I felt that my vote mattered: The election workers are the true American heroes

I decided to vote in person this year rather than absentee. On Saturday I went to the Demuth Community Center and was immediately welcomed and escorted to each station. After I finished voting I received a standing ovation from the entire staff of the precinct. I felt such a sense of patriotism and that my vote mattered. The people that are working at the polls and in the voter registration offices have had such challenges these past years but they are still there helping people vote. The election workers are true American heroes.

Rich Malacoff, Cathedral City

Holstege is pro-business and brings a fair and balanced approach

I am fully in support of Christy Holstege in her bid for State Assembly. Christy has spent her entire career helping the disadvantaged and marginalized in our society. She has been a fierce promoter of both women’s and LGBTQ rights; however, it is unfair to characterize her as a “tax and spend” liberal as they have in this campaign. Christy is also a strong promoter of small business and in the projects I have worked on with her, she is also very pro-business bringing a fair and balanced approach.

I urge you to join me in voting for Christy Holstege for State Assembly.

Brian G. Rix, Palm Springs

A proud mother weighs in: We need Christy’s bold leadership!

To: Desert Sun Editorial Board

Your opinion piece endorsing Greg Wallis for the state Assembly draws shocking conclusions. Greg Wallis has consistently demonstrated poor judgment, planning and time management. He canceled an agreed-upon televised “Lift to Rise” forum, stating that he had never agreed to it. Is this really someone that will show up for critical votes when he can’t even manage his schedule for a highly visible interview?

The NBC candidate interview demonstrates that Greg Wallis is clearly out of his depth, giving short answers that were mostly a reiteration of party dogma. Christy Holstege shows breadth and depth of knowledge in all topic areas. How can the editorial board support a candidate who clearly does not have the prerequisite experience or knowledge?

Your summary was: “We don’t doubt that Holstege, if elected, would be a strong advocate for bringing state resources to the 47th district.” That is the exact reason to vote for Christy Holstege. Her “brashness” as you call it, is a negative when attributed to women but the same actions by a man would be considered powerful.

Christy’s decision-making is based on her values, on doing what is right, not what is popular. Your support for Wallis, proposing standard Republican dogma and with no voting track record or experience, is baffling.

We need Christy’s bold leadership!

Sharon Holstege, Rancho Mirage

Enough is enough

Home invasion? Serious head injuries by hammer attacks? Zip ties and duct tape? Is this the America we want to live in? Is this what “making it great again” looks like? The only voice we have is our vote. Joe Biden is the fairly elected president.

We must not continue accepting and spewing lies and hate as “normal.” QAnon conspiracy theories have no basis in truth. Violence does not solve political challenges. Voting does. Stop this insanity. Vote the liars and hatred spewers out and keep them from getting in. We can save our democracy.

President Biden says, “Don’t compare me to the Almighty, compare me to the alternative.” Ken Calvert and all the GOP that continuously perpetuate the “Big Lie” are the alternative. Vote Democratic.

Richard W. Hoag, Rancho Mirage

I endorse Holstege as the most fiscally responsible candidate

As someone who has worked with Christy Holstege in her role as a civil servant to the City of Palm Springs, I endorse her as the most fiscally responsible candidate to represent our district in the State Assembly.

As mayor of a city heavily reliant on tourism for revenue when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Christy led Palm Springs in a way that prevented significant losses. She achieved this while providing $1 million in relief to small businesses, delivering balanced budgets, and increasing the city’s general fund reserves to $40 million.

On a personal note, it has been incredibly inspirational to witness Christy’s leadership firsthand. I know the other residents of our district will be similarly inspired when she becomes our state assemblymember.

Lauren Wolfer, Palm Springs

COD needs a trustee like Chavez Chaidez who cares about the students

I’d like to commend the Desert Sun for endorsing Dr. Joel Kinnamon for College of the Desert Trustee Area 4. He’s more qualified to lead COD out of the difficulties that Aurora Wilson and her cronies have foisted on the college.

Why did the editorial board feel that Ruben Perez's inexperience should be a concern for their potential endorsement of Larissa Chavez Chaidez in the COD Trustee Area 1 race? They said that Perez doesn’t take ownership of his own ineffective leadership. He continues to blame staff for poor communication, hiding behind the board's legal counsel for lack of transparency. Perez and President Martha Garcia are always blaming others, instead of taking accountability for their shortcomings.

Does Perez understand that the president has ample resources at her fingertips (including a public information officer and competent executive cabinet)? The responsibility of communicating is hers.

COD needs a trustee like Chavez Chaidez who is youthful but cares about the students and employees instead of a political agenda.

Voting for Dr. Joel Kinnamon (Area 4) and Larissa Chavez Chaidez (Area 1) will ensure that COD puts students first again and starts to rebuild the community’s trust that’s been decimated by Wilson, Perez, and Garcia.

Mary Lou Marrujo, Indio

CVUSD teachers for Valerie Garcia

Teaching is a challenging profession. There has never been a more critical time for innovative, responsible leadership.

I am one of the hundreds of teachers in the Coachella Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) who – along with the CA Teachers Association (CTA) and the Coachella Valley Teachers Association CVTA) – are endorsing Valerie Garcia for the CVUSD Board of Trustees.

In the reconstruction period following COVID, learning improvements are critical in order to reengage and make up for lost time. Collaboration with teachers and parents, engagement with the community and responsible management of resources is a prerequisite for our next board member. Valerie brings these talents.

Teachers, principals and district administrators should be the troops on the ground, entrusted and supported by the board. CVUSD will progress further along with members who are responsive, inclusive and courageous. Courage is necessary, otherwise change remains slow.

CVUSD must extend the path of forward-thinking, with cooperative trustee members. Re-electing the CTA & CVTA endorsed incumbent Joey Acuña, and electing Valerie Garcia to the Board of Trustees is the right choice.

Valerie’s plans for education and support of students by empowering teachers via progressive collaboration with colleagues would be the timely resuscitation CVUSD needs.

Simon Moore, La Quinta

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: I voted in person: The election workers are the true American heroes