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Davis Police Called in to Remove Dissidents at City Council Meeting
A Davis City Council Meeting was brought to a standstill Tuesday, when Mayor Ruth Admundson called in police to remove residents angry that they were not being allowed to speak.
A Davis City Council Meeting was brought to a standstill Tuesday, when Mayor Ruth Admundson called in police to remove residents angry that they were not being allowed to speak on the issue of a proposal to build a Target superstore to Davis.
Mayor Admundson had originally disallowed citizens who had spoken at previous meetings from adressing the council once again, and were angry when a Target supporter who had done so on several other occasions was allowed to once more. When opponents began lining up to speak against the project, she ordered one of them, Samantha McCarthy, removed, provoking angry comments and heckling from the crowd. When she refused to leave, Admundson called in all on-duty police officers to quell protests and remove McCarthy. She then cut off all public comment.
Outraged members of the community lined up in front of McCarthy, who sat down and did not move, including three members of the Davis Anti-Authoritarians, who blocked police with their bodies and a banner reading, "Target Uses Sweatshops." The four or five officers eventually backed down, and about ten minutes later, McCarthy left of her own free will, when Admundson announced her plans to hold the meeting the next day at four thirty, accusing the mayor of attempting to make the decision "Behind closed doors."
When, eventually, residents sat back down, Admundson was fiercely criticized by Mayor Protem Sue Greenwald, who was angry that Admundson planned to approve the plan to build a Target store on Second Street, without once having an agendized discussion of the proposal.
Greenwald also contested the anaysis of the economic impact to Davis, which was originally done by a company which was found to have had ties to Target. She claimed the newest report was faulty, and that it did not of compare the financial benefits to Davis if the proposal was to go through to an alternative business, but to an empty field. She also disagreed with the Environmental Impact Review.
She was outvoted 4-1 by other members of the council, who approved the EIR, and recommended that the plan go forward. It will be decided by voters during the November election.
Throughout all this, members of the Davis Anti-Authoritarians collective continued to hold their banner behind Target representative, John Dewe's, head. At the end of the meeting, when the issue of sweatshops had still not been brought up by the council, on yelled, "You can ignore the sweatshop issue, but it's not going away," to the departing council, to which Dewes replied, "Old news, guys."
The labor abuses in question are documented in this article by Knowmore.org and this essay by Corporate Watch. These, as well as other abuses, are documented by Coop America here
Mayor Admundson had originally disallowed citizens who had spoken at previous meetings from adressing the council once again, and were angry when a Target supporter who had done so on several other occasions was allowed to once more. When opponents began lining up to speak against the project, she ordered one of them, Samantha McCarthy, removed, provoking angry comments and heckling from the crowd. When she refused to leave, Admundson called in all on-duty police officers to quell protests and remove McCarthy. She then cut off all public comment.
Outraged members of the community lined up in front of McCarthy, who sat down and did not move, including three members of the Davis Anti-Authoritarians, who blocked police with their bodies and a banner reading, "Target Uses Sweatshops." The four or five officers eventually backed down, and about ten minutes later, McCarthy left of her own free will, when Admundson announced her plans to hold the meeting the next day at four thirty, accusing the mayor of attempting to make the decision "Behind closed doors."
When, eventually, residents sat back down, Admundson was fiercely criticized by Mayor Protem Sue Greenwald, who was angry that Admundson planned to approve the plan to build a Target store on Second Street, without once having an agendized discussion of the proposal.
Greenwald also contested the anaysis of the economic impact to Davis, which was originally done by a company which was found to have had ties to Target. She claimed the newest report was faulty, and that it did not of compare the financial benefits to Davis if the proposal was to go through to an alternative business, but to an empty field. She also disagreed with the Environmental Impact Review.
She was outvoted 4-1 by other members of the council, who approved the EIR, and recommended that the plan go forward. It will be decided by voters during the November election.
Throughout all this, members of the Davis Anti-Authoritarians collective continued to hold their banner behind Target representative, John Dewe's, head. At the end of the meeting, when the issue of sweatshops had still not been brought up by the council, on yelled, "You can ignore the sweatshop issue, but it's not going away," to the departing council, to which Dewes replied, "Old news, guys."
