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Articles from
September 2008
Books -- Bravo Two Zero collection
Monday, September 29, 2008 ::
1 Comments
I just finished reading the book Soldier Five by Mike Colburn. This is the third book I have read about SAS patrol Bravo Two Zero from the Gulf War.
The other two books are Bravo Two Zero and The One That Got Away.
The story is generally the same. An eight man British SAS patrol is helo inserted into Iraq in 1991. They were compromised early in the process and attempted to Escape and Evade (E & E) all the way to Syria. Four members of the patrol were captured, three died, and one made it into Syria (he authored the One that Got Away).
All three of these books tell the same story from a slighlty different angle. The story from the collectiion of books is that support of front line troops in absolutely critical. In this case, this patrol was abandoned by their command in a way that would be found unacceptable by any means.
Bravo Two Zero is probably the better written book of the three but the other two directly respond to some of the claims made about the patrol.
After the eleciton, I am going to have to sit down and write out the story of my unit in Iraq. When I got back I had eight offers to consider publishing. I just need to stop being lazy.
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Honor Roll for Trivia (2)
Monday, September 29, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Dotty has declared herself the Trivia Queen for getting a perfect score on the trivia this week. Katie Barker has also gotten them all right.
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Mike Thompson - my Congressman
Monday, September 29, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I really don't know Congressman Mike Thompson. We were both staff members in the Capitol years ago. He later became a State Senator while I worked as a Chief of Staff.
Since I have been in elected office we have talked a few times. I really like this staff here in Woodland and some of the people I have met in Washington.
So today Congressman Thompson voted against the $700 Billion bailout -- and I say --- "Right On!". The Republican Congressman from Yolo County, Wally Herger voted for the thing.
Today I also got my sample ballot and learned that the Republican nominess is some guy named Zane Starkewolf. You can learn more about him here.
After today I am seriously considering voting for Congressman Thompson in November.
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The Game
Monday, September 29, 2008 ::
2 Comments
Several of you have asked about the USC debacle on Thursday night. Yes. It was bad. Actually, it was worse than you could imagine.
I get home early to get set up. We eat as a family. Clean up and then I sit down to turn on the television. Abbie sits in my lap and starts asking about the uniform colors. Life is good.
Jenn is getting ready to go to a meeting at church. I have the kids fed. They will watch the game with me for a while -- and then...
Adam is standing on the rug looking at this truck. He looks right at me and projectile vomits more than his body weight all over the floor. Then he just looks at me and smiles. Lovely.
Abbie is screaming "Adam Puked. Adam Puked."
Game goes on hold right before OSU scores the first touchdown.
Adam gets stripped, Jenn sticks him in bathtub, and I lift up the entire rug and hang it over the back fence to spray off all the nastiness.
After I finish cleaning the rug I head upstairs to help with Adam. Abbie is still telling the world that Adam Puked.
Here is the bad part. Adam can't have water after he throws up because he will just throw up more. No water. Try telling a 2 year old they can't have water. Not good.
Jenn heads off to church and I decide to watch the game and listen to the kids on the monitor. Abbie falls to sleep right away. Not Adam. He continues to say "Daddy Water." He said it probably 500 - 1,000 times over the next three hours while I watched/endured/suffered through the game.
One of my biggest things in the Marine Corps was to keep people hydrated. If you were drinking water you were going to be ok. Hearing my son say "Daddy water" was probably worse than watching USC lose....but USC deserved to lose that game.
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Trivia Masters -- where are you?
Monday, September 29, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Some of you e-mail me after taking the trivia questions to say that you don't want your name published......but not this time.
Not one person has claimed to get them all correct this time. Not even Diamond Maker.
Katie Barker is added to the honor roll for the second week in a row. We have one.
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More on Prop 12
Monday, September 29, 2008 ::
0 Comments
So I heard some fascinating debate recently about Prop 12 -- The Veterans Housing Bond.
Some of the points that were made were that it does not impact the general fund because all the money is paid back by the veterans. Ok great.
So then why do we need government to do that? The private sector can do it just fine.
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SF Chron -- Trash is a big deal
Monday, September 29, 2008 ::
0 Comments
This article was sent to me by a friend at the county.
