Christopher Cabaldon and Jim Provenza Endorsed by the Sierra Club

This week Assembly Candidate Christopher Cabaldon and Yolo County Supervisor Candidate Jim Provenza earned the endorsement of the Sierra Club, one of the seminal environmental organizations in the country.

The organization cited Cabaldon’s role in the development of the SACOG Blueprint Project. He has also sat on the Central Valley Water Board and consistently has taken strong positions to protect water quality.

Christopher Cabaldon wrote on his website:

“Our district is unique in how much we value our special natural heritage, open spaces, farmland, rolling hills, creeks, and the Delta, and how committed we are to environmental protection and sustainability, as well as clean air and water.

That’s why I’m so proud to report that the Sierra Club has now endorsed my candidacy.”

He went on to say:

“The Sierra Club only grants its endorsement in a handful of legislative races, and only after a grassroots vote of confidence by the progressive environmental activists working at the local level inside the district.”

Delta Protection is one of the most important environmental issues in this district, along with transportation emissions, and protection of agricultural land.

“They know how important it is that we win our fight to rescue the Delta, tackle the causes and impacts of climate change (including my national battle against the Bush Administration on vehicle emission standards), stop pollution of our air and water, put an end to sprawl and the disappearance of our rural legacy, and make trains, transit, biking, and walking real alternatives to more time in our cars. And they know I will continue to be an environmental champion in the Assembly.”

For the Yolo County Supervisors race, the Sierra Club acknowledged that both candidates have demonstrated a strong environmental commitment.

The deciding issue revolved around a proposed initiative for Yolo County to protect agricultural land and to continue to limit development to existing cities.

Jim Provenza was a strong advocate against the proposed developments on the periphery of the city of Davis. He opposed Covell Village. And strongly supports Measure J. He vowed to support an initiative at the county level similar to Measure J, according to the Sierra Club.

It is nice to see that land use policies were used as the basis for a Sierra Club endorsement. Too often the protection of agricultural land and defense against peripheral development are overlooked. But from an environmental standpoint, once you pave over farmland, it is lost. I was talking to someone the other day who was raised in what was known as the Santa Clara Valley before it became known as the Silicon Valley. Some may remember that those were some of the best soils in the state and they are now permanently lost by urbanization and sprawl development.

It is a bit disappointing that the Sierra Club apparently will not be endorsing in the Davis City Council race.

Sydney Vergis endorses herself

Could not resist adding this here. This one jumped out at me last night. There is an organization known as the Yolo County Young Democrats. It is a small group that has little to no background. Sometime at the end of last year or the beginning of this year, Sydney Vergis became the President or Director, not sure which, of this organization. There is no web presence so it is difficult to ascertain just how many members there are of this group, but I’ve heard there are six including the chair.

In the Enterprise last night, Sydney Vergis announced that she had obtained the endorsement of the group that she heads up. I should hope so. Next thing you know, Cecilia will be sending out a press release saying that the Vanguard has endorsed her. Maybe people have not heard, I am married to Cecilia Escamilla-Greenwald. Oh and despite what the Davis Enterprise said last year, I am not married to Sue Greenwald.

—Doug Paul Davis reporting

About The Author

David Greenwald is the founder, editor, and executive director of the Davis Vanguard. He founded the Vanguard in 2006. David Greenwald moved to Davis in 1996 to attend Graduate School at UC Davis in Political Science. He lives in South Davis with his wife Cecilia Escamilla Greenwald and three children.

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136 Comments

  1. the hiker

    Too bad the Sierra Club is not endorsing or rating the candidates in the council race. They should do that as a service to the community and it’s members. There must be some politics going on.

    I attended the forum and there is a difference between the candidates on issues that Sierra Club members are concerned with. There are some who are touting that they are green, green, green, but their positions on issues are not so friendly to our community or the environment.

  2. the hiker

    Too bad the Sierra Club is not endorsing or rating the candidates in the council race. They should do that as a service to the community and it’s members. There must be some politics going on.

    I attended the forum and there is a difference between the candidates on issues that Sierra Club members are concerned with. There are some who are touting that they are green, green, green, but their positions on issues are not so friendly to our community or the environment.

  3. the hiker

    Too bad the Sierra Club is not endorsing or rating the candidates in the council race. They should do that as a service to the community and it’s members. There must be some politics going on.

    I attended the forum and there is a difference between the candidates on issues that Sierra Club members are concerned with. There are some who are touting that they are green, green, green, but their positions on issues are not so friendly to our community or the environment.

  4. the hiker

    Too bad the Sierra Club is not endorsing or rating the candidates in the council race. They should do that as a service to the community and it’s members. There must be some politics going on.

    I attended the forum and there is a difference between the candidates on issues that Sierra Club members are concerned with. There are some who are touting that they are green, green, green, but their positions on issues are not so friendly to our community or the environment.

  5. Anonymous

    Maybe the Sierra Club realizes that flat farmland isn’t necessarily a high environmenally pristine resource, whereas the Delta and wetlands are more important environmentally and more important to protect. You guys have a strange definition of “green” if all it means is farmland preservation.

  6. Anonymous

    Maybe the Sierra Club realizes that flat farmland isn’t necessarily a high environmenally pristine resource, whereas the Delta and wetlands are more important environmentally and more important to protect. You guys have a strange definition of “green” if all it means is farmland preservation.

  7. Anonymous

    Maybe the Sierra Club realizes that flat farmland isn’t necessarily a high environmenally pristine resource, whereas the Delta and wetlands are more important environmentally and more important to protect. You guys have a strange definition of “green” if all it means is farmland preservation.

  8. Anonymous

    Maybe the Sierra Club realizes that flat farmland isn’t necessarily a high environmenally pristine resource, whereas the Delta and wetlands are more important environmentally and more important to protect. You guys have a strange definition of “green” if all it means is farmland preservation.

  9. Rebecca Wu

    I wonder if it was good farm soil under the development area in west sac Bridgeway area. This area is south of 1-80 down Jefferson and not too far from the river and Yolo bypass.

    There sure are a lot of those hudge houses that are designed with large open spaces inside wich is not energy efficient. It would have been nice to see mostly or all small houses if development was a wise choice to begin with.

    It would have been nice too see the land contracted out to several small local developers not one. They all look like sameville USA and exactly like all the development grouth everywhere else. I am assuming (yep could be wrong) it was one bigger paying developer and one name might come in mind.

    The wallmart and Ikea in west sac is great for the people so they can buy cheep stuff. I dont have much money I need cheep stuff too. But this is Self destructive in the long run and goes along with getting one big developer to do it all. remeber the Ace Hardware supported advertisement about these superstores?

    It was good to see Cabaldon be a little different that most of the other SACOG people. I rmember him standing out at the SACOG meeting in Sac with some anti-war shirt. It does make some sense why the sierra club supported him.

    Although I absolutly did not agree with the Yolo, Yamada supported study of possible develpment around Davis she did remind people it was not so that the whole area under study was to be developed just looked at for the best place. Basically, it would not have been as big as I imagined from the study size. She has always been willing to take a stand on things even when some of her supporters may not agree. I stil say she always comes from the heart.

    As for Jim, I have no reservations and hope he gets it.

  10. Rebecca Wu

    I wonder if it was good farm soil under the development area in west sac Bridgeway area. This area is south of 1-80 down Jefferson and not too far from the river and Yolo bypass.

    There sure are a lot of those hudge houses that are designed with large open spaces inside wich is not energy efficient. It would have been nice to see mostly or all small houses if development was a wise choice to begin with.

    It would have been nice too see the land contracted out to several small local developers not one. They all look like sameville USA and exactly like all the development grouth everywhere else. I am assuming (yep could be wrong) it was one bigger paying developer and one name might come in mind.

    The wallmart and Ikea in west sac is great for the people so they can buy cheep stuff. I dont have much money I need cheep stuff too. But this is Self destructive in the long run and goes along with getting one big developer to do it all. remeber the Ace Hardware supported advertisement about these superstores?

    It was good to see Cabaldon be a little different that most of the other SACOG people. I rmember him standing out at the SACOG meeting in Sac with some anti-war shirt. It does make some sense why the sierra club supported him.

    Although I absolutly did not agree with the Yolo, Yamada supported study of possible develpment around Davis she did remind people it was not so that the whole area under study was to be developed just looked at for the best place. Basically, it would not have been as big as I imagined from the study size. She has always been willing to take a stand on things even when some of her supporters may not agree. I stil say she always comes from the heart.

    As for Jim, I have no reservations and hope he gets it.

  11. Rebecca Wu

    I wonder if it was good farm soil under the development area in west sac Bridgeway area. This area is south of 1-80 down Jefferson and not too far from the river and Yolo bypass.

    There sure are a lot of those hudge houses that are designed with large open spaces inside wich is not energy efficient. It would have been nice to see mostly or all small houses if development was a wise choice to begin with.

    It would have been nice too see the land contracted out to several small local developers not one. They all look like sameville USA and exactly like all the development grouth everywhere else. I am assuming (yep could be wrong) it was one bigger paying developer and one name might come in mind.

