|
|
TANC Fight Continues
Thursday, July 02, 2009 ::
0 Comments
E-mail I received today and my response.
Mr. Beck:
Then the fight continues.
Matt
On 7/2/09 3:46 PM, "James W. Beck, General Manager" <gm@tanc.us> wrote:
As you may have heard or read, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) has informed the Transmission Agency of Northern California (TANC) that it intends to withdraw from TANC’s Transmission Project (TTP). In light of this recent development, all remaining public outreach meetings on the TTP that are scheduled during the month of July are postponed.
It is too early at this time to know what options are available to TANC and Western Area Power Administration (Western). During the month of July, the agencies will be identifying and evaluating options. TANC and Western believe it is important to keep the “public scoping” period open during this time, and continue to strongly encourage interested parties to submit comments in writing to Mr. David Young at Western by July 30, 2009.
While SMUD’s decision is disappointing, it does not change TANC’s view of the fact that a transmission project like the TTP is needed to help ensure reliable and affordable electric service for the residents and businesses throughout northern California, and to expand access to clean energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal energy.
We will be in touch in the coming weeks to discuss our next steps. In the meantime, please feel free to email me or call Lauren Altschuh at (916) 852-1673 for more information.
Regards,
James Beck
General Manager, Transmission Agency of Northern California
Email: gm@tanc.us
Phone: 916-852-1673
|
|
|
.50 cal
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 ::
0 Comments
I have no idea why I am on the .50 cal in this picture. This looks like Pineda's weapon. When I was on the gun it was a Mark 19 most of the time.
The irrigation ditch in the back tells me that we were on the river near Babylon.
If I remember this right we had driven from Kuwait City to BIA (like 400 miles) -- and it was hot and nasty. I think this one also includes my mustache -- that you really can't see.
|
|
|
BIA --Baghdad Airport
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 ::
0 Comments
This is Pineda, Schoon, and me at the airport. Not sure why we were there this time. I think I might have my ill advised mustache at this point.
|
|
|
Lion King Picture
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 ::
0 Comments
I just went over a bunch of pictures from almost six years ago. I will share a couple with you that I am not sure I have ever really looked at before.
This is a family that was living in the wrong place. The funny thing is that this kid was wearing a Lion King T-shirt.
So also notice how much bigger I am than that full grown man on the other side. This was a common ratio.
|
|
|
Governor Sanford -- shut up.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 ::
0 Comments
I wrote off Governor Sanford as soon as I heard he was gone for like five days. That alone was irresponsible.
Then we found out the details. Good grief what a disaster.
Now he just needs to shut up. I don't really care about him. He needs to be removed from office.
He is embarrassing his kids now. They are the ones suffering by his complete stupidity.
Just go away. Leave office. Resign. Don't run again. I don't care. Just shut up.
|
|
|
Bottom Dwellers in Davis on Friday night -- with Uncle Bart on the drums
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 ::
1 Comments
I have told you all before that Jenn and I love the Bottom Dwellers.
She likes to watch and hear Adam. I like watching Mark. Oh well. The other guys seem cool too.
This Friday night in Davis my brother in law Bart will be on the drums. I don't have permission to leave the house yet -- but plan on attending. Jenn and I (assuming I am allowed to attend) will be ignoring Adam and Mark in order to watch Bart. He is the bomb.
Show starts at 9pm at the G Street Pub. Free admission.
Always a good show. More on the Bottom Dwellers here.
|
|
|
Bob Schneider is right
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 ::
0 Comments
See the letter below from Bob Schneider to SMUD.
SMUD_Letter (pdf)
I have not had a single person from Woodland or Elkhorn contact me about this issue. However, I am confident if they knew about TANC and the way this thing is set up they would be hacked off just like I am.
|
|
|
Great Opinion Piece
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 ::
0 Comments
I was not able to read the newspaper extensively until just a few minutes ago. Former Yolo County Deputy Sheriff Isla Vonleden has written a great piece on law enforcement and some of the issues involved in the Gum Avenue shooting.
