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Articles from
June 2008
Benefit for the Diaz Family
Monday, June 30, 2008 ::
1 Comments
This is from my favorite person that works for Duane Chamberlain in his county office on a full-time basis.
This Wednesday(July 2nd) from 4:00 PM until closing, 8:00 PM, Ono Teriyaki (on the corner of Beamer and East St in Woodland) will be giving away dinners for donations to the children of Tony Diaz. All proceeds will go directly into their trust accounts.
Robert Taura, the owner of Ono Teriyaki is donating all the food.
Please tell everyone you know to at least stop by and drop off some money
(tax deductibility is being worked out at this time). Tony had such a positive impact on everyone who met him.
Please help to honor him and contribute to his children's future on this day, July 2nd, 2008.
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Grand Jury Report Today
Monday, June 30, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I think we will know what the Grand Jury report shows later today.
This is always a big day for local governments in the county. The rumor is that the group of folks on the GJ did an exceptional job this year.
I am looking forward to reading their findings.
My observation from last year still stands. They have a really cool name "Grand Jury" but are they going to tell me a little bit about themselves so I can determine if they are well qualified to critique public administrators running large organizations. They certainly have the right and responsibility but do they have the experience?
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Good grief
Monday, June 30, 2008 ::
0 Comments
The traffic today has been amazing.
As of 0616 we are at 3668 for the day.
I am going to have to find out what the record is for this site. I don't remember.
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My fortune cookie
Monday, June 30, 2008 ::
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My fortune cookie at lunch recently read "A SHORT STRANGER WILL SOON ENTER YOU LIFE WITH BLESSINGS TO SHARE".
I think it means this little guy on the tractor with my Dad.
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Public Calendar
Monday, June 30, 2008 ::
1 Comments
I have been toying with the idea of making my complete calendar available on-line here at rexroad.com.
In the end, I have nothing to hide and would like more things made public.
The reason I have decided not to do that is security. If I go and toss up where I am going to be at any one particular moment that means people would know when I am not home. That just will not work for me. I just can't get there with a wife and two small children.
I may work on something that comes a few days later -- after the events. For example, people did not need to know that I was out of town this weekend with no one watching my house.
I also don't want to keep multiple calendars. I just throw it all in so I am not going to have a Yolo Conty, Meridian, and family calendar. That is just too much fuss.
Any ideas?
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Needle Exchange -- one more thing
Monday, June 30, 2008 ::
1 Comments
It is 0108 and I can't sleep.
I realize that many of you think that my objection to this needle exchange program is because you think I am some sort of right wing nut job. I get that. Certainly part of my objection is that these drug users need to take responsibility for their actions.
The real objection I have is as a father. I am probably the member of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors that uses the play equipment in our parks the most. I am probably the elected official in Yolo County that uses our local parks the most --- just due to the age of my kids. Abbie is 4 and Adam is 22 months.
The comments that come in support of my position on this are not my Republican friends. They are coming from my friends and neighbors that are parents -- with no regard for politics. My wife is far more liberal than I am and she is really fired up over this. She wants to write a letter to all of my colleagues and let them have it. For those of you that don't know my wife - that is saying a ton.
The parents are the ones that find beer bottles in the sand area, used condoms on the lawn, burn marks on equipment, and written words on the playground equipment. We are also the ones that provide our own security in the park when random little gang bangers come walking through the park.
These are the people that are most appalled by the needle exchange program. To them it a choice to take care of the drug user with the risk being carried by their children.
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Needles in the Park
Sunday, June 29, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I have so much to write about this needle exchange program. Thank you for all the nice calls, e-mails, and letters.
This is something I have opposed from the start.
The original proposal was to not even require an exchange. Needles would just get handed out. Wrong. Yamada and Chamberlain joined me to block that. Thanks to both of them on that.
The Woodland City Council is right to be upset. As far as people saying they did not know anything about it...come on.
Post from May 2, 2007.
Post from April 29, 2007.
Post from June 20, 2007.
Post from July 30, 2007.
I am concerned about two groups of people here. They are the people that clean our parks and the families that use them. For me, the safety of the injection drug user is a very very distant third concern.
My concern for the people that use the parks and the people that clean them will guide my efforts from here on out.
If you notice the final post has an Matier and Ross column on what happened in Golden Gate Park. I passed this out right in the middle of the Board meeting.
These kinds of things are going to continue to be a problem.
If the program is not going to go away let's make it as safe as possible for our kids.
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Yolo County Crunch Time
Sunday, June 29, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Yolo County seems to be facing a number of challenges right now. We have the school district issues, the Grand Jury report is about to come out, the Abrahams death, the killing of Deputy Diaz, needle exchange issues, and the court room drama. This seems to be a long list for our area.
I spent some time this weekend thinking about all of these things.
In my life I have led and been part of some large organizations. Some really good. Some really bad. I have also made some major leadership mistakes. Some of those mattered a great deal. Some did not matter at all.
What I know for sure is that in large organizations people make some bad decisions. Actually, in every organization people make bad decisions. How you deal with those mistakes can be a way to classify the good organizations from the bad.
Not all of the issues we are currently struggling with are the same. Not by a long shot. Here are some factors to consider.
Time
In the case of the court room issues this is the most compelling reason that I'm not that concerned. It appears to me that a couple bad decisions were made independently. They were made with the opportunity to reflect on the situation and needed to be made under some difficulty. You have to give some people some slack here.
The Woodland Police Officers in the Abrahams case also did not have the luxury of time.
In the case of the school district building purchase plenty of time was involved. Certainly this decision should face greater scrutiny since those that made it had the opportunity to completely analyze the decision.
Was it wrong?
The courthouse issue does not even need to have an analysis done. It was wrong. Everyone admits it.
With Abrahams -- we don't know yet and may not.
With the school district -- people can disagree.
Available remedy - can you fix it?
In the court room case what can you do to fix the wrong? Not much except make sure it does not happen again. Clearly it was wrong but what can we really do to fix it?
Nothing will bring back Abrahams. His family is seeking monetary compensation but nothing will bring back their son. If something was done wrong by the officers then further training may be necessary.
For the school district I guess a fourth vote could put things in motion to attempt to get out of the purchase agreement. So in that case I guess it can be fixed.
Who pays the price?
I went through a difficult time in my business a few years ago with the actions of a young employee. It was an amazing learning experience for my, my company, and a young man with a promising career.
It is easy to throw people under the bus. It is impossible to get them back out from under it.
In a time when people seem to be hungry for blood I think true leaders resist the cries to drop a dime on someone that made a mistake. In the case of the courthouse drama I think Sheriff Prieto needed to stand up for his deputies. My experience in the Marine Corps tells me that if he would have dropped the dime on one of his deputies in that forum the morale problems within the department would have been huge.
Many commentators have been looking at this case in isolation. Sheriff Prieto is going to need to run his department long after the media attention has moved on to others things. A true leader looks beyond the short term ease. I think he did that here -- even if it was a bit awkward.
If elected officials are going to pay the price of the scrutiny then I am all for it. That is what we are paid to do. That is what we asked the community to trust us to do.
What I think is unfair is to force a deputy or young Woodland Police Officer to be tried in the newspaper without them having the skills or the ability to defend themselves. You want to pick on me, Judge Rosenberg, Sheriff Prieto, Mike McGowan, School Board President Carol Souza Cole -- go for it. We are fair game. Even Chief Sullivan should be expected to be able to represent his department.
I have a problem when we ask people that have never sought public attention to behave normally when they suddenly get it. A different standard is appropriate for some people. Think about. Sports writers do it all the time. Kevin Garnett is not given the same sort of slack that is given to OJ Mayo.
