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Articles from
May 2007
Danger Will Robinson Danger
Thursday, May 31, 2007 ::
2 Comments
The political folks in Woodland are all talking about the potential City Council candidacy of former County Supervisor Frank Sieferman.
At this point Sieferman is just one of several candidates that are former office holders considering a run for Council in 2008. The list includes:
- Mayor Dave Flory
- Councilman Jeff Monroe
- Councilman Art Pimentel
- Former Supervisor Frank Sieferman
- Former Mayor Mel Losoya
- Former Councilwoman Martie Dote
That would be a wild field if it were to come to fruition -- it won't.
Sieferman has several thousand dollars in the bank left over from our little tussle in November. Good for him.
As I understand it -- Sieferman plans on running against corruption in City Hall. Good luck.
Here are the problems with that --
- Grand Jury reports during his time on the Baord of Supervisors were slightly more tilted toward the county.
- Sieferman would have to make those charges personally against Flory but not Monroe and Pimentel. Hard to do.
- Woodland is just about to get a new City Manager. New adminstrations get a honeymoon period.
- There are a couple City Councilmembers, one former City Councilmember, and a newly elected County Supervisor that is a former City Councilmember that are not on the ballot. They would likely not take too kindly to being called "corrupt" by a City Council candidate. Expect a prompt response from some or all of them.
- The voters continuoulsy have shown confidence in Woodland city government. Take a look at Mesure E results.
Sieferman should consider this move very carefully. I think it would be a very bad move for him -- but that is just my opinion.
I have yet to find anyone that thinks he would actually win. Several have said he would be close -- but all think he finished fourth or worse.
I will be with Flory and Pimentel for sure. Open to a third candidate.
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Immigration Reform and Shooting in Zamora
Thursday, May 31, 2007 ::
1 Comments
I read this editorial today in the Daily Democrat but I just don't get it.
The link between immigration reform and this tragic shooting don't seem to have much of a nexus to me. It is an interesting thought --- I just don't think I understand or maybe even agree.
This shooting seems to me to have more to do with a domestic violence situation. The fact that they were Mexican citizens has little to do with the crime.
Note: Adam and I finally met our super newspaper carrier this weekend. Her name in Regina. We love her. Adam liked her car. I read this editorial today at 0730 thanks to her efforts.
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Next Tuesday: Gay Pride Resolution
Wednesday, May 30, 2007 ::
9 Comments
It's my understanding that next Tuesday the Yolo County Board of Supervisors will consider a Gay Pride Month resolution.
I will be voting against this resolution. This is not something I am considering nor something I'm mulling over. I am voting against it.
It is my guess that I will be called all kinds of names, be told how evil I am, and all kinds of other things. That is fine with me.
At this point I am just going to vote against the measure to make my point. It will pass with a majority of Yamada, Thomson, and McGowan. I will vote against it. Chamberlain will likely vote against it as well. That is the way it works.
It is my hope that we spend an extremely small amount of time on this issue on Tuesday and spend the vast majority of our time on Tuesday doing work that will actually make a difference in the lives of the people of Yolo County.
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La Finca de Rivera --- Regrets
Wednesday, May 30, 2007 ::
0 Comments
I just read the front page of the Daily Democrat this morning about the events this past weekend in Woodland.
It appears pretty clear to me that I made a mistake four years ago when I was on the City Council. The Planning Commission had denied an application by La Finca Rivera to operate with later hours than would normally be allowed in the neighborhood. I actually voted against the measure because I thought they should be able to stay open longer than the rest of the Council. In fact, I remember that a member of the planning commission or two was there to request us to overrule them. Strange but true.
Part of the reason that Council voted to do this was that the owner made an effort to explain that he was a locally owned family business that wanted to have local events there. They wanted to stay open longer to serve their clients. Yada, yada, yada.
Well this weekend it appears that La Finca went and rented the place out to a fraternity from Sacramento State that included 500 people from throughout the region.
That isn't what the council was told would be happening there. I guess I voted the right way at the time but voting against the measures -- but I did it for very different reasons than Neal Peart. I actually thought they should have been able to stay open longer.
The City Clerk just sent me the minutes of the meeting. I actually agree 100% with what Jeff Monroe said that night.
I now feel we got burned.
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Man of the Year: Rick Butterfield
Tuesday, May 29, 2007 ::
0 Comments
This morning I was looking at my copy of the Sacramento Business Journal when I see that the Sacramento Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has named Woodland's Rick Butterfield of Butterfield Electric as 2007 Man of the Year.
Congratulations to Rick.
