I’m Dr. Gregg Akkerman and having grown up in the Palm Desert area I know its wonderful history, but I want to better prepare for the future with improved public safety, decreased ambulance response times, no sales-tax increases, and choosing water conservation over wasteful surf parks.

Much of my career has been spent as a tenured university professor, local business owner, musician, and author.

More recently, as a member of two city committees (Chair of Parks and Recreation, Vice-chair of Civic Engagement), I have contributed to the development of projects such as the new regional park, the neighborhood north park, and Lupine Plaza. I also advocated strongly to convince the Palm Desert City Council to transition from at-large voting districts to the more democratic 5-district system now being used.

Additionally, my wife (a public-school teacher) and I have guided our two children through the completion of both public high school and college programs here in Palm Desert.

I also have the honor to be the primary care-giver to my 93-year-old mother, a retired teacher for the Desert Sands Unified School District.

Other commitments to Palm Desert include my memberships with the Living Desert Zoo, the Water Counts Academy, the Historical Society, and the Joslyn Center.

As your representative on the council, I look forward to applying my experience and vision to improve our beautiful city. Join me as we aspire to align our values for a brighter Palm Desert.