The Issues

The Issues

PROTECT RANCHO MIRAGE:

PUBLIC SAFETY IS JOB #1

Government's highest priority is to protect our residents and businesses. Wayne will never defund or reduce city budget expenditures for the County sheriff, paramedic, and fire services. He will meet with the community and our first responders to improve fire and paramedic response times by adding an additional Sheriff's patrol and a third fire station to serve our community.

PROTECT OUR CITY FINANCES

Wayne has the government and business experience to protect our city's finances. Rancho Mirage city reserves decreased 6.5%, or $4.1 million, from the current budget to the projected 2024-25 budget. We must be vigilant with our public funds. The substantial State budget deficit and any economic slowdown can negatively impact our city. Wayne will oppose the city issuing any debt or imposing any new taxes, and will smartly control our spending with responsible budgeting.

PRESERVE RANCHO MIRAGE:

PRESERVE OUR QUALITY of LIFE

Preserving our quality of life mandates smart growth that balances economic, environmental, and community interests. Development projects should hire local residents to benefit our economy and our environment, and offer apprenticeships for local youth to learn valuable trades. The City Council missed the boat by not requiring substantial traffic mitigation measures when approving the Disney/Cotino development of 1,912 dwelling units, 400 hotel rooms and 175,000 square feet of commercial use. 

PRESERVE CITY RESOURCES

With a massive California budget deficit looming, Wayne's decades of experience in government, law, and business will help the city navigate the stormy waters of state spending reductions that can negatively impact our city. See the article in the California Globe.

The current city budget allocates over $1 million to pay for legal fees. With no attorney currently on the Council, Wayne's expertise as a 30-plus-year attorney and court-appointed mediator will help to reduce legal expenses and protect precious city resources. Wayne authored the book Success at Mediation, a book studied by students at USC's School of Law.

IMPROVE RANCHO MIRAGE:

A RESPONSIVE CITY COUNCIL

We deserve a transparent, responsive, and resident-friendly city council. Wayne will meet with residents at City Hall and institute monthly "Coffee with the Councilman" at local locations. He will respond within forty-eight hours to any resident who contacts him and needs assistance from City Hall. To allow an opportunity for all to attend Council meetings, some Council meetings will be scheduled after working hours at 5:00 p.m., and not only at 1:00 p.m. Wayne will offer residents the option to air their concerns virtually instead of requiring residents to be physically present at Council meetings. See the article in the Uken Report here.

END THE CITY COUNCIL'S BACKROOM DEALS

Three of the five current council members (including both of my opponents) were initially appointed, not elected by the residents. The City Council ignored our ten thousand voters and appointed their friends as council members. These backroom deals are not democracy.  The latest appointed council member stated he needed to 'Learn the basics.' In contrast, Wayne is ready to serve on day one to bring skilled leadership to preserve, protect, and improve the magical community of Rancho Mirage. See the article in the Desert Sun.

WAYNE IS A NEWER RESIDENT OF RANCHO MIRAGE

Wayne expects his opponents to criticize him as a newer resident of Rancho Mirage.

"I have been a frequent Coachella Valley visitor for fifty years. My in-laws had homes here, and I visited year-round for decades. When my wife and I decided to move from Los Angeles, Rancho Mirage was our first and only choice. The test for voters should not be how long one has lived here but who is best equipped to serve our community. I'll bring fresh eyes to improve our City Council, ensure public safety, manage growth, and stop the constant appointments. I have the experience, expertise, and skill to lead our great city on day one."   - Wayne

WAYNE PLEDGES TO:

  • Donate his first year's Rancho Mirage council salary to local charities.
  • Institute two four-year term limits. Wayne will serve only two terms.
  • Serve as a champion of the business community. The city must proactively retain, assist, and attract businesses. Wayne would designate one city staff person as an ombudsman for local businesses.
  • There are ten Rancho Mirage city commissions, but inexplicably, none focused on our senior community. We need a new commission dedicated to purposeful aging, especially for those in need.


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