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Not sure what to think
Friday, March 12, 2010 ::
0 Comments
For whatever reason no one but me filed to run for Supervisor this year from Woodland. So, absent a complete meltdown, it looks like I will not have to spend countless hours campaigning between now and November.
This really is a shock to me. I expected someone to take out papers and give it a shot.
Now I have to think about the right way to handle this. This is something that I will work on over the next few days.
So, no matter if it is because you think I am doing a good job, you think serving as a Supervisor would stink, or that making budget cuts is not for you, I am thankful to have a good chance of serving for another four years on the board.
Most importantly, four years ago when Adam was born the campaign took a great deal of time away from a very special time in my family life. Those are times that I will never have the chance to get back.
Have a great weekend.
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Comment on Student Protests at UC Davis
Friday, March 12, 2010 ::
2 Comments
"If students want to sit in Mrak Hall and beat on bongo drums that is up to the University. However, when the Sheriff has to send out officers in riot gear and lives are put at risk by attempting to block a major interstate highway this is more than a college prank.
Several Woodland residents were not able to make it to work on time or were prevented from getting home to their families because of these selfish student actions. They seem ok with negatively impacting the lives of taxpayers but when it comes to making sure they don't have to sell their ipod to pay for tuition it becomes a civil right. Nonsense."
Matt Rexroad
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County Tax -- Not a chance
Wednesday, March 03, 2010 ::
1 Comments
This article appears in the Daily Democrat today.
Not only did I say that it is unlikely that this tax will pass but I am likely to oppose any tax increases at this time -- including the City of Woodland measure, the state water bond, and any effort by the county to raise taxes.
It is not going to pass and it is not the right time.
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California Budget Project
Wednesday, March 03, 2010 ::
0 Comments
This is some good information from the California Budget Project passed on to me by Supervisor Thomson.
Growing_Need.pdf
I think it makes the case of why when the county gets to a better financial place we need to save a ton of money to get through the next recession. If county government is going to be a safeety net then we need to save our pennies for tough economic times.
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Where is this?
Sunday, February 21, 2010 ::
1 Comments
On Saturday morning I was out for a walk and saw this. Where is it?
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Helen Nash
Sunday, February 14, 2010 ::
0 Comments
My mom told me at lunch today that long time Yolo County educator Helen Nash has died. She was an amazing lady. I have not see the obituary in the newspaper but will be adjourning in her memory at our next meeting with or without it.
She was the driving force behind the Yolo County Academic Decathlon.
The one thing you always knew about Helen -- is exactly how she felt on issues. She did not hold back one bit.
God bless. She has no immediate family. A nephew lives on the East Coast but that is all we know about.
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Uhhh... I think this letter is missing a few key facts
Sunday, February 14, 2010 ::
0 Comments
So I read this letter to the editor in the Daily Democrat today from Janet Levers. You can read it here.
I thought about writing a long response and explanation about the history of the library system in Woodland and Yolo County but decided that would be like starting a book.
The one key point -- Davis uses lots of volunteers and they have passed a ballot measure specifically for the library.
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Sales Tax Increase for Woodland
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 ::
1 Comments
I am looking forward to a conversation that I assume will occur with Mayor Davies and Vice-Mayor Pimentel but I find it hard to imagine a set of circumstances where I would personally support a sales tax increase.
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Give your opinion....
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 ::
0 Comments
The Small Business Development Center at Yuba Community College would like people to fill out the attached survey. Take the time to fill it out here.
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Jeff Reisig's new website
Tuesday, February 09, 2010 ::
0 Comments
Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig has a new website for his campaign. Check it out here.
I strongly encourage you to click on the endorse Jeff button on the right and add your name to his list of supporters.
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Murder at the Library - get your tickets
Tuesday, February 09, 2010 ::
0 Comments
Hi everyone,
Mystery Night tickets are available for purchase now. Once again, they will be $35.00 per person. The play is a melodramatic murder - with an international detective, a Romanian Count and several conniving locals that are trying to make a quick buck in a mining operation. The action starts at the historic Woodlandville International Train Depot and ends in the incomparable Woodlandville Carnegie Library...and somewhere along the way a body shows up - a dead body!
We'll have delicious (and hearty) appetizers and desserts being served and local wineries pouring an assortment of marvelous wines while you stroll through the library bidding on some fabulous silent auction items (and maybe collecting a clue - or two). Don't forget, if you solve the mystery correctly, you could take home the "Ace Detective" prize!!
Some of our Silent Auction prizes so far include tickets on Southwest (four to anywhere they fly), one-day Disneyland park-hopper (for four), Cache Creek Buffet, art from local artists, Road Trip Bar & Grill gift certificate (s), jewelry, autographed copies of books, Jackson Rancheria Buffet (includes seafood), Woodland Opera House and other event tickets, gift certificates from local merchants and more. So, don't forget your checkbook - no Romanian Lei accepted.
