|
|
Articles from
December 2007
Charlie Wilson's War
Sunday, December 30, 2007 ::
0 Comments
Jenn and I saw Charlie Wilson's War last night. It was a very entertaining movie. We both liked it.
Tom Hanks is excellent.
The movie is very timely. It even mentions the killing of former Pakistan Prime Minister's father Benazir Bhutto.
Jenn gives the movie 4 stars. I would give it 4.5 stars.
The movie really does set things up for what happened in the 1990's with the Taliban.
|
|
|
Christmas at the Rexroads
Sunday, December 30, 2007 ::
0 Comments
The Rexroads had a wonderful Christmas together. I am really lucky to have the family that I do. I was telling Don and Allyson Douglass tonight that I think I have spent every Christmas of my life in Woodland.
 Some of the highlights this year were:
1) Abbie telling me that one of the Reindeer pulling Santa's sleigh was named Stupid (Cupid). It took a while but I convinced her that the correct name was Cupid.
2) Adam started laughing so hard at my mother in-law's house that he rolled down the stairs laughing. Lucky Jenn did not see that.
3) Jenn finally gave me a framed picture of our wedding day. It took more than six years. I guess I am off probation.
4) Walking next to Abbie as she rode her new bike for the first time.
5) Watching my kids experience Christmas morning. That was great.
6) Abbie sang Happy Birthday to Jesus at 0600 on Christmas morning.
7) Jenn and I went on a date on Friday night.
All in all it was a great time. We are very lucky.
God bless Woodland.
|
|
|
I am so bummed
Friday, December 28, 2007 ::
4 Comments
I think I have seen every episode of Man. v. Wild and Survivorman.
After a few episodes it became clear to me that Les Stroud was certainly the better survivor but that Bear might be a better soldier.
Anyway, I was keeping track of the episodes that I thought I had a chance to making it out alive. Like the jungle episodes -- I was sure that I could have made it and not lost much weight. A little reading up on the local plants and animals and I would have been fine.
Some were questionable. Not sure if I would have made it or not.
One episode that I clearly had in the "Matt would die" column was one where Bear was on a volcano without a water source, high temperatures, and mid day movement being required. I thought I would have been a goner in about six hours.
So now I read in the New York Times and see on YouTube some evidence that clearly shows Bear was not really as challenged as I was lead to believe.
Check out this clip of this bridge of lava.
Another one that I thought I would have never made it was when he got wet. My rule is to do everything you can to stay dry. That is summer, winter, any time in a survival situation.
Check out this clip.
Here is one about drinking urine. I agree with Stroud completely. That is the method the USMC teaches.
The New York Times article is really bad.
Les Stroud (Survivorman) is clearly the better survivalist. Not even close. I am now not even recording Man v. The Wild.
|
|
|
Sign me up for the $100 cardboard box
Wednesday, December 26, 2007 ::
2 Comments
Here is another article on eco-burials. I really am all for this. We have hundreds of acres of grave yards that could be used for something more productive than holding our rotting worthless bodies. Add to that the stuff we bury in the ground. What a waste of time, energy and money.
Personally, I will be happy to help fertilize Duane Chamberlain's field.
I am not interested in being a cherry tree like the woman in the article. Maybe an olive tree -- in a reminder of one of the biggest waste of taxpayer dollars in the history of Woodland.
|
|
|
Rent Control in Davis
Sunday, December 23, 2007 ::
1 Comments
The front page of the Davis Enterprise has an article by Cory Golden about Atria and Covell Gardens.
The one passage of the article that really caught me was --
City Councilman Lamar Heystek told those gathered that 'what (Atria is) doing may be legal, but that doesn't mean it's right.'
He said that in addition to the city asking the company to participate in voluntary mediation, he hoped to draft a resolution supporting state action to control fee increases for senior facilities.
At the local level, he said the council should discuss 'rent stabilization' - his preferred term for rent control - for mobile homes, market-rate units and assisted living facilities and critically assess the city's changing housing needs.
The first thing that stood out was that "rent stabilization" is just another name for rent control.
The second was that at least Councilman Heystek is being consistent in casting the net large enough to include those facilities that also house seniors. Good for him. He is wrong on rent control but at least consistently wrong.
The other thing is that I still want to know why the subsidy of senior rents should be from Altria alone to the seniors. Why shouldn't all of Davis pay for the subsidies? The burden should not fall on just a few landowners that rent to seniors. The entire community should get the priviledge of paying the rent for someone else.
