Peter Bedard, MA, C.Ht., RScP
Cathedral City CA 92234
City of Cathedral City,Office of the City Clerk
68-700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero
Cathedral City, CA 92234
[email protected]
RE: Historic Preservation Committee Vacancy
Dear Committee,
I’d like to be considered as a candidate for the vacant position on the Historic Preservation Committee.
As a stakeholder and resident in the community, I am very interested in our shared history and the value that preservation brings to a community. Historic preservation, whether it be architectural, geographic, or artistic (or all of the above) can provide a sense of space, identity, and community within a city.
As a therapist, I understand the importance of identity and how a healthy identity contributes to self- esteem and self-worth on the individual level and a greater sense of happiness on a macro/community level.
As a stakeholder and owner of a historic property in Northeast Los Angeles I was very interested in the history of my old neighborhood. I owned and partially restored a contributing historic home within a designated HPOZ, historic preservation zone. Within that zone I planted a citrus orchard to contribute toward solving the food insecurity problem, hosted neighborhood clean-ups, commissioned murals, and started a neighborhood watch. All of these endeavors made for a healthier and happier community and I witnessed how the neighborhood evolved in many positive and uplifting ways due, I think, to the historic preservation designation.
The HPOZ designation literally saved hundreds, if not thousands, of homes from the wrecking ball. It brought a much-needed identity to the neighborhood, and made funding special projects, that supported the residents within (and around) the zone, easier. I’ve lived, supported, and experienced the value that comes from historic preservation and I would be honored to be part of your committee.
I look forward to connecting with you.
Most sincerely,
Peter Bedard, MA, C.Ht., RScP
12/30/2023