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Articles from
January 2009
KOVR Channel 13
Saturday, January 31, 2009 ::
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I was on the news tonight. They called me as Jenn and I were headed to Tazzina Bistro for dinner -- so they agreed to meet me there.
You can watch the interview here.
They cut out my rant that was similar to McGowan on Tuesday...actually I sounded more like Duane.
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Government like a business
Saturday, January 31, 2009 ::
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As someone that is constantly observing government and politics I used to cringe when I hear people say "government needs to run like a business". It is not a business. It just is not.
Government does things that no business entity would ever do. In the county government system there are tens of millions of dollars spent each year that can't possibly be justified on a business model approach.
There are some things that just should not be done by the private sector at all. I believe public safety is one of them. We need government run court rooms, jails, and prisons. I am not interested in having Blackwater or the equivalent roaming the roads of Yolo County. I could go on to other examples but my Libertarian views have bounds.
My view is starting to change a little bit. As a public administrator I want to be able to have the flexibility to make decisions that will reach the best possible result. That means not limiting the decisions available.
In my business we have arranged things to give us great flexibility to be able to fund projects and manage our resources. That is the way most every business should run.
In the case of the state Legislature I do not feel that way any more. This article in the Contra Costa Tmes has kind of put me over the top. Much like McGowan said in the Board room the other day I am not willing to trust the Legislature to make the decisions. When the good times were rolling they did not spend money on a one time expenditures they built in structural funding problems that will last for decades.
When left with the responsibility to do the right thing -- they did the wrong thing over and over again.
It is time to strictly limit the descretion of the state government in regarding to spending.
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Birds at Sacramento Airport
Saturday, January 31, 2009 ::
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This article in the Sacramento Bee is fascinating. It sets up an obvious response from the animal rights community that killing birds is somehow inhumane.
In this case it is a trade-off between the safety of the thousands of people that fly out of SMF each year over the life of a few hundred birds. I choose the humans.
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This breaks my heart
Thursday, January 29, 2009 ::
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This morning the story in the news that is impacting me the most is this one on CNN.com about military suicides. As a father, when I read the story about rocking a son for comfort and then him hanging himself I can't help but feel terrible for the parents.
Read story here.
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Who did the photoshop thing?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 ::
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Ok -- so I saw the article but did not actually look at the picture until today.
Who is that strange man in the back with the yellow shirt that Matthew Henderson clearly used Photoshop to insert into the picture?
See article here.
Note: I do not think that Matt Henderson really used Photoshop on this picture. I am completely joking -- the picture appears to be exactly what I saw in the Board Room yesterday. I am really poking fun at Ray Groom who is the "strange man in the back with the yellow shirt" that actually should be the one recieving this award. Ray is the one that has been the real leader on this and deserves the award. Ray should have been front and center to get the award and the praise associated with this accomplishment by the county.
Note #2 -- I have decided to cancel my subscription to the Daily Democrat and exclusively talk to that bright young reporter from the Dave Enterprise -- Jon. See link -- http://www.facebook.com/n/?photo.php&pid=30274611&op=1&view=all&subj=584730736&id=1095007498
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Mike McGowan Blog
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 ::
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So I just got a Google Alert on "Mike McGowan". It tells me he has a blog.
You can see that blog here.
My favorite part of the first blog entry from today is ---
I love not working, it’s the best thing in the world. Just sitting around all day, spending money on food and drinks. Especially the part where I have no income at all. My unemployment didn’t come in on Friday, and I have no clue why. I’ve been using my camera a little bit, but just for pictures of a few friends’ cars. Nothing I’d want to publicize through this site. I really hope I make a good amount of money from tax returns, because this is what my sights are set on getting right now. Plus my birthday’s coming up soon for anyone feeling generous.
I am not sure this is the Mike McGowan I know or not.
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Great Piece
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 ::
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If you like Ronald Reagan and are puzzled by the current state of the Republican Party I encourage you to read this piece that was in the LA Times. This is excellent.
It is by former Congressman Mickey Edwards. Read it here.
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10 Years ago today
Monday, January 26, 2009 ::
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So I have to give a presentation today and needed to look at what happened 10 years ago.
Ten years ago this month ---
The Euro was introduced
Apple released the Power Mac G# (blue/white)
Broncos won their second Super Bowl in a row
Britany Spears released her debut album
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Oh my.....opponents of Prop 8
Sunday, January 25, 2009 ::
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So I am cruising about my Sunday. Kids are napping, Jenn is out running errands, getting things put away and then BAM. I check my e-mail to find a nasty gram from someone that is upset about my comments about Jake Dorsey's piece linked below.
I guess this person thinks that I don't have the courage to say I supported Prop 8 because it would be political suicide. Right. I voted for Prop 8. I listed my support for Prop 8 publicly on this site for months prior to it being considered by the voters. I will vote for Prop 8 again (or whatever the son of Prop 8 is called when it is on the ballot in June 2010).
Look. You may not agree with me. You may not like my opinions. You may not like the way I express it but don't tell me that I am afraid to post my views on any issue. I know what I believe and why.
The definition of marriage is the union of one man and one woman. Any other kind of relationship may be wonderful, special, heart felt, and lovely but it is not marriage.
You can picket, put my location on a Google map, build websites about me .... whatever. Knock yourself out.
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BOS Meeting on Tuesday
Saturday, January 24, 2009 ::
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The morning part of the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday has a couple items of interest.
We are going to approve $30,000 to work toward the Woodland-Davis bike path. We will also get a report from First 5 Yolo County.
