Desert Local News - Index

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

6 people
Meet Community Activist Dean Gray
By Bill Effinger
Dean Gray first introduced
himself to me during a Desert Hot
Springs city council meeting in
2005. Dean described himself as a
current resident, community activist
and former resident of the City
of Long Beach California, where I
had spent many years and all of my
children went to school there. Being
an activist myself, this became
the basis of our friendship over the
past several years
Webster’s Dictionary describes
Activist and activism as follows:
“A doctrine or practice that emphasizes
direct, vigorous action, especially
in support of or opposition to
one side of a controversial issue.”
Because of recent remarks,
suggestions and innuendos made
about Dean in this paper, I thought
it would be a good idea for everyone
to know a little bit about Dean
Gray, so I offer the following as his
introduction to the citizens of Desert
Hot Springs
Dean please give us some of
your history. First, your age and I remember our State Assem
your schooling beginning with blyman George Deukmejian cam-
High School
paigning at “meet and greet” at our
“I am 56 years old. I attended home while running for State Sen-
Long Beach Jordan High School, ate. I was in Junior High School.
then Long Beach City College, the Some say he was dry and without
Oakland California College of the humor. His passion impressed me.
Arts, Santa Rosa College, Santa
In high school I was elected
Rosa and Sonoma Colleges, al- President of the Junior Republicans
ways studying the subjects of Art, and campaigned for Woody Hayes,
English and Environment.
our congressman. I also served as
“I was introduced to community Secretary of Fine Arts for Student
action at an early age. I have long Government, President of Method-
been a volunteer and writer and ist Youth Fellowship, won trophies
at age 16 was featured with a full on Debate Team, writer for School
page story in the Long Beach Press Paper and published four issues
Telegram with the title “Teens of my own independent newspa-
in Action” highlighting my acper. I was also co-chair of the LA
tivities in church, politics, school, County Youth for Nixon campaign
and community. In the forty years and helped organized a field trip to
since.... little has changed.
Sacramento.
My mother was very active in
I also was active in Young
our community (3 times PTA Pres- Americans for Freedom, serving
ident) and very active in Repub- as California delegate to the nalican
politics besides raising four tional convention as aide to now
children. Her commitment to com- 9 term Congressman Dana Rohramunity
and America impressed bacher (R. Huntington Beach)
me.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Dana_Rohrabacher AKA “the surf
ing congressman, best friend of
Oliver North and former speech
writer for Reagan Whitehouse. I
assisted in an economic summit
at Long Beach State College and
took special courses in libertarian
theory and conservative politics.
Dana inspired me.
I was elected President of Art
Students Union, California College
of the Arts, Oakland CA. and edi
tor of school newspaper 1972-73.
Art is my passion.
In addition to writing.... I’ve
accomplished considerable com
munity volunteer work over many
years. I participated in the Russian
River Chamber of Commerce and
returned after nearly 20 years to
see the small saplings we planted
on Main Street become wonderful,
great big trees with a broad canopy
of shade. My hands shared in that
project. This is but one commu
nity activity from a long list in the
1970’s.
I have been published in sever-
al newspapers and magazines over
40 years. As you well know, I do
not just write... I do things, too. I
count several significant recent local
accomplishments. I’m pleased
to have participated in creating a
couple of miles of safe pathways
here. I’m also pleased to have contributed
my time and some materials
and efforts to build the “sets”
for your community theater. Some
fault me for trying and tear me
down for participating while others
shy away from hard work.
It’s been nearly a decade since
I served nearly a year working in
a recovery home for those suffering
from drug and alcohol abuse
providing aid to many that were
homeless. I will never forget the
night in a homeless shelter (the
Santa Maria Armory) as an experiment.
In the past year I have assisted
6 homeless people by providing
safe shelter at my own expense. I
do not publicize this but due to uneducated
attacks against my character
have to bring it up.
My family has had desert roots
for many generations. My grandfather
came from North Dakota to
Banning in the 30’s and operated a
motor court with lodging and a cafe
for the aqueduct workers. My mom
graduated from Banning High and
earned a mathematics degree at
Pomona College. In addition to my
father, I’ve one sister and brother
all graduates of the University of
Redlands.
I grew up in Long Beach but
spent time back and forth visiting
family in Banning. I spent time
in the early 60’s in 29 Palms with
my childhood friend. My parents
bought a condo (Palm Springs
Racket Club) which we visited in
the 1980’s. So I’ve got the desert
in my DNA. I hardly call myself a
“newcomer.”
I arrived in Palm Springs in
late 2000. My daughter had died
of cystic fibrosis and my marriage
fell apart. Shortly after, I moved to
Desert Hot Springs and married my
lovely wife, Raven. We own our
home. She has worked for 12 years
for Cardinal Healthcare (formerly
Viasys and Bird) in Palm Springs
as Production Supervisor. She has
lived in Desert Hot Springs for
about 15 years now.
I believe in the American system
of freedom of expression and
freedom of the press. I listen to
Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reily and
Al Frankin. My interests are for
community improvement and that
means not ignoring the problems
but following Yvonne’s encouragement
of “Positive Energy I believe
that these are good and Republican
principles.
I strongly believe in community
service. My involvement is not new
or small. Governor Schwartzenegger
and all our Presidents Ford,
Carter, Reagan, Clinton, and Bush
encourage community volunteerism
When you see Dean Gray at a
meeting or in a local eatery, say
hello and welcome him as someone
who cares about the future of
Desert Hot Springs.