Steve Pougnet for Mayor 2011

August Hotel Revenues Up 23%

Pougnet Campaign — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:35:40 +0000

Following what’s been a big summer of double-digit returns, Palm Springs hotel revenues for August have jumped 23% over 2010. This significant gain is a huge boost to the Palm Springs economy, bringing critical dollars to City coffers. It’s also means more people visiting, shopping, dining, and adding to the bottom line of our local merchants.

From the City’s press release:

These significant gains in August, which is traditionally a slower tourism month in the Coachella Valley, are the result of a more than $180 million reinvestment in the City’s hotel stock – along with the implementation of the City Council’s hugely successful Hotel Incentive Program.

It’s a credit to our hard working tourism and hospitality partners that TOT in our City continues on the upswing, Mayor Pougnet is quoted in the article as saying.

It’s true: The hotel incentive program has contributed not just new money to the hotel industry in Palm Springs, but has paid off with over a thousand new jobs, a thousand new and renovated hotel rooms, and that has translated to more visitors, and millions and millions of dollars to our City.

This is one a notable policy achievements of City Council, and Steve’s incredibly proud to have led this initiative with his colleagues. I believe that our guests are noticing the new restaurants, the vibrancy downtown, and all the new lodging options in our City. And what our community gets is dollars for amenities, services, and a better place to live.

Photo courtesy of David Gray

Police Officers Association Endorses Pougnet

Pougnet Campaign — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 03:49:37 +0000

The Palm Springs Police Officers Association, at pspoa.org, has announced their endorsements for Palm Springs City Council, and they have endorsed Mayor Steve Pougnet for re-election. “This is an important organization representing the people on the front lines of our City,” said Mayor Pougnet.

In their endorsement release, the POA recounted Pougnet’s commitment to public safety: ”Public safety, police and fire account for nearly 50% of the budget. It is the number one priority of local government.”

“In endorsing Pougnet and (City Council candidate Paul) Lewin, we believe we’re supporting two civic leaders who will prioritize public safety in the city budget and who will adequately fund crime prevention and crime fighting by restoring police officer staffing so that we can continue to protect residents, business owners and visitors.”

The Palm Springs Police Department is currently staffed by 88 sworn officers, covering 96 square miles, serving 50,000 year-round residnets and hosting 2.5 million visitors annually (source: PSPOA)

Airline Incentives Paying Off for Palm Springs

Steve Pougnet — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 06:23:14 +0000

This week’s announcement that Virgin America will begin service to JFK via SFO is a huge win for Palm Springs. But it did not come without a lot of work with the City’s Airport Commission, buffeted by an incentive program we created to help bring new airline service to the City.

Already called the “Most Relaxing Airport” in the U.S., thanks to our redesign of our terminal, we’re seeing this incentive program pay off with new service to major hubs like Denver and San Francisco, other cities like Stockton, and even more service to Canada—one of our largest bases of tourism.

From The Desert Sun:

The San Francisco-based airline, which began flying in August 2007, added three palm trees to its website Tuesday with a banner reading: “Get some playtime in Palm Springs.
…About half of the $1 million set aside as part of the city’s airline incentive program has now been spent, said Tom Nolan, the airport’s executive director. The goal is to add new destinations and increase frequency. The city is in constant contact with carriers — both existing and potential — in trying to land new flights, Nolan said.

Incentives from airports are nothing new, but “it’s becoming more and more prevalent as airlines reduce capacity,” he said.

“At the end of the day, airlines only have so many aircraft to appropriate,” he said.

New airlines to Palm Springs include Virgin, Frontier Airlines, and increased service from WestJet and Allegiant are all evidence of the confidence in our City. And this program will pay off huge for tourism revenue, already increasing again in the double digits.

Good news for Palm Springs.

Photo by Binder Donedat, used under a Creative Commons license

Nearly 20% Increase in Hotel Tourism Tax Revenues

Steve Pougnet — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 04:17:33 +0000

We’re really proud to report today the double-digit increase, for yet another month, of Palm Springs’ Tourism Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenues. Widely reported today, you can read the press release from the City here.

On top of the previous month’s double-digit increase, Palm Springs has shown a solid ability to survive and thrive in a challenging economy. And I believe a large part of this is owed to the Hotel Incentive Program, a program that has resulted in over 1,000 jobs, 1,600 new hotel room renovations, and over $150,000,000 in dollars for the City.