The afternoon has a really interesting item that has been getting quite a bit of attention. It involves the termination of road maintenance on several county roads. Some of these roads only serve one land owner. I tend to favor the county having fewer road miles. I am not sure why we should use tax dollars to support a roadway that is only really used for one land owner.
Some are arguing that the roads allow for increased pubic access to natural areas. Fair enough. But you can still use the road you just will need to walk on it or take a 4x4 to go watch birds.
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Bill Herms
Friday, January 23, 2009 ::
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Bill Herms was selected as the new Woodland School Trustee to take the empty seat. Good for him. Good for Woodland.
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My offer
Friday, January 23, 2009 ::
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I continue to hear accusations made about me by Cedarblade. Here is my offer -- I have nothing to hide.
If Cedarblade would like to pay for a lie detector by a reputable organization I will be happy to submit to one. We can agree on the questions in advance and I will sit down and answer them. She would need to limit the scope to anything about my involvement in the mailings, death threats, website, entering her property, leaving $2,000 in her house, killing a rattle snake, David Kramer, meth, high powered rifles, letting her horses out, shooting at her, cutting her brake lines, someone running her off the road, or coordination of any of these activities. Additonally, I would like to be asked about the legal conflicts she is accusing me of -- involvemet with the local business community and such. As a result of this she will not find out who is behind this but she can find out my level of involvement -- which is nearly zero.
She can have the thing videotaped and broadcast for all I care.
It is pretty hard for me to prove that I didn't do something. Other people are behind it. Am I rooting for them in some ways? Absolutely. This woman has caused a great deal of harm to this community. I want it to stop.
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My response
Thursday, January 22, 2009 ::
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So I normally would not respond to Cedarblade nonsense but in this case I think I will. Here is the audio version of her tirade yesterday at the Board of Supervisors (right-click to download).
Here are her comments over on the Vanguard.
1) Like I said before, I don't know David Kramer but he did have the good sense to use one of my businesses to run his campaign for the US Senate. I have also never met anyone for his firm or communicated with them in any way.
2) I had nothing to do with any political mailings regarding Brenda Cedarblade. Even when we were both running for Supervisor I never mentioned her in any mailings. She did slam me in several of her own. I am aware of one mailing that was sent out in 2007. When I got it --- I posted it here. She claims there were five. I have not seen the other four and know nothing about them.
3) I don't know anything about anyone breaking into her home. That is just crazy. I have never heard of anyone breaking into a home and leaving green cards and $2,000 in cash. This alone makes me wonder. I don't even drive down 18C to avoid Cedarblade.
4) I do own part of Prime Signs. It is a great company. We sold stuff in all 50 states and even foreign countries last year. I don't know the woman Brenda mentions is her tirade yesterday involving Prime Signs. This one is just funny.
5) I am not at all worried about Cedarblade running for anything. The people of Woodland have continually rejected her and her agenda many times. If she would like to run again for Supervisor that is fine. I have to believe that if I choose to seek re-election and she runs that the people of Woodland would select me as their representative over Cedarblade just like they did in 2006. I will not lose sleep over this one.
6) How would she know that the people on her property had meth? That one is strange.
I am simply not responsible for any of the things she accused me of yesterday.
This whole thing is strange. I hope Cedarblade gets some help.
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Kennedy drops Senate bid for personal reasons
Thursday, January 22, 2009 ::
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I just read on CNN.com that Caroline Kennedy has dropped her bid for the US Senate for "personal reasons". It would have really disappointed me if she had been selected as a US Senator. New York has many more people that are better qualified to serve than she is.
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Black Helos
Wednesday, January 21, 2009 ::
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Black helos were flying today at the Yolo County Board of Supervisors. I will post the video when it is available.
You can see the documentation provided by Brenda Cedarblade here.
I have never met Mr. Kramer but a business I own a part of did run his race for the US Senate in Nebraska. I have never spoken to him or any member of his firm. Sam Fischer, my business partner, has never once discussed Brenda Cedarblade with me.
This is really different.
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Root for the President
Monday, January 19, 2009 ::
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I did not vote for President-elect Obama. I think he is wrong on a large number of issues.
All that aside I am praying for the new President to do an excellent job for our country. There are several things I think he is likely to do that will improve our country ---
1) I think President Obama will focus the federal government on the use of technology that would not have happened with the Presidencies of Hillary Clinton or John McCain. That is good.
2) President Obama seems to understand and appreciate transparency in government. That is a good thing.
3) President Obama has young children. I think that is a good things. Young kids in the White House is something that is good for America,
4) President Obama will be a role model for millions of young children in the world that probably need one most of all.
5) President Obama demonstrates that our country is an amazing one. Grand children of slaves are about to watch an African American man become the leader of the free world.
Good luck Mr. President. Many of us ae here praying for you to do the best job possible for this country.
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Long-Term Impacts of Cache Creek Expansion Deserve Complete Mitigation
Sunday, January 18, 2009 ::
1 Comments
I would expect this to be published in the Daily Democrat this morning.
Long-Term Impacts of Cache Creek Expansion Deserve Complete Mitigation
By Matt Rexroad
Yolo County Supervisor
Like many Woodland residents, I’ve come to value the partnership our local government has enjoyed with the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians. The Tribe’s contributions to our community are many: job generation, economic growth, charitable support and a willingness to share the cost of the casino’s impact on county resources.
More than anything else, the Tribal-County relationship has exemplified how local and sovereign tribal governments can share common goals and visions concerning long-term growth.
But recently, negotiations collapsed between the Tribe and the County over the Tribe’s plans to mitigate impacts from tripling the size of the Cache Creek Casino Resort, as outlined in a Tribal Environmental Impact Report, or TEIR. Now the issue is headed for arbitration. This legal process has more in common with a civil lawsuit than working out differences within a partnership. This is unfortunate.
