Commentary: Large Money Raised in School Board Elections

Dear “DougPaul”, Thank-you for your feature article on the massive out-of-the-community cash harvesting being done by candidate Harris for the school board. This obscene amount of money being generated for a school board race is dwarfed only by its souce. Where is the outrage from the progressive community? This is a man, while bashing the teachers for speaking out about the sad state of their negotiations by calling for a “cooling off period” is bringing in huge sums of cash from lobbyists, lawyers, land developers and career politicians. Do you think there is any link to his “developer democrat” friends and the interests of the school district in dumping “surplus property” for “infill”….let’s start connecting the dots…follow the money….Do you think closing Valley Oak School has anything to do with relocating the school district office operations and selling off an entire city block in the core area? What will happen to Nugget fields now that the lease to the soccer groups has expired? And how about Grande Ave? How many apartments will this 8 acres hold? No measure J votes needed for these developments, folks……Why do you think Souza, Saylor and Asmundson support Harris and Lovenburg for the BOE. It’s not just about education, it is about allies….

Dear “DougPaul”, Thank-you for your feature article on the massive out-of-the-community cash harvesting being done by candidate Harris for the school board. This obscene amount of money being generated for a school board race is dwarfed only by its souce. Where is the outrage from the progressive community? This is a man, while bashing the teachers for speaking out about the sad state of their negotiations by calling for a “cooling off period” is bringing in huge sums of cash from lobbyists, lawyers, land developers and career politicians. Do you think there is any link to his “developer democrat” friends and the interests of the school district in dumping “surplus property” for “infill”….let’s start connecting the dots…follow the money….Do you think closing Valley Oak School has anything to do with relocating the school district office operations and selling off an entire city block in the core area? What will happen to Nugget fields now that the lease to the soccer groups has expired? And how about Grande Ave? How many apartments will this 8 acres hold? No measure J votes needed for these developments, folks……Why do you think Souza, Saylor and Asmundson support Harris and Lovenburg for the BOE. It’s not just about education, it is about allies….

Let’s remember, in the past a number of school board members ran for and won political positions either on the Davis City Council or County Supervisor. The School Board has been an important stepping stone in the political careers of Ruth Asmundson, Helen Thomson, and Don Saylor to name a few. Perhaps this is why so much money is being spent now by some school board candidates – they are looking to future political office – and others, who might not want to run for a political office, just have to raise as much to level the playing field in this race.

Let’s remember, in the past a number of school board members ran for and won political positions either on the Davis City Council or County Supervisor. The School Board has been an important stepping stone in the political careers of Ruth Asmundson, Helen Thomson, and Don Saylor to name a few. Perhaps this is why so much money is being spent now by some school board candidates – they are looking to future political office – and others, who might not want to run for a political office, just have to raise as much to level the playing field in this race.

Harris’ candidacy has brought Davis'”dark underbelly” into the Davis School Board race simultaneous with our being asked to ratify Measure Q. My plan is to vote for Schelen and Spector and No on Measure Q. Measure Q-2 will come before us at the earliest opportunity for ratification and a NO Q vote would make even Harris,if elected,take notice and respond to the voters who have Measure Q veto power.

Harris’ candidacy has brought Davis'”dark underbelly” into the Davis School Board race simultaneous with our being asked to ratify Measure Q. My plan is to vote for Schelen and Spector and No on Measure Q. Measure Q-2 will come before us at the earliest opportunity for ratification and a NO Q vote would make even Harris,if elected,take notice and respond to the voters who have Measure Q veto power.

Susan Lovenburg is supported by John Munn (Republican) and is supported by Matt Rexroad (Republican). See any connection here? Don’t vote Republicans into non-partisan offices, as they are stepping-stones for higher office. Why give them the experience and make us have to deal with their ideology in the meantime?

Susan Lovenburg is supported by John Munn (Republican) and is supported by Matt Rexroad (Republican). See any connection here? Don’t vote Republicans into non-partisan offices, as they are stepping-stones for higher office. Why give them the experience and make us have to deal with their ideology in the meantime?

Rexroad is supporting Susan Lovenburg? I haven’t heard that, and he’s not on her list of endorsements. (Full list is at her website.)