Who is there to fix it?
The other reason that I am not that worried about the courtroom issue is the people that are there. I disagree with Judge Rosenberg on a ton of issues. I probably disagree with Prieto on issues too.
What I know for sure is that Rosenberg is a very hard working, very bright, very shy of bad press. He will not let that happen again. As far as Prieto goes, I like the guy. I also really like Under Sheriff Tom Lopez. In my 18 months on the board I have enjoyed working with both of them. They know what they are doing. They compliment each other well and will fix this. They know a problem exists now we just need to let them do their thing.
In terms of the Woodland Police Department -- I love this department. Chief Sullivan and everyone there has a special place in my heart. They always will. They are professional and just need a fair shake. If a problem is found -- they will fix it.
At the school district I think this is where some questions remain. Who will be there? The Superintendent is gone and now I am not sure what will happen in the future. I do like Carol Souza Cole but I am not sure what the Board as a whole is doing.
Finally, some of these things don't need to be done in public. [Please start breathing again Jim Smith and DPD. Hear me out.] Some of these things, not all of them, are basically personnel decisions. Public hangings are floggings may get headlines and make people feel better but it will not make the organization better. With organizations of dozens or hundreds of people the most important thing is to make sure the incident does not happen again. That is a given. Real leaders make sure them same kind of related thing does not happen again because the lesson is learned throughout the organization that can be applied to the same and somewhat similar situations in the future.
The Daily Democrat's last editorial on the issue mentioned some actions to be taken in the personnel files of county employees. That clearly is something that does not need to happen on the front page of the newspaper.
These are opportunities to grow. Let's do that.
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Re-entry facility
Sunday, June 29, 2008 ::
1 Comments
This post could go on for days. Where to start?
First, the rules have changed several times during the time Yolo County has attempted to administer some of the provisions of AB 900.
I disagree with this part of the editorial in the paper today -- "From all outward appearances, Yolo County officials have been trying to hide discussions on a future site for a "prison" on a 15-acre lot, capable of accommodating 500 inmates plus 350 workers." Here is the full editorial.
We have never hidden anything.
For those people like "The By Hell Chronicles" and Leslie Phardresher in her letter to the editor today I am amazed that I show up in Zamora at their invitation to explain what the deal is and then they attack me. I can tell you that if something like this was happening in Woodland I would want to be the one explaining it to the people I represent. That is my job.
As for where to put this thing -- I think it is more consistent with industrial zoning than anything else. That is my opinion. I discussed this option with the City of Woodland in a 2x2 meeting that was publicly noticed that no one from the press or pubic decided to show up too. In fact, Supervisor Chamberlain sat right there in the meeting. Please look at the record of public notices you will see that re-entry facility has been openly discussed multiple times.
I have two reasons that I think we need a re-entry facility in the area.
First, our current system of corrections and the state level is a disaster. Re-entry facilities are the kinds of things we need to stop wasting money on a "rehabilitation system" that does not really exist.
Second. $30 million. By siting one of these facilities in the county that comes with 375 good jobs on 15 acres the county makes $30 million toward our jail expansion.
Several of the people in Zamora said we should pull the application. One guy after the meeting said no amount of money was worth it. As a fiscal conservative I just can't buy that. $30 million is $30 million.
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Dave Flory is my friend
Sunday, June 29, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I have been basically out of commission since Flory's party on Tuesday night. Actually, even earlier than that. It was Monday night. Lots of blog about. Lots to comments on.
I will start with Jim Smith's column about Woodland Mayor Dave Flory. I do love Dave. I do hate his hat.
Dave will be missed.
He was great to work with on numerous projects. I respect him and thank him for all his years of service to Woodland.
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Point Lobos for our anniversary
Sunday, June 29, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Jenn and I celebrated seven years of marriage on Saturday. On Friday we dropped the kids off at Grandma's house and then headed to Point Lobos State Reserve. What an amazing place to spent a day hiking.
We stayed at a great place, ate great food, and spent some needed time together without our kids.
I am very thankful for my wife.
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Needle Exchange -- all over town
Thursday, June 26, 2008 ::
0 Comments
The Yolo County needle exchange program was on the front page of the Daily Democrat last night. Then, right as I was falling to sleep I saw this on Channel 3. It has Woodland CIty manager Mark Deven and Dr. Bette Hinton in it.
Then I just found this piece on the Channel 13 site with Dave Flory and Helen Thomson quoted.
I will post more later today on this issue. I have not had time to realize all this was going on.
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Yolo Post 77 Newsletter
Wednesday, June 25, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I just got a copy of the Yolo Post 77 newsletter. Download it here. It has a picture in it of McGowan and I presenting the Memorial Day resolution to the Post.
McGowan wore his pink shirt that day. It represented the "old corps".
Semper Fidelis.
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This is the hat I gave Dave
Wednesday, June 25, 2008 ::
0 Comments
This it the hat I presented to Flory last night at the Gibson Mansion. The key to the city was a gift from the City Council. I also gave him a framed copy of the resolution posted below.
Thank you for your service Mayor Flory.
If you look closely -- the guy in the background is Art Pimentel. Art is praying that Skip Davies will stop picking on him.
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Flory Resolution
Wednesday, June 25, 2008 ::
1 Comments
CERTIFICATE OF RIDDANCE AND CONDEMNATION
PRESENTED TO
DAVID MICHAEL FLORY
WHEREAS, David M. Flory began his assault on his community when elected to the City Council, beginning his first term on April 19, 1988; and was re-elected to Council on April 21, 1992, and again on April 9, 1996; and just wouldn’t go away; and then
WHEREAS, Dave began his first term as Mayor on March 19, 2002; and,
WHEREAS, Dave worked with the best Mayor in Woodland’s history from 2004 to 2006, the community, reluctantly, came to terms that Dave would begin his second term as Mayor on March 7, 2006; and,
WHEREAS, the good news is that Dave will be followed by an even better Mayor in 2008; and
WHEREAS, God has shown his mercy, as Dave shalt not run for a sixth term as a Woodland City Council Member; and,
WHEREAS, Dave has been a member either personally, professionally, spiritually, or by lingering smell on extensive Boards, Committees, and Commissions, blah, blah, blah, and countless other resume inflating endeavors; and,
WHEREAS, Dave’s intense interest in the Woodland Downtown has been evident in the closure of his own business, Flory Jewelers; with infrastructure enhancements, such as backward facing benches on Main Street; and in his role as Honorary Mayor, wearing that stupid top hat that just about everyone hates, to many downtown events, embarrassing himself beyond belief, and annoying the entire community; and,
WHEREAS, in addition to his duties as a Member of the City Council and owning and operating his own business, Dave raised his two children, Mindy Flory Dodge and David Flory (who now have to deal with him full-time), and who enjoys immensely his grandson, Riley Dodge, who tries unsuccessfully to keep his grandfather out of trouble.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Yolo County Third District Office, past, present and future, and the citizens of this community thank God, and commend David Michael Flory for retiring from political office, wishing him well in all his future, personal, and professional endeavors. Woodland is truly a better community through the departure of Dave Flory. Bu-bye.
Issued this 24th day of June, 2008.
________________________________________
Matt Rexroad, Yolo County Supervisor
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Tonight at Gibson House
Tuesday, June 24, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Tonight after a long board meeting some of us will by hosting a party for Woodland Mayor Dave Flory.
We have a couple cool things for him.
I am not sure if it is Flory being free from Woodland or Woodland being free from Flory.
