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

  • Davis needs to do better at protecting its sensitive and endangered species

    There is still a chance to preserve and restore habitats to help native species recover, including at Village Farms

    By Kathryn Calderala

    Environmentalism – Still a dirty word for some. A category Davis has a long history of claiming to embrace when the results show otherwise. As one example (and there are many); Davis used to be the proud stewards of a healthy population of Western Burrowing Owls – those pint-sized, ground dwelling owls perched on fence posts and signs. Almost everyone I have met since I moved here told me how they used to see owls everywhere. Yet now the species is almost gone from the county (no, they are not at Wildhorse anymore). They are considered extirpated – no longer nesting here and we are lucky to see a handful of individuals trying to overwinter in the area before moving on. Mostly they have been done in by the strange apathy that pervades the area.

    If a pint-sized owl – that lives underground and has more charisma than most species – can’t be a priority, what hope do all the other dwindling native species have? The California Tiger Salamander – an icon of the state. The Vernal Pool Tadpole Shrimp – a straightup throwback to prehistoric design, trundling around like mini horseshoe crabs. The Western Spadefoot Toad – a cat-eyed chunk of toad that smells like peanuts when they are mad. If we, as a community, cannot rouse ourselves enough to fight for the underdogs, what hope do we have for the future?

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  • I Did Not Endorse Measure V

    By Rena Nayyar

    I have recently learned that, without my knowledge or permission, I have been put on an endorsement list for Yes on Measure V (Village Farms).  How did this happen?  I have actively opposed Measure V (Village Farms) from the beginning because of its many problems even though I am a teacher in Davis concerned about school closures. 

    I have spoken in opposition to the Village Farms project due to its many impacts at multiple city and school board meetings, the local Sierra Club group, and to the Davis Teacher’s Association.  I have even helped table at the NO booth at the Farmer’s Market, and donated to the No campaign.  So, how could my name have possibly been put on an endorsement list?  How many other “endorsers” are also unknowingly on this Yes on Measure V list as well?  

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  • Why Traffic “Improvements” Destroy Cities

    By Tim Keller

    I would like to briefly weigh in on one of the elements of the debate currently being waged online regarding Measure V.

    Opponents complain that the new residents will clog our streets with “traffic” while supporters of the project point out that Village Farms will pay for “traffic improvements” that will mitigate or perhaps even improve traffic. 

    It is my distinct impression that both sides of that debate are missing the most important question: What exactly are “traffic improvements”?

    In practice, “traffic engineering” is usually shorthand for constructing LARGER intersections: adding pavement, turn lanes, traffic lights, slip lanes, and other infrastructure intended to move more cars through an area more efficiently.

    You can optimize signal timing to some degree, but beyond that, most “traffic improvements” simply mean making more room for automobiles.  This is not necessarily something we should be cheering for.

    As urban planner Lewis Mumford warned all the way back in 1955:

    “Adding lanes to deal with traffic congestion is like loosening your belt to cure obesity.”

    Consider these two downtown intersections here in Davis:

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  • Is Eric Jones really a progressive? His donation to a Bush family Republican says otherwise

    Artificial Intelligence is “in”, quality healthcare is “out”

    By Roberta Millstein

    Is Eric Jones, running to unseat Mike Thompson in Congressional District 4, really a progressive?  His supporters often describe him that way, with Our Revolution, for example, stating that he has a “bold, progressive vision.” 

    Would a liberal or a progressive or any sort of committed Democrat donate to a Republican candidate from a well-known establishment Republican family?  One who seeks to dismantle health care support for his constituents?  Because this is what Jones has done.

    On October 28, 2025 — after Jones had already declared his House campaign as a Democrat — he donated the maximum amount allowed by the state of Maine ($2075) for a candidate running in the Republican primary for governor. The candidate is Jonathan Bush, cousin of George W. Bush and nephew of George H. W. Bush. Here is a screenshot showing Eric Jones’s donation to Jonathan Bush’s campaign:

    The full list of donors to Jonathan Bush’s campaign can be found at https://mainecampaignfinance.com/index.html#/exploreDetails/554869/10/0/51/2026 ; click where it says “2026 January Semiannual Report“. I have blacked out Jones’s address for a little bit more privacy, although anyone who really wants to confirm it is the same Eric Jones can click through to find it, as it is public information.

