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Articles from
November 2009
Yolo County Law Enforcement
Saturday, November 28, 2009 ::
2 Comments
I like David Greenwald. Some of you have told me I am crazy but I genuinely like the guy. He has always been fair with me even when we disagree -- which can be fairly often.
The biggest disagreement we have had in the last four years or so is the current debate on the Abrahams case and the Gum Avenue shooting.
The two of us agree that it is a shame that two people lost their lives. That is about all we agree on in these two incidents.
The fundamental disagreement is on the roll of law enforcement in the community. It is my belief that law enforcement is a messy business. Very messy. Some things are clearly right and wrong, good or bad, shoot or no shoot. Other things are just murky, messy, and gray.
In the case of the Gum Avenue shooting, could Sgt. Johnson have chosen not to shoot? Probably. In the case of Abrahams, could the officers have chosen not to wrestle him to the ground? Probably.
In both of these cases had Abrahams or Gutierrez pulled out a gun and killed an officer we all would be saddened by the loss of the officer. Bummer right? Well to me that is more than a bummer. If I have to choose to protect an officer or either of the deceased I am going with the officer each and every time.
Clearly there is a distinction between the two cases. Gutierrez was on meth and pulled a knife on police officers. Simple rule -- you pull a knife on police officers and you will likely get shot. The analysis for me is easy on this one.
In the case of Abrahams, the guy was handcuffed. Handcuffing people that are a danger to themselves or others is common. In this case the guy being subdued likely would not have died if he just would have cooperated. Further, when people are handcuffed things happen. Sometimes people get hit in the face -- some get a broken nose and others fall back hit their head and die. Both got hit in the face -- yet the end result is very different.
What kills me here it is being the Monday morning QB to question these actions after the fact. WPD and the Sheriffs Deputies in Yolo County make thousands of decisions each day. The vast majority are right and a small percentage are wrong. Further, they are being questioned by people with no law enforcement training at all.
These officers are professionals. It is my opinion that they deserve the benefit of the doubt in these situations. This is especially true when the facts are still being determined. Now that we know many more facts about both these situations it is clear to me that the officers acted appropriately.
Finally, we have the people seeking some sort of compensation for these actions by law enforcement. So far I have had exactly ZERO calls/e-mails/conversations with constituents of mine that are concerned about the actions of the officers in these cases. ZERO.
When calculating damages you have to look at the true economic costs to the family. Realistically, I just do not see it. I just don't. What $300,000 would Abrahams have provided in economic benefit to his family? We do not have a civil suit yet on the Gutierrez case -- but I would ask the same question.
It is my opinion that $300,000 in the Abrahams case is obscene. In the case of Gutierrez I expect the same sort of nonsense on the civil side.
Both of these cases are a shame but at this point I think the biggest crime is the way the actions of our local law enforcement have been characterized by people with no law enforcement training at all.
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Litter
Friday, November 27, 2009 ::
0 Comments
I am not a serious runner anymore. At the Run to Feed the Hungry Jenn and I walked while I pushed the stroller. We did it with friends. Nice event.
On the 5k route we saw lots of people that were out getting exercise. It was excellent.
So at about the 1.5 mile marker they had a water station. Volunteers handed out cups of water for the runners.
When serious runners roll through these stations they do a clumsy hand off and down their drink and usually toss their empty cup to the side within 50 yards of the station. No one minds picking up the cups off the ground because everyone is rooting for them to reach their personal best. We all want them to push themselves.
So by the time I got the aid station the serious runners were done with the race. They were eating bananas and putting on sweats. Yet all around me were people that were walking, getting their water, and throwing down their cups like they could not possibly go to the extra effort that putting it in the garbage can that was ten feet away would take.
Crazy.
If you are walking a race like that, are being accompanied by a dog with legs shorter than six inches, walking slower than 18 minute miles, or are more than 50 pounds over weight it should be considered littering when you throw your cup down. Put it in the garbage can.