    The wallmart and Ikea in west sac is great for the people so they can buy cheep stuff. I dont have much money I need cheep stuff too. But this is Self destructive in the long run and goes along with getting one big developer to do it all. remeber the Ace Hardware supported advertisement about these superstores?

    It was good to see Cabaldon be a little different that most of the other SACOG people. I rmember him standing out at the SACOG meeting in Sac with some anti-war shirt. It does make some sense why the sierra club supported him.

    Although I absolutly did not agree with the Yolo, Yamada supported study of possible develpment around Davis she did remind people it was not so that the whole area under study was to be developed just looked at for the best place. Basically, it would not have been as big as I imagined from the study size. She has always been willing to take a stand on things even when some of her supporters may not agree. I stil say she always comes from the heart.

    As for Jim, I have no reservations and hope he gets it.

  12. Rebecca Wu

    I wonder if it was good farm soil under the development area in west sac Bridgeway area. This area is south of 1-80 down Jefferson and not too far from the river and Yolo bypass.

    There sure are a lot of those hudge houses that are designed with large open spaces inside wich is not energy efficient. It would have been nice to see mostly or all small houses if development was a wise choice to begin with.

    It would have been nice too see the land contracted out to several small local developers not one. They all look like sameville USA and exactly like all the development grouth everywhere else. I am assuming (yep could be wrong) it was one bigger paying developer and one name might come in mind.

    The wallmart and Ikea in west sac is great for the people so they can buy cheep stuff. I dont have much money I need cheep stuff too. But this is Self destructive in the long run and goes along with getting one big developer to do it all. remeber the Ace Hardware supported advertisement about these superstores?

    It was good to see Cabaldon be a little different that most of the other SACOG people. I rmember him standing out at the SACOG meeting in Sac with some anti-war shirt. It does make some sense why the sierra club supported him.

    Although I absolutly did not agree with the Yolo, Yamada supported study of possible develpment around Davis she did remind people it was not so that the whole area under study was to be developed just looked at for the best place. Basically, it would not have been as big as I imagined from the study size. She has always been willing to take a stand on things even when some of her supporters may not agree. I stil say she always comes from the heart.

    As for Jim, I have no reservations and hope he gets it.

  13. rebecca wu

    Here is the point of big development

    http://www.andersonvillestudy.com/

    click on reports

    “The study was conducted by Civic Economics of Austin and Chicago in cooperation with the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce and the Andersonville Development Corporation”

    hmm, not just made up by some crazy liberals.

  14. rebecca wu

    Here is the point of big development

    http://www.andersonvillestudy.com/

    click on reports

    “The study was conducted by Civic Economics of Austin and Chicago in cooperation with the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce and the Andersonville Development Corporation”

    hmm, not just made up by some crazy liberals.

  15. rebecca wu

    Here is the point of big development

    http://www.andersonvillestudy.com/

    click on reports

    “The study was conducted by Civic Economics of Austin and Chicago in cooperation with the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce and the Andersonville Development Corporation”

    hmm, not just made up by some crazy liberals.

  16. rebecca wu

    Here is the point of big development

    http://www.andersonvillestudy.com/

    click on reports

    “The study was conducted by Civic Economics of Austin and Chicago in cooperation with the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce and the Andersonville Development Corporation”

    hmm, not just made up by some crazy liberals.

  17. Sierra Club Member

    “Maybe the Sierra Club realizes that flat farmland isn’t necessarily a high environmenally pristine resource, whereas the Delta and wetlands are more important environmentally and more important to protect.”

    Read the write up on Provenza, one of the reasons for his endorsement was his protection of ag land.

    “You guys have a strange definition of “green” if all it means is farmland preservation.”

    Who said “all” it means is farmland protection? No one.

  18. Sierra Club Member

    “Maybe the Sierra Club realizes that flat farmland isn’t necessarily a high environmenally pristine resource, whereas the Delta and wetlands are more important environmentally and more important to protect.”

    Read the write up on Provenza, one of the reasons for his endorsement was his protection of ag land.

    “You guys have a strange definition of “green” if all it means is farmland preservation.”

    Who said “all” it means is farmland protection? No one.

  19. Sierra Club Member

    “Maybe the Sierra Club realizes that flat farmland isn’t necessarily a high environmenally pristine resource, whereas the Delta and wetlands are more important environmentally and more important to protect.”

    Read the write up on Provenza, one of the reasons for his endorsement was his protection of ag land.

    “You guys have a strange definition of “green” if all it means is farmland preservation.”

    Who said “all” it means is farmland protection? No one.

  20. Sierra Club Member

    “Maybe the Sierra Club realizes that flat farmland isn’t necessarily a high environmenally pristine resource, whereas the Delta and wetlands are more important environmentally and more important to protect.”

    Read the write up on Provenza, one of the reasons for his endorsement was his protection of ag land.

    “You guys have a strange definition of “green” if all it means is farmland preservation.”

    Who said “all” it means is farmland protection? No one.

  21. Anonymous

    Is the SC rating the council candidates? I would like to know when the rating will be available. I remember them saying they would rate candidates.

  22. Anonymous

    Is the SC rating the council candidates? I would like to know when the rating will be available. I remember them saying they would rate candidates.

  23. Anonymous

    Is the SC rating the council candidates? I would like to know when the rating will be available. I remember them saying they would rate candidates.

  24. Anonymous

    Is the SC rating the council candidates? I would like to know when the rating will be available. I remember them saying they would rate candidates.

  25. Anonymous

    DPD
    I think that everyone reading this column understands your bias for Cecilia. Not sure why you need to make a big deal of Sydney Vergis’s endorsement except for the the fact that you are campaigning for another candidate.

  26. Anonymous

    DPD
    I think that everyone reading this column understands your bias for Cecilia. Not sure why you need to make a big deal of Sydney Vergis’s endorsement except for the the fact that you are campaigning for another candidate.

  27. Anonymous

    DPD
    I think that everyone reading this column understands your bias for Cecilia. Not sure why you need to make a big deal of Sydney Vergis’s endorsement except for the the fact that you are campaigning for another candidate.

  28. Anonymous

    DPD
    I think that everyone reading this column understands your bias for Cecilia. Not sure why you need to make a big deal of Sydney Vergis’s endorsement except for the the fact that you are campaigning for another candidate.

  29. Anonymous

    Because Sydney Vergis was enabled by the Davis Enterprise to “endorse herself.”? Kind of a metaphor for her motivation to run for City Council, it would seem.

  30. Anonymous

    Because Sydney Vergis was enabled by the Davis Enterprise to “endorse herself.”? Kind of a metaphor for her motivation to run for City Council, it would seem.

  31. Anonymous

    Because Sydney Vergis was enabled by the Davis Enterprise to “endorse herself.”? Kind of a metaphor for her motivation to run for City Council, it would seem.

  32. Anonymous

    Because Sydney Vergis was enabled by the Davis Enterprise to “endorse herself.”? Kind of a metaphor for her motivation to run for City Council, it would seem.

  33. Anonymous

    Does it matter what “metaphor” or incentive one has to run for public office? What should matter is that person’s care for the good of all.

  34. Anonymous

    Does it matter what “metaphor” or incentive one has to run for public office? What should matter is that person’s care for the good of all.

  35. Anonymous

    Does it matter what “metaphor” or incentive one has to run for public office? What should matter is that person’s care for the good of all.

  36. Anonymous

    Does it matter what “metaphor” or incentive one has to run for public office? What should matter is that person’s care for the good of all.

  37. Localdem

    Isn’t the fact that Sydney Vergis is a phoney creation of the pro-developer side and has phoney credentials exactly the issue? The fact that her created organization (Yolo Young Democrats) has endorsed her and she is publicizing it isn’t the issue?

  38. Localdem

    Isn’t the fact that Sydney Vergis is a phoney creation of the pro-developer side and has phoney credentials exactly the issue? The fact that her created organization (Yolo Young Democrats) has endorsed her and she is publicizing it isn’t the issue?

  39. Localdem

    Isn’t the fact that Sydney Vergis is a phoney creation of the pro-developer side and has phoney credentials exactly the issue? The fact that her created organization (Yolo Young Democrats) has endorsed her and she is publicizing it isn’t the issue?

  40. Localdem

    Isn’t the fact that Sydney Vergis is a phoney creation of the pro-developer side and has phoney credentials exactly the issue? The fact that her created organization (Yolo Young Democrats) has endorsed her and she is publicizing it isn’t the issue?

  41. longtime Yolo Democrat

    I am reposting my comments from an earlier thread following the Friday, May 2 Vanguard article entitled: “Davis Enterprise to endorse Saylor, Souza and…..Vergis”

    longtime Yolo Democrat said…
    Sydney Vergis has done nothing, and I mean nothing, to support Democratic Party candidates or efforts in Davis or Yolo County. In anticipation of her run for office, in late 2007, the unknown Vergis just around the time of her announcement that she might seek a city council seat was made executive director of the Young Democrats of Yolo County a nearly defunct club of less than 6 members (not to be confused with the highly successful and effective UC Davis College Democrats Club.) The former executive director gave Vergis the position so she could in turn use it as a platform by which to portray herself as a worthy and dedicated Democratic leader seeking election to the city council. Within a few weeks Vergis was writing self-serving letters to the editor of the Davis Enterprise and using the title to promote her candidacy.