Rick is one of the under-appreciated businessmen in Woodland. He is a hard working guy that is inovlved with the Chamber of Commerce and a host of other activities. He works hard and plays hard.
We are lucky to have someone like Rick in our community.
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Cindy Sheehan is done
Tuesday, May 29, 2007 ::
1 Comments
According to CNN Cindy Sheehan has given up her protests.
It is my personal opinion that Cindy Sheehan had every right to make her political statement any way she wanted within reason. She crossed the line a couple times in my mind but that is minor in the big picture.
I don't know Cindy Sheehan nor did I know Cpl. Sheehan but I know something about United States Marines. Cpl. Sheehan was exactly where every Marine 03 wants to be. He was in the middle of the action doing his job.
When I look at Cindy Sheehan I see a Mom that has every right to mourn the loss of her son. As a father, I understand that. What I did not like is the way she often described her son and the way he would view her actions.
It does not matter one bit if Cpl. Sheehan supported the war or not. He was a Marine that did the job he was trained to do. Marines don't set political policy. They destroy the things they are ordered to destroy and take possession of the things they are ordered to take possession of. They serve the President of any political party as their Commander in Chief and execute the orders with equal efficiency no matter the occupant of the White House. Cindy Sheehan never seemed to understand this concept.
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Duane Toney honored by FFA
Monday, May 28, 2007 ::
0 Comments
 Leticia Toney has a lesser half. Her husband Duane was honored by the FFA for his dedication as a parent.
Good to see vounteers being honored in Woodland.
Nice job Duane.
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Woodland Flag in Japan
Monday, May 28, 2007 ::
2 Comments
 Charlie-San really did it this time. Here is a picture of a City of Woodland flag in Japan.
Here is some information about the gate where the flag is being pictured. It is up to you to guess which one of the people holding the flag is Yolo County's own Charlie Schaupp.
The flag is at the Shurei Gate to the Shurijo Castle. The ' Geishas' are dressing in traditional Okinawa Costume. The Ticket is my entrance fee, 800 Yen (about $6.80) and by chance the visit and flag was taken on Memorial Day in Okinawa (we are a day ahead of you)
Here is the details on the Shurijo Castle and Okinawa: Nestled deep in the heart of Okinawa's busiest city (Naha) lies a beautiful tribute to the island's ancient culture; Shurijo Castle and the Shurei Gat, fully restored monuments to Okinawa's past.
Shurijo Castle dates back to the 14th century where it served as both a royal residence and the center of government and religion. Nearly all important government and religious ceremonies were held at the castle, such as the ceremony Chou-hai-o-ki-shiki, held the first morning of the new year.
In the early 15th century, King Sho Hashi gained control of the three divisions of Okinawa, thus unifying the island for the first time and placing the seat of government at Shurijo Castle. The unifying of Okinawa marks the beginning of the Kingdom of the Ryukyus and the founding of the first Sho Dynasty.
The castle housed the kings of the Ryukyus until the Japanese overtook Okinawa in 1609. After the overtaking, the kingdom was forced into a feudal relationship with Japan.
In 1879, the Japanese deployed soldiers to forcibly demand the turnover of Shurijo Castle, consequently ending the independent rule of the 450-year-old Ryukyuan Kingdom, and establishing the Okinawa Prefecture.
Following the kingdom's demise, the castle was used for a multitude of things. It was first used as a barracks then later as classrooms for Shuri City Women's Crafts School, Okinawa Prefectural School for Industrial Apprenticeships and Shuri No. 1 Elementary School. It was also the site of underground air raid shelters and housing for the Japanese army before World War II.
In 1945, when Okinawa became the site of a fierce battle between Japanese and U.S. forces, the castle was reduced to rubble.
In 1992, after more than six years of renovation, Shurijo Castle was once again open to the public. Although the exterior of the buildings are completely restored, the interiors are still being perfected.
The castle offers visitors a panoramic view of Naha Harbor and is said to be located at an exceptionally fortuitous site full of positive spiritual influence, according to Fengshui, the Chinese practice of predicting fortunes of castles, residences and tombs.
Visitors to Shurijo Castle can expect to see gates and walls decorated in traditional dragons and gold leaf writing. They will be able to explore the castle grounds, fountains and gardens. Tour guides and other hosts are dressed in traditional period clothing.
It is believed that this gate was built in 1527. It is one of the gates built along Ayajofumichi, the street that leads to Shurijo Castle. A sign that says "Shurei-no-ho" (this country is polite) was hung on the gate every time messengers from China visited the castle.
