In addition, it appears that Bob Aaronson will not even be in town to report to the council and hopefully the public on his findings and to be available to answer questions that will inevitably arise.
Why the delay? The Vanguard unfortunately was unable to connect with City Manager Bill Emlen last week. However, one suggestion that has surfaced is that they simply have not figured out how to handle the report given the sensitive nature of it.
More alarming is the apparent factor that the city council members have not been allowed to view it yet. Thus the elected officials of Davis have yet to make any sort of assessment of the severity of the report.
In part, we can sympathize with the city manager’s dilemma. After all it is a tricky situation given the fact that people have come forward as whistle blowers and these people are in need of protection from potential retaliation.
On the other hand, the delay at this point is largely inexcusable. City Manager Bill Emlen was not suddenly dumped this report in early November, he had almost four months prior to work out the end game here–the end game being how to take a raw report and turn it into something the city council and the public could get in an expeditious fashion.
The longer this process continues, the more speculation will build and the messier this situation will become.
At this point, we have to believe that the news cannot be good for the department. If this were a mere exoneration, the city clearly would have released this report already.
We are left to speculate that perhaps the city is trying to bury results in the doldrums of the holiday season. A December 16, 2008 release might suggest that the city is hoping that people will see it and forget about it over the Christmas and Holiday season. On the other hand, it is perhaps more likely that this is just being mishandled. The resolution to this situation is likely not going to occur at a single city council meeting and therefore the situation will drag out beyond the holiday season anyway.
At this point, I want to pose two ideas for the public to think about.
Bob Aaronson’s report in Santa Cruz criticized the police for spying on protestors and they also criticized the police department for a conflict of interest relating to the fact that the very official who ordered the spying, was the one who conducted the initial report. The decision in Santa Cruz was made early on based on that the report would be a public report, available for anyone. If you google it, you can find the report even now on the web. Why was this important? It insured transparency in the process. The public knew the outcome of the investigation and could draw their own conclusion.
This decision was made in advance. What appears to be happening in Davis right now, is that no decision was made prior to Mr. Aaronson completing his report. Now the city is bogged down in figuring out what to do about it.
What should have happened? Bill Emlen assigned this to Bob Aaronson in mid-July. When he did, he should have directed City Attorney Harriet Steiner to evaluate the legality of a variety of options given a number of different contingencies ranging from full-vindication of those mentioned in the grand jury report to full-validation of the report. In advance, the city should have made the determination of how to release the information whether it be the full-report, a summary, a redacted report. They should have already known when and how the city council would get to view the info. They should have already known when and how the public would learn about the results of the information.
From all indications, this has not happened. At this point in time, not only is the public in the dark about the fate of this report, but so is the city council. There appears to me to be no excuse for this.
The public deserves to know the outcome of this investigation, and so does the city council.
—David M. Greenwald reporting
” The longer this process continues, the more speculation will build and the messier this situation will become.”
With people like you and free ink , yes the situation will escalate only because of you stirring the POT.
Let the elected people , who make the decisions do there job .
Your credibility is as strong as the little boy , who has cried WOLF three times already !
” The longer this process continues, the more speculation will build and the messier this situation will become.”
With people like you and free ink , yes the situation will escalate only because of you stirring the POT.
Let the elected people , who make the decisions do there job .
Your credibility is as strong as the little boy , who has cried WOLF three times already !
” The longer this process continues, the more speculation will build and the messier this situation will become.”
With people like you and free ink , yes the situation will escalate only because of you stirring the POT.
Let the elected people , who make the decisions do there job .
Your credibility is as strong as the little boy , who has cried WOLF three times already !
” The longer this process continues, the more speculation will build and the messier this situation will become.”
With people like you and free ink , yes the situation will escalate only because of you stirring the POT.
Let the elected people , who make the decisions do there job .
Your credibility is as strong as the little boy , who has cried WOLF three times already !
This is an issue that interests me as a taxpayer, a Davis resident/homeowner, and a voter.
I haven’t seen any mention of this issue in the Enterprise recently, therefore I appreciate the update that Greenwald has given, in spite of Anon. 7:38’s suggestion that this shouldn’t be discussed now.
Everyday I read in the paper about layoffs and current and looming budget cuts. I have to make personal financial sacrifices in these times, but I don’t get any break on city taxes. I really want to know that tax-paid employees are behaving responsibly. Shouldn’t I have the right to know that?
This is an issue that interests me as a taxpayer, a Davis resident/homeowner, and a voter.
I haven’t seen any mention of this issue in the Enterprise recently, therefore I appreciate the update that Greenwald has given, in spite of Anon. 7:38’s suggestion that this shouldn’t be discussed now.
Everyday I read in the paper about layoffs and current and looming budget cuts. I have to make personal financial sacrifices in these times, but I don’t get any break on city taxes. I really want to know that tax-paid employees are behaving responsibly. Shouldn’t I have the right to know that?
This is an issue that interests me as a taxpayer, a Davis resident/homeowner, and a voter.
I haven’t seen any mention of this issue in the Enterprise recently, therefore I appreciate the update that Greenwald has given, in spite of Anon. 7:38’s suggestion that this shouldn’t be discussed now.
Everyday I read in the paper about layoffs and current and looming budget cuts. I have to make personal financial sacrifices in these times, but I don’t get any break on city taxes. I really want to know that tax-paid employees are behaving responsibly. Shouldn’t I have the right to know that?
This is an issue that interests me as a taxpayer, a Davis resident/homeowner, and a voter.
I haven’t seen any mention of this issue in the Enterprise recently, therefore I appreciate the update that Greenwald has given, in spite of Anon. 7:38’s suggestion that this shouldn’t be discussed now.
Everyday I read in the paper about layoffs and current and looming budget cuts. I have to make personal financial sacrifices in these times, but I don’t get any break on city taxes. I really want to know that tax-paid employees are behaving responsibly. Shouldn’t I have the right to know that?
I agree with you with you Chuck. Anonymous 7:38 am could be an impacted employee from the fire department for all we know. Who knows?
I am a tax payer and like you I also want to know that tax-paid employees are behaving responsibly. This should not be swept under the rug like so many things are in our city and by the Enterprise.
I hope that Bill Emlen does the right thing.
Those of us who like to know what is going on in our city appreciate you covering this story David.
I agree with you with you Chuck. Anonymous 7:38 am could be an impacted employee from the fire department for all we know. Who knows?
I am a tax payer and like you I also want to know that tax-paid employees are behaving responsibly. This should not be swept under the rug like so many things are in our city and by the Enterprise.
I hope that Bill Emlen does the right thing.
Those of us who like to know what is going on in our city appreciate you covering this story David.
I agree with you with you Chuck. Anonymous 7:38 am could be an impacted employee from the fire department for all we know. Who knows?
I am a tax payer and like you I also want to know that tax-paid employees are behaving responsibly. This should not be swept under the rug like so many things are in our city and by the Enterprise.
I hope that Bill Emlen does the right thing.
Those of us who like to know what is going on in our city appreciate you covering this story David.
I agree with you with you Chuck. Anonymous 7:38 am could be an impacted employee from the fire department for all we know. Who knows?
I am a tax payer and like you I also want to know that tax-paid employees are behaving responsibly. This should not be swept under the rug like so many things are in our city and by the Enterprise.
I hope that Bill Emlen does the right thing.
Those of us who like to know what is going on in our city appreciate you covering this story David.
Anonymous 7:38 clearly despises ‘boat rockers’. Yes, we the people elect people to make decisions for us, but it is our decision to re-elect them or not depending on whether or not we agree with their decisions most of the time.
Davis has a long history of sweeping unpleasantness under the rug. This does not make problems go away, it makes them worse.
DPD is not the boy who cried wolf, without his constant vigilance, I believe the bureaucrats would bury much more than they have done. just because he does not “win” every fight, does not make him wrong to question where our tax dollars are going.
Transparency is critical for democracy to function. I worked for Yolo County and the State of California for many years. I NEVER forgot that I was accountable to the tax payers for how their money was spent. I wasn’t always popular because this meant that sometimes I ‘rocked the boat’, but at least my conscience is clear.
Anonymous 7:38 clearly despises ‘boat rockers’. Yes, we the people elect people to make decisions for us, but it is our decision to re-elect them or not depending on whether or not we agree with their decisions most of the time.
Davis has a long history of sweeping unpleasantness under the rug. This does not make problems go away, it makes them worse.
DPD is not the boy who cried wolf, without his constant vigilance, I believe the bureaucrats would bury much more than they have done. just because he does not “win” every fight, does not make him wrong to question where our tax dollars are going.
Transparency is critical for democracy to function. I worked for Yolo County and the State of California for many years. I NEVER forgot that I was accountable to the tax payers for how their money was spent. I wasn’t always popular because this meant that sometimes I ‘rocked the boat’, but at least my conscience is clear.
Anonymous 7:38 clearly despises ‘boat rockers’. Yes, we the people elect people to make decisions for us, but it is our decision to re-elect them or not depending on whether or not we agree with their decisions most of the time.
Davis has a long history of sweeping unpleasantness under the rug. This does not make problems go away, it makes them worse.
DPD is not the boy who cried wolf, without his constant vigilance, I believe the bureaucrats would bury much more than they have done. just because he does not “win” every fight, does not make him wrong to question where our tax dollars are going.
Transparency is critical for democracy to function. I worked for Yolo County and the State of California for many years. I NEVER forgot that I was accountable to the tax payers for how their money was spent. I wasn’t always popular because this meant that sometimes I ‘rocked the boat’, but at least my conscience is clear.
Anonymous 7:38 clearly despises ‘boat rockers’. Yes, we the people elect people to make decisions for us, but it is our decision to re-elect them or not depending on whether or not we agree with their decisions most of the time.
