It was a simple, four-step exercise:
1. We came up with a list of 10 questions—five serious, issue-based questions, and five questions that are a little more light-hearted—to ask all of the candidates for city office.
2. We set up interviews with all of the candidates.
3. We asked the candidates the 10 questions.
That’s exactly what Desert Hot Springs resident Brian Blueskye did over the last couple of weeks. He interviewed eight of the nine Desert Hot Springs candidates (two mayoral candidates and seven City Council candidates)—everyone except Jeanette Jaime. Brian called her twice and emailed her twice; he even accepted help from another candidate who offered to put in a good word. No dice.
Now, comes the last step.
4. Report the answers to those 10 questions.
Here’s what all of the candidates have to say. We only made minor edits on the candidates’ answers for grammar and style; in some cases, we also edited out redundancies. Finally, in some instances, we did not include portions of candidates’ answers if they went completely off-topic.
Welcome to Candidate Q&A.
Candidate Q&A: Desert Hot Springs Mayoral Candidate Scott Matas
Candidate Q&A: Desert Hot Springs Mayoral Candidate Adam Sanchez (Incumbent)
Candidate Q&A: Desert Hot Springs City Council Candidate Russell Betts
Candidate Q&A: Desert Hot Springs City Council Candidate Larry Buchanan
Candidate Q&A: Desert Hot Springs City Council Candidate Richard Duffle
Candidate Q&A: Desert Hot Springs City Council Candidate Asia Horton
Candidate Q&A: Desert Hot Springs City Council Candidate Yvonne Parks
Candidate Q&A: Desert Hot Springs City Council Candidate Anayeli Zavala