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 State of Rancho Mirage
Mission Hills Country Club
Rancho Mirage, Ca
February 18, 2010
Story by Allen Lawrence
Photos by Pat Krause
Slideshow of Meepos-Hobart Presentation, by Pat Krause
This afternoon at Mission Hills Country Club Councilmen Ron Meepos and Dana Hobart talked to a group of concerned residents of Rancho Mirage about the state of the City of Rancho Mirage. Councilman Meepos initially offered a brief introduction and heart felt remembrance of former Councilman Alan Seman who passed away last month. Councilman Meepos reminded the audience that Councilman Seman had devoted 20 years to serving the people of Rancho Mirage, the city he always referred to a “Shangri-la.”
 Councilman Meepos then immediately launched into a no holds-bared discussion of what the residents of Rancho Mirage may have to expect given the worldwide financial crisis. He assured the audience that “this City Council has done everything we can do to ensure that Rancho Mirage remains the Shangri-la, he and Councilman Seman had intended it to be.
“Clearly,” Councilman Meepos suggested, “this is important not only to the residents of Rancho Mirage but to the tourists who stay in our hotels, buy at our shops and eat in our restaurants.” He went on to explain that “Rancho Mirage income is based on Hotel Bed Tax, Sales Tax and the interest in our reserves.” He explained that while many Rancho Mirage residents believed that their property taxes were a significant source of income for the city, it was “almost nothing” in comparison to the income derived from Hotel Bed Tax and Sales Tax.
 Since the onset of the current financial crises this base of income has been severely compromised. Because of sound financial planning primarily based on the work of his and Councilman Richard Kite's Audit and Budget Sub Committee which foresaw the potential of possible economic decline and had built into the Rancho Mirage budget, a hefty “Emergency Fund.” Because of their foresight and to the City’s benefit, this fund is now $67 million strong, Offering sound physical planning, prudent legislation, and strict budgeting by Meepos and Hobart and supported by the other members of the City Council over the last 8 years, Meepos and Hobart aggressively spearheaded many individual efforts to prevent the possibility of any prior deficits and together helped build the current $67 million surplus for Rancho Mirage.
 “While economic problems surround us and while we are not yet in trouble we have to be prudent and think ahead,” suggested Meepos. “This is not a temporary turndown (Hotel Bed Taxes and Sales Taxes are down 30% and interest income is down 40%), but the new economic reality we all have to accept and adjust for in our long term planning.” With the slowing down of business in the city, fewer hotel rooms are being rented, fewer people are buying things, and as a result, with our annual budget of $23 million we are facing difficult times, if we do not plan now and cut spending.” Councilman Meepos suggested that while the City Council would love to increase sources of income, it does not look like this is going to be the case for a while, “so cutting spending is the right thing to do, and we, (the Council) must make some hard choices now and we the residents must learn to live with them.”
Councilman Meepos talked about the role of the State in pulling back Redevelopment Funds, he indicated that Rancho Mirage will likely have to give up $15 million of Redevelopment Funds over the next 16 months and he talked about the impact this will have on the City of Rancho Mirage and its residents.
Councilman Meepos then introduced Councilman G. Dana Hobart who alongside of Councilman Meepos, also took the podium.
 Councilman Hobart talked about the good side of the ledger, which he stated, “thanks to negotiations and a lot of close work with the principals of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, that project appears to be back on the table.” Councilman Hobart went on to tell the attendees, “After many months up in the air after the Ritz-Carlton lost their funding, we entered into negotiations with the Ritz-Carlton people and we have put together a risk-free support package to help the Ritz-Carlton group obtain the funding they so desperately need to continue the development. Because of our work together, this project appears to be on much sounder ground.” “The final, decisions,” Councilman Hobart told the audience, “by the Ritz-Carton Hotel group, are presently in process and we shall know soon. But right now, it looks good.”
“Dana Hobart and I are firmly dedicated to maintaining our public safety services, police and fire departments at no less then their current high standard and keeping Rancho Mirage looking and feeling as it does now, that means maintaining our streets, arterials and medians at the level we are accustomed to.” Councilman Meepos told the gathering. Councilman Hobart then told the group. “Councilman Meepos and I plan to watch over what is happening and make sure that goals are met and the f right legislation passes to better Rancho Mirage.”
