2006 City Council Election/Questions to candidates/Q11

Question 11. of the 2006 City Council Questions to Candidates

The City of Davis 2001 General Plan calls for the creation of a Youth Commission "comprised primarily of youth to provide City Council guidance on issues that affect youths" (General Plan Y&E 3.1a) Do you support the creation of this commission? If so, what could you do to bring it to fruition?

• Ruth Asmundson: Davis Teen Center at 3rd and B provides on-going activities for Davis teens that augment the many local athletic teams, and the activities at the three Davis high schools and junior highs. To date I have not noticed a high demand for a Youth commission. Two years ago, as a member of the School Board/City Council 2x2 subcommittee, I recommended formation of such a commission but found no interest among high school and UCD students when the subcommittee met with them.
• Stan Forbes: Yes. I would ask Davis High and UCD Senate to appoint members.
• Lamar Heystek: Yes. My hometown of San Leandro has a Youth Advisory Commission and my twin brother is a past chair. I would vote to make Davis High Student Body President Tanvir Kapoor the first chair of such a commission, but he's off to UC Berkeley in the fall. I enjoy a good relationship with Davis High leaders such as Tanvir, so encouraging these leaders to sign and circulate a petition in favor of a youth commission would be my first step in making this a reality. I would also advocate for budgetary resources (staff time, etc.) and help identify potential members for a youth commission.
• Rob Roy: Current mayor Ruth Asmundson once told the ASUCD Senate that young people are more likely to have good ideas than older people. I think that a youth commission is a great idea. I would love to hear the input from the community that will inherit the Davis of the future. I would work with Schools and the youth in general to be sure this gets up off the ground.
• Michael Levy: If there was significant interest, I could certainly support it. Presently, there are high school and UCD students on both the Human Relations Commission, and the City-UC Davis Student Liaison Commission. There are also UCD students on Social Services and the Bicycle Commissions.

2006-05-15 23:12:24   Youth commission = Davis youth (18 and under). Davis High, DaVinci High, King High, DSIS, homeless youth, youth in foster care, young migrant workers, etc. Not UC Davis students. They have a commission all to themselves. —SharlaDaly