Our good natured and talented cast this year include: Al Eby, Freddie Oakley, Silvina Salcedo, Michael Evans, Martie Dote, Jeff Monroe, David Flory and Art Pimentel. We appreciate all of their hard work and humor.
I'm attaching the flyer (pdf and jpeg formats) with some more information and an order form on the bottom. You can print and return or just send checks made payable to: "FOL Mystery Night" to PO Box 545 Woodland, 95776. If you have any questions, you can email us or call 530-666-0545 (message phone only - someone will call you back). If you can't view the flyers let me know and I can send you a postcard.
Buy your tickets early as we have sold out in the past. I hope to see you for the 11th Annual Murder Mystery in the library on March 6.
Regards,
Diana Dearmore
Mystery Night Chair
woodlandfol@yahoo.com
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Local Government
Monday, February 08, 2010 ::
1 Comments
Woodland Chamber of Commerce Supports Local Government
The Woodland Chamber Board of Directors unanimously voted to support an Initiative Measure to amend the State Constitution to prohibit State shifting of funds from local and county governments to fund the State’s budget when the legislature is unable to balance their budget.
The State of California has been raiding our local tax dollars for many years which has affected our city services. At a recent Business Issues meeting of the Woodland Chamber of Commerce, concerned members heard a presentation on a proposed Initiative to amend the State Constitution with regard to protecting local government funds. The amendment will help close loopholes that allow the State government to “authorize” taking or diverting our local funds.
A special task force of Attorney Tom Stallard, Dr. Bill Marble and Director Al Aldrete was formed to review the Initiative in detail. If you have questions regarding the issue, feel free to contact any of these Chamber members.
The Chamber urges you to sign the petitions to assure the measure makes it on the June 2010 ballot! If you would like to help gather signatures the petitions may be secured from the City Managers Office, 300 First Street or the Chamber office, 307 First Street.
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Eva Rutland at West Sacramento Library
Monday, February 08, 2010 ::
0 Comments
Note -- I have not read the latest book but did a review on Eva's earlier book. I hope to make this.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Beth Gabor, Public Information Officer
February 8, 2010 (530) 666-8042 [w] ▪ (530) 219-8464 [c]
Eva and Ginger Rutland to Speak at West Sacramento Library Feb. 28
(Woodland, CA) – As part of the Yolo County Library Local Author Series, author and Sacramento legend, Eva Rutland, and her daughter, award winning journalist and writer, Ginger Rutland, will be speakers at the Arthur F. Turner Community Library, a Yolo County Library branch, at 1212 Merkley Avenue in West Sacramento on February 28, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is free.
Eva Rutland is an award-winning author of over 20 novels, including her most recent release No Crystal Stair. At 90 years young, Ms. Rutland continues to entertain, inspire and educate audiences around the country. Her written works include fiction, romance and non-fiction, in addition to a fascinating memoir of life in the Sacramento area during the 1950s and 60s as the mother of a young African-American family.
Ginger Rutland, a former television journalist, award winning documentary writer and current associate editor with the Sacramento Bee, is also well-known for her thought-providing commentary and interviews on Capitol Public Radio.
This program is sponsored by the Yolo County Library, Arthur F. Turner Community Library and the West Sacramento Friends of the Library.
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Impressive
Sunday, February 07, 2010 ::
0 Comments
When I went to the Chamber of Commerce Crab Feed last week I had cash on me but only 20s. Cynthia, who works at the Chamber did not have any 10s so I told her to just get the 10 tome when she had a chance.
After listening to Josh Hilliard MC the event I tried to block the whole evening from my mind -- thus forgetting about the 10 bucks.
Well -- in my mail pile today was an envelope with my 10 bucks and a note from Cynthia. Very cool. That is excellent service. Love it.
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Dan Walters is right
Sunday, February 07, 2010 ::
0 Comments
I like Dan Walters. Always have....
His column today (Super Bowl Sunday) is exactly right. Read it here.
Sports is something very important to me. I like football (College and Pro). People think I listen to political talk radio as I drive around -- but I really listen to 1140 or sports talk most all the time. I would bet I have not heard 10 minutes of Rush Limbaugh in the last five years.
As much as I love sports it is not something I feel tax dollars should be dedicated to. Sports is something that individuals should choose to pay for or not.
If people want to watch female rodeo... great the market will respond. If people want to watch golf (I will not) then the market will respond. Keep government out of it.
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Don't bother
Sunday, February 07, 2010 ::
2 Comments
The Woodland City Council is facing some tough choices. These are choices just like the Board of Supervisors is making. The consequences are significant.
When I opened my newspaper this morning after church I was surprised to see that a meeting is being held tomorrow regarding a possible sales tax increase. You can read the article here.
I am sure Skip, Art, Bill, and maybe Martie would call me at some point on this. Further, I have not looked closely at the City of Woodland budget for a number of years. That all being said I can't imagine how it is that I would support further raising the sales tax in Woodland.
These measures take a lot of work. They also take the right set of circumstances within the economic conditions of the day. Those conditions do not exist at this time.
