Month: February 2013

My View: Politicizing Rape

My View: Politicizing Rape

By David GreenwaldFebruary 16, 201344 comments
davis-train-depotLast summer and fall I cringed when words like “legitimate rape” came out of the mouths of male conservative politicians.  It’s not just that their understanding of basic human anatomical functions was so terribly wrong, but it re-injected politics into a crime that need not be politicized.

I was coming of age during the days when rape awareness finally moved out of the dark ages, when prosecutors would refuse to prosecute, pardon the expression, legitimate rape cases.  Mine was the first generation where the term date rape came into prominence, and the phrase “no means no” became etched into our minds.

Better Alternatives to the Current Water Proposal

Better Alternatives to the Current Water Proposal

By uptownstudiosFebruary 16, 201352 comments

Greenwald-campaign-hsBy Sue Greenwald

I strongly believe that approving the Woodland-Davis water project is the most risky and potentially harmful decision that has been made by a City Council during the 12 years that I served as a council member.

We do not need this particular project at this time. We can’t afford this uniquely expensive approach to our long-term water infrastructure upgrades, and the consequences of proceeding with it are likely to be devastating.

Parcel Tax Faces Another Legal Challenge

Parcel Tax Faces Another Legal Challenge

By David GreenwaldFebruary 15, 201375 comments
schoolOpponents Jose Granda and Thomas Randall have filed a suit, this time in the Yolo County Superior Court, alleging once again problems with the Measure E parcel tax that was passed by 69% of the voters in November 2012.

At issue is the differential assessment rates for multi-dwelling unit parcels which is charged at the base rate of twenty dollars per dwelling unit, and all other parcels which are assessed at $204 per parcel.

Joe Friday: Responding to Dunning – Can a mortgage be loose as a goose?

Joe Friday: Responding to Dunning – Can a mortgage be loose as a goose?

By Matt WilliamsFebruary 15, 201354 comments

Joe-Fridayby Matt Williams

On Valentine’s Eve all the readers of the Enterprise were exposed to some creative accounting by one of the leading members of the No On Measure I campaign.  I thought it would be interesting to take a further look at the example we were all provided in this latest campaign manifesto.

Specifically lets look at another commodity that we all value . . . our home.  Since everyone who is a rate payer is also the owner of a home (or business) there is a very direct parallel between our decisions about home ownership and our decisions about water use.

VANGUARD COURT WATCH: Man Faces Six Counts of Worthless Checks

VANGUARD COURT WATCH: Man Faces Six Counts of Worthless Checks

By Vanguard Court Watch InternsFebruary 15, 20138 comments

Bounced-CheckBy Alexandra Rose

On the morning of Wednesday February 13, 2013 in Department 6 of the Yolo County Superior Court, the judge and jury were seated and ready to hear the opening statements in the case of the People of the State of California versus Gurmej Singh.

Charged with six counts of writing worthless checks, dating back to several dates in April of 2009, Gurmej Singh is represented by his defense attorney, Lisa Lance.

State Bar Files Complaint Against Clinton Parish

State Bar Files Complaint Against Clinton Parish

By David GreenwaldFebruary 14, 201318 comments

Parish-1.png

The State Bar of California has filed disciplinary charges against a Yolo County attorney for allegedly failing to comply with ethical rules while seeking judicial office. Clinton Parish, 41, is accused  by the California Bar of making misrepresentations about himself and his opponent in the May 2012 election for Yolo County Superior Court.

According to a press release from the State Bar, “Parish’s campaign materials falsely asserted, among other things, that his opponent was “involved in a sordid case of corporate fraud that involved payment of bribes in Russia.” Parish’s campaign website erroneously claimed that he had been endorsed by the Winters Police Department, and his yard signs gave the false impression that he had judicial experience.
Appellate Court Reverses in Artz Case

Appellate Court Reverses in Artz Case

By David GreenwaldFebruary 14, 201318 comments

Yolo-Count-Court-Room-600It was one of the more controversial cases that the Vanguard has covered, where a Yolo County Jury found Michael Artz, a graduate of Davis High School, not guilty of forced oral copulation in a case involving another Davis High Student who was 16 at the time.

However, they did find him guilty of two felonies, oral copulation with a person under 18 and contact and communication with a minor with the intent to have sexual relations. Ultimately, Mr. Artz was ordered to undergo counseling and spent six months in the Yolo County Jail.

Affordability Concerns with Water Project Remain Elusive

Affordability Concerns with Water Project Remain Elusive

By David GreenwaldFebruary 14, 201328 comments

floating-20On Tuesday the Vanguard analyzed the project costs, noting not only the steep rate hikes for the next five years, but also the potential continued steep rate hikes as the city had to increase its total revenue to about $42 million by 2032, a four-fold increase in revenue over a 30-year-period.

Former Councilmember Stephen Souza noted and posted a number of links to rate subsidies including one that the Davis City Council looked at back on November 27, 2012.

Saylor Not to Seek Assembly Seat

Saylor Not to Seek Assembly Seat

By David GreenwaldFebruary 14, 201328 comments
Saylor-swear-inThe Vanguard learned from multiple sources that on Tuesday night former Davis Mayor and County Supervisor Don Saylor has decided not to run for the Assembly District seat currently held by Mariko Yamada, who will be termed out in 2014.

Mariko Yamada, a Democrat, represents the Fourth Assembly District which includes most of Yolo County (except West Sacramento), parts of Eastern Solano County (no longer including Fairfield or Vacaville) including Dixon, Napa, Lake, and Colusa Counties and parts of Sonoma County up to Rohnert Park but not including Sonoma.

