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The Democrat is so right
Posted 7/22/2008 @ 10:14 AM :: 1 Comments |
I actually felt lame with my post about Stuff the Bus below. It was just that is accurately reflected my feelings on Sunday morning.
The Democrat has an editorial today about the conflicting efforts of non-profits and efforts to help others.
Here is the editorial.
Largely I want to do a couple things in Woodland. My office is focused on doing a couple things well as opposed to a bunch of random nonsense.
We do --
Woodlander of the Month
Backpacks for Kids
Yolo County 101 -- soon to be in the hands of the county
Gibson House
Help the Wayfarer Center
Those are my priorities in the community. Part of the reason is that I believe in these projects, part of it is because I think these projects need help/focus, and part of it is that Dotty, Dave, and I have the desire to serve in these ways.
The list of potential ways we could serve in much longer. It is that you can only do so much. So if you are going to do something .... do it well.
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The Yolo County Dump is Cool
Posted 7/22/2008 @ 9:25 AM :: 0 Comments |
Note: I just got this from the county. Our landfill really is cool. People don't like to think of it that way but they are doing some great stuff out there.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Beth Gabor, Public Information Officer
July 22, 2008
(530) 666-8042 [w] ▪ (530) 219-8464 [c]
Yolo Bioreactor Recognized by U.S. EPA
(Woodland, CA) – Yolo County recently received recognition, and a certificate of congratulations, from the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (U.S. EPA) National Center for Environmental Innovation for the successful completion of Project eXcellence and Leadership (Project XL) – the Yolo County Accelerated Anaerobic and Aerobic Composting (Bioreactor) Project. Project XL, which was initiated in September 2000, was a partnership between the U.S. EPA, the State of California and the Yolo County Department of Planning & Public Works in an effort to achieve a higher level of environmental protection through the use of new bioreactor landfill technology.
The bio-reactor process is a form of composting solid waste which accelerates the decomposition process by adding groundwater and re-circulating the liquid that has passed through the material. This enhances the growth of bacteria and fungi which help break down solid waste. As a byproduct, methane gas is produced. The gas is then converted to energy and sold to the power grid.
In a letter to Yolo County, Elizabeth A. Shaw, U.S. EPA Director of the National Center of Environmental Innovation stated, “We are grateful for Yolo County’s early leadership and interest in innovative practices.”
Yolo County’s project was commended by the U.S. EPA for success in:
Managing landfilled solid waste for rapid waste decomposition;
Maximizing landfill gas generation and capture; and
Minimizing long-term environmental consequences of landfilled waste management
“The Yolo County Board of Supervisors has consistently supported landfill staff in their pursuit to move forward the county’s bioreactor project,” said John Bencomo, Yolo County Planning & Public Works Director. “There has been a recognized need for pushing the envelope in landfill technology and finding more effective and environmentally sound methods.”
Some of the benefits of using bioreactor composting in landfill management are:
- Energy is generated in a shortened timeframe
- Pollution is reduced
- Greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by capturing methane, which is about 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide
- The life of the landfill is extended
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Thank you for the tents
Posted 7/21/2008 @ 8:42 PM :: 0 Comments |
We now have enough tents. Thank you.
The following people stepped forward.
Providers are:
Wayne Ginsburg
Neal Peart
Pat Leary
Cass Sylvia
Chamber of Commerce
WAVE TV/Randy Russell
HR Dept at County
Stephanie Frank
Sabrina Ledesma
City of Woodland
We will have a great event on Saturday.
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Yolo County Kinship Connection
Posted 7/21/2008 @ 2:52 PM :: 0 Comments |
Download the Summer '08 Yolo County Kinship Connection Newsletter
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Stuff the bus. Great idea?
Posted 7/20/2008 @ 5:22 PM :: 0 Comments |
I read this article in the Daily Democrat today and just shook my head. It is great that the Woodland school district is helping students that need backpacks and supplies for the start of the school year.
What is frustrating to me is that we have a committee of people that is working very hard on this and now we have competing events. We have been working with the Wayfarer Center, the County Social Services folks and host of others. They have been at this for a year. The school district would have been welcome to join us at any point along the way.
I'm not sure how much more public we could have been to let people know about this project we are doing.
The answer from the school district will be that they are just trying to help. Ok. Great. We still have to rock on for next Saturday. It is just disappointing that the folks over there on Cottonwood are not paying attention.
Oh well. I just can't even explain my frustration over this without sounding petty.
We just need to throw a great event next Saturday and put as much money into the backpacks as possible. Then we can evaluate in September.
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Re-Entry Facility -- Thoughts
Posted 7/20/2008 @ 4:49 PM :: 4 Comments |
This re-entry facility has been a painful issue for a number of reasons. I still think it is something that is good for our community and would like to see one located here for a number of reasons. The Daily Democrat has an editorial today on the issue and Dino has written on it over at Woodland Journal so I thought this would be a good time.