She has endorsements from quite a few Democrats, too.

Rexroad is supporting Susan Lovenburg? I haven’t heard that, and he’s not on her list of endorsements. (Full list is at her website.)

She has endorsements from quite a few Democrats, too.

My favorite is how in the Empty-prise’s coverage of all the candidates gave Harris a Sunday section (the most popular), above-the-fold article while the rest of the candidates got below-the-fold on light reader days. Hmmmm ….another campaign contribution for Dick from Debbie?

My favorite is how in the Empty-prise’s coverage of all the candidates gave Harris a Sunday section (the most popular), above-the-fold article while the rest of the candidates got below-the-fold on light reader days. Hmmmm ….another campaign contribution for Dick from Debbie?

Vote yes on Q. No matter what other agendas are at play don’t hold the kids responsible. These funds have enriched the educational experience for kids in Davis for years and all the candidates endorse Q.

Ron Glick

Vote yes on Q. No matter what other agendas are at play don’t hold the kids responsible. These funds have enriched the educational experience for kids in Davis for years and all the candidates endorse Q.

Ron Glick

First, wanted to tell everyone that Matt Rexroad personally told me he has NOT endorsed Susan Lovenburg.

Second, as Ron Glick says, Measure Q is too important to play around with. That’s kids’ lives and education that you would be playing around with to make a political point. Have a protest if you need to, have a sit in, don’t mess with their funding.

First, wanted to tell everyone that Matt Rexroad personally told me he has NOT endorsed Susan Lovenburg.

Second, as Ron Glick says, Measure Q is too important to play around with. That’s kids’ lives and education that you would be playing around with to make a political point. Have a protest if you need to, have a sit in, don’t mess with their funding.

“Let’s remember, in the past a number of school board members ran for and won political positions either on the Davis City Council or County Supervisor.”

I could be wrong about this, but I don’t think any of the four candidates running for school board now will be using that position as a stepping stone to a city council or supervisorial seat. (Yeah, I know Schelen ran for city council once. But even he seems entirely focused on school district issues, not city council politics.)

I do agree with the Vanguard that it is disturbing how much money is being raised for his race (by all the candidates but Joe Spector). I’m not sure what can be done about it, but it certainly gives off an air of impropriety. It’s a shame we don’t have public financing of all campaigns.

The worst donor group in school board races is probably the Davis Teachers Association, in terms of conflict of interest. It’s very clear what they are trying to buy. IMO, any individuals, suppliers, contractors or unions which directly stand to profit from an election of one person or another ought not be allowed to give any money at all.

The same should be true with our city council races, where, for example, the firefighters always organize as major campaign donors. In cases where someone indirectly can profit from a council decision — such as a land developer — my feeling is that any council members who took contributions from that developer ought not be allowed to vote on any developments that developer is involved with. Such a prohibition would likely reduce undue influence.

Unless there is a state law prohibiting this kind of a restriction, I would also favor outlawing any contributions to school board or city council candidates from people who don’t live in the boundaries of the DJUSD for the former or in the city of Davis for the latter.

“Let’s remember, in the past a number of school board members ran for and won political positions either on the Davis City Council or County Supervisor.”

I could be wrong about this, but I don’t think any of the four candidates running for school board now will be using that position as a stepping stone to a city council or supervisorial seat. (Yeah, I know Schelen ran for city council once. But even he seems entirely focused on school district issues, not city council politics.)

I do agree with the Vanguard that it is disturbing how much money is being raised for his race (by all the candidates but Joe Spector). I’m not sure what can be done about it, but it certainly gives off an air of impropriety. It’s a shame we don’t have public financing of all campaigns.

The worst donor group in school board races is probably the Davis Teachers Association, in terms of conflict of interest. It’s very clear what they are trying to buy. IMO, any individuals, suppliers, contractors or unions which directly stand to profit from an election of one person or another ought not be allowed to give any money at all.

The same should be true with our city council races, where, for example, the firefighters always organize as major campaign donors. In cases where someone indirectly can profit from a council decision — such as a land developer — my feeling is that any council members who took contributions from that developer ought not be allowed to vote on any developments that developer is involved with. Such a prohibition would likely reduce undue influence.