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Do I smoke?
Monday, June 23, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I have never smoked anything in my life.
It is quite clear to me that today just by living in this area -- I did more damage to my lungs then hanging out in a smoking area in a Nevada casino.
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Tonight in Zamora
Monday, June 23, 2008 ::
5 Comments
Tonight I headed up to Zamora to attend a meeting of the Zamora Advisory Committee.
They were concerned about two things. First the water ordinances.
The main issue of the night was the proposed re-entry facility to be located in the I-505 area. It was pretty clear that not one person in the room supported the idea of Yolo County locating a re-entry facility in Yolo County other than me.
What I heard tonight from most people was -- anywhere but here. Some people did bring up some issues of traffic and water but mostly they don't want the facility to be located there.
The reality is that we are talking about $30 million from the state to be included in the Capital Improvement Plan for Yolo County. The people there felt that $30 million was not enough and that it was a sell out.
From my view we are trying to make good economic decisions for Yolo County. It needs to go somewhere.
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Sometimes you get exactly what you ask for
Monday, June 23, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I get lots of paper. Lots of paper sent to my office.
I would like to get all my agendas sent to me electronically if at all possible. My business is going paperless and the county is moving in that direction.
So last night I realized that I did not have an agenda for the LAFCO meeting today. When I called about it -- Elizabeth said they e-mailed it to me. She was right.
LAFCO is actually sending this stuff to me electronically and now I am using it that way. No huge stack of paper. No postage. Saves money and time.
In the future all this stuff will be on the computer. I am looking forward to that.
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Woodland Wiki
Monday, June 23, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Surf Putah brought Woodland Wiki to my attention. I have some vague memory of this from the past but can't place it.
This whole Wiki thing is something that I just don't really understand.
For those of you into this kind of thing -- here is the link.
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The biggest bang for the buck
Sunday, June 22, 2008 ::
3 Comments
I admit it. I don't like the needle exchange program. I just never will think that is a good thing to do when we risk harming park employees and kids. So set all that that aside.
I ask you to just think about the best use of $100,000 annually. For me I would rather give 50 cents back to every Yolo County resident.
It seems that since I have been a Supervisor I have heard how much money certain programs save. It goes something like this -- "You should be happy to spent $x million here because we would have to save $5x million in the emergency room or [fill in the blank] if we didn't have this program.
So let's assume that I can't give the money back to the taxpayers and instead am forced to spend it on health care within county government.
I don't know for sure what the biggest bang for the buck is in terms of health care dollars -- but I have a good idea. I would rather spend the money on prenatal care or health care for kids. Even if you could convince me that the $100,000 on needle exchange saves $100,000.01 at some other place you will never convince me that spending this on prenatal care, health insurance for kids, or dental care for kids doesn't give you an even greater return.
So even if I set aside all my other issues I just don't think this is the best use of our public resources.
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7 Years Ago Today
Sunday, June 22, 2008 ::
1 Comments
My seven year anniversary is coming up on Saturday. Seven years ago today Jenn moved to Woodland. We then eloped to Napa and then to Spain a few days later. Big scandal -- but the right way to do it.
At this point I had a $150,000 house at 380 Quail Drive with --
1 bed (my dad made)
1 dresser (my dad made)
1 kitchen table with chairs (my dad made)
1 folding table (aka "desk")
1 chair in front of the folding table (aka "desk chair)
1 bean bag chair - my brother didn't want it
1 color television - bought in high school
1 leather chair - my dad didn't want it
Everything I owned fit in the back of my Ford pick-up.
Seven years later we haul more crap around then I owned just to take the kids to the tractor show.
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What is going on?
Sunday, June 22, 2008 ::
0 Comments
It is not even 2pm yet and we have had 4,000 page views today. For a Sunday that is a ton.
Did I leave an 'l" out of "public safety" somewhere? I did that once.
It must be the Flory countdown clock. Woodlanders either want to be free of Flory or Flory wants to be free of Woodland.
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Big week coming up
Sunday, June 22, 2008 ::
0 Comments
There is a ton of stuff going on this week.
Monday -- LAFCO in the morning and then later that night I am headed up to Zamora to talk about the re-entry facility with Duane.
Tuesday -- Schools meeting in the morning then regular board meeting all day. That night we have the Flory Party at Gibson Mansion.
Wednesday we have Yolo County 101 on the County Budget. Pat Leary will be the speaker. This is perfect timing to discuss the topic.....and I love Pat Leary. She is great.
Thursday I have an Administration of Justice for CSAC in Sacramento, a meeting about the Court House in Woodland in the afternoon and then have a meeting at the Housing Authority that night to talk about foreclosures.
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Supply is not the long term solution
Sunday, June 22, 2008 ::
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The national debate right now about energy policy is fascinating to me because most people are not talking about the same thing.
The oil people are talking about supply. That seems to be the answer to everything. I will agree that the quickest (not the best) way to drive down fuel prices is a bunch of oil to be dumped into the market to drive prices down. That could be from the Middle East, Bakersfield, Venezuela, Canada or Alaska -- does not matter.
The real issue on supply of energy is a way that will see fewer emissions. That answer is NUCLEAR power. Suck it up and make it happen. This is the one thing the French do that it right.
The answer to all of this is reduced demands. We have a current system can't be maintained. We are burning oil reserves in a manner that will continue to see fuel costs go too high. Demand is changing as people are altering their behavior due to the $4.50 per gallon gas.
We just need to use less oil. Much less oil.
That is the way we really make some changes in the world.
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Blog on Climate Change
Sunday, June 22, 2008 ::
0 Comments
At our Friday meeting of Yolo County local government on climate change a new blog was brought to my attention. I have not really checked it out too much but I will be giving it a chance over the coming weeks.
Read it here.
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20 years of rule --- about to end
Sunday, June 22, 2008 ::
0 Comments
For twenty years Dave Flory has been there on the Woodland City Council. That is about to end.
Webmaster Bob has even allowed Woodlanders to see the "Countdown to Freedom" when Flory is not on the City Council.
Look to right.
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Courthouse Security
Sunday, June 22, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Yolo County Courts have taken a beating over the past week. Articles and editorials have appeared in the Daily Democrat, Davis Enterprise, and the Sacramento Bee.
Today Hudson Sangree has this piece in the Sacramento Bee about the history of Yolo County on this issue.
Doug Paul Davis even got in on the act with this post on Friday and then followed with this post on Saturday.
At this point I would think that anything further would be piling on. Here is why: Judge David Rosenberg.
I realize that Rosenberg is a Judge now and no longer a member of the Board of Supervisors. It doesn't matter. This is a guy that does not like negative press. Hates it. He will smash this fly with the largest sledgehammer ever.
We are likely to end up with simulcast court hearings broadcast on monitors in local barbershops after this is over. Arco Arena may soon be used as overflow seating for Yolo Courts. I typed this in jest as an extreme but now that I look at it I am not so sure this isn't possible.
Clearly a mistake was made by someone. I am not sure who. I really don't care.
I am confident in two things. Rosenberg knocking heads to prevent this from ever happening again and Sheriff Prieto training his deputies to handle the situation better in the future. I also think it is important that Prieto didn't throw his deputies under the bus. He took the heat and that is appropriate leadership.
The Enterprise and the Democrat put this incident in the context of historical events. That to me is a little more appropriate than the Sacramento Bee editorial that just made a big deal out of this one incident. Of course, Sangree one-uped everyone with his piece today on the historical issues. I am writing a letter to the Bee editors to take issue with parts of their editorial.