Woodland Journal on the Issue
Daily Democrat on the Issue (not on-line yet)
Sacramento Bee article
Why can't it go at Monroe Detention Center?
The site we could use is too small. Also, if it is going to be a state run facility we would rather have them out on their own for command and control reasons.
Why are we now going to get it -- when we thought it was not going to come here?
The rules changed. We did not change them but we are trying to deal with them.
Why can't it go in Woodland, West Sacramento, Davis, or Winters?
Cities have veto power over this under AB 900. I approached Woodland and we discussed it at the 2x2. It was made clear to me that they did not want it. Thus, it can't go there.
Where would I like it?
I have said all along that this facility belongs in an area zoned industrial. I actually think it would be a fine addition to the Woodland industrial area. The county has few, if any locations likr that. We have encouraged development in the cities. As a result, the areas that are in the unincorporated areas of Yolo County are rural. that is what the county has available.
If it is such a good thing, why don't you put it in Woodland?
I would put it in Woodland. I don't think the City Council would approve. That has been made clear to me.
Why not DQU?
It is federal land. We have a time line that we need to meet. We are trying to meet it. Dealing with the federal government would take much longer than the time allowed.
Why not the County Airport?
Land is not well positioned there.
When will the county make a decision?
I believe some sort of a decision by the BOS will be made by August 5th.
Supervisor Thomson and Sheriff Prieto are arrogant in the way this was presented.
I really don't think that is true.
Doesn't this hurt our ability to provide ADMH services in Yolo County? Our current ADMH programs have been hit hard by budget cuts.
This will actually strengthen the services. The people that are coming back will get an extra 12-18 month of treatment that they are not getting now. The contract for the services will be paid by the state but probably provided by local NGOs. This will strengthen our service providers.
Dunnigan has water and traffic issues. What about those?
Those issues are fair. however, the General Plan is currently studying putting 5,000 to 7,500 homes up there. These problems exist for that development too. Despite this, we did not hear the same sort of outrage when this was proposed. In fact, we heard almost nothing.
What about it being a nasty prison?
First, this is not exactly a prison. Second, I don't believe all of the "facts"being thrown around about this facility by the opponents. I don't believe home values are going down. I don't believe in the large public safety rish being described.
The BOS has been meeting in secret about this. Aren't you are evil Matt Rexroad? Did the Brown Act get violated?
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. This is nonsense. The subcommittee of Helen Thomson and I have been meeting since 2007. We sure have. That is what we are supposed to do. This is one of many projects we are working on. It was on the closed session agenda as people know. It was reported out after that. Watch the tape.
The County has not been communicating.
I can only say this. I have been communicating about it. I have discussed this with members of the Woodland City Council numerous times. When the issue ivolved Woodland I talked to Council members and stff promptly and regularly. When something happens in Woodland I handle it and inform the community leaders. After our 2x2 meeting with Woodland Supervisor Chamberlain was free to legally disclose the discussion of that meeting and share it with his constituents. That is his job. I don't like it when other Supervisors screw with Woodlan stuff and I am not going to get into their chili.
I feel I communicate very well with four members of the Woodland City Council and staff. I will continue to do that.
This is not good for Dunnigan, how can you support it?
I represent the people of Woodland. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that by locating this facility in Dunnigan that the people coming back from state prison to Woodland will be in a better spot. I also think the people of Woodland benefit from having increased capacity in the jail. Further, they benefit from $30 million in grant funding from the state.
You are a fiscal conservative. How can you put this here?
For those that think this is a bad idea -- how do I walk away from $30 million? I can't. The county needs the money. This is an important part of the equation for me.
I would like this facility to be located in the industrial area of a major city. That is not going happen. Further, it is not going to happen in the next three weeks or so. As a result, we have to find a location in the unincorporated parts of Yolo County. We found one with 5,000 to 7,500 homes that will soon be close. This facility will serve the people of Woodland well and I will likely support it when given the chance.
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I am rooting for County Fair Mall
Posted 7/20/2008 @ 8:24 AM :: 1 Comments |
The Daily Democrat had a story yesterday on the new management team at the County Fair Mall. Read it here.
I am rooting for the Mall. I want them to do well.
When I first heard the plans of the new owner I laughed. I was on the City Council and could not belive that this guy was going to put that much money into the place. Well, he did. Good for him.
I hope they make it work. What they have done to the outside of the facility has improved Woodland.
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Giving Notice - Flatlander Advertisers
Posted 7/19/2008 @ 5:46 PM :: 4 Comments |
It is my understanding that a new issue of the Flatlander is in the process of being published.
