by Rob White
At least once a day, and sometimes many times a day, I get the question from a Davis community member wanting me to share my vision of economic development (or shall we say economic vitality) of the city. And every time I ask that questioner the same of them. Because my job in Davis is to synthesize the vast array of input into a coherent and reasonably achievable community vision, and then strive purposefully for that outcome.
Some have said my job is an impossible task. Others have quipped that there will never be a universal community vision around economic development. And my favorite comment continues to be something to the effect of ‘we’ve tried economic development in Davis, and it doesn’t work.’
As you might have guessed by now, I am not deterred by the multiplicity of views. If anything, the diversity makes me want to work even harder to find that bright line that is a best fit line for the majority of the community.
See, I am fascinated by the idea of Einstein’s Theories of Relativity, especially Special Relativity. Though I am vastly oversimplifying the Theory, we can basically talk about our observations of the world around us based on our individual perspective and moment in time. Of course those of you that have taken the time to read and understand this Theory can also note the many permutations and seeming exceptions to the Theory. But for this article, let’s just keep it simple.
Another way to state the Theory in simplistic terms might be “events that occur at the same time for one observer could occur at different times for another.” (Space.com) This begins us down our path of how people can arrive at distinctly different observations about the same event in space and time – one person’s unique experience from their vantage point can be slightly (or even radically) different than another person’s view – and both of these views are equally valid, but with very different observational outcomes.
I suspect this begins to get at the root to how two very rational and well-meaning individuals can arrive at very different views. We see this on the Vanguard daily. People are reflective of their own experiences and that culmination of observing the universe around ourselves and filtered through our own cognition results in some very unique views.
So why do I bring this up? I partially wanted to point out that many of us in the community have very different perspectives over time which leads to a significant amount of diversity of opinion. But focusing on the nature of relativity also means that we need to recognize that there are some who have had experiences that are beyond our own direct observation. And though we may strive to understand those foreign views, it is difficult for us to really cognitively grasp what their experiences have been.
It’s a lot like going to another place. I can take all the time I want showing you pictures of the Hawaiian Islands, telling stories about the culture, describing the tastes and sounds and scenery, but at the end of the day, it’s very difficult to understand what that means until you have observational context. For those of you that have been to a place of unique beauty or culture, you know how hard it is to convey the feeling you had when you saw the sunrise or the some festival. And as hard as we try, the uniqueness of the place is partially built on the experience, and words or pictures won’t do it justice.
Our efforts around economic vitality in Davis are very similar – it is hard to imagine something that you have not seen and experienced before. It’s also hard to remember accurately what things were in the past. Recently, Ken Hiatt (previous community development director) did a ‘before and after’ presentation on Downtown Davis to demonstrate the changes and the effectiveness of redevelopment. It is astounding to look at the differences in places like Central Park and see what an amazing transformation that has occurred over the last 20 years.
And this progression of events and activities and our observation of them over time is what makes each of our views unique. And this uniqueness is what makes us each individuals.
So, it shouldn’t be that hard to understand why people in Davis have such differing opinions on what has happened and what should happen. When you live in a place long enough, you will most definitely see the same event from different perspectives than your neighbors and observationally you may arrive at different conclusions on the what, why, how, when and where of situation.
As we discuss the economic health and sustainability of Davis over the coming weeks, months and years, we will each observe the dialogue from a different viewpoint. And though we can all do our best to stick to the facts and figures of the topic, each of us will be influenced by our own experiences. It’s at times like these that we need to come together and share our views and become as informed as we can on the topics at hand. And like the Hawaiian vacation analogy, it might be best to engage most heavily with those that have direct experience, because those views go beyond the pictures and the reports, they have actual experience. They can see the landscape differently.
I look forward to your thoughts and comments, and you can always email me at rwhite@cityofdavis.org
Rob White said . . .
[i]”As we discuss the economic health and sustainability of Davis over the coming weeks, months and years, we will each observe the dialogue from a different viewpoint. And though we can all do our best to stick to the facts and figures of the topic, each of us will be influenced by our own experiences.”[/i]
The logical next step to Rob’s perspective above is that “Reasonable People can agree to differ reasonably.”