    The truth of the matter is Sydney Vergis was completely unknown to both the leadership and rank & file Democrats in Davis & Yolo County because she had never and I mean never attended or volunteered for any events or campaigns to elect Democrats prior to 2008. She is phantom “Democratic Party activist and leader” with an anointed title to fool the Democrats in Davis into believing she is something she is not.
    5/2/08 2:10 PM

    longtime Yolo Democrat said…
    In answer to your question, the blog poster “We Won’t Be Fooled Again” is correct, Rich Peterson was the chair of the essentially defunct Yolo County Young Democrats Club. Peterson gave up his position to Vergis and the title was changed to “Executive Director.” This action amongst authentic Democratic Party activists was seen for what it was—a deception—intended to give the unknown Vergis a title and fool the voters.

    For those of us who have toiled in the party ranks for decades this action smelled of the manipulative politics that has characterized a segment of the local Democratic Party scene for some time. When it comes to city & county offices this segment that is owned by prominent local developers in Davis is often more loyal to their petty politics and favored developer backed candidates than the values of the Democratic Party. When recruiting their candidates the local developer backed partisans will embellish if not outright fabricate credentials to enhance the electability of their chosen candidates.

    It is no secret that John Whitcombe and the Covell Village Partners who brought us Measure X are heavily backing Sydney Vergis as well as their council allies Don Saylor and Steve Souza. Just like they lied about the merits of the proposed Covell Village project they will attempt to once again deceive the voters to attain their goal—a Covell Village friendly council.
    5/2/08 8:57 PM

    Executive Chair-For-Life of Young Green Arm of the Yolo County Democrat Society said…
    Quote:
    ::Peterson gave up his position to Vergis and the title was changed to “Executive Director.” This action amongst authentic Democratic Party activists was seen for what it was—a deception—intended to give the unknown Vergis a title and fool the voters::

    Can somebody please get to the bottom of Ms. Vergis’ credentials?

    Assigning a more or less “fake title” is a serious issue during a campaign season, where trust is the name of the game. I’d like to see more evidence, but this smacks of outright manipulation.
    5/3/08 7:41 PM

    longtime Yolo Democrat said…
    Responding to “Chair-For-Life of Tuleyome Young Democrats & “Executive Chair-For-Life of Young……..”

    Due to Vergis’ lack of work as a Democratic Party activist she was given the title as head of a non-functioning club a few months ago to enhance her “credentials” and mislead the voters. This is common knowledge among Democratic Party activists.

    If you know anyone who is active either in the Davis Democratic Club or the Yolo County Democratic Party you should inquire with them about her “service” to the party and to our candidates. I know of nothing she has done and most do not even know who she is. For the first time she began to attend some party meetings earlier this year and when she announced her candidacy for the city council her “volunteerism” with the party became transparent.
    5/3/08 9:20 PM

    longtime Yolo Democrat said…
    As a follow up to my previous post……

    The only candidates running for Davis City Council who are genuinely grass-roots Democratic Party activists are Sue Greenwald, Steve Souza and Cecilia Escamilla-Greenwald.

    Sue has been a longtime member, volunteer with the Davis Democratic Club and served on the Yolo County Democratic Central Committee for many years in the 1990’s. Her husband Mike Syvanen is the VP of the Davis club and together they have donated much time to helping Democrats get elected.

    Steve is a longtime member, volunteer with the Davis Democratic Club and served as president before becoming a city councilmember. He and his wife Robin have donated much time helping Democrats get elected.

    Cecilia is a longtime member, volunteer with the Davis Democratic Club too. As a student in the mid 1990’s she co-founded College Democrats at UC Davis and served as the club’s first president. Cecilia has volunteered on many local, regional and statewide campaigns and for many years was a member of the Yolo County Democratic Central Committee. Currently she is the Northern California Democratic Party Vice-Chair of the Latino Caucus and an elected California Democratic Party State Central Committee Member. She and her husband David have donated much time helping Democrats get elected.

    Don Saylor although a member of the Davis Democratic Club has done very little to support the club and has never really been a noted volunteer of any sort. His politics have essentially been about furthering his own elections and he has in important races just as easily supported a Republican.

    Sydney Vergis has never done any volunteer work for the party, yet mysteriously was appointed as head of a defunct party organization two months before she declared her city council candidacy in February of this year. She is a complete zero amongst party activists.

    Rob Roy has never done much for the Democratic Party, local or otherwise, but he has never claimed to have done something or be someone he is not, nor embellished his credentials.
    5/3/08 9:28 PM

  42. longtime Yolo Democrat

    I am reposting my comments from an earlier thread following the Friday, May 2 Vanguard article entitled: “Davis Enterprise to endorse Saylor, Souza and…..Vergis”

    longtime Yolo Democrat said…
    Sydney Vergis has done nothing, and I mean nothing, to support Democratic Party candidates or efforts in Davis or Yolo County. In anticipation of her run for office, in late 2007, the unknown Vergis just around the time of her announcement that she might seek a city council seat was made executive director of the Young Democrats of Yolo County a nearly defunct club of less than 6 members (not to be confused with the highly successful and effective UC Davis College Democrats Club.) The former executive director gave Vergis the position so she could in turn use it as a platform by which to portray herself as a worthy and dedicated Democratic leader seeking election to the city council. Within a few weeks Vergis was writing self-serving letters to the editor of the Davis Enterprise and using the title to promote her candidacy.

    The truth of the matter is Sydney Vergis was completely unknown to both the leadership and rank & file Democrats in Davis & Yolo County because she had never and I mean never attended or volunteered for any events or campaigns to elect Democrats prior to 2008. She is phantom “Democratic Party activist and leader” with an anointed title to fool the Democrats in Davis into believing she is something she is not.
    5/2/08 2:10 PM

    longtime Yolo Democrat said…
    In answer to your question, the blog poster “We Won’t Be Fooled Again” is correct, Rich Peterson was the chair of the essentially defunct Yolo County Young Democrats Club. Peterson gave up his position to Vergis and the title was changed to “Executive Director.” This action amongst authentic Democratic Party activists was seen for what it was—a deception—intended to give the unknown Vergis a title and fool the voters.

    For those of us who have toiled in the party ranks for decades this action smelled of the manipulative politics that has characterized a segment of the local Democratic Party scene for some time. When it comes to city & county offices this segment that is owned by prominent local developers in Davis is often more loyal to their petty politics and favored developer backed candidates than the values of the Democratic Party. When recruiting their candidates the local developer backed partisans will embellish if not outright fabricate credentials to enhance the electability of their chosen candidates.

    It is no secret that John Whitcombe and the Covell Village Partners who brought us Measure X are heavily backing Sydney Vergis as well as their council allies Don Saylor and Steve Souza. Just like they lied about the merits of the proposed Covell Village project they will attempt to once again deceive the voters to attain their goal—a Covell Village friendly council.
    5/2/08 8:57 PM

    Executive Chair-For-Life of Young Green Arm of the Yolo County Democrat Society said…
    Quote:
    ::Peterson gave up his position to Vergis and the title was changed to “Executive Director.” This action amongst authentic Democratic Party activists was seen for what it was—a deception—intended to give the unknown Vergis a title and fool the voters::

    Can somebody please get to the bottom of Ms. Vergis’ credentials?

    Assigning a more or less “fake title” is a serious issue during a campaign season, where trust is the name of the game. I’d like to see more evidence, but this smacks of outright manipulation.
    5/3/08 7:41 PM

    longtime Yolo Democrat said…
    Responding to “Chair-For-Life of Tuleyome Young Democrats & “Executive Chair-For-Life of Young……..”

    Due to Vergis’ lack of work as a Democratic Party activist she was given the title as head of a non-functioning club a few months ago to enhance her “credentials” and mislead the voters. This is common knowledge among Democratic Party activists.

    If you know anyone who is active either in the Davis Democratic Club or the Yolo County Democratic Party you should inquire with them about her “service” to the party and to our candidates. I know of nothing she has done and most do not even know who she is. For the first time she began to attend some party meetings earlier this year and when she announced her candidacy for the city council her “volunteerism” with the party became transparent.
    5/3/08 9:20 PM

    longtime Yolo Democrat said…
    As a follow up to my previous post……

    The only candidates running for Davis City Council who are genuinely grass-roots Democratic Party activists are Sue Greenwald, Steve Souza and Cecilia Escamilla-Greenwald.

    Sue has been a longtime member, volunteer with the Davis Democratic Club and served on the Yolo County Democratic Central Committee for many years in the 1990’s. Her husband Mike Syvanen is the VP of the Davis club and together they have donated much time to helping Democrats get elected.

    Steve is a longtime member, volunteer with the Davis Democratic Club and served as president before becoming a city councilmember. He and his wife Robin have donated much time helping Democrats get elected.

    Cecilia is a longtime member, volunteer with the Davis Democratic Club too. As a student in the mid 1990’s she co-founded College Democrats at UC Davis and served as the club’s first president. Cecilia has volunteered on many local, regional and statewide campaigns and for many years was a member of the Yolo County Democratic Central Committee. Currently she is the Northern California Democratic Party Vice-Chair of the Latino Caucus and an elected California Democratic Party State Central Committee Member. She and her husband David have donated much time helping Democrats get elected.

