Desert Local News - Index

Desert Local News - Desert Local News 'weekly' on demand print March 6th edition - Index

dhs local news
DHS College
Hayden
Trustee By Dean Gray
Last year the College of the
Desert voted to deny Desert Hot
Springs the long awaited western
campus. Instead, this vital campus
went to Palm Springs in an
out-of-the-way location without
transportation. Importantly, the
majority of the students to attend
the campus are from Desert Hot
Springs.
It was not just classrooms that
were lost to Palm Springs. Also
gone is the athletic field, the auditorium,
meeting rooms and more.
Not to forget the added value of
business locating nearby and associated
revenue. Jobs, respect,
recognition and more went down
the drain when the final vote was
cast.
The College Trustees voted
5-0. Charles Hayden is the trustee
most assume represents our
city and he voted against Desert
Hot Springs. He is retired after
30 years in the restaurant business
in DHS and was elected to
the Community College League
Trustee Board in 1999. He is up
for reelection this coming November
2009 elections.
Hayden says, “It’s the fault
of the city” in explaining why
he voted against DHS. He also
claims, “My vote doesn’t count.”
And said, ”I don’t represent
Desert Hot Springs. I represent
the students of the entire Valley.
Palm Springs is the best place for
the campus. Once again, my vote
did not count.”
This generates the obvious
question if Mr. Hayden’s vote
does not count then why is he a
Board Member?
Hayden claims that Desert
Hot Springs is best served by
portable classrooms as they will
be brought in quickly which better
serves the city than the construction
of a multimillion dollar
campus. Hayden was at a loss
for words when asked why DHS
could not have had portables now
and the western campus later.
Staff writer
It took a month to bust up and
remove the vault and slab remaining
at the old Bank of America
building on Pierson. It’s now a
smooth dirt field waiting a new
life.
Councilman Russ Betts initiated
the actions that lead to the Redevelopment
Agency contract for
demolition. “The site was a liability
with steel and concrete hazards
and obvious blight that needed correction.
I’m happy to see my campaign
plans for downtown redevelopment
take shape.”
The last use of the building was
13
City council member Russell Betts
Bank Disappears
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com
as a church, it had burned, and the
city bought it for redevelopment.
Nearly 1,800 tons of inert material
(concrete and rocks) were crushed
and removed. Almost 23 tons of
steel were pulled from the wreckage.
The vault was heavy with four
curtain walls of 5/8 rebar shipped
off to Long Beach harbor for eventual
recycling.
Many of the mature palms had
died because of the city shutting
off the water. Also recycled was all
the green waste of trees and bushes.
What’s next for the now vacant
lot is not now known.
Up-to-the-minute News:
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City Desk and News Bureau
Paula Harris Building
66435 Pierson Blvd. Suite B
Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240