At last night’s Yolo County Concilio Awards Dinner, Davis City Councilmember Lamar Heystek made the stunning public announcement that he would not be running for reelection in 2010 citing mainly personal reasons. His announcement stunned many of even his close supporters and leaves the progressive side of the aisle unsure of who will run for the council in 2010 as Mr. Heystek and Mayor Ruth Asmundson’s seat are up for election.
Councilmember Heystek issued forth this statement exclusively to the Vanguard based on his comments last night at the Concilio Dinner.
While my work as a Davis City Councilmember has encompassed a wide range of public policy issues, from public finance to social responsibility, the subject that seems most appropriate to talk about at a fundraiser for college scholarships is our young people. As the Coordinator of Youth Programs for a countywide non-profit agency in Woodland, I am all too mindful of the challenges youth face, as well as the challenges communities face when addressing youths’ needs. Because I spend half of my waking hours in Woodland and half in Davis, I cannot help but think about the common issues facing our youth in both communities, and there are many.
Some of us have a sense that in Davis, every child is, quote, “taken care of.” However, in Davis, we have latchkey kids, kids who lack a safe route to and from school, kids who lack a welcoming and engaging place to drop by after school, kids who struggle with the English language, kids who lack health insurance, kids caught in the grip of gangs and drugs, kids in the juvenile justice system and, yes, kids who, for whatever reason, just don’t feel like they even belong in our community. Ironically, the existence of these children is often masked by the statistics that have traditionally characterized our community as a whole: high test scores, high property values, a high median income and a high percentage of the population holding at least a bachelor’s degree.
What statisticians would consider “outliers” are actual young people whom we must realize exist, even within our city limits. We cannot pretend that some of our youngest residents face significant challenges to their future, even in a city where it is widely assumed that everyone is doing just fine.
As I think about youth, I can’t help but think about the family my fiancée Pui San and I hope to create soon. After a four-year relationship that has survived the strain of a City Council campaign and the thousands of hours I have subsequently spent in service to the people of Davis, we are getting married in June of next year and anticipate having a couple of children of our own within the next four years. For the past few months, I have thought long and hard about the steep personal sacrifice elected officials with full-time careers must make and the impact of continued public service on my ability to be a good husband and father. After having discussed these issues extensively with Pui San, and realizing the great deal of energy sustaining a family and career will demand, I have decided not to be a candidate for reelection next June.
That is not to say, however, that I have retired from public office altogether or have lost that proverbial “fire in the belly.” Rather, I am taking a hiatus that begins at the end of my term in July of next year. After all, at my age, I still have many more years and many more opportunities to contribute to civic affairs of this community, either as a candidate or simply as a community member. Furthermore, I remain convinced that the balance of my term will be as or more productive as my first three years in office. While I have been able to accomplish much, much unfinished business remains, and I will redouble my efforts to see to it that it be done.
To those of you who have supported me with your votes, advice and words of encouragement at any and all points in my civic life, I am truly sorry if I have disappointed you. However, please know I am deeply indebted to you and hope that I might be able to count on your support once again, should I decide to reenter the public sphere as a candidate. To all others, I have learned a great deal from your perspectives and contributions to the public discourse and sincerely desire that I might one day become worthy of your support.
In closing, I hope that I have helped make the prospect of elected office less daunting to those who don’t necessarily fit the mold of a traditional candidate. My message to them is that everyone – not just those with property, children or the gift of years – can certainly make legitimate public contributions to our community.
—David M. Greenwald reporting
Of course Lamar was also deeply discouraged by the denouncements hurled at him on this blog for his support of Parlin’s Wildhorse Ranch.
Seems like the Enterprise missed that one. Too bad. There were some great students from DHS being honored last night.
It should be noted that Lamar received the Elected Official Award at the Concilio Dinner last night. He accepted the award and made his remarks with his fiancee by his side.
As usual, Lamar Heystek’s words reflect his being a “class act”. He will be missed on our Council dais. If and when he reenters the “public sphere as a candidate”, he will no doubt be the wiser for having experienced the quite difficult,if not untenable, situation that he found himself in with regard to the Measue J process that is bringing us Measure P in less than 3 weeks. Lamar, best wishes on your impending marriage and plans for family.
