Letter: Linda Deos for City Council
October 16, 2024
I endorse Linda Deos for election to City Council based on the experience I have had serving with her on the City of Davis Planning Commission for the past two years. During that time the commission has engaged in long and difficult deliberations that resulted in approval of important development projects and policies, often after significant modifications by the commission. Linda has been a fully engaged and vital participant in reaching those decisions.
Evaluating this type of complex subject matter requires familiarity with the principles of land use, planning, zoning, housing and the applicability of continually evolving State law. These are precisely the same topics about which a councilmember must be intimately knowledgable, meaning Linda will be ready to "hit the ground running" on her first day in office.
In working with Linda, I have found her to be consistently well informed, articulate, and prepared to ask penetrating questions of project applicants and City staff. Linda is also sensitive to community values and concerns- - a vitally important trait for serving on City Council.
Based on my experience working with Linda on issues similar to those that lie ahead, I strongly urge voters to elect Linda to City Council. Although I am chair of the Planning Commission, the opinions expressed in this letter are strictly my own.
Greg Rowe
Fine, but what is her position on the sales tax increase, the budget, the granting of raises in retro, etc.
Posted by: David Bakay | October 16, 2024 at 11:42 AM
David, I just found a glossy "Davis Firefighters local 3494 Endorse Linda Deos for Davis City Council District 2" door hanger on my door together with a "Yes on Measure Q" door hanger, so it doesn't take much to connect the dots.
Posted by: Roberta L. Millstein | October 16, 2024 at 01:23 PM
It says something about the septic nature of current Davis society that the Dvis firefighters see it as a positive that they endorse someone. Remember 10-15 years ago when the firefighter influence on the Council was a well-known and major issue? No, let's give them a ladder truck and three new positions for Christmas. For me, an endorsement by the firefighters is an automatic toss. But what do I know? I'm just a guy who sings at City Council meetings. My, how the mighty Davis has fallen (become sterile think-bots). We are doomed.
And I do believe the last City Councilperson who would have actually voted against free money to spend was Jerry Adler. Where is the new City Council fiscally-conservative Messiah?
Posted by: Alan C. Miller | October 16, 2024 at 04:07 PM
ACM, I think that 10-15 years ago was when the Vanguard was still doing the work to uncover the connections between campaign contributions and votes for salary increases, before it decided that it was better not to criticize those with money and power (developers, firefighters, city councilmembers) and instead turned its efforts toward criticizing citizens who spoke up about those things. And it occurs to me that the reporter who used to report campaign contributions (ATB) is no longer with the Davis Enterprise; the reporter who is currently covering City Council, etc., doesn't seem to do this. So there is definitely a vacuum. I'd add that the City Council has been extremely effective at promoting a toxic positivity where any criticism of them is seen as a bad thing. Let's all be positive out there, folks!
Posted by: Roberta L. Millstein | October 16, 2024 at 04:39 PM
Yes Roberta, well said.
Something I've stated several times, the Vanguard ain't what it used to be.
Posted by: Keith | October 17, 2024 at 05:27 AM
RM: Yes exactly about the Vanguard. Much as I disagreed with DG about most things, he actually was a courageous stick-it-in-your-face activist over issues like the firefighter money and did some good for the community. Now he's a ****. No wonderful community forum, no watchdog activism. Just release the prisoners and build them free housing -- in Davis. And after nearly a decade of promises, a new, sub-par website. Yee-ha :-|
"toxic positivity" -- THAT is the perfect phrase for it. I'm going to use that one until the end of time. "The Davis City Council: Bringing Toxic Positivity to Davis"
Posted by: Alan C. Miller | October 17, 2024 at 09:07 AM