It is from the San Francisco Chronicle about an artist that was trying to make a point about the amount of stuff we throw away each day.
Here is the article.
The point this guy makes is one that I use as part of my justification for encouraging a national sales tax. We need to tax consumption not productivity. Taxation does change behavior -- yet many think it only applies to "sin taxes".
This is also part of the reason that I opposed the producer liability policy proposed by the county earlier this year. The choices come down to the consumer. Let them make their choice on what to consume but include the consequences in the cost.
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Cirenio Holds Event
Sunday, September 28, 2008 ::
1 Comments
Join Friends of Dr. Cirenio Rodriguez
For A Campaign Mexican Dinner!
A candidate for
Yuba Community College District #3 Trustee
(Representing Woodland, Esparto, & Colusa County)
La Finca Restaurant
534 Bush St. ,Woodland
Wednesday, October 8
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Endorsed by Elected & Former Elected Officials
Dr. Jorge Ayala, Yolo County Superintendent of Schools
Duane Chamberlin, Yolo County Supervisor, 5th District
Carol Souza-Cole, President, Woodland School Board Trustees
Dr. Marlin “Skip” Davies, Mayor, City of Woodland
Martie Dote, Woodland City Council Member
David Flory, former Mayor, City of Woodland
Julissa Silva-Garcia, Colusa County Board of Education
Abel Gomez, Pierce School Board Trustee
Frank Glover, Woodland School Board Trustee
Elaine Lytle, Woodland School Board Trustee
Dr. Bill Marble, Woodland City Council Member
Dr. Jesse Ortiz, former President, Woodland School Board Trustees
Jeff Reisig, Yolo County District Attorney
Matt Rexroad, Yolo County Supervisor, 3rd District
Ernie Rodriguez, former Esparto School Board Trustee
Janet Rivera, San Joaquin Delta Community College Trustee
David Scroggins, Colusa County Board of Education
Adrianna Simmons, former Yolo County Board of Education Member
Mariko Yamada, Yolo County Supervisor, 4th District
Rogelio Villagrana, Woodland School Board Trustee
Donation: $20.00 per person or $10.00 students RSVP: 530-669-7792 or email: cnevar57@hotmail.com
Checks payable to: “Friends to Elect Dr. Cirenio Rodriguez
Friends to Elect Dr. Cirenio Rodriguez, 114 Cross St., Woodland 95695 ID#1309842
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Elections Challenge
Sunday, September 28, 2008 ::
0 Comments
It is time to get ready for the elections challenge. We have a couple local things in addition to the Presidential race.
Don't send me your picks yet --but this is what I am thinking...
State Senate - SD 5 (1 point)
State Assembly - AD 8 (1 point)
President in Woodland (2 points)
Mayor of West Sacramento (1 point)
Community College Trustee (4 points)
Measure W in Davis (1 point)
President in the following states
Nevada (2 points)
New Mexico (1 point)
Colorado ( 1 point)
Ohio (1 point)
New Hampshire (2 points)
Florida (2 points)
Tie breaker #1 - Obama percentage nationally
Tie breaker #2 - McCain percentage in Davis
Thoughts?
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Yolo County Trivia
Sunday, September 28, 2008 ::
2 Comments
This week, in honor of my wife's crazy desire to have another child, the trivia questions are about birth statistics in Yolo County.
The numbers for our county and for Woodland are shocking.
You can find the information on the Health Department website --- but take a shot and see what you get.
Honor roll is available.
Note: Jenn is not over 45. That stat just caught my eye. So before you start sending me nasty grams or sending e-mails to Jenn telling her how mean I am --- just chill out.
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Dunnigan Up!
Friday, September 26, 2008 ::
2 Comments
I just got sent this e-mail about a proposal in Colusa County. It makes Dunnigan that much more viable.
Dear Farm Board Members:
The purpose of this email is to inform you that approximately one hour ago I received an emailed Letter of Withdrawal from the Pacific Cascade Group/Colusa Heritage Partners, regarding their application for a General Plan Amendment for a new community at County Line Road. This means the proposal, at this time, is now dead. I will ask the Board on Tuesday morning to remove the timed item from the afternoon session as their no longer exists any application to consider.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to call or contact me.
Thank you.