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Ok ...that is too far
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 ::
2 Comments
I tend to be a free speech purist. Pretty much anything goes for me.
When I saw the LA Times article about Google refusing to take down an image of First Lady Michelle Obama I thought -- hey right on.
The way the picture was described I thought -- hey that is the way it goes.
Then I saw the image. I actually think it is racist. Do a google image search for Michelle Obama and see the first image that pops up. That is just not right.
While I applaud Google in principle for the free speech I have to tell you that I would have just taken it down. I can't think of a good reason to keep that image on the First Lady up there except that we are protecting the hate speech of someone that wants to put it up there.
99.9% I am on the side of free speech. This is one where if I ran Google I would take it down. If it were on a poster as part of a political protest clearly that would be protected. This is not. Let the racist have his or her own site for this crap.
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Cell Tower in Davis
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 ::
0 Comments
A couple years ago the Board of Supervisors voted on a cell tower location north of Davis. I lost on a 4-1 vote.
We had people coming out of the wood work complaining about visual blight and all kinds of other nonsense.
Today I had a breakfast meeting in Davis. As I am driving North on 113 I look over near the water tank and WOW. A big huge cell tower just about as far north as the one we voted on right next to the freeway -- for everyone to see.
So a new cell tower is installed -- yet every single one of the visual blight issues is the same if not magnified with the installation near the freeway.
Good Grief.
I just do not understand. The same people should be jumping up and down -- yet I bet we don't hear a word.
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Politiclast has a new look
Monday, November 23, 2009 ::
0 Comments
So I don't look at what McLovin' has to offer every day because he/she/it goes hot and cold. Some days it is on fire. Some weeks we see nothing.
So today I go over there and see the new look. Check it out here.
As I was talking to a local journalist on the phone today I looked closely at this new cartoon (that was promised months ago along with an answer to the polling methodology questions) called Wood Pile.
Take a close look at it. I assumed I was the bald guy. Not to many other guys with shaved heads running around. Then I notice the picture on the guy's shirt. It is Pimentel.
Then I thought the woman on the left was Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Then I looked a little closer. That is not her at all. Good grief this Wood Pile might end up being good.
We will see what actually comes to fruition. McLovin first mentioned this cartoon right about the time I was finishing fourth grade. Potential is there for a good laugh.
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Best Comment of All
Monday, November 23, 2009 ::
1 Comments
Matt Rexroad,
You are disgusting and hypocritical. If it was your child that was tazered to death, you'd be the first one at the court house trying to get some financial retribution. If the sherriffs were not fired or didn't receive proper training on how to deal with someone without killing them, then the sherriff's should pay. If we can't figure out how to hold them accountable, then the tax payers will always be paying. Ps. 300,000 is small cookies for someone's death. They should have paid at least a million. They deserve it, and YOU MATT REXROAD, should not be talking about something that you have no clue on. You haven't lost a child due to the mishandling of police, so if I were you I wouldn't talk.
I wish I lived in woodland so I could vote you out.
This was a comment from Mellanie over at Vanguard.
You know something. I am totally willing to take this beating for the Woodland PD.
The fact that this woman thinks they should be paid at least a million, mentions the "sheriffs", and then tells me I have "no clue" is classic.
Further and probably most importantly I don't think this woman understands the meaning of the word hypocrite or has ever met me. The reality is that I do not believe in punitive damages at all. Further, if I did I don't think they should go to one individual. If we are going to have them then they should go to society as a whole.
I am perfectly comfortable siding with the Woodland Police Department Officers and the taxpayers of Woodland on this one. Police work is messy business and the people like Mellanie that make these sorts of arguments don't have a clear view of that.
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Vanguard on Abrahams Case
Sunday, November 22, 2009 ::
0 Comments
David Greenwald has a piece this morning on the settlement in the Abrahams case.
Read it here.