Davis could pass another parcel tax for $100 a year. Then each senior, regardless of income level, could get a voucher for $1,000 a year to help provide them with housing somewhere in Davis.
Rent control doesn't work and it is wrong.
Also, why stop at housing. I am sure Nugget Markets would love to enter into voluntary mediation with the City of Davis to negotiate lower prices for seniors. Seniors eat too don't they? What about phone service? Car sales?
|
|
|
Ten years ago Social Security
Friday, December 21, 2007 ::
1 Comments
The average Social Security monthly benefit was averaging at $882.10 in 1998 and will be $1,079.00 starting in Jan 2008.
That is more than $100 in ten years.
|
|
|
Ten years ago
Friday, December 21, 2007 ::
0 Comments
Housing prices in Yolo County ---
Prices were $145,000 in September 1997 and climbed to $174,000 in September 1999. Prices dipped slightly to $165,000 in September 2000 before running up again to $199,000 in September 2001. The boom carried them up from there. The September 2007 median: $380,500.
The justification for rent control is that the renters had a $100 increase in the rent for space in the past decade. That is a bargain relative to single family homes. Certainly does not appear that the park owners are gouging anyone.
|
|
|
President Bush is Wrong on California Air Emmissions
Friday, December 21, 2007 ::
3 Comments
EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson is wrong. California and some other western states need to be able to deal with vehicle emissions in the way the makes sense.
It kills me when one level of government puts a demand on another level of government and then will not give them the tools to accomplish that effort. It the auto makers don't like the way California has set up the program then they don;t have to sell cars in this market of 37 million people.
Most of the time I think that law needs to be consistent. However, federal law has allowed California to be treated differently for years on the way to cut air pollution -- an it has worked. The People from CALIFORNIA -- not Washington dealt with the problem the best possible way they knew how.
Same things goes this time. Let the Governor and other California people deal with California's air issues. I may not like all the programs proposed but I think it is being addressed at an appropriate venue.
The Governor is right on this.
|
|
|
The Flatlander -- whatever
Wednesday, December 19, 2007 ::
1 Comments
The Daily Democrat today has an article about Burton Day. Day is the nut case that attacked Gary Sandy in his home. The part about the article that just screams to me is a line that most people probably just skimmed over.
During Tuesday's hearing, Day said he had deluded himself into thinking Sandy was preventing him from getting a job even though the two had never met. Day said it was his mental illness that provoked the irrational beliefs which was sparked by reading negative articles about Sandy in a local political publication.
"My schizophrenia kicked in and I started having delusions," Day said, adding that he stopped taking his medication during the months leading up to the attack.
First, this guy is a nut job that should not be let out. I have written a letter to the court stating my case on this.
Second, the "local political publication" was the Flatlander/Woodlander whatever piece of trash. This is a political mailer/hit piece produced by those people that hide behind political free speech that causes this sort of thing.
You read "local political publication". I read the names of those people locally that I know are involved in this kind of thing. I have not forgotten. Maybe I should but I have not.
These people have caused great harm to Woodland.
|
|
|
The Office
Wednesday, December 19, 2007 ::
0 Comments
Jenn and I have a new favorite show. The Office. It is quite good.
I am trying to figure out who in my life is most like Dwight Schrute.
The County can be like Dunder Mifflin....sometimes.
I think Dave Flory is Michael Scott. Not sure who Pam is...maybe Dotty. Although she could be a couple other people on there too.
Duane Chamberlain is Stanley without a doubt.
Actually, I think Art is probably Dwight Schrute. If you have seen the show that is actually quite funny
|
|
|
197,000 people in Yolo County!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007 ::
0 Comments
The Department of Finance just came out with population numbers for the state. Yolo County has 197,000 people. That is bigger than I would have guessed. I would have put us at 190,000 or so.
Read it here.
|
|
|
Pacific Justice Institute 2007 Hall of Shame
Wednesday, December 19, 2007 ::
8 Comments
Sacramento, CA—As we prepare to look back on 2007, the Pacific Justice Institute has identified a few of the worst instances of hostility toward faith, family and freedom.
1) CA Governor signs SB 777 which allows public school children to arbitrarily choose whether they should be treated as a boy or a girl.
2) Hate Crimes Bill (HR 1592) which could criminalize speech by clergy. In a mischievous attempt to have it signed into law, the bill was later inserted into a massive, unrelated defense appropriations bill which includes higher pay for the military and better healthcare for wounded soldiers.
3) Sacramento Public Library Authority Board refuses to ban internet access to pornography. Viewing of this state subsidized access to pornography is in areas where children are present.