    Don Saylor although a member of the Davis Democratic Club has done very little to support the club and has never really been a noted volunteer of any sort. His politics have essentially been about furthering his own elections and he has in important races just as easily supported a Republican.

    Sydney Vergis has never done any volunteer work for the party, yet mysteriously was appointed as head of a defunct party organization two months before she declared her city council candidacy in February of this year. She is a complete zero amongst party activists.

    Rob Roy has never done much for the Democratic Party, local or otherwise, but he has never claimed to have done something or be someone he is not, nor embellished his credentials.
    5/3/08 9:28 PM

  43. longtime Yolo Democrat

    I am reposting my comments from an earlier thread following the Friday, May 2 Vanguard article entitled: “Davis Enterprise to endorse Saylor, Souza and…..Vergis”

    longtime Yolo Democrat said…
    Sydney Vergis has done nothing, and I mean nothing, to support Democratic Party candidates or efforts in Davis or Yolo County. In anticipation of her run for office, in late 2007, the unknown Vergis just around the time of her announcement that she might seek a city council seat was made executive director of the Young Democrats of Yolo County a nearly defunct club of less than 6 members (not to be confused with the highly successful and effective UC Davis College Democrats Club.) The former executive director gave Vergis the position so she could in turn use it as a platform by which to portray herself as a worthy and dedicated Democratic leader seeking election to the city council. Within a few weeks Vergis was writing self-serving letters to the editor of the Davis Enterprise and using the title to promote her candidacy.

    The truth of the matter is Sydney Vergis was completely unknown to both the leadership and rank & file Democrats in Davis & Yolo County because she had never and I mean never attended or volunteered for any events or campaigns to elect Democrats prior to 2008. She is phantom “Democratic Party activist and leader” with an anointed title to fool the Democrats in Davis into believing she is something she is not.
    5/2/08 2:10 PM

    longtime Yolo Democrat said…
    In answer to your question, the blog poster “We Won’t Be Fooled Again” is correct, Rich Peterson was the chair of the essentially defunct Yolo County Young Democrats Club. Peterson gave up his position to Vergis and the title was changed to “Executive Director.” This action amongst authentic Democratic Party activists was seen for what it was—a deception—intended to give the unknown Vergis a title and fool the voters.

    For those of us who have toiled in the party ranks for decades this action smelled of the manipulative politics that has characterized a segment of the local Democratic Party scene for some time. When it comes to city & county offices this segment that is owned by prominent local developers in Davis is often more loyal to their petty politics and favored developer backed candidates than the values of the Democratic Party. When recruiting their candidates the local developer backed partisans will embellish if not outright fabricate credentials to enhance the electability of their chosen candidates.

    It is no secret that John Whitcombe and the Covell Village Partners who brought us Measure X are heavily backing Sydney Vergis as well as their council allies Don Saylor and Steve Souza. Just like they lied about the merits of the proposed Covell Village project they will attempt to once again deceive the voters to attain their goal—a Covell Village friendly council.
    5/2/08 8:57 PM

    Executive Chair-For-Life of Young Green Arm of the Yolo County Democrat Society said…
    Quote:
    ::Peterson gave up his position to Vergis and the title was changed to “Executive Director.” This action amongst authentic Democratic Party activists was seen for what it was—a deception—intended to give the unknown Vergis a title and fool the voters::

    Can somebody please get to the bottom of Ms. Vergis’ credentials?

    Assigning a more or less “fake title” is a serious issue during a campaign season, where trust is the name of the game. I’d like to see more evidence, but this smacks of outright manipulation.
    5/3/08 7:41 PM

    longtime Yolo Democrat said…
    Responding to “Chair-For-Life of Tuleyome Young Democrats & “Executive Chair-For-Life of Young……..”

    Due to Vergis’ lack of work as a Democratic Party activist she was given the title as head of a non-functioning club a few months ago to enhance her “credentials” and mislead the voters. This is common knowledge among Democratic Party activists.

    If you know anyone who is active either in the Davis Democratic Club or the Yolo County Democratic Party you should inquire with them about her “service” to the party and to our candidates. I know of nothing she has done and most do not even know who she is. For the first time she began to attend some party meetings earlier this year and when she announced her candidacy for the city council her “volunteerism” with the party became transparent.
    5/3/08 9:20 PM

    longtime Yolo Democrat said…
    As a follow up to my previous post……

    The only candidates running for Davis City Council who are genuinely grass-roots Democratic Party activists are Sue Greenwald, Steve Souza and Cecilia Escamilla-Greenwald.

    Sue has been a longtime member, volunteer with the Davis Democratic Club and served on the Yolo County Democratic Central Committee for many years in the 1990’s. Her husband Mike Syvanen is the VP of the Davis club and together they have donated much time to helping Democrats get elected.

    Steve is a longtime member, volunteer with the Davis Democratic Club and served as president before becoming a city councilmember. He and his wife Robin have donated much time helping Democrats get elected.

    Cecilia is a longtime member, volunteer with the Davis Democratic Club too. As a student in the mid 1990’s she co-founded College Democrats at UC Davis and served as the club’s first president. Cecilia has volunteered on many local, regional and statewide campaigns and for many years was a member of the Yolo County Democratic Central Committee. Currently she is the Northern California Democratic Party Vice-Chair of the Latino Caucus and an elected California Democratic Party State Central Committee Member. She and her husband David have donated much time helping Democrats get elected.

    Don Saylor although a member of the Davis Democratic Club has done very little to support the club and has never really been a noted volunteer of any sort. His politics have essentially been about furthering his own elections and he has in important races just as easily supported a Republican.

    Sydney Vergis has never done any volunteer work for the party, yet mysteriously was appointed as head of a defunct party organization two months before she declared her city council candidacy in February of this year. She is a complete zero amongst party activists.

    Rob Roy has never done much for the Democratic Party, local or otherwise, but he has never claimed to have done something or be someone he is not, nor embellished his credentials.
    5/3/08 9:28 PM

  44. longtime Yolo Democrat

    I am reposting my comments from an earlier thread following the Friday, May 2 Vanguard article entitled: “Davis Enterprise to endorse Saylor, Souza and…..Vergis”

    longtime Yolo Democrat said…
    Sydney Vergis has done nothing, and I mean nothing, to support Democratic Party candidates or efforts in Davis or Yolo County. In anticipation of her run for office, in late 2007, the unknown Vergis just around the time of her announcement that she might seek a city council seat was made executive director of the Young Democrats of Yolo County a nearly defunct club of less than 6 members (not to be confused with the highly successful and effective UC Davis College Democrats Club.) The former executive director gave Vergis the position so she could in turn use it as a platform by which to portray herself as a worthy and dedicated Democratic leader seeking election to the city council. Within a few weeks Vergis was writing self-serving letters to the editor of the Davis Enterprise and using the title to promote her candidacy.

    The truth of the matter is Sydney Vergis was completely unknown to both the leadership and rank & file Democrats in Davis & Yolo County because she had never and I mean never attended or volunteered for any events or campaigns to elect Democrats prior to 2008. She is phantom “Democratic Party activist and leader” with an anointed title to fool the Democrats in Davis into believing she is something she is not.
    5/2/08 2:10 PM

    longtime Yolo Democrat said…
    In answer to your question, the blog poster “We Won’t Be Fooled Again” is correct, Rich Peterson was the chair of the essentially defunct Yolo County Young Democrats Club. Peterson gave up his position to Vergis and the title was changed to “Executive Director.” This action amongst authentic Democratic Party activists was seen for what it was—a deception—intended to give the unknown Vergis a title and fool the voters.

    For those of us who have toiled in the party ranks for decades this action smelled of the manipulative politics that has characterized a segment of the local Democratic Party scene for some time. When it comes to city & county offices this segment that is owned by prominent local developers in Davis is often more loyal to their petty politics and favored developer backed candidates than the values of the Democratic Party. When recruiting their candidates the local developer backed partisans will embellish if not outright fabricate credentials to enhance the electability of their chosen candidates.

    It is no secret that John Whitcombe and the Covell Village Partners who brought us Measure X are heavily backing Sydney Vergis as well as their council allies Don Saylor and Steve Souza. Just like they lied about the merits of the proposed Covell Village project they will attempt to once again deceive the voters to attain their goal—a Covell Village friendly council.
    5/2/08 8:57 PM

    Executive Chair-For-Life of Young Green Arm of the Yolo County Democrat Society said…
    Quote:
    ::Peterson gave up his position to Vergis and the title was changed to “Executive Director.” This action amongst authentic Democratic Party activists was seen for what it was—a deception—intended to give the unknown Vergis a title and fool the voters::

    Can somebody please get to the bottom of Ms. Vergis’ credentials?

    Assigning a more or less “fake title” is a serious issue during a campaign season, where trust is the name of the game. I’d like to see more evidence, but this smacks of outright manipulation.
    5/3/08 7:41 PM

    longtime Yolo Democrat said…
    Responding to “Chair-For-Life of Tuleyome Young Democrats & “Executive Chair-For-Life of Young……..”

    Due to Vergis’ lack of work as a Democratic Party activist she was given the title as head of a non-functioning club a few months ago to enhance her “credentials” and mislead the voters. This is common knowledge among Democratic Party activists.