Unless there is a state law prohibiting this kind of a restriction, I would also favor outlawing any contributions to school board or city council candidates from people who don’t live in the boundaries of the DJUSD for the former or in the city of Davis for the latter.

* how much money is being raised for this race

* how much money is being raised for this race

I believe that other cities have looked at limiting outside contributions, but that would not prevent developers who own land in the land planning area from contributing.

Harris is obviously looking to the future in politics. I believe he said publicly that he looked at all of the possibilities and settled on the school board as a good place to start. I don’t believe there is anything wrong with this. People have criticized Ferrera for not “paying his dues” in the community and jumping into the supervisor race. We can’t have it both ways.

Focus on the issues and vote with your conscious.

I believe that other cities have looked at limiting outside contributions, but that would not prevent developers who own land in the land planning area from contributing.

Harris is obviously looking to the future in politics. I believe he said publicly that he looked at all of the possibilities and settled on the school board as a good place to start. I don’t believe there is anything wrong with this. People have criticized Ferrera for not “paying his dues” in the community and jumping into the supervisor race. We can’t have it both ways.

Focus on the issues and vote with your conscious.

DPD said:

“Third and I think most interestingly is when you look at the names of at least the $100 donors, one has to ask where the progressive community is in this race. One simply does not see names of members of the progressive community.”

The problem is DPD’s definition of “progressive community.” DPD and a few others have decided that the criteria for being a “progressive” in Davis means you have to oppose all development in and around Davis, especially Covell Village. All other issues mean nothing. (For example, Pat Lenzi was called a “progressive” even though her positions on the death penalty, sex offenders, and other criminal justice issues were extremely right wing and anti-civil libertarian. She was called a “progressive” just because her friends were.)

The fact is that most of Richard Harris’s contributors – including the ones mentioned in the piece – are lifelong progressive Democrats who have better progressive credentials than most of the folks they criticize. Harris’s supporters just don’t happen to meet DPD’s definition.

I expect Richard will be a very “progressive” member of the Davis School Board, in the true sense of the word.

DPD said:

“Third and I think most interestingly is when you look at the names of at least the $100 donors, one has to ask where the progressive community is in this race. One simply does not see names of members of the progressive community.”

The problem is DPD’s definition of “progressive community.” DPD and a few others have decided that the criteria for being a “progressive” in Davis means you have to oppose all development in and around Davis, especially Covell Village. All other issues mean nothing. (For example, Pat Lenzi was called a “progressive” even though her positions on the death penalty, sex offenders, and other criminal justice issues were extremely right wing and anti-civil libertarian. She was called a “progressive” just because her friends were.)

The fact is that most of Richard Harris’s contributors – including the ones mentioned in the piece – are lifelong progressive Democrats who have better progressive credentials than most of the folks they criticize. Harris’s supporters just don’t happen to meet DPD’s definition.

I expect Richard will be a very “progressive” member of the Davis School Board, in the true sense of the word.

Unless there is a state law prohibiting this kind of a restriction, I would also favor outlawing any contributions to school board or city council candidates from people who don’t live in the boundaries of the DJUSD for the former or in the city of Davis for the latter.

Actually, a very progressive idea, but, unfortunately, the US Supreme Court has consistently had other ideas.

–Richard Estes

Unless there is a state law prohibiting this kind of a restriction, I would also favor outlawing any contributions to school board or city council candidates from people who don’t live in the boundaries of the DJUSD for the former or in the city of Davis for the latter.

Actually, a very progressive idea, but, unfortunately, the US Supreme Court has consistently had other ideas.

–Richard Estes

Correction to prior post. Should read:

The fact is that most of Richard Harris’s contributors – including the ones mentioned in the piece – are lifelong progressive Democrats who have better progressive credentials than most of the folks who criticize them. Harris’s supporters just don’t happen to meet DPD’s definition.

Correction to prior post. Should read:

The fact is that most of Richard Harris’s contributors – including the ones mentioned in the piece – are lifelong progressive Democrats who have better progressive credentials than most of the folks who criticize them. Harris’s supporters just don’t happen to meet DPD’s definition.

