In the wake of the tragic killing of Peter Gonzales in downtown Davis, people in the community are asking; what can be done to make the downtown Davis and our community safer?To better understand what went wrong in the late night downtown Davis scene and hold community conversations about what can be done The Davis Vanguard (davisvanguard.org ) and Civenergy (civenergy.org ) will host a community forum and discussion and invite the public to participate.
The discussion takes place on Wednesday, October 14 at 7:00 PM at the Davis Police Department, in the conference room, located at 2600 5th Street in Davis.
The free event will include participants Davis Mayor Pro Tem Robb Davis, Davis Assistant Police Chief Darren Pytel, Davis Downtown President Michael Bisch, and Owner of Tres Hermanas Restaurant, Sergio Saenz.
For more information call David Greenwald, Executive Director of the Davis Vanguard at 530-400-2512 or email info@davisvanguard.org
So why isn’t there a representative from KetMoRee at this forum, probably the most important person to be on that panel? I will assume for legal reasons that is not possible? I wish the other nightclub owners would be part of the discussion (e.g. Froggy’s, Wunderbar G St., Our House) – glad to see Tres Hermanos step up to the plate. I would really like to hear from their perspective what is going on. They are the ones who actually see what transpires on the INSIDE of the nightclubs.
They are the ones that cause the scene. Do you think they are going to tell the whole town about what goes on inside?
There isn’t a specific reason for why Tres rather than KetMoRee other than that was who we were able to get. We are also working to get a student rep as well, but needed to get the word out.
Student rep would be great – that is also very important.
We have now confirmed ASUCD Senator Roman Rivilis
David, great idea to arrange this. I hope there will be a turn-out representative of all the various views I’ve seen expressed here, with a decent age range represented also (from students to fossils).
I call complete BS on this so-called community discussion. “The Vanguard” has shown a complete and inexplicable bias towards completely playing down this incident and ignoring the pattern of incident escalation that lead up to it. There is an agenda here in jumping in front and sponsoring this meeting.
How about having one of the downtown business owners that doesn’t like the scene and what it does to their business (if any have the Cojones to speak up) instead of one of the perpetrators of this type of business to play down and defend their turning into a convertable nightclub? Or how about someone from the adjacent affected neighborhood who has watched the scene degenerate and takes the late night scene of drunks hiding their cars from police, occasionally crashing, vandalism, tipping of trash cans, three-day-a-week 11pm to 2am noise?
Nope, self-selected panel for a self-selected outcome. Then you can write several more articles on the panel that support your bizzare support of the convertible nightclub scene.
“How about having one of the downtown business owners that doesn’t like the scene and what it does to their business”
Find one who wants to participate and I’m happy to include them in the discussion.
Strange how he doesn’t mention a representative from the nearby neighborhood . . .
You write this having absolutely no idea what I (as one of the panelists) will say. That is unfortunate.
Alan
“I call complete BS on this so-called community discussion.”
I think that you are jumping the gun by assuming that this community discussion will be a white wash of the downtown night club scene. David and I frequently find ourselves on the opposite side of issues. However, he has always been open to my suggestions for a balanced forum, up to and including placing me on one panel when our “slow growth” panelist had to cancel at the last minute due to a family emergency. It is true that I have sometimes had to encourage him to balance out the presenters, but I find this completely fair since it is me that is wanting my perspective heard.
David
“Find one who wants to participate and I’m happy to include them in the discussion.”
I also think that it would be reasonable for you to be more proactive in getting a more balanced representation since you have more downtown contacts, more time and ability to issue the invitation and make the arrangements than do many of us who have day jobs outside the community that do not involve interaction within business owners or local residents.
Tia – Bob Fung and I put this together last week. We have an assistant Police Chief, we have the Mayor Pro Tem, we have an owner of business (who I was pleased to get), we have an ASUCD Senator, we also have Michael Bisch representing Davis Downtown – I have no idea where he stands. I’m happy to have a broader panel, but I don’t see that this panel is imbalanced.
David
“I don’t see that this panel is imbalanced.”
I agree David that it is not imbalanced. What I feel is that it is not fully representative of all of the major stakeholders.