    If you know anyone who is active either in the Davis Democratic Club or the Yolo County Democratic Party you should inquire with them about her “service” to the party and to our candidates. I know of nothing she has done and most do not even know who she is. For the first time she began to attend some party meetings earlier this year and when she announced her candidacy for the city council her “volunteerism” with the party became transparent.
    5/3/08 9:20 PM

    longtime Yolo Democrat said…
    As a follow up to my previous post……

    The only candidates running for Davis City Council who are genuinely grass-roots Democratic Party activists are Sue Greenwald, Steve Souza and Cecilia Escamilla-Greenwald.

    Sue has been a longtime member, volunteer with the Davis Democratic Club and served on the Yolo County Democratic Central Committee for many years in the 1990’s. Her husband Mike Syvanen is the VP of the Davis club and together they have donated much time to helping Democrats get elected.

    Steve is a longtime member, volunteer with the Davis Democratic Club and served as president before becoming a city councilmember. He and his wife Robin have donated much time helping Democrats get elected.

    Cecilia is a longtime member, volunteer with the Davis Democratic Club too. As a student in the mid 1990’s she co-founded College Democrats at UC Davis and served as the club’s first president. Cecilia has volunteered on many local, regional and statewide campaigns and for many years was a member of the Yolo County Democratic Central Committee. Currently she is the Northern California Democratic Party Vice-Chair of the Latino Caucus and an elected California Democratic Party State Central Committee Member. She and her husband David have donated much time helping Democrats get elected.

    Don Saylor although a member of the Davis Democratic Club has done very little to support the club and has never really been a noted volunteer of any sort. His politics have essentially been about furthering his own elections and he has in important races just as easily supported a Republican.

    Sydney Vergis has never done any volunteer work for the party, yet mysteriously was appointed as head of a defunct party organization two months before she declared her city council candidacy in February of this year. She is a complete zero amongst party activists.

    Rob Roy has never done much for the Democratic Party, local or otherwise, but he has never claimed to have done something or be someone he is not, nor embellished his credentials.
    5/3/08 9:28 PM

  45. Rich Rifkin

    “It is no secret that John Whitcombe and the Covell Village Partners who brought us Measure X are heavily backing Sydney Vergis as well as their council allies Don Saylor and Steve Souza.

    It’s no secret?

    This post is a good example of why it is unfair for a person to write anonymously or peudonymously. You smear a candidate, by name, yet do so without really knowing the facts.

    And while I defend Ms. Vergis in this instance, I want to be clear that I am not endorsing her or supporting her campaign in any way.

    I have in front of me Sydney’s most campaign finance filings. In stark contrast to the claims made above, Ms. Vergis has no contributions from John Whitcombe or any members of the Whitcombe family.

    She did take $100 from Chuck Roe — who was not involved in Covell Village and (he tells me) is exclusively working on infill projects in the core area.

    She also received two $100 donations from members of the Ruff family, which is associated with land development.

    Further, Tom and Victoria Cross, listed as “Greenstone Properties” gave $100 each to Sydney. I don’t think they are developers, but rather property managers.

    No one else who has given money to Ms. Vergis, unless it came after the last filing deadline, is associated in any way with real estate.

  46. Rich Rifkin

    “It is no secret that John Whitcombe and the Covell Village Partners who brought us Measure X are heavily backing Sydney Vergis as well as their council allies Don Saylor and Steve Souza.

    It’s no secret?

    This post is a good example of why it is unfair for a person to write anonymously or peudonymously. You smear a candidate, by name, yet do so without really knowing the facts.

    And while I defend Ms. Vergis in this instance, I want to be clear that I am not endorsing her or supporting her campaign in any way.

    I have in front of me Sydney’s most campaign finance filings. In stark contrast to the claims made above, Ms. Vergis has no contributions from John Whitcombe or any members of the Whitcombe family.

    She did take $100 from Chuck Roe — who was not involved in Covell Village and (he tells me) is exclusively working on infill projects in the core area.

    She also received two $100 donations from members of the Ruff family, which is associated with land development.

    Further, Tom and Victoria Cross, listed as “Greenstone Properties” gave $100 each to Sydney. I don’t think they are developers, but rather property managers.

    No one else who has given money to Ms. Vergis, unless it came after the last filing deadline, is associated in any way with real estate.

  47. Rich Rifkin

    “It is no secret that John Whitcombe and the Covell Village Partners who brought us Measure X are heavily backing Sydney Vergis as well as their council allies Don Saylor and Steve Souza.

    It’s no secret?

    This post is a good example of why it is unfair for a person to write anonymously or peudonymously. You smear a candidate, by name, yet do so without really knowing the facts.

    And while I defend Ms. Vergis in this instance, I want to be clear that I am not endorsing her or supporting her campaign in any way.

    I have in front of me Sydney’s most campaign finance filings. In stark contrast to the claims made above, Ms. Vergis has no contributions from John Whitcombe or any members of the Whitcombe family.

    She did take $100 from Chuck Roe — who was not involved in Covell Village and (he tells me) is exclusively working on infill projects in the core area.

    She also received two $100 donations from members of the Ruff family, which is associated with land development.

    Further, Tom and Victoria Cross, listed as “Greenstone Properties” gave $100 each to Sydney. I don’t think they are developers, but rather property managers.

    No one else who has given money to Ms. Vergis, unless it came after the last filing deadline, is associated in any way with real estate.

  48. Rich Rifkin

    “It is no secret that John Whitcombe and the Covell Village Partners who brought us Measure X are heavily backing Sydney Vergis as well as their council allies Don Saylor and Steve Souza.

    It’s no secret?

    This post is a good example of why it is unfair for a person to write anonymously or peudonymously. You smear a candidate, by name, yet do so without really knowing the facts.

    And while I defend Ms. Vergis in this instance, I want to be clear that I am not endorsing her or supporting her campaign in any way.

    I have in front of me Sydney’s most campaign finance filings. In stark contrast to the claims made above, Ms. Vergis has no contributions from John Whitcombe or any members of the Whitcombe family.

    She did take $100 from Chuck Roe — who was not involved in Covell Village and (he tells me) is exclusively working on infill projects in the core area.

    She also received two $100 donations from members of the Ruff family, which is associated with land development.

    Further, Tom and Victoria Cross, listed as “Greenstone Properties” gave $100 each to Sydney. I don’t think they are developers, but rather property managers.

    No one else who has given money to Ms. Vergis, unless it came after the last filing deadline, is associated in any way with real estate.

  49. Rich Rifkin

    “Rob Roy has never done much for the Democratic Party, local or otherwise, but he has never claimed to have done something or be someone he is not, nor embellished his credentials.”

    Why should Rob help the Democratic Party? He’s registered in the Green Party.

  50. Rich Rifkin

    “Rob Roy has never done much for the Democratic Party, local or otherwise, but he has never claimed to have done something or be someone he is not, nor embellished his credentials.”

    Why should Rob help the Democratic Party? He’s registered in the Green Party.

  51. Rich Rifkin

    “Rob Roy has never done much for the Democratic Party, local or otherwise, but he has never claimed to have done something or be someone he is not, nor embellished his credentials.”

    Why should Rob help the Democratic Party? He’s registered in the Green Party.

  52. Rich Rifkin

    “Rob Roy has never done much for the Democratic Party, local or otherwise, but he has never claimed to have done something or be someone he is not, nor embellished his credentials.”

    Why should Rob help the Democratic Party? He’s registered in the Green Party.

  53. Rich Rifkin

    “I have in front of me Sydney’s most campaign finance filings”

    That should read: I have in front of me Sydney’s most recent campaign finance filings.

    (Note: all candidates’ campaign filings are available at the City Clerk’s office in City Hall.)

  54. Rich Rifkin

    “I have in front of me Sydney’s most campaign finance filings”

    That should read: I have in front of me Sydney’s most recent campaign finance filings.

    (Note: all candidates’ campaign filings are available at the City Clerk’s office in City Hall.)

  55. Rich Rifkin

    “I have in front of me Sydney’s most campaign finance filings”

    That should read: I have in front of me Sydney’s most recent campaign finance filings.

    (Note: all candidates’ campaign filings are available at the City Clerk’s office in City Hall.)

  56. Rich Rifkin

    “I have in front of me Sydney’s most campaign finance filings”

    That should read: I have in front of me Sydney’s most recent campaign finance filings.

    (Note: all candidates’ campaign filings are available at the City Clerk’s office in City Hall.)

  57. No on Xer

    “She did take $100 from Chuck Roe — who was not involved in Covell Village…..”

    Isn’t Chuck Roe John Whitcombe’s SON-IN-LAW ??

    Mr. Roe was “tabling” for the CV project in front of the Marketplace Safeway during the heated final days of the Measure X campaign.

  58. No on Xer

    “She did take $100 from Chuck Roe — who was not involved in Covell Village…..”

    Isn’t Chuck Roe John Whitcombe’s SON-IN-LAW ??

    Mr. Roe was “tabling” for the CV project in front of the Marketplace Safeway during the heated final days of the Measure X campaign.

  59. No on Xer

    “She did take $100 from Chuck Roe — who was not involved in Covell Village…..”

