spend this money at home.
Never would my husband and I have purchased our home years ago knowing this quiet, R1 residential neighborhood would be open for a business that disrupts our peaceful lifestyle. Tell the outside property managers that Palm Springs is not for sale. Put neighbors back into our neighborhoods.
Measure C allows vacation rentals of 28 days per stay. It eliminates the short-term, two-day party crowd.
Vote for moderate sensible regulation of vacation-rental homes. Vote yes on C.
Marjorie Hartman, Palm Springs
Seeing hypocrisy in criticism
Indio Mayor Mike “I know what’s best for everyone” Wilson has started a puritanical war against a discrete, well-designed building located in Coachella, a fair distance away and on a different street from an elementary school, just because it is a marijuana store. The building is not on a traffic pattern for any student since Coachella is in a different school district, but even if a child saw it, they probably would think it is a Krusty Krab franchise.
He should be worried about how the Indio-located Coachella Valley Rescue Mission across the street from the same elementary school affects the children. Law-abiding citizens in nice cars making a legal purchase at a store are a better view for students than homeless milling about and those issues.
It’s amusing that in the same news cycle he bemoaned not having more festivals. The Indio budget-saving festivals are a monthlong alcohol- and drug-fueled orgy located next to an elementary school. The fall event is now a marijuana festival.
Marijuana is legal; get over it. Hopefully, the inevitable Indio marijuana stores will be as nice as The Lighthouse.
Don’t waste our tax dollars on your hypocritical hissy fit.
James H. Achuff, Indio
A different question
Re: “Harnik's controversial new ad says Perez's policies increased crime,” DesertSun.com
I would guess more attorneys set criminals free than supervisors. Perhaps Jan Harnik should ask her husband.
Bart Brooks, Rancho Mirage
It’s a business!
I am a staunch supporter of Measure C, as our city’s many beautiful neighborhoods are being threatened and life there is much less peaceful and enjoyable.
Short-term rentals are businesses, as so clearly stated in a published letter by an opponent of Measure C this week. In a letter headlined “A devastating possibility,” this person states his opposition to Measure C, writing, “Also, what happened to free enterprise of managing your own business properly without city government intervention?”
I agree that business should be able to operate in an environment that encourages success, but I definitely think that running a business within a residential neighborhood is simply wrong and violates the rights of those of us who prefer to use our homes as a place to reside, not do business.
Gregory Wagoner, Palm Springs