My favorite part of the piece is that it says the money will come from YCPARMIA not the taxpayers of Woodland. Good grief. People really believe that it is all just free money out there.
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New County CAO
Friday, November 20, 2009 ::
0 Comments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Beth Gabor, Public Information Officer
November 20, 2009
(530) 666-8042 [w] ▪ (530) 219-8464 [c]
Yolo County Administrator Appointed
(Woodland, CA) – Today, Yolo County Board of Supervisors Chair Mike McGowan announced the appointment of Patrick Blacklock as Yolo County’s new county administrator. Mr. Blacklock currently serves as the City of Elk Grove’s assistant city manager. He was chosen to be Yolo County’s new administrator by a unanimous vote of the board after a comprehensive search following the retirement of former county administrator Sharon Jensen in August.
“Patrick Blacklock joins Yolo County at an extraordinary time,” said Yolo County Board of Supervisors Chair Mike McGowan. “Though challenging, the downturn in the economy forces us to do business in a different way, and as a result, seize new opportunities. Mr. Blacklock is fully capable of leading us into this new era as he brings a wealth of experience with him, and most importantly, a fresh perspective to help us all rise to the occasion. We welcome him and look forward to working with him in meeting the challenges that lie ahead.”
Prior to serving as Elk Grove’s assistant city manager, Patrick Blacklock was dean of Careers and Technology at Cosumnes River College, the first county administrator for Amador County, and vice-president of government relations for the California Cattlemen’s Association. Patrick Blacklock earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural and Managerial Economics and a Master of Agriculture and Management degree, both from the University of California at Davis.
Accomplishments during Blacklock’s tenure with Amador County include adoption of balanced budgets with significant contingency and reserve components; collaborative development and implementation of a comprehensive strategic plan; redevelopment of a former mill site into a regional retail and workforce center; creation of a state and federal legislative advocacy program; development and completion of several capital improvement projects, including a new administration center, courthouse, and animal control and adoption center; creation of regional city and county recreation and fire protection planning joint powers agencies; and initiation of an educational partnership with Cosumnes River College.
Blacklock’s responsibilities with the City of Elk Grove include serving as the city’s lead in economic development and as the primary representative in the city’s sphere of influence and multi-agency South Sacramento Habitat Conservation Plan planning efforts. Most notably, Blacklock has led an effort to strengthen and improve the city’s development services functions, including creation of an accelerated permit process for high value economic development projects, initiation of collaborative industry and interagency working groups, and completion of an updated impact fee study which reduced fees 30-50%.
“I have been impressed by the collaborative spirit shown by Yolo County’s employees and I am excited by this unique opportunity to match my professional experience, which includes agricultural, academic, and rural and urban local government administration, with the community my family and I call home,” said Patrick Blacklock. “The Board of Supervisors’ recent adoption of the General Plan not only provides a framework to ensure Yolo County remains the community we value today, but also identifies a pathway to economic sustainability in the future. I look forward to joining the many implementing this farsighted plan.”
Blacklock currently serves as the volunteer president of UC Davis’s alumni organization, the Cal Aggie Alumni Association. Blacklock, his wife Julie, their son Riley and daughter Kyra are Yolo County residents.
Patrick Blacklock will assume the position of Yolo County Administrator on January 4, 2010.
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PFC Robert Lee Baker
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 ::
1 Comments
Had a conversation with a Hallet Newman today. He is building a memorial to honor those members of a particular military unit of which PFC Robert Lee Baker of Esparto was a member.
They will soon be dedicating this monument and wanted to invite the family and friends of PFC Baker to attend.
If you know the Baker family please ask them to call Mr. Newman at (479) 635-9913.
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Vet Day -- Last Week
Monday, November 16, 2009 ::
0 Comments
This is the picture Larry sent to me from last Wednesday. Can you see Deo from the Democrat? Find Deo.
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It was all about the money
Saturday, November 14, 2009 ::
0 Comments
When the whole Abrahams lawsuit was announced I said it was all about the money. Some of you took issue with this by saying that the family was really seeking change in policy regarding how the police handled the situation.
