June 2010 - Page 4 of 5 - Davis Vanguard

NEW COUNCIL IN DAVIS: Joe Krovoza and Rochelle Swanson Elected To The Davis City Council

By David GreenwaldJune 9, 201031 comments

Measure R and Measure Q Both Pass Overwhelmingly –

Election-Night-2010-1

It was a late night Tuesday night as the results very slowly trickled in, but it was largely one without drama or suspense as leads by Joe Krovoza and Rochelle Swanson in the absentee ballots held up and actually expanded as the night and then the morning progressed. The first precincts did not report until 10:30, by 12:30 am the 300 vote lead for Ms. Swanson expanded to nearly 600 and by 2:21 am it was over.

Joe Krovoza to no one’s surprise finished a strong first to win the Mayor Pro Tem. He will serve as Mayor beginning in 2012. Whether he serves earlier will be a point of intrigue in the next six months. Mr. Krovoza who appeared to be the front runner to finish first through out, received 7,284 or 37.6% of the votes. He finished first in every precinct but one around campus and Olive Drive.

Stakes Are High As Voters Hit The Polls

By David GreenwaldJune 8, 20104 comments

Voters in Davis will go to the polls today if they have not already voted by mail. Turnout figures to be on the low side, although probably higher than the Measure P election and also the 2008 City Council Election. It is one of those instances where the actual stakes exceed the level of passion and commitment from the voters.

As we surmised yesterday, perhaps one reason why the voters are not nearly as engaged as they have been in the past is twofold. First, growth seems to be off the table and growth has always been the instigator of contention. However, we also know that growth being on the table in November, while it created a polarized electorate, or at least a contentious one, it did not drive out voters.

Final Analysis: Things That We Learned This Weekend About the Campaigns

By David GreenwaldJune 7, 201015 comments

Tomorrow it will all be over. This was the final weekend of the campaign. Countywide they are predicted about a 45% voter turnout, which suggests that we will see 50 to 55% in the city of Davis. The predicted turnout is better than the last city council election in 2008, but a far cry from some of the years with huge turnout.

Given the magnitude of the issues facing the city of Davis, it is unfortunate that the city has not been more engaged in this campaign. Some of that may be due to the lack of coverage, some from the lack of clear differences in the candidates in terms of what is publicly said, some may simply be a matter that a lot of voters are disconcerted with the situation that appears overwhelmingly bad.

City Council Candidates on the Top Ten Issues Facing Davis

By David GreenwaldJune 7, 20102 comments

The Vanguard has covered nine candidates forums in addition to interviewing four of the five candidates. Now we have compiled what we believe are the answers to the top five questions facing the city of Davis and summarized and quoted the candidate’s position based on their answers. (Just to clarify there are other issues that are important as well, these lent themselves most readily to this form of side-by-side analysis. I did my best to include from multiple forums as needed.)

1. City budget crisis

Barbara Boxer Event June 18 in Davis

By uptownstudiosJune 7, 20106 comments

We are supporting Barbara Boxer’s re-election to the Senate. That is why we are co-sponsoring a reception for her June 18 here in Davis (the invitation is at the bottom of this page). If you need more information about her or simply want to be reminded of what a superb representative we as Californians have in the Senate, read on. If you just want to be a part of sending one of the finest elected officials in the nation right back where she can fight for us, go to this link!

For 18 years Barbara Boxer has been among the most progressive Democrats in the U.S. Senate. A tenacious fighter on many issues, she has been a strong leader on climate change, clean energy, environmental protection, health care, education, reproductive rights, and financial reform. We really appreciate Senator Boxer’s support and protection for wild places. She is one of the few members of Congress to consistently achieve a perfect score of 100 on Americans for Democratic Action’s annual ratings of Congress.

Has the Council Campaign Been “Devoid of Real Substantive Issues?”

By David GreenwaldJune 6, 20102 comments

Friday I read in Bob Dunning’s column a comment from someone named Paul on Muir who wrote: “Am I missing something or are the current City Council campaigns pretty much devoid of real substantive issues?” Bob Dunning went on to describe the campaign as “the least contentious campaign in city history.”

That may be true. Although just beneath the surface, perhaps not. I know of whisper campaigns that were pretty vicious, but most of them never made it to the public realm, let alone the Davis Enterprise. Nevertheless, as these council campaign go, it seemed pretty tame, certainly compared to 2006 when issues and heat were bubbling to the surface, there were lawsuits, threats of lawsuits, protesters at City Hall, angry public comments, doors slammed in the face of candidates, and a vicious letter from the wife of a city councilmember accusing a council candidate of misogyny.

State Spending Levels Lowest in 40 Years

By David GreenwaldJune 6, 201017 comments

According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) report that we released this year, showing state spending at a record low while the recession is the primary cause of California’s Budget deficit. In addition, the California Budget Project’s report shows a huge growth, not surprisingly in state spending on corrections over the past two decades.

