THE DESERT SUN
June 28, 2009
Terria Smith

Politicians exhort citizenry to participate

Former Assemblywoman Julie Bornstein and
Cathedral City Mayor Kathleen DeRosa encourage
their constituents to flex their own political muscle
through civic participation and campaign donations.

The two made presentations as speakers at the
Women's Political Action Network's Saturday event
focusing on "Economy in Politics."

Bornstein, whose topic was "Money and Politics"
talked about her fundraising efforts during her
campaign for community college trustee with College
of the Desert, California Assembly and U.S. Congress.

In the race for the 45th Congressional District against
incumbent Rep. Mary Bono Mack, R-Palm Springs,
Bornstein said her campaign cost more than $350,000,
while Bono Mack spent just under $1,7 million on her
campaign.

Bornstein also said taking an active role financially in
the political process is important for getting
government to respond.

"There are people who believe that special interests
have an (enormous) influence on the elections and yet
those same people don't write checks," Bornstein said.

DeRosa, whose topic was "Managing a City During a
Recession," said the city has been managing despite
challenges such as the resulting costs of state mandates
and receiving only 1 percent of property taxes.

To cut back on expenses, the city has taken measures
that included recycling all the printer cartridges,
changing its telephone and Web systems to a less
expensive plan and putting all public works contracts
out for bid.  It also implemented a utility users tax
approved by voters, DeRosa said.

Yet, despite the financial hardships the city
governments face, DeRosa said it's important to let
officials know what is needed of them.

"Five people make the decision for this city (Cathedral
City) if you allow us to make them in a vacuum, shame
on you," DeRosa said.

Bernice Zubrinsky, a member of the Women's Political
Action Network, said she thought both speakers did a
good job at giving perspective on the way money
influences politics.

"I thought it was terrific.  I thought it was very, very
informative," Zubrinsky said.