If the City of Woodland chooses to go down this road then the City Council had better be prepared to work very hard to see this happen. Even then I don't see it passing and I am not even convinced it is a good idea.
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Budget Madness
Saturday, February 06, 2010 ::
0 Comments
The County Budget this year is going to be ugly. Really ugly.
I just got done reading the proposals from Department heads for our meetings on Thursday and Friday.
The Human Resources Director and General Services Director have actually proposed eliminating their positions. This is something that I have never seen before.
Last year I knew that we would not be at rock bottom this year. I knew this year would still be worse. It is my belief that next year will be the bottom of the downturn but that we will not come out of it for a while. We will then stay flat.
The proposed budget numbers and reduction in services are dramatic.
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Paperless
Wednesday, February 03, 2010 ::
1 Comments
Hey -- check this out. District Attorney Reisig sent this over to me.
Eaton County Michigan has done something governments need to do all over.
See the link here.
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Reform
Tuesday, February 02, 2010 ::
0 Comments
Somehow I got appointed as the Vice-Chair of a Committee in CSAC that is going to deal with all the Reform efforts in California. This should be interesting. Governance does interest me.
They even have a Reform Watch website.
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Yamada Forum
Tuesday, February 02, 2010 ::
0 Comments
ASSEMBLYMEMBER MARIKO YAMADA INVITES YOU TO THE FOLLOWING FREE EVENTS
Veterans Forum
As a member of the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee, Assemblymember Yamada is proud to offer this informational forum for veterans who would like to learn about and apply for state and federal benefits they have earned through their military service.
Topics to be covered include: Disability benefits, including the addition of new Agent Orange-related diseases; survivors' benefits; vocational training, rehabilitation and job search assistance; eligibility for Sacramento Valley National Cemetery; home mortgage assistance; and accessing VA health services. Caseworkers will be present to assist with veterans services applications.
Please bring your DD214 if available.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Building
549 Merchant Street
Vacaville, CA 95688
To RSVP, or for more information, please contact Assemblymember Yamada's District Office at (707) 455-8025 or go to www.assembly.ca.gov/yamada.
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Bobby Harris
Sunday, January 31, 2010 ::
6 Comments
I like Bobby Harris. I admire him for his determination and certainly respect his speaking ability. He is the best public speaker from Woodland I have seen........but that talent pool is not that deep with Xavier Tafoya and Art Pimentel in the mix.
Bobby is also one of the few people to actually attend meetings like 2x2s that I wish more people would attend sometimes. We share some Libertarian beliefs.
That being said we have several disagreements on the proper role of government.
The front page of the Democrat has an article today indicating that Bobby announced his candidacy for office during a public meeting. That is not right at all. Public comment is not an appropriate time to make political announcements. Not at all.
I don't see how Bobby is able to beat Davies or Marble in June. Skip is probably the most popular elected official in Woodland by a mile and Bill is up there too.
At this point however, I am not aware of anyone else running for City Council other than Bill, Skip, and Bobby.
The only thing I know for sure is that the debates will be worth watching although the outcome isn't really in doubt.
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Cioppino Dinner -- Good stuff
Sunday, January 31, 2010 ::
0 Comments
The Cabrillo Civic Club #26 is holding a Scholarship Dinner on February 27th at the Holy Rosary Parish Hall. No-host bat at 6pm. Dinner at 7pm.
Cioppino is good stuff.
Tickets at $30. If you want more information please call Arlene Amaral at (530) 908-8019.
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Tough Choices
Saturday, January 30, 2010 ::
0 Comments
I want a smaller more efficient government. Smaller is a big part of that. That means fewer people, lower taxes, and a lower level of service than what is currently provided.
This is all true.
That did not make it any easier on Tuesday to lay-off more than 40 people. That is 40 families that now do not have a check coming in and 40 families that face a great deal of uncertainty.
I voted in favor of the reductions and would do it again. It was the right thing to do -- but was not easy. There is no other way to balance the budget.
Here is the really tough thing. It is going happen again in a few months. Yolo County government has lost quite a few employees in the last two years and will probably lose quite a few more before the summer is over.
These are tough times in local government in California. Very tough.
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Life or Death?
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 ::
0 Comments
Last night I got a call from a Yolo County resident.
Caller --- I need to speak to you in person about a life or death matter.
Me --- Ok. Where do you want to meet? You can come to my house. I can come to yours, Whatever.
Caller -- I can't make it right now.
Me -- Ok. If you need time then meet me at the county office at 0630 tomorrow. I have a meeting at 0700. We can meet prior to that.
Caller -- Oh. That is too early. I cant make it.
Me -- (realizing this is now far from life or death). How about Friday afternoon?
Caller -- Sorry. I am going to be out of town.
Me -- How about the next week?
Caller -- I am really busy.
Me -- Ok. How about the next week?
Caller -- Well, let me check on a few things and get back to you.
Me -- Can you give me a hint on what you want to talk about?
Caller -- It can wait until we meet in person. I will let you know then. Talk to you later.
Me -- Good night.
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