Not much going on in Davis these days . . . coming up short on starter topics . . . #sigh# . . . anyone?
Most importantly, I want to give credit where credit is due: I wish to thank Kendra Smith for the new name for Al's Corner. This is based on the comment:
" . . . Whatever, guy. Much of the content there that I saw over the past few posts (the “Al’s Whatever” thing) is concerned with what is happening on this blog, and the comments, and how many comments people make, etc. It’s petty and hilarious." — Kendra Smith, September 15, 2023 at 8:46 am, Davis Vanguard
Thanks for the idea and thanks for the compliment. My aim is to be pettilarious.
Davisite 
Comments
77 responses to “Al’s Whatever Thing (Formerly Al’s Corner) – October 2023”
David Greenwald: “While I support the Shriners and all five of the peripheral projects, I think we have to recognize that all of them have impacts.”
Let’s be honest, here. There is no scenario in which voters approve all five proposals anytime soon.
“David Greenwald: “I will say this: if this is the approach we are going to see, Measure J may well be unworkable. I’m not there yet, but this is getting closer to pushing me into that camp.”
David “might not” support Measure J? (Unlike his position, now?)
But more importantly, who cares what David claims to support support (or oppose)? Does he actually believe this has any influence?
Does he view his “claimed support” as some kind of bargaining chip, in a contrived, continuing game in which he is the only participant?
https://www.davisvanguard.org/2023/11/monday-morning-thoughts-the-battle-for-housing-in-davis-is-already-underway/
Periodically, Walter Shwe puts forth something that make sense (while also conflicting with David’s apparent view. Such as this:
“Low income extreme speeders get what they deserve if they are caught. This is a real safety issue. If not, why do we even have speed limits?”?
https://www.davisvanguard.org/2023/11/slow-down-california-speeding-cameras-coming-to-six-major-cities-in-california/#comment-477193
(That is, unless one believes that it’s safer for low-income people to speed, vs, higher-income people. Do you suppose that David has a study which “confirms” this?)
Not sure if there’s a paywall behind the following, but I see that our “own” local trail (Cold Canyon) made the list of the “Bay Area’s Best” hiking trails. Solano county is considered part of the Bay Area, so I guess it qualifies.
(The article calls it the “Homestead, Tuleyome Peak, and Blue Ridge Loop” trail.)
I concur – it’s a great hike/loop, with pretty spectacular views from the ridge. A challenging loop, and not one you want to do in the middle of a summer day. (I once witnessed a helicopter rescue, for someone who collapsed on the trail.)
https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2023/best-bay-area-hiking-trails/
And by the way, thanks to Tuleyome for obtaining additional property, if one wants to add another “loop to the loop”. (Annie’s Trail, as I recall. Which also includes a giant rock outcropping, from which one has an even more-expansive view.)
But yeah, the “regular” loop is one of the better-hikes around. A loop, which is approximately 5 miles (with significant elevation gain.)
And I’m pretty sure I’ve seen some Native American grinding rocks in this area, as well. (I think this is documented, as well.)
Tim Keller (no relation) said in the Vanguard today:
“To me, the biggest failure of the DiSC campaign, besides the lawsuit coming from Dan Carson was the vapid campaign and its stupid lawnsigns… talking about parks, and bikepaths etc… a clumsy and transparent attempt at greenwashing that everyone saw right through”
Tim Keller also posted this vapid and stupid campaign piece in Sept. 2019 (back when it was called ARC before they changed the name to the valid and stupid DiSC): “It is long overdue, and it is the single greatest thing we the voters of Davis can do to support the University we love.”
https://www.davisvanguard.org/2019/09/guest-commentary-aggie-research-campus-our-best-chance-to-support-the-university-we-love/
In reference to R Keller’s comment (in regard to the “other” Keller), I have no respect for those who advocate for something like DISC while simultaneously claiming an existing “housing shortage”.
Nor do I have any respect for those like David, who claim to be worried about future housing targets from the state – which haven’t even been established at this point.
Especially when folks like David repeatedly fail to acknowledge that cities near the coast (which are the actual targets of the state’s efforts) aren’t expanding outward. And yet, they (somehow) claim that Davis needs to pursue sprawl.
