By long time Davis resident with strong ties to DJUSD.I received yet another shiny flier in the mail yesterday regarding Measure M. It no doubt will pass and I take great backlash risk in stating the following: There is one measure you will NOT see on the ballot next week and that's the much discussed and debated parcel tax that would serve to increase Davis teachers' salaries.
In this time of national political tumult, it is refreshing to celebrate local politics in Davis. And it is so important to seek out those with optimism, those who push on in the face of difficulty. This is what sparks my enthusiastic endorsement of David Murphy, who continues to work steadfastly for students and families of Yolo County.
As a longtime English teacher at Davis High School, I benefited from David’s leadership while he served as superintendent of schools. As a teacher of two of his daughters, I got to see him not only in the superintendent role, but also in the parent role. He was superb in both, always asking what more needed to be done to aid teachers like me, particularly in terms of serving our most vulnerable, at-risk students. David has a huge heart, and I have witnessed many occasions when he helped out students less fortunate, including the scholarship that the Murphys give every year to a deserving immigrant.
David has enjoyed a long and storied career. His resume is legendary – Teacher, Principal, Superintendent. He has given incredible service bringing creative solutions to complex educational challenges. We are so fortunate that he wants to continue to serve.
A recent Harvard study, “Aging Well,” concludes that the key to a long, happy, and productive life includes “building a good life, becoming a well-rounded self, and then giving back.” This describes David perfectly. We need his experience, energy, and expertise to provide solutions to the complex problems that face the Yolo County Board of Education.
Widgen Neagley
Davis
By Carey Ann Hunt
The ground was dusty and the air was bone dry.
Midafternoon dense with heat,
Smoky with the chance of ash.
Fires blazed in hills nearby.
Engulfed in heat, I tired from merely walking
I made my way to the three greenhouses
Just past the fire station on the left.
Voter Forum
"When we rise, we vote!”
Voters’ forum focused on the issues of concern to voters in Yolo County and the region and CA state ballot initiatives, with the goal of maximizing voter turnout. This event is sponsored by the Yolo County Democratic Party.
Sunday at 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Davis Senior Center
646 A St, Davis, California 95616
<<<press release>>>
Local Democratic clubs, community groups and candidates are invited to table at the event. There may be a brief amount of time provided for speakers at the opening and closing of the event. We ask all clubs and community groups to bring a food item to share for 10-50 people. Together, we can provide some light snacks and refreshments for up to 200 people.
More importantly, we ask that you come prepared to share facts, figures, Get Out The Vote strategies that work, and solutions that empower, either by tabling for your group or leading a breakout session. We strive to be as welcoming and empowering as possible. We are coming together as a very diverse, respectful, and progressive community.
For more details and to co-sponsor (bring your own table, lead a breakout session, or provide food), contact: Kris Edwards (writemindfulness@gmail.com), M. E. Gladis (916-248-6442, mixieups@yahoo.com), Desiree Rojas-Bates (Desflores5@gmail.com)
Paid parking will change the character of the downtown experience
By Daniel Urazandi
downtowndavis.org is an association of small businesses that oppose paid parking downtown. Here's why: (the city has been unable or unwilling to provide certain numbers upon request. Those are marked by the #? symbol)
People do not want to pay to park, everyone admits that. Forcing them to will make them visit downtown less and for shorter periods of time. The city calls this increasing parking availability, we call it driving traffic away from downtown. Less drivers means less customers, less sales, eventually less shops.
The city's plan not only doesn't add a single parking space, it takes away an undisclosed #? amount as the meters will come with ADA legislated handicapped only spaces in the streets. Since the existing handicapped spaces are not all used these will be mostly vacant spaces.
No new spaces means the only way promised space will be created will be by driving other drivers away. Who gets run off in the city's plan?
By Dave Taormino, a Davis Housing Provider, WDAAC Developer
Housing Shortage: Yes on L Offers Housing Choices
Davis is one of only a few cities in California that has a self-inflicted shortage of homes and apartments. A massive housing shortage exists in the Bay Area because of the lack of land and tremendous job growth. The same problem occurs in Southern California.
Davis needs more housing of several types: for seniors, locally based employees and more student complexes on campus. At least student apartments have made progress, but none for seniors and others.
by Bob Schneider
Properly planned, the northwest corner of Davis offers an important opportunity for meeting development needs in Davis in a manner that reflects Davis values. Neighborhoods, a natural habitat swale for the Covell drainage, flood water pond storage, edible vegetation, affordable co-housing, senior housing, community gardens, appropriate commercial, and live-work buildings, bordered by protected farmland and open space reflects my values and I believe our Davis values.
Working towards this vision necessitates a General Plan update or a Northwest Specific Plan.
Piecemeal development, focusing on one development at a time, may preclude this important opportunity.
I suggest we delay any immediate decisions until the new council is seated. They can make a thorough, inclusive, and comprehensive decision without a rush to judgement on how we should best proceed.
For full disclosure- Yes, I was a builder and developer and for a time I v.,ras involved in the northwest area. My interest then, as now, was in first ensuring comprehensive planning. I no longer have any involvement or financial ties to this area.
(Originally published June 2018)
“Victoria Secret” I blurted.
The room erupted in robust laughter.
My stomach turned as my face went red.
By Carey Ann Hunt
For years I have shied away from speaking in public or doing anything to put myself out there in a theatrical sense. I clearly recall a particularly awkward moment one evening in eighth grade. I was invited to a High School Shakespeare play reading event. The 11th grade boy I had a huge crush on was there. Giddy with nervous enthusiasm, sweaty palms and a constant blush I mistakenly blurted out Victoria Secret instead of Victoria Station, when it was my turn to read and of course the room exploded in fits of laughter. It took a really long time for people to regain composure. Nerves, laughter, and the genuine dislike of audiences made me want to push that button that makes the floor drop down under me, rapidly opening into a hallway leading to an inconspicuous exit route. The button didn’t work. I not only was still there I had to continue reading my part.
What is the cost of paid parking in downtown Davis?
Not how much will it cost an hour to park, but rather, what will the effect be on local businesses?
Local businesses are worried about paid parking and 50-plus of them have founded downtowndavis.org to bring their concerns to the City Council and the Davis public. Again, and again business owners state that paid parking will hurt their business.
Advocates for the paid parking plan state, “Let’s not forget that a car parking spot used for one car — and one shopper — can instead be used by six bikes, and six shoppers.” But, this depends on there being six cyclists demanding a new spot to park. Given the current availability of bike parking downtown I see no evidence that these new replacement shoppers exist. As far as I can tell, no one is deterred from biking downtown for a lack of a place to park. The same is not true for car drivers.
The headline in the Daily Post (#1 in Palo Alto and the Mid-Peninsula) is
"STANFORD HIT WITH HOUSING BILL"
….. and then underneath
"$155.8 million for expansion".
Yes, you read that correctly, Stanford is paying Santa Clara County over $150,000,000 for permission to expand.
This is such good news. The money goes to affordable housing in the County exchange for expansion of academic buildings associated with Stanford University.
Bravo Santa Clara County!
There is also an additional requirement to build affordable housing on campus.
Gosh, it is so refreshing when a university provides valuable resources (like cash) to the local areas where it is located.
Way to go Stanford!!
John