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Davis split?
Monday, May 28, 2007 ::
0 Comments
I have not been reading the Davis Enterprise that comes to my house. Until last night I was about a week behind.
When I read the Friday edition I couldn't belive my eyes on page A5. Under the title "Local Environmentalists plan Cabaldon fund-raiser". The contact for the event is Bob Schneider.
The theory I kept hearing was that Cabaldon will do well in West Sacramento and Solano County but get crushed in Davis -- where a high concentration of Democratic Party voters are.
I see Cabaldon having a 3:1 money advantage over Yamada in terms of personal fundraising. The IE money battle should be won by Cabaldon but it depends on how bad the CTA and labor groups want to send a message.
In terms of grassroots support Yamada will count on labor in a big way. I also thought she would get the environmental community.
This announcement on Friday tells me that the environmental community is somewhat divided. I don't think Bob Schneider speaks for the environmental community (a point for another day) but I do think that this is significant in the race for Assembly.
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Adam endorses -- Pacific Star Farms
Sunday, May 27, 2007 ::
0 Comments
 Sunday morning before church my mother-in-law took Abbie out to Pacific Star Farms to pick some strawberries. They came back with strawberries and blackberries.
As you can see -- Adam loved them. When he got up from his afternoon nap we turned him loose on a tray full of fruit. This kid was quiet for 20 minues just sucking down as much as he could get his hands on.
The only way he could have been happier would be to wash it down with a little bath water.
We have some great stuff from the Ramming's place on Road 99. The fruit is just better than anything you can get anywhere else. Jenn said these were the best strawberries and blackberries she had ever had.
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An afternoon at Quail Point
Sunday, May 27, 2007 ::
0 Comments
 That terrible smell you picked up coming from the northwest on Saturday was me. My Dad, brother Bradley, and I went to shoot skeet Saturday afternoon at Quail Point in Zamora. I was terrible. Terrible.
My brother and Dad both shot fairly well. I stunk. I think I might have been better off with my Marine Corps M4 than a shotgun.
I had never been out to Quail Point before but I will be back. It was a really good afternoon in every way except for my shooting.
I strongly encourage you to check out Quail Point if you are looking for a place to shoot.
Pictured to the right is my Dad at station #2 - probably hitting the high target that seemed like trying to hit a knuckle ball for me. I once shot at the same clay three times without even nicking it. Pathetic.
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WCC Graduation
Sunday, May 27, 2007 ::
0 Comments
 So Friday night I headed out to Woodland Community College for the graduation ceremony. With the exception of some problems with the sound system it was an outstanding event.
The community really showed up to support these folks. Fire Chief Mike Cahill was there as well as Mayor Dave Flory, Vice-Mayor Skip Davies, City Councilman Art pimentel, College Trustee Alan Flory, and College Trustee Xavier Tafoya.
The guy in the middle of this picture is Dr. Skip Davies who is annoyed to have to take a picture with Dave and me.
The familes of the graduates were really excited as expected. What I liked was the the crowd was enthusiastic for each of the graduates as they walked across the stage. Applause greeted each one.
Great event. It started on time and was very efficient. Well done.
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Watershed Education
Sunday, May 27, 2007 ::
0 Comments
 A couple weeks ago I was at a church retreat in Sonoma County. As I was driving there I started to notice signs for that indicated different watersheds. At first I thought -- "what in the world?".
As I started the think about it I decided that this was a good thing.
In Woodland, and most of Yolo County, is in the same watershed area it would not do much to help us. However, for people in different terrain to better understand the topography of their area, all the better.
I just though this was interesting and thought I would share it.
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Serious Blogging - Doug Paul Davis
Sunday, May 27, 2007 ::
1 Comments
Yesterday Jenn and I took the kids to the Davis Farmers Market (DFM) to pick up some food for the coming week. Jenn probably attends 75% of the DFM events. We have friends that live right by the park so she combines her trips.
 So as a regular reader of The People's Vanguard of Davis I knew that David Greenwald (aka Doug Paul Davis) would be there collecting signatures for his petitions on the War in Iraq. Boy was he there. Here is a blogger that has set up a website for almost no cost and has becaome a mini-celebrity in Davis. I think this is outstanding.
He posts almost every day on stuff that impacts the people of Davis in one way or another. Most of the time I completely disagree with his political conclusion but often agree 100% with his analysis and greatly admire the work that he puts into his posts.
His wife was there too -- wearing a Charlie Brown for Congress T-shirt no less. I met her for the first time yesterday.
