Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutNon Agenda Public CommentLORRAINE CARLSON & ISABELLE SARFATI May 6, 2021 Dear Mayor Holstege & Members of Palm Springs City Council: As residents of Palm Springs, we are writing to express our deep disappointment and disgust with the Mayor and City Council's ill-advised decision to both endorse and permit the erection of a vulgar, 26-foot high statue celebrating misogyny and rape culture smack in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. Has the pandemic caused each one of you to develop amnesia? Have you all forgotten about "#MeToo Movement" which exploded across the nation 3+ years ago and continues unabated today? We simply cannot wrap our heads around such blatant disregard and horrendous disrespect being shown by each one of you against the pain and suffering so many of us have been put through and will relive again and again if this horrendous sexual objectification of women and girls is allowed to tower above everyone on Museum Way! What's also totally unbelievable is the fact that no one from Palm Springs Art Museum was consulted, nor was the City's Public Art Commission asked for an opinion, nor public comment sought from residents, at any point before you unanimously caved to "back room" pressure from PS Resorts to move this offensive sculpture to such a prominent location. When did a tourism lobby become the new "de facto" arbiters of what constitutes "public art", "good taste" and "wise" use of taxpayer revenues? And what drove you to bend over backwards to accommodate such an awful scheme at the expense of established and codified redevelopment policy? Do you really think that this oversized #MeTooMarilyn statue, with her body provocatively tilting forward to expose her up-skirted behind to young and old will increase tourism? Or that its presence will promote a burning desire among moms and dads and grandparents to visit Palm Sorings just so that they can take selfies while standing between #MeTooMarilyn's legs, looking right up her crotch? Is this what you want to be known for on social media and/or prominently detailed in your Wikipedia listings? 4271 AMBER LANE, PALM SPRINGS, CA 92262 May 6, 2021 Page2 So before you decide to further spend taxpayer dollars to create tacky billboard ads depicting the #MeTooMarilyn statue and where the next exit to it is off 1-10, please come to your senses! Any anticipated tourism growth from lnstagram posts of The Girl will come at the expense of destroying decades of gains in gender equity, and tacitly approving the criminal act of taking a photo underneath someone's skirt or dress without their knowledge or consent. Again, is this what you want to be known for on social media and/or prominently detailed in your Wikipedia listings? Thankfully, a lot has changed since this statue was taken down nearly a decade ago from its then benign location. As a result of all the nationwide and global Women's Marches, Black Lives Matter and I Can't Breathe Protests, coupled with the Insurrection at our nation's capitol based on a Big Lie still being perpetrated by a twice impeached former president and deadly global pandemic now exposing all manner of societal inequities worldwide, soclal Justice Issues Ilka this one are squarely on the public's mind. Moreover, as confederate monuments and flags are finally being removed from state houses and civic squares across the nation and as public schools shed names celebrating slavery and other grave injustices, do you really believe that uattuned" residents will stand by or stand down whlle this salute to sexual assault and objectification of women Is foisted upon ua? The answer Is NOi So please do the right thing and reverse your 111-advlaed decision. Women and girls everywhere, Marilyn Monroe, and Palm Springs residents deserve so much better than this. Sincerely, Anthony Mejia From: Sent: To: Subject: Dear City Council Members, Deborah Chu <dbrhchu@gmail.com> Thursday, May 6, 2021 2:23 PM City Clerk Forever Marilyn Statue Placement I would like to go on record in opposition to the temporary placement of the Forever Marilyn statue on Museum Way. I am a former employee of the Palm Springs Art Museum and object to this misogynist monument being placed in the public thoroughfare that was mandated to connect the historically important E.Stewart Williams designed museum to Palm Canyon Drive. I do not believe that this is a temporary placement and that the cost and effort to relocate Forever Marilyn will result its permanent placement on Museum Way. I am a full time resident of Palm Springs and came here for the natural beauty and diverse culture offerings but am embarrassed that the "Palm Springs Brand" will be sullied by the placement of this monument in front of the most important cultural institution in our city. Please reconsider moving Forever Marilyn to another location and reopen Museum Way so we can highlight and celebrate our art museum. Respectfully submitted, Deborah Chu Dejah 250 West Lilliana Drive PS,CA 1 5/~/:zr;ZI NII~ Afdp.,/~A /U fJtle (/uhfn,EA/r April 14, 2021 Palm Springs Art Museum On several occasions Palm Springs Art Museum has made statements objecting to the Forever, Marilyn statue being located on Museum Way. The naming of the street implies there is a museum along the way. Yet the city of Palm Springs and a few local business men were able to vacate the street in order to get permission to install a 26-foot-tall kitsch image of Marilyn Monroe with her windblown dress and back side exposed. Marilyn can be seen to be associated with, owned by, or endorsed by the museum. This is not the case. Marilyn (Norma Jean) was known as a sex kitten. She is identified as having led a troubled life. But regardless of those issues, the fact that locating Forever, Marilyn in sight of the museum and on Museum Way appears to the public that she is a work of art. This could not be further from the fact. The implied sexual objectification of women in today's world after decades of gains in gender equality is unbelievable. Looking up a women's skirt-and the numbers of tourists who will take photos and laugh-is not admirable for the reputation of the City of Palm Springs. This statue is out of step with the times. It is degrading to women. We are a city known for our art and architecture and design. We have an international film festival, Desert X, Modernism Week, and the list goes on. We pride ourselves in our history and architecture. Palm Springs Art Museum is installing the Aluminaire House on property. Palm Springs Art Museum is a destination for visitors from around the world. Palm Springs Art Museum has been a community partner. Palm Springs Art Museum is visited by thousands of children each year. Palm Springs Art Museum has a reputation as a fine arts museum. Palm Springs Art Museum has been disrespected by the decision to install the Marilyn statue in its proximity. I am saddened that we will have to live with this decision. I am saddened that in this day and age we are still fighting for respect as women. For even though there has been much protest to Forever, Marilyn and her location, all objections to date have been to no avail. Jane Emison, Chair Board of Directors Palm Springs Art Museum 1u/tLJZ( PO Box 2310, 101 Museum Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92263-2310 I 760-322-4800 info@psmuseum.org I psmuseum.org 1Vt!