Lamar, you will be greatly missed on the dais. Your youth and enthusiasm, as well as unconventional perspective were a welcome breath of fresh air. I particularly admired your attempt to take a fresh look at the budget in these tough economic times. My hope is that at some point, you choose to re-enter politics, but perfectly understand your need to put family first and foremost at this time. All the best for the future – in whatever avenue you choose to pursue in the years to come.
Is there some scandal about to emerge?
That is what usually accounts for politicians who resign
“To spend more time with my family”
Lamar has done a wonderful job on the council, but I understand his decision. He is just embarking on a career and a family. Running a city-wide campaign in a town of 64,000 is daunting.
It is time to start thinking about district elections. I believe more people would consider running if they only had to reach four or five thousand units.
Another casualty of being associated with Bill Ritter!
“Is there some scandal about to emerge?
That is what usually accounts for politicians who resign
“To spend more time with my family””
I think this falls in the category of over-analyzation. “Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.”
Dealing with colicky babies and diaper changes would be enough to make many folks give up their unpaid (city council rep. is as good as unpaid) outside activities.
Let’s just thank Lamar for the incredible service he has done for the community, rather than launch into political recriminations. We have absolutely no reason not to take Lamar’s explanation at face value. It makes all the sense in the world to me.
Congratulations on your upcoming marriage, Lamar. We all wish you the greatest success and happiness in your new family and your career. Thanks again for everything you have given the community.
It pays $116,208 a year plus a lucrative per diem, pension, and full benefits to serve in the State Assembly. I can imagine that at this point in his life, Lamar has trouble working full-time almost for free as a member of the Davis City Council. However, if we are lucky, he will run for Mariko Yamada’s spot in the Assembly in 2010. We could use a representative whose first instinct is not to carry the water for her campaign contributors, but rather has in mind the real interests of our district.
Hats off to you, Lamar. Good luck, and don’t stop dreaming.
please Lamar, don’t go, we need your independent voice that isn’t bought and paid for by corruption. Or perhaps your silence was bought, or you were threatened. such is the state of civic life in davis california. this is truly a sad day. if Davis has lost him, then i hope he runs for markic yamada’s spot, because she doesn’t care about us.
You are an inspiration to many UCD students who aspire to your example of service. Your presence on the council will be missed.
When speaking at City Council meetings, Larmar always impressed me: he was attentive, respectful, paid attention and looked interested, often took notes, and didn’t act bored as if the public was taking his time, a bother and a nuisance. He set a very high standard that I hope others, who choose to run, will follow. Nancy Price
I have many points of disagreement with Lamar Heystek, to say the least, but I admire him for being willing to serve on the City Council. It’s a dirt job compared to almost any other job in Davis. Despite the rather unwise terms of employment, Davis still does get people who sincerely want to help. Lamar gets a thank-you from me for that reason.
Lamar is the best. He is the most respectful of others’ time of anybody I’ve seen. Nothing is worse than a politician that doesn’t respect the time of someone else. Lamar knows everyone is busy and listens to his heart. He is definitely one of the most genuinely balanced people I’ve seen on the dais. He will be missed.
“Is there some scandal about to emerge?
“That is what usually accounts for politicians who resign
‘To spend more time with my family'”
To “I Wonder”: In the absence of any evidence, that’s just mean. Your comment is nothing more than innuendo hurled from behind a wall of anonymity. It is sad that, on this day, you can’t find it within your heart to thank Lamar for his service – regardless of your political persuasion.
Lamar has not always been right. However, in my observation, he has always been sincere and acted with courtesy and integrity. He has often raised the bar of discussion on the City Council – something that can be said of only a small subset of those who have held that difficult job.
Lamar, I wish you the best in the next phase of your life, and thank you for your service.
