Yucca Valley Mayor Jim Schooler and Town Manager Curtis Yakimow were the guests on last Friday’s (March 11) Up-Close Show, where they discussed vacation rentals, traffic, and Joshua Trees. Reporter Jef Harmatz joins us with a recap.
Mayor Schooler discussed the ways in which tourism has impacted the town, saying that while it has served as an economic engine, it shouldn’t be the residents who are forced to shoulder the burden of tourism. He said that the town recently enacted ordinances regarding short-term vacation rentals that would help resolve some of the issues with unruly rentals.
“[We have] upgraded our enforcement, not that there is a plethora of bad actors, but there are some.” – Mayor Jim Schooler of Yucca Valley
Yakimow discussed the town’s intentions for improving traffic flow through Yucca Valley as the entire Morongo Basin fills up with tourists and new residents.
“Funding is being lined up to expand three lanes in each direction plus turning movements north and south from 247, east and west onto 62” – Curtis Yakimow, Town Manager for Yucca Valley
Mayor Schooler also discussed his work for the town shortly after its founding, the town’s perspective on Joshua Trees, and much more.
You can hear Schooler and Yakimow’s full interview by listening to the Up-Close Show as a podcast at