It is clear that these two men, Councilman Meepos and Hobart, are dedicated to ensuring that Rancho Mirage does more than just survives the current financial crisis. They wish to make certain that the City of Rancho Mirage thrives as best as is possible during these difficult circumstances. Councilman Meepos has been on the Rancho Mirage City Council for 8 years. Before joining the City Council he had a long distinguished career as a CPA, Financial Planner and Investment specialist. Councilman Hobart also has served on the City Council for 8 years and has had a long and distinguished career in Law, even arguing in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. The two separately and combined, have many years of experience reading and evaluating contracts and advising the best course of action for individuals, corporations and now the City of Rancho Mirage.
 It was clear when Councilman Hobart discussed the process by which he and Councilman Meepos worked diligently, in the service of the City of Rancho Mirage, to negotiate with Tribal Chairman Richard M. Milanovich and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Tribal Council and how they worked together in order to annex the Agua Caliente Hotel property. Clearly they not only had the ear and the respect of Chairman Milanovich, but also of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Trial Council.
While this evenings presentation was not a campaign event, it did not go unnoticed that both Councilman Meepos and Hobart are currently running for reelection to the Rancho Mirage City Council. When one member of the audience brought up arguments that have been made by other candidates and residents of Rancho Mirage, that maybe it is time for some “young blood” on the Council, Councilman Hobart immediately offered that he still felt quite young and had more to give to Rancho Mirage.
Others questioned whether it was really time for young inexperienced people to take over. Other residents offered “that these two leaders have shown they can do the job, make the hard decisions” and have such an incredibly good track record for bringing business, negotiating contracts and saving some $67 million dollars in reserves. “Maybe,” one member of the audience told the others
surrounding him, “it is time to keep the men who have kept our city together and have shown that they can do the job. I for one do not want to take a chance on an unknown.” Councilman Meepos responded to the audience, “Do to the loss of Councilman Seman, there are three seats up for election. We will be giving some new young blood a chance for Councilman Seman’s seat, as one of the younger people will have to fill it.”
Slideshow of Meepos-Hobart Presentation, by Pat Krause
For more information about the City of Rancho Mirage and its City Council, click here.
For more information about Councilman Meepos, click here.
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People Blog Section
Monday, March 8, 2010
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center Benefits From the
Founded in 1986 by Barbara and Frank Sinatra, The Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center was intended to provide a state-of-the-art, safe haven for abused children. It was their intention from the inception not to deny a child services if their family lacked the financial resources to pay. Thus there is a great need to raise funds to help underwrite counseling services for victims of physical, sexual and emotional child abuse, with special emphasis on prevention and breaking of the cycle of abuse. The total funds raised at this year’s 22nd Frank Sinatra Starkey Hearing Foundation Celebrity Invitational were inspiring, more than $600,000 so far, the final amount should be even more impressive.
The 22nd year’s three day series of fundraising events kicked off with a “star studded,” Pairings Dinner on Thursday night complimented with entertainment by the zany and very funny, Gary Mule Deer. Barbara Sinatra presented a heartfelt thank you gift to David Roosefelt, Tribal Chairman of the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians and the owners of the beautiful Fantasy Springs property. 
Friday morning marked the beginning of the two-day Celebrity Golf Invitational at Eagle Falls Golf Course. The participants were paired up with one celebrity per team. 
Friday at noon there was the “star studded,” Frank Sinatra Starkey Hearing Foundation Celebrity Invitational Luncheon and Fashion Show that topped all others. Robert Wagner and Jill St. John were present as well as local celebrities. The fresh and elegantly feminine fashion designs by Lourdes Chavez were featured by Troy of El Paseo. Barbara Sinatra presented Nelda Linsk with the first, “Children’s Choice Award”, for her 22 years of dedication in organizing this event so masterfully. 
Friday evening was the Western Dinner at the Fantasy Springs Special Events Center. There were pledges galore of support as well as a live auction and silent auction featuring many fantastic items. More stars, great food and the Gatlin Brothers provided the night’s uplifting entertainment to top this evening’s party atmosphere. 
More than 600 people attended each of the evening events, 300+ people attended the golf tournament and more than 550 attended the luncheon/fashion show. This year’s very successful 22nd Frank Sinatra Starkey Hearing Foundation Celebrity Invitational provided the perfect blend of events that inspired people in pledging their support to benefit the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center and for the benefit of the children.
Approximately 90 percent of the Center’s $1.8 million budget is derived from a variety of fundraising projects, charitable organizations and the generosity of caring people throughout the world. It is a sobering reality that approximately 85% of the children treated at the Children’s Center have not only witnessed domestic violence, but also may be victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or even neglect. The cost of counseling a child in an individually designed program is approximately $4,000 per year.
Barbara Sinatra is the Founder and Chairwoman of the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Friday and Saturday, Feb. 19-20, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Angel View Crippled Children’s Foundation, Annual Awards Luncheon