Former Mayor Supports Measure I

Former Mayor Supports Measure I

By David GreenwaldFebruary 14, 20133 comments

Sacramento-River-stockBy Ken Wagstaff

Just got my mail ballot for Measure I, the water supply question.  I’ve listened carefully to friends on both sides.

Through all the arguing, one has to focus on what is really known.

DPD Sustains Complaint Against Officer Involved in May Tasering Incident

DPD Sustains Complaint Against Officer Involved in May Tasering Incident

By David GreenwaldFebruary 13, 201364 comments

Bush-Titiana-3

Vanguard Confirms Officer No Longer Employed by City – The Vanguard has received a copy of the city’s letter to Tatiana Bush, one of two individuals involved in an incident that occurred May 23, 2012 at the Glacier Point Apartments.

At the time, the Davis Police released an unusually detailed explanation of the incident.  However, that was refuted a few days later by Tatiana Bush, a member of the Cruz Reynoso Task Force that looked into the November 18, 2011 Pepper Spray Incident.

Let Our Legacy Be Clean Water

Let Our Legacy Be Clean Water

By David GreenwaldFebruary 13, 201362 comments

WolkheadshotBy Senator Lois Wolk

The city of Davis’ water policies have been extraordinarily consistent for several generations. Supported by all City Councils and city managers, the policies have been to:

  • Protect the drinking water supply;
  • Reduce our reliance on groundwater through diversifying the supply and conservation; and
  • Recognize our role as a discharger of wastewater into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta by improving our environmental efforts related to water.
Vanguard Analysis: Project Costs Remain a Concern

Vanguard Analysis: Project Costs Remain a Concern

By David GreenwaldFebruary 12, 201371 comments
Sacramento-River-stockIn the coming days within the next week or two, the Vanguard will analyze a series of unresolved issues in the Measure I campaign.  We believe that, without the cost issue, there would be little to no opposition to this project.  Therefore, we start with an analysis of the cost issues.

The era of cheap water may indeed be over, as project proponents like to argue.  The Vanguard‘s own analysis suggests that water rates will double, even without a project, by 2018.

Sacramento Water Suit Settlement Clarifies Nature of Findings

Sacramento Water Suit Settlement Clarifies Nature of Findings

By David GreenwaldFebruary 12, 20134 comments
water-rate-iconWhile much has been made of the 2010 suit against the City of Sacramento with regard to non-payments for municipal water use, there has been very little discussion of what that case, which resulted in a settlement agreement between the parties, actually entailed.

The City of Sacramento did not suffer sanctions for the non-payment of the water; rather the terms simply set up a system whereby water usage would be tracked and paid for from the General Fund to the Enterprise Fund.

Conservation vs. Efficiency

Conservation vs. Efficiency

By uptownstudiosFebruary 12, 20137 comments

water4by Janice A. Beecher

The Water Pricing Primer was developed to inform and engage decision-makers and stakeholders about the central role of water pricing in water resource stewardship and sustainability. The Primer is intended to provide an introductory “why to,” more than a detailed “how to,” treatment of this rich and important subject. In addition to introducing key principles and concepts of ratemaking.

The rationale for water efficiency

Commentary: Columnist Attempts to Try and Convict Sonne, Acquitted by Jury, in the Press

Commentary: Columnist Attempts to Try and Convict Sonne, Acquitted by Jury, in the Press

By Vanguard Court Watch InternsFebruary 12, 201312 comments

davis-train-depot

By Antoinnette Borbon

I would like to take the time today to write a response to Debra DeAngelo’s column published in the Davis Enterprise, “If you’re drunk, ‘no’ doesn’t have to mean ‘no.‘

First, I would like to say that a case such as this was bound to bring forth controversy. However, controversy should not take away the weight of the facts in this case.

Is the City Paying For Its Own Water?

Is the City Paying For Its Own Water?

By David GreenwaldFebruary 11, 201383 comments
floating-20It all began with a lawsuit by Michael Harrington that alleged that the City of Davis “has defrauded Davis ratepayers for years by failing to pay for any of the City’s own water use as required by Proposition.”

Last week, Bob Dunning, the Davis Enterprise columnist, cited a story by reporter Tom Sakash as evidence that the city had admitted to these charges.

Police Cracking Under the Pressure of Manhunt?

Police Cracking Under the Pressure of Manhunt?

By David GreenwaldFebruary 11, 201311 comments
police_tapeA friend of my wife’s last night posted on Facebook that he (an African-American and an elected official down in Southern California) were spending time on their boat at the marina in Long Beach on Sunday.

He said he was watching the Laker’s game when he heard a helicopter hovering overhead.  When he went out, he immediately saw Coast Guard boats and numerous police on the dock facing his boat and up on the street.

VANGUARD COURT WATCH: Charges Added in Snyder Explosives Case

VANGUARD COURT WATCH: Charges Added in Snyder Explosives Case

By Vanguard Court Watch InternsFebruary 11, 20134 comments

explosivesBy Antoinette Borbon

The courtroom was packed today awaiting the preliminary conference for David Snyder, who is charged with making explosives, possessing firearms, and endangering the lives of others under the Health and Safety code.

He sat there calm and confident as his defense attorney, Linda Parisi, explained to the court that he was an upstanding citizen with a clean record. She explained to the court that David Snyder has been a good employee and was merely being experimental.