But in the long-run, this has nothing to do with business, much less money. The County and Tribe are virtually in agreement on monetary reimbursement for increased demand on local government. Money isn’t the issue here. The issue is practicing good planning principles and performing adequate due diligence.
So what led us to this point?
First, regardless of what anyone thinks of the expansion the Tribe is completely within its sovereign rights to pursue growing Cache Creek as it sees fit. I believe in tribal sovereignty and have a voting record that demonstrates that. The real issue is the depth of its commitment to reducing impacts from the expansion as much as possible. And a key impact will be on traffic in the Capay Valley. To understand this, consider just a few elements in the expansion itself:
• A 10-story hotel and parking garage;
• 62,500 square-feet of event/convention center space;
• 467 new guest rooms in addition to the 200that are there now;
• 27 guest casitas; and
• An increase in gaming floor space by 23,000 square-foot to accommodate more than 5,000 slot machines.
Some will point to my belief that this is a sovereign nation and argue that they should be allowed to do anything they want on trust land. I would tend to agree with that if this expansion was limited to tribal trust land. This project however, goes beyond the boundaries of trust land. The expansion includes utilization of the “Elden Property” for temporary parking, a wastewater detention reservoir and placement of excess fill (280,000 cubic yards) generated by the projects construction. The use of this property needs to be treated like any other landowner that seeks to develop their land.
The real impact of this enormous expansion is traffic. There are many other impacts but traffic is the primary consideration as thousands of people drive from urban areas to the Capay Valley for entertainment. The TEIR’s estimates the increase in traffic pencils out to just 37 percent more vehicles compared to 71 percent from a County study. It is unreasonable to expect 467 rooms, 27 casitas, and the potential of 5,000 slot machines to generate just a 37 percent increase in traffic. It is my view that even the number proposed by the county expert is low.
The TEIR is unrealistic given the sheer scope of the expansion. As for a solution? Essentially the TEIR suggests that we wait for CalTrans to take the lead. That’s still less realistic than the TEIR’s traffic estimate, especially given that the state budget crisis is literally growing worse by the day. It could take years for CalTrans to initiate traffic improvements — after the expansion is completed.
Under the TEIR, mitigation proposals adopt a purely financial remedy for any and all impacts. But overcoming the cumulative effects of this massive expansion far outweighs the power of money alone to address a bigger picture. It’s not about more money. It’s not even about more jobs. It is about what reasonable steps can be taken to deal with the impacts of a massive expansion of activity in a valley that is not situated for that activity.
I firmly believe that the position taken unanimously by the Yolo County Board of Supervisors is consistent with the views of the people of Woodland and the Capay Valley.
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Chair of the Board
Saturday, January 17, 2009 ::
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This past Tuesday we elected Mike McGowan as Chair of the Board of Supervisors. It is a good thing. I think McGowan is the best choice of the five of us to run the meetings.
So why is he the Chair this year? He has been on the BOS for a long time. Nope. He is good at running meetings? Nope.
He is Chair because this year is the rotation for the person occupying District #1 to run the meetings. What a dumb reason.
The Chair of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors is important. It is quite possible that I will never serve in that role. For those that agree with me that it is important I really don't know why we just leave it to chance who runs the meetings and speaks for the county.
I would prefer that we make this choice based on the majority vote. I realize that this may mean that the majority may abuse this priviledge but I think it would be better to allow someone to be the chair for more than a year and to see a person that knows how to run meetings and speak on behalf of the board serve in that role.
On Tuesday nobody wanted to mess with this issue. I am not going to let it rest. Yolo County needs to make this change.
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My bike is back
Saturday, January 17, 2009 ::
1 Comments
This afternoon I headed down to Foy's to get two new tubes for my bike and a new bike pump. Just aired up the tires. Headed to the gym tomorrow on my sweet ride.
I love my bike.
I might even go do a wheelie in front of Webmaster Bob's house later.
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Free File Cabinet
Saturday, January 17, 2009 ::
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Jenn and I just put a wood two drawer legal file cabinet out in front of our house with a "FREE" sign on it.
We have had very good luck freecycling stuff on the College Street. If you need a file cabinet the keys are even in it. It is a little heavy. If I am home I will help you load it into your car. Just knock on the door.
I will bet it is gone by noon tomorrow. Jenn thinks it will be there until Monday.
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General Plan - Some of my notes from reading the things tonight
Friday, January 16, 2009 ::
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I just read page by page the Yolo County General Plan. It was a great way to spend a Friday night. Jenn doesn't feel well and the kids are sleeping so it was time to read this beast. Most of you won;t care but here are some of my notes.
Page IN-8 Great climate change statement.
Page IN-17 Action IN-A11 Where did this come from? I don't think I am down with that.
LU-8 Growth Boundaries -- This did not stop the county from opposing the urban limit line in Woodland.
LU-14 Is this buffer something that we have in stone? We have a right to farm ordinance. If you move near a farm -- it is like moving near an airport. That was your choice. I am far more concerned about buffers to roadways like I-5 than I am that a person should not live near an almond tree.
Page LU-20 Policy LU_5.3 What is that? That means nothing.
Page LU-6.8 Revenue neutrality does not seem to be what the county is really shooting for. Later on it talks about net benefit.
Policy Lu-6.11 Why be specific for Davis?
Policy Lu-7.5 Is this current board policy on a regional tax?
LU-28 Why so specific on some items and general on others?
LU-36 I am concerned about the size of Elkhorn.
LU 43 -- Establish formal buffers between cities. Yep. I tried that with our ag mitigation policy and got shot down 4-1. This policy tells me that we accept that some land is more important than other land -- we are just not willing to put it in the ag mitigation ordinance.
