2006 City Council Election/Questions to candidates/Q9

Question 9. of the 2006 City Council Questions to Candidates

What ideas or policies do you believe in which would raise passionate disagreement from a significant number of people here in Davis?

• Rob Roy: Davis is a town where a lot of people disagree because a lot of people are very passionate about the direction of the community. While I am running for office and asking for your vote I have said many times that I am not a politician. I do not want everyone to vote for me nor do I expect it. If everyone was thinking of voting for me that means I am not taking enough stances. You show me a person that no ones finds disagreeable and I'll show you a person without any character. We have to be willing to fight for something and I am willing to fight for Davis.

  Contentious issues will be: what should be down with the Hunt Wesson plant. What should be done with the PG&E property when it becomes vacated. Should we annex west village. Whether or not the new Ombudsman position is successful or not.

• Michael Levy: A member of the public was most disturbed at the environmental forum when I suggested that while I don't want my kids covered in pesticides, I don't want them to contract West Nile Virus. I don't know what number is "significant", but there is a vocal group of people opposed to aerial spraying by the Vector Control District. I've worked very hard in my career to restrict pesticide use. In fact, I personally defended (successfully) a lawsuit by the manufacturer of the chemical Diazinon that tried to set aside regulations designed to keep Diazinon and Chlorpyrifos (organophosphate pesticides) out of the Sacramento and Feather Rivers. The Vector Control District is not under the jurisdiction of the City of Davis, however. The District's goal is to prevent a West Nile pandemic, which would disproportionately harm our children and older adults. I believe most of my positions would be considered mainstream, but different people are passionate about different issues. In such circumstances, it is important to listen, provide as much information as possible, and maintain a responsible and civil dialogue.
• Ruth Asmundson: I can not think of one. I am a moderate in most areas of my life. As a City Council member and now as Mayor, I have listened carefully to all who have contacted me, and done my best to represent the people of Davis.
• Stan Forbes: Growth and big box retail are two major issues that have raised passionate disagreement over the years and i beleive will continue to do so. There is a conflict of visions for the future of Davis. We can all say we want the best for Davis but the fact is we have different opinions about what that "best" is.
• Lamar Heystek: Our City Council must be a beacon of moral leadership. It must stand up to Washington, D.C. as much as possible. That is why I am committed to a City Council that stands *unanimously* against the war in Iraq. This is an issue that has already drawn considerable ire from many "hawks" in town. I think our City Council — as well as city councils all across the country — need to take the lead on such issues because obviously neither the president of the United States nor Congress have. Furthermore, I will propose a resolution supporting the creation of a federal cabinet-level Department of Peace. While many would agree with creating such a department, they don't necessarily think the City Council should be preoccupied with such an issue. I disagree.

2006-05-15 23:00:17   Ruth, D+. Stan, C. Mike, A-. Lamar, B+. Rob, B-. —KenjiYamada