Right.
It was announced yesterday that the city has settled with the family for $300,000. I guess all the money will probably go to some foundation to train police officers in Woodland. Think so?
I don't. Until somene can show me otherwise I will continue to believe this was all about the money. About $6 of taxpayer money for every single person in Woodland.
Great. This is nonsense.
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Yolo County General Plan
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 ::
0 Comments
By unanimous vote today the Yolo County Board of Supervisors adopted a General Plan. It was quite a ride -- and I was only part of it for 3 years out of the 6 1/2 it took to finish the thing.
We had a number of staff people contribute to this effort but David Morrison was an absolute rock during this process. We are lucky to have him.
We only really had one person speak against the project today. Same old thing.
It was a big day for Yolo County today.
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Happy Birthday Marines
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 ::
0 Comments
Today is the 234th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. To all of you that are Marines, spouses of Marines, parents of Marines, children of Marines, or just think the Marines is good because it kept Corporal McGowan from going to jail ---- come on by the Yolo County Board of Supervisors today around 0945. We will be having cake and playing the Commandant's birthday message.
Happy Birthday.
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Dr. Wim van Muyden
Sunday, November 08, 2009 ::
0 Comments
I just opened my Daily Democrat to learn of the passing of Dr. van Muyden. This man was a great friend and supporter. He and Pauly have made a great impact on Woodland.
He will be missed.
My prayers are with Pauly and the rest of the family tonight. Great man.
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Adam on a motorcycle
Saturday, November 07, 2009 ::
0 Comments
 Adam loves motorcycles. Adam loves firefighters. Adam loves police officers.
Stick a police officer on a motorcycle -- Adam is happy.
Stick Adam on a police motorcycle -- Adam is in heaven.
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Big Week in Yolo County
Saturday, November 07, 2009 ::
1 Comments
This week is a big one in Yolo County government.
We have a special budget meeting in West Sacramento on Monday afternoon. I think this is our first official open session meeting we have had in Sacramento in quite some time.
Then we have a big meeting on Tuesday. In addition to celebrating the Marine Corps birthday we will be taking a final vote on the General Plan, and considering how to allocate $5,585,000 in Recovery Zone Facility Bond Act funds.
Friday morning we will be having another meeting of our Climate Change Compact of Yolo County at UC Davis. I like these meetings.
Should be a full week of stuff.
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Wayfarer Center needs Turkeys
Thursday, November 05, 2009 ::
0 Comments
The Wayfarer is partnering with Food Bank and DESS to provide Thanksgiving Food Boxes to those in need in our community. In just two weeks we have requests for more than
600 Thanksgiving food boxes, and WE NEED TURKEYS!
Donations can be dropped off M-F after 1 pm and weekends after 4pm. For
more info they can call us at 530-661-1218. THANKS!!
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Thank you
Tuesday, November 03, 2009 ::
0 Comments
Over the past week a number of people have contacted me about supporting my re-election. Thank you to all of you.
I have added a large number of endorsements and now probably have even more lawn sign locations for next year than I had during the election three years ago.
To all of you that have helped -- thank you. The best part is that this has been all volunteer driven and I have not received a single monetary contribution yet....but that is about to change. Except for postage I have not spent a cent.
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Smooch Brenda
Monday, November 02, 2009 ::
0 Comments
So I was looking for this article from a couple years ago...and found this from my pal Brenda Cederblade. Read it here. Make sure you read her comments at the bottom of the article.
It is good to see that Brenda has not changed. She still says one thing and does another. Notice the date -- she posted this like two weeks ago.
I don't have any control over the websites she mentions but I do know that her childhood friend from Ventura County controls a website with my name. Good for them.
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Sacramento Bee on Lt. Governor
Monday, November 02, 2009 ::
0 Comments
The Sacramento Bee had an article today about the Lt. Governor spot being opened. They called me for my thoughts....even if it was not a call for the Governor to choose me to take Garamendi's place.
