City Council

TOUGHEST TEN: Lamar Heystek

TOUGHEST TEN: Lamar Heystek

By David GreenwaldMay 1, 200920 comments

lamar_heystekThis is a new feature on the Vanguard.  Every week, we will put a local official in the spotlight and ask them ten tough questions with follow ups.  The goal is to press them on the tough issues of the day.  We will also be tallying a running scorecard to let the public know which officials were willing to go under the gun and which officials refused to.  Last week we start things off with County Supervisor Matt Rexroad.  This week we talk with Davis City Councilmember Lamar Heystek about issues that face the city.  The interview follows.

Commentary: Don’t We Need Three in Town?

Commentary: Don’t We Need Three in Town?

By David GreenwaldJanuary 22, 200931 comments
imageCity of Davis

If you are one of those who is easily offended at any hint of criticism, stop reading right now. There are a few things that need to be said. Tuesday was an historic day. For those who missed the Vanguard radio show last night, listen to it when the podcast is available. I spoke with Tansey Thomas, who everyone knows and with Wayne Lindsey, who no one has heard of. Wayne is a 21 year old UC Davis student. And yes he’s African American. It was neat listening to someone born during the depression and someone born when I was in high school talking about what the election of Barack Obama means to them and for African-Americans.

But now it is time to get back to work, back to the real world. For my other job, I had the priviledge of sitting in a teleconference with Speaker of the California Assembly Karen Bass and Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg. They were flying back from the Inauguration. One of the reporters who wasn’t me asked them if they thought the California voters were better served by them going to the Inauguration or given the budget crisis being back in Sacramento and trying to get a budget agreement.

Both Sides Passionately Express Their Views on Middle Peace at Council Meeting

Both Sides Passionately Express Their Views on Middle Peace at Council Meeting

By David GreenwaldJanuary 14, 200913 comments

In a microcosm of the divide that exists in Israel and Palestine, hundreds of Davis residents turned out to Davis City Hall on Tuesday night to express their opinion and take a side on a resolution that was designed by Councilmembers Stephen Souza and Lamar Heystek to bring people together, to take no sides, and quite simply to call for a cease fire, a cessation of violence, to condemn the attacks on both sides, and to allow for the humanitarian aid.

However, this would not be a night for compromise or peace. Instead, a large number of Muslim and Middle Eastern UC Davis students called on the council to support a resolution while a smaller but vocally just as a passionate number of Jewish residents of Davis called on the council not to pass the resolution.

Former Davis Mayor Julie Partansky Passes Away

Former Davis Mayor Julie Partansky Passes Away

By David GreenwaldJanuary 11, 200930 comments

My friends, I have sad news to report tonight. Julie Partansky, a friend, an ally, and an all-around wonderful person passed away last night after a brief battle with lung cancer. She was just 60.

Ken Wagstaff, her friend and colleague on the City Council shares a few thoughts with the community:

Julie Partansky was a unique and sensitive person. Her personality combined whimsy and serious purpose, creativity and practicality, fun and hard work.