Davis has a long history of sweeping unpleasantness under the rug. This does not make problems go away, it makes them worse.
DPD is not the boy who cried wolf, without his constant vigilance, I believe the bureaucrats would bury much more than they have done. just because he does not “win” every fight, does not make him wrong to question where our tax dollars are going.
Transparency is critical for democracy to function. I worked for Yolo County and the State of California for many years. I NEVER forgot that I was accountable to the tax payers for how their money was spent. I wasn’t always popular because this meant that sometimes I ‘rocked the boat’, but at least my conscience is clear.
It appears that Bob Aaronson will not even be in town to report to the council and hopefully the public on his findings and to be available to answer questions that will inevitably arise.”
Is that the reason for the delay, David? I haven’t spoken with Bill Emlen about this situation, but it makes sense to me that, if Mr. Aaronson is presently unavailable, the City Manager might be putting off the presentation of the report until Aaronson can appear and answer questions.
“If this were a mere exoneration, the city clearly would have released this report already.”
That makes sense. On the other hand, if it is an exoneration and the public or members of the council deems the conclusions unjustified, then it would help to have Mr. Aaronson on hand to explain why he reached the answers he did…. Of course, that still doesn’t explain why the report is not yet on the city’s website.
It appears that Bob Aaronson will not even be in town to report to the council and hopefully the public on his findings and to be available to answer questions that will inevitably arise.”
Is that the reason for the delay, David? I haven’t spoken with Bill Emlen about this situation, but it makes sense to me that, if Mr. Aaronson is presently unavailable, the City Manager might be putting off the presentation of the report until Aaronson can appear and answer questions.
“If this were a mere exoneration, the city clearly would have released this report already.”
That makes sense. On the other hand, if it is an exoneration and the public or members of the council deems the conclusions unjustified, then it would help to have Mr. Aaronson on hand to explain why he reached the answers he did…. Of course, that still doesn’t explain why the report is not yet on the city’s website.
It appears that Bob Aaronson will not even be in town to report to the council and hopefully the public on his findings and to be available to answer questions that will inevitably arise.”
Is that the reason for the delay, David? I haven’t spoken with Bill Emlen about this situation, but it makes sense to me that, if Mr. Aaronson is presently unavailable, the City Manager might be putting off the presentation of the report until Aaronson can appear and answer questions.
“If this were a mere exoneration, the city clearly would have released this report already.”
That makes sense. On the other hand, if it is an exoneration and the public or members of the council deems the conclusions unjustified, then it would help to have Mr. Aaronson on hand to explain why he reached the answers he did…. Of course, that still doesn’t explain why the report is not yet on the city’s website.
It appears that Bob Aaronson will not even be in town to report to the council and hopefully the public on his findings and to be available to answer questions that will inevitably arise.”
Is that the reason for the delay, David? I haven’t spoken with Bill Emlen about this situation, but it makes sense to me that, if Mr. Aaronson is presently unavailable, the City Manager might be putting off the presentation of the report until Aaronson can appear and answer questions.
“If this were a mere exoneration, the city clearly would have released this report already.”
That makes sense. On the other hand, if it is an exoneration and the public or members of the council deems the conclusions unjustified, then it would help to have Mr. Aaronson on hand to explain why he reached the answers he did…. Of course, that still doesn’t explain why the report is not yet on the city’s website.
“Let the elected people, who make the decisions, do their job.”
It’s worth noting that until the electeds see the report, they cannot do their job, as you would have them do. Insofar as this is a complex question, I imagine it would be helpful for members of the council, who of course are busy with many other issues, to have a few weeks to consider the report before it is presented as an agenda item. Over that time, they could get input from constituents and contemplate a well informed and well considered public response.
“Let the elected people, who make the decisions, do their job.”
It’s worth noting that until the electeds see the report, they cannot do their job, as you would have them do. Insofar as this is a complex question, I imagine it would be helpful for members of the council, who of course are busy with many other issues, to have a few weeks to consider the report before it is presented as an agenda item. Over that time, they could get input from constituents and contemplate a well informed and well considered public response.
“Let the elected people, who make the decisions, do their job.”
It’s worth noting that until the electeds see the report, they cannot do their job, as you would have them do. Insofar as this is a complex question, I imagine it would be helpful for members of the council, who of course are busy with many other issues, to have a few weeks to consider the report before it is presented as an agenda item. Over that time, they could get input from constituents and contemplate a well informed and well considered public response.
“Let the elected people, who make the decisions, do their job.”
It’s worth noting that until the electeds see the report, they cannot do their job, as you would have them do. Insofar as this is a complex question, I imagine it would be helpful for members of the council, who of course are busy with many other issues, to have a few weeks to consider the report before it is presented as an agenda item. Over that time, they could get input from constituents and contemplate a well informed and well considered public response.
As citizens and taxpayers, I and my neighbors have been waiting for the response by the City of Davis to the charges made this past June by the Yolo County Grand Jury of major improprieties committed by the Davis Fire Department.
The City’s investigation of these charges by its independent investigator was completed over a month ago. The public needs to hear from the investigator. His report needs to be made public. The public has a right to see the report in an un-redacted format. The investigation and the City’s response needs to be fully transparent to the community. After all, we are paying for it.
As was reported on July 1:
“The Grand Jury investigated five key complaints.
First, “inconsistent promotion practices.”
Second, “a hostile work environment caused by a close relationship between DFD management and the Union and its Board of Directors and unequal support of educational endeavors.”
Third, “drug and alcohol use and the misuse of DFD sleeping facilities by off-duty firefighters.”
Fourth, “the strained relationship between DFD and the Davis Police Department (DPD)”
And fifth, “the appearance of improper political activity.”
The Grand Jury found the following after an extensive two year investigation:
“misuse of a DFD facility; inappropriate relationships between the Union’s Board of Directors and DFD management; and inconsistencies in promotional opportunities.”
As a result of the investigation, the Grand Jury recommends the following:
(a) the next Fire Chief be someone from outside DFD with no ties to the Union; (b) revise the current promotion testing process to include weighting of scores for each test section and posting of this information in public areas of the firehouses and in promotion announcements; (c) require all personnel read and sign-off on policies relating to discipline and alcohol and drug use and (d) enforcement of all alcohol and drug use policies.”
As citizens and taxpayers, I and my neighbors have been waiting for the response by the City of Davis to the charges made this past June by the Yolo County Grand Jury of major improprieties committed by the Davis Fire Department.
The City’s investigation of these charges by its independent investigator was completed over a month ago. The public needs to hear from the investigator. His report needs to be made public. The public has a right to see the report in an un-redacted format. The investigation and the City’s response needs to be fully transparent to the community. After all, we are paying for it.
As was reported on July 1:
“The Grand Jury investigated five key complaints.
First, “inconsistent promotion practices.”
Second, “a hostile work environment caused by a close relationship between DFD management and the Union and its Board of Directors and unequal support of educational endeavors.”
Third, “drug and alcohol use and the misuse of DFD sleeping facilities by off-duty firefighters.”
Fourth, “the strained relationship between DFD and the Davis Police Department (DPD)”
And fifth, “the appearance of improper political activity.”
The Grand Jury found the following after an extensive two year investigation:
“misuse of a DFD facility; inappropriate relationships between the Union’s Board of Directors and DFD management; and inconsistencies in promotional opportunities.”
As a result of the investigation, the Grand Jury recommends the following:
(a) the next Fire Chief be someone from outside DFD with no ties to the Union; (b) revise the current promotion testing process to include weighting of scores for each test section and posting of this information in public areas of the firehouses and in promotion announcements; (c) require all personnel read and sign-off on policies relating to discipline and alcohol and drug use and (d) enforcement of all alcohol and drug use policies.”
As citizens and taxpayers, I and my neighbors have been waiting for the response by the City of Davis to the charges made this past June by the Yolo County Grand Jury of major improprieties committed by the Davis Fire Department.
The City’s investigation of these charges by its independent investigator was completed over a month ago. The public needs to hear from the investigator. His report needs to be made public. The public has a right to see the report in an un-redacted format. The investigation and the City’s response needs to be fully transparent to the community. After all, we are paying for it.
As was reported on July 1:
“The Grand Jury investigated five key complaints.
First, “inconsistent promotion practices.”
Second, “a hostile work environment caused by a close relationship between DFD management and the Union and its Board of Directors and unequal support of educational endeavors.”
Third, “drug and alcohol use and the misuse of DFD sleeping facilities by off-duty firefighters.”
Fourth, “the strained relationship between DFD and the Davis Police Department (DPD)”
And fifth, “the appearance of improper political activity.”
The Grand Jury found the following after an extensive two year investigation:
“misuse of a DFD facility; inappropriate relationships between the Union’s Board of Directors and DFD management; and inconsistencies in promotional opportunities.”
As a result of the investigation, the Grand Jury recommends the following:
(a) the next Fire Chief be someone from outside DFD with no ties to the Union; (b) revise the current promotion testing process to include weighting of scores for each test section and posting of this information in public areas of the firehouses and in promotion announcements; (c) require all personnel read and sign-off on policies relating to discipline and alcohol and drug use and (d) enforcement of all alcohol and drug use policies.”
As citizens and taxpayers, I and my neighbors have been waiting for the response by the City of Davis to the charges made this past June by the Yolo County Grand Jury of major improprieties committed by the Davis Fire Department.
The City’s investigation of these charges by its independent investigator was completed over a month ago. The public needs to hear from the investigator. His report needs to be made public. The public has a right to see the report in an un-redacted format. The investigation and the City’s response needs to be fully transparent to the community. After all, we are paying for it.
As was reported on July 1:
“The Grand Jury investigated five key complaints.
