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Month: February 2020

  • Voting information and deadlines

    Vote-CAThis is just a friendly, civic reminder that Tuesday February 18th is the last day to register to vote in the California primary coming up soon on March 3. You can do that online here.  Or, you can "conditionally" register to vote after the 15-day voter registration deadline by following these instructions: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/same-day-reg/

    If you want to check your registration status, you can do that online here: https://registertovote.ca.gov

    Republicans have a closed primary. You must be Republican to vote in it.

    However, Democrats have an open primary, so on the day of the primary, any independents or folks registered with a third party can opt to vote in the Democratic contest.

    Roughly 1 out of 4 registered votes in California are independents ("no party preference.") That's a lot of people! If you are one of them and want to make sure you get to vote in a presidential primary, here's how:

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  • ARC Business Park Planning Commission Workshop Feb 26.

    Planning commission
    City of Davis Notice of Planning Commission Workshop for     Aggie Research Campus
    Wednesday, February 26, 2020,
    Starting at 7:00 PM
    Davis City Hall Community Chambers, 23 Russell Blvd., Davis, CA 95616.

    The City of Davis Planning Commission will conduct a workshop to hear a presentation on the Aggie Research Campus project and to take comments from the general public on Wednesday, February 26, 2020, starting at 7:00 PM . This workshop will be held at the Davis City Hall Community Chambers, 23 Russell Blvd., Davis, CA 95616. 

    The workshop format will include a brief introductory presentation by staff, a detailed presentation of the proposed project by the applicant, an opportunity for the Planning Commission to comment and an opportunity for public comment.  Members of the public may provide written or oral comments at the meeting.  NO DECISIONS WILL BE MADE REGARDING THE PROPOSED PROJECT AT THIS MEETING.  THIS WORKSHOP IS INFORMATIONAL ONLY.

    If you have any questions regarding this workshop, please contact Principal Planner, Sherri Metzker at smetzker@cityofdavis.org. Additional information on the project proposal is available through the Department of Community Development and Sustainability, Planning Division, 23 Russell Boulevard, Davis, California, 95616, and is posted at the following City web address: https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/community-development-and-sustainability/development-projects/aggie-research-campus.

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  • she told me she wasn’t going to vote in the upcoming election….

    Rose
    By Kirsten Elise

    I was on the phone with a dear friend last night and after I shared that I was considering going canvassing for Bernie this weekend, she told me that she wasn't going to vote in the upcoming election. I imagine that I might have other friends who also may not be planning to vote for various reasons. I don't really know all the reasons that people have for not voting, but I feel called to share why I vote in the hopes it might inspire someone out there.

    Its true, our political system is completely corrupt and broken and so I can understand why you might not want to participate in it. AND, the thing is that the only way we can change the system is by participating in it and transforming it from the inside out and that means getting involved in some way.

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  • DCD: Yolo County Supervisor Forum, 4th District

    This video is from the Davis College Democrats' forum of the Yolo County Supervisor Candidates for the 4th District held on the UC Davis Campus February 11, 2020.

    The video is reposted with permission from the DCD.

    https://www.facebook.com/daviscollegedemocrats/

  • Provenza: Active community engagement and public safety

    Lopez
    Dear Editor,

    I am supporting Jim Provenza for re-election to the Board of Supervisors on March 3. I have worked closely with Jim on public safety issues. As a former special assistant district attorney, Jim understands the need for active community engagement and public safety.

    Jim is an advocate of smart on crime policies. He supports alternatives to incarceration for those who are suffering from mental illness and other non-violent offenders, while working to assure that that we have the resources we need to address violent and serious crime.

    Jim is a strong supporter of our Day Reporting Center, an innovative program that reduces recidivism by delivering education, treatment and job training as an alternative to incarceration in county jail. He is also a supporter of our neighborhood courts and successfully advocated for the establishment of a second mental health court.

    While supporting creative approaches, Jim stands with law enforcement in its effort to assure that the public is protected and that consequences are imposed upon those who endanger our community.

    Jim Provenza has earned your vote.