Look -- David is so far to the left of me politically I would need a pair of high powered binoclulars to see him as a dot in the distance -- but I admire the guy for this pursuit of information and his dedication to his blog. The community is well served when we have people like him doing their thing. More information is almost always better than less information.
I believe that the success of blogs is about content. If you give people interesting and entertaining stuff to read they will read it. He does that.
When a blogger can have a booth and hundreds of people stop by to visit on a Saturday morning in Davis -- it shows the community hungers for this sort of information.
Right on.
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Rivera gets death penalty -- bummer for the taxpayer
Thursday, May 24, 2007 ::
0 Comments
The front page of the Daily Democrat Thursday has a headline that reads "Rivera gets death penalty". Certainly the people of Woodland are divided on the issue of capital punishment like they are everywhere else in America.
For me it is a shame for several reasons. First, we have the victim. Rivera killed Merced Police Officer Stephan Gray in April 2004. Gray left a wife and a daughter that was in 7th grade at the time. The people of Merced lost an officer and has had the lives of two family members drastically changed as a reult of this crime. Imagine the life of that little girl to lose her father.
Then we have the family of Rivera. I don't know his family situation but he probably has some family members that depend on him too. They are now without him in their lives. However, this may be a good thing.
Finally, we have the taxpayers. Rivera will probably not actually face lethal injection for more than a decade. He will appeal, appeal again, and appeal again until millions of dollars of taxpayers money is wasted on a process that has thrown common sense out the window.
I am actually comfortable with capital punishment. I would sleep like a baby knowing that "society" took the life of Rivera. He had a chance to make something of his life. He did not. The world will be a better place without "Tao" Rivera and his like.
My overall analysis is that the opponents of capital punishment have won a war of attrition. They have worn down the system to such an extent that it isn't manageable and not worth the costs to put someone to death for crimes that are deserving of the ultimate penalty.
Rivera got the death penalty. In the end, the family of Officer Gray lost, the family of Rivera might have lost, and the taxpayers of California surely lost. Horay?
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Kite flying with Abbie
Wednesday, May 23, 2007 ::
0 Comments
 You are probably sick of stories about my kids but Jenn just sent me this picture. It is a true representation of a portion of my life as a father.
Abbie got a kite for her birthday from Uncle Phillip. Two weeks ago the whole family went to Southland Park to fly it.
My daughter and I are going to work as a team to get the kite up. That is the idea. Quickly I realize Abbie could not give a rip about the kite. She just wants to go to the park.
So (we) get the kite up and flying. I turn around to look at my kite teammate to share the joy of flying a kite together. This is the moment that Jenn caught on camera.
Please notice my Davis Turkey Trot T-Shirt.
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Yolo County road improvements
Wednesday, May 23, 2007 ::
0 Comments
Yesterday the Board of Supervisors voted to do some major road work.
You can see the map of the chip seal improvement locations below.
Note: I am sorry the county is tipped to the right (I wish) but I can't get it to turn left 90 degrees.
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Nuclear Power -- now is the time to get going
Wednesday, May 23, 2007 ::
0 Comments
As the summer heats up, air quality goes down, and tensions rise about environmental concerns with green house gasses it is becoming more and more clear to me each day that one big part of the answer to these problems is nuclear energy.
Here is a PBS website on the uses of nuclear power pro & con if you want some background.
The problem is that the environemental community that should be the biggest promoter of nuclear power is quickly being isolated as the one barrier to more accepted use in the United States.
France has two good things going for it right now. They have a new President and they have successfully used nuclear power for years decades. As a result, they have the cleanest air and the smallest power costs of any country in the European Union. Nuclear power is one area where the French should be our role model.
As some of you are reading this you might be thinking -- great. Put a nuclear plant in America -- but not in California because of whatever reason. Wrong. We need to think about pushing this option for power forward to be able to use it here in California as soon as possible.
Right now they are taking apart Rancho Seco. Fine. As soon as that crew gets done tearing that thing out --- start building a more modern one the next day.
Nuclear power has got to be in our inventory for power production in the United States. It is a cost effective and environmentally responsible thing to do.
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Yolo County Water Awareness Poster Contest
Wednesday, May 23, 2007 ::
0 Comments
Yesterday at the Board of Supervisors' Meeting we recognized the winners of the Yolo County Water Awareness Poster Contest. You can see a list of all the winners here.
