HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/17/2012 - STAFF REPORTS - 00 WHEREAS, Julius Kazen arrived in Palm Springs in 2006 and was named Director
of Hotel Operations at the Spa Resort Casino, quickly becoming known around town as a
dedicated promoter of the Palm Springs destination and an all around great guy;and
WHEREAS, Julius Kazen joined the Board of the Palm Springs Hospitality
Association in 2007 and was named President in January of 2009, serving as the
association's head spokesman for the past four years and organizing the first ever PSHA
golf tournament which raised nearly $15,000 over a total of two years for the Boys and
Girls Club of Palm Springs; and
WHEREAS, Julius Kazen, with his sheer perseverance and a take no prisoners
mentality, brought together the Coachella Valley's tourism and hospitality partners and
helped lead the charge against the proposed Whitewater Jail at the gateway to Palm
Springs. He helped organize the CVB meeting with Supervisor John Benoit and thanks to
the hard work of Julius, the County of Riverside backed down - and for that we are
eternally grateful; and
WHEREAS, as spokesperson for the Palm Springs Hospitality Association, Julius
Kazen was a strong proponent of Measure J and the Downtown Revitalization Plan --
working tirelessly to promote the 1 cent sales tax increase with Palm Springs voters,
ensuring its passage and the continued success of our city; and
WHEREAS, following a several hour-long traffic backup on I-10, Julius Kazen
worked with Supervisor Benoit to set up a meeting with the California Highway Patrol,
the CVB and tourism and hospitality partners to create a traffic disaster alert system to
ensure that such an incident will never occur in our valley again. The team is currently
investigating electric signage to warn residents and visitors of traffic problems; and
WHEREAS, Julius Kazen has been one of the driving forces in helping to mobilize
our local tourism and hospitality industry into the strong and loud voice that it is today•••
a voice that people and politicians listen too••• let's just say that when Julius talks•••
people listen; and
WHEREAS, Julius Kazen is a one-of-a-kind guy, who over the past six years has
played a major role in the renaissance of Palm Springs, on behalf of the citizens of our
city and the entire Coachella Valley, we thank him for his dedication to marketing and
branding the Palm Springs destination. Julius, you truly are one of the people who make
our city like no place else and we wish you the best of luck in your new endeavor.
Now, therefore, I, Stephen P. Pougnet, Mayor of the beautiful City of Palm Springs,
California, do hereby proclaim October, 17, 2012 to be:
Julius Kazen Day
P.S. We love you!