The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutPrstn - H.StokesKlassen, Rachelle From: Gilligan, Sheila Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 12:03 PM To: Klassen, Rachelle Subject: FW: Request from Carlos Attachments: DOC From: Russo, Karen Sent: Monday, March 17, 2008 2:49 PM To: Gilligan, Sheila Cc: Gates, Mary Subject: Request from Carlos Sheila, Carlos would appreciate your scheduling an item on an upcoming agenda in memory of Hank Stokes, to recognize his service and contributions to the community. Thank you, Karen Karen Russo, City Manager's Office City of Palm Desert 73-510 Fred Waring Drive Palm Desert, California 92260 (760) 776-6307 1 The Public Record 4� `Valley Observer' Hank stokes Communi es dies: C° ty leaders mourn his ��ty leaders are saddened to learn10�s and political commentator of the recent death of writer contributor to the City of Palm Hank Stokes, who is credited Palm Desert $ successful retail marketing strategywithn being a major Springs Life magazine' popular Valley Oberver column for more than 15 who authored A Palm Desert memory of the High and School scholarship is being established by Friends of H "Hank is one ofthe most wonde Cathedral City resident. � Stokes in Mayor Jean Benson.mt "He rfuI friends the City of Palrn Desert has ever had," Deserte the city was an owner ofEl Paseo 3s Sandisaid Pats s when sful future. was going through incorporation.helped p Shoedia tde lanyor a Lure. He always remained a hampion of Palm Deer . We will emiss him plan said his Iongtime friend. Riverside County Fourth District Supervisor Royrst 1980 when Wilson was mayor of Patin Desert and a major rift developed between the city local retailers. Mi; Stokes, as a strong local business leader, helpedgot to know �• Stokes in and find solutions, according to Wilson. ' the city identify and "It was Han siren fy the issues aft parties move on,"h, supervisor sdm and guidance that enabled us to heal the wounds ail parties andung Stokese thestooan ise i . "In e'd those days, there was no mistakingamong Some may have considered his observations as criticisms; to me they were a where the say, 'Listen, mehis iswhat neat toy be donee insights." Patin Springs Life Publisher Milt Jones said "PI always welcome Lfe• "�c's brilliant and beautifully�� death was a big loss for Palm Sp�zngs He .was a wonderful written observations had developed a loyal He Biller, added, person to know and the and I will miss "p y ne ed h or, "Hank's razor-swle The ma mYread rs� added a .me wit and trenchant Irnowled a of magazine editor, . ante dunension to g the desert and itsthe: aztzie voice t . t ,. �•s�i'7'„� 7 x a. R �, �xy�'J 33e1",m` ,3'� ... � :' � Was `i�nCl.Cdibly instrumental in building werif fowditc in Patin Desert; said "Hank relationships between El Paseo and the city. He served on key committees and did everything with a passion." 's ad and promotion committee from 1981 to Gilligan said Mr- Stokes served on the city and the 1989. He also was an active participant on the city's Blue Ribbon 2000 Committee Economic Development Committee from 1990 Executive Officer, also enjoyed "the spot-on charm 1995. Larry o frssor Riverside as ty of the professor of language as he monitored civic discourse in this o �e Royal Family was as ey he loved so much!' "Hank's conversation on everything from the wine with dinner rich as any of the desserts he enjoyed so much," Parrish commented. "We will miss his column and his perspective on our collective behavior, b� h concluded. we "Over miss the company, conversation and insight of an observant gentleman, g and everybody who mattered in this "Over the years, he wrote about virtually aned ��sity of spirit be greatly rrrissed," '. p303 apa desert. His keen observations, love of language Suite said friend and colleague Kay Hazen. "The desert has lost its `Observer' and we have lost a treasured friend." of a huge kick out of desert politics;' another {cation "Hank was brilliantly analytical and g aunty longtime friend Sheila Grattan said. "He understood political motivation, activism and cation nuance. He could see through spin and the rewriting of history in a hot minute and he enjoyed c rds umnasking it all to the hilt. I will miss those deliciously fun conversations." according to his cords. 31 in Hemet following e Mr. Stokes, who was 72, died January to to Bauer, a resident of Bellevue, WA. teriai sister, Georgian skills by the time he was in high s. The A Seattle native, Mr. Stokes had honed his critical thinking competition and traveled h Paper school. He and another Seattle student won a national debate tsc p ti0n internationaldto nsnntCambridge University where they vied with European o fpuget Sound where majored those debate finals• Mr. Stokes was a graduate of the University his farnily's Sandpiper shoe in history. $e was a university history professor before joining „Writers business' on El Paseo. er Gilli conceived the idea for a on.the role local.govern idea playsa armon )?aim;Desert's Mayor Benson and Assistants City Manag . , , , , > � :. , Hussar scholarship to be awarded a high School essaytst.focustng gomery . �.. siahor in the CoachellaValley. School, Attenrion Setaior:Scho1P Fed' d Smith Contributions may be sent to Palm Desert High a aFu d, Van otik Palm Desert, CA 92260•, decks, sliouid be made P y Stokes to 43-570 Phyllis Jackson Lane, 'earmarked fbr the;Hank P� Desert High School General Scholarship.Fund and be earmark Scholarship Fund. A memorial luncheon will be announced at a later date.