Stephen Hackney, AICP
Director of Planning & Building
County of Colusa
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Food Stamp Challenge
Friday, September 26, 2008 ::
16 Comments
Last Tuesday the Board of Supervisors started the day at the Yolo County Food Bank. We were given some information on the Food Stamp Challenge. It is a challenge to live on $3 a day for five days. I actually think I can do it. It is intended to show how difficult it would be to live off the food stamp allowance.
Here is a story I found on the issue.
So here is my plan. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas I will try it for five days. $15 for five days. I need to do some research but I think I can make it happen.
Here is my general breakdown of what I will do with the $15.
Chicken Livers -- $4
Frozen OJ -- $3
Rice --$2
Beans -- $2
Fruit -- $2
Bread - $2
The plan would be to see if I can make a stew with some of the stuff above and then see how it goes.
Then I will see if i can catch a couple fish to be able to add to the above. I could also try and get a duck or pheasant.
I will need to get off Diet Coke prior to that and drink lots of water.
We will see -- but I think I can do this and not be hungry. If I was planning on it and could get a garden going I am sure that I could do it well and probably eat healthier than I am now.
Anyone want to join me on this?
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Trees on East Street
Friday, September 26, 2008 ::
1 Comments
This morning I was driving down East Street and was noticing the landscaping near the railroad tracks. It is my understanding that all of the trees along there were pretty much planted at the same time.
What really struck me was that some of those trees are doing much better than others....and they seem to be in certain areas.
As is true in many areas near railroads in our country I am worried that the ground there is contaminated. The policy many years ago was that when you had a fuel leak or a spill at an airport, at the rail yard, or on the road -- that spraying it down with a bunch of water to dilute it was the answer.
Anyone else notice this same thing or am I imagining things?
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Board Agenda for Tuesday - September 30th
Friday, September 26, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I just read the agenda for Tuesday. Couple important items ---
Item 4.03 is a proposal to take positions on the upcoming state ballot measures.
Item 4.04 is important for Woodland regarding economic development.
The really important item is 4.06 regarding indigent health care. This is going to be tough and involves the services provided in Woodland. No easy choice here at all.
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Cortina Landfill
Friday, September 26, 2008 ::
0 Comments
At our last Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday we had a couple people from Davis, including Vice-Mayor Don Saylor, ask the Board to adopt a resolution opposing a landfill in Colusa County.
The Davis City Council has adopted a resolution opposing this landfill. The Colusa County Board of Supervisors have done the same.
It is a landfill proposed by the Cortina Band of Wintun Indians.
Here is the website of the group that is opposed to the landfill in Colusa County.
My issues are two ---
1) How does this really impact Yolo County?
2) What about the issue of tribal governments sovereignty?
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Wild Wings
Wednesday, September 24, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Robin has an article in the Daily Democrat today about the Wild Wings golf course issue.
They were meeting today so I will be interested in seeing what Duane brings back to the Board next week. However, I am not inclined to buy a golf course.
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E-mail of the day -- classic
Sunday, September 21, 2008 ::
1 Comments
I am not going to cut and paste that latest award recipient. It had quite a bit of personal information about the author.
My favorite part was that the person was going to go door to door in Davis collecting signatures to recall me from office. Excellent. I encourage them to work really hard going door to door in Davis. It just makes me smile.
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Re-entry facilty is a front loader
Sunday, September 21, 2008 ::
6 Comments
We have had two recent editorials in the Daily Democrat on the re-entry facility.
Here is the first one where we were told to say no to the $30 million. The second one appeared today.
When the Sacramento Bee published an editorial regarding the choice being made by the Yolo County Board of Supervisors we met with them the next day to explain the situation in great detail.
The Sacramento Bee and the Woodland Daily Democrat in their editorial opinions have a foundation that is consistent with my values. In the case of the Daily Democrat, we have just come to different conclusions.
The debate regarding the location of these facilities has been and will be debated all over this state. Much like landfills and homeless shelters people generally recognize the need for prisons they just don't want to be near one. I get that.
What the Democrat editorial questioned today was the rehabilitation nature of these facilities. The main reason that I am supporting the re-entry concept is that I believe that it is front loading. In fact, re-entry facilities are currently probably the most front-loaded part of the corrections system.
