Riverside County Sheriff

I have known Dick Kelly for many years and he has been a personal friend and mentor. He has been a leader in Riverside County government and within the Coachella Valley for nearly three decades. He understands Palm Desert and its needs and he understands what it takes to provide the best possible public safety service.
Stan Sniff
Riverside County Sheriff

Desert Bicycle Club

Palm Desert recently striped over 10 miles of bicycle lanes. Dick Kelly understands public safety and actively promoted bike lanes. A bicycle rider to the right of a white line presents an image of predictability so that motorists feel comfortable proceeding straight ahead and maintaining speed. Thanks to Dick Kelly, our roads are safer for cyclist as well as motorists.
Gary Lueders
Desert Bicycle Club
Director of Community Relations

Riverside County Fire Department

It is a district pleasure to endorse Dick Kelly for his campaign in the November 2008 election. I have known and respected his service to the citizens of the city for over 28 years. As the retired Fire Chief of Palm Desert for many years, we can be very proud of the excellent fire and paramedic ambulance services the city has. As one of the original members of the Cove Commission (previously Fire and Public Safety Commission) creating and growing the emergency services, Dick Kelly always was and continues to be an outstanding guiding force to ensure the city receives the best emergency services at the most efficient, cost effective way possible.
In addition to the finest fire and paramedic ambulance services anywhere, one only has to drive around to understand how much effort and influence Dick Kelly has had over the many years. Palm Desert citizens enjoy the many outstanding parks, streets with beautiful landscaped medians, bridges, flood control, planned and executed upscale environmentally business and residential development, sound fiscal responsibility, wonderful colleges and the library and the many other public and private facilities. The future is very sound for Palm Desert with Dick Kelly’s stewardship and dedication.
These are exciting times and I am very glad Dick Kelly continues to be a big part of ensuring we continue the excellent progress in the future.
Eric Vogt
Deputy Chief-Retired
Riverside County Fire Department/CDF

Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce

It is impossible to overstate Dick Kelly's contributions to the success of Palm Desert. Our fine city has benefited from a seemingly endless well of talented leadership, but Mr. Kelly's expertise in civic planning stands tall. The "gentleman in the green jacket" couples incisive thinking with a homespun ability to accurately and simply communicate complex issues, in order to get the right thing done. One recent example of his efforts is the newly completed "Henderson Community Building" which will cooperatively house The PD Chamber of Commerce while also providing much needed meeting space for numerous Palm Desert Organizations. This benchmark LEEDS certification, recognizing "green" environmental design and construction, is but a recent example of the leadership the voters of Palm Desert have come to expect from Dick Kelly.
Ray Rodriguez
Past Chairman of the Board
Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce
Palm Desert Restaurant owner (Casuelas Cafe and the Cork Tree)

Street Golf Cart Legalization

I had the pleasure of serving on the first state Golf Cart Legalization Committee with then Mayor Dick Kelly. I will never forget the first full meeting with the entire team and staff members.
Almost immediately after the call to order and introductions; one-by-one people began to complain about how difficult a task it was to undertake. We heard about how hard the road delineations would be, how difficult the traffic signals could become, how great a challenge to write the licensing laws; and then, in the midst of all the whining, a loud BANG!
Dick Kelly slammed his fist on the table and sternly said; 'I don't want to hear any more about how hard it is! It is going to happen so clear your minds and start telling me HOW you can help make it happen.' After a momentary pause, one-by-one each person began to share ideas and offer suggestions as to how it would work!
I realized what I had just seen was a lesson in leadership. Needless to say, the pilot program of which we were a part worked magnificently and prospered under the leadership on one Richard "Dick" Kelly.
He deserves your vote!
Tom Emmett
Palm Desert
Golf Cart Distributor

Sunline Transit

I have worked with Dick Kelly for nineteen years. His leadership, vision and dedication have been an inspiration to those who have worked with him. His accomplishments are legendary. Sunline Transit’s entire fleet has been converted to natural gasses, CNG, LNG and Hydrogen. This is the first fleet to ever do so. Dick Kelly is respected and admired by those who have had the opportunity to work with him.
Transportation in the Coachella Valley is alive and well because of the efforts of Dick Kelly. He is a unique and dedicated individual.”
Alan Seman
Councilman
Board of Director Sunline Transit Agency

Desert landscaping and drip irrigation design

In 1984, I was asked by Dick Kelly to join a group of City of Palm Desert officials to visit the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, in an effort to learn more about desert landscaping practices. While there, we were given tours of municipal projects and were acquainted with water and maintenance saving practices already in place there.
Subsequently, we designed and installed the Coachella Valley's first municipal water efficient desert landscape in the median islands of Fred Waring Drive in Palm Desert. We've come a long way since then in our ever expanding knowledge and application of desert landscaping and drip irrigation design, but it all started with that trip.
Ron Gregory, President
RGA Landscape Architects, Inc.

