This Week Dec. 27 to Jan. 2, 2018. Happy New Year from Desert Daily Guide

THE LAST WORD by Greg Pettis
Here are My predictions and wishes for 2018
for our country and our valley.
1. Donald Trump resigns. The reason
doesn’t really matter - an indictment, health
or simply his business needs him. Our country
must be rid of this egomaniacal, uncontrollable
blowhard. President Pence won’t be
better from a policy stand-point but his finger
on the nuclear button instead of Trump
will help me sleep better.
2. The economy cools off. Not a downturn,
just a relaxation. This superheated
growth we are experiencing has always led
to a major drop in financial well-being. We
need to have growth but in a slower more
sustainable trajectory.
3. Democrats take back control of Congress.
I’m not a huge fan of the current Democratic
leadership in either the House or the
Senate, but a balance needs to be returned.
One party rule is never good, regardless of
which party. We need a dialogue and consensus
in our government. You don’t get
compromise when all the power is on one
Party.
1. CVLink continues to move forward.
The first section opens in a few weeks in
North Cathedral City. Ideally phase 2 will
begin soon thereafter and proves to be
extremely popular.
3. Numerous local city officials will
retire in November taking decades of experience
and leadership with them. This will
be the first time in years we may see a new
generation of young leaders.
1. Cathedral City moves to district
elections this November. Three seats will
be up for a vote with only one current
member seeking reelection ensures two new
councilmembers. There will be a period of
months of not a year while everyone settles
in and gets to know each other. Indio is in
the same position. I foresee at least La Quinta,
Palm Springs and possible Desert Hot
Springs going to districts by 2020.
2. Cathedral City will begin the process
to annex Thousand Palms and will complete
by 2020 to include their residents in the census
in the updated districts
This next year is critical to all of us. It is
important that we all remain vigilant and
RESIST.
Greg Pettis is a 22 year city councilman
in Cathedral City. He has made his name
in governmental circles as an expert in
transportation issues and is very active in
working on bringing passenger rail service
to the COACHELLA Valley. Greg was the
first openly gay elected city council members
In Riverside County. He has served
on the boards of the National League of
Cities and the League of California Cities
and as President of the Southern CA
Association of Governments.
2. The Coachella Valley Rail program
continues to move forward getting ready for
construction of new track and the purchase
of new engines and passenger cars.
46 The original Gay Desert Daily Guide. View our Free Digital Version on-line.