Read it here.
This is the best piece written to date on the matter.
|
|
|
TANC -- what a bunch of nonsense
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 ::
0 Comments
My friend Al passed on this link regarding TANC.
These folks came to the Board of Supervisors today. I did not feel any more confident in them after the presentation than I did before.
Yolo County needs to fight this thing.
In the end I believe the fix is going to come from the Legislature.
|
|
|
Drivon to be Interim CAO
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 ::
0 Comments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Beth Gabor, Public Information Officer
June 30, 2009
(530) 666-8042 [w] ▪ (530) 219-8464 [c]
Board of Supervisors Appoints
Robyn Truitt Drivon Interim County Administrator
(Woodland, CA) – Today, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors announced the appointment of Robyn Truitt Drivon as Interim County Administrator. She will be filling this position upon the retirement of County Administrator Sharon Jensen later this summer. Ms. Drivon will also continue serving as County Counsel, a position she has held since 2006.
“We have asked our illustrious County Counsel, Robyn Drivon, to assist us in this time of transition as Interim County Administrator,” said Yolo County Board of Supervisors Chair Mike McGowan. “We are sorry to see Sharon Jensen go, but wish her well in her retirement and look forward to further recognizing her and many accomplishments in this leadership position later this summer.”
Ms. Drivon first served as Yolo County’s Assistant County Counsel beginning in 2005. Prior to coming to Yolo County she served as Assistant County Counsel in San Joaquin County. Her experience in local government includes local and federal trial and appellate practice, together with a variety of other legal services to county officials and departments. Ms. Drivon holds a bachelors of science degree in Human Resources and Organizational Behavior from the University of San Francisco, and a jurisdoctorate degree from Humphreys College School of Law.
“I am honored by this interim appointment and look forward to further working with the Board of Supervisors and serving the residents of Yolo County in this manner,” said Robyn Truitt Drivon. “My tenure with Yolo County has been very rewarding and I look forward to the many challenges we face as a county in the months to come.”
The Board of Supervisors has hired the firm of Peckham and McKenney to conduct an open recruitment for the County Administrator position.
###
|
|
|
Commission Openings
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 ::
0 Comments
There was a list of open positions on county commissions recently in the Daily Democrat.
There are some people in the pipeline for some of these positions but I am still looking for someone to appoint to the Yolo County Health Council and the Child Care Planning Council.
If you are interested is serving on either of these please let me know.
|
|
|
SB 460 (Wolk) -- great first step
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 ::
0 Comments
Senator Lois Wolk just had one of her staff members bring a piece of legislation to our attention -- SB 460.
This bill is a great first step to deal with the TANC issue in Yolo County. I personally would like to even go further in stalling these people out.
I am thankful for Senator Wolk stepping into this mix. Good for her. Love it.
|
|
|
Pension Reform
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 ::
1 Comments
This article in the Sacramento Bee today is important. California needs real reform of the public employee pension program.
Every single one of the points mentioned in this article are things that I support.
Additionally, I think we need to look at the way pensions get backdated when the formulas change.
This is the sort of things that needs to emerge from this financial crisis.
|
|
|
8 years
Monday, June 29, 2009 ::
3 Comments
Jenn and I celebrated our 8th year wedding anniversary yesterday. Pretty cool.
Many of you know the story but ...Jenn and I decided to get married and not tell anyone. We went through pre-martial counseling at our church. We read books. We negotiated the deal. All was great.
So on June 28th, 2001 she had her best friend fly in from LA to be the Maid of Honor. Jeff Talkington flew in from San Diego as my Best Man. Pastor Scherer from St. Paul's Lutheran in Woodland did the ceremony. We all met at a little church over in Oakville just north of Napa.
We wrote our own vows and had a total of six people in the church for the ceremony. Jenn, Dorie, Jeff, Pastor, Photographer, and me.