LU-44 I don't think I am ok with this public art thing.
LU-44 Pick an I-505 intersection. Why pick one at all?
LU -45 Why take out action item CC -A16?
LU-46 No doubt we should work to get rid of that rest stop in Dunnigan. That thing can't be safe.
CI-2 Roadway Level of service -- what is Highway 16 now v. what it will be with expansion? This might be a good time to explain it to people.
CI-29 Why do we want to mention the Capitol Corridor line?
CI-34 - We need to specifically mention the Woodland-Davis bike path if we are going to mention all those other things.
PF -14 Amen on re-entry
PF-15 Why does a sub-station need to be in there? Don't we need the law enforcement people to tell us what works.
PF-18 Action PF-A31 I think fire sprinklers should be required. Who came up with this? We did this in Woodland. I was opposed at first but now see that it should be required in new construction.
PF -31 What about greenfields?
PF -33 Subsidize home improvements? I don't know about that.
PF-35 Why does this have to be specific to SMUD? Why not just a utility district?
AG -4 Chamberlain will have to tell us again that we don't have any class V soils in Yolo County. This will be the 400th time.
AG-15 This buffer thing just kills me. What about protecting the people that work in agriculture businesses from spraying and all that other stuff?
AG-22 Why mention specific groups? Is this a marketing thing for them or something?
CO-11 I also don't think equestrian centers are truly agriculture use.
CO-15 We need to have a place for legal OHV stuff too.
CO-16 Helvetia Park is important to me.
CO-35 Why mention specific groups?
CO-50 I think we need something in here about Gibson House. All of our parks are equal but that one is extra equal.
CO-66 This language is much better than the old language on the water ordinance.
CO-67 Resale and retorofit. I think I want to keep this. We should prepare for a good discussion on this point.
CO-73 Banning wood burning fire places in new development does not float my boat.
CO-75 I am not convinced we want buildings to become LEED certified. We just want them to meet that standard. Some parts of that LEED certification are a joke. Meet that standard but don't pay for the certificate. I don't even think the Bauer building is actually LEED certified. It is built to that standard but not certified.
HS 27 -- Communication in emergency is critical. We need to talk about how much we need to improve our current system -- with a set standard.
HO-55 Gender unknown? We could decide they were homeless but could not tell if they were male or female. That seems silly.
HO-90 Action HO-A6 Doesn't state law have a standard for this? Why would mobile home parks be treated in a special way?
That is it for now. I will look it over again on Sunday night.
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A really sad story
Friday, January 16, 2009 ::
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I have known Bill Postmus for a long time. I have written here about him before.
Today I am praying for him and his family. He clearly is a troubled man.
See story here.
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Squirrel's gone wild
Thursday, January 15, 2009 ::
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People from all over the state are e-mailng me about this story from the Sacramento Bee.
I tell them we have a Davis way to solve this problem that will take a decade and a Woodland way that takes a single weekend and costs much less.
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Yolo County General Plan Comments
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 ::
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I just got done reading 500 pages of comments made on the Yolo County General Plan. Some of it was good. Some of it was really good.
The Ag Futures Alliance just rocks. They clearly actually sat down and thought about what they were writing and how their proposals would work.
I am not sure why the County of Sacramento even bothered to comment but oh well.
Someone clearly sent out an e-mail to hikers in the area encouraging them to send an e-mail to Davis Morrison supporting the Blue Ridge Trail.
Brenda Cedarblade was even able to work in a few digs on me in probably 30 pages worth of reasons why Clark Pacific should not be allowed to locate where they are. She pretty much said the same thing over and over again on how Clark Pacific was against the every element of the GP.
My favorite comment was one that said the proposal was against the existing general plan. Hello. This is the general plan. It is a new one. We are changing it. Saying it is against the old one is just silly. Oh well.
I did it. I have been dreading it. Now that I know how everyone feels I have a binder to read -- the actual General Plan.
FYI -- Hearings are next week. They run from 1-5 on Tuesday, 1-9 on Wednesday, and 9-5 on Thursday if needed.
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Air District
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 ::
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Today I was elected Chair of the Yolo Solano Air Quality Management District.
It was not unanimous however. Woodland Vice-Mayor Art Pimentel abstained. He mumbled something under his breath about wanting to be romantically involved with me. Clearly, that will never happen.
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Little Minds -- big ideas
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 ::
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For some reason when I saw this I just thought it was very well done.
This is what Art Pimentel should be doing.
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McGowan named West Sacramento Senior of the Year
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 ::
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NEWS
YOLO COUNTY SUPERVISOR MIKE McGOWAN
For Immediate Release
Contacts: Gail Klauer (916) 375-6441
January 13, 2009
Denice Seals, West Sac. Chamber (916) 371- 7007
Yolo County Supervisor Mike McGowan to Receive
2009 West Sacramentan of the Year Award
West Sacramento - The Board of Directors of the West Sacramento Chamber of Commerce have named Yolo County Supervisor Mike McGowan, the 2009 West Sacramento Man of the Year.
The honor will be bestowed on Supervisor McGowan at the 62nd Annual West Sacramento Chamber of Commerce Annual Installation and Awards Dinner on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at the Galleria in the West Sacramento City Hall, beginning with a reception at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 7:00 p.m.
The West Sacramento Chamber Board of Directors awards the West Sacramentan of the Year Award to acknowledge a lifetime of community service to the people of West Sacramento.
