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Governor Palin
Friday, July 03, 2009 ::
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Governor Sarah Palin has not done herself, her party, female candidates, or her state any huge favor by entering into a series of actions that would have to be described as erratic behavior.
First, there is no way she can possibly be finished with her agenda in just 2.5 years when she spent a good chunk of that time working to be Vice President of the United States. That just does not fly with me.
There are plenty of examples of elected officials have accomplished amazing things during their last year of office when not seeking re-election. That is your chance to have the ball and make things happen without worry of any political factors at all.
Second, there is no way that resigning your only statewide office prior to completing your only term outside of being Mayor of a small city would put you in a better light to be President of the United States. That is now completely off the table.
Third, the excitement that surrounded your candidacy because you were a fresh female conservative voice is not gone. Further, your candidacy excited young women and allowed them to consider seeking office themselves due to her example. Not now. Those women don't want to use you as an example.
Finally, the speech today was terrible. Matt Scully wrote an excellent speech for her at the National Convention. It would have been hard for her to have done better. Great presence. Great message. Great delivery. It was memorable. After today when she walked up to the stage and rambled over a host of topics that will define her public appearances. That is a lost opportunity.
So if this is going to be the way it is...fine. Let's move on.
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TANC Fight Continues
Thursday, July 02, 2009 ::
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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
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.50 cal
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 ::
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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.
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BIA --Baghdad Airport
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 ::
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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.
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Lion King Picture
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 ::
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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.
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Governor Sanford -- shut up.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 ::
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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.
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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.
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Bob Schneider is right
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 ::
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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.
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Great Opinion Piece
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 ::
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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.
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TANC -- what a bunch of nonsense
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 ::
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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.
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Drivon to be Interim CAO
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 ::
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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.
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Commission Openings
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 ::
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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.
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SB 460 (Wolk) -- great first step
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 ::
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Cap and Trade
Saturday, June 27, 2009 ::
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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.
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Ohhhhh good grief....
Saturday, June 27, 2009 ::
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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.
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Team Wallace
Thursday, June 25, 2009 ::
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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.
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Wow -- this is funny. Someone needs to relax.
Thursday, June 25, 2009 ::
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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?
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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.
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People in Woodland are good -- proof
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 ::
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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.
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