That’s fair I wasn’t wanting a 10 person panel, so my hope is that we can get those stakeholders to come to the forum and ask questions and/ or speak
Tia said . . . “I also think that it would be reasonable for you to be more proactive in getting a more balanced representation since you have more downtown contacts, more time and ability to issue the invitation and make the arrangements than do many of us who have day jobs outside the community that do not involve interaction within business owners or local residents.”
Under normal circumstances I would agree with you Tia, but in this case at least one of the nearby neighborhoods, Old East Davis, is highly organized and in regular active communication with its membership because of Trackside. Using that active network to identify and come forward with a nearby neighborhood participant in the panel would seem to be procedurally easy for the Old East Davis Neighborhood Association to do.
Tia, as I just did.
The difference is that you are nice, while I’m a complete asshole about it.
The Responsible Hospitality Institute is excellent resource for nightlife issues in downtowns. It’s a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (founded in 1983), based in northern California that helps businesses, cities, downtown associations, etc. around the country to plan safe and vibrant places to socialize – http://rhiweb.org.
Anon
“They are the ones who actually see what transpires on the INSIDE of the nightclubs.”
While this is true, I think that those of us who live very near these venues think it is equally important that what occurs outside these nightclubs also be taken into account. I am not sure that the nightclub owners understand or possibly even really care about how the activities inside their clubs, which benefit only them financially, impact the nearby neighborhoods who derive no profit nor benefit but do bear the aftermath of these activities.
I was heartened however to hear that Robb Davis will be a panelist as my experience tells me that he will bring a broader perspective to the discussion.
Tia, do you have suggestions of people from the nearby neighborhoods who would be willing to join the panel?
Matt
I do not. I plan to attend and will participate in the public comment. I have invited my 23 year old son to come since he has very strong and not very flattering opinions on the “nightclub scene”, however, I suspect that he may have other obligations since his school session is in full swing. I do not feel that I am well enough versed with anything other than my personal observations over the past 4-5 years to be able to contribute meaningfully as a panelist although I have found myself in the spot before ; )
Yeah, gee, let’s see, who might be willing to be on that panel from the nearby neighborhood? Someone who has been affected by the change in the scene . . . someone who goes down there on a regular basis . . . someone who stays up late, someone who has long stepped forward as a representative of neighborhood interests, served for decades as a board member of the local neighborhood organization, encouraged a local neighborhood watch program, created a neighborhood parking district, helped the police numerous times to catch criminals and miscreants in the act . . . sees the downtown scene from 11pm to 2am and beyond . . . Gosh, I can’t imagine who . . . . . nope, I guess no one fits that bill . . . hmmmm, well maybe . . . gosh . . . I dunno . . . maybe . . .
Mike Harrington?
Alan, would the answer to your many questions be “Maybe a representative from the Old East Davis Neighborhood Association (OEDNA).”
Unlike the Trackside issue where there have been many loud and coordinated OEDNA voices in many venues, this particular issue only appears to have one loud voice, yours. Has OEDNA convened a meeting to select a volunteer to be on the panel? Has any individual OEDNA member stepped forward and volunteered to be on the panel?
Is it possible that OEDNA is dragging its feet on this issue. Is it really not an important issue for OEDNA?
Crickets?
Just reading this now with the re-post. You appear to have a severe case of Frankly-itis, i.e. making personal accusation-assumptions-attacks about things and being dead wrong.
In fact, we had a long discussion about this at our last Old East Neighborhood meeting, because it greatly affects our neighborhood. We also chose a representative to speak for the Neighborhood this evening.
Matt, how does your foot taste?
Alan, what was it about the questions that I asked that had anything to do with my foot?
Starting with the observation that there “appears” to be one loud voice, I asked four questions. None of those questions have even a shred of accusation in them. In your post above, I want to thank you for answering two of those four questions.
The last of the four questions is answered with your statement, “In fact, we had a long discussion about this at our last Old East Neighborhood meeting, because it greatly affects our neighborhood.” By that statement it is clear that the issue is indeed important to OEDNA. Thank you for that information.
The second of the four questions is answered with your statement, “We also chose a representative to speak for the Neighborhood this evening.” By that statement it is clear that at the time I asked the question the answer was “No, OEDNA has not.” It is also clear that you have now changed that answer from “No, we have not.” to “Yes, we have.” Thank you too for that information.
