Category: Uncategorized

Comments delivered by Tree Davis’ Executive Director to the Davis City Council regarding the re-alignment of City Commissions – January 30th,  2024

The proposal to amend the City’s Commission structure is a weighty issue, and we at Tree Davis feel that it would be a disservice to over half a century of effort from those that have served as Tree Commission Members to make this decision so quickly. To make such a decision with so little time to react for stakeholders like us and so many folks that have committed so much time is disappointing.

An extensive, healthy, and resilient urban forest is more important now than ever due to climate change stressors like excessive heat and drought. At the same time, these impacts pose new threats to the existing urban forest. Proactive planning and management is needed now to transition to the urban forest of the future, one that will be sustainable in 50 years. What would be the guiding principles of the newly formed commission that combines the Tree Commission and Natural Resources? How would the newly proposed Tree Removal Committee interact with the City, and how would people be appointed to it?

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The Right Experience –

Voters in east, north and south Davis, El Macero and Willowbank have a clear choice among the 3 candidates for District 4 Yolo County Supervisor.Dr. Sheila Allen—currently Deputy to D4 Supervisor Jim Provenza—is a public health nurse, a former two-term+ Davis School Board Trustee, and immediate past Executive Director of Yolo Healthy Aging, a post she held for 13 years. She’s also been Chair of the Unitrans Advisory Committee and the City of Davis Human Relations Commission.Her modest rural Wisconsin hometown values anchored her through graduate education in San Francisco and her time providing in-home nursing services to families on Chicago’s South Side. She’s been active in the Davis and greater Yolo County community for 30 years; we go “way back” to 1999—when I was then D4 Supervisor Dave Rosenberg’s Deputy and she was tapped to serve as his appointee to the inaugural Proposition 10 – First Five Yolo Commission. Our collaboration continued throughout my years as the D4 Supervisor and in the State Assembly.Yes–Sheila has been doing the work and doing it well for a long time. From the youngest to the oldest county resident, her ability to serve has been boundless. As we face serious budget shortfalls and the specter of a fraying democracy, that whiff of ageism in the call for a “new generation” of leadership belies the strength of lived experience tempered only by years in service. On March 5, Vote Sheila Allen for D4 Yolo County Supervisor.

-Helen Thompson

To the Editor:

It is with great enthusiasm that I endorse Sheila Allen for Yolo County Supervisor. Sheila has a wonderful resume as she has spent more than 30 years serving Yolo County. Sheila has a BS and PhD in nursing and public health. She has not only been a public health nurse but was a founding member of First 5 of Yolo County.  Sheila was a proud and effective member of our wonderful Davis school board, and founded Yolo Healthy Aging Alliance for our older adults. She currently serves as the Deputy for Yolo District 4 Supervisor Jim Provenza so she understands this important work.

I can think of no better prepared candidate for the role of supervisor in this wonderful county. Sheila has a distinguished history as a can-do person who will create a can-do atmosphere between and among people and the agencies that serve people. Sheila is optimistic and brings experience and an up beat, "let us get everybody engaged" attitude to every role she has played. She will continue our wonderful history as a county that gets things done.  Sheila does her homework and treats people with respect. She also helps people to work together. I think those attributes are especially important as the political arena can be dominated by people more interested in appearing victorious than in getting things done.

I heartily endorse Sheila Allen for Yolo County Supervisor in District 4.

-Delaine Eastin, former California Superintendent  of Public Instruction and former Assemblywoman

If this tax is passed, we will essentially never be able to repeal or amend it.

This is our only real chance to vote no. 

I strongly recommend that on March 5, all local voters Vote NO on Measure N, the new large school parcel tax that will last in perpetuity with no voter check in and compound increasing every year. Because N has no sunset clause, this will be your only chance.

This is the first time I am voting NO on any school measure, and I am doing so because it is not OK to install a large permanent tax that will never automatically come back to voters and will go up every year with inflation, especially when all indications are Davis student enrollment will decline significantly. Make the Board put a sunset on it and start to plan for declining enrollments.

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Voters in east, north and south Davis, El Macero and Willowbank have a clear choice among the 3 candidates for District 4 Yolo County Supervisor.

Dr. Sheila Allen—currently Deputy to D4 Supervisor Jim Provenza—is a public health nurse, a former two-term+ Davis School Board Trustee, and immediate past Executive Director of Yolo Healthy Aging, a post she held for 13 years. She’s also been Chair of the Unitrans Advisory Committee and the City of Davis Human Relations Commission.

Her modest rural Wisconsin hometown values anchored her through graduate education in San Francisco and her time providing in-home nursing services to families on Chicago’s South Side. She’s been active in the Davis and greater Yolo County community for 30 years; we go “way back” to 1999—when I was then D4 Supervisor Dave Rosenberg’s Deputy and she was tapped to serve as his appointee to the inaugural Proposition 10 – First Five Yolo Commission. Our collaboration continued throughout my years as the D4 Supervisor and in the State Assembly.

Yes–Sheila has been doing the work and doing it well for a long time. From the youngest to the oldest county resident, her ability to serve has been boundless. As we face serious budget shortfalls and the specter of a fraying democracy, that whiff of ageism in the call for a “new generation” of leadership belies the strength of lived experience tempered only by years in service.

On March 5, Vote Sheila Allen for D4 Yolo County Supervisor.

-Mariko Yamada

 I am writing to express my support for Sheila Allen. As a colleague and friend, I believe that Sheila is the most qualified candidate to represent District 4.

I first met her about twenty years ago, at the Yolo County Health Department. Throughout the years I’ve known her, she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to our community. She has been an advocate for all Yolo County residents from all stages and circumstances in life, from youth and families to seniors. The depth and breadth of her experience and commitment to service is unparalleled.

A stand-out aspect of Sheila’s service is her tireless advocacy for public health. Sheila was heavily involved in the COVID-19 response and was a valuable member of the advisory committee that made the very challenging decision-making and implementation process of equitable vaccine distribution a success. Her efforts in other public health projects have positively impacted countless individuals. We need a leader who not only understands Yolo’s unique challenges, but also has a proven track record of effectively addressing them.

In addition to her impressive accomplishments, Sheila has consistently shown a willingness to collaborate with all community stakeholders. This inclusive approach to governance is crucial in fostering unity and ensuring that the diverse voices of Yolo County are heard and represented.

As we approach March 5, I encourage Yolo County residents to consider the invaluable contributions Sheila has made to our community. Her experience, passion, and dedication make her the clear choice to represent Yolo’s District 4.

-Ada Barros

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

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

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