Month: May 2012

Commentary: Does Censure of Katehi Change Anything? Yes and No

Commentary: Does Censure of Katehi Change Anything? Yes and No

By David GreenwaldMay 3, 2012136 comments

KatehiFacesTheCroud_11-21-11-15-1

We began this week with an analysis that Chancellor Linda Katehi ought to lose her job over her role in creating the conditions for the pepper-spraying incident to have occurred.

Now we have a very strongly-worded condemnation of the chancellor by the Academic Senate.  In their words, they “censure” the chancellor for “failure to perform adequately the tasks of her office and failure to provide clarity, candor and trustworthy accounts in relation to the events of Nov. 18.”

BREAKING NEWS: Academic Senate Calls For Censure of Katehi

BREAKING NEWS: Academic Senate Calls For Censure of Katehi

By David GreenwaldMay 2, 201212 comments

KatehiFacesTheCroud_11-21-11-15-1.jpgExecutive Council Stops Just Short of Calling For Resignation

In the strongest move to date in response to the reports on the November 18 pepper-spraying incident, the UC Davis Academic Senate announced this morning, that they “hereby censure Chancellor Linda P. B. Katehi for failure to perform adequately the tasks of her office and failure to provide clarity, candor, and trustworthy accounts in relation to the events of November 18, 2011.”

The Executive Council stopped short of calling for her resignation. However, the Special Committee did do so.

Commentary: Chamber’s Efforts Should Be Applauded But Scrutinized

Commentary: Chamber’s Efforts Should Be Applauded But Scrutinized

By David GreenwaldMay 2, 201286 comments

Chamber-2012-Debate-2Vanguard Believes Chamber PAC Needs More Diverse Business Composition

At the start, we need to be clear that we completely support the Davis Chamber of Commerce’s efforts to become more involved and engaged in Davis City politics.  For too long, the Chamber has taken a secondary role on such matters, despite outspoken complaints from themselves, their members and many in the community that efforts to develop Davis economically have fallen flat.

Moreover, we believe that Chamber Executive Director Kemble Pope’s move for transparency is a strong show of faith in the process.  He has opened up the Chamber PAC’s books for weekly scrutiny.  And after a little prodding, we learned the composition of the Chamber PAC that voted on endorsements.

Staff Proposes Draconian Parks and Recreation Budget Cuts if Measure D Fails on June 5 – Council Defers Discussion

Staff Proposes Draconian Parks and Recreation Budget Cuts if Measure D Fails on June 5 – Council Defers Discussion

By uptownstudiosMay 2, 201214 comments

parks-taxBy Alan Pryor,

Treasurer,
Yes on Measure D for Davis (www.YesonDforDavis.org)

What is the Parks Maintenance Tax (Measure D)?

Measure D is a City measure on the June 5, 2012 ballot to renew the current Parks Maintenance Tax that was first approved by voters in 1998.  It was renewed by 79% of the voters in 2002 and 70% of the voters in 2006.  If approved by at least two-thirds of the voters in June 2012, Measure D would again renew the current Parks Maintenance Tax at the same rate of $49 annually for residential parcels and $40 per 1,000 sq. ft. for non-residential parcels, not to exceed a maximum of 10,000 sq. ft. If approved, the tax would expire in six years (2018) if not renewed. The current ballot measure includes the same exemption for low-income residents as the current Parks Maintenance Tax.

Yamada Bill Would Give County Clerk Authority to Strike Inaccurate Ballot Arguments

Yamada Bill Would Give County Clerk Authority to Strike Inaccurate Ballot Arguments

By David GreenwaldMay 2, 20120 comments

assemblymember-mariko-yamadaLegislation Would Close Loophole From Parcel Tax Election

Assemblymember Mariko Yamada, who represents Davis and much of Yolo County, has now introduced legislation addressing an issue that arose during Davis’s Measure C election in March.

AB 1626, which passed out of the Assembly Elections & Redistricting committee Tuesday on a strong bipartisan vote, gives a county elections official authority to seek a writ of mandate to amend or delete errors or omissions in election materials in special district and school district elections. The elections official already has this authority in state, county and city elections.

JOIN US TODAY AT 6 PM: Meet & Greet City Council Candidates at Cinco de Mayo Celebration

JOIN US TODAY AT 6 PM: Meet & Greet City Council Candidates at Cinco de Mayo Celebration

By David GreenwaldMay 1, 20121 comments

Meet-the-Candidates

On Saturday, May 5, 2012, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM The Davis Vanguard (David Greenwald) will host a Cinco de Mayo City Council Candidates Meet & Greet Celebration.  The barbeque, bounce house, meet & greet will take place in the parking lot between the UC Davis store and the movie theatre parking lot on F Street across the street from the AT&T store.

“This is an opportunity for the public to meet and talk to all of the city council candidates that they will be asked to vote for this June.” said Davis Vanguard Executive Director David Greenwald.  “There are a lot of critical issues facing the city and it is important for all citizens to be able to make an informed decision this June.”
Documents Show UCD Slow to React To Bank Blocking Actions at US Bank

Documents Show UCD Slow to React To Bank Blocking Actions at US Bank

By David GreenwaldMay 1, 201244 comments

Occupy-US-Bank.jpg

On Wednesday January 11, 2012, a group of UC Davis students would enter the lobby of the US Bank branch in UC Davis’ Memorial Union, sit down, and conduct a teach in.  Two days later, they would conduct their first blockade of the bank, causing it to close early.

Over the next 6 and one-half weeks, the bank would close early 27 times and not open at all three times, not including holidays.  On February 28, the Bank would officially close its doors.

Gun Conviction Could Net 12 to 21 Years in Prison

Gun Conviction Could Net 12 to 21 Years in Prison

By David GreenwaldMay 1, 201220 comments

Tec-9

The Vanguard covered the two-week trial of Angel Palacios, Carlos Hernandez and German Martinez, each of them 20 years old, each of them found guilty of possessing a Tec-9 type assault pistol in their car.  They were also found to be Norteño gang members from Woodland and to have been engaging in criminal street activity.

According to the DA’s version of events, witnesses testified at trial that on August 17, 2010, two groups of gang members were in the area of Harris Park near Midtown Elementary in Woodland. Just as school security arrived, a rival gang member challenged defendant Hernandez, who appeared to have an object in his hand.