When we have just under 70% of the people that leave state prison re-offending within two years we have a problem. Reducing this rate with the re-entry concept is exactly what this whole concept is about. These facilities are about the counseling and education that the Daily Democrat desires to be provided.
The Yolo County Board of Supervisors has limited scope to change state policy. In this case, I think we have taken a bold step to reduce recidivism in our community. It is my hope that this will cause others to follow our lead here.
The expansion of the jail is consistent with the population growth in Yolo County. I can comfortable defend that even though it is accurately classified by the Daily Democrat as back loading the system.
Note: This is not a post about the location of the facility. It is about the programs being provided in AB 900 and the entire "re-entry" concept.
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LAFCO Meeting Tomorrow
Sunday, September 21, 2008 ::
0 Comments
We have a LAFCO meeting tomorrow in Woodland.
The thing I like best about LAFCO is that my agenda is on line. I don't even get a printed packet. That is true for the YSAQMD and LAFCO. The county may be that way too some day.
LAFCO agenda is here.
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Historic?
Sunday, September 21, 2008 ::
8 Comments
I like to learn about history but am far from a history nut. Woodland has a ton of history. We even have some people locally that claim that the property they own is historic. Whatever.
So tell me this. Yankee Stadium is about as close to baseball heaven as you can get. I would say that is more important that Cooperstown in many ways.
So locally I get grief for wanting to tear down the Hoblit dealership because it is really just an old barn but I don't hear a thing about tearing down Yankee Stadium. Eh?
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Calls back
Sunday, September 21, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I have been getting quite a few calls lately on my home, work, and cell numbers. I try to return every call. However, if you just yell into the phone without giving me your name and phone number and then DEMAND a call back -- I can't help you.
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Tuesday Meeting -- Just read the stuff
Sunday, September 21, 2008 ::
0 Comments
The meeting of the Board of Supervisors this week should be a quick one. We start at the Food Bank for a tour. Most of the stuff should be done by 2pm.
Several items are important.
2.02, 2.03, and 4.03 all kind of tie together for me. Emergency communication is supposed to be our top priority but actions speak louder than words. I am very disappointed in the recommendation from our subcommittee on 4.03. This is a huge mistake. Process has won out over the desired result. This is just wrong. Every single Deputy Sheriff in Yolo County should be hacked off about this.
2.04 is a great one. We are going to do what any family and business does this winter. We are going to lower the temperature by a few degrees to save money and be better on the environment. This is a no-brainer.
2.11 is a road abandonment. We need to be doing more of this. The county has property that we are not taking care of --- like roads. Let's get it out of the way and put it back into private hands.
4.04 is the Wild Wings Golf Course issue. I hope the land owners out there are ready to step up. They can operate it and run it a whole lot cheaper and more efficiently than county government can.
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Sac Business Journal
Saturday, September 20, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Every Saturday I love to read the Sacramento Business Journal at work. They always have some good Woodland stuff.
Today I noticed the bright shiny face of Morgan Childers in there. His company, the Civic Group was also among the fastest growing companies.
Nugget Market and Clark Pacific were also on the list of fastest growing companies.
Go Woodland. Congrats to Morgan.
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Firefox is a struggle
Saturday, September 20, 2008 ::
0 Comments
This new Firefox is a pain. Please forgive some of the spelling errors lately. Some of them are mine but some of them are ones that I recognize but have trouble changing with this new system.
The links also are a huge pain.
Please be patient. Last week I had "public safety" without an "l" up for a little while. Good grief.
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Prop 12 -- I don't know
Saturday, September 20, 2008 ::
8 Comments
I just finished reading over the information on Prop 12. It is the Veteran's Bond Act of 2008.
Here is some more information.
You know -- I am really torn on this one. I think people that serve do deserve some benefits but I am not sure this home ownership thing is part of the deal. After what I have been learning from my buddies that are hurt -- I guess I would rather put the money into better health care for them.
Here is my other concern. Why is it that this benefit only applies to people in California? If it is something that is owed to veterans then it should be a federal program available to every one in the country that served. Different levels of benefit in different states for those that serve does not make sense to me.