Given those two answers, the other two of my questions become moot. You can feel free to file them in the same place you put your shoes and socks.
Tia, your point is well taken. I am hoping there will be an opportunity for public comment, so that people in the vicinity of these clubs can have a chance to speak their mind.
That’s a critical part of the format – public comment and questions.
Excellent!
http://news.yahoo.com/hero-in-french-train-attack-reportedly-stabbed-151843613.html
I read this BP. If the two perps they are looking for are Muslim or connected to any Muslim extremist group, I think all hell will break loose. Hopefully it was less politically, socially and culturally-charged reason. Just some idiots drunk and jealous of his hero status and wanting to prove their manhood picking a fight.
However, I don’t have a good feeling about this.
Did you know that one of the other heros, Alek Skarlatos, attended Umpqua Community College?
Like I said, I don’t have a good feeling about this. I can see intolerance for Muslims in this country starting to build if these and other future events are connected.
And I think the reason we are not really hearing much about the motives of each is that authorities are worried about the same.
Since my wife Pegi and I wrote the Enterprise Editorial (below) back in 2010, more food establishments are lining up to convert to bars/clubs after hours and stay open past midnight (until 0200 AM or so). Is it really a surprise that a murder finally occurred in a bar within Davis during the early morning hours?. This was just Act 3 in this sad progression. The City of Davis is becoming “Potterville!”
Picnic Day 2010, Decades In The Making
Bad behavior resulting from excessive consumption of readily available alcohol by young adults was apparently a major contributor to the disastrous Picnic Day of 2010. However, this condition didn’t happen overnight. My wife and I have lived in Davis since 1974, and we offer our perspective on this situation as follows:
:
· During much of the 1970’s, the City of Davis was “dry”, and one had to drive outside of City limits to purchase alcohol. As a result, Davis was a quiet, friendly, and family oriented university town throughout the day and evening. Downtown businesses closed by 1000 PM at the latest, and late-night partying and excessive drinking were rare activities. We found Picnic Days to be uplifting and positive family events, and our young children especially enjoyed the parades.
· During the prosperous 1980’s and 1990’s, the City was “wet”, and alcohol was readily available in supermarkets and stores throughout the City. During this period, numerous restaurants and specialized businesses opened in Davis, and downtown became diverse and lively during the day and evening. Although many of the newer restaurants served alcohol, most closed by 1000 PM when the other downtown businesses closed. As a result, downtown Davis remained relatively safe and quiet late at night. Picnic Days during this period were also more crowded and less orderly, but were still relatively family friendly and positive. However, the character of the City was changing as late-night partying and excessive drinking were becoming progressively more common throughout the City.
· During the challenging 2000’s, the character of many restaurants within downtown Davis changed. These businesses continued to operate as restaurants during the day and evening, but converted to bars and clubs at night. Many of these bars and clubs now remain open until midnight, long after other businesses have closed within downtown Davis. As a result, they have become an appealing draw for students and young adults throughout the area, and the City of Davis has become known as a party town. On weekends in particular, youths line up for blocks to join the “party” at the more popular local bars and clubs. When these bars and clubs finally close, droves of these young adults wander throughout our darkened City looking to party further if possible. The increase in late night and early morning crime incidents within Davis further confirm this characterization. Picnic Day 2010 showcased the potential for further mayhem if conditions downtown continue to deteriorate.
In summary, we believe that the conditions leading to the disastrous Picnic Day of 2010 have been building for decades. If the residents within the City and the University don’t strive to restore the fine character of our City, then Picnic Day as a positive and family friendly event will be lost forever.
Dr. and Mrs. Stephen P. Hayes
1803 Poplar Lane,
Davis, CA 95618-1520
The hearing for the guys accused of the Ketmoree murder has been delayed. The article in the newspaper states,
Why is this so? What is the delay in releasing these reports to the attorneys?
An all male panel. You could not find a single women able to offer a perspective on this?
We had two women on the panel.
But did you have any black women, any Asian men, any representatives that are Latino and at least one member of the LGBT community?
I don’t think we had anyone from the LGBT Community, but we had the others interestingly enough. And not by design.
Good, I feel so much better now.
Michelle
Rhonda from OEDNA will be on the panel. I will also be there to share my experiences and thoughts as a member of the nearby community and as a doctor in town.