/II /lae-Nt1.4- p u e, ti t1 t1,111/'71&vlr Anthony Mejia From: Sent: To: Subject: Hello, Karen Jacobson <kajacobson@me.com> Thursday, May 6, 2021 1 :27 PM City Clerk Comment on the Marilyn statue I am a museum professional who has been doing research and consulting in the area of inclusive language. I will not comment on the artistic merits of the "Forever Marilyn" statue as I am not an art historian or curator. But I would like you to consider the implications of placing a statue that is seen as demeaning and objectifying by many women or people who identify as women (as well as by many who identify as men or as nonbinary) in a prominent public space associated with a museum. This is a space that should be welcoming to all the diverse residents of the community and to visitors to the city and the museum and that should reflect the community's values. I hope you will give serious thought to these issues as you consider the question of where this statue should be located. Thank you. Best regards, Karen Jacobson 1 A Petition in Opposition to the placement of Forever Marilyn on Museum Way To: The Honorable Mayor Christy Gilbert Holstege and Members of the Palm Springs City Council From: Mary Pohlad, Trustee, Executive Committee, Palm Springs Art Museum As a Trustee of the Palm Springs Art Museum, I must add my consternation to what was so ably expressed by Steve Maloney, the deceased Chairman of our beautiful museum, when he addressed the City Council in November. The Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic Christopher Knight (and resident of Palm Springs) recently wrote a powerful rebuttal of the statue's placement in front of the museum. In his LA Times article titled "Marilyn moons a museum," he shared many compelling reasons why this monument to misogyny has no place in front of our community's most important cultural institution." Dubbing the statue #MeTooMarilyn, Knight points out that "the 26-foot tall colossus shows 1950s movie star Marilyn Monroe, legs splayed, with her skirt blowing up around her waist to expose her panty-clad backside." In front of the museum, she will be positioned leaning slightly forward with her backside mooning the museum. At a time when Hollywood and the rest of the country are declaiming sexual violence against women, this tone-deaf piece celebrates the sexist practice (which is a misdemeanor crime in this country) of "up-skirting." Placed smack in front of a family-friendly museum-host to 100,000 school-age children every year-this insensitive debasement of women will be the first and last thing all museum visitors see. Additionally, this work is not part of the Museum's singular collection nor do we endorse it in any way. Yet, the placement of Forever Marilyn on Museum Way implies exactly that, which creates concerns for our Board and staff since it does not align with our values or standards. By its very location in front of our entrance, visitors will assume it belongs to the museum, which is another reason we advocate for its placement elsewhere in the city. It must also be noted that our curators and conservators will not be able to care for this work, which has attracted graffiti in other cities where it has been on view. The country and the world have changed in significant ways since the statue of Marilyn was on view in this city. Today, in the era of #MeToo and Time's Up, there is no place for such stereotypical sexual debasement in the guise of Old Hollywood nostalgia. The city should halt this installation immediately, which was a based on a rash decision made without consulting the community, the museum, or even its own public arts commission. To place Marilyn on a street designed to open up the view to the museum from Palm Canyon, this provocative statue may invite gawkers but it will also attract an avalanche of negative commentary. It is not good for the museum and it will be an embarrassment to Palm Springs. Anthony Mejia From: Sent: To: Subject: @ To: PS CITY COUNCIL From: Elizabeth Armstrong Elizabeth Armstrong <e1izabeth.n .armstrong.1@gmail.com> Thursday, May 6, 202112:11 PM City Clerk Please add this memo to other letters in opposition to locating the Marilyn statue on Museum Way Re: Why the statue object called Forever Marilyn is an inappropriate symbol for Palm Springs Many people have spoken out against the installation of "the statue object called Marilyn" on Museum Way. They have articulated multiple reasons why this new street is an inappropriate place for this gigantic 26-foot high statue. I want to share three other reasons why this object is inappropriate for Palm Springs in this day and age. 1. We are living in an era of major cultural shifts. The #METOO movement represents just such a cultural shift in our awareness of sexism and discrimination against women. The #METOO movement confronts deep sexism from THE LAST CENTURY and from the last millennia. Forever Marilyn is a stereotype of a woman as a sexual object, and an image from a bygone era. We now know that Marilyn suffered sexual abuse throughout her young life. She spoke out about the "wolves" of Hollywood and her humiliation at their hands. If Marilyn were alive today, she would be front and center in the #METOO movement. 2. One of the most significant cultural shifts in our time is an awareness of the power and meaning of MONUMENTS. The Marilyn statue is, quite simply, a monument to misogyny in the guise of nostalgia. Over the past decade, monuments have become lightning rods for those fighting against discrimination. Today, Confederate monuments and the Confederate flag are finally understood to represent the pain of slavery. In the future, and to those who understand how images work in our culture, the Marilyn statue will be seen to represent a salute to sexism and misogyny . A growing chorus of concerned citizens -including almost 40,000 signers of a petition urging the city to stop the installation of this object --are asking the question: Why would the City of Palm Springs authorize such a monumental throwback? It's an embarrassment to a city known for its art, architecture, and progressive culture. 