After the ceremony we took pictures and then boarded a plane out of SFO for Madrid where we spent time rolling around Spain. It was a special time for us.
We called our patents to let them know on the way to the airport. They were a little miffed but got over it.
So on Satuday we went to the only Spanish restaraunt in Napa. It was excellent. I strong recommend it. It is called ZuZu. Then we headed to San Francisco to see the Symphony. Great time.
Amazing that Jenn has put up with me for this long. I am a lucky man.
|
|
|
Cap and Trade
Saturday, June 27, 2009 ::
0 Comments
I have not been reading as much on Cap and Trade as I should have. However, I generally think the goals of the legislation are admirable since I do believe in the enormous problem of global warming.
Here is the issue -- this is really a problem for the manufacturing sector since our international competitors will again not be playing by the same rules. The provisions of this legislation should be included in a global treaty.
One final point. I used to work in the California Legislature. Year after year we would hear about how the sky would fall if AB XXX or SB YYY passed. Well, they passed and everything kept ticking. The outrage over this legislation seems to be along the same lines. After working there for ten years I stopped even paying attention to claims that the sky was falling.
|
|
|
Ohhhhh good grief....
Saturday, June 27, 2009 ::
0 Comments
I almost choked when I saw this on CNN.com just now.
Lots of headlines, lots of camera, and a black person involved........Shazam. Jesse Jackson shows up.
This is the Jackson (of Jackson 5) family. They have dealt with the media for years. They have attorneys falling out of the sky. They have dealt with fame, awards, scandal, wardrobe malfunctions, and all kinds of stuff. They do not need Jesse Jackson at all.
What this is ----- Jesse Jackson needs them and feeds off being in the news with this story. This guy is lame.
|
|
|
Team Wallace
Thursday, June 25, 2009 ::
0 Comments
Derek Wallace is a Woodland guy that needs a lung transplant. Team Wallace is a group of caring people that are trying to help him with the financial and insurance issues associated with the transplant.
On Saturday they are having a garage sale on Norden Way (just east of the Gibson House). Tomorrow they are hoping that Good Day Sacramento comes out to do a live shoot. I know Mayor Davies has been asked to come. I was asked but can't make it.
So if you are are inclined swing by the sale tomorrow. Also you can join the Team Walace Facebook group.
|
|
|
Wow -- this is funny. Someone needs to relax.
Thursday, June 25, 2009 ::
0 Comments
Thanks to JK for pointing this out to me......read here.
Lizzy really needs to take a break. For the record you can call me Matt, Max, Rex, Mex, Darryl, the other brother Darryl, Road, Max Road, Road Rex...but never say I was in the Army. Is that clear?
|
|
|
Head for the door
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 ::
1 Comments
I am disgusted with all of these stories about elected officials cheating on their spouses.
It is really none of our business what Governor Sanford did on his own time. If he wants to go to Argentina -- great for him. My problem is that it appears that he started this on a trip paid for by taxpayers.
Senator Ensign of Nevada is also a dirt bag. However, he should resign in my opinion because he cheated with one of his Senate employees and one one of his employee's wife. Hit the door.
Congressman Barney Frank had a bunch of craziness with a employee. Get out.
President Clinton and Monica were clearly adults but she was a White House intern. Get out.
I think they are all dirt bags but if the affair involves any public resources or employees the elected official should resign.
The news should all be about the great opportunity available in Iran for democracy. Instead we are talking about these idiots.
|
|
|
People in Woodland are good -- proof
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 ::
0 Comments
So I read David Greenwald's post this morning that included my comments regarding the level of community concern I sense in Woodland. When I read it I was curious to see how many people commented on the piece. I always have so many fans in Davis.
Guess what. A story about Measure J posted at the same time had 54 comments where the story about the shooting in Woodland had 5. Both have been up for about 16 hours.