Government would work far better if programs remained at one level. Education should be a state responsibility and the federal government should get out of the way. Military and Vet Affairs should be a federal responsibility.
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Trivia for the Week - Higher Education Edition
Saturday, September 20, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Webmaster Bob will soon be posting the trivia for the week. We are focusing on higher education this week.
Please let me know who gets these four questions right the first time -- we will do an honor roll. It is on the honor system. Send me your name and we will post it. This one is right up Dotty's alley.
One of them is a little tricky.
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Free Market Good and Bad
Friday, September 19, 2008 ::
2 Comments
The actions taken by our federal government over the past few days makes me sick.
This country would be better with smaller and more efficient government at every level. That can mean some tough consequences for some.
This week we are witnessing an enormous effort to have government gumming up the free market when corrections are in order. The market can deal with mistakes. The market can deal with errors. It all comes out in the end.
Some of you will say, "Yes, but I am about to retire and need to keep the size of my nest egg large." My response is that you have not moved enough of your portfolio away from risky investments if the last few days made a difference in your retirement plans.
Some of you will say, "A stable market is good for everyone in this country. The government was just stabilizing it for everyone." My response is that is a bunch of nonsense. People will have a more accurate read on the value of their portfolios if the market is allowed to work freely.
Some of you will say, "What about the housing problems in California right now? We need some help." My response is that the market needed a correction and we are getting it.
Government has no business supporting Sallie, Freddie, or AIG. We need to get out of the picture and let the market work.
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This blog
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 ::
7 Comments
This blog has been an amazing experiment. I would guess that it is probably as well read as any blog in the region. For that I am very blessed. Thank you for reading.
The good parts are that I can get my message out on issues. People read this and get information that is not covered in newspapers and may not be available in other places.
Many of you are my supporters. Some (or maybe many) are opposed to me and everything I do. That is fine. This site is available to everyone.
The thing about this blog is that it also puts me out front on many issues and allows people to know what I think about issues that they don't get from other elected officials. I have no problems with that. It helps me think about what I believe and why I believe it too.
Someone suggested to me recently that I needed to stop blogging because it was costing me too much politically. That is not going to happen. I have decided that this blog is part of the way I serve as a Supervisor. It is what it is. if you don't like what you see here.....go some place else. There are other options available to you for news and information about Woodland and Yolo County.
Many people read emotion into some of these things that just isn't there. Some people also take themselves way too seriously.
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Short or long term view?
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Let's say the Board of Supervisors had considered and decided yesterday to place the re-entry facility right outside the city limits of Woodland over my objection. Seeing the issue coming my way I would have started to work.
First, I would have talked with community leaders to get a wish list together.
Second, I would have gone to one other member of the Board of Supervisors that I thought could make a difference and given the list of things that I wanted. I would have said something along the lines of "I can't vote for this under any circumstances but these are the things that I want if it happens."
The list of things that I would have asked for would include language in the MOU, infrastructure improvements, various stuff, and safety standards. I would also be in regular communication with the Department of Corrections to make my positions known. They would have known all my concerns and issues prior to ever walking into the board room on Tuesday.
Third, I would be regularly communicating with the community leaders in my district to make sure that knew all of my actions along the way. In the case of four members of the Woodland City Council this would not be odd because we communicate regularly. They would have been there and we would have coordinated exactly the points we would have covered.
Finally, I would have been engaged in the board hearing so that every single point came through me. Every line of that MOU that was prepared by someone other than me would be scrutinized. I may not have had the gavel but I would have taken over the hearing and controlled each point because it was in my community.
When people want something that involves the community that I represent then I have a responsibility to be very active in that issue.
but that is just me.........maximizing leverage is what I think I was elected to do.
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E-mail of the day -- the ultimate threat #2
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 ::
6 Comments
It is always nice to get e-mails from the people of Yolo County....
God's been around for a long time if you haven't heard and you will answer for bad and evil choices you made here on earth. Like the old saying goes "Money is the root of all evil". I wonder which of your shoulders the devil was sitting on yesterday.....but not to worry your already friends-you'll sit right in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Davis?
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 ::
0 Comments
So I have been getting organized after a long meeting today.
I just went over to check out the Davis Vanguard. DPD had a piece on the re-entry facility. Cool. He makes some good points.