3. CONTEXT is important. Where you place an object -whether in your house or in a city - affects its impact. To commandeer a new city street, built with taxpayer's money to open up the view from Palm Canyon to the Museum --and then to block that view with a monument that personifies the sexual objectification of women -is utterly backwards. And speaking of backwards and the importance of context, that location would have her gigantic panty-clad backside bottom-up in the face of all visitors to the Museum. Visitors literally will have to "upskirt" Marilyn to get to the Museum from Palm Canyon. Not only is that offensive to the Museum and everything it stands for, this location will make it appear that the Museum chose to put it there --and that would give the statue an authority the statue does not have. I implore you to reconsider your support of a towering, 36-foot high object that DISRESPECTS the Museum, Marilyn, and women everywhere. 5/t.P/ZoZ-/ 1 ll'EMNO. f{Jfjl/ {!. {!L)f?Jmt:JJT Anthony Mejia From: Sent: To: Andrew Archdale <psscouser@yahoo.co.uk> Thursday, May 6, 2021 10:35 AM Christy Holstege Cc: Grace Garner; Dennis Woods; Geoff Kors; Lisa Middleton; Llubi Rios; City Clerk; CityManager Subject: A SOLUTION !! E Now that the City have approved a housing project for $millions, to house low income folk at I believe over $400k per unit for 60 units the next step should be to give priority to the relatives of those folk, still living in the community, that were 'displaced' all those years ago when development of downtown PS took place. Of course you should be able to satisfy any humanitarian issues at a stroke because of course 'equity' will come into play and folk of color should be given the highest priority. However, this should come with the ABSOLUTE agreement from them that all past issues have been resolved with this reparation, a line can be drawn in the sand and PS can move on and forward, and Bogarts statue can remain in place. I suspect you will not even consider this because the real problem is liberal white folk who don't really want the problems to go away because then power is lost! If you really do want to solve a problem, where funds have already been allocated. Unless you stipulate that this project signals an end to this ridiculous nonsense the next issue will undoubtably be the examination of the hundreds of Stars along Palm Canyon and the scrutiny of each individual! Rich pickings there for the liberal hand wringers! Unbelievable that a committee should vote and decide to take The Frank Bogart statue down from outside City Hall. He truly represents the original pioneer origins of PS and his tireless work attracted the movers and shakers including Presidents, to this town whose additional contributions have made it the little town known around the World. Why should we deny the past? It's appalling that a few people can force this issue on the majority of PS residents . What next, the first golf course in the Coachella Valley, The O'Donnell to go? Let's get the facts straight many people were displaced, but rehoused both black and white from dilapidated shacks to better homes. As a result downtown was then revitalized and subsequently attracted tourists who contributed to the local economy, the start of a journey that has made Palm Canyon Drive what it is today. If nothing had been done what would have happened, no development and no subsequent success of the village? It's time to stop this nonsense and taint everything with the word racism. When are the inflammatory George Floyd and ' Unity' murals going to be taken down? Frank Bogart as the first pioneer mayor of PS should stay in place, please do not give in to this cancel culture movement and if this is so important to a few people, put it on the ballot for the legal PS voters to decide. Kind Regards, ::;; & I v>1.. I 1 ITEM NO. f[)J?t,/C {]dWl(YllrJ r Andrew Archdale Tel# 760-980-2175 "You'll never walk alone" 2 Anthony Mejia From: Sent: To: Subject: Steve Nash <steve44nash@gmail.com> Thursday, May 6, 2021 10:29 AM City Clerk Public comment for tonight's council meeting The Importance of Cultural Tourism and the Forever Marilyn Statue Steven Nash What is cultural tourism? It's the many visitors that flock to the Coachella Valley every year to partake of the cultural offerings of such organizations as the Palm Springs International Film Festival, Coachella music festival, Modernism Week, Desert X, exhibitions at the Palm Springs Art Museum and other performance venues in the region . Cultural tourism has a huge impact on the region's economy. Of course, these programs also contribute to the lives of residents and to students through outreach to schools. Greater Palm Springs is a mecca for fun and sun, but it is also rapidly building a widely recognized brand for its enhancement of those popular pleasures with, for many, the equally or even more important aesthetic and spiritual values of the arts. The statistics regarding the dramatic growth of the arts industry in Palm Springs are impressive. Modernism Week provides a good example. Attendance at its programs in 2020 was 162,000, with an economic impact of $61 million. Equally interesting is the record of Desert X, the biennial exhibition of site-specific art works installed at locations throughout the Coachella Valley. Site visits three-fourths of the way through this year's event, which concludes May 16, have tipped 500,000, with total global media impressions calculated at a mind-boggling 2.4 billion in 27 countries. Now that's the kind of positive worldwide PR we really need! If one considers all our arts organizations and their wide-spread outreach, the overall economic impact in any given year is well into the many hundreds of millions. People who travel to Palm Springs for cultural events inevitably spend lavishly on hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, bars, transportation, etc., including taxes of all kinds. Another positive effect not often considered involves real estate. Visitors often come to the area for its cultural events, fall in love with the region, and then decide to buy homes or condos, providing a monumental economic contribution. Culture is for everyone, not just an elite few, as evidenced by the lines of school buses regularly backed up at the art museum and the social and racial diversity of travelers to Desert X installation sites. But a natural question arises as to why the Palm Springs city government seems so blind to the role played by the arts in tourism and its economics. Aside from the well-funded film festival, arts organizations receive paltry city funding. And it is not because the money is not available through, for example, Transient Occupancy Taxes (or TOT) that every year produce Valley-wide many millions of dollars of income. From the funds collected by hotels in Palm Springs, the city allocates back to Palm Springs Resorts large amounts for brand promotion. Over the past five years the total amount allocated was $3,335,000, and in both 2019 and 2020 the allocations reached $769,000. s/u/ioz/ 1 rrEM No. tf UP/l w t)l)mmeN r Aside from the question of why PS Resorts, a private entity, should have control over so much of our tax revenue, we now have the wasteful decision by PS Resorts to use $1,000,000 to purchase the Forever Marilyn statue, in the hope that it would help stimulate our post-pandemic economy. Alas, no one apparently bothered to check the tourism records for Marilyn's first temporary visit to Palm Springs in 2012-14, for they would have discovered that city sales taxes actually declined and hotel occupancy was flat, indicating that she had virtually no impact on tourism. Many enjoyed the statue, but they did not come because of it. Compared to the proven ability of our arts organizations to drive tourism and the economy, doesn't all this suggest that the million dollars spent on the statue could have been much more profitably focused on extending the financial stability and mission outreach of those arts groups? It is high time for the city to recognize the economic importance of these organizations and fund them more generously, funds that would return handsomely on the investment. 