I’m quoted in the City’s release here, but the real heroes are my colleagues on City Council and the folks who work hard bringing guests to our city, and those who work hard in hospitality to make their stay a great one. With our downtown bustling again with new restaurants, lively events, and new hotels, the Hotel Incentive Program and the hard work of those in hospitality are also why the large conventions we couldn’t accommodate are now returning. We welcome them, and I thank you all.

I’m proud of you today, Palm Springs!

New website aims to inform voters on Measure J

Pougnet Campaign — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 03:12:40 +0000

After approving the financial structure for redevelopment of Fashion Plaza, the City has posted a website to help voters get all the facts on Measure J, the initiative on the ballot this November that would put the arrangement into motion to redevelop Fashion Plaza.

From the City’s press release, which are available to the public here:

I encourage anyone with an interest in learning the facts about Measure J to visit this new educational Web site,” said Mayor Steve Pougnet, who added the City Council intends to appoint an Oversight Committee for potential Measure J funds.

The site will help inform voters about the measure, including pro and con arguments, with facts and figures.

Click here to view the new website, psmeasurej.com

Organizations Endorse Mayor Pougnet

Pougnet Campaign — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 02:24:35 +0000

Mayor Pougnet has received the endorsement of the Desert Stonewall Democrats, the Palm Springs Democratic Club, and Democratic Women of the desert, in conjunction with the Riverside County Democratic Central Committee.

“I’m honored to have received the endorsement of (these clubs)”, posted Mayor Steve Pougnet on his Facebook fan page.

After an interview on Saturday that followed a questionnaire submitted by candidates, Steve is joined by Paul Lewin, Rick Hutcheson, Craig Ewing and Michael Paduano as candidates receiving the highly-sought after endorsement of such influential organizations.

Desert Stonewall Democrats is proud and excited to recommend Steve Pougnet to the Democratic Central Committee of Riverside County as our chosen candidate for Mayor of Palm Springs. We feel he has done an excellent job as Mayor and expect him to continue to be a dedicated and exemplary public servant and totally endorse his candidacy“, said Ruth Debra, Chair of the Desert Stonewall Democrats

September 11th Activities

Pougnet Campaign — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 09:25:12 +0000

As our nation memorializes the 10th anniversary of September 11, Steve Pougnet will be joining Palm Springs community in several

activities to remember those who sacrificed that day, those who continue to protect our country around the world, and the heroes who have, since that day, made our country safer.

Events will include a 5K run and fundraiser sponsored by Palm Springs Marathon Runners to help raise funds for a local memorial, and a reading at Temple Isaiah in Palm Desert. This year, we’ll be joining Palm Desert and other cities sponsoring a free concert at the Palm Desert Civic Center that evening, in special honor to Barbara Keating, Palm Springs resident who was a victim of the attacks.

As our nation solemnly marks the anniversary of that day, I hope the community here will join in some of the activities locally as we remember the heroes have given so much on our behalf”, said Mayor Pougnet

Please see the calendar for specific times and places.

A Salute to Heroes 5K Fundraiser

Steve Pougnet — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 09:28:20 +0000

I’m looking forward to participating in the 5K run/walk this week called “A Salute to Heroes”, which is an effort to raise funds for a memorial here in Palm Springs honoring the heroes of 9/11. The event is kicking off 8am this upcoming Sunday the 11th. You can register for the event by clicking here.

“The Salute to Heroes is our chance as a community to join together in respect and remembrance for those who lost their lives on that terrible day,” according to the event’s organizer Molly Thorpe, who coaches Ramon Alternative’s track team and who recently organized a successful 5K run in honor of the Palm Springs Police Department’s fallen K9 Ike.”

Donations are $25 and each participant will receive a goodie bag and commemorative tag. The event is dog friendly.

Animal Shelter Donation Makes Huge Difference

Steve Pougnet — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:26:26 +0000

This week the Friends of Palm Springs Animal Shelter received a generous–amazingly so–donation from Hugh Donaldson of Palm Springs. This donation, $100,000, will go to a much-needed community room at the new shelter. From the City press release:

“We are honored and thrilled to receive Mr. Donaldson’s contribution for our community room which will be a gathering place for animal lovers,” said Stephen Boyd, Vice President of Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. “This space will be used for educational and training purposes as well as community-wide events. We are tremendously grateful to Mr. Donaldson for his foresight and compassion.”

Mr. Donaldson joins a community that has helped build a state-of-the-art facility, which will celebrate its grand opening in October. Mayor Pougnet is looking forward to this celebration and urges his fellow animal lovers to visit the Friends’ website, at palmspringsanimalfriends.org where people can donate and stay active in the shelter community.