by Alan Hirsch
After the commission reform, there are 20% fewer commissioners’ seats,
Yet, the City now seems challenged to fill these. (see below)
In response to the reform proposed 6 months ago, long-time commission volunteers publicly pushed back about commission reform. They felt the plan, designed by Vaitla and Chapman, was undertaken without collaboration with long-time stakeholders like them. Many noted 
Vailta and Chapman had the least experience of anyone in regard to commission operation.
When Council was publicly challenged about the reform, I heard that some council member responded with accusation these long-time civic volunteers were “entitled,” an implication these volunteer efforts have favored the richest in Davis.
=====
Time will tell if the commission reform pushed changes to allow this council to:
- Successfully advance economic development to address structure deficit…
- Provide affordable housing for student and family housing to address crisis in DJUSD enrollment.
I think the hope of the Council is these defenestrated community members will retreat from the field as they are no longer on a commission—or will these individuals express their civic concern in other ways?