According to the Department of Finance, state spending per $100 of personal income is at its lowest level in nearly 40 years. Under the Governor’s May Revision, General Fund spending, adjusted for inflation would at the lowest per capita level since 1993-94. And as a percentage of personal income, state spending in 09/10 is at its lowest level in more than a decade.

PG&E Rate Hike Hearings June 9

By uptownstudiosJune 5, 20100 comments

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is holding public hearings on PG&E’s proposed rate hike.

The meetings for our area will be on June 9 at 10 AM and 7 PM at Hampton Inn and Suites, 2060 Freeway Drive, Woodland.

Final Financial Disclosure in Council Race Showing Swanson, Krovoza Pulling Away as Vergis Continues to Fade

By David GreenwaldJune 5, 201015 comments

Last week we reported that Sydney Vergis had fallen third in a three person money race. The final required disclosure was filed on June 3 and trends have continued. The June 3 filing covers all contributions and expenditures up to June 2. Between now and the election, every time a campaign committee receives another $1000, they are required to file another Form 460 with the City Clerk’s Office within 24 hours.

In addition, the Vanguard has learned that Marty West and Ruth Asmundson have indeed closed their Independent Expenditure Committee. No other group has filed for Independent Expenditure Committee status. That does not preclude them from having an independent expenditure, but it does limit their expenditures to $250 or less.

Jon Li Releases Final Report on Viable Systems Model

By David GreenwaldJune 5, 20100 comments

Anyone that has seen a candidates forum or come across Davis City Council candidate Jon Li has not been able to avoid talk of his viable systems model, which he believes will improve the city’s ability to analyze its current budget, its operations and other its structure in real time and then be able to make adjustments and plan accordingly.

Jon Li announced earlier this week that he has released his final report of his campaign, “A System That Works: Building a decentralized Global Political Economy using the Viable System Model.”

Harris, candidato para AG, se acusa de no revelar información sobre la mala conducta de la policía

By David GreenwaldJune 4, 20100 comments

La primária democrática para la oficina del Abogado General está en sus últimos días, y no hemos tratado la elección en la que hay seis candidatos del partido democrático que quieren ganar la nominación. Una de ellos se llama Kamala Harris, el DA de San Francisco. Srta. Harris se encontraba en una controversia en miércoles cuando el defensor público de San Francisco, Jeff Adachi, la acusó de rehusando de “ entregar los nombres de los agentes de la policía con antecedentes criminales o antecedentes de mal conducto cuyos testimonios han ayudado a condenar acusados a los abogados defensores,” según un informe en el San Francisco Chronicle en jueves.

Kamala Harris discute que su oficina necesita examinar los nombres antes que el defensor público, y que ella necesitaría la permisión del tribunal para dar los nombres de los agentes a los abogados defensores.

Commission Recommends City Study Entire Anderson Corridor Amid Concerns About Safety at Chavez Elementary

By David GreenwaldJune 4, 201020 comments

On Wednesday, the Vanguard took pictures and reported on a variety of safety concerns at Cesar Chavez Elementary School. The convergence of a number of factors at that site have led parents and community members to ask the city for a redesign of the street.

To date, there is some frustration that the city has only looked at the issues rather narrowly, at first denying there were broader safety concerns and only looking at a rather modest upgrade to the site.

Attorney General Candidate Harris Accused of Withholding Info on Police Misconduct Histories

By David GreenwaldJune 4, 20101 comments

We have not given coverage to the Attorney General race that is coming down to its final days for the Democratic Primary, where six democrats are vying for the nomination. One of them is San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris. Ms. Harris found herself in a controversy on Wednesday when San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi accused her of refusing to “turn over to defense lawyers the names of police officers with arrest records or misconduct histories whose trial testimony has helped to convict defendants,” according to a Thursday story in the San Fracisco Chronicle.

Kamala Harris is arguing that her office must first review the names and only after going to court for permission would her office alert defense attorneys to the officers’ problems.

Cough…Cough! There were Sure a Lot of Wood Smoke Complaints from Davis Residents Last Winter

By David GreenwaldJune 4, 201051 comments

NRC Hears Results of Last Winter’s Davis Wood Smoke Monitoring and Citizen Complaint Studies –

by Alan Pryor, Yolo Clean Air

PART II – Dr. Cahill 2009-2010 City of Davis Wood Smoke Complaints Study

Introduction – On Monday, May 24, the Davis Natural Resources Commission (NRC) heard the long awaited results of the wood smoke monitoring study conducted by the Yolo Solano Air Quality Management District (YSAQMD) last winter from 11/1/09 – 2/28/10. As reported in a recent Vanguard article (Part I of this two-part series – see 6/3/10 Davis Vanguard article), the results showed that East Davis had concentrations of particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in size (PM2.5) that were from 80-100% higher than simultaneous measurements taken in Central Davis and to the West of Hwy 113 at a California Air Resources Board (CARB) permanent monitor over the same time period.