The term progressive has a specific and well-understood meaning in Davis to refer to a specific group of people with generalized beliefs about growth and environmental protection and other issue areas at a local level. The fact that the term in this context was understood underlies the validity of the term. Richard Harris, Susan Lovenburg, Don Saylor, Stephen Souza are not progressives at the local level. You can argue as to whether they are at a national level, but at a local level you have people such as Lamar Heystek, Sue Greenwald, Mike Harrington, Ken Wagstaff, Julie Partansky, etc. Clearly Richard Harris is NOT identified with that group of people and that is who DPD refers to.

The term progressive has a specific and well-understood meaning in Davis to refer to a specific group of people with generalized beliefs about growth and environmental protection and other issue areas at a local level. The fact that the term in this context was understood underlies the validity of the term. Richard Harris, Susan Lovenburg, Don Saylor, Stephen Souza are not progressives at the local level. You can argue as to whether they are at a national level, but at a local level you have people such as Lamar Heystek, Sue Greenwald, Mike Harrington, Ken Wagstaff, Julie Partansky, etc. Clearly Richard Harris is NOT identified with that group of people and that is who DPD refers to.

Suggestion: To avoid the confusion between the real meaning of progressive (nationally, statewide, and virtually everywhere else) and the concocted definition dreamed up by some in Davis for their own narrow purpose, why not use a different word?

How about “Vanguardian”?

Otherwise, you will continue to be known simply by the more derogatory terms such as “Wingnuts” or “Whackos” or just plain “Nimbys”?

Why try and claim some higher ground you don’t truly occupy by confusing people? Few poeple really buy it, anyway.

Suggestion: To avoid the confusion between the real meaning of progressive (nationally, statewide, and virtually everywhere else) and the concocted definition dreamed up by some in Davis for their own narrow purpose, why not use a different word?

How about “Vanguardian”?

Otherwise, you will continue to be known simply by the more derogatory terms such as “Wingnuts” or “Whackos” or just plain “Nimbys”?

Why try and claim some higher ground you don’t truly occupy by confusing people? Few poeple really buy it, anyway.

Letters to the editor and “protests” will have as much impact on Harris and Lovenburg as it did in altering the Bush administration’s Iraq war.
A NO vote on Q(power of the purse) is similar to what the Congress is now attempting in order to change the direction of Bush’s war. Support the troops! Support Measure Q!… A No vote gives us the necessary leverage when the newly seated school board considers why
Q failed to garner a 2/3 vote. We WILL then see a Measure Q-2 at the next polling that hopefully takes the very significant minority view into account.
This is, after all, the principle that demands a 2/3 vote rather than the “tryanny” of a simple majority.

Letters to the editor and “protests” will have as much impact on Harris and Lovenburg as it did in altering the Bush administration’s Iraq war.
A NO vote on Q(power of the purse) is similar to what the Congress is now attempting in order to change the direction of Bush’s war. Support the troops! Support Measure Q!… A No vote gives us the necessary leverage when the newly seated school board considers why
Q failed to garner a 2/3 vote. We WILL then see a Measure Q-2 at the next polling that hopefully takes the very significant minority view into account.
This is, after all, the principle that demands a 2/3 vote rather than the “tryanny” of a simple majority.

Davis Voter:

You would deny the kids who are in junior high and high school the opportunity to take an elective outside of the mandatory curriculum, kids who need help with reading at the elementary school level, etc., etc. to make a political point?

Why not just talk directly to the people on the school board about what it is that is angering you and deal with it directly and not bring the rest of the community (and the students who have no power to vote) into your disagreement.

I have no kids in school, and I’m inclined to vote no on all future school bonds if this fails because people are using their vote “to teach the board a lesson.” Bonds and taxes should be voted for because there is a need for them and no other reason and I will not be party to using the need for the money as a way to extort favors from the Board.

Davis Voter:

You would deny the kids who are in junior high and high school the opportunity to take an elective outside of the mandatory curriculum, kids who need help with reading at the elementary school level, etc., etc. to make a political point?