What happened this past week was wrong. It appears to me that it was also wrong in the Anderson case and Stevens case yet I don't remember anyone mentioning a problem back then. Why not?
We don't hire our deputies in Yolo County to deal with the press and we surely don't want reporters or editors in charge of security in the Court House. In this case the press is right on the broader issue but I think people really are just piling on. There is no doubt in my mind that this issue will be more than handled.
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Best Show on Tracks -- pretty cool
Sunday, June 22, 2008 ::
0 Comments
So yesterday I took Abbie and Adam out to the Best Show on Tracks.
We waited too long. We should have gone out first thing in the morning. It was way too hot for my kids.
We got there, got in the stroller and headed out to look at the stuff. Adam was thrilled. This was perfect for him. He likes trucks, trains, and things like that. Tractors are cool with him too.
After about 30 minutes my kids were melting from the heat -- at 22 months and 4 years old they just weren't going to be able to hang.
We were on our way out the door when we saw the Woodland Fire Trucks. Of course we had to stop and see those. The seats were too hot for them to sit on without burning their legs so they just stood on the rails.
Twenty minutes after this picture was taken we were sitting in Savory ordering pancakes.
I am going to try and get back out there this afternoon without the kids. They certainly are doing a good job with the logistics.
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Board Meeting on Tuesday --June 24th
Sunday, June 22, 2008 ::
0 Comments
We have quite a few agenda items that are important on Tuesday.
I just finished reading my agenda package. Here are some things that will include some discussion on Tuesday.
Tuesday is my annual opportunity to vote against the "Pride Resolution". I would imagine I will have four opportunities to do this while serving on the Board.
The consent calendar includes accepting the report on the relocation of the Fairgrounds.
We are going to talk about the plans for the Yolo County Cultural and History Center.
In the afternoon we have a resolution about the Delta. People won't care much about this now -- but it is really important for Yolo County.
The afternoon also involves a discussion of SAFCA being involved with the Knaggs Ranch purchase. I have very mixed feelings about this whole thing.
Finally, we have a proposed ordinance about a county process to deal with requests for alcoholic beverages. I need to read this whole thing more closely but will probably be casting a NO vote. We pass out needles for drug use in Woodland parks without a thought but heaven forbid someone in Zamora has someplace close by where they can get a beer.
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Gibson House Last Night
Friday, June 20, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Last night I went to the Gibson House for an annual event where we celebrate the work of the Friend of the Yolo Archives, the Gibson House Museum Board, and the Yolo County Historical Society.
It was a good event with lots of nice people that are dedicated to Yolo County. Almost everyone there is a long time volunteer.
You can see Dr. Cleve Baker right in front of where I took this picture. He was the musical warm up.
Two stories you need to know.
First, the people at my table told a great story about how Dotty tipped a table over. It had me rolling.
The other is that even though my 99-year old grandmother spent years working at the museum, and my wedding reception was there -- I still think of it as the place I went to a haunted house when I was about 6 ye. My Dad and I walked through the front door and turned to our right.
There wee two college-aged girls there stirring a large smoking pot of something. They told me it was a pot of little boy tongue stew. It scared me to death. Now, some 35 years later that is still what I think about when I drive down Gibson Road.
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Flag Day with Abbie
Friday, June 20, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I took Abbie to the Flag Day event yesterday. Mike McGowan did a great job speaking..even if he is from the old Corps.
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Statement of the Vote
Friday, June 20, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Freddie Oakley and I disagree on same-sex marriage but I sure do like the way her office presents election information.
Today I got my Statement of the Vote from the June 3rd election.
Here is some of the things I found interesting in the report.
In the breakdown of the Woodland City Council election between Absentee and Election Day voters --
Art Pimentel went from 25.1% of absentees to 27.20% of the election day voters. Many of these votes must have come at the expense of Dote and Monroe. They actually both got 2% less of the vote on election day than in the absentees.
7,798 ballots were cast in the City of Woodland for a turn out of 32%.
So with 7,798 ballots we had 23,394 potential votes to cast for City Council. Only 19,161 were cast. 4,233 votes were not cast for City Council. This could be bullet voting or people that just thought to vote for one or none.
For Assembly --- Yamada did about the same on election day (52.12%) as she did with absentee voters (51.24%).
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Focus Groups in Woodland
Thursday, June 19, 2008 ::
1 Comments
I got a call last night from Nicholas Research looking for members of a focus group. I got thrown out because I work in the business and am an elected official.
It is pretty clear to me it is something about the Rumsey Tribe and the University since those were two of the other items that disqualified potential focus group members.
They are next Monday and Tuesday at the Heidrick Ag History Center. Anyone else get the same call?
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Where do they come from?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 ::
0 Comments
My referrals to this site are always interesting.
Here are the top ones over the last 24 hours ...
Woodland Journal 26
Google of "rexroad" 9
Att.net yahoo 6
Google "Matt Rexroad" 5
Google reader 5
This ratio is usually about where it stays unless this blog gets mentioned someplace when I get an influx of traffic from a site. Most people just come right here.
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I like Jeff Morris -- running for Congress
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Jeff Morris is a Supervisor in Trinity County. He is a friend.
I really like this guy.
He is now a candidate for Congress against Wally Herger. I don't think I can endorse Jeff but he is a great guy. Unfortunately he is not running for re-election to the Board of Supervisors in order to make this Congressional bid.
Here is his website for his campaign.
He used to live in Woodland.
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Who still has signs up?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 ::
0 Comments
One of the tough parts about a campaign is getting all those signs down when it is over.
Duane Chamberlain and [I forget the name of that guy that ran against him] got theirs down right away.
Harris, Dote, Lopez, Monroe, and Sieferman's signs all came down right away or never went up. I saw one Pimentel sign this weekend in the southeast area. What I still see are quite a few Fall signs as well as numerous ones for Cabaldon and Yamada. Gateway must have had 15 Cabaldon signs all over the place. Yamada unfortunately had an Independent Expenditure put signs up all over creation so how is she supposed to know where they are?
It has been two weeks. Let's get rid of those signs.
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Redistricting Ballot Measure
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Doug Paul Davis has an interesting post today on the upcoming redistricting ballot measure.
As can be expected from time to time, we have different views on this measure. I support it and will be working on it professionally.
You can see the website for the organization I am working with here.
Redistricting reform needs to happen. This is the best tool to make it happen.
The primary sponsors are ---
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Campaign Co-Chair
Steve Westly, Campaign Co-Chair & Fmr. State Controller
AARP
California Common Cause
LA Area Chamber of Commerce
League of Women Voters of California
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Phone Call
Tuesday, June 17, 2008 ::
4 Comments
Me: Hello. This is Matt.
Caller: Hi. This is [name removed]. I read your letter to the editor today. It seems pretty easy to send a letter as opposed to speaking out publicly.
Me: I wrote a letter to the editor of our local newspaper and signed my name. You then called me at home about it. How much more public can I get?
Caller: Yeah, but you just sit at your keyboard and type it out. You don't actually have to defend yourself in person.
Me: Oh yes I will. Tell me where to go.
Caller: You would not show up.
Me: Tell you what, let's have the event at my house. That will make it easy.
Caller: You wouldn't do that. You are just making things up.
Me: 711 College. Come on over. How about next Monday?
Caller: You are going to be really embarrassed when that report comes out.
Me: No I won't. Someone needs to defend the Woodland Police Department from this nonsense. I am happy to do it.
Caller: That is not a smart thing to do as a politician.
Me: You are not getting this -- I really don't care.
Caller: You are not on the City Council anymore.