What I found fascinating was that it only had one comment yet has been posted for twelve hours. Here is the post. One comment.
Last week when the Yolo County airport proposal was considered right outside the Davis City Limits we had people climbing the walls. Check out this post.
This is proof of NIMBYism in my mind. When it was there -- all kinds of comments. When it is in Madison --- silence.
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Phone Call of the Day
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Few people call me on my phone at the county office. They either call Dotty or reach me on my cell phone or at my home office.
Today I checked the messages after about 48 hours. One of the opponents to the re-entry facility called three times between 0130 and 0530. She wanted to make sure that if she couldn't sleep over this issue then I couldn't either.
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Re-entry facility - today it was approved
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 ::
16 Comments
With a 3-1-1 vote the re-entry facility siting agreement and MOU was approved today by the Board of Supervisors.
Each time I think we can't possibly have a worse meeting ....we top it.
Yamada abstained. Chamberlain voted no.
I kept hearing people say that they were going to go to the cities to get the facility placed in Woodland, Davis, or West Sacramento. Good luck. You get a city to agree to it and I would bet that the Board of Supervisors would place it there.
This facility makes Woodland and all of Yolo County safer in my mind.
At the end of the meeting people were talking about a recall. Fine with me. I am not even sure I would fight it. Heck, my wife will probably sing the papers.
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Bonus Yolo Trivia
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 ::
3 Comments
Which one of these Fire Protection Districts does not exist in Yolo County?
Elkhorn Fire Protection District
Capay Valley Fire Protection District
No Mans Land Fire Protection District
Guinda Fire Protection District
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E-mail of the day -- the ultimate threat
Monday, September 15, 2008 ::
1 Comments
Supervisors:
When you make your decision regarding the re-entry today, do so knowing that God has special places for those who make the wrong choices in life. Knowing all you know about this so called "re-entry", how you can knowingly let down the very people that elected you for the almighty dollar is truely beyond me.
I have land holdings near Madison but choose to live in Woodland and selecting that site will not only affect my children, but their children and even their children. If you choose to vote for that site, you will devastate my entire family along with thousands of others. Hope you can sleep at night, cause in the end "what goes around comes around".
The best of luck to all of you, cause you will need it!!!
XXXX XXXX
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WCC 2008 Elections Canididate Forum
Monday, September 15, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Hear the candidates respond to formatted questions. Question candidates individually about matters that
concern you.
Wednesday, October 1st @ 7:00PM
- Republican Senate Candidate, Greg Aghazarian
- Democrat Senate Candidate, Lois Wolk
- Republican Assembly Candidate, Manny Cosme
- Democrat Assembly Candidate, Mariko Yamada
See flyer for more information
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Brown Act Violation
Monday, September 15, 2008 ::
5 Comments
The latest strings of e-mails I am getting on the re-entry facility are rather mind boggling.
One line of reasoning is that I violated the Brown Act last Tuesday. When I ask for proof none is offered. So it is ok to accuse me of a crime without any proof. Nice. I appreciate that. This has happened at least five times now.
The other line of reasoning is that since I am planning a political career I should support the re-entry facility to make future constituents happy. The people of Yolo County will stand up and fight for me in future political battles. Sounds like a quid pro quo to me. If it were one person I would dismiss it as just a poor choice of words. It is now getting to the point of being a coordinated effort by a larger group. This is not something that I take lightly.
I am not going to be threated or bribed by anyone in casting a vote.
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Playing the race card
Monday, September 15, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Today I have gotten calls from two different attorney friends that have been contacted to sue the county or state regarding the re-entry facility.
The following letter has been e-mailed to me from two different people.
You can read it here.
The race card thing is just amazing to me. That is simply not true.
The point about the Brown Act does not even contain any evidence -- it just states that the Board of Supervisors broke the law.
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Yolo County 101 v.2
Monday, September 15, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Yolo County 101 goes countywide. The county is running it now as opposed to just my office. I am going to try to attend as many of the forums as possible.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Beth Gabor, Public Information Officer
September 15, 2008 (530) 666-8042 [w] ▪ (530) 219-8464 [c]
New Yolo County 101 Series Offered October-February
(Woodland, CA) – Another series of Yolo County 101 seminars is being offered to provide residents insight into the form and function of Yolo County government, programs and services. This informative series of 12 seminars will begin October 15, 2008, with closing ceremonies in late February 2009. The first seminar will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Erwin W. Meier Administration at 625 Court Street in Woodland. All county residents are welcome to participate.
