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Category: Politics

  • Listen! Peace for Israel and Palestine

    By Scott Steward

    There have been multiple events, locally and regionally, voicing support for an end to violence in Israel and Palestine.  These voices are American voices.  These Americans do not agree with the unwavering support of Israel's government, and they have all condemned the killing of innocent civilians. 

    The recent conflict was sparked on October 7 by Hamas firing thousands of rockets toward southern and central Israel in conjunction with Hamas militants, many on motorcycles, who stormed blockaded areas of the Gaza Strip, shooting at Jewish settlers and slaughtering people at kibbutzim and small towns, reportedly taking Israeli citizens as hostages (source).  Israel has retaliated with massive airstrikes; Palestinian civilians have also been killed.

    Photos of Yesterday's Rally

    Photos of Yesterday's Rally

     

    Rally2

    Yesterday several hundred people attended the Sacramento Regional Coalition for Palestinian Rights demonstration yesterday in front of the State capital.

     

    Last Saturday ten thousand people marched through San Francisco to demand an end to the genocide in Gaza and support the Palestinian people in their struggle against apartheid and occupation.

    On October 18th several community and campus organizations hosted an Emergency Teach In: Palestine Now that was a standing room only event in Young Hall.

    The voices at these rallies all want Israel to exist in harmony. The dominant message peace and freedom for all.  Ultimately it is up to Israeli's and Palestinians and the nations around them to sort out peace.  Our government needs to stop contributing to the long festering conflict. Current policy asks us to reinforce Zionistic goals of racial/religious dominance, and this has greatly reinforced extremism at home.

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  • Did Caltrans Piece-Meal Plan for I-80 corridor violate CEQA, ignore Davis impacts? 

    Caltrans failure to do corridor wide EIR negated transit, wastes billions and did not call out cut thru impacts

    Piecemealing Map I-80 corridor

     by Alan Hirsch, Yolo Mobility  

    Transit works best as a network- you won’t get transit ridership if you just build just 1 or 5 miles of light rail, or upgrade just a few miles of Amtrak to 100mph service. You need to have interconnected regional system, especially with our dispersed land use patterns.  

    Below is a Caltrans map from the long-hidden corridor plan, the “I-80  CMCP” shows the many widenings has planned or started in the  I-80 Corridor. These types of corridor plans, first required by SB1 (2017) reveal for the first time “piece-mealing” of freeway widening, I.E., breaking a corridor widening into  many small separate projects.   Each separate project is studied separately thru alternative analysis/EIR process so to assure transit alternative are small stand-and never pencil. And many of  project are so small they don’t even require at EIR.   

    If fact, this is why piece-mealing is a violation of California Environmental Law. It has been cited by many others including a recent hi level whistleblower as how Caltrans systematically gets around environmental laws designed to address climate change.  

    The corridor plan for I-80 (I-80 CMCP) was not released to public on Caltrans website until May of 2023, over 9 months after the Yolo80 EIR alternative were selected. In fact, this corridor plan did compare transit  vs highway alternatives. It concluded upgrading the Capitol Corridor Rail service to 100 MPH is 15x more cost effective to move people than the entire bundle of freeway widening shown on map (see Vanguard article).  

    With many of the widening construction already are underway, one can wonder how many billions (with a B) of dollars in taxpayer money are being poorly spend because of this setup by Caltrans to preordain a result ? What sort of set back does this represent on meeting the state climate plan that required us to reduce driving and well as shift to electric cars to reduce our GHG’s. 

    One can also note the Yolo causeway “bottle neck” and cut thru traffic in Davis did not just happen:  it was created by Caltrans by widening freeway to the west and it impact on Davis section of I-80  s shown clearly in  traffic studies.   

    As for collaboration with communities in the developing corridor plans, a public record request of Yolobus/Yolo TD found no records in its files it was involved in developing the plan, and Caltrans has never presented the final or preliminary report or involved YoloTD board or Davis City or its Commissions in its development in a substantive way. Yet Caltrans lists these entities, as well as citizens groups like Bike Davis as involved with its development. Caltrans neglect of considering community impact is shown by Caltrans failure to list “reduce cut thru traffic” as a goal/purpose/need for their proposed Causeway widening on its project website. 

    SAVE THE DATE: A Freeway Teach-In Nov 8th  

    Davis Futures Forum on the Future of the I-80 Corridor 

    Wed, Nov 8th 7:00-8:30  Davis Community Church Fellowship Hall, 412 C street 

    I-80 traffic congestion is frustrating even the most patient among us! The Caltrans proposed solution has been to increase the number of traffic lanes, however many Davis citizens have expressed strong opposition noting the need for transportation alternatives. Further, a high level Caltrans executive has accused her peers of violating environmental laws by underestimating the negative impacts of the proposal. And research at the UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies shows that attempts to address congestion by adding lanes only works for a short time before the lanes are filled again by new drivers. 

