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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/3/2002 - STAFF REPORTS (22) Thomas J.Van Phone (766)323.4755 Place 1379 Barrymore Place e-mail:Etten Palm Springs,CA 92262-4974 thomas..i.vanetten@verizon.net WednesdayApril 8 2002 Good evening Mr. Mayor and Members of the City Council My name is Thomas Van Etten and I reside at 1379 Barrymore Place, Palm Springs Recently a Radio interview took place on KPSI Radio with a Citizen of Palm Springs and that interview was also reported in the 'Desert Post Weekly. This Citizen referred to "low life people" in the Gay Community coming before the City Council and cussing at the Mayor. Nothing could be further from the truth in that statement. I am one of those so called "low life people" who has come and spoken his mind at City Council meetings. The tapes of those meetings will attest that never have I or another member of the Gay Community cussed at anyone of you. I used words to describe what we live with on a daily basis if one is part of a minority community. A little history on myself: I am 58 years old and am partnered with Robert for 34 years. I legally changed my last name in 1976 to my partners to make a political statement about marriage. My partner has incurable cancer and has gone through extensive chemo therapy. I am retired from IBM after 3U years of service most recently in the Human Resources Management area. I have received 4 IBM Means Service Awards for Exemplary Service in 1971, 1982, 1983 and 1985 I have received in 1991 a Regional Mangers award from IBM for outstanding leadership supporting the Human Resources Community. We have received, in 1994 an outstanding commendation from the Catholic Parish Community of Most holy Redeemer in San Francisco for contributions to the extended Catholic Community of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. We have received, in 1996, an award from Most Holy Redeemer's AIDS Support Group for outstanding contributions in caring for people living with HIV. We have received, in 1996, an outstanding Contribution Award from PITS Station KQED and KAISER PERMANENTE for our work on behalf of the Gay Community in San Francisco. We were featured in the 1996 PBS Documentary which received a Peabody Award and 2 Emmys on the history of the Gay Community in San Francisco. We have received in 1997 a Proclamation from the Mayor and City and County of San Francisco for our work in promoting legislation on a State level recognizing Domestic Partnerships. We have received in 1997 a Papal Blessing from His Holiness John Paul II for our work with people living with HIV. In the year 2000 we established an outreach to disenfranchised Gay and Lesbian Catholics at St. Theresa's Parish here in Palm Springs In the year 2000 we received a commendation from US Congress Woman Nancy Pelosi recognizing our long term Domestic Partnership. I presently write a column on Politics for Pahn Springs Magazine `BOTTOM LINE." If the above represents "low life status" & means that I am a radical homosexual with a radical agenda, then I wear that banner with great pride. In the defense of freedom and Democracy, challenging our elected officials and standing up for what we believe in cannot be done with out tremendous passion. Why is it Mr. Mayor and Council Members that a person from a minority group cannot challenge you? Why are we labeled low lives and troublemakers? Are our rights as Americans less important than yours? page Why is it Mr. Mayor and Council Members that you cannot extend yourselves to "Build Bridges" in our community which is fractured at this time? Why is it Mr. Mayor and Council Members that you cannot even take the time to answer correspondence written to you that would demonstrate that you care about the people that you serve? It was suggested last Thursday evening at the Street Fair in front of Deyna Hodges election campaign booth by this Citizen who called us "low lives" that I should be arrested by the Police Chief when I speak at City Council Meetings. The Citizen himself is a Parole Officer and suggested that he might be able to arrest me. 1 look forward to that arrest. Would'nt that say a lot about our City Government? Thank