2 Anthony Mejia From: Sent: To: Subject: jane sweeney <jams81972@gmail.com> Thursday, May 6, 2021 7:12 AM City Clerk Marilyn statue My husband and I have been coming to Palm Springs for the past 15 years. We have seen the downtown area transformed from an old shopping mall with a kitchy 26 foot statue of Marilyn to a vibrant commercial zone. The Palm Springs Art Museum is the architectural centerpiece. Museum Way gives a clear view of that from the main street, Palm Canyon. The plans for the downtown park have shown support and emphasis of Palm Springs as a Midcentury Moderism art and architecture MECA. Now the return of the 26 foot Marilyn statue to the downtown area, blocking the clear view of the museum, is undoing the progress of the last 15 years. The location could not be more awkward or incongruous. The sculpture has its issues. It represents a time in Hollywood when women were portrayed as decoration and sexual objects. By putting the Marilyn statue in such an important place, closing a new street, you are supporting a very negative message. It's not just a photo op. When the family gets home and looks at the photos, the kids will look at the family standing under the skirt, looking up into the underpants of a famous Hollywood star. This is not a positive message for anyone, especially our youth. Please rethink the placement of the Marilyn statue. We have been homeowners in Palm Springs for the past 5 years. We are pleased with the direction of the downtown plan. The Marilyn statue is a huge detour from that plan. Jane Sweeney 247 West Stevens Rd. #15 Palm Springs, CA 92262 1 Anthony Mejia From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Attachments: Mark Davis <mrkhdvs@gmail.com> Thursday, May 6, 2021 1:22 PM City Clerk Mark Davis Palm Springs Together Asks Palm Springs Hotels to Support Relocating Marilyn Monroe Statue in City Center WebPage.pdf Please add this to the documents provided for City Council members for the meeting tonight ... thank you. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/palm-springs-together-asks-palm-springs-hotels-to- su pport-re locating-ma ri lyn-mon roe-statue-i n-city-ce nter-3012 7 64 77. htm I Mark Davis mrkhdvs@gmail.com Cell: 760.861.0601 PO Box 5314 Palm Springs, CA 92263 1 'S/UJ/Z02.( Pt1!3L/(I &Jtr1t!'leNI Pain, Springs Together Asks Pain, Springs Hotels to Support Relocating Marilyn Monroe Statue in City Center NEWS PROVIDED BY Palm Springs Together-+ Apr 26, 2021, 15:00 ET PALM SPRINGS, Calif., April 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/--In a letter sent today to 19 hotels that are members of P.S. Resorts, a Palm Springs community group asked the hotels to withdraw their support for placing an upskirted statue of Marilyn Monroe on Museum Way in downtown Palm Springs and to relocate the statue to another location. As planned, the statue featuring a panty-clad Marilyn Monroe literally would "moon" the Palm Springs Art Museum, notes@LATimes Art Critic Christopher Knight. The @PSArtMuseum welcomes 100,000 school kids every year, who will see Monroe's backside when they leave the museum. The museum also is a historic property designed by master mid-century modern architect E. Stewart Williams, and on the National Register of Historic Places. The Marilyn Monroe statue is owned by P.S. Resorts, a tourism organization in Palm Springs. According to the group's website, the 19 hotel members of P.S. Resorts are: • Ace Hotel Palm Springs • Alcazar Palm Springs • Avalon Palm Springs • Caliente Tropics • Colony Palms • Hilton Palm Springs • Holiday House • Hotel Zoso • Hyatt Suites Palm Springs • Ingleside Inn • Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs • L'Horizon Hotel • Marquis Villas • Palm Mountain Resort • Parker Palm Springs • Riviera Palm Springs • Saguaro Hotel • Sparrows Lodge • V Palm Springs In their letter, community group Palm Springs Together asks, "Why does your hotel support putting a sexist statue of Marilyn Monroe in the middle of downtown Palm Springs? Is this the best way to honor an icon and show respect for women, including your own hotel employees? Your support for this misogynistic action sends a message." The letter continues: 'The action also shows no regard or respect for the Palm Springs Art Museum, a community treasure and tourist attraction in its own right. Please support the effort to relocate Marilyn. Thank you." More than 31,000 people have a signed a petition to relocate the "Forever Marilyn" statue, which the #MeTooMarilyn campaign describes as misogyny not nostalgia. "As a piece that promotes the objectification of women, Forever Marilyn has no place as a prominent representation of Palm Springs for visitors and residents. In the age of the #MeToo movement and reckoning, which has made strides in fostering healing from sexual violence and abuses of power in Hollywood and beyond, the subject and placement of the statue is entirely tone deaf and ignores the historic societal change.11 The #MeTooMarilyn petition on Change.erg can be viewed at change.org/MeTooMarilyn. A separate community group known as the Committee to Relocate Marilyn has raised more than $60,000 to take legal action against the @Cityof PS for vacating a public street to house the statue without following city and state laws and regulations. The group's GoFundMe page is at gofundme.com/f/crema-committee-to-relocate-marylin. SOURCE Palm Springs Together Anthony Mejia From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Attachments: Terri M <terrimi1ton4@aol.com> Thursday, May 6, 2021 1 :20 PM Christy Holstege; Lisa Middleton; Grace Garner; Dennis Woods; Geoff Kors City Clerk Mayor Bogert Statue; CC meeting 5/20/21 _THE SECTION 14 STORY -THE DESERT SUN -NOVEMBER 1968 Pages 5-6.pdf Dear Mayor Holstege, Honorable Councilmembers and Staff: This is my formal request that you vote NO on the removal of Frank Bogert statue in front of City Hall and put an end to the continued hate. It was reported that this issue will be on your May 20, 2021 , joint meeting with the Human Rights Commission. I listened to the Human Rights Commission meeting of 5/5/21 and the comments made, for and against, this proposal. Chairman deHarte stated, "there seems to be a misunderstanding