“Supervisor McGowan’s commitment to West Sacramento has always been one of heart, soul and hard physical commitment,” said Denice Seals, Chief Executive Officer of the West Sacramento Chamber. “Mike is involved in everything West Sacramento, and he constantly has his home town and all of his constituents in mind while serving as a member of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors and in all he does.” She added, “We are very honored to recognize Mike’s many contributions and commitments.”
Mike McGowan was active in the successful effort to make West Sacramento an incorporated City. In 1987 Mike was elected to the new City Council and was chosen to serve as West Sacramento’s first Mayor. Mike was elected to the Yolo County Board of Supervisors representing West Sacramento and Clarksburg in 1992 and he recently was elected to his fifth term to the Yolo County Board of Supervisors in June 2008.
Mike is a Marshall High School graduate and is a Vietnam Veteran, serving with a field artillery unit in 1968 and 1969. He graduated with a BA in Government from CSU Sacramento and a JD from the McGeorge School of Law. He and his wife Sue are life-long West Sacramento residents. Mike’s daughter Becky Olson, her husband Jeremy and Mike’s two grandchildren Phoebe and Franklin are also West Sacramentans.
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Board Meeting Tomorrow
Monday, January 12, 2009 ::
0 Comments
The Board of Supervisors meeting tomorrow should not be too bad.
We will have some people there in public comment to talk about tribal negotiations.
We are going to go over some Delta Habitat projects.
One of the items on the closed session is to discuss the Health Officer. This is almost funny if you read the papers in the region.
Then we will do some memorial adjournments. I have them in for Rosalinda Moreno and Dudley Holman.
All in all it should not be too wild of a day.....but you never know.
This will actually be my first meeting with Supervisor Provenza.....I think that means I will be sitting way over on the other side of the dais. I really liked the seat I had for the last year.
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FACEBOOK
Sunday, January 11, 2009 ::
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Facebook is amazing. I am finding people that I have not even thought of for twenty years. Marine Corps buddies, law school classmates, elementary school friends. So far I have over 700 friends on facebook. My Rexroad for Supervisor page has more than 500 members from all over the place.
Here is the crazy part. I turn down people for link ups all the time. I am getting like ten a week from people I have never heard of.
I am just not sure what the purpose of that is. One dude has sent me something about 12 times. He is like a stalker...and now I am more determined than ever not to link up with him.
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Found it
Sunday, January 11, 2009 ::
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The only -- and I mean only -- good thing to come from our plumbing problems is that I found a videotape of me skydiving that I have been looking for close to ten years now.
When I went to military freefall school ten years ago next month I was trying to muscle my exits from the aircraft. At the time I was all about being strong -- and that seemed to be the solution to everything.
I was close to getting removed from the course after I tumble on the exit out of the back of a C-130. I went over once and then got stable. They kept me in the course but the next jump was pretty important.
I told them I was going to do a pivot poise off the back ramp with a rear mounted ruck sack. The instructors laughed at me. Luckily for me -- they caught it on videotape...I nailed it. I am going to get it converted to digital format and post it.
They also have a "meat vomit" that I was in when my whole class went out the back of a plane over the Arizona desert.
Military Freefall School was one of the highlights of my life.
VHS -- who ever thought that ten years ago I would not even own a VHS playing devise?
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Outrage - I am fat
Sunday, January 11, 2009 ::
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I was reading this article about people being overweight. Cruising along and then find this little calculator that is linked here.
I am 6 foot 195 pounds -- have been working out 5-6 times a week for several months now....and this thing tells me I am overweight. My pull-ups are doing great, running is improving, and my sit-ups are rocking. I thought I was doing so well.
Back to the gym...on second thought, Jenn's mom made cookies.
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Trash in Elkhorn
Saturday, January 10, 2009 ::
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 Several months ago I posted a picture here of Duane Chamberlain near some trash out near Road 124 & Road 126 in the Elkhorn area. Duane went over and stood near the trash and I took a picture of him. In a joking way I put a caption on it that teased Duane about dumping his trash -- because I know that he would never do that since he complains all the time about it. (picture a left)
Well from that trip we took out there I worked with Waste Management and some of the community leaders to deal with the trash problem.
I rented a dumpster from Waste Management (with my own money -- no county money was used on this) and hired a hard working local man with a truck to drive the area picking up trash. Good grief Charlie Brown did he find a lot of trash.
I have two pictures to show you that I took today of all the tires he is finding and all the stuff that he is finding along the road. We have water heaters with bullet holes, sofas, chairs, and all kinds of garbage that people illegally dump out there.
 We have some disgusting pigs in our society.
I just don't know what comes over people when they decide to throw little out of their car or just go dump it on the property of someone else.
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. These are all the tires that have been collected.
You can see all the stuff inside the dumpster.
Thank you to Waste Management, Dave Flory, and Dave Flory, Jr. for making this happen.
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Trash at Elkhorn fishing bridge
Saturday, January 10, 2009 ::
0 Comments
 So today I got off my airplane from San Diego and wanted to drive around and see how the anti-trash project is going in Elkhorn.
Dave Flory and his son have been the point men on getting trash picked up out in the Elkhorn area. One of the things we wanted to do was get a trash container in for the people that go fishing out on Road 22 near the I-5 Elkhorn off ramp.
I took this picture at about 3pm today. It has been there for a couple weeks. You know what is in it? Almost nothing.
I hope almost nothing is in it because it just recently got emptied. I worry that it is empty because the slobs that fish out there have not been using the trash container provided for them.
Just to the right of this picture is a big huge pile of trash that I did not have time to pick up today. It is amazing to me that people are such pigs.
As I drove away from this spot I immediately returned Duane Chamberlain's call so I could tell him what pigs people are.....he agreed.
The people at Waste Management have been great to work with on this project. Thanks to them for helping us get a handle on this.
