Tag Archives: Rick Daniels

Desert Hot Springs city manager automatic email: ‘No personal or political opinions’

Posted: November 30th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Political Insider | Tags: , , , ,
Reply

Think twice before you send Desert Hot Springs City Manager Rick Daniels a snarky note — or anything at all.

Take a look at Daniels’ automatic “out of office” email, which doesn’t indicate he’s out of office but instead seems to be designed as an automated warning to anyone who emails.

 

 

From: Rick Daniels [mailto:rdaniels@cityofdhs.org]
Sent: Friday, November 30, 2012 11:19 AM
To: McGinty, Kate
Subject: Out of Office AutoReply: City attorney

 

The City’s e-mail system and every e-mail sent to and from it are available for inpsection by any member of the public. I get many such requests for all e-mails. If you have something that I must have please call me at 760-408-4350 or 760-329-6411 x101. Avoid use of e-mail. If you must send an e-mail, please make sure that they are strictly related to business of the City and that there are no personal or political opinions, satire, or commentary.

If you need immediate assistance, please contact Kristie Ramos at (760) 329-6411 Ext. 260 or via email to kramos@cityofdhs.org.

Thank you,
Rick Daniels
City Manager

 

Under the California Public Records Act, emails written to and from government employees are public record, and anyone can ask to look at them.

We haven’t seen the emails — yet — to know what kind of emails Daniels was receiving to prompt him to write such a warning.

Ironic timing

Posted: May 4th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Political Insider | Tags: , ,
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In case you missed it, reporter Kate McGinty has a front page story today that reveals Desert Hot Springs leaders are calling on Councilman Russell Betts to resign.

Betts, whose term runs until December 2015, has been accused of harassing the city’s recently departed finance director, Jason Simpson.

You can read more about the allegations and Betts’ response here.

It’s worth noting that the news came out Thursday — the same day that Desert Hot Springs City Manager Rick Daniels was scheduled to meet with a professional consultant about creating an intense relationship-building program for council.

Council members previously voted 4-1 to spend as much as $25,000 for the sessions.

The lone vote? Betts himself.

DHS city manager helps Ducheny raise money

Posted: January 20th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Political Insider | Tags: , , ,
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Former State Sen. Denise Moreno Ducheny is using her Coachella Valley connections for at least two fundraisers next week.

Ducheny, who is running for a congressional district that spans San Diego and Imperial counties, will have a fundraiser Tuesday at the Palm Desert home of former Assemblywoman Julie Bornstein.

On Wednesday, Desert Hot Springs City Manager Rick Daniels is hosting a similar event for Ducheny’s campaign.

Usually, city managers do their best to keep out of the political arena. After all, these elected leaders can have an influence over their daily jobs.

Daniels and Ducheny have known each other for more than a decade, and in their previous jobs, worked together on Salton Sea restoration efforts.

Daniels said he didn’t see anything wrong with hosting a fundraiser for a candidate who is outside of the Coachella Valley. The event, Daniels noted, is being organized on his personal time and doesn’t involve city business or his official gig.

“The (congressional) district’s far reaches include a portion of the Salton Sea to which I have a strong personal commitment and will steadfastly use my personal energy to work for it’s restoration,” Daniels told The Desert Sun by email.

“I would hope any impression would be that I stand up for people that support the Salton Sea, economic development, and can work well with others.”

Ducheny will face one of the valley’s current leaders – Democratic Sen. Juan Vargas of San Diego – in the congressional race.