The labor abuses in question are documented in this article by Knowmore.org and this essay by Corporate Watch. These, as well as other abuses, are documented by Coop America here
For more information:
http://www.davisantiauthoritarians.tk
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Yolo County is mostly farmlands and wetlands with human settlements dispersed throughout the region. Davis, Woodland, West Sacramento and Dixon have all recently been on the receiving end of mega-development projects from Target, Wal-mart, Magna Entertainment Corporation and others. Less than 8 miles away from the proposed Target in east Davis there is a sign east off Pole Line road (county Rd. 102) by Petrovich developers advertising for the Target and Costco supercenter (called Gateway Center). This development would present a problem for farmers, Woodland residents and the ecosystem to the east and downslope of this proposed sprawl development..
Target and Costco supercenters require great big surface area covered by asphalt. This creates an impermeable surface where pollutants from motor vehicles, fertilizer chemicals, and other toxics (all termed non-point source) pollutants can enter the watershed of Cache creek and (further south) Putah creek..
Why would Target require two additional stores (a Target already exists in the Woodland mall, further west and on the bus route) both in locations near the freeway and near known wetlands habitat. If we're going to replace pollution from agriculture corporations with pollution from big box retail corporations we haven't really accomplished very much..
The recent public approval of Woodland's ballot measure A (so-called Urban Limit Line) for Woodland resulted in a victory for Target corporation and their ally Matt Rexroad (came up with idea for Urban Expansion Line, aka Measure A). Based on Target corporation's disregard of people's wishes in Davis we can only imagine how the activist circle in Woodland got treated. Deception seems to be Target's Modus Operendi in Woodland also..
"Woodlander's Don't Be Fooled!
Some people and organizations naively have been seduced into believing that Mayor Rexroad’s so-called urban “limit” line, his legacy for our fair city, will restrict Woodland’s population growth — that it is a sheep, and not a wolf. the opposite is true. It is certainly reasonable to believe that a line across which growth will not go would restrict growth at some point, but the real question - which is swept under the rug by the ull proponents - is how much growth will that line allow?The mayor’s proposed urban limit line is a recipe for rampant growth. unhappily, this is another back door attempt by out of town developers to turn Woodland into a Natomas clone."
more from The Woodlander @;
http://www.thewoodlander.net/votenoona/ullgrowthinititive.html
The wording for Measure A is deceptive because calling it an Urban Limit Line when a ULL already exsists is misleading. The proposal Measure A presented was an expansion of the already existing Urban Limit Line into the wetlands and farmlands further east. The correct terms for Measure A would be Urban Expansion Line to avoid presenting voters with disinfo..
"The Woodland Area General Plan was adopted in 1980. It includes the following policies thatrelate to the proposed Urban Limit Line:
• Prohibit urban development within the urban limit line unless the development is adequately serviced by the necessary urban improvements and services. Said services properly are supplied by the City within its urban limit line, not by the County or special districts.
• Strongly discourage the transition of agricultural lands outside the urban limit line to non-agricultural uses
In addition, the Countywide General Plan includes the following policy: Yolo County shall require urban uses to be placed within city limits in the urban areas ofDavis, Woodland, and Winters; and within the urban service areas of all unincorporated urban areas. The proposal would make the existing Urban Limit Line a permanent ULL and would expand thearea within the ULL by approximately 2,340 acres. The expanded area would include thefollowing areas:
154 acres owned by Petrovich Development (APN: 027-390-28), located immediatelysouth of the proposed Gateway Center. The parcel is presently used for row crops, but is proposed to include a future road extension for the Gateway Center. The parcel is zoned A-1.
75 acres owned by John Dinsdale (APN: 027-300-18), located immediately south of Interstate 5 and east of the proposed Gateway Center. The parcel is presently used for row crops, but is proposed to include a future storm water detention basin for the Gateway Center. The parcel is zoned A-1"
more info on ULL expansion @;
http://www.yolocounty.org/org/bos/agendas/2005/101805/15.pdf
Since the original Woodland ULL was adopted in 1980, many newcomers to Woodland may not be aware that this protection for the ecosystem and farmlands already exists. The Measure A ballot proposition did not mention this facts and therefore omits evidence that would likely result in a different vote. For this reason it is essential that Woodland voters be given the needed info and reconsider the outcome of Measure A. The Woodland ULL should not be pushed further east of Pole Line Rd. into the wetlands floodplain..
