The Davis Voice

Davis Democratic Club Forum, Part Two

City Council Candidates of the Democratic Persuasion

Yesterday we posted the first part of the Davis Democratic Club Forum that took place last Thursday.  Read that post to get the Davis Voice’s coverage of the 8th Assembly candidates and short statements from the 4th Supervisor candidates.

By searching in the Elections Category, you'll find plenty of background information on all of the candidates that you'll be voting for on June 3rd, 2008.

After the jump, find a robust transcript from the proceedings.  We think that you'll find a lot of new information, along with some emerging differences between the candidates.

This Week in YOUR Government

As summer and the June 3rd Election stare us down, our citizens' government is in full swing with deliberations over many issues.  Yes, this week is a little light on commissions, but there are several other events to round out your week.

Most importantly, join us on Wednesday, April 30th from 7pm to 9:30pm in Community Chambers (behind City Hall on Russell Blvd) for the second full City Council candidates' forum hosted by the Yolano Chapter of the Sierra Club and the Davis Neighborhood Coalition.

After the jump, all the deets on how to be a better citizen: just show up at a meeting!

8th Assembly District Candidate's Forum

Here on The Davis Voice, we tend to concentrate on hyper-local public policy and city elections.  But, on June 3rd Democrats will also be voting in a primary for our Assembly seat.  Although the rest of the district isn’t nearly as liberal as Davis, it is a solidly Democratic district. 

So, the winner of the primary will most likely win the seat in the general election.    The 8th Assembly District of California encompasses most of Yolo and Solano Counties.  Our current representative is Assemblywoman Lois Wolk, who has termed out and mounted a campaign for the State Senate.

On June 3rd, Democratic Party voters from Benicia, Fairfield, Vacaville, Winters, Woodland, West Sacramento will join the right & relevant voters of Davis in choosing between long-time West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon and two-term Yolo County Supervisor Mariko Yamada for the.

After the jump, read Bob Schelen’s report from the Assembly candidates portion of the recent candidates' forum at the Davis Democratic Club.

This Weekend in the People's Republic

Hooray, the weekend is upon us again! It's a time to brush elbows with your neighbors at the farmer's market, catch up on projects, and spend some extra time with friends and family either relaxing at home or at any of the great events we have coming up.

After the jump, read about my favorites.

Election Update: 39 Days & Counting

Vote on June 3rd or Forfeit Your Davis Citizenship

In just 39 days (or before if you're a voter-by-mail), polling places will be open and candidates for local office will feign confidence as they await election returns.  The Davis Voice will continue to bring you information, analysis, and commentary on these contests as major events happen.

Our Elections Correspondent Bob Schelen gave us a very thorough report from the Davis Chamber's candidates forum, and he'll be doing the same for the Davis' Democratic Club's forum that is happening this evening.  Unfortunately, we missed the Davis College Democrat's Club forum last night but all of the candidates' written responses can be found here.

Twenty-eight of our readers have already sent questions for candidates.  Go ahead and let 'er rip by sending us your public policy questions for all of the aspirants to officialdom.  Feel free to send general questions for all of the candidates and/or questions tailored for the specific candidates.

After the jump, a line-up of all the candidates for those of you who haven't paid attention just yet.

Downtown Parking Madness

Sexy Meter Maids Probably Won't Solve Our Parking Problems.

Our very own mensch-about-town, Michael Bartolic, if often ahead of the curve when it comes to public policy issues in our fair little burg.  He submitted this piece about downtown parking over a month ago and, failing to recognize its importance, your editor left it languishing in the depths of the Davis Voice inbox.

Perhaps your editor failed to give credence to this piece because he no longer drives a gas-guzzling vehicle and the only parking problems he has stem from being unable to remember his bike lock combination.

Anywho, last week the City Council decided to institute paid parking in the E Street Plaza Parking Lot… Dollar Scoop Night at Baskin Robbins just got mroe expensive if you want a close parking space.  A total of 59 spaces will be part of a paid system that will allow you to park your gas-guzzler for as long as you want to pay.  Get all of the details here (pdf). 

The Davis Voice thinks that we should have paid parking everywhere downtown to encourage more bikers and to fund street calming and better biking infrastructure downtown.

After the jump, read Mike’s downtown parking horror story: one of many reasons to completely revamp downtown parking.

Earth Day Special

Live Blogging with help from Local Asparagus, the Davis Bike Czarina and Councilman Max Headroom

In case you were unaware, today is Earth Day (soon to be renamed "St. Al of Gore Day" because he invented the environment and protection thereof.)  This is the one day of the year that we are allowed to pat ourselves on the back for all of the new and exciting things that we are doing to create a more sustainable planet. 

Obviously, it is also a day of reflection for all of the things that we could be doing better.

This Earth Day, your Editor is attending an event at our Community Chambers.  We are currently celebrating Earth Day with a presentation from the Farmer's Market people and soon we will have a  Joint Meeting of the Planning Commission and the City Council to hear a presentation about the finalized report from the General Plan Housing Element Update Steering Committee (how, where, and when we should build new housing units in Davis until the year 2013.)

After the jump, find all of the fun liveblogging details from Community Chambers on Earth Day and our how Councilman Max Headroom and his colleagues are going to solve all of our housing needs.

This Week in YOUR Government

This week, like every other, there are many opportunities to do your civic duty by giving up one night of prime-time television and going to a city commission meeting.  But, the real excitement is at the two City Council Candidate's Forums that will be held this week.  Did you read about the 1st forum?  Not many people have, because our paper of record did not cover it.

After the jump, all the details on where to do your civic duty.

This Weekend in The People's Republic

When I first came to Davis I was under the impression that life in a smallish college town couldn’t offer one much in the way of entertainment. I’m not exactly sure what I pictured the people of Davis doing, but I was half prepared to be spending a lot of time in movie theaters and reading in cafes to stave off boredom. I’ve since opened my eyes and I am still discovering new and enriching ways to spend my time. This is Davis people! Get outside and enjoy our wacky little People's Republic.

This Saturday is Picnic Day and whether you’re looking for university-oriented activities or to stay off campus altogether, there are just too many great things happening to list in today’s post.  Stay tuned to Kemble's Picnic Day choices.  After the jump, get the details on the non-Picnic Day events that I’ve chosen to highlight.

This Week in YOUR Government

The DJUSD funding situation is still at the forefront of civil discourse, even with a City Council election just 50 days away.  On Thursday, the DJUSD Board of Trustees will consider their first round of cuts to "support" (calling them "support" should rub you the wrong way if you consider counselors and librarians to be integral to a child's education) staff.

This Saturday is Picnic Day and we'll be offering up a list of must-see events on that epic day.

Next week is chock-full of opportunities to see the City Council candidates in forum/debate settings, so it's time you clicked on the "Elections" category and learned about your choices.

After the jump, find the details on this week's opportunities to get involved in your local government.