During Yolo County 101 sessions, participants will learn more about their county representatives, what they do, and how the various government processes work. Subject areas that will be included in the program include: the Board of Supervisors, county administration, elections, land use, agriculture, public safety, the legal system, fiscal responsibilities, social service, water and flood issues, tribal relations, public health, emergency services, and special districts and boards.
“I’m pleased to see this informational series, that my office started two years ago, continue on as a county-sponsored program,” said Yolo County Supervisor Matt Rexroad. “Continuation of Yolo County 101 is a priority of the Board of Supervisors and it’s a great way for community members to learn about county government, the services and programs we offer and the issues we face.”
All sessions are free, but registration is required to reserve a seat in these sessions. To register visit www.yolocounty.org > (Go to: Hot Topics > Yolo County 101) or call Yolo County Human Resources (530) 666-8042 to request a registration form be sent to you by mail. Registration forms are due by October 13, 2008.
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Facts are facts
Monday, September 15, 2008 ::
3 Comments
People can disagree. That is not a bad thing.
What really has been killing me lately is when people yell at me about facts. Yelling at me about my opinions is one thing -- and possibly something deserved. Facts are not something I can change.
Over the past couple weeks I have noticed that when people start yelling at me about facts I can't control --- I just mentally turn them off. At that point they just need to yell so I let them go. Reason and rational thought just aren't going to do anything for them.
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September 11th -- looking back
Sunday, September 14, 2008 ::
1 Comments
This past week saw the seven year anniversary of September 11th. We all remember where we were that day. Jenn and I were newly married and getting ready for work.
It certainly changed our lives as well as most everyone around us. But did it?
A couple points on this ---
1) My Libertarian nature thinks that government went too far with the Patriot Act and a few others things that still bother me. The loss of liberty for Americans is not something that I give up lightly. The pendulum swung too far for me.
2) I have been out of the military now for about 4 years. Has the war really impacted my life since I left the military? Not really. Does it change the way Jenn and I have really lived. Not really.
If a war is not impacting the everyday lives of Americans then something is very wrong. Insulating the American people from the impacts of war is not a good thing. I want people to think each and every day about how thousands of people are fighting right now. There needs to be some discomfort with that.
3) The thing I am most critical of is that our country did not use September 11th as a turning point to change much. We heightened our security watch but that is about it. In my opinion we need to be moving more quickly toward different forms of energy.
4) The people that did this to our country were radical extremists. I am disappointed that the Islamic religion has not done more to distance itself from these extremists.
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Pac-10 Carnage
Sunday, September 14, 2008 ::
2 Comments
Unless they are playing USC I root for every Pac-10 team to win. Even UCLA.
What happened this weekend?
UCLA 0, BYU 59
Washington State 17, Baylor 45
Cal 27, Maryland 35
Stanford 14, Texas Christian 31
Washington 14, Oklahoma 55
Arizona State 20, UNLV 23
Arizona 28, New Mexico 36
Oregon barely got out of Purdue alive and Oregon State crushed Hawaii. USC took apart Ohio State.
The Pac-10 got killed. Prior to this weekend we had a chance at being the strongest conference in the country. Not any more.
Woodland and Pioneer could have done better against BYU on Saturday.
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Rural Dumping
Sunday, September 14, 2008 ::
3 Comments
On our way to church this morning we were on East Street turning left on Road 25A. Jenn was looking in the mirror, Abbie was singing some Little People song, and Adam was probably beating himself in the head for fun. My job is to just shut up and drive.
Then I saw it -- and knew I needed a camera phone.
Some complete moron dumped a HUGE television on the corner of East and Road 25A. I hate litter. They just dropped it on the side of the road.
After I finish a couple things I am headed back there to pick that thing up and dump it.
How in the world do people think it is OK just to dump big items that are trash along the side of the road? How do they think dumping anything on the side of the road is a good idea.
Good grief. I will take a picture of it before I throw it away.
