Local & Community
“All we have ever wanted to do is focus on technique driven education” says lead expert for hospitality program after being dismissed by COD president
College of the Desert held two meetings last week to discuss the issues revolving the west valley campus and its hospitality program.
“I would like to reinforce that the trustees and I are committed to making this a reality,” said Dr.Martha Garcia at the COD board meeting held on Dec 17, 2021.
These meetings lasted several hours and in the end, COD officials had no new answers to the questions that have been hanging over the campus for months.
When asked before about the delay Dr.Garcia has blamed a feasibility study.
However, in College of the Desert’s most recent meeting, Garcia backtracked this excuse and instead pointed to her staff.
“I’m currently reviewing the document that was emailed and on the analysis it appears to be some components of the feasibility study that we need to complete to proceed with planning. It is important that I state that I previously requested any previous documents from COD team members several times. I’m relying on the expertise of the team members who are here to support me,” said Dr.Garcia.
The feasibility study can be found where it has been for years since it was published in 2017, on the website for the public to see. Nonetheless the lack of concrete answers continues all while taxpayers and COD students are being hurt in the process.
“Get your communications synced up. You’re confusing everybody with multiple reports and different dollar figures. And different committees have different numbers,” said Bruce Hoban, who is a Palm Springs local and whose husband attends COD.
They have been gathering emails from other locals who state there is a grave concern for the broken promises the College of the Desert has given the west valley public.
“Thousands of emails of people writing messages where they say they are concerned. So it’s one of the few issues that I’ve seen here in Palm Springs where I can’t find anybody who is happy with what COD is doing,” said Hoban.
This also comes at a time where the lead consultant for the hospitality program, Doug Watson, has been dismissed and weeks after Palm Springs leaders have expressed concern.
Doug Watson has more than 20 years of experience working in the hotel business.
Watson’s position as consultant for the campus was created to last until the west valley campus was completed.
“All we have ever wanted to do is focus on technique driven education. So as students they could come out and work in a fine-dining restaurant, they could start their own entrepreneurial coffee bar, they could work in a world-class hotel if they wanted to,” said Watson.
By: NBC Palm Springs
December 20, 2021
Latest Instagram Posts
Gas prices in Riverside County are climbing toward $6 a gallon — and that’s more than $1 higher than this time last year. A 15-gallon fill-up now costs about $86, leaving many drivers wondering how much longer they can absorb the rising cost. On this week’s Roggin Report, Fred Roggin and the panel debate how expensive gas is changing the way people travel, work and live — and why prices are so much higher here. Watch the full conversation at NBCPalmSprings.com. #RogginReport #FredRoggin #GasPrices #RiversideCounty #CoachellaValley
As the Lindsay Clancy trial begins to close, discussions regarding postpartum mental health and postpartum care have began to draw attention to the level of care needed after childbirth. Maria Noble Valdez looked at this discussion locally with a mental health expert and mom here in Coachella Valley. #lindsayclancytrial #pospartum #mentalhealth #760 #nationalnews
EVEN PARKING HAS A VIP SECTION? A mall in Bakersfield is charging shoppers up to $10 a day for preferred parking spots closer to the entrance. So we had to ask: Would you pay for a better parking spot? And could paid parking eventually come to Valley malls? Fred Roggin and the panel weigh in on this week’s Roggin Report. Would you pay $10 for a prime parking spot? #RogginReport #FredRoggin #CoachellaValley #PalmSprings #Parking
📞 Call 760.466.0800 or visit DAPHealth.org to schedule your appointment today! Flu viruses change every year, and getting vaccinated is the best way to strengthen your immune system, lower the risk of severe illness or hospitalization, and protect your loved ones. Sponsored by: DAP Health
A wedding day they’ll never forget. 💍🌊 A couple in the Philippines refused to let monsoon flooding wash away their special day — exchanging vows while standing waist-deep in floodwaters. Talk about making a splash on your wedding day! #WeddingDay #Philippines #Flooding #Monsoon #Wedding #Love #NBCPalmSprings
Idyllwild’s Mayor Max III is turning four! Yes, you read that right — Idyllwild has a canine mayor, and Mayor Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller III is celebrating his fourth birthday this week. Max is part of a tradition that began in 2012, when the mountain community first elected a dog as mayor. His “campaign donations”? Belly rubs and dog treats. Mayor Max’s birthday celebration is happening Saturday, September 5, at Mountain Paws in Idyllwild, and the community is invited. Come celebrate the mayor — and maybe bring a treat. #NBCPalmSprings #Idyllwild #MayorMax #MayorMaxIII #PalmSprings CoachellaValley DogsOfInstagram DogMayor CaliforniaNews
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry
More than 2,000 rescues — and the year isn’t over yet. Santa Clemente lifeguards are keeping a close eye on the Pacific as they prepare for potentially stronger surf and bigger waves this winter. From Tower Zero, lifeguards monitor the entire beach and use cameras to spot trouble in the water. One of their biggest concerns? Rip currents, which can pull swimmers far from shore. With more rescues already this year than all of last year, lifeguards say the key is simple: be ready before someone needs help. #SanClemente #Lifeguards #OceanSafety #RipCurrents #BeachSafety SurfSafety SouthernCalifornia PacificOcean NBCPalmSprings
The Salton Sea is at a crossroads. From a massive restoration project bringing habitat back to the shoreline, to a potential lithium boom, and the new Salton Sea Conservancy, its future is being shaped right now. We’re taking you behind the scenes to explore what comes next for the Salton Sea. In our newest 30-minute report, go behind-the-scenes with the state’s conservation team, learn about updated timlines from lithium executives, and hear how former political leaders paved the way. Restoring the Salton Sea: Progress, Promise and Pressure. Streaming this Sunday on NBC Palm Springs. #saltonsea #lithiumvalley #saltonseaconservancy #marybono
A few PSUSD students will get a unique opportunity to learn more about careers in Aviation at the Palm Springs Air Museum with the districts launch of their Aviation and Aeronautics Career Exploration Program. Be sure to stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs to learn all about this. #palmspringsairmuseum #palmsprings #aviationeducation #psusd #backtoschool