    Isn’t Chuck Roe John Whitcombe’s SON-IN-LAW ??

    Mr. Roe was “tabling” for the CV project in front of the Marketplace Safeway during the heated final days of the Measure X campaign.

  60. No on Xer

    “She did take $100 from Chuck Roe — who was not involved in Covell Village…..”

    Isn’t Chuck Roe John Whitcombe’s SON-IN-LAW ??

    Mr. Roe was “tabling” for the CV project in front of the Marketplace Safeway during the heated final days of the Measure X campaign.

  61. Anonymous

    re: “long-time yolo democrat” smear campaign;
    It is a sad state that someone goes to such extent to try to smear a promising young candidate (SV) who has been actively participating in local planning commissions (initially tree commission, now BEDC alternate) since graduating college. And she does have at least three years of professional planning experience with cities and counties (initially as environmental planning consultant – see her CV on sydneyvergis dot com) not only one as this blog continues to claim. Just because she hasn’t participated in smear politics like the “long time yolo dem” and doesn’t toe the NIMBY ‘no-growth anywhere’ line doesn’t mean she is not a good democrat.

  62. Anonymous

    re: “long-time yolo democrat” smear campaign;
    It is a sad state that someone goes to such extent to try to smear a promising young candidate (SV) who has been actively participating in local planning commissions (initially tree commission, now BEDC alternate) since graduating college. And she does have at least three years of professional planning experience with cities and counties (initially as environmental planning consultant – see her CV on sydneyvergis dot com) not only one as this blog continues to claim. Just because she hasn’t participated in smear politics like the “long time yolo dem” and doesn’t toe the NIMBY ‘no-growth anywhere’ line doesn’t mean she is not a good democrat.

  63. Anonymous

    re: “long-time yolo democrat” smear campaign;
    It is a sad state that someone goes to such extent to try to smear a promising young candidate (SV) who has been actively participating in local planning commissions (initially tree commission, now BEDC alternate) since graduating college. And she does have at least three years of professional planning experience with cities and counties (initially as environmental planning consultant – see her CV on sydneyvergis dot com) not only one as this blog continues to claim. Just because she hasn’t participated in smear politics like the “long time yolo dem” and doesn’t toe the NIMBY ‘no-growth anywhere’ line doesn’t mean she is not a good democrat.

  64. Anonymous

    re: “long-time yolo democrat” smear campaign;
    It is a sad state that someone goes to such extent to try to smear a promising young candidate (SV) who has been actively participating in local planning commissions (initially tree commission, now BEDC alternate) since graduating college. And she does have at least three years of professional planning experience with cities and counties (initially as environmental planning consultant – see her CV on sydneyvergis dot com) not only one as this blog continues to claim. Just because she hasn’t participated in smear politics like the “long time yolo dem” and doesn’t toe the NIMBY ‘no-growth anywhere’ line doesn’t mean she is not a good democrat.

  65. Rich Rifkin

    No on Xer: “Isn’t Chuck Roe John Whitcombe’s SON-IN-LAW ??”

    If an in-law, who you are not in business with, supports a candidate, does that mean you are financially backing that candidate, too? Of course not. As such, Chuck Roe’s familial relationship to John Whitcombe is irrelevant.

    Further, Chuck’s $100 contribution does not disprove the statement made above: that “It is no secret that John Whitcombe and the Covell Village Partners who brought us Measure X are heavily backing Sydney Vergis.” That claim is completely bogus and you should know it.

    There are a whole lot of people who were partners in the CV project and NOT ONE of them gave Sydney a check, as far as the filings show.

    What Ms. Vergis can be correctly accused of, however, is in the pocket of the firefighters. They represented the majority of her contributors as of March 17. They actually make a lot of money based on the decisions of the city council. And they are backing Sydney because they believe she will support more money and benefits for them.

  66. Rich Rifkin

    No on Xer: “Isn’t Chuck Roe John Whitcombe’s SON-IN-LAW ??”

    If an in-law, who you are not in business with, supports a candidate, does that mean you are financially backing that candidate, too? Of course not. As such, Chuck Roe’s familial relationship to John Whitcombe is irrelevant.

    Further, Chuck’s $100 contribution does not disprove the statement made above: that “It is no secret that John Whitcombe and the Covell Village Partners who brought us Measure X are heavily backing Sydney Vergis.” That claim is completely bogus and you should know it.

    There are a whole lot of people who were partners in the CV project and NOT ONE of them gave Sydney a check, as far as the filings show.

    What Ms. Vergis can be correctly accused of, however, is in the pocket of the firefighters. They represented the majority of her contributors as of March 17. They actually make a lot of money based on the decisions of the city council. And they are backing Sydney because they believe she will support more money and benefits for them.

  67. Rich Rifkin

    No on Xer: “Isn’t Chuck Roe John Whitcombe’s SON-IN-LAW ??”

    If an in-law, who you are not in business with, supports a candidate, does that mean you are financially backing that candidate, too? Of course not. As such, Chuck Roe’s familial relationship to John Whitcombe is irrelevant.

    Further, Chuck’s $100 contribution does not disprove the statement made above: that “It is no secret that John Whitcombe and the Covell Village Partners who brought us Measure X are heavily backing Sydney Vergis.” That claim is completely bogus and you should know it.

    There are a whole lot of people who were partners in the CV project and NOT ONE of them gave Sydney a check, as far as the filings show.

    What Ms. Vergis can be correctly accused of, however, is in the pocket of the firefighters. They represented the majority of her contributors as of March 17. They actually make a lot of money based on the decisions of the city council. And they are backing Sydney because they believe she will support more money and benefits for them.

  68. Rich Rifkin

    No on Xer: “Isn’t Chuck Roe John Whitcombe’s SON-IN-LAW ??”

    If an in-law, who you are not in business with, supports a candidate, does that mean you are financially backing that candidate, too? Of course not. As such, Chuck Roe’s familial relationship to John Whitcombe is irrelevant.

    Further, Chuck’s $100 contribution does not disprove the statement made above: that “It is no secret that John Whitcombe and the Covell Village Partners who brought us Measure X are heavily backing Sydney Vergis.” That claim is completely bogus and you should know it.

    There are a whole lot of people who were partners in the CV project and NOT ONE of them gave Sydney a check, as far as the filings show.

    What Ms. Vergis can be correctly accused of, however, is in the pocket of the firefighters. They represented the majority of her contributors as of March 17. They actually make a lot of money based on the decisions of the city council. And they are backing Sydney because they believe she will support more money and benefits for them.

  69. No on Xer

    …Rich Rifkin.. Chuck Roe WAS “working” the Marketplace Safeway crowd in the finale of the Measure X Campaign. Your silence on this FACT carries more weight than the length of your reply.

  70. No on Xer

    …Rich Rifkin.. Chuck Roe WAS “working” the Marketplace Safeway crowd in the finale of the Measure X Campaign. Your silence on this FACT carries more weight than the length of your reply.

  71. No on Xer

    …Rich Rifkin.. Chuck Roe WAS “working” the Marketplace Safeway crowd in the finale of the Measure X Campaign. Your silence on this FACT carries more weight than the length of your reply.

  72. No on Xer

    …Rich Rifkin.. Chuck Roe WAS “working” the Marketplace Safeway crowd in the finale of the Measure X Campaign. Your silence on this FACT carries more weight than the length of your reply.

  73. campaign watcher

    The Yolo Young Democrats has a facebook page with Rich Peterson listed as the president and the administrator (creator).

    The facebook page has 14 members. Some of them are Doug Paul Davis, Lamar Heystek, Christopher Cabaldon for State Assembly, John Ferrera, Andrew Ramos. Sydney Vergis is not listed as a member.

  74. campaign watcher

    The Yolo Young Democrats has a facebook page with Rich Peterson listed as the president and the administrator (creator).

    The facebook page has 14 members. Some of them are Doug Paul Davis, Lamar Heystek, Christopher Cabaldon for State Assembly, John Ferrera, Andrew Ramos. Sydney Vergis is not listed as a member.

  75. campaign watcher

    The Yolo Young Democrats has a facebook page with Rich Peterson listed as the president and the administrator (creator).

    The facebook page has 14 members. Some of them are Doug Paul Davis, Lamar Heystek, Christopher Cabaldon for State Assembly, John Ferrera, Andrew Ramos. Sydney Vergis is not listed as a member.

  76. campaign watcher

    The Yolo Young Democrats has a facebook page with Rich Peterson listed as the president and the administrator (creator).

    The facebook page has 14 members. Some of them are Doug Paul Davis, Lamar Heystek, Christopher Cabaldon for State Assembly, John Ferrera, Andrew Ramos. Sydney Vergis is not listed as a member.

  77. Rich Rifkin

    “Chuck Roe WAS ‘working’ the Marketplace Safeway crowd in the finale of the Measure X Campaign. Your silence on this FACT carries more weight than the length of your reply.”

    I’m silent on a lot of irrelevant facts. That must make me a terrible person.

    Working at the Marketplace simply means Chuck favored Measure X. So what? Chuck was not an investor in the project. He was NOT one of the partners. He is not a land developer on the periphery of Davis.