City Upholds Complaints Against Independent Expenditure but Imposes No Penalties

By David GreenwaldJune 3, 201012 comments

The Vanguard received a response from the city regard its complaints that the committee entitled, “Committee to Support Sydney Vergis for City Council 2010” failed to comply with Municipal Code section 12.01.055(c) regarding notification of independent expenditures within 24 hours.

The response indicated that while the committee was in violation of the city’s municipal code, due to their notification of the city clerk and candidates regarding this mailing via email on May 25, 2010 (three days after the mailing was postmarked), they would not seek any penalties.

Impact of UC Davis’ Fiscal Problems on City of Davis

By David GreenwaldJune 3, 20104 comments

An article last week in the Sacramento Business Journal written by Melanie Turner reported that while UC Davis brings “long-term stability” to the city, the current budget problems are having a huge impact on the business in this community.

These economic limitations are beginning to drive the university and city governments to look more seriously at creating of partnerships. One recent and well cited example is the work that the city and university fire departments are doing in moving towards the consolidation of operations and thus a model of shared-resources to go with shared-response areas.

Hold Your Breath in East Davis During the Winter!

By David GreenwaldJune 3, 20107 comments

NRC Hears Results of Last Winter’s Davis Wood Smoke Monitoring and Citizen Complaint Studies

by Alan Pryor, Yolo Clean Air –

Part I – YSAQMD 2009-2010 City of Davis Special Air Monitoring Study

Introduction and Scope of Study – On Monday, May 24, the Davis Natural Resources Commission (NRC) heard the long awaited results of the wood smoke monitoring study conducted by the Yolo Solano Air Quality Management District (YSAQMD) last winter from 11/1/09 – 2/28/10. The report is available through the City of Davis’ website. The purpose of the monitoring study was to determine if particulate matter concentrations in urban Davis were significantly different than those measured at monitors maintained by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) at their permanent stations on the outskirts of Davis, Woodland, and Vacaville.

Help Stop PG&E’s Power Grab

By David GreenwaldJune 2, 20100 comments

Encouraged by recent letters opposing PG&E’s power grab (Proposition 16), I’m asking for volunteers for action. Proposition 16 will raise the threshold for competition to PG&E from a simple majority of just over 50% to more than 66.7% approval of the electorate. We will, essentially, lose our right to choose alternatives to PG&E.

In the final days of the campaign, PG&E has increased their war chest from $35 M to $50 M. Despite the obvious self serving motives of this proposition, massive corporate spending can effectively turn public opinion. Just recall how we lost out on the greener, cheaper SMUD option four years ago and the selling of “safe” tobacco, despite all knowledge to the contrary. In contrast, the opposition hasn’t had funds even for yard signs, let alone multiple flyers and TV spots. With PG&E planning a $4 billion rate hike (The Utility Reform Network, 5/27/10), we can’t afford to grant PG&E a monopoly as our “forever” utility.

Public Works Discusses Wastewater Plant Upgrade/Expansion Options at NRC Monthly Meeting

By David GreenwaldJune 2, 20101 comments

by Alan Pryor –

On their regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Monday, May 24, the Davis Natural Resources Commission (NRC) heard from Mike Lindquist, a civil engineer with the City of Davis Department of Public Works, on various wastewater treatment plant upgrade options currently being considered by the City.

Currently, Davis processes about 5.5 million gallons per day (mgd) of wastewater and discharges secondary treated waste water to wetlands eventually emptying into the causeway under permit from the Sacramento Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). Mr. Lindquist explained that the city is not currently meeting wastewater discharge requirements for certain minerals such as selenium as well as for total dissolved solids in the wastewater. Although the current limits are not being enforced because the City has obtained temporary waivers from the RWQCB in the past, these will certainly expire at some point in the future which could result in fines of up to $10,000 per day. Mr. Lundquist did not specify a deadline by which these upgrades must occur.

Vanguard City Council Election Analysis

By David GreenwaldJune 2, 201056 comments

Yesterday we ran our interview with Daniel Watts, it was our fourth council candidate interview. Last Monday we ran our interview with Joe Krovoza . On Friday we ran our interview with Jon Li. On Sunday we ran the third interview, with Rochelle Swanson. The goal with these interviews was to take previous statements and positions that the candidates had taken and explore them more deeply or to clarify issues that have been presented both in campaign material as well as the candidate’s forums.

Normally we would have run an interview from Sydney Vergis, but that apparently will not happen. It is unfortunate that our thousands of weekly readers will not be able to see our interview with one of the major candidates in this race. We offered the invitation along with our invitations for the other four candidates.

Month: June 2010