    What is the solution? The public is invited to explore this question at a Davis Futures Forum talk and panel discussion. The keynote speaker is Professor Susan Handy, the renowned head of the National Center for Sustainable Development. Her presentation will be followed by a diverse response panel who will give us their thoughts about how best to move forward. The event will be held Wednesday, Nov 8th at 7pm in at the Davis Community Church. Please sign up in advance and you will receive advance material, a link to the real-time zoom and YouTube recording of the teach-in. 

  • It Does Pencil Out

    2 + 2 = By Larry D. Guenther

    We often hear from developers that a building required by existing zoning “doesn’t pencil out” and that they therefore must be allowed to build bigger. Several issues make this claim suspect.

    First, developers never show the math they use to make this statement. Never.

    Secondly, there appears to be no set building size that does ‘pencil out’. Proponents always ask for one more story. If the zoning is two stories, they insist it won’t work, but three will. If the zoning is 3, they need 4. If the zoning is 4, they need 5, etc.

    Thirdly, there are plenty of examples that contradict these statements: the Roe Building on the SW corner of 3rd and C St. (3 stories, mixed use); Central Park West across from Central Park (2-1/2 stories, residential); Pizza and Pints (1 story, commercial); the most recent Ace Hardware addition on 3rd St. (1 story, commercial); The Arbors on C St. (3 stories, mixed use); the building on the SW corner of G and 5th St. (3 stories, mixed use), etc.

    Fourth: developers site the increase in material costs as part of their reasoning (the number 15% is suspiciously common and has been cited before and during the Pandemic). While material costs definitely increase over time, they certainly increase far less than residential rents. Material costs are also a one-time expense, while rental income continues – and increases – for the life of the building.

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  • Caltrans’ data shows 100mph rail upgrade 15x more cost-effective than road widening

    Study: Average speed difference trivial if toll lanes added; HOV lanes don’t work.

    1 SEGMENT WIDENING

    By Alan Hirsch, Yolo Mobility 

    If you read deeply and critically into Caltrans documents, you will often find a number of things  acknowledged- inconvenient truth not always shared with elected officials.

     City and County elected officials rely on agency staff to give honest and complete presentation of objective findings.  However, the reality is elected official are very vulnerable if an agency’s staff is committed to pursue a pre-ordained solution. Staff can bending their analysis or make strategic omissions of information in their presentation. These are rarely caught by elected official who don’t have time to read, much less understand the reports.

    Then it’s up a rare whistleblower and or nerdy gadflies to protect the public interest by catching this, and making public comments to elected who otherwise don’t have time to read everything.

    But in the end, it up courageous electeds, who are willing to both listen to the outsiders, and are then open to changing their minds, if the agency solution is be questioned if its pre-ordained solution is in the public good.

    This manipulation of data  does come from all Government agencies, or even most, but this Machiavellian approach to public policy can hard backed  into  the culture of some.

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  • Sheila Allen, Candidate for Supervisor, Invites the Community to Three Events

    Sheila_Allen(From press release) Sheila Allen, RN, Ph.D., and candidate for Yolo County Supervisor, invites the Davis and surrounding community to three events.

    On Saturday, October 14th, from 1-3 p.m., join special guests Supervisor Jim Provenza
    and Lucas Frerichs, and former State Senator Lois Wolk at a lively kickoff event scheduled at Mace Ranch Park. All are invited to attend. There will be snacks and beverages in a welcoming, family-friendly setting. Attendees are encouraged to bring along their friends, neighbors, and even their beloved furry friends. This is a fantastic opportunity to come together and envision a healthier and brighter future for Yolo County and Davis. This event is free and does not require an RSVP.

    Sunday, October 15th at 7 p.m., come enjoy the classic 1925 silent film “The Phantom of the Opera”—accompanied by a live grand pipe organ! Step into the mesmerizing world of early cinema as Lon Chaney and Mary Philbin unveil the enigmatic tale of the disfigured musical genius who haunts the grand Paris Opera House. This timeless masterpiece includes a special vocal appearance by Kerri Scott and will be accompanied live by David Moreno on a full pipe organ—fully reassembled from a theater in San Francisco. VIP tickets are available that include a one-hour preview, hors d’oeuvres, and a walk inside the pipe organ. This event promises to immerse you in the captivating ambiance of the 1920s. The event  is hosted by Cindy and Daisy Jacob. Seating is limited, so purchase your ticket today.

    Saturday, October 28th, from 4-6 p.m., join host Marlene Bell and Yolo County Supervisor Lucas Frerichs on the lovely outskirts of Winters. The beautiful hand-built, hewn log Bell Ranch home sits alongside an orchard. Guests will enjoy an afternoon of good wine, food, pleasant company, and the beauty of a waning fall afternoon in Yolo County.

    Address provided with ticket purchase.

    For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit: Sheila4Supervisor.com/events We hope to see you there!

  • Sheila Allen, Deputy to Supervisor Jim Provenza Has Officially Launched Her Campaign for Yolo County Supervisor

    Sheila_Allen(From press release) Sheila Allen, RN, Ph.D., currently serving as Deputy to Supervisor Jim Provenza, has officially announced her campaign for Yolo County Supervisor (District 4). The Primary Election will be held in March 2024. Supervisor Provenza, who was first elected to the Davis Joint Unified School Board in 2003, announced in late April that after 45 years in public service; he will not seek re-election.

