The Top 10 Issues Impacting DHS debate scheduled for Saturday is canceled because the incumbents declined to debate, leaving all the challengers who accepted with no one to debate! Mayor Yvonne Parks had commitments, Councilman Scott Matas conditionally accepted then declined and Jan Pye accepted, but declined when she learned the others declined.

Issues that could have been discussed were the temple building purchase, parcel tax formula, bond payments, required multiple bid procedure, keeping/creating businesses and lowering business fees, expense spending guideline violations, micro-managing committees, reserve money for one-time event with no payback vs. permanent amphitheater/continuous events, spending too much for redevelopment in down market, creating a secret homeless shelter, not annexing 46 freeway acres, paid city employees in campaigns and why recognition was not given to the commissions and committees that made the recommendations resulting in the last two years of progress.

This debate was important to provide insight into all the candidates' positions in order for the citizens to cast a more informed vote, based on the issues and not on the amount of campaign money spent.

Terry Scheurer candidate for Desert Hot Springs City Council