First, “inconsistent promotion practices.”
Second, “a hostile work environment caused by a close relationship between DFD management and the Union and its Board of Directors and unequal support of educational endeavors.”
Third, “drug and alcohol use and the misuse of DFD sleeping facilities by off-duty firefighters.”
Fourth, “the strained relationship between DFD and the Davis Police Department (DPD)”
And fifth, “the appearance of improper political activity.”
The Grand Jury found the following after an extensive two year investigation:
“misuse of a DFD facility; inappropriate relationships between the Union’s Board of Directors and DFD management; and inconsistencies in promotional opportunities.”
As a result of the investigation, the Grand Jury recommends the following:
(a) the next Fire Chief be someone from outside DFD with no ties to the Union; (b) revise the current promotion testing process to include weighting of scores for each test section and posting of this information in public areas of the firehouses and in promotion announcements; (c) require all personnel read and sign-off on policies relating to discipline and alcohol and drug use and (d) enforcement of all alcohol and drug use policies.”
FIRE(D) DEPARTMENT
If there was any city in America that could create an amazing all-volunteer fire department, Davis is it. Take a look at the University Fire Department- they show up to the same (real) calls that the city does. Most of the calls these days are medical, and they have greatly reduced the privately paid-for ambulance services that were paid for by people’s insurance. Basically, you have a bunch of over-paid public workers that are cross-trained at great expense to provide a service that was already provided. They fight a rare fire just fine, but volunteers do the same work for free- and there is an endless supply of people willing to do the work. The equipment is wretched excess for most of their calls as it is is FIRE equipment, being used for a little old lady that fell in her kitchen. The entire department should be disbanded and replaced by comprehensive PRIVATE ambulance service and a volunteer fire department.
Before some overpaid fireman starts into some FDNY 9-11 nonsense, keep in mind that public safety is not at risk. A huge number of volunteer fire departments all over the country take care of our citizens at no cost. We aren’t talking about safety, we are talking about price.
BTW- how many fire trucks does it take in Davis to respond to burned popcorn pan in the kitchen? Seven… I was there on Halloween on C street as SEVEN fire trucks, four police cars and the University fireman all arrived, in full-gear, hoses etc. to a house where someone overcooked dinner. This is typical Davis. WAY too many bored public employees with nothing to do but polish the engines, and cook some amazing meals all day.
Fire the Department.
FIRE(D) DEPARTMENT
If there was any city in America that could create an amazing all-volunteer fire department, Davis is it. Take a look at the University Fire Department- they show up to the same (real) calls that the city does. Most of the calls these days are medical, and they have greatly reduced the privately paid-for ambulance services that were paid for by people’s insurance. Basically, you have a bunch of over-paid public workers that are cross-trained at great expense to provide a service that was already provided. They fight a rare fire just fine, but volunteers do the same work for free- and there is an endless supply of people willing to do the work. The equipment is wretched excess for most of their calls as it is is FIRE equipment, being used for a little old lady that fell in her kitchen. The entire department should be disbanded and replaced by comprehensive PRIVATE ambulance service and a volunteer fire department.
Before some overpaid fireman starts into some FDNY 9-11 nonsense, keep in mind that public safety is not at risk. A huge number of volunteer fire departments all over the country take care of our citizens at no cost. We aren’t talking about safety, we are talking about price.
BTW- how many fire trucks does it take in Davis to respond to burned popcorn pan in the kitchen? Seven… I was there on Halloween on C street as SEVEN fire trucks, four police cars and the University fireman all arrived, in full-gear, hoses etc. to a house where someone overcooked dinner. This is typical Davis. WAY too many bored public employees with nothing to do but polish the engines, and cook some amazing meals all day.
Fire the Department.
FIRE(D) DEPARTMENT
If there was any city in America that could create an amazing all-volunteer fire department, Davis is it. Take a look at the University Fire Department- they show up to the same (real) calls that the city does. Most of the calls these days are medical, and they have greatly reduced the privately paid-for ambulance services that were paid for by people’s insurance. Basically, you have a bunch of over-paid public workers that are cross-trained at great expense to provide a service that was already provided. They fight a rare fire just fine, but volunteers do the same work for free- and there is an endless supply of people willing to do the work. The equipment is wretched excess for most of their calls as it is is FIRE equipment, being used for a little old lady that fell in her kitchen. The entire department should be disbanded and replaced by comprehensive PRIVATE ambulance service and a volunteer fire department.
Before some overpaid fireman starts into some FDNY 9-11 nonsense, keep in mind that public safety is not at risk. A huge number of volunteer fire departments all over the country take care of our citizens at no cost. We aren’t talking about safety, we are talking about price.
BTW- how many fire trucks does it take in Davis to respond to burned popcorn pan in the kitchen? Seven… I was there on Halloween on C street as SEVEN fire trucks, four police cars and the University fireman all arrived, in full-gear, hoses etc. to a house where someone overcooked dinner. This is typical Davis. WAY too many bored public employees with nothing to do but polish the engines, and cook some amazing meals all day.
Fire the Department.
FIRE(D) DEPARTMENT
If there was any city in America that could create an amazing all-volunteer fire department, Davis is it. Take a look at the University Fire Department- they show up to the same (real) calls that the city does. Most of the calls these days are medical, and they have greatly reduced the privately paid-for ambulance services that were paid for by people’s insurance. Basically, you have a bunch of over-paid public workers that are cross-trained at great expense to provide a service that was already provided. They fight a rare fire just fine, but volunteers do the same work for free- and there is an endless supply of people willing to do the work. The equipment is wretched excess for most of their calls as it is is FIRE equipment, being used for a little old lady that fell in her kitchen. The entire department should be disbanded and replaced by comprehensive PRIVATE ambulance service and a volunteer fire department.
Before some overpaid fireman starts into some FDNY 9-11 nonsense, keep in mind that public safety is not at risk. A huge number of volunteer fire departments all over the country take care of our citizens at no cost. We aren’t talking about safety, we are talking about price.
BTW- how many fire trucks does it take in Davis to respond to burned popcorn pan in the kitchen? Seven… I was there on Halloween on C street as SEVEN fire trucks, four police cars and the University fireman all arrived, in full-gear, hoses etc. to a house where someone overcooked dinner. This is typical Davis. WAY too many bored public employees with nothing to do but polish the engines, and cook some amazing meals all day.
Fire the Department.
If there was any city in America that could create an amazing all-volunteer fire department, Davis is it.
Thanks for posting that. I was just thinking the other day why doesn’t Davis have a volunteer fire department, at least as a supplement? When there are hundreds of people that apply for the fire dept, surely there are enough people to staff a volunteer team?
If there was any city in America that could create an amazing all-volunteer fire department, Davis is it.
Thanks for posting that. I was just thinking the other day why doesn’t Davis have a volunteer fire department, at least as a supplement? When there are hundreds of people that apply for the fire dept, surely there are enough people to staff a volunteer team?
If there was any city in America that could create an amazing all-volunteer fire department, Davis is it.
Thanks for posting that. I was just thinking the other day why doesn’t Davis have a volunteer fire department, at least as a supplement? When there are hundreds of people that apply for the fire dept, surely there are enough people to staff a volunteer team?
If there was any city in America that could create an amazing all-volunteer fire department, Davis is it.
Thanks for posting that. I was just thinking the other day why doesn’t Davis have a volunteer fire department, at least as a supplement? When there are hundreds of people that apply for the fire dept, surely there are enough people to staff a volunteer team?
I can’t imagine there is a city our size (65,000) or larger anywhere in the U.S. which has an all volunteer fire department.
Keep in mind that the DFD is a component of the larger regional firefighting operations. Thus, our trucks help out, when needed, in neighboring cities and in the rural areas of Yolo County and Solano County. When the terrible fires broke out in the Capay Valley a few years ago — lit by a (now convicted) volunteer firefighter — the DFD helped to douse those flames.
Also, the DFD plays a vital role in responding to car accidents — in Davis and on 113 and I-80. They are expertly trained in saving the lives of people trapped in crushed cars and trucks and so on. Amateurs, who probably would not be available in a timely manner, cannot be relied upon to do that job.
As I’ve written in my column, the problem with the DFD is not that they are not good at their jobs or that their jobs are not important. The bulk of the problem, in my opinion, is that the DFD union has actively purchased political favor from our elected officials (in contradistinction to all other city employees, including cops) and translated that into an unsustainable financial windfall for themselves.
The situation with the Davis fire union is not unique. Fire unions up and down our state play the same game. The direction for this behavior comes from their national and international leadership.
Then when it comes time to negotiate with their cities, the union in Davis and the unions in other cities say, “Look at what they are paying in Vallejo and Fairfield! We can’t survive unless we get every dollar and more that they are paying.” So Davis and Elk Grove and so on give more and more in wages and benefits, all in the name of staying competitive. As the wages and benefits keep rising, it becomes a vicious circle for the taxpayers and a vituous one for the employees (until every last city is bankrupt).
And mark my words, with only one or two exceptions, every city and county in the 9 county Sacramento area will declare bankruptcy by 2015. They will lay the blame on the economy. But the truth is, they were all heading toward bankruptcy for the last 10 years, due to their profligate spending on labor.
I can’t imagine there is a city our size (65,000) or larger anywhere in the U.S. which has an all volunteer fire department.
Keep in mind that the DFD is a component of the larger regional firefighting operations. Thus, our trucks help out, when needed, in neighboring cities and in the rural areas of Yolo County and Solano County. When the terrible fires broke out in the Capay Valley a few years ago — lit by a (now convicted) volunteer firefighter — the DFD helped to douse those flames.