Waste Management of the Desert

Dick Kelly wanted curbside recycling for Palm Desert. Dick called me (John Lavender - then vice president of Waste Management of the Desert) to meet him for breakfast the next day at John's at 6:00 a.m. Before we could even order coffee, Dick learned across the table and said, 'I want curbside recycling in the city of Palm Desert within 60 days from today.' I responded, 'Dick, that's almost impossible because we have to order the containers, etc.' Dick said, 'I want the city to be recycling within 60 days. I know you can do it.' We had curbside recycling in 59 days.
Palm Desert was one of the first cities in California to initiate curbside recycling. When Dick Kelly wants to get something done, he does it! From my experience, Dick is one of the most forceful politicians with whom I have ever worked.
John Lavender
Retired Vice-President of Waste Management of the Desert

Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce

The Lock Shop, Inc. has been in business in Palm Desert since 1976 and Councilman Dick Kelly has been a real advocate to the success of businesses. Through his assistance and as a promoter of art in public places plus a believer in conserving water, he asked The Lock Shop to install zero water use landscape with the metal cactus. There is, not only zero water use, but it has, by Mr. Kelly’s wishes, helped to continue to beautify Palm Desert.
The Lock Shop is honored to endorse councilman Dick Kelly as a councilman for Palm Desert for another successful term.
Mike Hardin
President, The Lock Shop
Chairman, Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce

The Gardens on El Paseo

It's with great admiration and respect that I write this letter in support for your re-election to Palm Desert's City Council. As Marketing Director for the Gardens on El Paseo, I have always admired the way you supported El Paseo and its growth within the community. You understand the partnership between retail and the community and the positive outcome for both when a mutually respectful relationship is fostered between residents and businesses. Whether it be a restaurant, a boutique, or the opening of a national, chain store you bring your wisdom and expertise to the table. You do this by not only specifically referencing various experiences over the years, but by also listening to all differing opinions with a positive attitude and a quick wit!
Sara O'Flynn
Marketing Director
The Gardens on El Paseo

California State University

Dick Kelly has been a long sitting member of the Palm Desert City Council. During that tenure, he has been the Mayor several times. Dick used his long political experience and leadership to assist in the development of the California State University Campus in Palm Desert. A donation of land by the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency made the campus a reality. Dick Kelly played an instrumental role in making that donation happen because of his concern about providing higher education to his City. As the campus grew, a need for a Medical Arts building was realized. This building was initially funded with a major financial gift from the City of Palm Desert. Again, using his long gained experience and leadership and a strong desire to support post secondary education, Dick Kelly played a very important role in making the gift possible. The Campus is very appreciative of Dick Kelly for his support in developing the campus
Richard R. Oliphant
Campaign Co Chair
California State University

Child Development Center

Dick Kelly cares about the welfare and education opportunities for the children of Palm Desert and all of the Coachella Valley. He has worked on Palm Desert High School Scholarships and helped establish Trinity Lutheran Child Development Center and has served on the Trinity Board of Education for many years.
Eloise Freeman
Director Trinity Lutheran Child Development Center

College of the Desert

I am writing this as an endorsement of Dick Kelly for Palm Desert City Council. Here are just 10 of the many reasons why:
He is a leader who has truly cared about, and worked hard for, the citizens of Palm Desert.
He always asks the right/tough questions.
He listens to his constituents.
He not only sees the ‘big picture’, but has sound vision.
He performs all his many duties with class.
He has consistently been a champion of education.
You can trust him.
He has a wonderful sense of humor.
He is wise beyond his years.
My wife even likes and supports him.
John Marman
Trustee College of the Desert

Palm Desert Rotary

Dick Kelly is a past president and 31 year member of the Palm Desert Rotary Club. During this time his primary interest has been college scholarships for Palm Desert High School students. He has been a key person in raising funds for the Palm Desert Rotary foundation which funds these scholarships.
Mauricio Salazar
Chairman Palm Desert Rotary Foundation

Historical Society

It is my pleasure to know Dick Kelly since the summer of 1985. His sincere dedication and integrity have always impressed me. His support of the Historical Society of Palm Desert has been outstanding. Dick and his wife, Mary Helen, have made Palm Desert the great city it is today.”
Dick Folkers
Past President Historical Society of Palm Desert

Youth Committee

Councilman Dick Kelly actively supports the Palm Desert Youth Committee and their projects,
Elle Wohlmuth
Palm Desert High School Student

Desert Willow

Dick Kelly was actively involved in the design and development of Desert Willow. Desert Willow is more than a golf course; it is a place for the family to come for lunch or book a time and space for special family occasions, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings or just a family get together.
Jim Walker
Vice President El Paseo Bank