Me: You are right but I may get back there some day.
Caller: You don't know what happened.
Me: Neither do you.
Caller: I know a lot more than you do.
Me: That may be true. Why don't you fill me in?
Caller: You don't know what you don't know.
Me: Right.
Caller: This is a waste of time. You are not interested in listening to me.
Me: This conversation is not going well for either of us.
Caller: Well even though we don't agree I want to thank you for taking my call.
Me: Call anytime.
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Today as a Supervisor
Tuesday, June 17, 2008 ::
0 Comments
So today started off great and just went bad the longer the day went on.
At 0800 I interviewed Cpl Jeff Ware of Woodland. Cpl Ware is a warrior that has 18 days of leave between 9 month deployment in Baghdad with the 101st Airborne. What a great guy. Look for the interview on the WAVE.
Then at 0900 our Board meeting started. We had a moment of silence for Deputy Diaz. Then we started the budget hearings. Pat Leary did a great job presenting things but our fiscal situation is not good. Our budget is a disaster. When Duane Chamberlain said he wasn't voting for it after a full day of hearings and asking just a few questions I almost lost it. That did not make me happy.
I really dislike that needle exchange program. It is wrong for so many reasons.
Tonight I went out to the Yolo Airport Advisory Committee meeting. It was OK. Nothing thrilling.
Then I had to speak with Art Pimentel. That is a bad way to finish any day.
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The Delta -- fascinating
Monday, June 16, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I really like the issues involved in the Delta. The more I get into it the more I like it.
Really good stuff, billions of dollars, land use, environmental issues galore, Woodland water supply, and possibly the future of Yolo County farming. Good stuff.
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Josef Braun - Letter to the Editor
Sunday, June 15, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I read a letter to the editor that did not make me happy today. This morning after church I wrote a response and just sent it in to the editor of the Daily Democrat to consider for publication.
From my view, I wanted other people to step forward on this issue. I am not a member of the Woodland City Council anymore.
However, the letter today by Braun was way over the line. So far over the line that I could not let it stand unchallenged. It seems that some people have gone into their holes on defending the Woodland Police Department.
Well, I love the Woodland Police Department.
I should have said something last Tuesday at our Board of Supervisors meeting during the public comment section of the meeting.
If people want to discuss this issue -- fine. If they make unfounded accusations against Woodland Police officers then I they are picking a fight with me.
If we need to have a fight let's have it but this letter was the last straw for me. These officers can't step up and engage in this public debate right now -- but I can and will.
Clicking on the title of this post will show my letter below.
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Every once in a while you find someone different
Sunday, June 15, 2008 ::
0 Comments
It took more than a month but I finally found someone that libes in unincorporated Yolo County that likes the proposed County water ordinance. This person went on to say that he even encouraged the use of .......(drum roll please) .........water meters.
The reasoning by this one person is that we have such a huge waste of groundwater that some governmental regulation might do some good.
I completely disagree but it was interesting to find someone that held this opinion. For those of you keeping score at home that is about 600 to one.
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Backpacks for Kids -- Sponsors
Sunday, June 15, 2008 ::
0 Comments
The focus for the next few weeks in my office will be Back Packs for Kids.
We are very lucky to have some of the sponsors that we do. You can see the list below.
Thank you to every single one of you. The community is really stepping up. Dotty and the committee are doing a great job. The Woodland Sunrise Rotary Foundation just added $1,000 on Friday. We still have a ton of work to do but we are getting there.
The main website for the event is here.
A.Teichert & Son, Inc
Brass Ring Amusements
City of Woodland
Clark Pacific
Daily Democrat
Devine Design
Donna Martin/Woodland Lutheran Church
elab Technologies
Food 4 Less
Gibson House Museum
Debra Gonella and Whitman Manley
Hibbert Lumber Co.
Interwest Insurance
Marble Slab Creamery
Meridan Pacific
Monley Cronin Properties
Nugget Market, Inc.
Palm Gardens
RDM Audio Visual
Rose Colored Glass Company
Schwann's Food
Steven Sabbadini Law Offices
Steve's Pizza
Valley Roofing
Wal-Mart Foundation
Woodland Healthcare Foundation
Woodland Veterinary Hospital
Wraith, Scarlettt & Randolph Insurance, Inc
Yolo Federal Credit Union
Ziegler Associates
Tom and Karen Alexander
Rachel and Barry Bergman
Patricia Butler
Michael Campos
Roberta Childers
Skip Davies, Woodland Vice-Mayor
Alan B. Flory, Yuba College District Trustee
Dave Flory, Woodland Mayor
Frank & Melanie Goddard
Edna Grimsrud
Mike and Margaret Grissom
Loretta M. Hansen
Richard & Rebecca Jenness
Dan King
Karen Lafferty
Barbara Langer
Yvonne Lemaitre
Charles and Nancy Mack
Bill Marble, Woodland City Councilmember
Betsy Marchand, Former Yolo County Supervisor
Barry Melton, Yolo County Public Defender
Dorothy Minges
Bob & Vicki Murphy
Patricia Murray
Rita and Michael Papienuk
Art Pimentel, Woodland City Councilmember
Daryl and Nancy Sargent
Ronan & Marilyn Scholz
Jesse Ortiz Jr.
Christine Shewmaker
Alan Smith
Aaron Souza PhD of Biomechanical Analysis
Cass Sylvia, Yolo County Public Guardian
Robert and Lucinda Talkington
Twyla Thompson
Ute Turner
Frank and Stephanie Turner
Steve Waldeck
Lois Wolk, California State Assemblywoman
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Daily Democrat Editorial on School Board Recall
Sunday, June 15, 2008 ::
0 Comments
The Daily Democrat asks a great question in an editorial today that I have been struggling with in regards to the recall election.
The key question for me is "What is in the best interests of our Woodland students?".
I don't really know Bill Beerman, Elaine Lytle, or Rosario Ruiz-Dark. I have met them or know who they are -- but I don't know them. I know Carol Souza Cole and like her. I consider her a friend.
Right now we don't have a Superintendent. Woodland needs to find one. We need to find a really good one. It is clear to me that the search for a good one is now far more difficult as a result of the recall election.
So then I look at the really important question for me. Who might replace these four people on the school board if they were recalled? I am not thinking it is going to get any better. The seat that Bill Beerman currently holds has not had a contested election in more than two decades. Elaine Lytle has not had a challenger in years -- if ever.
I will not ever support a recall of Carol Souza Cole. I know that. As for the others -- I think the recall proponents need to point to the people that might replace them. How will the school district get better as a result of this recall? How will the parents and students of the school district be better served by this effort.
This standard is clearly different than the legal standard for a recall but it is my standard in the way I analyze it.
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New words on the way to church and back
Sunday, June 15, 2008 ::
0 Comments
So today I am driving my family to church. We are headed south on East Street by the County Fair Mall. We were looking at the median strip that has been filled with redwood chips.
Thanks to Surf Putah I was telling Jenn about Gorilla Gardening. I said the word "anarchy". As clear as day Adam repeats "Anarchy". Lovely. My son knows about 200 words and one of them is anarchy.
So then we are coming back from church. At almost exactly the same place but heading the other direction Abbie says "I would like a beer. Ummmm,, Yummy beer."
Abbie has never seen the Simpsons and rarely has she ever seen beer. Where do these kids get this stuff?
My son is ready to take over the world and Abbie is turning into Homer Simpson.
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Sex and the City
Saturday, June 14, 2008 ::
4 Comments
Jenn and I got to go on a date two nights in a row. I have very little to complain about since I got to wear jeans both nights and did not even shave tonight.
