(Press release) Davis Media Access (DMA) has produced a series of “Meet the Candidates” and Pro/Con statements for local ballot measures for the June 5, 2018 election.
Currently celebrating its 30th year, DMA is the non-profit community media & technology center supporting local content creation, archiving and distribution via television, radio and the Internet. DMA operates DCTV Public Access Channel 15, DJUSD Educational Access Channel 17, and KDRT-LP, 95.7 FM.
(Press release)
Arnold cites Johansson’s experience and progressive justice policies that reflect the values of Davis and Yolo County
DAVIS — Davis City Councilmember Will Arnold today announced his support for Dean Johansson for Yolo County District Attorney.
“Dean has the experience and record on public safety that reflect the values of our community. I share his commitment to fairness, equality, and justice, which is needed now from our District Attorney,” said Arnold.
Dean Johannson has served for more than 20 years as an attorney in our justice system, both as a Deputy District Attorney and currently as a Yolo County Public Defender. He is challenging the incumbent District Attorney Jeff Reisig.
By Nancy Price
District Attorneys are public servants. Is there any more powerful “servant” than one who wields the power of life and death?
What troubles me is that in California, there are no term limits for District Attorneys. That’s right – California District Attorneys can stay in office as long as they want unless they’re voted out. I didn’t know this, and I bet some of you didn’t either. Jeff Reisig has been Yolo DA for 12 years already, and wants to make that 16!
What concerns me is this: if communities change over time, shouldn’t we also change who is in this most important county office? Shouldn’t we need someone who will come in with a fresh perspective and range of experience to meet the changed and changing needs of our community?
Expensive and glossy mailers from the Nishi developer (paid for by "Davis Gateway Student Housing LLC & Affiliated Entities") have begun arriving at Davis addresses. The back of the mailer touts support from "local leaders we trust." These leaders are said to include the five current members of the Davis City Council.
But how strong is the support of those Councilmembers? Let's review some excerpts from their comments from the meeting where the Council voted to put Nishi on the ballot on 2/6/2018. The video is located here. Numbers in parentheses refer to the approximate time that the Councilmembers' words appear in the video.
Edit 4/30/2018 to add an edited version of the full video, containing just the clips where City Council members disparage Nishi 2.0.
By Robert Milbrodt
The single most important issue in this city council election is The Citizens Right to Vote, Measure J/R. This measure was approved by voters in June 2000 as Measure J; and renewed in June 2010 as Measure R with about 77% of the vote. Essentially it requires voter approval for projects that would convert our open space or agricultural land to urban use.
A 10-year renewal of this measure will automatically appear on the ballot in June 2020. We deserve council members who will support its renewal, and who will incorporate its democratic and community-oriented values into the city’s decision making. We are better served by council members who share these core values. Either the candidates believe in community-based governance, or they don’t.
Of the nine candidates for city council: one has consistently opposed the Citizen’s Right to Vote, four stated their early opposition to this measure and are now waffling, two are willing to entertain “amendments” without being specific, and two are steadfastly supportive of the measure in principle and in practice. These two supportive candidates are Ezra Beeman and Larry Guenther.
They have made my decision easy, and I urge you to join me in voting for Ezra Beeman and Larry Guenther for City Council.
By M E Gladis
To Voters in California Assembly District 4.
One wonders what the Democratic Assembly Member, Cecilia Aguiar-Curry intends by endorsing the present non-Democratic Yolo County District Attorney since he doesn’t follow democratic values. This District Attorney remains neutral on Prop 39 ( 3 Strikes Reform ) but opposes Prop 47 (Sentencing Reform ), Prop 57 ( Reduce Mass Incarceration ), and Prop 64 (Legal Adult Marijuana Use).These four Propositions Yolo County voters overwhelmingly approved. Cecilia Aguiar-Curry appears to oppose Yolo County voters.
Consider, then, this same District Attorney has filed more felony trials in Yolo County ( Pop. 213,000 ) than has the district attorney in Alameda County ( pop. 1,683,000 ) Felony trials are expensive ordeals. Yolo County 41% to CA average 19% Felony non-conviction rate. Cecilia seems to support this effort.
Yesterday, Dan Cornford wrote about how the Nishi project would contribute to traffic and the deterioration of air quality downtown. People who don't travel these roads frequently might have trouble seeing why that would be the case. Well, as the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words.
If the Nishi project goes through, an underpass would be built under the railroad from the Nishi property to Old Davis Road. As the graphic shows, there is already significant traffic from Old Davis Rd to First Street and downtown, and onto Richards Blvd. Cars from the Nishi development – with its 700 parking spaces – would contribute to that traffic as residents drive to and through downtown.
This is just one of a number of concerns about Nishi. As I said in an earlier post, the unhealthy air quality experienced by residents because of its location is my primary concern. But the concerns about traffic and air quality downtown are serious ones and should not be overlooked.
By Dan Cornford
I totally agree with Roberta’s criticism about the candidates for city council refusing to be more specific and with specific reference as to how they stand on Measure J/R and if they want to amend it, how precisely would they amend it.
However, I would like to broaden this discussion to make observations about the ways in which almost all candidates for city council have campaigned since I moved here in 2000. A trend that was apparent when I arrived here has become more and more pronounced.
To put it bluntly and simply, almost all candidates are reluctant to, or more accurately often refuse, to discuss specifics especially when it comes to some of the most important and controversial issues. Their reasons for doing this are obvious. They think by appealing to as broad a constituency as possible, and not alienating any one constituency, they are maximizing their appeal and their chances of election. I could cite endless examples from the campaigns of several of our incumbent council members.
At the recent CivEnergy City Council forum, audience members filled out cards asking other questions of the candidates — questions that there was simply not enough time to ask during the forum itself (with 9 candidates, it’s hard to ask a lot of questions!). It’s a little grainy and part is cut off, but at the beginning of this post you can see a screen shot of my question:
For those candidates who say that they think Measure J/R should be amended, specifically how do you think it should be amended? Please give a detailed answer.
So far, none of the candidates have answered my question (or, many of the other audience members’ questions). Dan Carson, Linda Deos, Eric Gudz, and Gloria Partida (perhaps others) have said that they are thinking about proposing amendments to Measure R, should they be elected. I’d like to invite them – and members of the Davis community – to have a discussion about what amendments they would like to see, if any, to Measure R. Again, specificity is good! Information on Measure R is here: https://localwiki.org/davis/June_2010_Election/Measure_R
(Press release) Yolo County Deputy Public Defender Dean Johansson, a candidate for Yolo County District Attorney, Tuesday was among the first candidates for public office in the region to support state legislation introduced today to restrict when law enforcement officers could shoot suspects.
The measure would modify the standard officers use to fire their weapons to "necessary force" from the current "reasonable force," which has led to 162 killings by California peace officers in 2017 – more than half of those killed were unarmed.
Davisite 