Mayor of Palm Springs decides not to run again

Real estate and public officials -- the guys with the money and the guys with the approval power. Born buddies.

The mayor of Palm Springs decided to not run again after a story leaked out about his taking consulting money from a developer and not mentioning it to the council before he voted for the developer's projects.

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/local/palm-springs/2015/05/08/palm-springs-mayor-steve-pougnet-re-election/26994771/

The developer is the Nexus Companies, the owner of the Hard Rock Hotel in Palm Springs.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hard-rock-international-and-the-nexus-companies-announce-palm-springs-hotel-development-55959457.html

So, how did this happen? They thought no one would notice? Or care?

I'm not on my high horse about this, because I'd like Palm Springs to develop. I'm sorry that the mayor didn't use better judgment -- like, declaring it and getting general approval in advance.