in the community that the Commission is against Frank Bogert". He said that is not the case. However, that is exactly what the hateful citizens are saying . The Commission still voted to take down someone who demonstrated great leadership for this community. The Chairman quoted a document calling the City's action a city-orchestrated holocaust. Good grief! That is an untrue statement. If the civic goals and objectives are to "protect the diversity of our community" and "to improve human relations through education and community awareness", why not find ways to do just that? Include and protect ALL people including our three-time elected Mayor Bogert? This will never happen again in Palm Springs' history because we don't vote for Mayor anymore. Those that have run for the position recently and lost, will never be able to match the goodness Bogert brought to the community. To remove Bogert's statue is disrespectful and conflicts with both the City's mission statement and the Human Rights Commission mission statement. Where were these citizens when the 50th Anniversary Committee was formed and consideration for the statue began in the 1990s? Mayor Bogert was my neighbor and a friend to so many . Even JFK looked forward to meeting the cowboy Mayor of Palm Springs. Why couldn't you find a way to educate the community on what really happened ; and the good things he did for the city instead of trying to wipe out his memory altogether, based on no evidence? The statue sits on City property because he was a respected leader. He was honest, respectful , and equitable. Removing the statue isn't going to heal the citizens continued hatred for what happened . The City 's mission statement says, "provid ing excellent and responsive public service" which Mayor Bogert accomplished, and, "enhance the quality of life for current and future generations", which he also accomplished . Why would you take action against Bogert? "Because he is the only one with a statue", suggested Chair deHarte. Again, no evidence. The Desert Sun was used for reference material in their research. Attached are two pages of a report the Desert Sun produced for history . Please read carefully and understand that Mayor Bogert is not the "symbol" of what happened. Respectfully, Terri Milton District 4 1 5/~/W-LI ?ua, c oon'lmBN' THE SECTION 14 STORY Desert Sun, Volume 42, Number 88, 14 November 1968 THE SECTION 14 STORY II Early '60's Bring Slum Clearance Hope By AL TOSTADO, Managing Editor On May 11, 1961 it appeared that the City of Palm Springs' attempt to solve its problem of relocating the scores of people who were to be evicted from their ramshackle dwellings on Section 14 was taking a step forward. Joseph M. Jackson, Riverside businessman and Alaska Realtor, told the City Council he was calling for the residents to cooperate with municipal personnel in the survey of the area which had been ordered by the Federal Housing Agency. Jackson disclosed he had previously advised residents not to sign any questionnaires, and the move had temporarily halted the survey of the southwest quarter of the section, which had been scheduled for completion the day before. Jackson said he had not completely understood the necessity for the survey, but after a long discussion with Planning Director Jack Bearpaw, was pledging full cooperation. Jackson told The Desert Sun he was "not just representing the Negro population of the section, but all the people on the reservation" and took exception to the fact that the council thought he was. "But the council was right in taking its stand because the only area of Section 14 being surveyed is the southwest quarter section, residents of which are predominantly Negro. "In a manner of speaking these people have already been served notice that they must vacate this area, which is the desert's worst slum section." Jackson also revealed he was attempting to start immediate construction of a new housing development in Section 10, near Garnet, where he had purchased 105 acres of land and was planning for both purchase and rental homes. And on June 27, 1961, The Desert Sun reported that more than 430 families facing eviction from homes in Section 14 had aid coming from two directions: -A six-month moratorium on evictions announced by Mayor Frank Bogert; THE DESERT SUN 1968 SERIES OF ARTICLES by AL TOSTADO, MANAGING EDITOR Page 4 of 42 THE SECTION 14 STORY -A promise from Federal Housing Authority representatives to the City Council that action would be speeded to certify city eligibility for financing guarantees for low- cost housing, both private homes and rental property. Section 14 residents had been under a June eviction deadline fron the Bureau of Indian Affairs that had already brought demolitions and burning of homes in the area. Richard G, Mitchell, special assistant for the Housing and Home Finance Agency of the Federal Housing Administration in San Francisco, and William Temple. FHA specialist from Los Angeles, reported Palm Springs could be certified for special housing finance guarantees within 30 to 45 days and funds could be cleared for the start of new housing construction shortly thereafter. Jackson, Riverside member of the Section 14 Housing committee told the council the Bank of America, one of the Indian property conservators, was willing to go along on early financing for low-cost housing he was planning north of the city. Spokesmen for nearly 50 Section 14 residents feared red tape would delay completion beyond the six-month eviction moratorium, but conceded the outlook was more hopeful than at any time in many months. Jackson further disclosed he was then building 85 units a half-mile north of Garnet on Indian land and was prepared to construct some 500, selling at $8,500 for two bedrooms and $9,500 for three, at $50 down and $70 per month. At this rate, a city survey showed, 55 per cent of the families in the area would be able to afford the houses, based on an estimate that persons earning $400 per month would be able to afford to buy the dwellings. It was noted these people were paying $70 to $80 per month for their housing on Section 14. And for the 45 per cent who could not afford to buy these homes, the city was working on rentals, and was also trying to assure more facile financing with no down payments and 40- year loans through the FHA. On July 8. 