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Proportionate Force
Saturday, January 10, 2009 ::
0 Comments
This article was brought to my attention by a sane Woodlander named Tim that actually worked in Israel for several years.
This is a really good summation of my view on the issue.
Look -- you pick on someone and ask them for a fight and you get one...don't go running for the hills. Stand there and take your beating. You asked for it. You knew it was going to be like that.....now don't do it again.
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Whose dog is it?
Saturday, January 10, 2009 ::
1 Comments
I have some good sources at the city telling me that we have a black poodle on the loose at the dog park. This poodle is humping other dogs and even people. Complaints are being made and it sound like pants are being "soiled".
Someone come clean. Whose dog is it?
Super K -- do you have a poodle? Realist? Foam? I never considered the possibility that McLovin' could be a poodle...but now that I think about it.
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Toyota Prius
Saturday, January 10, 2009 ::
2 Comments
Last night I flew down to San Diego to give a speech to a bunch of Chamber of Commerce executives from around the country. I make all my travel reservations myself and almost always use Hertz for car rental. I love just walking to my car and skipping the counter.
So last night I get off the shuttle and head to space 10. From a distance I could see a small white car. I really don't care what kind of car I get I just choose a mid-size car each time.
This time I got a Toyota Prius. I had ridden in one before but never driven one. This is the car with the electrical assist motor. Cool. I was looking forward to trying something new.
Put my bag in the back. Sit down in the driver seat. I look for the key. I push it. I pops out on the floor. I put it back in and try turning it. Nothing. I open the door to get the light on --- it has a "Power" switch. No kidding.
Ok. Put my foot on the break and press the "Power" button. Lights on the dash light up. I am in business. No noise. The engine clearly isn't running. Press the power button again. Dash lights go off. Now I am back where I started sitting in the dark.
Push the power button again. Clearly the engine is not turning over. There is no noise and the car has zero vibrations. Dash lights are on.
Now I go to the glove box and take out the owner manual. I am not determined as ever to drive this stupid thing. I am not leaving that airport in any other car but this Prius...even if I have to pick it up and carry it to La Jolla.
After reading the manual on starting the car -- the car actually was running the entire time. No kidding.
I try throwing the car into gear. The gear shift won't stay in gear. Now I am ready to break the car. Drive. Drive. Drive. Drive again. Nothing. Owners
manual again. After reading another chapter the car actually was in gear. The shifter just pops back to a neutral position even if it is in a gear. No kidding.
Ok. So now I am rolling. Almost no noise in the car. Nothing. It is really quiet.
I cruise out along the bay, throw a wave to my old home at Marine Corps Recruit Depot and get on I-5 North. This thing is really movng along. Now I am interested. Can this go-cart do 90? Yep. 100 - no comment.
After reading two chapters of the owners manuel and figuring out how the thign worked I actually really liked the car. I really did. It was peppy and even had a cool camera in the back so you can see where you are going when you back up.
It is smart of Toyota to put these cars in the rental fleet. I would now seriously consider buying one.
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Sac Bee Editorial: Tribal Negotiations
Saturday, January 10, 2009 ::
0 Comments
The Sacramento Bee today has an editorial about the break down in negotiations between Yolo County and the Rumsey tribe. You can read it here.
I believe that the Bee was trying to be nice to McGowan when they referred to him as a "Veteran Yolo County Supervisor". I believe that they were trying not to say:
1) "really old Supervisor"
2) "geezer Supervisor"
3) "guy who pretends to be old Corps tough Supervisor"
4) "aging poorly Supervisor"
My contacts at the Bee tell me that all four were used in earlier drafts of the editorial. They just didn't want to hurt his feelings.
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Clark Pacific wins, Yolo County wins, Woodland wins big, Cedarblade loses
Saturday, January 10, 2009 ::
0 Comments
I found out about it on Friday but was almost too busy to celebrate.
The lawsuit by Brenda Cedarblade and Ted Wilson was basically ruled to be without merit. Clark Pacific is making things happen and we should be happy to have them in Woodland.
This is a great outcome.
Here is the article in the Daily Democrat.
Oh --- and by the way -- they fully mitigated the negative impacts they would have on the community. This is all good for Woodland.
This is an example of an attempt to use CEQA as a weapon to stop progress.
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Tribal Negotiations
Friday, January 09, 2009 ::
0 Comments
The negotiations between the Rumsey Tribe and Yolo County have not been much fun to watch.
In the end, the tribe will build the expansion (or something similar to their current plan for expansion) and they will pay some cost for mitigating it. I am very comfortable that my view of the mitigation is consistent with the position of the people I represent in Woodland.
There will be talk of all kinds of things about job creation but the reality is that is not the issue in question. What is in question is what damage needs to be mitigated for. That is what the discussion is about.
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Thank you Dudley Holman
Tuesday, January 06, 2009 ::
1 Comments
Dudley Holman passed away today. This is a man that has shaped Woodland for the past three decades.
When thinking about Dudley I worry that many people will remember him only for the fights he was involved in. The reality is that Dudley was involved in almost every fight this community has had in the past 20 years. Some he started. Some he ended. Some he kept going much longer than they needed to go on.
Council member compensation, Conway Ranch, pay equity, SMUD annexation, protesting the Daily Democrat when they disagreed with him, Urban Limit Line, county water ordinance, Blue Shield Building, Flood Wall, Measure S, somebody running for something, handing out copies of the Democrat when they agreed with him, Woodland General Plan referendum, the list continues ...and Dudley was right in the middle of every one of them.
I was on Dudley's side for some of these fights and on the other side for some. It would be easy to focus on those fights but I am going to remember him in other ways.