Also, the DFD plays a vital role in responding to car accidents — in Davis and on 113 and I-80. They are expertly trained in saving the lives of people trapped in crushed cars and trucks and so on. Amateurs, who probably would not be available in a timely manner, cannot be relied upon to do that job.
As I’ve written in my column, the problem with the DFD is not that they are not good at their jobs or that their jobs are not important. The bulk of the problem, in my opinion, is that the DFD union has actively purchased political favor from our elected officials (in contradistinction to all other city employees, including cops) and translated that into an unsustainable financial windfall for themselves.
The situation with the Davis fire union is not unique. Fire unions up and down our state play the same game. The direction for this behavior comes from their national and international leadership.
Then when it comes time to negotiate with their cities, the union in Davis and the unions in other cities say, “Look at what they are paying in Vallejo and Fairfield! We can’t survive unless we get every dollar and more that they are paying.” So Davis and Elk Grove and so on give more and more in wages and benefits, all in the name of staying competitive. As the wages and benefits keep rising, it becomes a vicious circle for the taxpayers and a vituous one for the employees (until every last city is bankrupt).
And mark my words, with only one or two exceptions, every city and county in the 9 county Sacramento area will declare bankruptcy by 2015. They will lay the blame on the economy. But the truth is, they were all heading toward bankruptcy for the last 10 years, due to their profligate spending on labor.
I can’t imagine there is a city our size (65,000) or larger anywhere in the U.S. which has an all volunteer fire department.
Keep in mind that the DFD is a component of the larger regional firefighting operations. Thus, our trucks help out, when needed, in neighboring cities and in the rural areas of Yolo County and Solano County. When the terrible fires broke out in the Capay Valley a few years ago — lit by a (now convicted) volunteer firefighter — the DFD helped to douse those flames.
Also, the DFD plays a vital role in responding to car accidents — in Davis and on 113 and I-80. They are expertly trained in saving the lives of people trapped in crushed cars and trucks and so on. Amateurs, who probably would not be available in a timely manner, cannot be relied upon to do that job.
As I’ve written in my column, the problem with the DFD is not that they are not good at their jobs or that their jobs are not important. The bulk of the problem, in my opinion, is that the DFD union has actively purchased political favor from our elected officials (in contradistinction to all other city employees, including cops) and translated that into an unsustainable financial windfall for themselves.
The situation with the Davis fire union is not unique. Fire unions up and down our state play the same game. The direction for this behavior comes from their national and international leadership.
Then when it comes time to negotiate with their cities, the union in Davis and the unions in other cities say, “Look at what they are paying in Vallejo and Fairfield! We can’t survive unless we get every dollar and more that they are paying.” So Davis and Elk Grove and so on give more and more in wages and benefits, all in the name of staying competitive. As the wages and benefits keep rising, it becomes a vicious circle for the taxpayers and a vituous one for the employees (until every last city is bankrupt).
And mark my words, with only one or two exceptions, every city and county in the 9 county Sacramento area will declare bankruptcy by 2015. They will lay the blame on the economy. But the truth is, they were all heading toward bankruptcy for the last 10 years, due to their profligate spending on labor.
I can’t imagine there is a city our size (65,000) or larger anywhere in the U.S. which has an all volunteer fire department.
Keep in mind that the DFD is a component of the larger regional firefighting operations. Thus, our trucks help out, when needed, in neighboring cities and in the rural areas of Yolo County and Solano County. When the terrible fires broke out in the Capay Valley a few years ago — lit by a (now convicted) volunteer firefighter — the DFD helped to douse those flames.
Also, the DFD plays a vital role in responding to car accidents — in Davis and on 113 and I-80. They are expertly trained in saving the lives of people trapped in crushed cars and trucks and so on. Amateurs, who probably would not be available in a timely manner, cannot be relied upon to do that job.
As I’ve written in my column, the problem with the DFD is not that they are not good at their jobs or that their jobs are not important. The bulk of the problem, in my opinion, is that the DFD union has actively purchased political favor from our elected officials (in contradistinction to all other city employees, including cops) and translated that into an unsustainable financial windfall for themselves.
The situation with the Davis fire union is not unique. Fire unions up and down our state play the same game. The direction for this behavior comes from their national and international leadership.
Then when it comes time to negotiate with their cities, the union in Davis and the unions in other cities say, “Look at what they are paying in Vallejo and Fairfield! We can’t survive unless we get every dollar and more that they are paying.” So Davis and Elk Grove and so on give more and more in wages and benefits, all in the name of staying competitive. As the wages and benefits keep rising, it becomes a vicious circle for the taxpayers and a vituous one for the employees (until every last city is bankrupt).
And mark my words, with only one or two exceptions, every city and county in the 9 county Sacramento area will declare bankruptcy by 2015. They will lay the blame on the economy. But the truth is, they were all heading toward bankruptcy for the last 10 years, due to their profligate spending on labor.
Homeowner insurance rates are partially based on the quality of the local fire fighting resources. A volunteer fire dept might sound great, but you better check on what that would do to the cost of insurance.
The last item on Thursday’s City Council Town Hall meeting might cover the grand jury report – at least the topic sounds promising.
Homeowner insurance rates are partially based on the quality of the local fire fighting resources. A volunteer fire dept might sound great, but you better check on what that would do to the cost of insurance.
The last item on Thursday’s City Council Town Hall meeting might cover the grand jury report – at least the topic sounds promising.
Homeowner insurance rates are partially based on the quality of the local fire fighting resources. A volunteer fire dept might sound great, but you better check on what that would do to the cost of insurance.
The last item on Thursday’s City Council Town Hall meeting might cover the grand jury report – at least the topic sounds promising.
Homeowner insurance rates are partially based on the quality of the local fire fighting resources. A volunteer fire dept might sound great, but you better check on what that would do to the cost of insurance.
The last item on Thursday’s City Council Town Hall meeting might cover the grand jury report – at least the topic sounds promising.
I can’t imagine there is a city our size (65,000) or larger anywhere in the U.S. which has an all volunteer fire department.
Pasadena Texas, population 144,793, has a volunteer fire department:
The Pasadena Fire Department remains the largest single municipal volunteer fire department in the United States. Our Department responds to approximately 170 alarms per month within the City Limits, including rescue calls and hazardous material responses.
I can’t imagine there is a city our size (65,000) or larger anywhere in the U.S. which has an all volunteer fire department.
Pasadena Texas, population 144,793, has a volunteer fire department:
The Pasadena Fire Department remains the largest single municipal volunteer fire department in the United States. Our Department responds to approximately 170 alarms per month within the City Limits, including rescue calls and hazardous material responses.
I can’t imagine there is a city our size (65,000) or larger anywhere in the U.S. which has an all volunteer fire department.
Pasadena Texas, population 144,793, has a volunteer fire department:
The Pasadena Fire Department remains the largest single municipal volunteer fire department in the United States. Our Department responds to approximately 170 alarms per month within the City Limits, including rescue calls and hazardous material responses.
I can’t imagine there is a city our size (65,000) or larger anywhere in the U.S. which has an all volunteer fire department.
Pasadena Texas, population 144,793, has a volunteer fire department:
The Pasadena Fire Department remains the largest single municipal volunteer fire department in the United States. Our Department responds to approximately 170 alarms per month within the City Limits, including rescue calls and hazardous material responses.
I wonder if City Council is open to the volunteer firemen idea at all given the DFD union has actively purchased political favor from our elected officials. I can hear the objection already – we wouldn’t want to compromise public safety by going to a volunteer force, we value our firefighters, etc.
I wonder if City Council is open to the volunteer firemen idea at all given the DFD union has actively purchased political favor from our elected officials. I can hear the objection already – we wouldn’t want to compromise public safety by going to a volunteer force, we value our firefighters, etc.
I wonder if City Council is open to the volunteer firemen idea at all given the DFD union has actively purchased political favor from our elected officials. I can hear the objection already – we wouldn’t want to compromise public safety by going to a volunteer force, we value our firefighters, etc.
I wonder if City Council is open to the volunteer firemen idea at all given the DFD union has actively purchased political favor from our elected officials. I can hear the objection already – we wouldn’t want to compromise public safety by going to a volunteer force, we value our firefighters, etc.
To Christine,
You are correct, “DPD is not the boy who cried wolf”. David Greenwald is the BOY who “Cried Wolf”. He does it all the time in the name of poor journalism and in order to get a response. Though on a rare occasion, he is correct.
To Christine,
You are correct, “DPD is not the boy who cried wolf”. David Greenwald is the BOY who “Cried Wolf”. He does it all the time in the name of poor journalism and in order to get a response. Though on a rare occasion, he is correct.
To Christine,
You are correct, “DPD is not the boy who cried wolf”. David Greenwald is the BOY who “Cried Wolf”. He does it all the time in the name of poor journalism and in order to get a response. Though on a rare occasion, he is correct.
To Christine,
You are correct, “DPD is not the boy who cried wolf”. David Greenwald is the BOY who “Cried Wolf”. He does it all the time in the name of poor journalism and in order to get a response. Though on a rare occasion, he is correct.
If you understand David’s sources, you understand why this is probably legit.
If you understand David’s sources, you understand why this is probably legit.
If you understand David’s sources, you understand why this is probably legit.
If you understand David’s sources, you understand why this is probably legit.
With people like you and free ink , yes the situation will escalate only because of you stirring the POT.
Let the elected people , who make the decisions do there job .
Your credibility is as strong as the little boy , who has cried WOLF three times already !
I like that bit about “free ink”. Unlike newspaper reporters, DPD is accountable to no editor, or anyone, for that matter. Which goes a long way toward explaining his poor use of language at times, and overuse of the first pronoun, “I”.