4) Yolo County Clerk issues “Certificate of Inequality” to gay and lesbian couples on Valentine’s Day. The certificate says, “I issue this Certificate of Inequality to you because your choice of marriage partner displeases some people whose displeasure is, apparently, more important than principles of equality.” The certificate concludes with, “May the God of your choice bless you.”
5) School attempts to censor God out of private yearbook ad. To wish their son well upon his graduation, the parents submitted an ad that included the phrase “may God bless your life.”
6) Public high schools in California have Cross-dressing Day as part of School Spirit week.
7) Over 100 students suspended in Sacramento area schools for wearing t-shirts which quote a Bible verse.
8) Supreme Court refuses to review City of Oakland’s removal of an employee flier because the term “natural family” was deemed homophobic.
9) A CA Assemblywoman, Sally Lieber, with no children of her own, introduces legislation to ban spanking. She says she got the idea from a law professor at the University of San Francisco, who pointed to European bans on spanking.
10) Red Cross refuses donations of Bibles to California fire victims.
|
|
|
This was a great event
Monday, December 17, 2007 ::
1 Comments
With the holidays approaching I had a ton of things to do on Saturday at noon. My list was long but Dotty and Frenchy had me slated to go to Sudwerks in the People's Republic of Davis.
Mostly I didn't want to go because I knew Mike McGowan would be there.
Anyway -- what a great event. Crystal Lee does a better job of explaining it in this Daily Democrat story than I could.
Ron Broward has a made a contribution to this country as a Marine and as someone that is faithful to the Marine Corps family. Excellent event. Excellent people. Excellent cause.
This guy is a star.
Semper Fidelis.
|
|
|
Rent Control
Sunday, December 16, 2007 ::
9 Comments
I have major problems with rent control. I think it is a violation of property rights and rarely provides the benefit intended -- except for a select few.
Right now in Yolo County we have two rent control efforts going on.
The first is in Covell Gardens. At this point it is just in the looking stages. You can read more about it here. I have little doubt that rent control will be the arrived upon "solution".
The second effort is being pushed by Supervisors Chamberlain and Yamada to cover mobile home parks in the unincorporated area of the county. I am completely opposed to this effort. It is wrong and unjustified. The people that are demanding "rent stabilization" (the name they have given rent control to be more politically correct) have not provided any evidence of wrong doing or price gouging by the park owners.
What really struck me today is that the answer for Covell Village and the folks in the mobile homes in the unincorporated area of Yolo County is a tax. Let's not stick the burden of providing senior housing on one or two land owners. Let's share the burden for all of society.
Supervisors Chamberlain and Yamada should stand up and advocate for subsidizing the rent of seniors in mobile home parks by taxing the residents of the unincorporated area. Shouldn't we all share in the burden on making senior housing affordable.
Here are two suggestions:
A parcel tax on all parcels in the unincorporated areas of just $100 a year. That should take care of all the needs of seniors that live in mobile home parks. That will give every resident in the unincorporated area a chance to help solve this problem. They will be thrilled to be given the opportunity to help.
A per ton charge on every truck of hay and straw produced in Yolo County. A small fee of $2 per ton ought to do the trick. Some may scream that this only allows a few people in the county to share in the honor of subsidized housing. Well, it is better than just forcing it on two or three land owners that were lucky enough to buy property in Yolo County.
By the way -- the "problem" being solved in that Covell Gardens increased rent by 8% the last two years in a row. In the mobile home parks the rent went up $100 over the past decade. That is not a problem -- that is what it costs to live in the world.
Soon, I am going to be sharing with you some of the increases in costs over the past ten years. Most have grown far more than the increases rents in either of these two situations.
|
|
|
Paul Miller leaving for Palmdale
Sunday, December 16, 2007 ::
0 Comments
Woodland Super Librarian Paul Miller in leaving for Palmdale. This is a major loss for Woodland and a huge pick up for Palmdale.
Paul did an exceptional job for Woodland. We owe him a huge debt of thanks. He is starting in Palmdale shortly after the first of the year. Please try to extend thanks and best wishes to him before he leaves.
I am going to be calling Palmdale Vice-Mayor Steve Knight and giving him a hard time.
|
|
|
Bike Path Editorials
Friday, December 14, 2007 ::
0 Comments
The Daily Democrat had this editorial on the Woodland-Davis bike path this week.
I have disagreed with two recent Democrat editorials. The one on the coffee cart and the view on this one. Finances will dictate the finishing of the proposal but we are not in a position to get financing at this point. We would not know what to ask for or how to ask for it.