The winners from Woodland were:
Jenevieve Monroe - Woodland Christian School
Wyatt Buck, Home Study - Woodland
Alicia Pimentel, Tafoya Elementary
Ean Johansen, Woodland Montessori School
Andrea Tijerina, Home Study -Woodland
Andrew Wright, Home Study - Woodland
Jazmin Castillo-Macias, Home Study - Woodland
All of these kids won in their division based on the grade they are in. The girl that won the grand prize for the whole contest is in second grade in Davis. She couldn't have been any more proud as she accepted her award.
Great job by all the winners. They had over 600 entries.
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My son has a drinking problem
Monday, May 21, 2007 ::
1 Comments
 Adam doesn't have the kind of drinking problem that you might think...he is only nine months old.
Our problem comes at bath time. I use a blue scooper from the laundy detergent box to wash the kids' hair. We also have another pink cup-type thing that I can use if Adam is chewing on the blue one.
For the last week Adam has waited until I'm not looking to drink bath water. It's really kind of disgusting because he doesn't do it early in the bath. He waits until the end when water quality is at an all time low. Two kids can really challenge bath water clarity.
Tonight I was getting the towels ready for the bath extract when he grabs the cup, dips it into the nasty water, and starts chugging until I can pull it away from him. He is actually drinking the stuff with a passion.
This is not in any of the parenting books that Jenn and I read. I haven't even laughed at him when he does this. It is not like this kid isn't getting enough fluids. He is a sippy cup and feeding machine.
Both of our children are a little different.
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Lots of e-mails on Road 16
Monday, May 21, 2007 ::
0 Comments
Over the last several days I have gotten probably a dozen e-mails from people opposed to an application to abandon part of Road 16.
The area in question is somewhere few people drive. The way to get there is to go out the River Road (Main Street) and turn left just after you pass the Elkhorn Exit for I-5 North. You turn left and go up to where the old Elkhorn Ferry used to land and then head north and drive along the levee for several miles.
Road 16 runs East/West between the Sacramento River levee to an area out near the Freemont Weir.
Actually - not too far from there is where Freemont was established - the first community in Yolo County.
The people at Wildlands, Inc. own all of the land on both sides of the road and all around the area. They bought the land from Layton Knaggs' estate.
Bird watchers, people who fish, and hikers want to access the Fremont Weir area. They argue that this is the easiest way to access this property from the east. True. It is the easiest way.
The people at Wildlands see a road that runs through their property. They have problems with people stealing and destroying farm equipment. They also point to problems with people with questionable activities in the area.
I drove out there myself about two months ago. As I was approaching the levee at the west end of the road I noticed a small Honda that was lowered. It was on top of the levee. Four adult males were standing around the car discussing things using the hood for a table. They saw me coming and got in the car. As I approached the levee they waited to see what side I would go up and they immediately went down the other side. These four men probably were not bird watching.
Here is the issue for me. We have 794 miles of road the county maintains. You can read about it here. This is the staff report for an item on the agenda on Tuesday. If you really get into it you can see a document with supporting information on the county website too.
794 miles of roads. I am guessing that some of these miles are serving only one land owner. For example -- I think the county maintains the road going out to Conaway Ranch. Why do we want to use taxpayer dollars to provide a nice road for the people of Conaway Ranch to drive on? I really don't. I want to focus the resources on roads we all drive on.
I am guessing that this effort to abandon this road will not pass. However, we need to look at getting some of these road miles off the books if possible.
Some people will argue that we need to keep as many public roads as possible to provide access. At some point we need to decide that if you really want to get out to a certain location you might actually need to walk out there without being able to drive right to the point you want.
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Board Meeting on Tuesday
Sunday, May 20, 2007 ::
19 Comments
I went through the agenda for the Board of Supervisors and the Housing Authority yesterday.
We have several important items but not many exciting ones.
- Memorial Day Resolution - It says "soldiers". That always gets me. I am sure that US Marine Jimmy Arroyave and Navy SEAL Neil Roberts did not consider themselves "soldiers". I am going to try to find some alternate language for that. You can read the proposed resolution here.
- We have a update to the county fee schedule. Lots of stuff in there. Nothing seems completely nuts.
- We have several transportation items in the afternoon. We are going to talk about certifying our county road miles and widening the bike lanes on Road 99 (West Street) between Road 27 and 29. Duane Chamberlain will certainly support this. He favors bike lanes because it makes it easier to move farm equipment.
- The Housing Authority agenda has nothing really exciting except that it's in a tough financial position.
If you have any questions or comments -- call or e-mail.
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Book Review: Now, Discover Your Strengths
Sunday, May 20, 2007 ::
3 Comments
 I read this book by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman on a recent plane ride.