David is essentially stating that the only way to save Measure J is to vote “yes” on all five peripheral proposals. Or as Henry Ford once reportedly said, “you can have a Model T in any color you want – as long as it’s black.”
From today’s Vanguard housing article:
“So problem one with the refrain is that cost of housing is a huge driver in that net migration.”
Problem two is that we happen to live in the part of California where that’s not true.
You see how this stuff works? People go from high home prices to lower home prices.”
Really?
So, it sounds like the “solution” is to ensure that housing prices in “our” area increase to the level of the areas that folks are fleeing from.
Alternatively, “make” housing the same price in the Bay Area as it is in the Sacramento region.
Either way – “problem solved”.
“There are other factors such as a declining birth rate and aging population.”
PPIC notes, “The pandemic led to sharp drops in international immigration to the US and California.”
“This could become a problem.”
Right – who is going to build the houses that won’t be needed? And fill the unneeded classrooms in oversized school districts?
“While the future remains uncertain, it is unlikely that California will return to a period of rapid population growth,”
Oh, the horror! At least for the interests that would prefer to see endless expansion of the population.
“You see how this stuff works? People go from high home prices to lower home prices.”
You see how this stuff works? David Greenwald knows how stuff works, and lets us know it.
So people move to places with lower home prices. Well I’ll be darned, Mable.
So prices rise, and less people move here. I’ll be darned, Mable.
But if you lower prices by pumping massive tax dollars into ‘affordable’ housing restricted to ‘low-income’ people, then you make the remaining housing higher cost, you drive out the working poor who can’t find housing by making that stock costlier and less available, but you make a small dent in the disproportionate something something something.
Mabel. Listen to Mr. Greenwald.
As far as the push for “density” is concerned, I recall an article from one of the local developers who noted that there is no demand for it, other than from students.
As such, you wouldn’t even see proposals like the three downtown, were it not for the plan to accommodate students (who could be accommodated on-campus).
I was also told that investors from China are purchasing some of the dense developments at The Cannery, to accommodate students. (I have not looked into this further.)
So yeah, if you want Davis to continue down the path to “Dormville” – by all means support density.
There are essentially no “local professionals” seeking housing in dense development, as noted by a developer himself.
Nor are any of the few (handful) of local workers suddenly going to move to it, from wherever they’re currently living.
But if you want to support expensive low-density instead, then you’re really just accommodating those moving to the area. No doubt, from areas that are environmentally-superior (less-impactful) in the first place.
Just happened-across the following article, and noticed this quote:
“The reality is we’re a growth-oriented city. There’s a lot of new housing, new commercial and new retail coming into the city just because of our location within the Inland Empire of Southern California,” Butler said. “And we feel like if the development happens under the new standards that we are applying as a city, which are higher standards, that will be better for everything.”
https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/ca-city-jurupa-valley-palmer-oak-development-18488527.php
Wait a minute – I was told by development activists that Davis is the city that has “higher standards”, and that development should therefore happen in Davis rather than anywhere else.
I see that David is spouting his usual false claims regarding his desire to shape the community to address the desires of the school district.
Folks, schools exist to serve communities – not the other-way around.
It’s really quite simple. Davis’ school district is too large in relation to its actual need. Even now, Davis’ cost to educate each student exceeds the amount it receives from the state. Hence, the parcel taxes.
Those parcel taxes would, in fact, go farther if there were fewer students. This is not an opinion – it’s just a fact regarding how its structured. (Total parcel taxes collected would remain unchanged – regardless of enrollment numbers. As enrollment declines, more funding is available for each remaining student.)
Truth be told, Davis has chosen to be a “patsy” for communities like Woodland, which send their kids to Davis schools (but don’t pay parcel taxes toward Davis schools). The result is an ongoing increase in cost to own a house in Davis, and a probable decline in the quality and commitment for school systems in surrounding communities. A “double loss”, as it were.
All because Davis’ school district outright refuses to “right-size” itself, in an attempt to protect its own interests.
On a related note, there is absolutely no evidence that anyone from Woodland or any other surrounding community would move into an overpriced house in Davis, and/or one with fewer amenities (e.g., garages, yards, etc.). In addition, Davis’ (and UCD’s) employment base is not increasing in the first place.