Why not just talk directly to the people on the school board about what it is that is angering you and deal with it directly and not bring the rest of the community (and the students who have no power to vote) into your disagreement.

I have no kids in school, and I’m inclined to vote no on all future school bonds if this fails because people are using their vote “to teach the board a lesson.” Bonds and taxes should be voted for because there is a need for them and no other reason and I will not be party to using the need for the money as a way to extort favors from the Board.

Davis Voter:

You would deny the kids who are in junior high and high school the opportunity to take an elective outside of the mandatory curriculum, kids who need help with reading at the elementary school level, etc., etc. to make a political point?

Why not just talk directly to the people on the school board about what it is that is angering you and deal with it directly and not bring the rest of the community (and the students who have no power to vote) into your disagreement.

I have no kids in school, and I’m inclined to vote no on all future school bonds if this fails because people are using their vote “to teach the board a lesson.” Bonds and taxes should be voted for because there is a need for them and no other reason and I will not be party to using the need for the money as a way to extort favors from the Board.

Davis Voter:

You would deny the kids who are in junior high and high school the opportunity to take an elective outside of the mandatory curriculum, kids who need help with reading at the elementary school level, etc., etc. to make a political point?

Why not just talk directly to the people on the school board about what it is that is angering you and deal with it directly and not bring the rest of the community (and the students who have no power to vote) into your disagreement.

I have no kids in school, and I’m inclined to vote no on all future school bonds if this fails because people are using their vote “to teach the board a lesson.” Bonds and taxes should be voted for because there is a need for them and no other reason and I will not be party to using the need for the money as a way to extort favors from the Board.

“why not use a different word?”

Because the other word is already in use and people know what I’m talking about when I say it here in Davis. Why create a new word because you don’t like the other one?

“why not use a different word?”

Because the other word is already in use and people know what I’m talking about when I say it here in Davis. Why create a new word because you don’t like the other one?

Do Joe Spector or Bob Schelen have websites?

Do Joe Spector or Bob Schelen have websites?

Foolish me, I thought this was a non-partisan race. This is a School Board election so I hope voters focus on who are the best candidates to serve our kids, rather than who should be elected now so that they are better positioned for some higher office in the future.

Also remember that many of our current School Board members, including “progressives,” also received contributions from Sacramento interests (friends and co-workers).

It does take significant bucks to reach voters in our 60,000+ population city, even if candidates do a lot of walking. It also takes a lot of personal time to ask for contributions and fund-raise for donations, so don’t be so hasty to criticize candidates who are working hard to communicate to voters.

Foolish me, I thought this was a non-partisan race. This is a School Board election so I hope voters focus on who are the best candidates to serve our kids, rather than who should be elected now so that they are better positioned for some higher office in the future.

Also remember that many of our current School Board members, including “progressives,” also received contributions from Sacramento interests (friends and co-workers).

It does take significant bucks to reach voters in our 60,000+ population city, even if candidates do a lot of walking. It also takes a lot of personal time to ask for contributions and fund-raise for donations, so don’t be so hasty to criticize candidates who are working hard to communicate to voters.

Local progressives should be known as regressives because they are identified by what they are against not what they are for. I once asked a neighbor what the progressives in Davis were for. He replied,”Property values?” The fact that they call themselves progressives is laughable. They are really socially moderate Rockefeller republicans.

On the other side the prodevelopment forces don’t have much imagination either. They don’t seem to be for anything but maximizing profit for the developers. It is no wonder things are so polarized.

Local progressives should be known as regressives because they are identified by what they are against not what they are for. I once asked a neighbor what the progressives in Davis were for. He replied,”Property values?” The fact that they call themselves progressives is laughable. They are really socially moderate Rockefeller republicans.

On the other side the prodevelopment forces don’t have much imagination either. They don’t seem to be for anything but maximizing profit for the developers. It is no wonder things are so polarized.

“Do Joe Spector or Bob Schelen have websites?”

Wednesday’s Enterprise listed http://www.joespector4schoolboard.com as a Spector website, but the URL didn’t work for me…. As far as Schelen goes, I don’t know. I googled each of them and found nothing.