I loved this book. It is more than a book actually. One of the things included is a code within the jacket cover to sign on to a website and answer some questions to help you think about your strengths and what they really are. They then e-mail you an assessment of your strengths.
This book had such an impact on me that I bought a second copy for one of my employees to read.
What I liked about the perspective of this book is that it gave some real life managerial challenges and what happened when techniques were applied. The authors both work for The Gallup Organization. They based their observations on thousands and thousands of interviews over a long period ot time.
Excellent book. Quick read. It also makes you think about the things you do well - and why.
Right now I am reading First, Break All The Rules by the same authors.
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The Brewer Fans are just nuts
Saturday, May 19, 2007 ::
0 Comments
This morning I was headed to an event at church when I heard about this website on the radio. I couldn't believe it actually existed.
As soon as I got home I had to check it out.
The Brewers are doing well. However, shouldn't they act like they have been there before?
Here is the website.
I am a Giants fan. We have not won a World Series in ages. However -- I have no plans to take this step.
They actually list where people are from for this list. I didn't see anyone from Yolo County on there.
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The real story in the news
Thursday, May 17, 2007 ::
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So today I took a quick look at my newspaper before heading off to take Abbie to school. I saw the pot bust on the front page but just noted it as interesting and that I would need to look at it later.
Later this afternoon I was in the meeting with Woodland City Councilman Art Pimentel. He was complaining that his City of Woodland flag had been cleaning the air in town. As a result of someone taking it he wanted to use clean air funds from the Air Quality Management District to replace his flag. I bonded with Supervisors Helen Thomson and Duane Chamberlainto stop that nonsense.
Anyway -- in the middle of the meeting I read my Blackberry to see an e-mail (two actually) that the pot bust was made of people transporting drugs for Bobby Harris. I actually did not believe my e-mails. I thought Billy Bob, Cal, and maybe even Jim Smith were joking. Well -- I just got home and read the front page story. KABAM Batman.
Bobby -- clearly you have a response to this. You have commented on a host of other things on this site. This one actually involves you. As YoloVet would say -- what say you?
Note: I had the newspaper so early this morning because my Daily Democrat delivery person ROCKS! The only way it could get better is if the carrier actually came into my house to find me and place the paper in my hands, and I am not sure I actually would like that.
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God Bless Senator Dave Cox
Thursday, May 17, 2007 ::
0 Comments
Many of you know that State Senator Dave Cox is a special person to me.
He has a great paragraph in his press release on the May Revise. I added the underline -- because I agree 100%.
“A particularly troubling proposal unveiled in today's press conference is the plan to eliminate the Williamson Act incentives to local governments. The Williamson Act provides for lowered property taxes for lands maintained in agricultural and certain open space uses. The landowner enters into a contract with the county or city to restrict land uses to those compatible with agriculture, wildlife habitat, scenic corridors, recreational use, or open space. In return, the local authorities calculate the property tax assessment based on the actual use of the land instead of its potential value assuming full commercial development. To be eligible, the land must be designated by a city or county as agricultural preserve, scenic highway corridor, or wildlife habitat area; or it must be actively used for the three years immediately preceding the beginning of the contract as a saltpond, managed wetland, or recreational or open space area. Elimination of funding for the Williamson Act is simply short-sighted. This will cause tractors and hay bailers to be replaced with bulldozers, earthmovers and graders resulting in unnecessary urban and suburban sprawl.”
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Gambling gone mad
Thursday, May 17, 2007 ::
0 Comments
There is no need to make things up. The world provides us with enough comedy each and every day to keep people laughing.
My favorite this week is a new initiative that has been submitted to the Attorney General for title and summary:
On-line gaming run by the state that will fix potholes. I want to fix potholes, but I will not be supporting this effort. You can read more about it here if you think I am making this up.
I am not sure where this fits with the position of the Daily Democrat's view today on the privatization of the State Lottery.
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Whitehead Nature Bowl
Wednesday, May 16, 2007 ::
0 Comments
This afternoon Duane Chamberlain and I headed over to Whitehead Elementary School at the request of Nature Bowl Team coach Aimee Daniels. The team has won the regional competition and is now focused on the state championship.
One of the things that the team needs to do is to describe what they would do with 100 acres in an environment similar to Conaway Ranch. Regina Cherovsky from Conaway Ranch was kind enough to volunteer her time to the team as well.
We talked about zoning and land use for about an hour today. It is a good thing that these kids don't have a budget to deal with. Some of these things were pretty expensive.
On the whole -- they got a couple good things to consider for their analysis.