you! Thomas J. Van Etten page 3 ® L. DEEP WELL RANCH MOpEONHERO ASSOCIATION 900 DM'Well ROar Pale 8111UP,CaWomla 02204 September 6,2001 The Honorable NNU Kleindienst Mayor City of Palm Springs 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Palm Springs, CA 92262 Re: Biltmore Hotel, 1000 E. Palm Canyon Dear Mayor Kleindienset: The undersigned are members of a committee deputized to meet with Mr. & Mrs. Grant, at their request,regarding our protest of the current condition of the Biltmore Hotel. We did not attend the September 5, 2001 Council meeting having only learned that the Biltmore property was an agenda item an hour or so before your meeting began. Mr. Grant appeared to imply during the"Comment" section that our absence should somehow suggest that we approved of their plan. We found the Grants to be pleasant and sincere, but we stated, we thought rather clearly, that our concern was not so much that the property is an eyesore but that it is a pj&g RftLhmu-d,We restate here our objections con inumicated to the Grants: • Because the property is not adequately secured we observe people loitering at all hours among the buildings, especially at night. Many of our residents fear walking out to East Palm Canyon after dark. • We have had three burglaries in the past month where the perpetrators have entered our property from the hotel side. • Children and adults have been using the hotel swimming pool as a skateboarding and bicycling area This area has arguably become an"Attractive Nuisance"and liability could ensue should there be accidents. • The buildings have been graffiti-ed almost every week causing the Graffiti Patrol to come out to cover it up each time. • Finally,the buildings are clearly a fire hazard. They are contiguous on three sides with high-density residential dwellings. There have been small fires lit at various tines,we assume,by the people who frequent the area at night. Biltmore Hote1, 1000 E. Palm Canyon Project Page 2 of 2 Our concerns are now magnified since it will be another thirty days until any action is taken. We asked the Grants at our meeting whether they could fence-off the property but they were non-committal. Moreover, our understanding from our meeting with the Grants is that they are looking at a protracted timetable. We applaud their selection of local, respected advisors and architects but it is going to be months until a business plan,design and engineering plans, financial commitments,city approvals etc. can be put in place. In the meantime the safety issue is still with us. Given the above factors, a strong,high fence surrounding the perimeter of the property might at least deter many of the interlopers otherwise a big liability claim could sink the project financially. Please give our comments some consideration_ We would lice to see the project succeed but not at the expense of the safety of surrounding residents. Sincerely, DEEP WELL RANCH Muriel Sporkin Phil Tedesco Bruce Johnson Paul De la Gamigue Identical letters to: Jim Jones,Council Member Jeannie Reller-Spurges, Councff Member Ron Oden,Mayor Pro-Tem Deyna Hodges Council Member Doug Evans, Planning Director 02- r Ysp �pdO.r� We are here to plead our case for our neighborhood which will be forever altered if a Palm Springs Planning Commission approved building project continues as things now stand. The proposed house will forever change the existing landscape of our properties—our homes. The approved building-a house-has an address at 820 Via Olivera, located west of Palm Canyon Drive, parallel to Racquet Club, in the Tuscany Area. We live directly above said property on Palermo Drive. The Olivera property, previously land of large boulders and desert growth, was excavated and/or cleared and then filled with multiple truck loads of dirt. This fill has resulted in a foundation height, which, with a house on top, will forever alter our views, compromise our privacy acid endanger our property values. We have written letters and spoken with Mr_ Meyerhoff of the Planning Commission all to no avail_ Mr. Meyerhoff states that there will not be a view problem and ignores our requests for equality in consideration in this matter. It does not take a rocket scientist to look at the land