I encourage new ideas, new blogs, and new publications in Yolo County. The Flatlander however, had been a complete piece of trash in the past few years.
We really have no idea who the publishers are and the authors of "articles" are not usually included in the publication. The only thing I can do is hold the advertisers accountable.
If the Flatlander is the same sort of crap it has been, please let it be known that I will be working to hold the advertisers accountable -- all of them. I don't want to hear "I didn't know" or "I can't control content" comments. This publication has a shameful history that certainly is well known by anyone with a clue is aware.
Stand by.
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Backpacks for Kids: Tents Needed
Posted 7/19/2008 @ 10:29 AM :: 0 Comments |
Backpacks for Kids Family Fun Day is one week from today.
One thing that we need is a few more shade tents. We don't need the huge ones. Just the small or medium size.
If you have one you are willing to let us use for a couple days we will come pick it up and bring it back to you.
Send me an e-mail at matt@rexroad.com.
Thank you for considering.
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I guess I am now offering Paris Hilton videos from my county e-mail
Posted 7/16/2008 @ 12:20 PM :: 1 Comments |
I don't really have a county e-mail. When I got an e-mail from matt.rexroad@yolocounty.org it was kind of a shocker.
Guess what I offered myself?
"Paris Hilton Free Video". Isn't that great?
Why would I do this? Why would someone do this to me? Why does anyone care about Paris Hilton?
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Last Night in Zamora
Posted 7/16/2008 @ 4:52 AM :: 1 Comments |
The Zamora Community Hall had a packed house last night regarding the re-entry facility.
I did not count but I would bet we had 200 or more people. Two people came up to me afterwards saying they supported it but the rest of the room was against the idea os having a facility there.
The points on water and transportation are valid ones. Those will have to be considered as we go through this process.
The one point that kills me is that people say this effort has been clouded in secrecy or that the Board had SECRET MEETINGS. That is nonsense.
The same people that make the accusation that it is a done deal then are outraged when we don;t have answers to their questions about some detail that will be worked out later.
I realize that the people in the area near the intersection of I-5/I-505 might not like the answers but the county has and will continue to be open and up front about the process.
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Animal Control Issue
Posted 7/15/2008 @ 2:21 PM :: 0 Comments |
The Daily Democrat has an article today about the animal control contract between the City of Woodland and the County of Yolo.
The City is considering taking this role on for themselves. That is their choice. We can't make them contract with us.
I am told that the Yolo SPCA does not like the city plan and is contacting the members of the City Council. They are now sending e-mails to me.
Tonight I will be in Zamora but I will be interested in what comes out of the meeting.
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Jenn Rexroad starring in "Hands Free California, we're all safer"
Posted 7/14/2008 @ 6:22 PM :: 0 Comments |
Unfortunately this guy beat my wife to making this. Hers would be more of a reality show.
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Senator McCain -- not even an American
Posted 7/14/2008 @ 6:14 PM :: 0 Comments |
Ok. Now some knucklehead is saying that Senator John McCain can't event serve as President.
See this in the New York Times.
If Senator Clinton would have been nominated by her party I would have filed a lawsuit saying she was from another planet. See proof here -- she admits it.
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I am going shopping
Posted 7/14/2008 @ 6:07 PM :: 0 Comments |
I'm going to need my own shopping mentor. I just sent Jenn an e-mail looking for help from her.
The line in there about needing "women" was probably because Cherie Schroeder knows I am allergic to shopping.
If you can help please e-mail her at cherie@yolofostercare.com.
Back-to-School Shopping Spree for 11 Foster Youth
Shopping Mentors and Sponsors Requested
NEW Woodland Target Store
August 6th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
We are planning a Back-to-School Shopping Spree for 11 Yolo County foster youth, 6 to 17 years-old living in our licensed County homes. Our shopping date is set for Wednesday evening August 6th at the new Woodland Target, meeting at 4:30 in the store lobby. Our goal is for each child to have a shopping mentor(s) to assist them with their purchases using a “wish list” created with the help of their foster parents. Shoppers will have an hour-and-a half to make their purchases before meeting back at the college between 6:15 to 6:30 for pizza and to share and show case purchases (a great self-esteem boost); foster parents will join us there.
Our seed money, $200 for each youth, is coming from our Woodland Community College Foster Care Foundation account; donations came by way of the Davis Kiwanis and Betty Merrill through her employer KP Corp. My hope is that each mentor will work with their employer or a service club to raise another $100 so that everyone has $300 to spend. Eleven youth are ready to shop, 9 girls and 2 boys. Currently Pam Miller, DESS Director and Matt Rexroad, YC Supervisor, are signed-on as shopping mentors ~ we need a few more of you, particularly women, to bring this project to fruition!
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