Over at the Woodland Journal they had five comments about the case being completed by the Woodland Police Department. Meanwhile a string of 70 comments about a mural on Main Street is well over 70.
Clearly this is not scientific. But I have asked dozens of people now about this incident in Woodland and they all seem to be confident in Sheriff Prieto and Chief Sullivan and their troops.
Some of you are going to cry and scream about this -- but that is certainly what I sense in the community.
|
|
|
Senator Boxer and General Walsh
Monday, June 22, 2009 ::
3 Comments
I have not commented about the issue of Senator Boxer insisting that General Walsh refer to her as
"Senator" instead of Ma'am.
You can watch it here.
I didn't comment because at first I really thought the whole thing was lame. I still think it is still not a huge issue but it really does show a level of arrogance that most people that have been in the military identify with right away.
Most people just don't say this kind of thing.
|
|
|
Monument Bend
Monday, June 22, 2009 ::
0 Comments
Here is some on-line information about Monument Bend. This is where the monument is along the River Road between Woodland and West Sacramento.
Source #1
Source #2
|
|
|
Where is it?
Monday, June 22, 2009 ::
2 Comments
For you history buffs out there -- someone tell me where this monument is in Yolo County.
If any of you have some information about Leonidas Taylor please send it my way.
|
|
|
Father's Day Present
Sunday, June 21, 2009 ::
0 Comments
Today for Father's Day I woke up with Abbie wanting to give me a hint about a present. She said she it was something that "you sleep in when camping...but it is not a sleeping bag." She then told me that she was not going to tell me exactly what it was but it was a "tent".
So we have it set up in the living room. Abbie tried taking her nap in it today -- that did not work.
Later tonight all four of us are going to try to sleep in it as a trial run for the camping later this summer. This should be interesting.
You can see a picture below. This is way bigger than what I envisioned but then again I am not being forced to carry it along with a multiple weapons, ammo, batteries, food, and water for 35k prior to using it.
|
|
|
Security Cameras
Sunday, June 21, 2009 ::
0 Comments
Check out this article in the LA Times about all of the security cameras in Lancaster, PA. This is a city just a little bit bigger than Woodland.
This bothers my Libertarian nature but in this case -- government is really not involved.
|
|
|
In N Out - Father's Day
Sunday, June 21, 2009 ::
0 Comments
After some encouragement from Adam I chose In-n-Out as my Father's Day lunch destination. Jenn told me to order some "spread' for her.
I did. This is what we got. Not special sauce. Not secret burger spread. We got spread. Love it. Keep it simple and let it go. I love these folks.
|
|
|
Opera House Event
Sunday, June 21, 2009 ::
0 Comments
Last night Jenn and I got a babysitter and headed down to the Opera House/Heritage Plaza for the Opera House fundraiser. What a great event.
The food was excellent with lots of the Woodland standard there -- Tazzina, Savory, Bagel City, Ludy's...all good stuff. They also had wine from lots of local makers.
Here was the find. They had food that I thought was from Pad Thai -- a place that I really like. But no. It was from a place I have not been to yet -- Bangkok Cuisine at 525 Main Street.
It was excellent. I just found their website. I will be headed down there to check this place out.
|
|
|
Iran Again
Saturday, June 20, 2009 ::
0 Comments
The country of Iran is a little bit bigger than Mexico with about twice as many people as live in California. A high percentage --probably around 2/3 live in cities.
In the next 72 hours five or ten people and the decisions they make will shape the history of this country and the region. It is my hope that those people standing up for rights and freedom will be bold. The risks are enormous and may cost lives but the benefits of freedom are enormous.
The current government treats women terribly, beats people for expressing their opinion, and denies people to practice religion freely. Clearly that is not freedom.
Let's hope those five or ten people will make the decision that is best for the millions of lives they can influence. They have the ball and clock is running out.
|
|
|
Gum Avenue Shooting
Saturday, June 20, 2009 ::
0 Comments
I clearly have my own view on the appropriate way for a community to act following a police shooting of any kind. Some of you disagree with that view -- fine with me.