They need to balance the ideas of costs and environmenal impacts with access for the disabled.
They also need to look at the idea that animals eat each other all the time. We can't save them all. I think that may have shocked a couple of the kids.
Finally, I think they realized that a 100-acre park does not need a bathroom on the bike trail every 1/2 mile.
These are some really bright kids. I hope they do really well and have fun doing it.
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Regional Economic Data
Wednesday, May 16, 2007 ::
0 Comments
The Board appointed me as the Yolo County representative on the Sacramento Area Commerce and Trade Organization (SACTO). I went to my second meeting of the Board of Directors today.
The meeting was not that thrilling except for finding about the Sacramento Regional Research Institute (SRRI).
This website has some interesting economic data about the Sacramento region.
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Williamson Act
Wednesday, May 16, 2007 ::
0 Comments
I support the Governor but completely and absolutely oppose his effort to eliminate the Williamson Act. My opposition has been communicated to his senior staff directly.
For those of you that are not familiar with the Williamson Act click here for an explanation.
The Williamson Act is one of the most important tools for agriculture and open space preservation in California. It does cost the state money but is worth every penny.
Here is a letter from CSAC from a couple years ago that will probably have a couple of small changes made to it and sent to the Governor.
This is the part I don't get. The Governor has been pitching this go-green thing all year. I think he has convinced some people that we can meet the current power needs of the state with solar power. In my view it is far more important to continue to fund the Williamson Act than it is to create a million solar roof tops that return 40 cents for every dollar spent.
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City of Woodland Flag in Australia
Wednesday, May 16, 2007 ::
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 I just got a picture sent to me of a City of Woodland flag near Perth, Australia.
You can see my Woodland High School class of 1986 classmate Candi (Malcolm) Smith with it. She is standing next to a native Australian tree called a "grass tree".
That flag is everywhere.
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Horses in Yolo County Agriculture
Tuesday, May 15, 2007 ::
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I have not been putting up much county stuff lately. It has been a long couple days at the Rexroad home. Adam took a trip to the emergency room last night. Jenn and I are both beat.
The meeting today was not notable except for one item in the afternoon that brought up several questions on land use.
The folks who operate the horse facility on 113 between Woodland and Davis were appealing a decision by the Planning Commission regarding restricting the use of their land.
Let me start by saying that I never would have voted to allow this facility to be built in the current location in the first place.
The first question is what is considered an "agriculture" use of land. Horse stables and riding facilities don't actually meet my definition of agriculture uses. Some people will argue that horses are a part of the agriculture heritage. Yes. In the current environment so are trucking companies. Would we allow a large agriculture trucking company to build a huge storage and fueling facility in the same area? That answer is clearly no.
Now that this facility has been built, however, the county was trying to allow it to be underutilized. The owners were limited to something like 12 events per year. The on-site veteranarian was limited in the kind of animals it could see. Finally, we were going to require a road to the site to be paved. None of these retrictions seem like good ideas to me. If you are going to have a horse facility on prime agriculture land between Woodland and Davis -- let's have a dynamic one.
The issue was not decided today for good. However, I am inclined to approve the appeal when we finally look at it in July.
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Moneyball - Great book
Tuesday, May 15, 2007 ::
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 Moneyball by Michael Lewis is a great book about Billy Beane and the Oakland A's. Why write about the Oakland Athletics and their GM?
They have a low payroll in a relatively small market yet continue to perform at a level well beyond expectations.
The reason I think this book is important is that Beane has figured out what matters most in winning baseball games. He has filtered out looks and meaningless statistics to focus on what wins games -- getting on base. A walk is as good as a sharp single to left field. He has come to look at players in a new way and translate that into winning.
If you can figure out what is truly important in your field of work and then focus on that -- you will win more than you lose.
This book gets a 10 from me in every way. It is actually more of a management book for me than a sports book.
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New Sports Editor
Tuesday, May 15, 2007 ::
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The front page of the Daily Democrat has an important announcement today. Gary Traynham is stepping down as Sports Editor. The unlucky guy to replace him is Bruce Burton.
You see, the only reason a few people think I was a good Mayor was because I got to follow Dave Flory. I even looked better when he followed me too.
Burton doesn't have a Flory. Unfortunately for him, he follows the Joe Montana of local sports....then again Steve Young is in the Hall of Fame too.
Gary Traynham has done a wonderful job for Woodland for decades.
Note: Flory deserves this for sending me a nasty-gram at 2:30 this morning.
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List Update
Monday, May 14, 2007 ::
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I get a fair amount of mail as a County Supervisor. It is actually less than the amount of mail I got on the City Council.