“Do Joe Spector or Bob Schelen have websites?”

Wednesday’s Enterprise listed http://www.joespector4schoolboard.com as a Spector website, but the URL didn’t work for me…. As far as Schelen goes, I don’t know. I googled each of them and found nothing.

You’re right anonymous protecting agricultural land, preserving open space, protecting the environment, prevent unmitigated development and sprawl, traffic congestion, air and noise pollution, these are all negative and regressive values… < sigh >

You’re right anonymous protecting agricultural land, preserving open space, protecting the environment, prevent unmitigated development and sprawl, traffic congestion, air and noise pollution, these are all negative and regressive values… < sigh >

I was told this morning that Joe Spector’s website will be up soon.

I was told this morning that Joe Spector’s website will be up soon.

Vicente, I am for all those things too but when it gets to the point that the price of housing shoots the moon it calls for some housing solutions as well. It is the willingness of those that have homes to shut the gate behind themselves in the belief that the town where the University of California is located, making many employees who can’t afford to live in Davis commute, adding to traffic and air pollution that I find disturbing. Drive to woodland around 7:30am or to Davis at around 5:15 PM and you will see all the commuters who can’t afford to live in Davis adding to some of the problems you profess to oppose.

Vicente, I am for all those things too but when it gets to the point that the price of housing shoots the moon it calls for some housing solutions as well. It is the willingness of those that have homes to shut the gate behind themselves in the belief that the town where the University of California is located, making many employees who can’t afford to live in Davis commute, adding to traffic and air pollution that I find disturbing. Drive to woodland around 7:30am or to Davis at around 5:15 PM and you will see all the commuters who can’t afford to live in Davis adding to some of the problems you profess to oppose.

Yeah and make Davis a town of 120,000 and it won’t be the “same town” that everyone wants to live in. You can’t have it both ways.

Yeah and make Davis a town of 120,000 and it won’t be the “same town” that everyone wants to live in. You can’t have it both ways.

No it won’t be the same town but it will be a town that 120,000 people want to live in. Let’s build a wall and keep everyone else out. California will continue to grow and if you think your going to stop that vote for Tancredo the Republican xenophobe. Of course that is what I said about the regressives they are Republicans. Oh and lets keep the university from growing too because all those ignorant hordes are going to ruin this quaint little romanticized town by wanting a better life for their kids. Too bad the University gets to build west village, but hey, at least they won’t be able to vote here in Davis if the Dems who control local politics at the city and county level have their way. Who needs voting machines when you have various juristictions to use to keep people from being empowered.

Furthermore Vicente, what else are the regressives for? Are there any other issues besides the environment by your interpretation or nimbyism by mine that define the regressives?

No it won’t be the same town but it will be a town that 120,000 people want to live in. Let’s build a wall and keep everyone else out. California will continue to grow and if you think your going to stop that vote for Tancredo the Republican xenophobe. Of course that is what I said about the regressives they are Republicans. Oh and lets keep the university from growing too because all those ignorant hordes are going to ruin this quaint little romanticized town by wanting a better life for their kids. Too bad the University gets to build west village, but hey, at least they won’t be able to vote here in Davis if the Dems who control local politics at the city and county level have their way. Who needs voting machines when you have various juristictions to use to keep people from being empowered.

Furthermore Vicente, what else are the regressives for? Are there any other issues besides the environment by your interpretation or nimbyism by mine that define the regressives?

Why is everyone talking about Davis growth and housing when this is a School Board race? Hello! This is not the Co. Supervisor or City Council race. Hold your growth and housing cost issues for the next campaign.

Why is everyone talking about Davis growth and housing when this is a School Board race? Hello! This is not the Co. Supervisor or City Council race. Hold your growth and housing cost issues for the next campaign.

Excellent! Brilliant! Yes, you’ve got it all figured out. Now go make your own town. “Anonymous 10/4/07 8:55 PM” for Mayor!

Excellent! Brilliant! Yes, you’ve got it all figured out. Now go make your own town. “Anonymous 10/4/07 8:55 PM” for Mayor!

What is this Davis love it or leave it? If you don’t want to agree you should leave. That’s really the answer to our problems.