And yet, this false assumption (that folks from surrounding communities would suddenly move into a new shoebox in Davis) is the ENTIRE BASIS regarding the growth/development activists campaign.
And since those in surrounding communities can send their kids to Davis schools, what incentive would they have to move to an overpriced shoebox in Davis?
SUBJECT: “Commentary: Harrington Letter Repeats Faulty Information on School Financing” [Today’s Davis Vanguard! Yay!]
In comments:
Don Shor November 16, 2023 at 10:09 am
From the letter:
“I haven’t decided yet if I will actively fund and run an opposition campaign to the tax.” [Quoting Harrington]
[DS say:] The parcel tax funds special programs that enrich the curriculum. Opposing that tax renewal would be directly harmful to hundreds of students.
If you oppose the district’s policy, lobby them or run for the school board. Don’t harm the students.
I call for Harrington to run for school board, so he can have a more direct and effective path to harm students 😐
“If you oppose the district’s policy, lobby them or run for the school board. Don’t harm the students.
I call for Harrington to run for school board, so he can have a more direct and effective path to harm students :-|”
Yeah, that was a head scratcher.
SUBJECT: “Guest Commentary: More Starter Homes for Purchase” [Today’s Davis Vanguard!]
EK say:
“Tell the Davis City council that you support expanding the supply of for-purchase affordable homes.
I don’t 😐
Urge them to press our developers to radically increase the number of starter homes in their planned developments.
I won’t 😐
Let the council know you support funding the housing trust fund with significant and stable funding from the general tax revenue measure we anticipate the city will propose for the November 2024 ballot.
No 😐
Let them know that you support your tax dollars being used for programs like a city-wide Down Payment Assistance program.
Nope 😐
And finally, vote YES on the 2024 revenue measure.
Read my ass cheeks: NO new taxes 😐
Just happened-across the video, below. Note the acknowledgement of a “double-standard” regarding how this incident was reported, and how the political establishment reacted.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0sBWW4HP6w
Las Vegas itself seems to have some real problems. Not long ago, some teens purposefully ran-down and killed a bicyclist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCkksX6xoI8
And where was the national media outrage regarding that incident, as well?
So in today’s “housing shortage” article, David brings up Trackside (and claims that the city still “has a problem”).
And yet, an investor group apparently purchased that entire property for $2 million – with the entitlements that the council approved. It’s perhaps unfortunate that the neighbors weren’t able to get together, and purchase it themselves.
Given that there are no city restrictions “in the way” of pursuing the already-approved redevelopment at Trackside, how is that David and other YIMBYs continue to point at non-existent restrictions as hindering redevelopment? There’s no NIMBYs around preventing that approved redevelopment, at this point.
What are YIMBYs to do, when there’s no scapegoat to point at anymore?
Could it be that this is actually evidence of a lack of demand for housing, at the price that developers are willing and able to build it?
Perhaps David needs to take this up with the Federal Reserve, regarding interest rates. Or perhaps David and others need to stop looking at the ability to purchase a house as a “right”.
Or perhaps it’s evidence that Davis has “too much” housing, and that Davis needs to tear down some existing housing. That’s a joke, son. 🙂
It does appear that housing prices are dropping. I’ve noticed several with price cuts, among these 57 properties listed for sale in Davis:
https://www.zillow.com/homes/davis,-ca_rb/
“There’s no NIMBYs around preventing that approved redevelopment”
We’re still here, NIMBY and proud 😐 Just because there is history doesn’t mean we’ve gone away.
:We’re still here, NIMBY and proud”
Based upon the results (e.g., council approval of Trackside, as well as the makeup of the council itself), the “local NIMBYs” should be kicked out of the national NIMBY club in disgrace.
You call that being a NIMBY? Well, maybe an “unsuccessful” NIMBY at least. 🙂
Next thing you’ll be telling me is that the head of the local chapter of the Sierra Club supports sprawl (e.g., the 400-acre Covell Village, Act II).
After getting their bootys kicked the last time they tried that, regarding a much smaller proposal in a different location. (Which is also being proposed for development, again.)
