CA, US & World
City Council Candidate Addresses “Rock Bottom” Comment about Homeless
There are four men running as candidates for Cathedral City’s District Four council-seat, but one of the candidates is being talked about more than the rest over a statement he made about the homeless population in a candidate forum.
Ernest Gutierrez is a business owner and realtor in Cathedral City. This is the first year he gets involved in politics and he is quickly learning his words can have an impact and people who support and oppose him are listening.
Gutierrez said, “I see that on social media and it is just a joke, none of these people have actually talked to me, shaken my hand, they are just speaking and making things up.”
He said a part of the statement during a Cathedral City Council Candidate forum was taken out of context.
Part of statement at the forum, said, “Currently our government’s social benefits provided to homeless people will never stop to allow them to hit rock bottom.”
Many people took to social media to criticize the statements from the candidate, including Lynne O’Neill, Co-Founder of the East West Alliance. O’Neill said she has attended all of the Cathedral City candidate forums.
“There was a gasp in the audience,” O’Neill said. “In his opinion the government shared in the responsibility for the homeless because of having programs that would assist this disadvantaged population.”
O’Neill said she approached Gutierrez after the forum to share her disapproval over what he said.
But Gutierrez said this one soundbite does not express his views fully, and he explained.
“Have personal friends that are homeless and I have tried to help them and they told me, if they have not hit rock bottom they’re happy where they are at,” Gutierrez said. “And they want to be free they don’t want to go by any rules and whenever they need help it will be up to them and not up to society.”
Gutierrez said a part of his solution to solve homelessness is to identify the population by its needs, such as offering financial assistance to people who are homeless for lack of money, as well as supporting local charities who work with the homeless.
By: NBC Palm Springs
October 30, 2018
Latest Instagram Posts
Cathedral City City Council votes to rename “LGBT Days” to “Pride Days”. The council approved the change in a 5-0 vote during its latest meeting, updating the official name of the city’s annual celebration. Stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs to see what this means to the Coachella Valley Community #CathedralCity #pride #CityCouncil #CoachellaValley #LocalNews
Discover the Coachella Valley with the Everything Palm Springs app. From iconic attractions and hidden gems to local restaurants, shops, entertainment and even filming locations, the map-based app is designed to help both visitors and locals find more of what the desert has to offer. Creator Lindsay Kinkle is also expanding the app with video tours and narrated guides, giving users another way to explore Palm Springs and the surrounding communities. Local businesses like Buena Matcha are also getting a chance to connect with new customers through the platform. As Lindsay says, there’s so much to do and enjoy here — you just have to know where to look. #PalmSprings #CoachellaValley #EverythingPalmSprings #PalmSpringsApp #VisitPalmSprings DesertLife LocalBusiness CoachellaValleyBusiness NBCPalmSprings
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry
What’s next for Palm Desert? Join community leaders, local businesses and regional stakeholders for the 2026 State of the City Address. Topics: • Economic Development • Infrastructure • Public Safety • Community Programs • Palm Desert’s Future CTA: Friday, September 18 | 11:30 AM JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort
Former Silvercrest CEO, William Rodriguez is expected back in court today in connection with the deadly 2024 Cathedral City hit and run that killed a woman. The murder charge was dismissed, but Rodriguez still faces felony hit and run and suspended license charges.
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry
Murder suspect Vicky Kim has once again not been cleared to appear in court. Kim is accused of killing her husband at their Palm Desert condominium complex. Her arraignment has now been delayed three times. Stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs as we track the latest developments in this case. #VickyKim #PalmDesert #CoachellaValley #BreakingNews #CourtUpdate NBCPalmSprings
Palm Springs is mourning the loss of beloved entertainer James “Gypsy” Haake, who has died at 94. Haake began his entertainment career at just 19 years old as a Broadway chorus dancer. After retiring from the stage, he returned to performing at 82, becoming the host of Carnival Cabaret at Oscars in downtown Palm Springs. A longtime friend of our station, Haake was a familiar and beloved figure in the Palm Springs entertainment community — and his contributions were recognized with a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. His career spanned more than seven decades, proving that the spotlight never truly left him. ❤️ Rest in peace, James “Gypsy” Haake. Your legacy will live on in Palm Springs. #JamesGypsyHaake #PalmSprings #PalmSpringsWalkOfStars #CarnivalCabaret #PalmSpringsEntertainment #OscarsPalmSprings #PalmSpringsHistory
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will be 1) Sterling Conley with the rushing TD, 2) Marcus Kennedy with the touchdown catch, 3) Cade Pinon with the big time sack, 4) Kingston Pellum with the pick-6, or 5) Caleb Hartwell with the saving throw #fypage #fridaynightlights #football #hondaofthedesert #highschoolfootball