What is this Davis love it or leave it? If you don’t want to agree you should leave. That’s really the answer to our problems.

“Vicente, I am for all those things too but when it gets to the point that the price of housing shoots the moon it calls for some housing solutions as well.”

One point that I think needs to be made is that you are not going to reduce the cost of housing in Davis by building more housing in Davis. In fact, as long as Davis remains a desirable place to live the place of housing will be disproportionately high. On a large scale the only way to reduce the cost of housing would be to reduce the desirability of living in Davis.

“Vicente, I am for all those things too but when it gets to the point that the price of housing shoots the moon it calls for some housing solutions as well.”

One point that I think needs to be made is that you are not going to reduce the cost of housing in Davis by building more housing in Davis. In fact, as long as Davis remains a desirable place to live the place of housing will be disproportionately high. On a large scale the only way to reduce the cost of housing would be to reduce the desirability of living in Davis.

Yes, please, leave. Especially if you want to change our town to have all of the amenities and conveniences of “EveryOtherTown, USA.” You want that, then go live in Vacaville but don’t complain about how you want to change Davis to be like those places.

Yes, please, leave. Especially if you want to change our town to have all of the amenities and conveniences of “EveryOtherTown, USA.” You want that, then go live in Vacaville but don’t complain about how you want to change Davis to be like those places.

Vicente,

Depends on what you build. Its called supply and demand and for some reason people in Davis don’t believe in it.

Lynn

Welcome to America where you get to live where you want and think what you want. Your argument is sort of like Rush Limbaugh that veterans who oppose the war are somehow unpatriotic.

At least I would respect your right to be a regressive.

Vicente,

Depends on what you build. Its called supply and demand and for some reason people in Davis don’t believe in it.

Lynn

Welcome to America where you get to live where you want and think what you want. Your argument is sort of like Rush Limbaugh that veterans who oppose the war are somehow unpatriotic.

At least I would respect your right to be a regressive.

“Depends on what you build. Its called supply and demand and for some reason people in Davis don’t believe in it.”

I do believe in supply and demand, the problem is that it would be like sticking a pin into the good year blimp. This an open system and it will take more than a few thousand houses built per year to seriously reduce the strain on demand enough to bring down the cost.

“Depends on what you build. Its called supply and demand and for some reason people in Davis don’t believe in it.”

I do believe in supply and demand, the problem is that it would be like sticking a pin into the good year blimp. This an open system and it will take more than a few thousand houses built per year to seriously reduce the strain on demand enough to bring down the cost.

Perpetually Anonymous said:

“Welcome to America where you get to live where you want and think what you want.”

Great. So you “deserve” to live anywhere you want. Be sure to let the inhabitants of any home in Lake Alhambra know that. Just walk up to anyone’s house and say, “This is America and I deserve to live here and you need to lower the cost of housing because I deserve this.” I’m sure that will go over really well. Good luck with that.

Perpetually Anonymous said:

“Welcome to America where you get to live where you want and think what you want.”

Great. So you “deserve” to live anywhere you want. Be sure to let the inhabitants of any home in Lake Alhambra know that. Just walk up to anyone’s house and say, “This is America and I deserve to live here and you need to lower the cost of housing because I deserve this.” I’m sure that will go over really well. Good luck with that.

Oh please Lynn get real. I already live in Davis. Yes they let some poor folk live here too as long as we can handle the rent. I hope that is acceptable to you who are worried about anyone not like yourself being allowed in the city limits.

Oh please Lynn get real. I already live in Davis. Yes they let some poor folk live here too as long as we can handle the rent. I hope that is acceptable to you who are worried about anyone not like yourself being allowed in the city limits.

Lynne I do want to add that I do respect you for your honesty. There aren’t many people in town who would make an argument that exposes so clearly that it really is all about property values.

Lynne I do want to add that I do respect you for your honesty. There aren’t many people in town who would make an argument that exposes so clearly that it really is all about property values.

I don’t see that as her argument at all. I think what she is arguing is that people are not entitled to moving into a given location regardless of availability or affordability.