Note: I could not lift the stupid thing by myself last night.
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Violence in Woodland
Sunday, September 14, 2008 ::
2 Comments
Just about 22 years ago this week I was a freshman at USC. The floor of my College-University dorm came together very quickly. I still keep in contact with several people that I met that week. Our floor was called "The Swamp" because of an unfortunate flooding incident that first week.
Our Resident Advisor talked us into forming a flag football team. After we had played a couple games we decided we were pretty good and decided to actually start practicing.
Not knowing much about the area around USC we headed over to Manual Arts High School to play some flag football. For an 18 year old kid that had lived virtually his whole life in Woodland this seemed like a good idea. They had a field. We would practice on it.
So we head out there with about ten guys from the floor. We needed a couple more to have 6 on 6 so we asked a couple high school kids hanging out if they would like to play. They agree but reluctantly. They were more interested in the flags than anything else.
So we divide up teams and get ready to play. I am 18 years old, have a bunch of long blonde hair, and start to introduce myself to one of the local guys we picked up. I don't remember his name but I remember exactly what he told me.
After names were exchanged he told me he lived a couple blocks away and was going to be a junior at Manual Arts High in a few weeks. I then asked him how he liked it.
At that point he shrugged his shoulders and said,"It is fine but everyone thinks it is violent here just because someone shot the lunch lady in the head."
I was in shock. All I could think about was the lady that used to work the cashier at the Woodland High School cafeteria. If someone shot her in the head Woodland would go completely insane. The town would shut down. Woodland High would probably be destroyed. We would probably cancel the Fair.
After what happened in Woodland this week I worry that we are starting to consider this kind of behavior acceptable.
People don't get shot in Woodland. They aren't supposed to anyway. Sacramento maybe. Los Angeles definately. New York nightly. Woodland never.
To put it mildly, I am little stressed out over this violent trend in our community.
When Adam and Abbie are playing pick up basketball at Douglass Middle School I hope they never say anything like that kis from Manual Arts told me twenty years ago.
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Best article of the day
Sunday, September 14, 2008 ::
2 Comments
I don' know Andy Furillo at the Sacramento Bee but he hit a home run with this article today in the Sacramento Bee about the Pittman family from Red Bluff.
This is one of the things I fear about being a parent. I may fear it irrationally but what do you do if you try as hard as you can to raise your child and this is the result. I guess you just be the best parent possible and see what happens.
This also fits in well with another hot topic in Yolo County.
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Come together, right now
Sunday, September 14, 2008 ::
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My family woke up this morning and went for a run. Jenn and I run while Adam and Abbie sit in the jogger and sing, play games, and eat breakfast.
As we were headed down the front walk I grabbed my Democrat and Enterprise and tossed them toward the front door. As soon as I saw the word "re-entry" on the front of the Democrat I stopped. I peaked in the paper, saw the headline and decided I would deal with it when I got back from church later in the day.
So I just read the article. Classic. Classic. Classic.
The best part of it is the quote from Babs Beckwith of Cache Creek. You can read the article for yourself here. It is by Crystal Lee.
The quote makes it perfectly clear. We want it near them not near us but we won't tell them that. Nice. Really nice.
I agree with this group that this facility would be better in one of the three larger cities. I would put it in Woodland if I could. I can't. Further, I am the only one that has actually done anything to put it in a city. The opponents talk about how it should go there but don't actually do anything about it.
So the question comes down to "If it can't be in a city, should we put it in one of the unincorporated areas slated for growth or not take it at all?" I am convinced that we should take it and attempt to lower our recidivism rate. Others can disagree but that is where I am.
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Good Trivia
Saturday, September 13, 2008 ::
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I don't even think the Diamondmaker is going to get them all right this week.
Once webmaster Bob gets to it -- we have some good trivia questions this week.
If you get them all right the first time send me an e-mail. We need to do an honor roll.
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Meeting on Tuesday
Saturday, September 13, 2008 ::
1 Comments
After the USC trouncing of Ohio State (35-3) I headed down to the county to pick up my stuff for Tuesday.
We have three items on the agenda for Tuesday.
1) General Plan Review. This is important. We will see how many people show up.
2) Cancellation | | | |
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