During this election cycle, I received an email with a link from a political group recruiting people to run for City Council in Palm Desert. The e-mail made clear that only those who belong to a specific political party need apply. The group only wanted to support candidates who belong to its favored political party.
It is a sad day for our community and for democracy when a political party attempts to hijack our most well-functioning form of government — local government — and create a partisan environment and mindset.
The political group referenced in the previous paragraph, either is not aware, or does not respect, that California’s Constitution states in Article II, section 6, (a) “All judicial, school, county, and city offices, including the Superintendent of Public Instruction, shall be non-partisan.” There are very clear ethical and legal reasons that political party affiliations are excluded in certain elections in our ballots.
Our State Constitution prohibits partisan politics from invading local government and protects the people’s voice with clear community representation.
As a reminder, when a council member is sworn in to office, they are asked to raise their right hand and take an oath. The oath states that “I, _______ , do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California … that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California; …”. Yes, that’s the same State Constitution that sets forth that a city council position shall be nonpartisan.
The thought of bringing to, and polluting our city with, the divisiveness and, quite frankly, bad behavior, that results in the gridlock and bad decision making we see in other levels of government, is frightening. The only thing that will come of that is what we see in those other levels of government — partisanship that destroys vision, impedes or halts delivery of goods, programs and projects to and for the people. The same people, that in theory, the party politicians are representing.
Palm Desert, since its incorporation in 1973, has been a flourishing city successfully run in the best interest of all the people. The council members have always made decisions with the people and the future in mind.
The land given for a Cal State University, the building of an aquatic center, beautiful public parks, the recent San Pablo project, protection of our hillsides and thoughtful public safety have always been for the betterment of all people. Parks, streets, educational institutions, and economic development projects are not Democratic, Republican or any other party. They are for the people.
As a citizen who has lived in Palm Desert since its incorporation, I have chosen, and will always choose, candidates who are best qualified for the position — the candidate who cares about the quality of life and the economic well-being of ALL residents in our community. I will always support candidates who represent our community’s people — NOT a party. The candidate who understands and is well-acquainted with our community — not a politician with a political agenda, but an ethical community member who genuinely cares — will always earn my vote.
Email Christel Prokay, founder of Palm Desert United, at rcprokay@aol.com.