    Indeed, a number of Bush family members join Eric Jones in supporting Jonathan Bush’s Republican run for governor in Maine.  These include Former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush. Here are screenshots showing their donations:

    The full list of donors to Jonathan Bush’s campaign can be found at https://mainecampaignfinance.com/index.html#/exploreDetails/554869/10/0/51/2026 ; click where it says “2026 January Semiannual Report“.

    In case that is not enough to convince you that Eric Jones is supporting a “real” Republican, consider the words of the Maine Democrats, who state that Jonathan Bush is “push[ing] his dangerous plan to cut health care for Mainers”:

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  • Village Farms – Much To Do About (Developer Double-)Crossings

    Original visual used by Yes on V of Village Farms to North Star bridge, now deleted.

    by Tuvia ben Olam DBA Todd Edelman

    l lived in the Czech Republic for about seven years – where I did similar mobility curmudgeon work as I do here, BUT everyone from local district mayors to engineering company bosses liked me because my father is Slovak and I’m Jewish… but mostly because I was an activist with constructive ideas. Imagine that!

    In the Czech Language the term for “communication” generally encompasses systems and technology for things like the Internet and physical transportation infrastructure, for example…. bridges!

    In that framework or lens I offer now a hopefully somewhat fresh look at bridges and the communication about bridges connected with projects of the Seven Generational Families of Davis (Henceforth: The Seven).

    Still, the obvious place to start is Promenade (Formerly Known as Nishi)…

    I’m binging GoT right now. That’s all.

    The Bridge of Friendship between The Seven and Union Pacific

    In a May 16th Op-Ed for the Davis Vanguard – its title is the basis for mine for this article – The Seven’s Sandy Whitcombe refers to the claim of Measure V opponents that “… Union Pacific Railroad (henceforth: UP) is holding up a grade-separated crossing”. She then says she wishes that the opponents “…asked us first…” about it.

    Well, back in December 2017 during my first meeting on the Bicycling, Transportation and Street Safety Commission (BTSSC – the predecessor to the Transportation Commission), the then Assistant City Manager Ashley Feeney told us that City had a good relationship with UP and it would likely be possible to have a level crossing between Arboretum Drive and Nishi. Later on, as the proposal moved through Council’s approval step in County annexation and then towards the popular vote, the documents for the project referred to a “grade-separated crossing” but the main imagery I recall – and could find in a search – was an undercrossing. 

    Visual by Promenade (Nishi) proponents from 2017 or so.

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  • Who Pays the Price in Davis Schools?

    By Jasmine Pettis

    At a time when Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD) is asking families to consider closing neighborhood schools, one question remains unanswered: Have District leaders fully examined their own spending before asking the community to absorb the consequences?

    The answer appears to be “no”. Recent salary data shows that DJUSD’s superintendent received more than $427,000 in total compensation in 2024, with several central office administrators earning well over $200,000 annually. At the same time, the District is discussing the drastic step of school closures as a necessary response to budget pressures.

    DJUSD families have been told in Board Subcommittee meetings that there is “no fat left to trim.” That claim doesn’t hold up.

    The two realities of rising administrative compensation and proposed school closures demand scrutiny. Allow me:

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  • Davis Pride is ready to bring the rainbows and glitter back to the community

    The Davis PrideFest will include performances by local drag performers like Eva Changing. (Photo credit: Photos by Grey)

    (From press release) The 12th annual Davis Pride will bring a month of events to celebrate and support the local LGBTQ+ community, with Davis PrideFest, a fun run, trivia, and the annual comedy night.

    The month-long celebration will start with PrideFest, taking place at Civic Center Park, at 6th and B streets behind Davis City Hall, from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 6. This family-friendly event features a music festival, community vendors, food trucks, drinks, and a drag revue.