I like to think that Davis has more than its fair share of reasonable people, but given the passionate level of community debate in Davis . . . passion that often produces dialogue that to the outsider appears unreasonable . . . I believe we need to heed Rob’s words above even more strongly and more diligently. Taking time to “walk in the other person’s shoes” is a good place to start. Looking for solutions that provide broad benefit. Trying to balance the many competing “What’s In It For Me” (WIFM) drivers of the diverse audiences that make up Davis.
Over the past few weeks I’ve been spending a lot of time working on transforming Davis’ dream of a permanently conserved Ag Farmland Boundary as envisioned by Measure O into a reality of upwards of 3,000 acres of prime ag land conserved, two riparian corridors rehabilitated, and the restoration of salmon spawning habitat in the Putah Creek complex enhanced and expanded.
Depending on your own personal views, that effort could be simply a single perspective, or as many as three perspectives.
Another way to look at the same activities is as a series of discussions with the various parties who have an interest in an Integrated Ag Farmland Preservation/Innovation Park Creation Strategy.
Yet another way to look at it is an effort to focus on “Yes” rather than “No” with all the core constituencies getting positive answers to their individual “What’s In It For Me” questions.
By walking in the other persons’ shoes the effort ends up with the following multi-perspective components:
— The Farmland Preservation portion of the Davis community would see the dream of a conserved agricultural border transformed into reality, with upwards of 3,000 acres of prime ag land conserved.
— The Riparian Habitat portion of the Davis community would see two riparian corridors rehabilitated.
— The Fish Spawning Habitat portion of the Davis community would see the efforts to restore salmon spawning habitat in the Putah Creek complex enhanced and expanded.
— The economic vitality community in Davis would see upwards of 950 acres of Innovation Park identified that would put Davis in a position to be proactive about keeping good companies in Davis rather than losing them to other cities/states.
— The Ag Technology Research community spinning out of UCD would see well over 1,000 acres of permanently conserved ag land made available for field research adjacent to the Innovation Parks (as in the current Harris Moran model on south Mace and the Bayer/AgraQuest model just committed to in West Sacramento).
— The taxpayers in Davis would see additional revenues generated by the increase in economic vitality that comes with retained/added jobs that match the UCD/Davis core competencies profile. As a result further tax increases should be forestalled.
— Thousands of individual Davis residents would see their homes that are currently in the FEMA floodplains removed from the risk of flooding, saving them whatever annual FEMA flood insurance premiums they are paying.
I’m sure there are other perspectives that the seven bullet points above don’t capture, and I’m equally sure that as the open, transparent community dialogue continues, those perspectives will step up and be heard.
I like Matt’s thinking here.
I realized after reading this – another great piece from Robb White – that I am really struggling to walk in the shoes of the people that don’t support more rigorous economic development.
I have to fly to So Cal tomorrow to attend a work golf event. I remembered this morning that my favorite and only pair of golf pants ripped the last time I played. My closet of jeans and dress pants don’t cover what I need. I drove all around town today trying to find a suitable pair of pants I can play in. Not only could I not find a suitable pair of pants, I could not even find a pair in my size (34 x 34).
Now I’m sure there are many in Davis that would pass judgment on a business golfer type and not really care that there are no places to purchase suitable pants for golf. But my effort today reminded me how much of a shopping wasteland Davis is. We are so obsessed with protecting the downtown merchants that we are causing shopping difficulty for residents and bleeding sales tax revenue opportunity up the wazoo.
The fact is that there are many of golfers in Davis. More importantly there are many more men that like to wear pants. It would seem that the city could easily support more retail locations carrying both types of products.
T.J. Maxx will certainly help here with a supply of suitable pants for men to buy, but look what it took to find suitable space.
Again, my problem is that I cannot figure out what is really driving those people that continue to block significant economic development. Do they really like having so few shopping options? Why?
I am thinking they might not even wear pants. That might explain why it is hard for me to walk in their shoes… which are also hard to purchase in town.
Sorry – Rob White.
Thanks Matt and Frankly for the nice words… And Matt, you were too kind tonight at Green Drinks at Monticello. Thanks!