The second point is that property values are less helpful than they appear. It is not as though one is going to be able to some how cash in on their property value. The bigger issue is that property values reflect the desirability of a given area for people to move to. Without changing that variable it seems that growth is not going to lower property values given the enormity of the region and state in terms of population. This is why I made the pin prick analogy earlier.

I don’t see that as her argument at all. I think what she is arguing is that people are not entitled to moving into a given location regardless of availability or affordability.

The second point is that property values are less helpful than they appear. It is not as though one is going to be able to some how cash in on their property value. The bigger issue is that property values reflect the desirability of a given area for people to move to. Without changing that variable it seems that growth is not going to lower property values given the enormity of the region and state in terms of population. This is why I made the pin prick analogy earlier.

[Anonymous said…

What is this Davis love it or leave it? If you don’t want to agree you should leave. That’s really the answer to our problems.

10/5/07 1:15 PM]

This attitude is one of the reasons that I moved to Sacramento.

Why people in Davis like this think so highly of themselves is beyond me.

–Richard Estes

[Anonymous said…

What is this Davis love it or leave it? If you don’t want to agree you should leave. That’s really the answer to our problems.

10/5/07 1:15 PM]

This attitude is one of the reasons that I moved to Sacramento.

Why people in Davis like this think so highly of themselves is beyond me.

–Richard Estes

Vicente,

On what do you base your economic analysis as to the number needed to bring down costs? Additionally, you didn’t address my question about what else the so called progressives are for?

Vicente,

On what do you base your economic analysis as to the number needed to bring down costs? Additionally, you didn’t address my question about what else the so called progressives are for?

Vincent said: “I think what she is arguing is that people are not entitled to moving into a given location regardless of availability or affordability.”

Perpetually Anonymous,

Yes, thank you, Vincent, that is what I’m saying. Just because you want to live somewhere …Palo Alto …Hillsborough …Manhattan …Oahu …Davis? means you need to make enough money to afford to live there. Can’t do that? Then live where you can until you can “afford” to comfortably live in that place. Until then quit ‘cher bitchin’ and trying to change eveything to suit your life.

Vincent said: “I think what she is arguing is that people are not entitled to moving into a given location regardless of availability or affordability.”

Perpetually Anonymous,

Yes, thank you, Vincent, that is what I’m saying. Just because you want to live somewhere …Palo Alto …Hillsborough …Manhattan …Oahu …Davis? means you need to make enough money to afford to live there. Can’t do that? Then live where you can until you can “afford” to comfortably live in that place. Until then quit ‘cher bitchin’ and trying to change eveything to suit your life.

But I do already live here and people like you have no right to tell anyone to stop complaining or trying to change things. You see there is this thing called the constitution and I suggest you get off your high horse and read it.

But I do already live here and people like you have no right to tell anyone to stop complaining or trying to change things. You see there is this thing called the constitution and I suggest you get off your high horse and read it.

Furthermore I’ve lived here almost 20 years. By the way, did you see the paper the other night about how the people that teach the kids in this town can’t afford health care and how the district is stuck and can’t help them because of declining enrollment. You know why there is declining enrollment? Because people with young families can’t afford to buy here. Not to mention the police and firemen that protect you or the people who teach your kids not being able to afford to live here or the kids who grow up here and can’t afford to stay. So you think I should stop complaining,too bad, I think you should stop being so selfish. Ain’t it great to live in Davis America where we have freedom of speech.

Furthermore I’ve lived here almost 20 years. By the way, did you see the paper the other night about how the people that teach the kids in this town can’t afford health care and how the district is stuck and can’t help them because of declining enrollment. You know why there is declining enrollment? Because people with young families can’t afford to buy here. Not to mention the police and firemen that protect you or the people who teach your kids not being able to afford to live here or the kids who grow up here and can’t afford to stay. So you think I should stop complaining,too bad, I think you should stop being so selfish. Ain’t it great to live in Davis America where we have freedom of speech.

Perpetually Anonymous sed…

“…I suggest you get off your high horse and read it.”

Hello pot?

This is kettle.

You’re black.

Perpetually Anonymous sed…

“…I suggest you get off your high horse and read it.”

Hello pot?

This is kettle.

You’re black.