No matter what your view of the Gum Avenue shooting I actually think a very small group of people even care.
Now -- I realize that 150-200 people really care a great deal -- but I just don't sense a large community outrage over the issue. It is my sense that most of the people in Woodland certainly support the Woodland Police Department and even the Sheriff's Department. They view this shooting as one of those things that happens when you have a county of 200,000 people.
There certainly are some people that see a real problem here and I acknowledge that some of them are thoughtful people (not all of them). However, my view is that the vast majority of people in Woodland are good to go.
What I hear time and time again is -- bad things happen when you have a knife and are on drugs.
The District Attorney's office is going to do their review and it may get considered by other law enforcement agencies. However, I don't see anything coming from all of this.
|
|
|
Iran
Saturday, June 20, 2009 ::
0 Comments
What is happening in Iran right now is what those of us that value democracy hopes will happen all over the world.
I am praying for the freedom fighters there and hope that whatever the outcome will be the result of a vote of the people.
|
|
|
Mistake below
Friday, June 19, 2009 ::
0 Comments
I made a mistake below. Chamberlain did vote against the needle exchange and the smoking program. Provenza joined me in opposing the expenditure of the money on the master gardener program.
|
|
|
County Budget
Thursday, June 18, 2009 ::
12 Comments
I voted against the county budget today. It was a 4-1 vote. I am not happy about it. After three days of discussion and months of calling for action we finally did something and I wanted to find something I could support.
We were doing great up until about 2pm today - I was sure I was going to vote yes and we would be good to go. In the afternoon we had some money that had not been allocated that we should have saved. It was the pomona funds (about $1 million) and some cuts that were on the table. We really didn't make any of those cuts and we spent a good chunk of the money instead.
It became clear to me early in the voting process that I was going to lose on 4-1 votes and that it was going to be a complete waste of time to try and make some major changes in the programs that were presented.
Here are some of the reasons that I voted no ---
1) We are spending $20,000 on a master gardener program through the UC Co-op extension. This program has about 100 people in it I guess. Good for them. However, in a time when we are cutting so much stuff they can run a class at Woodland Community College, they can form a club, or they can read a book on gardening. It just does not seem right to keep this money in the budget when we are cutting out district attorneys.
2) We are spending more than $100,000 on smoking cessation programs from Pomona funds. I have never smoked anything. However, stats show that these programs are not doing much to stop smoking unless someone really wants to quit. We should have saved this money.
3) The needle exchange program is in there for another $100,000. I decided not even to argue on this one. Even Chamberlain supports this so I decided just to let it go. This is the single most objectionable thing to me in the entire county budget.
4) The reserve is too small. The state is about to pummel us. When that happens we are going to have started spening according to these numbers and the rate of expenditure will be too quick. Then we will have to make even deeper cuts. We should have had $2-3 million in immediate reserves to handle the state money that will be lost later this summer.
5) We did really not do much to re-structure county government. We are not taking advantage of a good crisis. We let out some air out of the tires that we will try to pump right back in when times are better. The problem is that this may not occur for a couple years.
6) In then end I would have liked to move quite a bit of money from some of the social program toward the law enforcement programs but realized that if it was just going to be a bunch of 4-1 votes then why waste everyone's time.
I guess we will continue with this process again later this summer when we take this money away.
Several staff people like Pat Leary and the analysts in the CAOs office worked very hard on this process. I am thankful for their efforts but I think the board simple spent too much money today when we should have saved money.
|
|
|
Budget Hearings
Tuesday, June 16, 2009 ::
1 Comments
The budget hearings were not much fun today but we went over three departments for the first time. Lots more to do tomorrow.
When the folks came up to talk about an investigation I really thought the comments were great right up until Al Rojas walked up the podium. The comments this guy made about people in the military are offensive. I am not a fan.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|