Measure J Oversight Commission Application Hoax
Palm Springs, California. The Palm Springs City Council has now made clear the application process for the Measure J Oversight Commission was a hoax. The vast majority of those encouraged to apply will not be interviewed and the new commission appointments will go to a hand-picked few.
When citizens were repeatedly encouraged to apply for appointment to the new Measure J Oversight Commission, none were made to understand they probably would not be interviewed or given further consideration. All had good reason to expect the application was but a first step in the interview process. As one applicant stated, many individuals express themselves better orally than in writing. The only stated qualification to serve is to be a resident and a registered voter. For council member Ginny Foat to reportedly dismiss applicants as "unqualified" based on her personal reading of applications is unfair and arrogant on her part. What should applicants have done? Go to a professional and have application forms filled out in a manner that would please her and other council members?
The stated intent with the creation of the Measure J Oversight Commission included the following:
Despite the stated intent, the entire application process actually represents an artfully scripted charade. Individual council members undoubtedly have already decided on their choices for appointment to the new commission. When the matter is viewed from this perspective it probably makes sense for council members to forego the interview process. To actually interview applicants would merely serve to perpetuate the cruel hoax being played on those who believed an independent selection process would occur. Council members may well have never intended to seek appointees with qualifications other than friend, supporter and financial contributor. Some may assert those who fail to understand that these processes are strictly political must be rather naive. If that's truly the case then the concept of public service must definitely be an oxymoron.
Citizens who have applied for appointment deserve better than to have their applications dismissed in the arbitrary and capricious manner council members have demonstrated. The process the council has chosen casts doubt on whether "various local perspectives" will be represented, or "ensure that taxpayers have their voices heard", and that "the members will be independent". The council appears to have used the application procedure merely to shroud a politically motivated appointment process. Having done so is simply wrong. The council's only concern appears to be their own self interests, rather than to the public service role to which they were elected.
Shame on them!
Bond Shands
Palm Springs
Measure J Oversight Commission Appointment Process Strictly Political
In response to extensive advertising the City of Palm Springs received a hundred and two (102) qualified applications from residents interested in being appointed to the new seven (7) member Measure J Oversight Commission. The City Council has decided against having all applicants interviewed and instead opted to whittle the number down to a fraction of the original count. They have decided each Council member will select fifteen (15) applicants and submit to the City Clerk who will prepare a short list. Afterwards each Council member will then select five (5) applicants from the short list for interviews.When citizens were repeatedly encouraged to apply for appointment to the new Measure J Oversight Commission, none were made to understand they probably would not be interviewed or given further consideration. All had good reason to expect the application was but a first step in the interview process. As one applicant stated, many individuals express themselves better orally than in writing. The only stated qualification to serve is to be a resident and a registered voter. For council member Ginny Foat to reportedly dismiss applicants as "unqualified" based on her personal reading of applications is unfair and arrogant on her part. What should applicants have done? Go to a professional and have application forms filled out in a manner that would please her and other council members?
The stated intent with the creation of the Measure J Oversight Commission included the following:
- "This Commission will be comprised of Palm Springs residents and charged with serving as community watchdogs. The members will be appointed to provide various local perspectives and ensure that taxpayers have their voices heard. Each of the members will be independent - they will not be City employees or contractors. The City is committed to transparency."
Despite the stated intent, the entire application process actually represents an artfully scripted charade. Individual council members undoubtedly have already decided on their choices for appointment to the new commission. When the matter is viewed from this perspective it probably makes sense for council members to forego the interview process. To actually interview applicants would merely serve to perpetuate the cruel hoax being played on those who believed an independent selection process would occur. Council members may well have never intended to seek appointees with qualifications other than friend, supporter and financial contributor. Some may assert those who fail to understand that these processes are strictly political must be rather naive. If that's truly the case then the concept of public service must definitely be an oxymoron.
Citizens who have applied for appointment deserve better than to have their applications dismissed in the arbitrary and capricious manner council members have demonstrated. The process the council has chosen casts doubt on whether "various local perspectives" will be represented, or "ensure that taxpayers have their voices heard", and that "the members will be independent". The council appears to have used the application procedure merely to shroud a politically motivated appointment process. Having done so is simply wrong. The council's only concern appears to be their own self interests, rather than to the public service role to which they were elected.
Shame on them!
Bond Shands
Palm Springs
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Posted by Desert Observer at 2/19/2012 12:22 PM 
Categories: Measure J Oversight Commission, City Council
Tags: Ginny Foat Palm Springs City Council Palm Springs Measure J Oversight Commission
Categories: Measure J Oversight Commission, City Council
Tags: Ginny Foat Palm Springs City Council Palm Springs Measure J Oversight Commission
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