    Sheila and her husband, Mitch, moved to Davis to raise their family. Sheila immediately became active in the community and has been an energetic and effective advocate over the years. Sheila’s enthusiasm is clear when she says, “I am excited to bring my nearly three decades of successful local experience supporting Davis families, a rich understanding of the community I love, and a tenacious optimism to county-level decision-making. My passion and life’s work are to bring people together to address local problems and needs. I care about and have served the youngest to the oldest in our community. As we plan for our future, we always have to remember that our choices impact residents' day-to-day lives, and that is really what matters. I thank Supervisor Provenza for his 4 terms of service to Yolo County, his endorsement, and the opportunity to serve as Deputy Supervisor for District 4.”

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  • Al’s Whatever Thing (Formerly Al’s Corner) – October 2023

    image from www.sparkysonestop.com

    Not much going on in Davis these days . . . coming up short on starter topics . . . #sigh# . . . anyone?

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  • Yolo Holds Its Breath on Water Policy

    By Scott Steward

    Yolo County Supervisors placed a temporary pause on new Yolo ag well water permits until the local regional water agency can put the data and analysis together to, more certainly, tell the story about the water under our feet.

    WaterThis is the story about the water that we depend on for thriving local ag and the precious remainder of our beleaguered biome in Yolo, and the greater Sacramento valley.   On July 11th farmers and residents testified to the Yolo Board of Supervisors about their experience (Davisite 7/2023) with receding well water and wells going dry.  The principal cause identified as newer/bigger wells drafting water for previously unirrigated land for perennial trees (nuts) and vines.

    On September 12th, the Board consider options that included a moratorium on new well applications. Between the July BOS meeting and the 9/12 meeting, staff and the Director of the Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency were to help the Board with more Data.  At this last meeting we found out that the data is just not ready and so, in absence of any evidence not to act more conservatively, the Board unanimously chose a 45 day moratorium option. 

    Supervisor Frerichs brought the final motion "I have heard from farmers and many many residents who are supportive of this (the moratorium option)." The moratorium is not blanket, specifying Clarksburg and other areas as exempt, but generally placing the restriction on the areas experiencing water table drops.

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  • Anatomy of an Article: That Wake Up Call was a Wrong Number (Al’s Curiousity Corner #4)

    SUBJECT: "Commentary: A Wake Up Call"  (Wednesday's Blavis Blansplard)

    Only DG could get a robo-call about solar panels from a call center in India and think it was a a wake-up call.  I was rummaging through the trash behind Vanguard Headquarters on Thursday evening at 8:17 p.m. and found the recipe for the article.  As a public service I am posting it here:

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  • I-80 News: Two Projects on Causeway, DEIR Release, Woodland

    Traffic Congregation not relevant in EIR

    By Alan Hirsch

    All the weeks News on I-80, as best I understand it – The Headlines:

    • Draft EIR out Monday(?) – YoloTD Board meeting  comments needed
    • Two projects on causeway at once!  Pavement Rehab is not the Widening!
    • Yolo TD Chair Takes on UC Davis Transportation Experts
    • Does anyone remember NISHI? Will City of Davis ignore full I-80 impact?
    • What to watch For in Draft EIR
    • Is Causeway bike trail maintenance being hostage to road improvements?
    • Does City of Woodland’s New Tech Park  Project turns it back VMT in EIR?
    • Woodland says road Congestion is a “social inconvenience” and not relevant in EIR.

    Draft EIR out Monday(?)

    YoloTD executive director Autumn Bernstein wrote Friday she expects DED (aka Draft EIR+ other doc) will be released before the September 11 Board Meeting..  YoloTD has had earlier draft(s) for months so they likely will have slide prepared (which are not in Agenda Packet. I note YoloTD staff and board is OK with chair picking early DEIR traffic study to prove we need a wider freeway…seeming to ignore Caltrans long patterns of Understating Induce Demand Effects in its EIR, per UC Davis ITS studies.  The Caltrans website still post a promise the EIR will be out in Winter of 2021.

    How to Comment at YoloTD meeting Monday 6pm.

    Call or write/ What to say:  express concern the Caltrans may be continuing to understate Induce Demand impact in their models- as UC Davis ITS studies has shown . Express concern not enough priority is not being put on climate change.   Ask YoloTD to hire an independent expert to review and comment on Caltrans EIR VMT studies due to past UC Davis studies that show the agency has underestimate it.  

    PLACE:  YoloTD Board Room, 350 Industrial Way, Woodland, CA 95776

    ZOOM & Live comments: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81573305113?pwd=VmFiZWNtSzZleVVGRVpmQ0swWnhpZz09

    PHONE to zoom; : (669) 900-6833 Webinar ID:  815 7330 5113 Passcode:  135087

    AGENDA  & Packet: https://yolotd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023-09-11_YoloTD-BoardAgendaPacket.pdf

    EMAIL  in advance: public-coment@yctd.org:

    Phone comment in advance (will be transcribed/ not read or played):  530 402-2819

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