    Sheriff Tom Lopez

  • Letter: Deos for positive change and community engagement

    Deos-for-supervisorI'm writing in support of positive change and community engagement and thus in support of Linda Deos for the 4th District of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors, which covers most of north (of Covell) and east (of Hwy 113, J and L Streets) in Davis. I've read with interest various letters in support of both Linda and the incumbent, Jim Provenza; both appear to be good people who support their community. Letters in support of Mr. Provenza stress his accomplishments while on the Board and, as one might expect when a person sits on the Board for twelve years, there is a notable list. Board members are paid to accomplish things.

    The question one might ask, then, is why make a change? Incumbents traditionally have this advantage in a campaign. To this question, my response is, the making of public policy is strengthened locally by representation on our Board from as many segments of our community as possible. In these troubled times, such inclusivity matters tremendously, not only at the national and state level but also locally—it starts here.

    Diversity of representation, however critical, should not be gratuitous, however. Linda Deos—not as part of her job but in her passion for giving back to her community—has volunteered on six area boards and commissions, including the Yolo Basin Foundation, health, cannabis and disability access advisory groups.  All of this effort has been carried out on top of her legal work with members of the community who are facing bankruptcy, or who are overwhelmed by credit and student debt. With this record of contributions in an unofficial capacity, imagine what she can achieve as a County Supervisor! Linda has the capability to meet and to exceed Mr. Provenza's record if she is given the opportunity.

    I encourage voters in the 4th District to vote for the future by electing Linda to serve the district and to represent your interests to the County.

    Michele van Eyken

    Davis

  • Happy Darwin Day!

    Darwin

    Why is Darwin so often only shown as an old man with a beard?

    By Roberta Millstein

    Happy Darwin Day!  It’s been 211 years since Charles Darwin was born.

    For your Darwin Day, here is a selection of some of my favorite Darwin quotes, all from On the Origin of Species, First Edition.  I hope you enjoy them!

    The beginning of the book:

    “WHEN on board H.M.S. 'Beagle,' as naturalist, I was much struck with certain facts in the distribution of the inhabitants of South America, and in the geological relations of the present to the past inhabitants of that continent. These facts seemed to me to throw some light on the origin of species—that mystery of mysteries, as it has been called by one of our greatest philosophers. On my return home, it occurred to me, in 1837, that something might perhaps be made out on this question by patiently accumulating and reflecting on all sorts of facts which could possibly have any bearing on it.”

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  • Affordable Housing & Community Space: A Renter Forum

    For-renter-forumYolo County Supervisor candidate David Abramson will be hosting a ‘Renters Forum’ on Saturday, February 15 from 5:00-7:00PM. It will be held at Davis Coworking’s new downstairs event space, right next to Fluffly's Donuts and Subway.

    It will be an opportunity for renters to share their stories and to get together to develop a vision for affordable, healthful, and climate-positive housing in Davis and Yolo County.

    We will also envision how we can move forward in creating affordable and accessible cultural spaces to facilitate arts, music, and healthy activities in Yolo County.

    All who are interested (renters and homeowners alike) are welcome to join. Light refreshments provided.

    Max capacity 40. Please register in advance to ensure your seat! https://www.facebook.com/events/122783449070392/

  • UC Davis Survey: City Apartment Vacancy Rate Eases Some

    UC Davis Press Release

    By Julia Ann Easley

     

    Green_feature_300

    The Green at West Village, scheduled to open its first 1,000 beds in fall 2020, leads a list of upcoming projects for student housing at UC Davis. (Gregory Urquiaga/UC Davis)

    While the city of Davis rental market remains tight, a few more apartments are vacant compared to last year, according to a survey commissioned by Student Housing and Dining Services at UC Davis and released today (Feb. 5).

     

    The blended vacancy rate — including apartments leased by the unit and by the bed — is estimated to be 1.0 percent, compared with 0.5 percent in fall 2018. Rents increased by an average of 5.5 percent.

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  • Letter: Beyond foolish to lose such an effective advocate

    Jim Provenza-1018
    I am writing to encourage a vote for Jim Provenza for Yolo County Supervisor.  There are many good reasons to support Jim, including his efforts on behalf of children, seniors, our schools, and those in need.  But I would like to focus on another important, probably less well known, achievement – his acquired expertise and knowledge of regional water policy and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.  This includes Putah Creek, Cache Creek, both tributaries to the Yolo Bypass, and the Yolo Bypass itself.

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