Norco Community Development Director Resigns
Ralph E. (Bud) Plender, the city’s director of community development for six years, has resigned to take a similar position in Cathedral City, Norco City Manager John Donlevy said Friday.
Plender will leave Norco on Feb. 14 and begin work as Cathedral City’s director of community services Feb. 17.
In Cathedral City, a central Riverside County community of 11,000 residents, Plender will head a staff of 18 employees. In Norco, his department has three employees.
Cathedral City “is a rapidly growing area with very high-quality new development,” Plender said. “It’s a city that’s very interested in taking major steps to change its image from a forgotten area to a respected community.”
City officials there are trying to capture a share of the tourist industry that has fueled a boom in its Coachella Valley neighbors--such as Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage--but has largely bypassed Cathedral City.
In addition, they are planning to build a new fire station and city hall for the 4-year-old city, and to improve its streets and sewers, Plender said.
Donlevy said that he has not decided whether he will hire an interim replacement or assign Plender’s duties to another city staff member.
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