Former Davis Enterprise Editor Wendy Weitzel has had her hours cut back drastically and now writes her business column from home, per last Sunday’s column. Maybe she can come to the rescue and volunteer a few hours editing to DPD and give his column a modicum of professionalism it needs and deserves.
With people like you and free ink , yes the situation will escalate only because of you stirring the POT.
Let the elected people , who make the decisions do there job .
Your credibility is as strong as the little boy , who has cried WOLF three times already !
I like that bit about “free ink”. Unlike newspaper reporters, DPD is accountable to no editor, or anyone, for that matter. Which goes a long way toward explaining his poor use of language at times, and overuse of the first pronoun, “I”.
Former Davis Enterprise Editor Wendy Weitzel has had her hours cut back drastically and now writes her business column from home, per last Sunday’s column. Maybe she can come to the rescue and volunteer a few hours editing to DPD and give his column a modicum of professionalism it needs and deserves.
With people like you and free ink , yes the situation will escalate only because of you stirring the POT.
Let the elected people , who make the decisions do there job .
Your credibility is as strong as the little boy , who has cried WOLF three times already !
I like that bit about “free ink”. Unlike newspaper reporters, DPD is accountable to no editor, or anyone, for that matter. Which goes a long way toward explaining his poor use of language at times, and overuse of the first pronoun, “I”.
Former Davis Enterprise Editor Wendy Weitzel has had her hours cut back drastically and now writes her business column from home, per last Sunday’s column. Maybe she can come to the rescue and volunteer a few hours editing to DPD and give his column a modicum of professionalism it needs and deserves.
With people like you and free ink , yes the situation will escalate only because of you stirring the POT.
Let the elected people , who make the decisions do there job .
Your credibility is as strong as the little boy , who has cried WOLF three times already !
I like that bit about “free ink”. Unlike newspaper reporters, DPD is accountable to no editor, or anyone, for that matter. Which goes a long way toward explaining his poor use of language at times, and overuse of the first pronoun, “I”.
Former Davis Enterprise Editor Wendy Weitzel has had her hours cut back drastically and now writes her business column from home, per last Sunday’s column. Maybe she can come to the rescue and volunteer a few hours editing to DPD and give his column a modicum of professionalism it needs and deserves.
It should surprise no one that Bill Emlen doesn’t have things figured out ahead of time. A good city manager he is NOT!
That said, I am waiting patiently for the results of the investigation. I do want to know what is going on in my city, and DPD helps me better keep tabs on things…
It should surprise no one that Bill Emlen doesn’t have things figured out ahead of time. A good city manager he is NOT!
That said, I am waiting patiently for the results of the investigation. I do want to know what is going on in my city, and DPD helps me better keep tabs on things…
It should surprise no one that Bill Emlen doesn’t have things figured out ahead of time. A good city manager he is NOT!
That said, I am waiting patiently for the results of the investigation. I do want to know what is going on in my city, and DPD helps me better keep tabs on things…
It should surprise no one that Bill Emlen doesn’t have things figured out ahead of time. A good city manager he is NOT!
That said, I am waiting patiently for the results of the investigation. I do want to know what is going on in my city, and DPD helps me better keep tabs on things…
Which goes a long way toward explaining his poor use of language at times, and overuse of the first pronoun, “I”.
Anon 5:12,
That is one fine example of an ungrammatical sentence. Strange that you post it to criticize David’s “poor use of language.”
Which goes a long way toward explaining his poor use of language at times, and overuse of the first pronoun, “I”.
Anon 5:12,
That is one fine example of an ungrammatical sentence. Strange that you post it to criticize David’s “poor use of language.”
Which goes a long way toward explaining his poor use of language at times, and overuse of the first pronoun, “I”.
Anon 5:12,
That is one fine example of an ungrammatical sentence. Strange that you post it to criticize David’s “poor use of language.”
Which goes a long way toward explaining his poor use of language at times, and overuse of the first pronoun, “I”.
Anon 5:12,
That is one fine example of an ungrammatical sentence. Strange that you post it to criticize David’s “poor use of language.”
I really wish one person would offer to help edit the blog rather than criticizing David. I guess that’s too much to ask for. He often posts at 5 am after a long day. Could he be better? Probably, but we could all probably help him more.
I really wish one person would offer to help edit the blog rather than criticizing David. I guess that’s too much to ask for. He often posts at 5 am after a long day. Could he be better? Probably, but we could all probably help him more.
I really wish one person would offer to help edit the blog rather than criticizing David. I guess that’s too much to ask for. He often posts at 5 am after a long day. Could he be better? Probably, but we could all probably help him more.
I really wish one person would offer to help edit the blog rather than criticizing David. I guess that’s too much to ask for. He often posts at 5 am after a long day. Could he be better? Probably, but we could all probably help him more.
Over the years I have lived in several towns that have volunteer fire departments. They are superb! One is larger than Davis. I’m sure that if we checked there are many larger than our town..
It strikes me that the city of Davis could benefit from looking into having two services. The first might be fire stations and crews that are partially volunteer. The second would be a single fire station that responds to both emergencies and non-emergencies(school visits, Sparky, dead bodies).
We do not need to have every fire station equipted and staffed as though it were the only one in town.
Incidentally, volunteers are capable,surprisingly reliable, and generally available in great numbers as long as the City provides incentives that benefit them, their families, and friends. And as long as the volunteers live in town, they don’t even think about acting like hoodlums who are here on holiday where nobody knows them.
Over the years I have lived in several towns that have volunteer fire departments. They are superb! One is larger than Davis. I’m sure that if we checked there are many larger than our town..
It strikes me that the city of Davis could benefit from looking into having two services. The first might be fire stations and crews that are partially volunteer. The second would be a single fire station that responds to both emergencies and non-emergencies(school visits, Sparky, dead bodies).
We do not need to have every fire station equipted and staffed as though it were the only one in town.
Incidentally, volunteers are capable,surprisingly reliable, and generally available in great numbers as long as the City provides incentives that benefit them, their families, and friends. And as long as the volunteers live in town, they don’t even think about acting like hoodlums who are here on holiday where nobody knows them.
Over the years I have lived in several towns that have volunteer fire departments. They are superb! One is larger than Davis. I’m sure that if we checked there are many larger than our town..
It strikes me that the city of Davis could benefit from looking into having two services. The first might be fire stations and crews that are partially volunteer. The second would be a single fire station that responds to both emergencies and non-emergencies(school visits, Sparky, dead bodies).
We do not need to have every fire station equipted and staffed as though it were the only one in town.
Incidentally, volunteers are capable,surprisingly reliable, and generally available in great numbers as long as the City provides incentives that benefit them, their families, and friends. And as long as the volunteers live in town, they don’t even think about acting like hoodlums who are here on holiday where nobody knows them.
Over the years I have lived in several towns that have volunteer fire departments. They are superb! One is larger than Davis. I’m sure that if we checked there are many larger than our town..
It strikes me that the city of Davis could benefit from looking into having two services. The first might be fire stations and crews that are partially volunteer. The second would be a single fire station that responds to both emergencies and non-emergencies(school visits, Sparky, dead bodies).
We do not need to have every fire station equipted and staffed as though it were the only one in town.
Incidentally, volunteers are capable,surprisingly reliable, and generally available in great numbers as long as the City provides incentives that benefit them, their families, and friends. And as long as the volunteers live in town, they don’t even think about acting like hoodlums who are here on holiday where nobody knows them.
The vast majority of calls that DFD responds to are MEDICAL calls where they are not even needed! Yet they continue to be dispatched for statistical purposes- it makes them LOOK busy for reporting to council. Remember, DFD has NO paramedics and CANNOT transport patients- AMR ambulance service does that for Davis and for that matter ALL of Yolo County. It worries me to see two fire trucks from the downtown fire station driving with lights and siren on down busy E Street at lunch time going to a complaint of pain car crash. Last week they were driving lights and siren blaring to a student having a nose bleed at Harper School. Makes no sense to me and one day someone is going to get killed by those trucks going to a nonsense call.
The vast majority of calls that DFD responds to are MEDICAL calls where they are not even needed! Yet they continue to be dispatched for statistical purposes- it makes them LOOK busy for reporting to council. Remember, DFD has NO paramedics and CANNOT transport patients- AMR ambulance service does that for Davis and for that matter ALL of Yolo County. It worries me to see two fire trucks from the downtown fire station driving with lights and siren on down busy E Street at lunch time going to a complaint of pain car crash. Last week they were driving lights and siren blaring to a student having a nose bleed at Harper School. Makes no sense to me and one day someone is going to get killed by those trucks going to a nonsense call.
The vast majority of calls that DFD responds to are MEDICAL calls where they are not even needed! Yet they continue to be dispatched for statistical purposes- it makes them LOOK busy for reporting to council. Remember, DFD has NO paramedics and CANNOT transport patients- AMR ambulance service does that for Davis and for that matter ALL of Yolo County. It worries me to see two fire trucks from the downtown fire station driving with lights and siren on down busy E Street at lunch time going to a complaint of pain car crash. Last week they were driving lights and siren blaring to a student having a nose bleed at Harper School. Makes no sense to me and one day someone is going to get killed by those trucks going to a nonsense call.
The vast majority of calls that DFD responds to are MEDICAL calls where they are not even needed! Yet they continue to be dispatched for statistical purposes- it makes them LOOK busy for reporting to council. Remember, DFD has NO paramedics and CANNOT transport patients- AMR ambulance service does that for Davis and for that matter ALL of Yolo County. It worries me to see two fire trucks from the downtown fire station driving with lights and siren on down busy E Street at lunch time going to a complaint of pain car crash. Last week they were driving lights and siren blaring to a student having a nose bleed at Harper School. Makes no sense to me and one day someone is going to get killed by those trucks going to a nonsense call.