1961 Palm Springs financiers disclosed they were negotiating for purchase of land at the north edge of the city as a site for low-cost FHA housing facilities for the families being evicted from Section 14. Attorney Thurman Arnold announced the contemplated plan but withheld the identity of the principals in the negotiations, saying, "Nothing has jelled yet. But this is the obvious thing to do. Many people here are moving in this direction." THE DESERT SUN 1968 SERIES OF ARTICLES by AL TOSTADO, MANAGING EDITOR Page 5 of 42 Anthony Mejia From: Sent: To: Subject: To Whomever it May Concern: Amy Grey <amyg@dishcommunications.com> Wednesday, May 5, 2021 2:08 PM City Clerk; Carr Donald N-29-20 -Executive Order As long time residents, we are very concerned and terribly upset about the proposed placement of the Marilyn Monroe statue. We simply cannot understand why the city is insisting on installing this ugly cartoonish image, much more suited to a theme park, in front of The Palm Springs Art Museum. The iconic and beautiful Palm Springs Art museum is the focal point of downtown (along with the mountains, of course) and should have the grand entry way that it deserves. We are the MCM mecca of the World, and there seems to be some amnesia about that. Tourists come from all over the world and are wowed by the vintage and authentic look of the renown buildings and homes, not an ugly, oversized offensive statue. The City Council is totally tone-deaf and their continued dismissal of local residents concerns and outrage over this sexist piece, is exactly what we don't want from our elected officials. Making deals without first alerting resident taxpayers is just wrong. At the very least, if we are stuck with this eyesore,nat least move it somewhere else in the park, not in front of the museum-It's completely offensive. Thank you. Sincerely Amy Grey and Carr Donald Racquet Club East Palm Springs, CA. 92262 Am~Gre~ (818) 508-1000 (ph) (818) 216-7880 (cell) amyg@dishcommunications.com www .dishcommunications.com Like Dish Communications on Facebook 1 5/t,/ZD'Z-.\ 'PU~ll l! ovmmENl Anthony Mejia From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: dorit cypis <doritcypis@me.com> Wednesday, May 5, 2021 12:42 PM City Clerk dorit cypis Public Comment May 6 -#metoomarilyn Dear Palm Springs council members, Listening to the voices of all your community members is your role as public service workers. I know that you all wish to abide by this democratic tradition. I am an artist, an educator and a conflict mediator living and working in SoCA. M'y work is dedicated to deeply understanding, recognizing and building bridges across human differences to expand what it means to be fully interconnected in life. Several times a year I visit Palm Springs to participate in and enjoy all that Palm Springs and the Desert offer -climate, ecology, art, design and most importantly spaciousness. The conflict you have sparked recently in commissioning the sculptural object representing Marilyn Monroe brings me great pause, sadness and anger. I am not inspired to visit PalmSprings under these circumstances and know of many other colleagues who feel the same way as I do. In short your choice is deeply disappointing -reflecting a lack of understanding of how images work in our culture - causing hurt and pain to many. Have we not been awakened in the last several years to better recognize how images, words and monuments carry cultural meaning that represent shared cultural histories and often histories of oppression by some against others? No one is outside history and no one is free from the forces of oppression, whether as perpetrator or as victim. The sculpture object called Marilyn perpetuates a stereo type cliche that is offensive to the woman Marilyn Monroe and to all women -depicting us as sexualized objects to be demeaned, abused and ridiculed. How is this helpful to your community, to young girls, to mothers, sisters who live and work along side men, brothers, fathers ... ? How does this add to human recognition, equity and reciprocity? Who does this serve? Who does this oppress and continue histories of abuse? How are you listening to the many voices of your community in embracing this representation? I challenge you to do better, be better as human beings currently in the special role of leading the Palm Springs community and echoing to all other communities across the USA. We each must Build Back Better. Thank you for your attention. Dorit Cypis Artist, Mediator, Activator www .doritcypis.com www.peopleslab.us 323-356-5003 1 <5/u/zoz( ftAe,U£' l1omm67\11 Anthony Mejia From: Sent: To: Subject: Katharine DeShaw <katharine.deshaw@icloud.com> Wednesday, May 5, 2021 1 :12 PM City Clerk Move Marilyn To the Honorable Members of the City Council of Palm Springs, I join 40,000 others who have signed a petition to the attention of the Palm Springs City Council that the placement of the Forever Marilyn Sculpture in front of the Palm Springs Art Museum is simply a bad idea. My family and I are regular visitors to Palm Springs. In fact we spent the entire month of December in your community renting property, shopping in your stores, enjoying take-out in your restaurants, and hiking in your mountains. When I heard that a giant statue of Marilyn Monroe "upskirting" was being placed at the the front entrance of museum we love, I blanched. This is a tone deaf move and a horrible way to represent the many talents of the actress. It is insulting to her ... to say nothing of half the population of the planet. When I later learned that the taxes from the income we tourists bring to your community would PAY for this monstrosity I became furious. This is not an investment I am willing to make! It makes me rethink any plans to return to your community. Marilyn Monroe is a beloved icon to millions worldwide. Her life was short and harsh. A victim of rape at the age of 11, Norma Jean Baker suffered sexual abuse throughout her life. Entering the entertainment industry, she was forced to change her name and her looks in order to become a movie star. In the 1950s-long before the current #MeToo movement-she bravely spoke out about the abuse she endured under the hands of studio heads and others she called "wolves." She warned upcoming female actors to beware of them. Placing a hyper-sexualized statue of Marilyn at the entrance to the elegant Palm Springs Art Museum sends a message to the community, its visitors (especially children), and tourists like us that this somehow represents "the real Marilyn," a Marilyn she would have been proud to see celebrated. Well, it's not. In fact, it's the opposite. She wanted to be taken seriously as an artist and not just a sexual icon. I join others in asking the City Council of Palm Springs to venerate-not defile-her memory. Surely there are more respectful ways to remember Norma Jean Baker and honor the accomplishments of worldwide. Sincerely, Katharine DeShaw Philanthropolo gj 1 5/u/iot( flA ~u ~ cai11 rn ~ r Katharine DeShaw President katharine.deshaw@icloud.com 323-791-7788 www.philanthropology.us 2 May 1, 2021 Palm Springs City Council Members: I am writing once again to express my concerns about the Well in the Desert. Not surprised that Arlene does not respect you nor the residents of our city. For years she has been handed money and told to fix the homeless problems. Year after year she has returned to ask for more money yet has not presented any viable plans nor provided any successful outcomes. Anyone else would have been told no more money until you show the city your plans/goals and provide outcome data. Because Arlene/WITD