Her choice of movies -- Sex and the City. The movie would not end. Every time I thought it was going to stop -- it kept going and going and going.
I give it a thumbs down. Jenn of course loved it.
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Costco
Saturday, June 14, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I have something to confess. I just went to Woodland Costco for the first time -- about two hours ago.
Jenn usually goes but we had Grandma watching the kids so I jumped in the car to hear over there with her.
It is beautiful. Beautiful. Woodland taxpayers probably benefited to the tune of about $5,000 just in the time I was there. I saw happy families and people leaving with lots of good stuff that was only available to them in Sacramento or Vacaville just a few months ago.
It was clean. They are keeping track of cashier efficiency on the wall right by the check out. I loved it.
My hot dog was great too.
Jenn and I saw two families there from Davis that were providing tax dollars to the people of Woodland. Excellent.
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Tunes for Trees
Saturday, June 14, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Jenn and I went out to the Opera House last night for the Woodland Tree Foundation event. It was excellent.
We missed Thomas Cunningham. The Bottom Dwellers were awesome as usual. Abbie even digs them.
Then this guy Justin Farren got up there. He was different to say the least. He had a song about getting to the State Fair late. He had one about killing a fly. Quite strange. I had written him off as talented but not quite there until he was asked to come back and do one more song. It was a great song. I could have heard him sign songs like that all night. I guess he plays at Luna's in Sacramento regularly - that is on 16th Street near N Street in Sacramento.
My favorite part of the night was the West Nile Ramblers. My brother in law plays the drums for them. It is not my kind of music but it certainly was entertaining. They are just really good. These guys are just good musicians.
Mark Eagleton plays bass for both the Bottom Dwellers and West Nile Ramblers. He is just cool. Really cool. He has the big old 6 foot tall bass that he just works.
Loved watching the show. $15 for the ticket was a steal.
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Tim Russert
Saturday, June 14, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I don't really do funerals or death well.
I am sitting here on my sofa. Jenn and I just got back from the benefit for the Woodland Tree Foundation. I am drinking a beer for Tim Russert.
I watch Meet the Press every week without fail.
Tim Russert was an outstanding journalist. He treated everyone the same and I loved it. He hammered Republicans when they deserved it. He hammered Democrats when they deserved it. He asked every question that I wanted asked.
He educated millions of Americans. I am one.
Tim Russert -- I will root for the Buffalo Bills for one game this year. One game only. Thank you for your contribution to the United States of America and the 1st Amendment.
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Same Sex Marriage in Yolo County
Thursday, June 12, 2008 ::
8 Comments
As I have stated numerous times before, I am opposed to same sex marriage. The California State Supreme Court was wrong in their decision and it is my hope that a state ballot measure will fix the situation.
Cory Golden has an article about how the situation in Yolo County is being handled. It is a good article.
Here is the problem -- the last line.
Others, she said, have asked about how confidential marriage licenses are, because they fear their employers might find out. If someone came asking, names of couples are public record, she tells them, but addresses are not.
Marriage is a legal and PUBLIC relationship. Marriage licenses are public because it is needed to determine the legal status of people and estates. If you are worried that people might find out -- don't get married.
Marriage is a blessing. I am truly blessed that my wife was duped for long enough to say yes seven years ago. However, it is also a responsibility that I have legally and morally.
These people have been focused on "respect" and what they call "equality" for so long that they have forgotten the responsibility that comes with marriage.
We might as well get on to the drive to allow three people to marry -- it is a fundamental right --- so just keep going.
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Out of hand
Thursday, June 12, 2008 ::
0 Comments
This is not right. It is just getting silly.
Check this out from the Associated Press.
We have people looking for a fight here when we don't have one.
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Aghazarian on the Move
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 ::
1 Comments
Prior to the primary I was kind of surprised to see Greg Aghazarian signs up around Yolo County.
Well now I have multiple reports of Aghazarian door hangers appearing around town.
Anyone else get one of those?
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This is not right
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 ::
6 Comments
The Sacramento Bee today has an article about the Board of Supervisor's comments on the TEIR. This was an item on the agenda yesterday.
Saying our criticism was "harsh" is not accurate. We listed all of our concerns to begin the conversation with the tribe as we negotiate.
This article in the Daily Democrat is more fair in terms of the way it discusses our approach.
The process is determined on this. We are moving through it. That is it.
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A different standard
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I applaud the Woodland City Council for their decision last night to hep Best Buy work through the design standards for their new location. I think it was the right thing to do.
Here is the part that I found extremely entertaining.
One of the Councilmembers (Jeff Monroe) hearing the appeal had taken a campaign contribution from the appellant about 60 days ago. He did not break the law and was not required to recuse himself.
What would have happened if I had done exactly the same thing?
I will tell you what would be happening.....chaos. Accusations would have been flying about being bought and paid for by developers. Crooked evil politicians. Blah, blah, blah.
What do we have now? Silence on the issue. No mad blog postings. No wild statements at the podium. No mass e-mails attacking character.
A different standard of behavior is required of me by my critics. It seems very apparent to me after last night.
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Guerrilla Gardening -- Woodland needs some of this
Monday, June 09, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I just saw this post over on Surf Putah. Man, this is beautiful.
Woodland needs some Guerrilla Gardening. This is where I take my private property rights stances and throw them right out the window. It is sometimes better to beg forgiveness than it is to ask permission. So what are your damages? They just IMPROVED the value of your property.
I have thought of this many times lately as I drive by the median strips in front of County Fair Mall. I know the Realist has too. The land near County Fair Mall would be considered "orphaned land" by pretty much any definition.
With the number of homes in foreclosure in Woodland it might be a good thing.
I have almost zero skills to offer in this endeavor unless you need a lawn mowed or a tree cut down. However, if someone is interested in some anarchy on the medians near the County Fair Mall I will find a way to provide the plants.
Here is the NY Times article that started the thought.
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Sacramento Business Journal Focus on Yolo County - this week
Sunday, June 08, 2008 ::
0 Comments
The Sacramento Business Journal this week focuses on West Sacramento/Yolo County.
They have articles about the turn around of West Sacramento over the past ten years. The newsmaker of the week is Denise Seals. She is the new Executive Director of the West Sacramento Chamber of Commerce.
In the list of largest employers in the county Woodland has several ---
County of Yolo is #5
Woodland Healthcare is #7
Nugget Market is #14
Clark Pacific in West Sacramento (soon to be Woodland) is #19
Woodland Community College is #23
Blue Shield is #25
UC Davis is the big dog in the county with 11,455. That is more than the rest of the list combined.
Pick up a copy. The Sacramento Business Journal is one of the best publications I read each week.
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Tough phone call
Sunday, June 08, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I donated bone marrow quite a few years ago. Russell (my bone marrow brother) passed away just a few days before Jenn and I were married in June 2001.
Russell's parents just called me a few minutes ago to say hello. Talk about a good group of people.
It really is a hard thing to try to understand the loss of their son. Now that I am a parent it hits a little closer to home.
God bless.
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This whole walking precincts thing in AD 8
Sunday, June 08, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I have been reading about how various commentators have been crediting walking precincts as the reason Yamada beat Cabaldon on Tuesday. I have now read it in the Sacramento Bee and the Daily Democrat. This afternoon I listened to David Greenwald's radio show from this past week and heard him talking about it too.
Baloney!
Yamada got just about 51.5% in both counties. There really was not a difference.
Walking precincts is a must in some races but I believe that it was not a factor in the race between Cabaldon and Yamada.