I really do believe that I am in a position to be the driving force behind this project. The is what I intend to do. This also has nothing to do with the death of Willie Lopez for me. Tom Stallard and I discussed this at length before I even got sworn in. I have had one green file on my file cabinet all year. It has been all of Tom's information from past efforts on this issue.
Today I got a call from the editorial writers for the Sacramento Bee. They are going to write about it on Sunday. We will see what they think. From the questions it sounded like it was positive.
|
|
|
Solano County
Wednesday, December 12, 2007 ::
0 Comments
I don't follow much in Solano County. I know a few people there but hardly ever go there. I don't even use that Costco. I go to Arden.
It is interesting to me the way that two Solano County officials have handled legal issues lately.
The first was the Vice-Mayor of Vallejo who got busted down in Palm Springs right after the November election.
The second was yesterday when Mike Reagan apologized for his behavior. He got a DUI.
I think they both did something really stupid. What I like is that they both owned up to it. You don't see either one making excuses or ripping the police or anything. If you make a mistake, admit it.
|
|
|
Here is a shocker
Wednesday, December 12, 2007 ::
0 Comments
Two things I never thought that I would encourage.....follow the French and listen to the guy that founded Greenpeace.
Patrick Moore has this piece in the Sacramento Bee today on the editorial page.
This collision of ideas is going to be come more and more common in the future. The clean and efficient nuclear power option is going to collide with the misinformed beliefs of people in the environmental community regarding nuclear energy.
All this talk about carbon foot print will force a look at clean ways to generate power. Solar and wind alone can't get us there without major life changes for people. Changes that our society is not going to be willing to accept.
|
|
|
Basketball Update
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 ::
0 Comments
We still suck.
A few weeks ago we lost 101-34. Last week we lost by about 40. Tonight we lost by 26. I was pathetic.
We are moving in the right direction. By 2009 we might win one.
Now I know how the Dolphins feel.
|
|
|
Some things I am sure of
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 ::
0 Comments
There are several issues that I have had great clarity on over the last five years. These are things that just seemed to be the right thing for Woodland.
The first was increasing the fees we charge for parks on new homes in Woodland. It needed to happen in order to set our path for the future of Woodland. We did not get much heat on this issue when I was on the City Council.
The second was the expansion of the Yolo Wayfarer Center. This issue just seemed so crystal clear to me. This was something that Woodland needed to do in order to establish a social fabric in our community. The building IMPROVED the area and the programs are benefiting the people that need them the most. I took some heat for this but I can live with it.
The third was the Urban Limit Line. It was controversial but it is an issue that I think will end up paying huge dividends for Woodland in the future. This issue was very divisive but it passed and it will work if the Woodland City Council uses the tool they have been given by the voters.
The next one was not until this year. That is Clark Pacific coming to Woodland. After I heard the plan and met the business owners it just seems obvious that this is what is best for our community. It is not a single. It is not a slash bunt. It is not even a triple. It is a home run for Woodland. A small minority of people will fight this but in the end it needs to happen to bring good jobs to our city. Woodland will end up embracing this.
The most recent issue is the bike path between Woodland and Davis. The Sacramento Bee had that article today in the newspaper. I got some nice e-mails and some other blogs have offered their support. However, my office also took a call from someone that hates the idea. A couple e-mails have been insulting. Oh well. I have known that this was going to be something I was going to champion for about a year now. It will come with some great cost.
If some of you want to hate me for this. Get in line. I can deal with it.
My view is that this will benefit Woodland tremendously. I think it will actually increase home values in Woodland as we come up with another viable transportation option to get to Davis and the university.
Woodland and Davis need to do this. It will come with some pain. It will not be something that everyone loves but it needs to happen. It is right for Woodland.
|
|
|
Woodland Chamber this morning
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 ::
0 Comments
This morning several people got up early to attend a 0730 meeting of the Governmental Affairs Committee of the Woodland Chamber of Commerce. Quite a few people came to the meeting this mornings to hear about the plans of Clark Pacific to come to Woodland.
I think everyone in the room came to appreciate that they are a good Yolo County company that is on the cutting edge of their industry. They would bring lots of good jobs to Woodland.
Some of the people attending the briefing today were Ray Resler, Tom Stallard, Cath Posehn, Neal Peart, Vice-Mayor Skip Davies, Phil Hogan, Robert Ramming, Councilman Bill Marble. Kristy Wright, Gene Stille, and Brenda Cedarblade. We probably had 25 people in the room.