Read article here.
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Bus on College Street
Sunday, November 01, 2009 ::
3 Comments
My beautiful wife was not very happy with me when I decided not to get involved with protesting a bus rolling down College Street as a result of a route change.
If we are going to have a public transportation....it has to go on those streets that people need to go down. College Street in a major north-south street in Woodland.
So tonight at around 7pm I see YoloBus rolling south on College. It was just the driver in that big huge bus.
I am not sure exactly when the bus started going down our street but I know exactly how many people I have ever seen riding the bus down College Street.
ZERO. Nada. None.
It has probably been more than a year and I have never seen a single person riding on the bus in front of my house -- other than the driver. Granted I don't sit in front of my house much and watch cars go by but you would think I would have seen someone.
Every single time I have been able to see inside it is just a driver rolling around in a big huge $300,000 vehicle.
I don't need to hear from all the public transportation advocates telling me what a jerk I am. It just seems very odd to me that not one passenger has ever been observed by someone that is now on the look out for a passenger. Just one - is that too much to ask?
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Dude on a car
Sunday, November 01, 2009 ::
0 Comments
So last night Jenn and I are sitting on the couch after turning off the front light and declaring Halloween to be over at 711 College Street. Kids are sleeping.
Since Aunt Donna is staying with us for two weeks, we decide to head down to Tazzina for dessert. We had a great time there and were walking back home down First Street.
Some Dude on a bike is yelling at people in a car. He is cussing and saying that he is not going to move, blah, blah, blah. So the car hits him. Just lightly at first. Then Dude drops his bike and instead of running to the sidewalk Dude goes and stands in front of the car. The car bumps him again on the legs. Dude then kind of lays down on the hood of the car.
Note to Dude: When you have the chance to escape --- Don't walk back in front of the car. The guy hit you once with his car. He will hit you again.
As the car heads south on First and turns right on Bush Street I dial 911. Jenn got the license plate number -- but it should not be too hard to identify the car since it has Dude on the hood.
While I am talking to 911 Jenn and I are looking down Bush Street. Sure enough here comes Dude walking right down the center of the street with a flashlight. He is going back to get his bike.
Right about that time an patrol car and an ambulance roll up.
The officer that handled the situation did a great job. Clearly Dude was not hurt so after talking to him the officer sent the ambulance away. Jenn and I approached the officer and told him we saw it and called 911. He had us wait on the sidewalk for a few minutes while he talked to Dude.
Dude actually seemed to understand the situation pretty clearly. He told the officer that he actually went all the way down to College Street on the hood of the car. Quite a ride.
The officer then took down information from Jenn and me. He was very polite and did his job. He got all the information from the parties involved and had great command presence and control of the scene. It was well done.
Dude seemed to be happy. Jenn and I got held up for a minimal amount to time. Life rolled on. Hope Dude is having a nice Sunday.
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Yolo Arts Board Member Show
Sunday, November 01, 2009 ::
0 Comments
I got an invitation in the mail yesterday to the Board Member show at Gallery 625. They are having a Meet the Artist Reception on Friday, November 6th from 5:30-8pm.
The artists with work on display are Marianne Ryan, Susan Lord Bovey, Sheila Groom, Dorathea DeSimmone, Robert Schumacher, and Stacey Vetter.
The Yolo Arts Council website is here.
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Texas v. California
Sunday, November 01, 2009 ::
0 Comments
I have been reading more about the distinction between California policy and Texas policy. It was the topic of an editorial in the Economist over the summer and is being continually discussed among some policy makers that are willing to do some self-reflection in terms of what works and what doesn't.
I don't know William Voegeli but he makes some appropriate comments. The key thing that he does not really discuss is how California basically built much of the existing infrastructure in this state on the back of the federal taxpayer and military expenditures.
The piece is here.
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