    I favored Measure X, too. I wrote two columns in support of it. I voted for it. Does that make me one of the CV partner, too?

  78. Rich Rifkin

    “Chuck Roe WAS ‘working’ the Marketplace Safeway crowd in the finale of the Measure X Campaign. Your silence on this FACT carries more weight than the length of your reply.”

    I’m silent on a lot of irrelevant facts. That must make me a terrible person.

    Working at the Marketplace simply means Chuck favored Measure X. So what? Chuck was not an investor in the project. He was NOT one of the partners. He is not a land developer on the periphery of Davis.

    I favored Measure X, too. I wrote two columns in support of it. I voted for it. Does that make me one of the CV partner, too?

  79. Rich Rifkin

    “Chuck Roe WAS ‘working’ the Marketplace Safeway crowd in the finale of the Measure X Campaign. Your silence on this FACT carries more weight than the length of your reply.”

    I’m silent on a lot of irrelevant facts. That must make me a terrible person.

    Working at the Marketplace simply means Chuck favored Measure X. So what? Chuck was not an investor in the project. He was NOT one of the partners. He is not a land developer on the periphery of Davis.

    I favored Measure X, too. I wrote two columns in support of it. I voted for it. Does that make me one of the CV partner, too?

  80. Rich Rifkin

    “Chuck Roe WAS ‘working’ the Marketplace Safeway crowd in the finale of the Measure X Campaign. Your silence on this FACT carries more weight than the length of your reply.”

    I’m silent on a lot of irrelevant facts. That must make me a terrible person.

    Working at the Marketplace simply means Chuck favored Measure X. So what? Chuck was not an investor in the project. He was NOT one of the partners. He is not a land developer on the periphery of Davis.

    I favored Measure X, too. I wrote two columns in support of it. I voted for it. Does that make me one of the CV partner, too?

  81. longtime Yolo Democrat

    Responding to Anon 5/11/08 PM

    Smear campaign—where?

    Anonymous said…
    re: “long-time yolo democrat” smear campaign;
    It is a sad state that someone goes to such extent to try to smear a promising young candidate (SV) who has been actively participating in local planning commissions (initially tree commission, now BEDC alternate) since graduating college. And she does have at least three years of professional planning experience with cities and counties (initially as environmental planning consultant – see her CV on sydneyvergis dot com) not only one as this blog continues to claim. Just because she hasn’t participated in smear politics like the “long time yolo dem” and doesn’t toe the NIMBY ‘no-growth anywhere’ line doesn’t mean she is not a good democrat.
    5/11/08 10:34 PM

    and

    campaign watcher said…
    The Yolo Young Democrats has a facebook page with Rich Peterson listed as the president and the administrator (creator).

    The facebook page has 14 members. Some of them are Doug Paul Davis, Lamar Heystek, Christopher Cabaldon for State Assembly, John Ferrera, Andrew Ramos. Sydney Vergis is not listed as a member.
    5/12/08 9:37 AM

    Again, where is the smear campaign?

    Anonymous does not address the criticism from others and me regarding Sydney Vergis that she is claiming to be something she is not for political advantage. Vergis claims to be a Democratic activist who holds a position of importance in the Democratic Party when in fact prior to her CC announcement of only a few months ago she had done nothing of the sort. Her embellishment to deceive the voters is the story here. There is no smear campaign going on, just an effort to point out the hyperbole and hypocrisy of Ms. Vergis.

    As Campaign Watcher points out the fledgling Yolo Young Democrats current facebook page lists a few members but Sydney Vergis is not listed. It would be interesting to know if any of these members know Vergis is their new leader and is using both the club & her newly acquired title as proof of her campaign claim that she is a person working as a Democratic Party grassroots activist.

  82. longtime Yolo Democrat

    Responding to Anon 5/11/08 PM

    Smear campaign—where?

    Anonymous said…
    re: “long-time yolo democrat” smear campaign;
    It is a sad state that someone goes to such extent to try to smear a promising young candidate (SV) who has been actively participating in local planning commissions (initially tree commission, now BEDC alternate) since graduating college. And she does have at least three years of professional planning experience with cities and counties (initially as environmental planning consultant – see her CV on sydneyvergis dot com) not only one as this blog continues to claim. Just because she hasn’t participated in smear politics like the “long time yolo dem” and doesn’t toe the NIMBY ‘no-growth anywhere’ line doesn’t mean she is not a good democrat.
    5/11/08 10:34 PM

    and

    campaign watcher said…
    The Yolo Young Democrats has a facebook page with Rich Peterson listed as the president and the administrator (creator).

    The facebook page has 14 members. Some of them are Doug Paul Davis, Lamar Heystek, Christopher Cabaldon for State Assembly, John Ferrera, Andrew Ramos. Sydney Vergis is not listed as a member.
    5/12/08 9:37 AM

    Again, where is the smear campaign?

    Anonymous does not address the criticism from others and me regarding Sydney Vergis that she is claiming to be something she is not for political advantage. Vergis claims to be a Democratic activist who holds a position of importance in the Democratic Party when in fact prior to her CC announcement of only a few months ago she had done nothing of the sort. Her embellishment to deceive the voters is the story here. There is no smear campaign going on, just an effort to point out the hyperbole and hypocrisy of Ms. Vergis.

    As Campaign Watcher points out the fledgling Yolo Young Democrats current facebook page lists a few members but Sydney Vergis is not listed. It would be interesting to know if any of these members know Vergis is their new leader and is using both the club & her newly acquired title as proof of her campaign claim that she is a person working as a Democratic Party grassroots activist.

  83. longtime Yolo Democrat

    Responding to Anon 5/11/08 PM

    Smear campaign—where?

    Anonymous said…
    re: “long-time yolo democrat” smear campaign;
    It is a sad state that someone goes to such extent to try to smear a promising young candidate (SV) who has been actively participating in local planning commissions (initially tree commission, now BEDC alternate) since graduating college. And she does have at least three years of professional planning experience with cities and counties (initially as environmental planning consultant – see her CV on sydneyvergis dot com) not only one as this blog continues to claim. Just because she hasn’t participated in smear politics like the “long time yolo dem” and doesn’t toe the NIMBY ‘no-growth anywhere’ line doesn’t mean she is not a good democrat.
    5/11/08 10:34 PM

    and

    campaign watcher said…
    The Yolo Young Democrats has a facebook page with Rich Peterson listed as the president and the administrator (creator).

    The facebook page has 14 members. Some of them are Doug Paul Davis, Lamar Heystek, Christopher Cabaldon for State Assembly, John Ferrera, Andrew Ramos. Sydney Vergis is not listed as a member.
    5/12/08 9:37 AM

    Again, where is the smear campaign?

    Anonymous does not address the criticism from others and me regarding Sydney Vergis that she is claiming to be something she is not for political advantage. Vergis claims to be a Democratic activist who holds a position of importance in the Democratic Party when in fact prior to her CC announcement of only a few months ago she had done nothing of the sort. Her embellishment to deceive the voters is the story here. There is no smear campaign going on, just an effort to point out the hyperbole and hypocrisy of Ms. Vergis.

    As Campaign Watcher points out the fledgling Yolo Young Democrats current facebook page lists a few members but Sydney Vergis is not listed. It would be interesting to know if any of these members know Vergis is their new leader and is using both the club & her newly acquired title as proof of her campaign claim that she is a person working as a Democratic Party grassroots activist.

  84. longtime Yolo Democrat

    Responding to Anon 5/11/08 PM

    Smear campaign—where?

    Anonymous said…
    re: “long-time yolo democrat” smear campaign;
    It is a sad state that someone goes to such extent to try to smear a promising young candidate (SV) who has been actively participating in local planning commissions (initially tree commission, now BEDC alternate) since graduating college. And she does have at least three years of professional planning experience with cities and counties (initially as environmental planning consultant – see her CV on sydneyvergis dot com) not only one as this blog continues to claim. Just because she hasn’t participated in smear politics like the “long time yolo dem” and doesn’t toe the NIMBY ‘no-growth anywhere’ line doesn’t mean she is not a good democrat.
    5/11/08 10:34 PM

    and

    campaign watcher said…
    The Yolo Young Democrats has a facebook page with Rich Peterson listed as the president and the administrator (creator).

    The facebook page has 14 members. Some of them are Doug Paul Davis, Lamar Heystek, Christopher Cabaldon for State Assembly, John Ferrera, Andrew Ramos. Sydney Vergis is not listed as a member.
    5/12/08 9:37 AM

    Again, where is the smear campaign?

    Anonymous does not address the criticism from others and me regarding Sydney Vergis that she is claiming to be something she is not for political advantage. Vergis claims to be a Democratic activist who holds a position of importance in the Democratic Party when in fact prior to her CC announcement of only a few months ago she had done nothing of the sort. Her embellishment to deceive the voters is the story here. There is no smear campaign going on, just an effort to point out the hyperbole and hypocrisy of Ms. Vergis.

    As Campaign Watcher points out the fledgling Yolo Young Democrats current facebook page lists a few members but Sydney Vergis is not listed. It would be interesting to know if any of these members know Vergis is their new leader and is using both the club & her newly acquired title as proof of her campaign claim that she is a person working as a Democratic Party grassroots activist.