The article referenced below just “popped up” for me.
(The Sacramento-area town with the most-expensive homes.)
What? You mean to tell me that Davis is (not only) #1, it’s #10?
Well, that’s disappointing. From a “YIMBY” point of view, Measure J is apparently “not doing its job”.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/the-town-with-the-most-expensive-homes-in-the-sacramento-metro-area/ss-AA1kctfb?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=be509cab2f724a8a855daddc1d5f480f&ei=10#image=31
Another article that popped up for me. I make no claims to being a “math whiz”, but the following sentence still seems strange to me:
“On average, home buyers paid 23% above the national average.”
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/majority-of-americans-regret-buying-a-home-more-than-half-in-worse-financial-shape/ar-AA1k2bRE?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=042f991f032b4800bfd898ada274332e&ei=16
SUBJECT: “District is Moving on From TRO – Need To Address Pandemic Impacts” [Today’s Plavis Plansplard!]
DG say: “The other bad news is that Davis always lives on the precipice of fiscal calamity.”
I call for the Davis City Council to throw Davis’ Dark Underbelly off the Precipice of Fiscal Calamity. All problems solved.
It seems according to the Vanguard just about everything is a crisis or a calamity.
Maybe that’s how he gets clicks?
There’s no particular reason at all to leave this here. Nope. Not connected to anything…
“Yellow journalism and yellow press are American terms for journalism and associated newspapers that present little or no legitimate, well-researched news while instead using eye-catching headlines for increased sales. Techniques may include exaggerations of news events, scandal-mongering, or sensationalism. By extension, the term yellow journalism is used today as a pejorative to decry any journalism that treats news in an unprofessional or unethical fashion.” (Wikipedia)
Just came across the following article, which describes a push by the National Association of Realtors to convince Congress to give homeowners a “tax credit” to sell their houses.
Which begs the question: Does this group have any scruples whatsoever?
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/it-s-time-for-a-tax-credit-for-home-sellers-to-prod-owners-to-list-their-houses-realtors-say/ar-AA1kj3Ue?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=bc29988697134bb19760f9fac6301249&ei
Article yesterday in the Vanguard about UC Davis Chancellor Gary May censoring comments.
How ironic that the Vanguard would run an article about censoring comments when the Vanguard is often guilty of the same thing.
My comment:
Keith November 21, 2023 at 7:19 am
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
“Of course, I’m writing this because I’m a victim of his censorship
Hilarious, talking about censorship on the Vanguard of all places.”
So the Vanguard’s response, they “censored” my comment.
Well KO, you know the response from their mod and ‘Defenders of the Vanguard’: “It’s a private blog” #saidinaninnyvoice#. My response is:
“Fuck You! How about living in the spirit of the first amendment and having discussions, instead of censoring thoughts you don’t like.”
Emphasis on the “Fuck You”.
I happen to agree that Gary May should be removed. “They” want him removed for not being progressive enough, such as censoring and banning conservative speakers — oh, so progressive! I, on the other hand, want him removed for lying about who is causing violence on campus, lying about Charlie Kirk and not retracting like The Bee did when shown (not that I’m a fan of Charlie Kirk, but I am a fan of reality). And this ultra-cringe instagram video should be enough for removal, a crime in itself:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cv0o9ydt0xP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=NTYzOWQzNmJjMA%3D%3D
Cringeworthy is right Alan, the cackling reminds me of Kamala Harris.
WTF? Why are there articles dated 11/23 in the Davis Vanguard ? I thought Thanksgiving was the one day that David Greenwald gave us a break from his incessant, decarceral, sprawl-inducing, leftie, progressive blog-rants. Do we really need this 365 ? Isn’t 364 more than enough?
Well, I see over on Beth Bourne’s Facebook Page, which is becoming a haven for the most inane/insane postings from both extremes of those issues, there is a fresh post, and Walter Shwe has made an off-topic slam on Trump supporters which makes sense only in a narrow-minded-focus world of ‘all Republicans evil, all NIMBYS evil, all of these are Trump supporters’, then a typically, oddly inappropriate emoji.
Is it Thanksgiving? . . . seems online in Davis just another day.
Is there even a FUCKING TURKEY? 😐