Joy Brown Meredith, who has served as president of a downtown business association for more than three decades, said last week she intends to seek a City Council seat in the November election.
Driving the news: Meredith, a city resident since 1978 and owner of Crystal Fantasy on North Palm Canyon Drive since 1987, will run in District 3.
- Palm Springs Pride President Ron deHarte earlier announced his intention to run for the District 3 seat being vacated by current Councilmember and former Mayor Geoff Kors. Julia Kabik, an employee of DA Computers, also filed paperwork indicating she intends to run for the seat.
Zoom in: Meredith has a lengthy list of civic involvement. Among her most notable accomplishments, she has served as president of Main Street Palm Springs for more than three decades. She has also served as a commissioner on the Parks & Recreation Commission and was a member of the city’s Police Advisory Board. In 2020, she was honored with a community service award by the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission.
- “To me, the beauty of Palm Springs has always been the delicate balance of tourism and locals, youth and seniors, open space and development, low income and wealthy,” Meredith said. “The bridges between these diverse groups are important to the growth of our city and our citizens. As a very involved 40 year resident, 35 year downtown business owner, parent, and grandparent, I’m uniquely qualified to see the many perspectives of the needs Palm Springs.”
Behind the scenes: Meredith and the city recently tussled over allegations that she violated the terms of her cannabis license at a grow operation she owned in the norther part of the city. She ultimately elected not to fight the revocation of her cannabis license.
Zoom out: Meredith will join eight others who have announced their intention to seek a seat on the City Council this fall. Elections are being held in districts 1, 2, and 3.
- District 4 may also need a new elected official if current Councilmember Christy Holstege wins her race for California State Assembly in November.
FYI: Council candidates will not begin the formal process of adding their names to the November ballot until July 18.