Consider this ---
When Dudley served on the City Council he segregated the payment he received from the City for a community purpose. He intended to spend all of that on a community project but instead spent it on referral of the General Plan. It was the thought that counts.
Dudley graduated from Stanford.
Dudley Holman and Byron McConnell did Meals on Wheels for years. They served dozens of Woodland residents hot meals each week.
Dudley drove the yellow VW bug around for years. That thing is as much of a piece of work as the guy driving it.
Dudley stepped up and supported the school bond in 1999. His support was a big part of the victory that was won to build Pioneer High School and improve most every school in the district.
Dudley encouraged many current officeholders to seek office. Now he didn't continue to support all of these people after they were elected but he certainly added many people to the mix by encouraging people to seek office.
Dudley served in the Navy.
Dudley was one of the first people to start having City Council meetings televised. He even operated the camera many nights when it was a platform at the back of the chambers.
Dudley also gave generously to local kids programs.
I will remember these things about Dudley but will still always consider him the most stubborn, pig-headed, immovable forces I have ever met. At this moment he is arguing with St. Peter at the gates of heaven about bond money being used on a lighting project to make the gates look more pearly or something. That is exactly what Dudley does.
My prayers are with his wife Pat, his son, his daughters, and grandchildren. Thanks to them for sharing him with us.
Dudley -- thank you for your years of service, your friendship, and your contribution to this community. Cheers.
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This is unfortunate but that is the way it goes
Tuesday, January 06, 2009 ::
2 Comments
This was not the way I wanted this to turn out but it seems to be the only way to get there. Make sure you read the attachment and see the scope of the project.
Attachment: Arbitration_Next_Over_Casino_Expansion_Impacts.pdf
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Beth Gabor, Public Information Officer
January 6, 2009
(530) 666-8042 [w] ▪ (530) 219-8464 [c]
Yolo County, Rumsey Tribe Talks Headed for Arbitration over Casino Expansion
(Woodland, CA) – Yolo County and the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians will likely enter arbitration after an impasse in negotiations related to the Tribe’s plans to triple the size of the Cache Creek Casino. Yolo County has attempted for months to negotiate with the Tribe to achieve a comprehensive and global approach to the expansion. Instead, the Tribe has chosen to negotiate by limiting the discussion to the narrowest scope possible. As negotiations have reached an impasse, both sides are now required to exchange their last, best written offer, which by necessity is a “bare bones” offer, leading to arbitration.
The Tribe’s Cache Creek Casino Expansion plan calls for:
§ tripling the size of the Casino;
§ increasing hotel rooms from 200 to 694; and
§ by tripling the size of the Casino, the Tribe can expand the existing 2,600 slot machines to at least 8,000 slot machines because its compact with the State allows an unlimited number of machines. At this size, the Cache Creek Casino would equal the size of the largest casino in the world.
“Yolo County has always valued its relationship with the Tribe and wants to continue working together as partners,” said Chair of the Board of Supervisors Mike McGowan. “In the past, this partnership recognized a vision for the entire Capay Valley including preserving its rural character for an enhanced quality of life for all county residents. Unfortunately, the Tribe’s latest proposal to mitigate the impacts from tripling the size of the Cache Creek Casino does not reflect the spirit of this past partnership. We believe the magnitude of the casino expansion requires looking far beyond the Tribe’s limited view which only addresses impacts to individual county services.
“The sheer scope of the proposed Cache Creek Casino Expansion cannot be understood in isolation. The extreme demand on county services, such as sharp increases in the need for sewer discharge, water services, roads and traffic enforcement, child care, police and fire protection, etc. will carry a ripple effect on all of Yolo County and the county’s ability to preserve the Capay Valley’s rural quality of life.
“Yolo County along with the Sacramento Valley are, in effect, victims of intense competition between three massive casinos each vying to become the largest and most profitable. Unfortunately, these aggressive expansions can undercut local governments’ ability to maintain adequate levels of service and efforts to retain their rural character, especially in communities such as Yolo County.
“While we recognize and value the tremendous contributions made to Yolo County by the Tribe, the county’s ultimate commitment is to maintain a high quality of life for all residents. Fulfilling that responsibility is simply not possible through the Tribe’s current proposal, which likely will result in Yolo County taxpayers carrying the burden of the Cache Creek Casino Expansion’s impacts.”
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Hamas -- you asked for it
Monday, January 05, 2009 ::
0 Comments
I read all about the Middle East and as many of you know I spent some time there. I rarely comment about it because most of the time the issues are pretty complicated.
I am not someone that automatically thinks Israel is right. Many people just look at the two combatants and declare Isreal the correct side to be on.
This past week things are pretty clear to me. The people of Gaza were allowing rockets to be fired from civilian areas. Israel can't just stand back and let rockets fall out of the sky without responding -- and they did. Now Hamas and the people of Gaza are complaining. Look, I could have told you what the response was going to be. You knew what the response was going to be -- deal with it.
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Jury Duty
Monday, January 05, 2009 ::
1 Comments
I did not get squat today. I need to show up tomorrow at 0900.
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Food Stamp Challenge - Review
Sunday, January 04, 2009 ::
1 Comments
I have not really done a final report on The Food Stamp Challenge.
First, I did not do a good job shopping. Yamada did a far better job than I did.
Second, no matter what I did this thing just was not real to me. In the end, I could have gone the entire time without food and lived. I would not have been happy but I could have made it.
Third, I don't think many people on Food Stamps are making speeches in Stockton County Clubs while people eat nice meals in front of them. I also doubt they have as much food as I do around me. Food is everywhere. I just could not have any.