Target should consider themselves fortunate if they are allowed to remain in their current location at the Woodland mall. Similar to Wal-mart, the relocation and vacancies left empty my big box corporations' real estate monoploy games wreak havoc on the local downtown business community..
Where did Matt Rexroad get all his money to run the deceptive Measure A advertisements? None other than the developers who would profit from the land grab made available by Measure A!!
Matt Rexroad's lobbyists listed by the Woodlander;
"$25,000 from Ameriquest Mortgage Co, Orange County
This company was sued nationwide because they misled borrowers about rates, fees and penalties; encouraged appraisers and borrowers to falsify property values and earnings; and forged evidence of income and assets, qualifying people for loans they couldn’t afford. Ameriquest must pay a $325 million settlement. Why are they giving Rexroad this money?
$230,000 from PG&E
They hired Rexroad’s firm Meridian-Pacific to help them stop the citizens of South San Juaquin Irrigtion District from taking over electric service from PG&E. PG&E fired Rexroad for stealing documents from the irrigation district computers. The FBI is investigating. Rexroad is a hired gun to stop valley folks from getting lower utiltity bills.
$14,950 Developers and Realtors
Rexroad works for the developers. He helped the developers maximize profits on mitigation land for SpringLake. He wants us to vote for an Urban Limit Line that allows for 2,350 more acres to be built near the city. Developers love him!
$41,065 from Sacramento politicians, consultants and lobbyists
Rexroad makes a living as an influence peddler in Sacramento. He works for the Republican party. In 2002 he was accused of
breaking campaign limit rules by passing out tens of thousands of dollars for a big insurance company."
more truth out on Rexroad @;
http://www.thewoodlander.net/truthaboutmattrexroad/rexroadsdirtymoney.html
Funny thing is Rexroad's money is so tainted with corruption that even ol' Arnie won't give him the time of day. Following the Abramoff, Delay, Pombo, Doolittle corruption scandal being made public (not to mention the Bush/Cheney regime's illegal invasion of Iraq), the Republican's house of cards is tumblin' down and ol' Arnie just wishes he had stayed in Hollywood saying "I'll be back" because this election time he won't be back. Maybe he could request a prison cell with Matt Rexroad. Hasta la vista baby!!
Target and Costco supercenters require great big surface area covered by asphalt. This creates an impermeable surface where pollutants from motor vehicles, fertilizer chemicals, and other toxics (all termed non-point source) pollutants can enter the watershed of Cache creek and (further south) Putah creek..
Why would Target require two additional stores (a Target already exists in the Woodland mall, further west and on the bus route) both in locations near the freeway and near known wetlands habitat. If we're going to replace pollution from agriculture corporations with pollution from big box retail corporations we haven't really accomplished very much..
The recent public approval of Woodland's ballot measure A (so-called Urban Limit Line) for Woodland resulted in a victory for Target corporation and their ally Matt Rexroad (came up with idea for Urban Expansion Line, aka Measure A). Based on Target corporation's disregard of people's wishes in Davis we can only imagine how the activist circle in Woodland got treated. Deception seems to be Target's Modus Operendi in Woodland also..
"Woodlander's Don't Be Fooled!
Some people and organizations naively have been seduced into believing that Mayor Rexroad’s so-called urban “limit” line, his legacy for our fair city, will restrict Woodland’s population growth — that it is a sheep, and not a wolf. the opposite is true. It is certainly reasonable to believe that a line across which growth will not go would restrict growth at some point, but the real question - which is swept under the rug by the ull proponents - is how much growth will that line allow?The mayor’s proposed urban limit line is a recipe for rampant growth. unhappily, this is another back door attempt by out of town developers to turn Woodland into a Natomas clone."
more from The Woodlander @;
http://www.thewoodlander.net/votenoona/ullgrowthinititive.html
The wording for Measure A is deceptive because calling it an Urban Limit Line when a ULL already exsists is misleading. The proposal Measure A presented was an expansion of the already existing Urban Limit Line into the wetlands and farmlands further east. The correct terms for Measure A would be Urban Expansion Line to avoid presenting voters with disinfo..
