On October 10, Z107.7 News hosted a Twentynine Palms district candidate forum moderated by News Director Gary Daigneault at Theater 29 in Twentynine Palms. With part two of a three-part series, here’s reporter Heather Clisby with candidates running in District 4…
Six candidates faced their voting public on October 10 for the Twentynine Palms district elections on November 6. This report will focus on responses on District 4 candidates: incumbent John Cole and challenger Karmolette O’Gilvie.
In luring new development to city, Cole wants to make it as easy as possible for new businesses to get started while O’Gilvie responded with another question: What do we want to be known as?
Regarding City Hall’s current four-day schedule, O’Gilvie said that any type of public business should be open five days a week and also suggested City Hall should be open on a Saturday once a month. Cole says they’ve had positive feedback on the 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. hours but is open to other suggestions.
Abandoned shopping carts are a concern. Cole loads them in his truck and often return them himself, but said we need to work with the businesses they belong to. Meanwhile, O’Gilvie asked the question: Why are they being removed? She suggested addressing the root problem.
Regarding the pension funding liability process, O’Gilvie admitted she was not familiar with the issue. Cole says the city manager has tackled that issue and newer employees are going to be participating more fully in their retirement.
Asked about plans once in office, Cole wants to continue the work on Project Phoenix and maintaining solid base relations. O’Gilvie plans to do a “pulse check” and ask citizens what they envision for the city.