Brenda raised some concerns about the project and the potential impacts on her operation next door.
In the end a motion passed nearly unanimously to have the Chamber take a position in support of Clark Pacific coming to Woodland. I am not sure if anyone voted against it but we did have come abstentions.
This is a good project for Woodland.
|
|
|
Sac Bee on Woodland-Davis Bike Path
Monday, December 10, 2007 ::
2 Comments
The Sacramento Bee was calling around today asking questions about the potential Woodland-Davis bike path. I would expect some kind of an article in the morning paper.
We will see. I hope that it captures the vision for the project and the value it will bring to Woodland and Davis.
Here is the article.
|
|
|
Luminary Display
Monday, December 10, 2007 ::
0 Comments
Ok. I did not know anything about the luminary display thing until I was driving back into Woodland last night from my mom's house.
It looked great. Woodland looked great.
Here is an article about the event from the newspaper today.
Of course Jenn knew all about it and had all of our stuff lit and organized right on time. Sometimes it is better just to leave me out of it.
|
|
|
Biotech Companies
Monday, December 10, 2007 ::
0 Comments
Every year about this time the Sacramento Business Journal lists the Top 25 Biotech companies in the region. Well they did it again and Yolo County is home to 21 of the 25 of them.
That is one of the benefits of having a major agriculture research university and prioritizing agriculture in our land use decisions.
|
|
|
Good Service
Sunday, December 09, 2007 ::
2 Comments
About ten years ago I asked for a vacuum cleaner for Christmas. I was a young guy that wanted a good machine to keep my house clean. My mom got me a really good one. I realize this is a little strange.
My friends used to borrow it -- they called it the "carpet mower".
Anyway, Jenn and I still use this vacuum cleaner. It has started to wear out a little bit.
Last Saturday I took it into Woodland Sewing and Vacuum Center for a tune-up. We got it back this week. It is as good as new. Tonight Adam made a huge mess and I took out the "carpet mower" and had things back in order in minutes.
The purpose of this post is nothing more than to give a plug to a local business that does a great job.
|
|
|
I just found out - more protesters in Woodland
Sunday, December 09, 2007 ::
0 Comments
I just read the Davis Enterprise. Today 1pm the Halliburton protesters will be back in Woodland.
Shoot. Jenn and Abbie are at the Nutcracker and Adam is sleeping upstairs. I can't leave the house.
Halliburton never called me back from the last time these folks showed up. Oh well. I guess they are just deciding to ignore them....and me.
The article in the Enterprise even points out that Halliburton has split fro KBR. Halliburton does oil and KBR does the stuff in Iraq that these protesters don't like.
It is a free country. These people can do whatever they want but they would make a bigger difference in the world this afternoon by cleaning up trash along the freeway, working at a homeless shelter, or working at school site.
|
|
|
Christmas Parade Tomorrow
Friday, December 07, 2007 ::
0 Comments
The Rexroads are jazzed about the Christmas parade tomorrow. Abbie and Adam will be in rare form for sure.
This is one of the events each year that makes Woodland stand out.
I love it.
|
|
|
Sex offenders
Friday, December 07, 2007 ::
0 Comments
I am a member of the Administration of Justice Committee at the California State Association of Counties (CSAC). Today I chaired the first meeting of a committee on what CSAC's policy will be on sex offenders.
We had a good meeting with Supervisors and representatives from numerous counties around California.
We got some basic work done but still have quite a bit more to do.
The goal is to produce a policy paper by May of 2008.
|
|
|
Bike Path discussion
Wednesday, December 05, 2007 ::
2 Comments
These documents were brought up in the Board of Supervisors meeting yesterday. They talk about bike routes.
This is all good.
My mission in January will be to focus on the dedicated bike path between Woodland and Davis. This information will be part of the discussion.
BOS Bike Update (PDF 36KB)
Bikeway Map (PDF 5.59 MB - Large File)
|
|
|
Marines taking Davis by storm
Tuesday, December 04, 2007 ::
0 Comments
The Woodland Marine Corp League is having a luncheon on December 15th for Ron Broward who is receiving a national award for his work with POW and MIAs. Mr. Broward has worked for many years doing research, etc., to bring some closure to the families of Veterans.
The luncheon will be held at Sudwerks in Davis at noon. Tickets are $18 each. Spouses are encouraged to attend as well.
I bought my ticket today.
|
|
|
Board Meeting Today
Tuesday, December 04, 2007 ::
3 Comments
Many times after a Board of Supervisors meeting I feel energized, happy, or proud. I don't feel that way at all tonight. It was a long meeting that started at 0900 but did not end until 1925. Good grief.