Frankly, I am not surprised at all that Lamar has chosen not to run again. It is expensive to run a campaign – he ended up in debt to the tune of something like $30,000 after his last campaign go ’round. The pay is abysmal for being on the City Council – $500 per month. If you truly take the job seriously, it takes hours to wade through thousands of pages of staff reports filled with more verbiage than substance – and often on very trivial issues. You then have to put up with other City Council members who play nasty political games to get their own way, by making fun of you, trying to neutralize anything you put forth, etc. The City Council meetings often run into the wees hours of the morning. Being a City Council member who truly tries to do a decent job, and is not in it for political gain, is an expensive thankless unending toil. Why the heck do you think there are so few decent candidates who run for office?
District elections makes a lot of sense to me – but don’t believe for a minute the City Council majority would every approve such a plan.
Best decision he ever made , also vote no on. “. P. “
“District elections makes a lot of sense to me – but don’t believe for a minute the City Council majority would every approve such a plan”
……….perhaps we need a citizen-initiated ballot measure to move to district elections in Davis.
“District elections makes a lot of sense to me – but don’t believe for a minute the City Council majority would every approve such a plan”
……….perhaps we need a citizen-initiated ballot measure to move to district elections in Davis.
Are you kidding me? Be real Dude! I know that the Greenwald household is salivating all over Stonegate on this one! You know Cecelia will try to capitalize on this.
I can tell you it was not a happy weekend for us. And Cecilia won’t be running for council this year, so forget your conspiracies.
“And Cecilia won’t be running for council this year”
Promise???
Not if you ask like that.
I thought I asked nicely.
After all I said please
Lamar Heystek has been a class act, has been able to figure out what is important to a community. Lamar is what is right about politics and public service. He will be greatly missed. At some point, I hope he returns to public office; Yolo Supervisor would be a dammed good start.
Lamar lost much of his following as a result of the late night follies over the way the Prop P vote was handed down.
“Lamar lost much of his following as a result of the late night follies over the way the Prop P vote was handed down. “
I don’t see any evidence that that’s true. I was disappointed with Lamar’s decision, but I still very much respect the man and what he’s done. You should not let a single issue color your feelings of the man. Without Lamar, we’d all be up a creek.
Well just because you don’t see any evidence of that it doesn’t mean it’s not true. I’ve heard many say that they felt betrayed by Lamar and would never support him again.
Many means what five? Ten? A poll? People who live all over? Wildhorse?
You guys are going to have to get over this P business, unless you want it to be the death-knell of the slow growth/ progressive movement.
Haven’t you noticed? Cecilia only runs when Sue Greenwald runs. Hmmmmm…………..
[quote]Lamar lost much of his following as a result of the late night follies over the way the Prop P vote was handed down. [/quote]Save the Parlin people being paid to promote it and the nervous nearby neighbors, no one — I mean no one; not even members of the City Council — really cares all that much about Measure P. It is small potatoes. It might win; it might lose. Ninety percent of the people in Davis won’t notice either way.
“Haven’t you noticed? Cecilia only runs when Sue Greenwald runs. Hmmmmm………….. “
N=1 is hardly of a pattern.
“I mean no one; not even members of the City Council — really cares all that much about Measure P.”
I also started out with the belief that the Davis voters would remain uninformed and uninterested in Measure P. I have been quite surprised at the number of Davis voters who are knowledgeable and who already voted or planned to vote. Remember, near 50% are now voting my mail and all they have to do is check off their ballot and walk to their mailbox. The Enterprise letters to the Editor,this blog,and Farmer’s Market contacts appear to be the way that they have informed themselves.
You’re looking at a small, self-selecting sample. If this election breaks with more than 30% of the voters actually voting, I’ll be stunned.
I believe the only one’s going to vote are those who have a horse in this race, namely the Davis homeowners who don’t think we need more housing at this time and have seen their home values diminish.
Interest says:” You’re looking at a small, self-selecting sample.”
No… there is no self-selection here… just voters who I met(weekday afternoons and weekends) and with whom I briefly chatted while doing “walk and drop” NO on P literature.
and Yes, Keith….. the glut of housing inventory and its potential impact on their home values was the issue that most focused on.
As to self-selection in voicing their Measure P vote to a No on P person…. my extensive experience with Measure X canvassing demonstrated to me that while Davis voters who have made up their minds about an issue may not want to chat with the other side’s advocate, they have little compunction about letting you know where they stand on the issue.
