Davisite Banner. Left side the bicycle obelisk at 3rd and University. Right side the trellis at the entrance to the Arboretum.

Category: Uncategorized

  • Disconnect Between Councilman Vaitla’s Words and Deeds

    I am very concerned at the disconnect between Councilman Vaitla’s words and deeds.

    Vaitla spent considerable verbiage at the last council meeting claiming that his plan for the commissions was to “build capacity in our commission to go out and do the broad-based outreach.” He claims he seeks, “ as many people, as many different people, as diverse people as possible. Diverse in terms of class, in terms of resources, age, sex, gender, race, are in the process and participating.”

    These are great sentiments and feel-good words about diversity and involvement, but the actual policy Vaitla put forward shrinks the commissions by about 25% of the community members serving as commissioners and he has not proposed any additional avenue for involvement. Each commissioner is not just a lone voice. As the Davis Commission handbook describes they are “the eyes and ears” of the council. Every commissioner is also a point of community contact in their neighborhoods, social circle, family network and beyond. Every commissioner is a community contact multiplier and brings with them a basket of other community voices.

    Vaitla’s grandstanding and value-signaling are a sad display of typical politics. Remember, don’t look at what the politician says. Look at what they actually do. Vaitla's proposal to merge and disband commissions shrinks opportunities for diverse community involvement.

    I am a current member of the Tree Commission and past chair, others on the commission may agree with me, but I am speaking for myself.

    Colin Walsh

  • Backing Allen

    Dear fellow Yoloans,

    We are writing this letter as support for our friend and colleague of over 20 years, Sheila Allen. Sheila is running for Yolo County Supervisor in District 4. Though we do not live in her district, her actions as a Yolo County Supervisor affects us too.

    We live in the Capay Valley, with the largest unincorporated town in Yolo County, Esparto. We do not have a city to enact laws; represent our needs or help us achieve our community goals. We need elected supervisors who understand the fullness of Yolo County, and we know that is Sheila Allen.

    Some of the ways we have worked together include First Five Yolo representing our individual districts; Yolo County Health Department as co-workers; and as a fellow volleyball team member! What that taught us was that Sheila could be depended upon to listen to concerns and help develop solutions. It taught us that Sheila will seek collaboration with all people and other Supervisors. And it taught us that she will invest all of her energies into being the best Yolo County Supervisor for District 4 and all of Yolo County.

    -Sue Heitman

  • Wolk: Supporting Sheila

    I am supporting Sheila Allen for election to the Board of Supervisors. Sheila is the best choice to work on the broad array of problems that the Yolo Board of Supervisors will have to deal with over the next four years.

    She is the only candidate that has wide experience forming coalitions to bring services to areas that have little or none. A new library in South Davis? A shelter like Yolo Crisis Nursery? More services to treat the mentally ill and addicted whose numbers grow daily? Or seniors who need caregivers, respite and support? And the children who have been left behind? Sheila has fought for and already provided leadership in so many areas. 

    We know that social services is the major business of the county board. That’s true but what that really means is hard work with 4 other Supervisors who are equally challenged by their cities and constituents to get more from the State budget and use what we have wisely. She has a headstart in endorsements of future colleagues on the Board, in the Yolo Cities, schools, and non-profits who provide so much of those services.

    But what about unique issues to District 4, like water? Flood protection? Agriculture? Habitat? She doesn’t need to come up to speed about the Yolo Basin, Putah Creek, groundwater protection or levees. She understands the mix of federal, state and local interests, private and public land ownership, all interests that rely on agreement to move forward. She knows that a partnership between agriculture and the environment and government is the only successful way forward. 

    I am grateful to Sheila for her willingness to run. She knows the job, she knows the challenges, and she is enthusiastic at the opportunity to take it on! We would be foolish to turn her down.

    -Lois Wolk

    Former state senator, assemblywoman, county supervisor and Davis mayor

  • Provenza Urges Vote For Allen

    Vote for Allen 

    I have represented Davis on the Board of Supervisors for 15 years. At my side has been Dr. Sheila Allen, an accomplished public servant, public health professional, and passionate advocate for our community.  I am honored to support Sheila to replace me on the Board.

    County supervisor is perhaps the most difficult and rewarding job in local government. The county is responsible for health, public safety, economic development, agriculture, water, flood and fire prevention, roads, environment, housing, libraries, and more. As deputy supervisor, Sheila delivered sound results in each of these areas.

    After nine years on the school board and fourteen years leading the Healthy Aging board, Sheila knows how to get things done. She is also well situated to handle a county budget now approaching $1 billion.

    During the pandemic, Sheila delivered vaccines, food, and supplies to isolated residents and helped assure that 95% of our seniors were vaccinated.  As a nurse with a PhD in public health, Sheila is uniquely qualified to address health and safety issues.

    Sheila helped develop protocols to evacuate disabled persons during floods and fires. She also helped increase fire protection for homes along Putah Creek.  It is no wonder that the Davis Firefighters have enthusiastically endorsed her.

    Sheila has also worked on local flood projects, funding a new South Davis library, and advancing public safety in Davis, Willowbank and El Macero.

    Sheila has the knowledge, experience, and commitment to excel as county supervisor. Please vote for Sheila Allen on or before March 5.

    -Jim Provenza

  • Allen for Supervisor

    Sheila Allen will be an excellent Yolo County Supervisor. Sheila cares for and listens to her constituents and provides services that address their needs. When world language programs in the Davis School District were proposed to be cut Sheila listened to the parents and understood the importance of retaining those programs for students to succeed in today’s world, learn more about other cultures, and have opportunities for grassroots exchanges. Thankfully, Sheila voted with two other Davis School Board members to retain the programs.