in question and determine that there is a problem for us. The new foundation is just too high!!! We plead with you to influence this building decision and ultimately protect our property values which are now in abeyance. We want it known, that we are not anti building on said property but we are adamantly against building on the current foundation height. Drag queen insists city responsible for wedding dress mess Dalliah B. Dalliah is a ]it- ful. little black drag queen,"he "I don't need an apology. it was supposed to do, the de upset. Well, maybe As he told it,back in said. . (Die apology) would be the mayor said.His quote could more than a little. He's - November,he was on Indi- Dalliah takes quite a bit check,"he said. "I'm angry have been pulled out of the pretty ticked off. an Canyon Drive watching of pride in his dress: He that I have this situation pages of Modem Bride.: See, Dal]iah just had his s the Gay Pride Parade and made it himself, sewed ev- with the city." "I have not ever seL'a. ' r�" wedding dress professtona]- • wearin g his wedding dress cry stitch. So I Sled that away and wedding govv n't st that did Iy dry cleaned and wants rt - when police officers told So he went€o the City went to Mayor Will Klein- have'pfiysical contact with the city of Palm Springs to DARRELL SMPI f I him to move on. That's Council with the cleaning diensu I was told he was the surface of the ground," pick up the tab. THE DESERT SUN when he soiled the dress in bill— $150—to plead his good for a quote, and I the mayor said. "The intent That's not going to hap- the street gutter. case.Fifteen times.And the wasn't disappointed, of the design is that it pen.And, for Dalliah, months ago. Our reception- iiMake no mistake, Dalli- meter was running.Each "He filed a claim. It was floats. She float-s." that's a problem, ist called upstairs. ah's beef with the city is visit added$36 to the bill reviewed and rejected," Floating fabrics or no, "I let them kriow Dolli- "There's someone to see about the dress. But it's —his appearance rate. Kleindienst said. "If some- Dalliah;isn't done.He ah's angry," he said of the you," she said. something else, too.Wed- Fine, the city said. File a one wants to sue us for plans.to fife;an appeal. city last week. "They've got He was waiting down- ding dress and all, he said claim. S250,000,you've got our an an,ry Dolliah." stairs,a tall black man in a he was just minding his Problem solved?Not attention. For me, it's not An angry drag queen is lavender dress,gloves and business and enjoyirw the quite. The city denied the even an issue." flarrelf Smith's column an interesting thing. matching heels—a hit too parade. claim several weeks ago, The cut o£Dalliah's dress, appeatsSundays. He can he I first learned of Dalliah's evening, perhaps,for an of- "Out of everybody milling which explains Dalliah's however,seemed to be. reached via e-mail at predicament a couple of q ternpon meeting, but taste- around and they stop one mood. The gown did exactly what Darrell.Sin7h@thedesemun.eum I rut TROUScns 1 __l.% SUITS 2Pc 3PC j TOPcOkT h EC K_HES"HAYS i DRESSES - I SKIRTS _ I L.BUMS RC KSIL — _✓ '^ - - — it F Gv� Q , o -- -r�f VALET 1 II oT MYGLc .IlnO S V.@lo9v 7 ! T'e0 5 InP,an('pP1 on D D. Palm Sprigs G 4?2E2 PPano :60 M1100 NOTICE -WARNING THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA IS NOT GAY FRIENDLY! THEY ARE GAY HUNGRY, BUT, THEY DON'T WANT GAY YOU. THEY WANT YOUR GAY DOLLARS, BUT, NOT GAY YOU. THE CITY COUNCIL DOESN'T CARE & DOESN'T HELP! THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DOESN'T CARE & DOESN'T HELP! A BLACK DRAG QUEEN CAN'T GET A DECENT BREAK IN THIS TOWN. OCTOBER 2001, THE POLICE TOLD ME I DON'T HAVE A RIGHT TO STAND ON THE SIDEWALK! NOVEMER 2001, THE POLICE TOLD ME I DON'T HAVE A RIGHT TO WALK DOWN PALM CANYON BLVD! CALL THE MAYOR AT: (760)323- 8200 TELL HIM YOU DISAPPROVE OF HIS ACTIONS. HE SHOWS HIMSELF TO BE TOTALLY UNCARING. DOLLIAH, THE BLACK DALLL4,H ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS CALL (760) 862-8I71 AVOID UNSAFE & UNCARING PALM SPRINGS TAKE YOUR FAMILY & YOUR MONEY TO HOLLYWOOD, INDIO, LONG BEACH, LOS ANGELES, PALM DESERT, SAN DIEGO, SAN FRANCISCO, ETC. Help! I need a good, honest, intelligent lawyer.