Enterprise finally had an article on Haystek today. Also confirmed that Vergis and Joe Krovoza have an interest in running for CC.
Old Skool Davis I think you are so Old Skool that you are wrong. Like David and Cecilia we too were sad to hear that Lamar is not running for re-election. Cecilia is a supporter of Lamar’s. I have spoken with her about this at farmer’s market. You obviously don’t know how supportive Cecilia has been of Lamar. To say that the Greenwald household is salivating all over Stonegate on this one is just a classless thing to say. I think it’s time to set conspiracy theory aside.
Lyle Smith said: “Yolo Supervisor would be a dammed good start.”
Great suggestion, Lyle. Lamar, think about taking on Don Saylor. Do some “exploration” into this possibility. I believe that this Supervisor seat constituency is more yours than Saylor’s.
Lamar doesn’t live in that Sup District.
[quote]You’re looking at a small, self-selecting sample. If this election breaks with more than 30% of the voters actually voting, I’ll be stunned.
[/quote]I think it will be closer to 20% turnout than 30%.
The people who live in the area care a lot about this election. They will turn out and vote no. Also, the people who are passionately anti-growth will turn out and vote no.
I don’t think, other than the people being paid by Parlin, there is anyone in town who is passionately in favor of this project — at least not to the extent that the No side opposes it.
And passion wins in a small-turnout election. Had this been held next year in a regular election, I think it would have passed. However, because Parlin made the stupid move of hurrying this onto the ballot in a special election where only the most passionate voters will turn out, it is going to lose.
My prediction: Measure P fails 2:1.
Dunning has article tonight on how a writer stated he was paid to write pro Measure P letters to the Enterprise. Measure P is going down, Davis citizens aren’t going to put up with stuff like that.
Anyone know the date the letter was published?
The letter to the Editor was written by Denise Hofner, a self-proclaimed employee of Parlin and it was published on October 15th
You guys are going to have to get over this P business, unless you want it to be the death-knell of the slow growth/ progressive movement.
Or better yet Sandy, the end of Bill Ritter’s political career!
Thanks for the info. I notice she also signed the op-ed.
The amount of payola being spread around is remarkable.
Keith,
If you believe what Dunning writes in his articles you may want to pass on whatever you’re inhaling. No offense, but come on. You take him seriously?
Sorry people, but winning or losing an election does not end one’s political career. If that were the case there would not be a lot of consultants after one election cycle.
Your vendetta and issues with P and BR sound personal to me. Keep it professional and focus on the issues or it makes you look petty.
Lamar, very sorry to hear that you are leaving. Congrats on a truly class act. Thanks for your many contributions and for being willing to listen to the voters. Best wishes on your upcoming marriage.
“If you believe what Dunning writes in his articles you may want to pass on whatever you’re inhaling. No offense, but come on. You take him seriously?”
To: I don’t read or take Dunning seriously
If you don’t read Dunning then how can you be a judge on anything he writes? I feel I’m a very good judge of character and Mr. Dunning (whom I’ve met) comes across to me as honest and real. I’ll tell you what, I believe Dunning before I believe much of which is written on this blog. And another thing, as far as this election goes it’s pretty obvious that Dunning hasn’t been bought and given up his integrity.
Keith: You are either really naive or really gullible.
“I feel I’m a very good judge of character and Mr. Dunning (whom I’ve met) comes across to me as honest and real.”
Yes in person he is nice and affable. But he will stab you behind your back the second you turn around or let down your guard. Talk to your fellow Davisites, he’s a mean and vicious man.
“as far as this election goes it’s pretty obvious that Dunning hasn’t been bought and given up his integrity.”
No, he just happens to support your side [and the blog opposes your side]. He doesn’t have any integrity. He simply dislikes the people supporting the project more than he dislikes the people opposing the project… for now.
You need to get the chip off of your shoulder.
Don’t think I don’t know who you are.
I promise you that you have no idea who I am. You’ve never met me nor have you ever heard of my name.
DNFTT
This blog is being trolled by paid Parlin astroturfers. Don’t take the bait.
Thank you Lamar for your service and Run Eileen Run, Run Eileen Run!!