    Sheila has dedicated her public service career to helping meet the needs of people of all ages in Davis and in Yolo County. She founded and directed the Yolo Healthy Aging Alliance to promote the well-being of older adults and she continues to work for Yolo older adults by expanding the Yolo Adult Day Health Program, educating on emergency preparation, and supporting aging caregivers of persons with disabilities. 

    Sheila served as the inaugural Yolo County First 5 Commissioner and chaired the City of Davis Human Relations Commission focused on public safety. As Yolo County Supervisor Provenza’s deputy she focused on planning and funding the much needed south Davis library, health and safety needs, funding for mental health, and housing for young families.

    Sheila’s education and experience in public health and her dedication and strong success record in providing services for people of all ages to live healthfully makes her the best person for Yolo County’s next supervisor.

    -Ron Unger

  • Top Choice

    Sheila is my No. 1 choice for Yolo County supervisor in District 4. Between her experience with Yolo County Supervisor Provenza, her long history working to make our community better, and her willingness to work hard, she has earned my respect on many levels. Sheila has my vote and I encourage you to vote for her too!

    -Rose Cholewinski

  • Allen Experience Shows

    Support for Allen – 2/2

    I have known Sheila for more than 25 years and wholly support her bid for Yolo County Supervisor. She has the experience, shown through her 30 years of participation and support for your Yolo County community. Her record testifies to her involvement supporting a broad swath in our community.

    Her work for our children includes First 5, Explorit Board of Director President, Davis School Board, and the PTA. She has advocated for elderly and disabled adults with her founding of Yolo Healthy Aging Alliance (YHAA) which helps bring programs together throughout Yolo County and the state.

    This program was instrumental in helping a very vulnerable population during the pandemic. She continues her public service as chair of Unitrans Advisory Committee and City of Davis Human Relations Commission.

    I personally have worked with Sheila to help her keep the Children’s Explorit Museum programs going during COVID and re-open their doors. I’ve also worked with YHAA bringing COVID vaccines to seniors and the community by collaborating with the County Health Department and meals to seniors by working with food security programs.

    Sheila’s connections, understanding, and dedication working with organizations throughout Yolo County have provided Yolo County with someone who is amazing, qualified and ready to embrace the challenges ahead for all of Yolo County.

    -Julie Langston

    Davis

  • Allen a problem-solver

    I am writing this letter in support of Sheila Allen for Yolo County Supervisor. I have had the privilege of getting to know Sheila personally as a DJUSD School Board member and a high school parent.

    Sheila has always impressed me as a person who is committed to making our educational system and community better. As a leader, Sheila is genuine, compassionate, enthusiastic, and supportive. Sheila clearly has the knowledge and experience that enables her to effectively evaluate issues and recommend solutions that resolve the issues.

    Sheila has learned problem solving from her various positions serving Yolo County. She understands the necessity of listening to all sides and is skillful at guiding others in compromising their positions. Sheila is energetic, considerate, and trustworthy. These are all attributes that enable constructive leadership.

    Please join me in supporting Sheila Allen for Yolo County Supervisor.

    -Courtenay Tessler

  • Support Allen

    Please join us to support Dr Sheila Allen for Yolo County Supervisor for District 4.

    As Supervisor Jim Provenza’s Deputy, she is trained and ready to be his successor. I have been a fan of Jim Provenza since he first took office in 2008. I admire his accomplishments as Yolo County Supervisor and recall he obtained millions of dollars for direct services for children and families, those without housing, and the aged. He has decided not to see re-election for the fifth term to spend time with his family.

    Dr. Sheila is the right candidate for us. She is a charismatic leader. She founded and directed the Yolo Healthy Aging Alliance, was a founding member of Yolo First 5 and has chaired several other county committees. She’s focused on mental health services funding, housing for young families experiencing homelessness, and much more.

    As a Ph.D. in nursing, health and human services are her expertise, she helped nurture and care for our loved ones who were sick in San Francisco and Yolo County. She took care of our neighbors, spouse, siblings, children, colleagues, and friends, which is what governing is all about. Governing simply means managing people. Dr Sheila Allen is the right fit to govern us in Yolo County as our Supervisor.

    For these reasons, Politicians and Leaders of Tomorrow Group proudly supports Dr Sheila Allen for Yolo County Supervisor (District 4).

    -Chukwunedum (Chuck) Amajioyi

  • Allen brings energy

    I'm in Sheila Allen's district (4) and delighted that she's running for the County Board of Supervisors. Davis' own energizer bunny, Sheila (RN, Ph.D., Mom) has served us for over 30 years in this amazing (but partial!) list: Davis School Board, Yolo County Health Dept., Yolo Health Council, Yolo Healthy Aging Alliance (which she founded), Yolo First Five (which she co-founded), District 4 Deputy, PTA, Human Relations Commission, and DaVinci JHS and Yolo Cares Adult Day Program (both of which she co-founded).

    I've known Sheila for decades and have never seen her sitting down. Her consistent commitment, open heart, and superior ability mark her as an ideal candidate for county supervisor, and I wish we had thousands like her at every level of government. Thanks to Sheila for working so hard for us and wanting to continue to do so. We're lucky. Please join me in voting for Sheila Allen by March 5.

    -Sherrill Futrell