It seems like I lost on several 4-1 votes today.
I did vote foe the federal lobbyist contract. I have mixed feelings about that. Probably should have voted against it but I work with these people and actually think they are doing a good job. I was out of the room and came back in and voted without a lot of thought.
I am really disappointed that we voted to spend $91,000 from our Prop 63 money to fund a coffee cart in the Bauer Building. That is nonsense. Duane and I lost on that -- and I just can't believe that is the best use for our mental health money.
|
|
|
Union Leader endorses McCain
Sunday, December 02, 2007 ::
1 Comments
The New Hampshire Union Leader is the key newspaper in the state. Today they endorsed Senator John McCain for President.
You can read the editorial below. I agree 100%. I do not agree with him on everything but he is the right person to lead our country.
|
|
|
Board of Supervisor Meeting on Tuesday -- several items
Saturday, December 01, 2007 ::
0 Comments
The Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday has a full agenda with several items that I feel strongly about.
Here is a link to the agenda.
1) Roberta Paul is retiring. I really like her and am sorry to see her go. See 104.A1
2) We are going to discuss Boards and Commissions. We need to eliminate some of them. Staff has a good recommendation and I would like to take an additional step. See 3.04.
3) The tribal mitigation money is being allocated for the year. Why are we going to spend $12,000 on postage for a newspaper to be mailed. Some of this seems silly to me. It is not mitigation -- by my definition. See 3.05.
4) The Yolo County Emergency Communication Services JPA has an item. I would like to understand this better. See item 3.07.
5) 2.08 is the one that just kills me. At first I thought we were going to have someone pay us $91,000 in order to sell things at a county facility. Nope. The proposal is for the county to pay $91,000 of money raised from Prop 63 to give someone the opportunity to sell things in a county building. I am willing to listen to this proposal but I would think the odds of my supporting it are very small...maybe nonexistent.
The real action will come in the afternoon when we take up the appeal of a Planning Commission decision regarding a cell tower north of Davis near Sutter Hospital. That is item 8.02.
|
|
|
CIM - Political Animals
Saturday, December 01, 2007 ::
2 Comments
Tomorrow morning please send good thoughts and prayers my way. I'm part of a relay team that consists of Assemblyman Lloyd Levine and Sacramento City Councilman Steve Cohn in the California International Marathon. We are "Political Animals #3".
This is going to be bad for me. In the past my goal has been to run miles times of 7 minutes or 7:30. Tomorrow I will be lucky to be under 10 minutes -- even though my team expects me to be there in 9 minute intervals. My leg is 7 miles. UGLY.
I agreed to do this back at the Cap to Cap trip in Washington DC. Even though I probably should pass I am going to keep my word by digging deep to finish this race. It is my hope that this will be the sort of a whooping that I need to motivate me to get in much better shape.
|
|
|
Good v. Evil
Saturday, December 01, 2007 ::
0 Comments
The Rexroad home in divided today. It is the USC Trojans v. the UCLA Bruins football game.
As part of an affirmative action program I married a UCLA graduate. The program was phased out after just one year because it was viewed as too much of a sacrifice by USC. The ACLU represented USC in the litigation over the program.
Jenn celebrated the yearly destruction of her school football program by putting bears all over the family room to watch the game. The bears will soon be crying.
You heard it here -- USC (good guys) by 28 over UCLA (bad guys).
|
|
|
Yolo County Housing Authority
Saturday, December 01, 2007 ::
1 Comments
Thursday morning at the Yolo County Housing Authority we held a staff appreciation event that included some coffee and some breakfast stuff. The room and the food were nice but it was not what made the event memorable.
Mariko Yamada, Helen Thomson, Duane Chamberlain and I each read off a section of the Housing Authority employee names and handed out certificates to each person. The employee then walked up to applause, accepted the certificate, and told us what they did and how long they have worked at YCHA.
What really stood out was almost all of the employees mentioned how their fellow employees were like a family. Over and over again we heard "family". Now remember that this is an organization that has faced numerous serious challenges over the past several years. Brutal challenges that would get any reasonable person to question the security or their job and the leadership of the organization. Sometimes the best relationships are built during toughest times.
It was a staff appreciation event where we demonstrated our appreciation for their effort and personal sacrifice. That is what was on the schedule. What it turned out to be for me was a time when my appreciation for the organization grew much more than it has during my 11 months on the Housing Commission. That is a nice group of people.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|