  85. No on Xer

    Rich Rifkin.. your disengenuousness appears to know no bounds. Covell Village was set to greatly increase the Whitcombe “family fortune”, not irrelevant to the rest of the Whitcombe clan( including Chuck Roe’s wife)

  86. No on Xer

    Rich Rifkin.. your disengenuousness appears to know no bounds. Covell Village was set to greatly increase the Whitcombe “family fortune”, not irrelevant to the rest of the Whitcombe clan( including Chuck Roe’s wife)

  87. No on Xer

    Rich Rifkin.. your disengenuousness appears to know no bounds. Covell Village was set to greatly increase the Whitcombe “family fortune”, not irrelevant to the rest of the Whitcombe clan( including Chuck Roe’s wife)

  88. No on Xer

    Rich Rifkin.. your disengenuousness appears to know no bounds. Covell Village was set to greatly increase the Whitcombe “family fortune”, not irrelevant to the rest of the Whitcombe clan( including Chuck Roe’s wife)

  89. Anonymous

    No on Xer said…
    Rich Rifkin.. your disengenuousness appears to know no bounds. Covell Village was set to greatly increase the Whitcombe “family fortune”, not irrelevant to the rest of the Whitcombe clan( including Chuck Roe’s wife)

    Example of Class Envy

  90. Anonymous

    No on Xer said…
    Rich Rifkin.. your disengenuousness appears to know no bounds. Covell Village was set to greatly increase the Whitcombe “family fortune”, not irrelevant to the rest of the Whitcombe clan( including Chuck Roe’s wife)

    Example of Class Envy

  91. Anonymous

    No on Xer said…
    Rich Rifkin.. your disengenuousness appears to know no bounds. Covell Village was set to greatly increase the Whitcombe “family fortune”, not irrelevant to the rest of the Whitcombe clan( including Chuck Roe’s wife)

    Example of Class Envy

  92. Anonymous

    No on Xer said…
    Rich Rifkin.. your disengenuousness appears to know no bounds. Covell Village was set to greatly increase the Whitcombe “family fortune”, not irrelevant to the rest of the Whitcombe clan( including Chuck Roe’s wife)

    Example of Class Envy

  93. Rich Rifkin

    No on Xer:

    You are much like an attorney with a bad case: When the facts are against you, make an ad hominem attack against me. How brave of you.

  94. Rich Rifkin

    No on Xer:

    You are much like an attorney with a bad case: When the facts are against you, make an ad hominem attack against me. How brave of you.

  95. Rich Rifkin

    No on Xer:

    You are much like an attorney with a bad case: When the facts are against you, make an ad hominem attack against me. How brave of you.

  96. Rich Rifkin

    No on Xer:

    You are much like an attorney with a bad case: When the facts are against you, make an ad hominem attack against me. How brave of you.

  97. Anonymous

    Re: Rich Rifkin’s comment:
    “In stark contrast to the claims made above, Ms. Vergis has no contributions from John Whitcombe or any members of the Whitcombe family.”

    According to the Davis Enterprise article “Saylor leads the money list” from March 26, 2008, Sydney Vergis received $100 contributions from John Whitcombe and Judy Whitcombe.

  98. Anonymous

    Re: Rich Rifkin’s comment:
    “In stark contrast to the claims made above, Ms. Vergis has no contributions from John Whitcombe or any members of the Whitcombe family.”

    According to the Davis Enterprise article “Saylor leads the money list” from March 26, 2008, Sydney Vergis received $100 contributions from John Whitcombe and Judy Whitcombe.

  99. Anonymous

    Re: Rich Rifkin’s comment:
    “In stark contrast to the claims made above, Ms. Vergis has no contributions from John Whitcombe or any members of the Whitcombe family.”

    According to the Davis Enterprise article “Saylor leads the money list” from March 26, 2008, Sydney Vergis received $100 contributions from John Whitcombe and Judy Whitcombe.

  100. Anonymous

    Re: Rich Rifkin’s comment:
    “In stark contrast to the claims made above, Ms. Vergis has no contributions from John Whitcombe or any members of the Whitcombe family.”

    According to the Davis Enterprise article “Saylor leads the money list” from March 26, 2008, Sydney Vergis received $100 contributions from John Whitcombe and Judy Whitcombe.

  101. Rifkin Fights for "the little guy" candidate

    So, Rich Rifkin is wrong on the Whitcombe / Vergis campaign donation. I suppose he’ll now say “but it was only for 100.00” knowing full well that the Whitcombe machine does in fact hold a lot of sway in this town, and there is much more behind that 100.00. Who financed her most recent TV ads and Enterprise ads? Who is organizing the River Cats event for her? Jan Bridge was a major “Yes on X” figure and is a major part of Ms. Vergis’ campaign. Do you really think a virtual newcomer who works full time could have made all of these community connections so fast on her own without some veteran campaigners behind her? Face it: the Whitcombe crowd found a friendly, smart person to build into a candidate and they are coalescing around her. This isn’t illegal in the least, just easy as heck to see through. Just accept this and lets get back to the issues at hand.

  102. Rifkin Fights for "the li

    So, Rich Rifkin is wrong on the Whitcombe / Vergis campaign donation. I suppose he’ll now say “but it was only for 100.00” knowing full well that the Whitcombe machine does in fact hold a lot of sway in this town, and there is much more behind that 100.00. Who financed her most recent TV ads and Enterprise ads? Who is organizing the River Cats event for her? Jan Bridge was a major “Yes on X” figure and is a major part of Ms. Vergis’ campaign. Do you really think a virtual newcomer who works full time could have made all of these community connections so fast on her own without some veteran campaigners behind her? Face it: the Whitcombe crowd found a friendly, smart person to build into a candidate and they are coalescing around her. This isn’t illegal in the least, just easy as heck to see through. Just accept this and lets get back to the issues at hand.

  103. Rifkin Fights for "the li

    So, Rich Rifkin is wrong on the Whitcombe / Vergis campaign donation. I suppose he’ll now say “but it was only for 100.00” knowing full well that the Whitcombe machine does in fact hold a lot of sway in this town, and there is much more behind that 100.00. Who financed her most recent TV ads and Enterprise ads? Who is organizing the River Cats event for her? Jan Bridge was a major “Yes on X” figure and is a major part of Ms. Vergis’ campaign. Do you really think a virtual newcomer who works full time could have made all of these community connections so fast on her own without some veteran campaigners behind her? Face it: the Whitcombe crowd found a friendly, smart person to build into a candidate and they are coalescing around her. This isn’t illegal in the least, just easy as heck to see through. Just accept this and lets get back to the issues at hand.

  104. Rifkin Fights for "the li

    So, Rich Rifkin is wrong on the Whitcombe / Vergis campaign donation. I suppose he’ll now say “but it was only for 100.00” knowing full well that the Whitcombe machine does in fact hold a lot of sway in this town, and there is much more behind that 100.00. Who financed her most recent TV ads and Enterprise ads? Who is organizing the River Cats event for her? Jan Bridge was a major “Yes on X” figure and is a major part of Ms. Vergis’ campaign. Do you really think a virtual newcomer who works full time could have made all of these community connections so fast on her own without some veteran campaigners behind her? Face it: the Whitcombe crowd found a friendly, smart person to build into a candidate and they are coalescing around her. This isn’t illegal in the least, just easy as heck to see through. Just accept this and lets get back to the issues at hand.

  105. Anonymous

    You’re all wrong about the “Roe” connection to the Whitcombe family.

    Chuck Roe is no relation.

    Bill Roe is a Tandem Partner (didja read about their $25k donation to the Davis Schools Foundation on Sunday? His name was mentioned I believe.)

    Bill Roe is John Whitcombe’s brother-in-law, was a Covell Partner and was the guy who was tabling at grocery stores before the Measure X vote.

    Get your facts straight or don’t speak at all.

  106. Anonymous

    You’re all wrong about the “Roe” connection to the Whitcombe family.

    Chuck Roe is no relation.

    Bill Roe is a Tandem Partner (didja read about their $25k donation to the Davis Schools Foundation on Sunday? His name was mentioned I believe.)

    Bill Roe is John Whitcombe’s brother-in-law, was a Covell Partner and was the guy who was tabling at grocery stores before the Measure X vote.

    Get your facts straight or don’t speak at all.

  107. Anonymous

    You’re all wrong about the “Roe” connection to the Whitcombe family.

    Chuck Roe is no relation.

    Bill Roe is a Tandem Partner (didja read about their $25k donation to the Davis Schools Foundation on Sunday? His name was mentioned I believe.)

    Bill Roe is John Whitcombe’s brother-in-law, was a Covell Partner and was the guy who was tabling at grocery stores before the Measure X vote.

    Get your facts straight or don’t speak at all.

  108. Anonymous

    You’re all wrong about the “Roe” connection to the Whitcombe family.

    Chuck Roe is no relation.

    Bill Roe is a Tandem Partner (didja read about their $25k donation to the Davis Schools Foundation on Sunday? His name was mentioned I believe.)

    Bill Roe is John Whitcombe’s brother-in-law, was a Covell Partner and was the guy who was tabling at grocery stores before the Measure X vote.

    Get your facts straight or don’t speak at all.

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