    “At a time when nationwide we’re seeing attacks on LGBTQ+ rights and organizations turning their back on Pride events, we are proud to offer a community-driven event supported by local artists, businesses, and volunteers,” said Sandré Henriquez Nelson, Director of Pride Events for the Davis Phoenix Coalition.

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  • The billionaire venture-capitalist backed Super PAC supporting Eric Jones cites faulty time travelers

    Mailer funded by the Super PAC “New Leadership Now.”

    Or maybe they just lie?

    The latest mailer funded by the “New Leadership Now” Super PAC boldly declares: “In 2019, House Democrats voted on impeachment. Mike Thompson voted No.” One big problem: Thompson in fact voted YES in 2019 — check, e.g., Wikipedia.

    So, what’s their evidence? Next to the above blatantly false claim — I want to say “blatant lie” — there is a footnote citation. Take a look at the footnote in tiny print and you will see two citations from… wait for it… 2017!! So, apparently, those news sources were time travelers who knew that Mike Thompson would vote “no” in 2019, except they were apparently very bad time travelers (or maybe they were very bad crystal ball readers??) because he voted “yes”.

    You will probably need to click to read these, but the first date 12/6/17 and the second is also 12/6/17

    Sorry to be sarcastic here, but this is really bad. Bad bad bad. And if Jones doesn’t denounce this blatantly false claim (i.e., lie) in his name, that’s on him.

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  • Proposals for city budget fall far short of what is needed to address severe funding gap

    [The following email from Dan Carson was shared with the Davisite for posting]

    Dear City Council and Fiscal Commissioners:

    Attached please find a city staff report authored by the City Manager and the Finance Department — dated May 19, 2026 and titled “Fiscal Year 2026/27 Mid-Cycle Budget Update” — that was recently provided to you for public hearings this week. Given the brief timeline available for public consideration of this report by the Council and the Commission, I am sharing these comments with you in the interests of ensuring that you obtain critical information needed to assess the proposed actions and their potential effect on our city’s fiscal stability and integrity.  

    Click to access 06-FY26-27-Mid-Cycle-Budget-Update.pdf

    As you know, I served as a fiscal advisor to the California Legislature for 17 years, concluding my state career as Deputy Legislative Analyst of the nonpartisan and independent Legislative Analyst’s Office before serving for nine years on the City of Davis Finance and Budget Commission and then the City Council.  

    In summary, my analyses indicates that the first steps to address the city’s budget shortfalls being proposed by city management are reasonable but will fall far short of what is needed to address a severe funding gap caused primarily by dramatic and excessive increases in employee pay and benefits approved by the Council in a series of recent multi-year labor contracts. The budget package also does not provide the level of funding needed to fix our roads and bike paths and other infrastructure and discloses that it “defers” more capital improvement projects it does not identify. I recommend the Commission and the Council take a series of actions described below to address these issues.

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  • Village Farms Flood Analysis Is Behind the Times

    Ponding at the Wildhorse Agricultural Buffer during winter storm.

    By Marjorie Longo

    Water doesn’t care about property lines—it flows wherever the land takes it. That’s why flood studies shouldn’t stop at property lines. However, the Village Farms flood analysis mostly focuses on the project itself and a few broader downstream areas (https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/community-development/development-projects/village-farms-davis). It does not show detailed results for existing neighborhoods—the places where people actually live, drive, and may need emergency access. Where are the post-Village Farms flood maps for Wildhorse, North Davis, or the streets south of Covell?  A few extra inches of water during a storm can mean the difference between a dry home and a flooded one, or between a passable road and a blocked evacuation route.

    While the Village Farms flood analysis provides numbers for farmland and shows water pooling on the Wildhorse Golf Course and Wildhorse Agricultural Buffer, it doesn’t answer the key question residents have: what happens on my street?  When the next atmospheric river is dumping on Davis, runoff spreads broadly over our flat topography. And inches of extra flood water add thousands of dollars of damage to flooded homes and can mean the difference between muddy flood water in your home or not.

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