Endorsement interview, article on Davis Vanguard blog

Updates this week:

I had an endorsement interview with a local group a few days ago. It went well, and I appreciated the chance to introduce myself to a few community leaders. I'll post the results when they're available.

The Davis Vanguard posted an interesting article about the presentation my colleagues and I gave at the last City Council meeting. As with any article, there are a few inaccuracies -- I obviously realize that proposals require a council majority to enact, for example -- but I appreciate the Vanguard's interest. Check it out.

Helping the Davis Musical Theatre Company

In 2003, I ran for California governor against Arnold Schwarzenegger. A lot of people did. Among the 135 candidates -- a record, I'm sure -- was Marc Valdez, who lives in the Sacramento area. I met with him tonight at the Davis Musical Theatre Company to talk about DMTC's history, which includes some unfortunate interactions with the city council. It was a beautiful theatre with a gigantic costume department, prop room, and lots of community involvement. As a non-profit, I'd expect it to receive better treatment from the City of Davis. When I'm on City Council, it will.

Check out their shows if you're in the Davis area: http://dmtc.org/

Suggestions from voters: Power tools, bicycles

Only a few days into the campaign, and I've been fielding calls, emails, and Facebook messages from Davis voters. Their suggestions:

Voter 1: Put forth an ordinance that gardeners can't use power tools before 10 am

Sounds like a good idea to me. Maybe "No gasoline or electric-powered tools shall be operated before 10am on the grounds of any multi-family housing unit." It's something to look into.

Voter 2: The Owner of Davis Ace Hardware blocked future bicycle criteriums in downtown Davis, she claims it limits parking and causes her to lose business. Davis has Platinum Bicycle status & the US Bicycling Hall of Fame; her attitude is a travesty! Boycott Davis Ace and write her a letter to that effect as well. The Criteriums bring money into Downtown and draw in tourist dollars as well. Support the Crits!

They're a Davis institution, held downtown in the spring and summer. These races bring people into Davis from all over California. They're a blast, and reflect really well on our community.

http://daviswiki.org/Davis_Criterium_Classic

Not good. Davis is a bicycle-friendly town -- that's part of its draw. The Criterium Classic has been a Davis tradition since 1976. I'll look into this, too.

Police in Davis accused of racial profiling

Campaign announcement!

The Student Voice: www.votewatts.com

Students’ rights - constitutional government - transparency.

Davis city government is broken. I’ll fix it:

Ø Repeal unconstitutional ordinances banning “annoying” conduct and “bawdy” language (Municipal Code Sections 26.01.010 and 26.01.100).

àWhy? To comply with First Amendment.

Ø Require Davis businesses to obey state law, eliminate fees for credit card purchases.

à See Cal. Civ. Code. 1748.1.

Ø Direct Davis Police to release aggregate data on race, gender, age of detained citizens.

àWhy? To address identity-based profiling

Ø Annex UC Davis and adjacent areas into city

à Let students vote in their own city!

Ø Stop Davis PD from beating protesters and blocking non-protesters from observing protests.

Ø Work with students, not against them.

Ø Provide free legal services for students whose landlords violate tenant law

Ø Coordinate with law school, provide legal observers to monitor police abuses during Halloween, Picnic Day, protests

Ø Use City Council pulpit to draw state attention to UC Davis

Ø Install bigger, more visible street signs

Ø Trim trees

Ø Light streets for safety

Experience:

ü 2003: Ran for California governor on “lower student fees” platform

ü 2006-07: Public school teacher in Japan

ü 2007-2008: Public school teacher in San Jose

ü 2008-present: ACLU co-chairman and board member, UC Davis School of Law