The things I would point to are that I don't think Yamada walked Woodland and this is where she made a huge difference in the campaign in Yolo County.
Both candidates have their base in Yolo County so using Freddie's website data (which in pretty cool) -- I took a look at some of the unincorporated areas of the county since they are not walkable.
I took out El Macero (precinct 67) and Clarksburg (precinct 104) since I view these communities as part of the base associated with Davis and West Sacramento respectively.
So what do you get with the rest of the county?
142 (45.8%) votes for Cabaldon and 168 (54.2%) votes for Yamada.
Yamada actually did better in the parts on the county where precincts can't be walked. Before I am willing to accept that it made a difference in the election someone is going to have to show me how things worked out between the two candidates in unincorporated Solano County compared to the areas of Vacaville and Fairfield that are walkable.
It is a great accomplishment to walk to 6,000 doors during a campaign but let's not get carried away. I believe it had more to do with the independent expenditures, the timing of the mail, and the message (or lack of message) that was communicated to voters.
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Cherries -- Go get them
Sunday, June 08, 2008 ::
0 Comments
The Rexroad family took about an hour yesterday to go in search of cherries. We headed out to Impossible Acres on Road 98 (picking area actually on Road 97D).
We are usually partial to Robert Ramming's place on Road 99 -- but we were hunting for cherries. Adam and Abbie got their own buckets and off we went.
Not only did we have fun together -- but the cherries are wonderful. We picked two flats of cherries and grabbed a small bucket of apricots in about 30 minutes. The cost was $39 but we have enough cherries to freeze and keep Adam and Abbie happy for the next week or so.
I have not had an apricot yet but these cherries are exceptional. Do yourself a favor and grab some. They are so easy to pick off the tree.
They will not be there much longer. These are the best cherries we have ever had.
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Provenza will be new Supervisor
Saturday, June 07, 2008 ::
0 Comments
With the elections office tallying up the final votes on Friday and putting up the results todat -- Jim Provenza locks in a seat on the Board of Supervisors.
I don't know Jim well. I have talked to him once or twice.
Here is some information about him from his website.
His background has a couple things that will make him a very valuable member of the Board. He knows public safety. He knows the Legislature. He knows something about the education system from his time on the school board.
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John Lescroart
Saturday, June 07, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I must be living under a rock.
Yesterday I was having lunch in Davis when I met this guy described as a "New York Times Best Selling Author" that lives in Davis. Ok. Whatever.
Then I find out he writes mystery novels and works in Yolo County references.
Now that I looked into the work of John Lescroart I am going to have to read all of his books. My bookshelf is full --- but I will have to make room.
His website is here.
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City Council Election Results
Friday, June 06, 2008 ::
1 Comments
Some observations on the City Council election results.
Art got first or second in every precinct in town. The five precincts that Art got second to Monroe in it was by a total of 23 votes.
Bobby Harris beat Fred Lopez in precinct 70 and 73 only.
Monroe got third in one precinct -- the one Art lives in.
Sieferman did better in those areas outside the 3rd Supervisor district.
The southeast area of town continues to vote a little differently than the rest of the town. I won these areas by a huge margin in 2006 and 2002. Art won them huge this time. Sieferman also lost them in a big way. Fred Lopez did well here this time.
Martie got second in my precinct but third in her own. Every precinct she got fourth in -- Sieferman got third. It was a choice between Martie and Frank in the minds of the voters.
Monroe did best in some of the most Republican areas of town.
Art won the precinct where Monroe lives.
It looks like Bobby Harris was held under 1,000 votes. That would be the lowest of any candidate for Woodland City Council in the last decade. The low voter turnout was part of that but not the whole thing.
Note: The counts have been updated since I wrote this. It appears on a quick look that Monroe barely won his own precinct and Harris went over 1,000 votes.
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It is raining
Friday, June 06, 2008 ::
0 Comments
When you establish a rainy day fund (reserves) you use them when it is raining. Well, in county government it is raining. It is pouring - the budget is not looking good.
Here is an article from the Democrat on the budget. Ugh.
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Article on the Delta
Friday, June 06, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Much of my free reading time lately has been spent studying the delta. This is a big issue for Yolo County. It is a big issue that no one in Woodland ever asks me about.
We have issues with land use, water quality/salinity, flooding, environmental issues, ag land preservation, water diversions...and a host of other items.
Beth Curda has an article on the Davis Enterprise that touches on some of the many issues involving the delta.
This is a really big deal for Yolo County. What comes from the discussions regarding the delta will impact Yolo County agriculture and out economy for decades.
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Budget Hearings Coming Up
Friday, June 06, 2008 ::
0 Comments
This weekend I will be preparing for the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday as well as the upcoming budget hearings.
There are a couple of things that are really important to me that have to be in the budget. That is what I will be looking for this weekend.
We also have an item on the Air District agenda on Thursday that is important to me as well.
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Ken Reiff: Woodland Guy
Friday, June 06, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I just got this from Ken Reiff ---
NAI BT Commercial Names Ken Reiff to Lead Sacramento Office
Sacramento, CA -- June 6, 2008 -- NAI BT Commercial, one of Northern California's most active commercial real estate firms, announced today that Partner Ken Reiff has been named Managing Partner for its Sacramento operations.
"Ken is very well respected both within our company as well as within the Sacramento real estate community. We are very excited that Ken has agreed to take over as Managing Partner and that he will be leading our growth efforts in the Sacramento market," said Mike Kamm, CEO of NAI BT Commercial.
"We also thank Jim Gray for his work as Managing Partner in recent years, helping us take our team to a new level and overseeing our move downtown," said Kamm.
Gray had recently decided he wanted to return to his first-love in commercial real estate – brokerage and development – and would step down from management responsibilities yet remain with NAI BT.
"We've accomplished a lot in expanding the NAI BT Commercial and Terranomics presence, but I realized my core interests were drawing me back to the hands-on work I’d enjoyed for many years," said Gray.
Many of NAI BT’s regional offices are headed by "player-coach" managers who maintain their client base while serving as office managers.
"I am excited about this opportunity to follow NAI BT’s successful player-coach model," said Reiff. "It allows us to stay in sync with agents and their needs, while delivering on our service-commitment to clients, big and small."
With over 16 years in commercial real estate, Reiff has been consistently a top producer and is a three-time nominee for Broker of the Year in the Industrial and Land categories by the Sacramento Association of Commercial Real Estate Organization. A graduate of UC Davis, Reiff works throughout the Sacramento Valley in site selection and predevelopment entitlements. Ken has been involved in projects in Rocklin, Roseville, Folsom, Sacramento,Elk Grove, Woodland, West Sacramento, Vacaville, Fairfield and as for north as Redding, south to Patterson and east to Placerville and Truckee.
Contact: Ken Reiff, Managing Partner (916) 375-1500
Mike Kamm, CEO (415) 781-8100
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Artist Recepton/Art Show
Thursday, June 05, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Artist Reception / Art Show
Blue Wing Gallery
405 Main Street
Woodland, Ca. 95695
530-402-2393
http//www.bluewinggallery.com
Gallery Hours
Tuesday- Friday 10-6 pm
Saturday 10-4 pm
Closed Sunday & Monday
Exhibit Title: Carols’ Colores
Featured Artists:
Carol Abbe – Mixed Media
Carol Hawkins – Acrylics
Guest Artist
Rebecca Casey - Ceramic Sculpture
Meet the artist Reception: FRIDAY, June 6-9pm Free open to the public **refreshments provided**
A first name in common and a similar color palette gave our next two artists the title for their exhibit. Carol Abbe and Carol Hawkins are putting on a sizzling show just in time for these hot summer nights.