"The Woodland Area General Plan was adopted in 1980. It includes the following policies thatrelate to the proposed Urban Limit Line:
• Prohibit urban development within the urban limit line unless the development is adequately serviced by the necessary urban improvements and services. Said services properly are supplied by the City within its urban limit line, not by the County or special districts.
• Strongly discourage the transition of agricultural lands outside the urban limit line to non-agricultural uses
In addition, the Countywide General Plan includes the following policy: Yolo County shall require urban uses to be placed within city limits in the urban areas ofDavis, Woodland, and Winters; and within the urban service areas of all unincorporated urban areas. The proposal would make the existing Urban Limit Line a permanent ULL and would expand thearea within the ULL by approximately 2,340 acres. The expanded area would include thefollowing areas:
154 acres owned by Petrovich Development (APN: 027-390-28), located immediatelysouth of the proposed Gateway Center. The parcel is presently used for row crops, but is proposed to include a future road extension for the Gateway Center. The parcel is zoned A-1.
75 acres owned by John Dinsdale (APN: 027-300-18), located immediately south of Interstate 5 and east of the proposed Gateway Center. The parcel is presently used for row crops, but is proposed to include a future storm water detention basin for the Gateway Center. The parcel is zoned A-1"
more info on ULL expansion @;
http://www.yolocounty.org/org/bos/agendas/2005/101805/15.pdf
Since the original Woodland ULL was adopted in 1980, many newcomers to Woodland may not be aware that this protection for the ecosystem and farmlands already exists. The Measure A ballot proposition did not mention this facts and therefore omits evidence that would likely result in a different vote. For this reason it is essential that Woodland voters be given the needed info and reconsider the outcome of Measure A. The Woodland ULL should not be pushed further east of Pole Line Rd. into the wetlands floodplain..
Target should consider themselves fortunate if they are allowed to remain in their current location at the Woodland mall. Similar to Wal-mart, the relocation and vacancies left empty my big box corporations' real estate monoploy games wreak havoc on the local downtown business community..
Where did Matt Rexroad get all his money to run the deceptive Measure A advertisements? None other than the developers who would profit from the land grab made available by Measure A!!
Matt Rexroad's lobbyists listed by the Woodlander;
"$25,000 from Ameriquest Mortgage Co, Orange County
This company was sued nationwide because they misled borrowers about rates, fees and penalties; encouraged appraisers and borrowers to falsify property values and earnings; and forged evidence of income and assets, qualifying people for loans they couldn’t afford. Ameriquest must pay a $325 million settlement. Why are they giving Rexroad this money?
$230,000 from PG&E
They hired Rexroad’s firm Meridian-Pacific to help them stop the citizens of South San Juaquin Irrigtion District from taking over electric service from PG&E. PG&E fired Rexroad for stealing documents from the irrigation district computers. The FBI is investigating. Rexroad is a hired gun to stop valley folks from getting lower utiltity bills.
$14,950 Developers and Realtors
Rexroad works for the developers. He helped the developers maximize profits on mitigation land for SpringLake. He wants us to vote for an Urban Limit Line that allows for 2,350 more acres to be built near the city. Developers love him!
$41,065 from Sacramento politicians, consultants and lobbyists
Rexroad makes a living as an influence peddler in Sacramento. He works for the Republican party. In 2002 he was accused of
breaking campaign limit rules by passing out tens of thousands of dollars for a big insurance company."
more truth out on Rexroad @;
http://www.thewoodlander.net/truthaboutmattrexroad/rexroadsdirtymoney.html
Funny thing is Rexroad's money is so tainted with corruption that even ol' Arnie won't give him the time of day. Following the Abramoff, Delay, Pombo, Doolittle corruption scandal being made public (not to mention the Bush/Cheney regime's illegal invasion of Iraq), the Republican's house of cards is tumblin' down and ol' Arnie just wishes he had stayed in Hollywood saying "I'll be back" because this election time he won't be back. Maybe he could request a prison cell with Matt Rexroad. Hasta la vista baby!!
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