Fourth, I work really hard. All the time. I don't ever plan on going on food stamps and would have to be at a pretty low point in my life to do that. I would do it for my wife and kids (to sace them) but I would not do it for me.
Fifth, the shopping would have been far easier if I would have been able to buy for a longer period of time and could have taken greater advantages of economies of scale. I do think I could feed myself, wife, and kids on $12 a day very easily. I would have to shop around a little but we could certainly do it.
Sixth, I worked out each day I was on this program. That did not help.
Finally, this experience really just confirms my overall view. We have many support networks in our community. I have friends, family, and charitable organizations to seek help from. So do others. I would not want to get rid of the program but I would like those people that take my tax money and have it used for their personal benefit to be doing everything in their power to get to a point where we would not redistribute wealth.
I am maxing out. I expect them to do the same. Will I make more money when I max out than some others? Maybe. I just know that I am working on generating income for my family for far more than 12 hours each and every day. If someone else is doing the same thing and truly working to their greatest legal economic output then I can see my tax dollars being involuntarily taken from me and used to support them.
Here is a link sent to me by Robert that is on point.
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So what would you do?
Sunday, January 04, 2009 ::
0 Comments
This morning I woke up at my mother in laws in San Jose and picked up the newspaper. As I was reading breakfast I saw this story. It did not make me feel really good.
I am not sure what the facts are here. It appears that some important ones are in conflict. Clearly it is a tragedy. However, I can tell you my reaction in a similar situation. If I am by myself probably nothing happens. I just go on about my day. If my kids or wife are in the car when this happens I am probably sitting in jail right now just like this guy.
So say this guy goes to jail. He goes away for a long time at a huge expense. When he comes out again if he feels his girlfriend or family member if threatened he would do exactly the same thing.
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DMV - Woodland Office
Friday, January 02, 2009 ::
1 Comments
People like to make fun of the DMV. They have a tough job.
I recently realized that my Driver's License was about the expire so this morning I decided I was going to take care of that. I looked on line last night to find out that it opened at 0800 this morning. I was dreading the whole thing.
At 0800 I arrived at the Woodland office. I filled out the renewal paper work, paid my $28 plus $2 for the organ donor program, took an eye exam, got all the questions right on the written test, took my picture, did the thumb scan, and signed my name on the digital pad. How long did it take?
At 0816 I called Jenn and told her I was on my way to work.
I had a great experience there. It was quick, well organized, and the people helping me were great.
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Skiing -- what a view
Thursday, January 01, 2009 ::
0 Comments
I had never been skiing at Diamond Peak before. I hadn't even really heard about it. Check out this view of Lake Tahoe behind me. It was beautiful. I really enjoyed going down this run.
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What are the odds?
Thursday, January 01, 2009 ::
0 Comments
On Monday I am scheduled to report for jury duty. I am kind of excited about it. I have always wanted to be on a jury. I don't think I will get to actually be seated -- but it could happen.
Then I read this article in the Democrat. Wow!
What are the odds that I could get a chance to be on the jury for the Anderson trial? 2009 may be my year. I may not be able to sleep tonight.
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From Investor's Business Daily: George W.'s War
Thursday, January 01, 2009 ::
1 Comments
Normally I don't simply cut and paste things from another publication. An exception is below. This is from Investor's Business Daily. I thought it was excellent. Read the whole thing.
George W.'s War...
By INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY
No one likes war. War is a horrific affair, bloody and expensive. Sending our men and women into battle to perhaps die or be maimed is an unconscionable thought.
Yet some wars need to be waged, and someone needs to lead. The citizenry and Congress are often ambivalent or largely opposed to any given war. It's up to our leader to convince them. That's why we call the leader "Commander in Chief."
George W.'s war was no different. There was lots of resistance to it. Many in Congress were vehemently against the idea. The Commander in Chief had to lobby for legislative approval.
Along with supporters, George W. used the force of his convictions, the power of his title and every ounce of moral suasion he could muster to rally support. He had to assure Congress and the public that the war was morally justified, winnable and affordable. Congress eventually came around and voted overwhelmingly to wage war.
George W. then lobbied foreign governments for support. But in the end, only one European nation helped us. The rest of the world sat on its hands and watched.
After a few quick victories, things started to go bad. There were many dark days when all the news was discouraging. Casualties began to mount. It became obvious that our forces were too small. Congress began to drag its feet about funding the effort.
Many who had voted to support the war just a few years earlier were beginning to speak against it and accuse the Commander in Chief of misleading them. Many critics began to call him incompetent, an idiot and even a liar. Journalists joined the negative chorus with a
vengeance.
As the war entered its fourth year, the public began to grow weary of the conflict and the casualties. George W.'s popularity plummeted.
Yet through it all, he stood firm, supporting the troops and endorsing the struggle.
Without his unwavering support, the war would have surely ended, then and there, in overwhelming and total defeat.
At this darkest of times, he began to make some changes. More troops were added and trained. Some advisers were shuffled, and new generals installed.
Then, unexpectedly and gradually, things began to improve. Now it was the enemy that appeared to be growing weary of the lengthy conflict and losingsupport. Victories began to come, and hope returned.
Many critics in Congress and the press said the improvements were just George W.'s good luck. The progress, they said, would be temporary. He knew, however, that in warfare good fortune counts.
Then, in the unlikeliest of circumstances and perhaps the most historic example of military luck, the enemy blundered and was resoundingly defeated.
After six long years of war, the Commander in Chief basked in a most hard-fought victory.
So on that historic day, Oct. 19, 1781, in a place called Yorktown, a satisfied George Washington sat upon his beautiful white horse and accepted the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, effectively ending the Revolutionary War.
What? Were you thinking of someone else?
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