believe that they are not going to be held accountable, we continue to have the same issues/problems. Neighbors/businesses complain, and these issues/problems just move to a new neighborhood, where the cycle continues. Asking for a five-year CUP with no requirements just proves how entitled Arlene/WITD believe they are. And now she wants to add a tiny home village to her requests. How crazy is this? She has proved that she cannot follow the CUP requirements and show good outcomes, so why should the city and residents think she will do any better with this project. Our unhoused residents need more than being stuffed into a tiny home where Arlene can close the doors on them and walk away from the real problems of mental health/drug use. It is time for the city to say, 'Enough is Enough!' The residents of Palm Springs, both housed and unhoused, deserve better! I support two years at the Boxing Center while the city looks for a new site and a new program and new director for our homeless residents. The Boxing Center CUP should require biannual updates. These updates must include stats/data of clients served and outcome. Anything less is asking for the WITD problems to continue to grow for two more years. Note: This is not about residents not having compassion and empathy. It is about doing the same thing over and over, even though it is not working. Time to look at making changes for better outcomes for ALL residents. Respectfully submitted, Carlene Hart Rimrock NOrg resident Anthony Mejia From: Sent: To: Subject: E To All, Thomas Ledwith <thomas_m_ledwith@yahoo.com > Friday, April 30, 2021 10:21 AM Christy Holstege; Geoff Kors; Lisa Middleton; Grace Garner; Dennis Woods; Anthony Mejia Maryland Statue I hope the board will reconsider another place for the Statue .if I could have it my way , I would rather not see it in Palm Springs. Sincerely, Thomas M Ledwith 2701 E Mesquite Ave Palm Springs Sent from my iPhone 1 Anthony Mejia From: Sent: To: Subject: Attachments: @ Calvin Riley <scalrileyps@msn.com> Monday, May 3, 2021 5:35 AM City Clerk; Christy Holstege; Geoff Kors; Grace Garner; Dennis Woods CDC Guidelines Scan_0007.pdf Let the City Departments implement the new CDC Guidelines concerning the wearing of masks outdoors, especially the Parks and Rec Dept. Calvin Riley 2252 Miramonte Cir., E., #F Palm Springs, CA 92264 I [!] g_, Virus-free. www.avast.com 1 NaV\-A(f "()~ ITEM NO. f Ll\()\\c (CJf\/\MP.Jv Y° 0 c;-/o~ /Lo1-I 4~ I WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2021 I THE DESERT SUN NATION & WORLD NASDl •48.S overing not needed . 1tside except ·in crowds · rianna Rodriguez ,TODAY Fully vaccinated Americans don't ,d to wear a mask outside, except in wded settings, under new'guidelines ,ased Tuesday by the Centers for Ois- e Control and Prevention. )uring a White House briefing, pub- 1ealth officials said fully vaccinated lviduals can unmask while walking, ning, hilcing or biking outdoors alone lith members of their household. raccinated people also don't need to r a mask during small outdoor gath- gs with fully vaccinated family and ids, or at gatherings with-a mixture lCCinated and unvaccinatedpeople., · said. , 1 addition, fully vaccinated individ- q.on't need to wear a mask at out- . restaurants with friends from mu.l- households7 the guidance said. ~oday is another day we can take a back to the normalcy of before," CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walen- ~If you are fully vaccinated, tliings t1uch safer for you than those who ot yet fully vaccinated." 1e CDC still recommends fully vac-· ed people wear a mask in indoor c settings, and at outdoor public 1gs or venues where masks are re- d. iividuals are considered fully vac- ?d two weeks after receiving the td dose of either, the J>fi:zer-BioN- or Modema vaccines, or two s aftert receiving the single-dose . ;on & Johnson vaccine. of Tuesday, CDC data s.nf;lWfi!td /; l . I .- f. J •• / I Health offidals say vaccinated people don't need a mask during small outdoor gatherings with vaccinated family and friends. W.G. DUNLOP/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES been fully vaccinated and more than 42% have received at least one dose. The ag~ncy's guidance pre'Viously · d "masks may not be necessary when ynu are outside by yourself ;a.y from others or with people who live in your household," but it continued tn recom- mend masks in public setting5i and not- ed local outdoor mask ordeIS uld be followed. Some states already had to re- lax outdoor mask requirements. Ken- tuckyresidents are no longeriequired to wear masks at outdoor events v.ith few- er than 1,000 people. Mas usetts Gov. Charlie Baker told reporters last week he wanted to lift some restrictions in the state by th~ end of April. Health experts have said throughout the pandemic the risk of transmitting· tlie coronavirus outdoors is much wer than inrlnA~ nT A n+lu~.-.--:.~----..... told George Stephanoj>oulos Sunday • on ABC News' "This Week" the risk for vaccinated people outdoors "is minus- cule." Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency physician at 'Lenox · Hill Hospital in New York City, said masks should still be worn during large outdoor gather- ings where people are in close proxim- ity for prolonged periods of time such ,as sporting events, prqtests or rallies. In . the newly released masking guidelines, the CDC recommends peo- ple continue to wear· a mask in a crowded outdoor event such as a live performance, parade or spotting event. It also recommends masking at a barbershop or hair salon, an un- crowded indoor shopping mall or mu- seum, a small indoor gathering with unvaccinated individuals, an indoor I ] f l Anthony Mejia From: Sent: Russell Johnson < RJohnson@abcsocal.net> Friday, April 30, 2021 10:07 AM To: Subject: Lisa Middleton; Christy Holstege; Geoff Kors; Dennis Woods; Grace Garner; City Clerk FW: Desert Hot Springs High School Presentation Attachments: ABC SoCal High School-Middle School PowerPoint Revised 4-5-21.pptx Mayor Holstege and Members of the Council: Based on the continuing discussion regarding the need for multiple avenues of apprenticeship in the Coachella Valley I wanted to share with you an outreach event that will be taking place today in partnership with the Palm Springs Unified School District. Attached is a power point that will be delivered today to students at Desert Hot Springs High School. While this may not be located within Palm Springs it shows ABC's commitment to recruiting local apprentices in the area. It is a virtual event because of the current Covid Protocols and we look forward to continuing our outreach to all high schools in the Palm Springs Unified School District. Please let me know if you have any questions. Russell Johnson ~BC~ I SAC TO OR ~ . SAFELY Associated Builders and Contractors Russell Johnson Director of Government Affairs M 661-203-1838 rjohnson@abcsocal.net From: Aaron Viveros <AViveros@abcsocal.net> Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 2:04 PM To: Russell Johnson <RJohnson@abcsocal.net> Cc: Michael Fonseca <MFonseca@abcsocal.net>; Aaron Viveros <AViveros@abcsocal.net> Subject: Desert Hot Springs High School Presentation Hi Russell, Please see attach Power Points presentation. We will be a guest speaker for Friday, April 30th, 2021. From 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. I have also included the Zoom link below. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. https://psusd-us.zoom.us/j/83107568688?pwd=MGp3bllyYXRIZUtyWjYyeEpNelp6Zz09 Thank You! 1 ~ Southern •~ ~ BC California Aaron Viveros Community Outreach Coordinator Associated Builders and Contractors -Southern California 1400 N. Kellogg Dr., Suite A Anaheim, CA 92807 0 (714) 779-31991 C (909) 331-1548 aviveros@abcsocal.net #ABCMeritShopProud --Califomia SATURDAY,MAY1,2021 7AM-3PM ABC SOCALANAHBM TRAININGCENTBl 2 1 3 §,BC Southern ~ .California .. ciiornio • Community Outreach Coordinator for Associated Builders and Contractors of Southern California . • 19 years in the construction industry. • Hold a valid C-1 O Contractors License. • Certified Journeyman Electrician. • Graduate of ABC. • Taught Electrical for our local chapter for 6 years. • My hobbies are e-bike riding and fishing with my family. AARON VIVEROS !A..~, ~ CAUPOll'NlA STATE LICIENSIEl!IOAfl:D fft . 2 • 4 • ciiornio WHO AM I? • ciiiomi. WHAT IS A CONTRACTOR? • A contractor is someone who takes a set of drawings from a engineer or architect, and provides a cost, material, and labor to complete a building or project. • ABC is an association of builders and contractors. • We provide services and training to employees of our association . 5/3/2021 1 • ciiiomi. WHAT IS A JOURNEYMAN? ~r.,,:_"1 • 1i'J I ,I .._ ,,,.._, i .~_ '.1~g~,ul,-. -__ . .. \ ":('· r, ·,i ~ ~ . . , '· •·-I ., --;-_...., 'I \ 5 7 . ·•1 \.,, '.' .~ -; -~-I' _;' I ,,, >. ,: ~~'' --./_, ·~ ~~~;-· • EDUCATION ciiii.mia We offer apprenticeship training programs in the following trades: • Sheet metal • Low voltage • Plumbing • Electrical • A Journeyman is a skilled master at his or her craft. • Journeyman work for contractors. • The term journeyman has been around since the medieval trade days. • Think of the medieval armorers traveling from town to town creating armor, swords, and shields for knights. • Journeyman train apprentices. 6 8 • ciiomio WHAT IS AN APPRENTICE? • Apprentices are people who are learning a craft or trade. • Today apprentices are required to have on the job learning with journeyman and classroom instruction. • ABC of southern California provides state and federally approved apprenticeship programs. • ABC provides the best of the best training right here in southern California. EDUCATION • We also offer Craft Trainee programs and Continuing Education. 5/3/2021 ') 9 .. THE BEST KEPT SECRET ciili,mi. • No prior experience required • Earn while you learn! • Tuition is FREE no dues or college debt • Veteran's Administration approved • Direct job placement • Classroom instruction with on the job learning • Scheduled pay raises • Fully employer paid medical, dental and vision benefrts for apprentices and their family's. APPRENTICESHIP The Other Four Year Degree • COLLEGE VS. APPRENTICSHIP ciiiii.nlo • What are your goals? • About 80 percent of students in the United States change their major at least once.(National Center for Education Statistics) • On average, college students change their major at least three times over the course of their college career. • This can lead to large financial debt. £-I.. , Apprentice Program vs. College '-· 11 • HOW DO I BECOME AN APPRENTICE? ciili,mi. l1RI D 9DIOY RMJIPWJINMGIMftfft 10 -nww.....,.11v,.s1,...-....,iy1o.u__,....._, I Hq;"5d.,..D,plo,,a«(IID~ 1 S.CWSocWlty(' .. ,&.,,..,,,,.oe-:, J Dm«"•L.iorm,#U,pfrefmd£* • • OneaaK4t>MVPrillloul(Pm'IDlfllCald)~) .. HeJp'1,--1pg1QMY , Oftlaa!SaWT------dllialoodlotltl;dlra., _ __,.da,llcp ....... "'1111•-...... ~oaan~)'Ola'lqtltdloolorcoD9,.,.4H forallUllltt I _.,rrtr:1,., ~rr,_ _ _, ... ,..........,_-.,."'P....,..,~_...,.._._,..., . ..-.... -,,_ .................................... ....., .............. ...,,.. ... c-...,,._, ... wdlk~tollawmdom.alpa ...... "'•-•....tw.au..r,._...,_ ___ ....,__ O,,,AI I ,,,,,,..,,,....hu,,.,.,dUttml •recmbthrr,flriet •rlupn,ttnswOl~.,.,,.110,..,,.,..,.,.,.,.,_. 1 AflllwdoTN -11,cMcC_..ffill•,TAlll(TnlofMuha..k_l...,,.admt ........ fttco( ...... llu,1c,1 ---.. ..., ....... _._ ......... La;,us<._( ___ ..,Aj,pW_,c,. Appkaats..,..att1111•11111USD1aK'lftolfflilWii. 'Ve11111M-e•v~ao,-.1htTABETnt. S..W,-•pan lk1M•,....ICOOlldt1y.yoia.,PU\-c10•U-yar"'°"',-casc-tppty, : Onl...,.,,,~1111111at1-a......-M.'lffof""-Youh,\toac~11t,-.dwOra11111cn·P - Sbc:iad)WDOl,._dacOmlbtilcnicw..)••ill .. velD•'lil•pramol_.)'C:lrltc(GfC,.._ca~ J -A1tabour0rimlatioao( ....... --of ....... all-ABC...t,~,,_....t. .,.,,,. ttss ,enen ,,.,,,,.,, ....... ,--. ... o1 ........ ...,... ... ...._ .. _ ... ,ABE.,..... ...... _. ..... _ .... ,._.._ ,-•illloc,-moaa ...... 4npld,la11o.._......_._,_....,. ........ _..,.ABC_....,........,...,_ ,..;a1..._ • ..,..._,.,_......,,.-.11,11w-.tc.U.... . ...adw 1J S n.,..,-.,.t...._ •sa.MW)'Oll~ayqDtS&ioaso,IIOOd...._........._flic:ae,ililaur•dl.ilr••ww.-l,cmal.ClfllO\_...dle. _......,,,,_ ____ , ___ .,.,1714177'J.)117• .. COLLEGE VS. APPRENTICSHIP Siii,.,,. 12 • College is not for everyone. • Apprenticeship is not for everyone. • Some people actually pay for college working in the trades. • Everyone was born with a gift at birth. • Find a career you love and commit to it 100%. • If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life! 5/3/2021 ~ .. BENEFITS OF APPRENTICESHIP ciii.n.. • Students that graduate from ABC are highly skilled craft professionals that have a rewarding career where they can provide for their families and love what they do. 13 BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS 2019 Education Level Reimel To Avmge Weekly Pay l2,IOO . ~ S2.000 •-·--0-..n -11.- ~• -·· ••• 11,11111 °-·IUII l -~-- f ?9 nwww rm : ... :: NGO hee-f eo LEVEL Of EDUCATION WEEJCLYl'AY .. CONSTRUCTION CAREER POTENTIAL cii'iim. Construction Industry Career Path 15 .. ciii.n.. 14 CONSTRUCTION CAREER POTENTIAL • Create your own path! • Construction is one of the few careers that can rapidly lead to becoming a business owner. • Many high paying job opportunities are available. ,-.C THE SHORTAGE OF CRAFT PROFESSIONALS ciii.n.. 16 • California and our nation are facing a major gap between jobs available and the skills that workers currently have. • Apprenticeship programs teach the skills to find good jobs and succeed in those jobs. • Contractors across the country have a shortage of skilled and trained craft professionals. • The construction industry needs to hire an additional 430,000 craft professionals in 2021. • Jobs for people in our community are at a all time high . 5/3/2021 /I 17 TELL EVERYONE ABOUT THE BEST KEPT SECRET! «BC Southern California www.abcsocal.org 5/3/2021 i;