I think the first guy really has a point, Anonymous 738AM is right that the situation is (at least in part) escalating because of DPD’s stirring the pot. Congratulations David, this is an important topic and one that a majority of the council would rather ignore. You are providing a genuine public service here.
It is clear to me that half-measures are a waste of time here. A serious look needs to be taken at an all-volunteer fire department. Perhaps this would finally clear the streets of the endless silly calls the FD responds to and leave it to the ambulances.
I was actively involved in a very professional volunteer fire department and there was absolutely nothing that the Davis FD handles here that the volunteers couldn’t handle. Dispatch is something that is a full-time paid position, typically there is also a paid Chief who works full-time. The rest is handled by volunteers. I defer to the Pasadena example given as proof that it can work. Why not at least look into this?
BTW- for the folks that think that volunteer fire companies are a bunch of overweight yahoos in suspenders are much mistaken. The only real difference between volunteer fire departments and the pros is usually in their cooking skills (an absolute necessity for a bunch of bored guys living in a fire house being paid enormous wages to eat…)
I resent the attitude exemplified by the FD Union. Their attitude of entitlement and expansion of their role without increasing actual public service is reprehensible.
I think the first guy really has a point, Anonymous 738AM is right that the situation is (at least in part) escalating because of DPD’s stirring the pot. Congratulations David, this is an important topic and one that a majority of the council would rather ignore. You are providing a genuine public service here.
It is clear to me that half-measures are a waste of time here. A serious look needs to be taken at an all-volunteer fire department. Perhaps this would finally clear the streets of the endless silly calls the FD responds to and leave it to the ambulances.
I was actively involved in a very professional volunteer fire department and there was absolutely nothing that the Davis FD handles here that the volunteers couldn’t handle. Dispatch is something that is a full-time paid position, typically there is also a paid Chief who works full-time. The rest is handled by volunteers. I defer to the Pasadena example given as proof that it can work. Why not at least look into this?
BTW- for the folks that think that volunteer fire companies are a bunch of overweight yahoos in suspenders are much mistaken. The only real difference between volunteer fire departments and the pros is usually in their cooking skills (an absolute necessity for a bunch of bored guys living in a fire house being paid enormous wages to eat…)
I resent the attitude exemplified by the FD Union. Their attitude of entitlement and expansion of their role without increasing actual public service is reprehensible.
I think the first guy really has a point, Anonymous 738AM is right that the situation is (at least in part) escalating because of DPD’s stirring the pot. Congratulations David, this is an important topic and one that a majority of the council would rather ignore. You are providing a genuine public service here.
It is clear to me that half-measures are a waste of time here. A serious look needs to be taken at an all-volunteer fire department. Perhaps this would finally clear the streets of the endless silly calls the FD responds to and leave it to the ambulances.
I was actively involved in a very professional volunteer fire department and there was absolutely nothing that the Davis FD handles here that the volunteers couldn’t handle. Dispatch is something that is a full-time paid position, typically there is also a paid Chief who works full-time. The rest is handled by volunteers. I defer to the Pasadena example given as proof that it can work. Why not at least look into this?
BTW- for the folks that think that volunteer fire companies are a bunch of overweight yahoos in suspenders are much mistaken. The only real difference between volunteer fire departments and the pros is usually in their cooking skills (an absolute necessity for a bunch of bored guys living in a fire house being paid enormous wages to eat…)
I resent the attitude exemplified by the FD Union. Their attitude of entitlement and expansion of their role without increasing actual public service is reprehensible.
I think the first guy really has a point, Anonymous 738AM is right that the situation is (at least in part) escalating because of DPD’s stirring the pot. Congratulations David, this is an important topic and one that a majority of the council would rather ignore. You are providing a genuine public service here.
It is clear to me that half-measures are a waste of time here. A serious look needs to be taken at an all-volunteer fire department. Perhaps this would finally clear the streets of the endless silly calls the FD responds to and leave it to the ambulances.
I was actively involved in a very professional volunteer fire department and there was absolutely nothing that the Davis FD handles here that the volunteers couldn’t handle. Dispatch is something that is a full-time paid position, typically there is also a paid Chief who works full-time. The rest is handled by volunteers. I defer to the Pasadena example given as proof that it can work. Why not at least look into this?
BTW- for the folks that think that volunteer fire companies are a bunch of overweight yahoos in suspenders are much mistaken. The only real difference between volunteer fire departments and the pros is usually in their cooking skills (an absolute necessity for a bunch of bored guys living in a fire house being paid enormous wages to eat…)
I resent the attitude exemplified by the FD Union. Their attitude of entitlement and expansion of their role without increasing actual public service is reprehensible.
This reminds me of the song “know your rights” by the Clash. “you have a right to free speech. God forbid you should actually be dumb enough to excercise that right.”
Don’t worry about the overpaid city employees who are desperately trying to suppress your right to free speech. Much like the rest of Yolo County and it’s right wing corrupt cohort in Woodland (Sherrif, fire, and court system), people are intent on suppressing our constitutional rights in the name of money. Keep on blogging David. The honest citizens of Yolo County need someone who’s willing to expose the corruption.
God Bless You.
This reminds me of the song “know your rights” by the Clash. “you have a right to free speech. God forbid you should actually be dumb enough to excercise that right.”
Don’t worry about the overpaid city employees who are desperately trying to suppress your right to free speech. Much like the rest of Yolo County and it’s right wing corrupt cohort in Woodland (Sherrif, fire, and court system), people are intent on suppressing our constitutional rights in the name of money. Keep on blogging David. The honest citizens of Yolo County need someone who’s willing to expose the corruption.
God Bless You.
This reminds me of the song “know your rights” by the Clash. “you have a right to free speech. God forbid you should actually be dumb enough to excercise that right.”
Don’t worry about the overpaid city employees who are desperately trying to suppress your right to free speech. Much like the rest of Yolo County and it’s right wing corrupt cohort in Woodland (Sherrif, fire, and court system), people are intent on suppressing our constitutional rights in the name of money. Keep on blogging David. The honest citizens of Yolo County need someone who’s willing to expose the corruption.
God Bless You.
This reminds me of the song “know your rights” by the Clash. “you have a right to free speech. God forbid you should actually be dumb enough to excercise that right.”
Don’t worry about the overpaid city employees who are desperately trying to suppress your right to free speech. Much like the rest of Yolo County and it’s right wing corrupt cohort in Woodland (Sherrif, fire, and court system), people are intent on suppressing our constitutional rights in the name of money. Keep on blogging David. The honest citizens of Yolo County need someone who’s willing to expose the corruption.
God Bless You.
Please stop suggesting that the City of Davis go to a volunteer fire department. I live in Davis and do not want a volunteer fire department. I was a volunteer firefighter for a department in Northern California and know first hand what it takes to be a firefighter. A few important laws have been passed in recent years requiring all firefighters, paid and volunteer to train over 200 hours per year. Most volunteer fire departments do not meet this requirement, which is not a problem until someone gets hurt or killed. When a citizen or firefighter gets hurt or killed on a call, a lawsuit usually follows which leads to investigations into training. OSHA fines usually follow injuries as well.
I know to most people it seems like fire fighting or responding to emergencies can be done by anyone with no or little training. Most would be surprised by how technical and complicated a fire or vehicle accident can be. All firefighters, paid and volunteer receive thousands of hours of training, before they are truly great at the job of emergency response.
In addition to the training, the response to over 4000 calls per year that the City of Davis responds to would be very taxing on a volunteer department. Volunteer departments throughout the nation have seen a huge decrease in the number of volunteers in recent years as the training requirements have increased and our lives have become much busier. Locally, volunteer numbers are down as well.
What makes an effective emergency response to medical and fire emergencies? Well trained and competent professionals (Volunteer or Paid) who respond to the emergency in a timely matter. The timely manner is the hardest part for volunteer departments to make. For a person not breathing, that is four minutes. A fire doubles in intensity every 30 seconds. How long does it take a volunteer department to respond?
Why a volunteer fire department? Why not save with a volunteer parks department? A volunteer roads department? A volunteer sewer department? Although all of my suggestions are absurd, they are far better then lessening our emergency services. Do you go to a volunteer doctor, dentist or lawyer? What about a volunteer engineer to design or build the new building in town? Why are volunteers OK for emergency fire and medical response?
If ever faced with an emergency, you will want the best, highest trained, quickest response possible and you won’t truly know that until a loved one is hurt or your house is on fire. You won’t care about the cost, you’ll just want the best. Don’t suggest we go to a volunteer fire department for our wonderful community.
Please stop suggesting that the City of Davis go to a volunteer fire department. I live in Davis and do not want a volunteer fire department. I was a volunteer firefighter for a department in Northern California and know first hand what it takes to be a firefighter. A few important laws have been passed in recent years requiring all firefighters, paid and volunteer to train over 200 hours per year. Most volunteer fire departments do not meet this requirement, which is not a problem until someone gets hurt or killed. When a citizen or firefighter gets hurt or killed on a call, a lawsuit usually follows which leads to investigations into training. OSHA fines usually follow injuries as well.
I know to most people it seems like fire fighting or responding to emergencies can be done by anyone with no or little training. Most would be surprised by how technical and complicated a fire or vehicle accident can be. All firefighters, paid and volunteer receive thousands of hours of training, before they are truly great at the job of emergency response.
In addition to the training, the response to over 4000 calls per year that the City of Davis responds to would be very taxing on a volunteer department. Volunteer departments throughout the nation have seen a huge decrease in the number of volunteers in recent years as the training requirements have increased and our lives have become much busier. Locally, volunteer numbers are down as well.