Carol Hawkins speaks passionately about her upcoming show, “Everything I look at registers in my mind as a potential painting. I work with a variety of subject matter in order to stay fresh and to prevent stagnation. This body of work reflects my love of nature as well as my fascination with people.”
Sandy Amaro, Blue Wing Gallery owner comments on Hawkins “She is an exhibiting Artist who has won numerous awards, and has given demonstrations and workshops throughout the Sacramento and surrounding areas.”
Carol Abbe is often featured at The Blue Wing Gallery, her work attracts a lot of attention and she is one of our best selling artists. “I was very pleased to see her latest works,” says Sandy Amaro; “almost every piece has a cat somewhere in the image and we are located on Dead Cat alley. No need to worry” he jokes “no cats were harmed in the making of these paintings”
Abbes’ response to the cats in her paintings ”Many of my art pieces for this exhibit incorporate cats. Why? They have always been lurking about, and push their way in somehow. My works in painting, printmaking and collage have been formed by a love of color and design, while telling a story of meaningful events in my life, such as my studies in the South of France last summer.”
Carol Abbes’ education in art includes, a BA in Art History from Stanford University, and an MA from San Jose State in Studio Art. I belong to the California Society of Printmakers, and have won awards in over two hundred juried shows.
Rounding out this exhibit is our sculpture artist Rebecca Casey, her colorful ceramic birds and oversized dragonflies and butterflies add an eye catching 3-dimensional element.
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Rob Roy in Woodland
Wednesday, June 04, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I would like to point out that only Art Pimentel and Jeff Monroe got more votes in Woodland than Rob Roy got in Davis.
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Elections Challenge
Wednesday, June 04, 2008 ::
6 Comments
The winner of the Election Challenge appears to be Dr. Cirenio Rodriguez with 9 points. Surf Putah finished second with 8. I will take another look at these in the morning when I am better rested.
Who finished last?
At this point it appears to be a tie with some Navy guy and the Mayor of Woodland.
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Who could possibly complain?
Tuesday, June 03, 2008 ::
1 Comments
I have been having some wireless network problems at home. I was not able to post on the other day -- but it was just brought to my attention again.
Jim Smith wrote this piece last week.
The interesting thing is that someone was complaining about the endorsements in the local newspaper. Who could that be?
The endorsements made all the sense in the world. The Daily Democrat, Jenn, and most of my friends agreed on the best choices for City Council.
I am confused. Who could have possibly been rude enough to call the newspaper to complain about an endorsement?
No ideas here. Any one else have one?
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The man with the numbers
Tuesday, June 03, 2008 ::
1 Comments
A good friend of mine with the numbers -- tells me that turnout today could be below 15% statewide. 15%. Good grief.
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Peter Gleick on water in Sacramento Bee
Monday, June 02, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Peter Gleick is the President of the Pacific Institute in Oakland. He offered this in the Sacramento Bee this weekend on water. Read it here.
Gleick brings up some excellent points on water consumption. I certainly support efforts to use water more efficiently in urban and agricultural use.
We do need to have this discussion on water. We need to have it be an in-depth one. What we don't need is to write an ordinance in advance and shove it down the throats of farmers in Yolo County -- and then ask them what they think about it.
Also, he doesn't mention storage. We have has multiple "water bonds" on the ballot in California over the past decade yet I would argue they are really environmental bonds that pretend to be water bonds. Water bonds without storage (surface storage) are not really water bonds at all to me.
This water issue is going to be interesting.
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Water Tower: Sell It
Monday, June 02, 2008 ::
2 Comments
Woodland needs a new water tower tower according to the Daily Democrat.
It is kind of like a big billboard -- I say sell the right to put your logo on there. Burger King, Daily Democrat, Clark Pacific, Nike, Dote for City Council, Got Milk? --- whatever.
Sell the rights to stick your logo up there.
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Non-profit Business Plans
Monday, June 02, 2008 ::
0 Comments
YOLO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
P.O. Box 1264, Woodland, CA 95776
www.yolocf.org info@yolocf.org
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Cath Posehn (530) 312-0593
info@yolocf.org
Yolo Community Foundation Hosts Yolo County Nonprofit Leadership Roundtable: Business Plans
June 2008 – Yolo Community Foundation’s next Yolo County Nonprofit Leadership Roundtable will host a workshop on Business Plans for Nonprofits. The roundtable will be held Tuesday June 10, 2008 from Noon - 2:00 p.m. at the Heidrick Ag History Center at 1962 Hays Lane in Woodland. All people involved with Yolo County nonprofits are encouraged to attend.
Ken Freeman and Dave Flory of the Greater Sacramento Small Business Development Center will discuss guidelines for an effective business plan. A business plan serves as an essential guide to help your organization reach its goals. Freeman and Flory will cover the components and layout of a successful business plan. The Greater Sacramento Small Business Development Center helps existing and emerging businesses become successful by providing training and technical assistance in all aspects of small business management.
All people that are involved in leadership positions (whether staff or board members) in Yolo County nonprofits are invited to attend and attendance to the Roundtable is free. Attendees are invited to bring their own “brown bag” lunch along with their ideas and energy. Future meetings are planned for Tuesday August 12th and Tuesday October 14th. All events are at Noon at the Heidrick Ag History Center.
Yolo Community Foundation is a local foundation dedicated to serving the people and organizations of Yolo County. Founded in 2001 by a group of community-minded individuals
throughout Yolo County, the Yolo Community Foundation seeks to develop and promote philanthropy
in the County by serving as a public foundation through which community members may pursue their own charitable goals. Yolo Community Foundation also serves as a convener promoting collaborative partnerships among individuals and organizations serving the county.
For additional information, contact Cath Posehn, Executive Director, Yolo Community Foundation at (530) 312-0593 or email info@yolocf.org. For more information about Yolo Community Foundation, visit www.yolocf.org.
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Election Challenge Update
Monday, June 02, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Thank you to those of you that have entered the Election Challenge. You can still enter.
Exactly half the people responding have Monroe and Half have Pimentel for the top spot in Woodland.
Dote edges out Sieferman by one vote for the third spot.
Slightly more than half put Harris in the fifth spot. Not sure who those people think will finish last.
All but one person thinks Cabaldon wins tomorrow.
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Davis Enterprise Politics
Sunday, June 01, 2008 ::
0 Comments
The Davis Enterprise today has several political ads.
Provenza has a good one for his Supervisor campaign. Don Saylor has one as well.
The one I like best is John Ferrera. It seems a little dark but I like the layout and the message.
Sydney Vergis goes with the bike theme again on the cover of the second section. Sue Greenwald is buried in the middle of that section. Then on the back Stephen Souza has a full pager.
For some reason I think Stephen Souza is not going to be the top vote getter. I have no way of explaining that.
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Surf Putah
Sunday, June 01, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I disagree with Wu Ming on 90% of the things she writes about... but I wish she would write more. I respect the reasoning even if I disagree with it.
What I like about her blog is that she is advocating for the election of some people in her community. She has her endorsements listed for Assembly, Supervisor, and Congress.
See her endorsements here.
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Newspaper Today
Sunday, June 01, 2008 ::
0 Comments
The Daily Democrat has some interested political stuff today.
Frank Sieferman, Fred Lopez, and Jeff Monroe all have ads supporting their City Council races. Duane Chamberlain also has one for Supervisors.
The Woodland Firefighters have one supporting their three candidates as well -- Monroe, Dote, and Lopez.
Have to go look for the Enterprise.
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