Getting mail for Frank Sieferman is understandable. It happens. As people update their lists that will slowly fade. Every once in a while I get a piece of mail for Tom Stallard. Not personal mail -- just mass mailings from groups or organizations.
Well tonight I rode my bike down to the County Office to check the mail -- I got one for George P. DeMars, Supervisor District 3.
DeMars. He was last in office more than 12 years ago. That is a list that needs to be updated.
Who was the sender? The Association of Bay Area Governments.
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Hummer
Sunday, May 13, 2007 ::
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I once joked with Jenn about wanting a HMMWV. This is the military version of the Hummer. HMMWV is High Mobility Multi-Puprose Wheeled Vehicle. I was really just joking but she took it more seriously.
Jenn told me I could get this vehicle if:
- I played in the NFL
- Won an Oscar
- Won American Idol
- Earned an Olympic Gold Medal in gymnastics
These things are highly unlikely, if not impossible. Well, today I got another one.
She will let me buy a HMMWV if I an every the Grand Marshall of the Davis Whole Earth Festival. It is about the same odds but for some reason I think they might be a little better - if only by a tiny bit.
I think the Yolo Cowboy and I can be co-Grand Marshalls. He has a post on the event here.
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Thomas the Train in Woodland
Sunday, May 13, 2007 ::
1 Comments
 Thomas the Train will be in Woodland this week. For some of you -- this means nothing. For some of the rest of us -- this means everything.
Many of the trips are sold out.
Get tickets and information here.
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Letter to the editor: Robert Peterson
Sunday, May 13, 2007 ::
3 Comments
Robert Peterson had a letter to the editor that I forgot to comment on. Someone is not paying attention.
The land where the Costco is being built is not good farm land. It simply is not.
Further -- this makes a total of three people. Three people from Woodland that oppose Costco.
This weekend I was at a party in Sacramento. I heard a couple people from Davis talking at the table next to mine. It was all about how much they looked forward to having Costco in Woodland. Look --- Costco is great for Woodland families.
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More socks
Sunday, May 13, 2007 ::
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 Dotty has been working to get all those socks that we ordered delivered to the Wayfarer Center. More arrived Friday.
Here is a picture taken by Webmaster Bob.
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Bella Blog
Friday, May 11, 2007 ::
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I am certainly not planning on buying another home for a long time. However, every once in a while I check out the Real Estate section just to see what is happening.
Over the past few weeks I noticed signs for a new Real Estate company on Gibson Road. Didn't know who Bella Vie Real Estate was. Now I do. Many of them are friends of mine from growing up in Woodland.
They even have a blog that has some cool stuff on Woodland. Check it out here.
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The Lottery in California
Thursday, May 10, 2007 ::
1 Comments
The Governor has proposed privatizing the state lottery. That is actually not a bad idea. A better idea would be to eliminate the thing. We have plenty of opportunities to gamble in Calfiornia that are run by private companies and tribal governments.
Negotiate with the tribes and card rooms for an increase in money paid directly to the public education system and skip the middle-man.
What I find interesting is that hot topic in California is making sure that people have health insurance. Every time I am convinced we have a health insurance problem created by an under -insured population all I have to do is drive by the parking lot at Cache Creek Casino. That pretty much tells me we have a consumer choice problem. Some people do have health insurance problems. Some people have a problem with their priorities.
I don't know much about the demographic information for people in casinos but I will bet more than a dollar scratcher that a huge ovelap exists between those that gamble and the under-insured the Governor claims he wants to help.
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Re-thinking my campaign for Davis City Council
Thursday, May 10, 2007 ::
2 Comments
Ok. I made my true political goals known on this blog -- and the people of Davis have responded. They clearly don't want me in city government.
Right after I announced my intention of getting elected to the Davis City Council in 2014 the "anti-Rexroad" folks got two articles placed in the newspaper regarding the length of meetings.
The first was in the Enterprise the second was in the Aggie.
I wave the white flag. I give up on Davis.
What about Berkeley? What if I replace Tom Bates as Mayor?
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More socks
Thursday, May 10, 2007 ::
0 Comments
Dotty has been working to get all those socks that we ordered delivered to the Wayfarer Center. More arrived today.
Here is a picture taken by Webmaster Bob.
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Over a Barrel -- book review
Wednesday, May 09, 2007 ::
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 I was flying out and back again today. A friend gave me the book "Over a Barrel". It is pretty simplistic but it is not bad.
Tom Mast gives a quick prime | | | |
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