What makes an effective emergency response to medical and fire emergencies? Well trained and competent professionals (Volunteer or Paid) who respond to the emergency in a timely matter. The timely manner is the hardest part for volunteer departments to make. For a person not breathing, that is four minutes. A fire doubles in intensity every 30 seconds. How long does it take a volunteer department to respond?
Why a volunteer fire department? Why not save with a volunteer parks department? A volunteer roads department? A volunteer sewer department? Although all of my suggestions are absurd, they are far better then lessening our emergency services. Do you go to a volunteer doctor, dentist or lawyer? What about a volunteer engineer to design or build the new building in town? Why are volunteers OK for emergency fire and medical response?
If ever faced with an emergency, you will want the best, highest trained, quickest response possible and you won’t truly know that until a loved one is hurt or your house is on fire. You won’t care about the cost, you’ll just want the best. Don’t suggest we go to a volunteer fire department for our wonderful community.
Please stop suggesting that the City of Davis go to a volunteer fire department. I live in Davis and do not want a volunteer fire department. I was a volunteer firefighter for a department in Northern California and know first hand what it takes to be a firefighter. A few important laws have been passed in recent years requiring all firefighters, paid and volunteer to train over 200 hours per year. Most volunteer fire departments do not meet this requirement, which is not a problem until someone gets hurt or killed. When a citizen or firefighter gets hurt or killed on a call, a lawsuit usually follows which leads to investigations into training. OSHA fines usually follow injuries as well.
I know to most people it seems like fire fighting or responding to emergencies can be done by anyone with no or little training. Most would be surprised by how technical and complicated a fire or vehicle accident can be. All firefighters, paid and volunteer receive thousands of hours of training, before they are truly great at the job of emergency response.
In addition to the training, the response to over 4000 calls per year that the City of Davis responds to would be very taxing on a volunteer department. Volunteer departments throughout the nation have seen a huge decrease in the number of volunteers in recent years as the training requirements have increased and our lives have become much busier. Locally, volunteer numbers are down as well.
What makes an effective emergency response to medical and fire emergencies? Well trained and competent professionals (Volunteer or Paid) who respond to the emergency in a timely matter. The timely manner is the hardest part for volunteer departments to make. For a person not breathing, that is four minutes. A fire doubles in intensity every 30 seconds. How long does it take a volunteer department to respond?
Why a volunteer fire department? Why not save with a volunteer parks department? A volunteer roads department? A volunteer sewer department? Although all of my suggestions are absurd, they are far better then lessening our emergency services. Do you go to a volunteer doctor, dentist or lawyer? What about a volunteer engineer to design or build the new building in town? Why are volunteers OK for emergency fire and medical response?
If ever faced with an emergency, you will want the best, highest trained, quickest response possible and you won’t truly know that until a loved one is hurt or your house is on fire. You won’t care about the cost, you’ll just want the best. Don’t suggest we go to a volunteer fire department for our wonderful community.
Please stop suggesting that the City of Davis go to a volunteer fire department. I live in Davis and do not want a volunteer fire department. I was a volunteer firefighter for a department in Northern California and know first hand what it takes to be a firefighter. A few important laws have been passed in recent years requiring all firefighters, paid and volunteer to train over 200 hours per year. Most volunteer fire departments do not meet this requirement, which is not a problem until someone gets hurt or killed. When a citizen or firefighter gets hurt or killed on a call, a lawsuit usually follows which leads to investigations into training. OSHA fines usually follow injuries as well.
I know to most people it seems like fire fighting or responding to emergencies can be done by anyone with no or little training. Most would be surprised by how technical and complicated a fire or vehicle accident can be. All firefighters, paid and volunteer receive thousands of hours of training, before they are truly great at the job of emergency response.
In addition to the training, the response to over 4000 calls per year that the City of Davis responds to would be very taxing on a volunteer department. Volunteer departments throughout the nation have seen a huge decrease in the number of volunteers in recent years as the training requirements have increased and our lives have become much busier. Locally, volunteer numbers are down as well.
What makes an effective emergency response to medical and fire emergencies? Well trained and competent professionals (Volunteer or Paid) who respond to the emergency in a timely matter. The timely manner is the hardest part for volunteer departments to make. For a person not breathing, that is four minutes. A fire doubles in intensity every 30 seconds. How long does it take a volunteer department to respond?
Why a volunteer fire department? Why not save with a volunteer parks department? A volunteer roads department? A volunteer sewer department? Although all of my suggestions are absurd, they are far better then lessening our emergency services. Do you go to a volunteer doctor, dentist or lawyer? What about a volunteer engineer to design or build the new building in town? Why are volunteers OK for emergency fire and medical response?
If ever faced with an emergency, you will want the best, highest trained, quickest response possible and you won’t truly know that until a loved one is hurt or your house is on fire. You won’t care about the cost, you’ll just want the best. Don’t suggest we go to a volunteer fire department for our wonderful community.
Well, why didn’t you just fix it instead of re-posting the mistake?
…overuse of the first person pronoun “I.”
There, see how easy? DPD needs help not comments.
Anonymous Anonymous said…
Which goes a long way toward explaining his poor use of language at times, and overuse of the first pronoun, “I”.
Anon 5:12,
That is one fine example of an ungrammatical sentence. Strange that you post it to criticize David’s “poor use of language.”
12/8/08 6:25 PM
Well, why didn’t you just fix it instead of re-posting the mistake?
…overuse of the first person pronoun “I.”
There, see how easy? DPD needs help not comments.
Anonymous Anonymous said…
Which goes a long way toward explaining his poor use of language at times, and overuse of the first pronoun, “I”.
Anon 5:12,
That is one fine example of an ungrammatical sentence. Strange that you post it to criticize David’s “poor use of language.”
12/8/08 6:25 PM
Well, why didn’t you just fix it instead of re-posting the mistake?
…overuse of the first person pronoun “I.”
There, see how easy? DPD needs help not comments.
Anonymous Anonymous said…
Which goes a long way toward explaining his poor use of language at times, and overuse of the first pronoun, “I”.
Anon 5:12,
That is one fine example of an ungrammatical sentence. Strange that you post it to criticize David’s “poor use of language.”
12/8/08 6:25 PM
Well, why didn’t you just fix it instead of re-posting the mistake?
…overuse of the first person pronoun “I.”
There, see how easy? DPD needs help not comments.
Anonymous Anonymous said…
Which goes a long way toward explaining his poor use of language at times, and overuse of the first pronoun, “I”.
Anon 5:12,
That is one fine example of an ungrammatical sentence. Strange that you post it to criticize David’s “poor use of language.”
12/8/08 6:25 PM
Comments, yeah. Comments are fun, but editing is too much work.
But here’s a thought: maybe David could submit fewer stories, but do really good jobs on the fewer stories he does submit. If he can’t attract a professional volunteer, that is. The other guy up top recommended Wendy Weitzel, recently laid off from the Enterprise. Jeff March, who wrote the long-winded letter to the Enterprise on “improving” Fifth Street, runs a small business called EditPros, which specializes in fixing broken language. I think he has a grammar column in the Enterprise. With which David ought to be familiar, since he re-posts so many articles from that newspaper…
Or perhaps a local retired English teacher might step forward into the breach.
Comments, yeah. Comments are fun, but editing is too much work.
But here’s a thought: maybe David could submit fewer stories, but do really good jobs on the fewer stories he does submit. If he can’t attract a professional volunteer, that is. The other guy up top recommended Wendy Weitzel, recently laid off from the Enterprise. Jeff March, who wrote the long-winded letter to the Enterprise on “improving” Fifth Street, runs a small business called EditPros, which specializes in fixing broken language. I think he has a grammar column in the Enterprise. With which David ought to be familiar, since he re-posts so many articles from that newspaper…
Or perhaps a local retired English teacher might step forward into the breach.
Comments, yeah. Comments are fun, but editing is too much work.
But here’s a thought: maybe David could submit fewer stories, but do really good jobs on the fewer stories he does submit. If he can’t attract a professional volunteer, that is. The other guy up top recommended Wendy Weitzel, recently laid off from the Enterprise. Jeff March, who wrote the long-winded letter to the Enterprise on “improving” Fifth Street, runs a small business called EditPros, which specializes in fixing broken language. I think he has a grammar column in the Enterprise. With which David ought to be familiar, since he re-posts so many articles from that newspaper…
Or perhaps a local retired English teacher might step forward into the breach.
Comments, yeah. Comments are fun, but editing is too much work.
But here’s a thought: maybe David could submit fewer stories, but do really good jobs on the fewer stories he does submit. If he can’t attract a professional volunteer, that is. The other guy up top recommended Wendy Weitzel, recently laid off from the Enterprise. Jeff March, who wrote the long-winded letter to the Enterprise on “improving” Fifth Street, runs a small business called EditPros, which specializes in fixing broken language. I think he has a grammar column in the Enterprise. With which David ought to be familiar, since he re-posts so many articles from that newspaper…
Or perhaps a local retired English teacher might step forward into the breach.
“In addition to the training, the response to over 4000 calls per year that the City of Davis responds to would be very taxing on a volunteer department.”
4000 calls? 11 calls a day, 365 days a year?
This is from the DFD’s log for this month for our 3 stations:
12-1 4 calls
12-2 3 calls
12-3 3 calls
12-4 9 calls
12-5 6 calls
12-6 9 calls
12-7 10 calls
12-8 6 calls
That is 50 calls over 8 days, an average of 6.25 calls per day, which would be 2281 calls in a year.
Of the 50 calls, they were–
32 medical aids (ambulance support)
15 others (includes assisting invalids, false alarms, smell of smoke)
2 vehicle accidents
1 fire
The single fire was a trash bin at 581 9th Street.
If you remove the calls that the ambulance service handled, you have 18 calls over 8 days, which makes an average of 2.25 calls a day for 3 Davis fire stations.
“In addition to the training, the response to over 4000 calls per year that the City of Davis responds to would be very taxing on a volunteer department.”
4000 calls? 11 calls a day, 365 days a year?
This is from the DFD’s log for this month for our 3 stations:
12-1 4 calls
12-2 3 calls
12-3 3 calls
12-4 9 calls
12-5 6 calls
12-6 9 calls
12-7 10 calls
12-8 6 calls
That is 50 calls over 8 days, an average of 6.25 calls per day, which would be 2281 calls in a year.
Of the 50 calls, they were–
32 medical aids (ambulance support)
15 others (includes assisting invalids, false alarms, smell of smoke)
2 vehicle accidents
1 fire
The single fire was a trash bin at 581 9th Street.
If you remove the calls that the ambulance service handled, you have 18 calls over 8 days, which makes an average of 2.25 calls a day for 3 Davis fire stations.
“In addition to the training, the response to over 4000 calls per year that the City of Davis responds to would be very taxing on a volunteer department.”
4000 calls? 11 calls a day, 365 days a year?
This is from the DFD’s log for this month for our 3 stations:
12-1 4 calls
12-2 3 calls
12-3 3 calls
12-4 9 calls
12-5 6 calls
12-6 9 calls
12-7 10 calls
12-8 6 calls
That is 50 calls over 8 days, an average of 6.25 calls per day, which would be 2281 calls in a year.
Of the 50 calls, they were–
32 medical aids (ambulance support)
15 others (includes assisting invalids, false alarms, smell of smoke)
2 vehicle accidents
1 fire
The single fire was a trash bin at 581 9th Street.
If you remove the calls that the ambulance service handled, you have 18 calls over 8 days, which makes an average of 2.25 calls a day for 3 Davis fire stations.
“In addition to the training, the response to over 4000 calls per year that the City of Davis responds to would be very taxing on a volunteer department.”
4000 calls? 11 calls a day, 365 days a year?
This is from the DFD’s log for this month for our 3 stations:
12-1 4 calls
12-2 3 calls
12-3 3 calls
12-4 9 calls
12-5 6 calls
12-6 9 calls
12-7 10 calls
12-8 6 calls
That is 50 calls over 8 days, an average of 6.25 calls per day, which would be 2281 calls in a year.
Of the 50 calls, they were–
32 medical aids (ambulance support)
15 others (includes assisting invalids, false alarms, smell of smoke)
2 vehicle accidents
1 fire
The single fire was a trash bin at 581 9th Street.
If you remove the calls that the ambulance service handled, you have 18 calls over 8 days, which makes an average of 2.25 calls a day for 3 Davis fire stations.
Now that is a compelling analysis! Nice to have our fireman, well-paid and well-trained ready to save a burning dumpster even if it bankrupts the city.
Volunteer FD is the way to go!
Now that is a compelling analysis! Nice to have our fireman, well-paid and well-trained ready to save a burning dumpster even if it bankrupts the city.
Volunteer FD is the way to go!
Now that is a compelling analysis! Nice to have our fireman, well-paid and well-trained ready to save a burning dumpster even if it bankrupts the city.
Volunteer FD is the way to go!
Now that is a compelling analysis! Nice to have our fireman, well-paid and well-trained ready to save a burning dumpster even if it bankrupts the city.
Volunteer FD is the way to go!
Why not save with a volunteer parks department? A volunteer roads department? A volunteer sewer department?
None of those take up a large percentage of the budget. These are also jobs in which the workers are used regularly – a landscaper is doing their job on a weekly basis let’s say. How many fires happen on an annual basis? Just look at the cost/benefit analysis. We are not getting good value for what we are paying the FD. I’m sure the firemen are all good guys but Davis has a budget problem, USA is in a recession, AND we know sewer rates and water rates are going to go up.
To those who are really anti-volunteer fire department – please let us hear your proposals about where we can cut from the Davis budget then, when it is known that the FD salaries and retirement are a huge chunk of the budget. And I don’t want to see Measure XYZ raising taxes again either. You can’t go to the well every time.
Why not save with a volunteer parks department? A volunteer roads department? A volunteer sewer department?
None of those take up a large percentage of the budget. These are also jobs in which the workers are used regularly – a landscaper is doing their job on a weekly basis let’s say. How many fires happen on an annual basis? Just look at the cost/benefit analysis. We are not getting good value for what we are paying the FD. I’m sure the firemen are all good guys but Davis has a budget problem, USA is in a recession, AND we know sewer rates and water rates are going to go up.
To those who are really anti-volunteer fire department – please let us hear your proposals about where we can cut from the Davis budget then, when it is known that the FD salaries and retirement are a huge chunk of the budget. And I don’t want to see Measure XYZ raising taxes again either. You can’t go to the well every time.
Why not save with a volunteer parks department? A volunteer roads department? A volunteer sewer department?
None of those take up a large percentage of the budget. These are also jobs in which the workers are used regularly – a landscaper is doing their job on a weekly basis let’s say. How many fires happen on an annual basis? Just look at the cost/benefit analysis. We are not getting good value for what we are paying the FD. I’m sure the firemen are all good guys but Davis has a budget problem, USA is in a recession, AND we know sewer rates and water rates are going to go up.
To those who are really anti-volunteer fire department – please let us hear your proposals about where we can cut from the Davis budget then, when it is known that the FD salaries and retirement are a huge chunk of the budget. And I don’t want to see Measure XYZ raising taxes again either. You can’t go to the well every time.
Why not save with a volunteer parks department? A volunteer roads department? A volunteer sewer department?
None of those take up a large percentage of the budget. These are also jobs in which the workers are used regularly – a landscaper is doing their job on a weekly basis let’s say. How many fires happen on an annual basis? Just look at the cost/benefit analysis. We are not getting good value for what we are paying the FD. I’m sure the firemen are all good guys but Davis has a budget problem, USA is in a recession, AND we know sewer rates and water rates are going to go up.
To those who are really anti-volunteer fire department – please let us hear your proposals about where we can cut from the Davis budget then, when it is known that the FD salaries and retirement are a huge chunk of the budget. And I don’t want to see Measure XYZ raising taxes again either. You can’t go to the well every time.
Hey Mike, the DFD responded to over 4000 calls last year. What price do you put on saving someone’s life? What price do you put on saving someone’s home from fire or the homes or businesses next to the trash can?
Hey Mike, the DFD responded to over 4000 calls last year. What price do you put on saving someone’s life? What price do you put on saving someone’s home from fire or the homes or businesses next to the trash can?
Hey Mike, the DFD responded to over 4000 calls last year. What price do you put on saving someone’s life? What price do you put on saving someone’s home from fire or the homes or businesses next to the trash can?
Hey Mike, the DFD responded to over 4000 calls last year. What price do you put on saving someone’s life? What price do you put on saving someone’s home from fire or the homes or businesses next to the trash can?
I’ve never gotten a satisfactory answer in my question in response to the point made above which is: are we really going to get worse service if we don’t increase the firefighter’s salary every single contract by large percentages? That’s really what we are talking about, not the worth of a life.
I’ve never gotten a satisfactory answer in my question in response to the point made above which is: are we really going to get worse service if we don’t increase the firefighter’s salary every single contract by large percentages? That’s really what we are talking about, not the worth of a life.
I’ve never gotten a satisfactory answer in my question in response to the point made above which is: are we really going to get worse service if we don’t increase the firefighter’s salary every single contract by large percentages? That’s really what we are talking about, not the worth of a life.
I’ve never gotten a satisfactory answer in my question in response to the point made above which is: are we really going to get worse service if we don’t increase the firefighter’s salary every single contract by large percentages? That’s really what we are talking about, not the worth of a life.
anon 5:12 wrote:
“Former Davis Enterprise Editor Wendy Weitzel has had her hours cut back drastically and now writes her business column from home, per last Sunday’s column. Maybe she can come to the rescue and volunteer a few hours editing to DPD and give his column a modicum of professionalism it needs and deserves.”
This is slightly ironic since Wendy’s column, while one of the best parts of the paper, has lots of references to the Davis Wiki. As in, “According to the Davis Wiki…” – so take all information you get with a healthy grain of salt.
anon 5:12 wrote:
“Former Davis Enterprise Editor Wendy Weitzel has had her hours cut back drastically and now writes her business column from home, per last Sunday’s column. Maybe she can come to the rescue and volunteer a few hours editing to DPD and give his column a modicum of professionalism it needs and deserves.”
This is slightly ironic since Wendy’s column, while one of the best parts of the paper, has lots of references to the Davis Wiki. As in, “According to the Davis Wiki…” – so take all information you get with a healthy grain of salt.
anon 5:12 wrote:
“Former Davis Enterprise Editor Wendy Weitzel has had her hours cut back drastically and now writes her business column from home, per last Sunday’s column. Maybe she can come to the rescue and volunteer a few hours editing to DPD and give his column a modicum of professionalism it needs and deserves.”
This is slightly ironic since Wendy’s column, while one of the best parts of the paper, has lots of references to the Davis Wiki. As in, “According to the Davis Wiki…” – so take all information you get with a healthy grain of salt.
anon 5:12 wrote:
“Former Davis Enterprise Editor Wendy Weitzel has had her hours cut back drastically and now writes her business column from home, per last Sunday’s column. Maybe she can come to the rescue and volunteer a few hours editing to DPD and give his column a modicum of professionalism it needs and deserves.”
This is slightly ironic since Wendy’s column, while one of the best parts of the paper, has lots of references to the Davis Wiki. As in, “According to the Davis Wiki…” – so take all information you get with a healthy grain of salt.