Jim Provenza for Yolo County Supervisor Official Campaign Site

From The Sacramento Bee

Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, May 15, 2008
Story appeared in EDITORIALS section, Page B6

Editorial: Provenza, Chamberlain for Supervisor in Yolo

Three attractive candidates are vying to become Yolo County's 4th District supervisor. They are John Ferrera, chief of staff for the chair of the state Senate budget committee; Jim Provenza, a Davis school board member and lobbyist for the Los Angeles district attorney; and Cathy Kennedy, a manager with the California Restaurants Association.

The 4th District includes a big chunk of the city of Davis, the heart of the slow-growth movement in the county. When Yolo supervisors even dared to discuss the possibility of permitting a housing development attached to a much-coveted stem cell research facility proposed on county land at the edge of Davis, activists threatened a recall campaign. It's just one indication of how careful the 4th District supervisor must be in approaching this issue.

Yolo supervisors have rightly fought to prevent development on the county's agricultural lands and steer growth into cities. All the candidates promise to protect the county's agricultural resources. All agree that some growth is needed to ensure the county does not stagnate economically.

But as important as growth issues are, Yolo's most pressing issue in the county's precarious finances. A few years ago, county employees were forced to take furloughs. With the county facing a $5.9 million projected deficit this year, employees are being asked to take voluntary leaves.

With his experience in government budget issues, John Ferrera would be an asset in Yolo's always difficult budget debates, but as a member of the Davis School Board Jim Provenza has the deeper, more expansive experience with local government.

Both candidates are smart and articulate. And Kennedy, while not as well known, should not be overlooked. She has a compelling personal story. She is a single mother who grew up in poverty and worked her way through school. She stresses her experience in the private sector and has garnered the support of law enforcement.

But in a close call, The Bee's endorsement goes to Provenza.

Provenza has held elective office in local government and performed well. As a member of the Davis school board he helped revamp the district's troubled budgeting system. That experience will benefit the Yolo board in difficult times.

The 5th District supervisor's race pits incumbent and Yolo farmer Duane Chamberlain against Mel Smith, the owner of a Dunnigan mobile home park and member of the Dunnigan Advisory Committee.

Chamberlain came into office four years ago as a fierce defender of farmers. He remains deeply committed to helping farmers but is not always as constructive in his advocacy as he needs to be. As a result he is often on the losing end of close votes.

His opponent, Smith, is largely an unknown quantity. He is clearly angry with some decisions that the board has made regarding land-use issues in Dunnigan, but anger alone is not a reason to unseat the incumbent.

Chamberlain's enthusiasm and his deep knowledge of agricultural issues make him a good fit for this district.

From The Sacramento Bee Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, May 15, 2008 Story appeared in EDITORIALS section, Page B6 Editorial: Provenza, Chamberlain for Supervisor in Yolo Three attractive candidates are vying to become Yolo County's 4th District supervisor. They are John Ferrera, chief of staff for the chair of the state Senate budget committee; Jim Provenza, a Davis school board member and lobbyist for the Los Angeles district attorney; and Cathy Kennedy, a manager with the California Restaurants Association. The 4th District includes a big chunk of the city of Davis, the heart of the slow-growth movement in the county. When Yolo supervisors even dared to discuss the possibility of permitting a housing development attached to a much-coveted stem cell research facility proposed on county land at the edge of Davis, activists threatened a recall campaign. It's just one indication of how careful the 4th District supervisor must be in approaching this issue. Yolo supervisors have rightly fought to prevent development on the county's agricultural lands and steer growth into cities. All the candidates promise to protect the county's agricultural resources. All agree that some growth is needed to ensure the county does not stagnate economically. But as important as growth issues are, Yolo's most pressing issue in the county's precarious finances. A few years ago, county employees were forced to take furloughs. With the county facing a $5.9 million projected deficit this year, employees are being asked to take voluntary leaves. With his experience in government budget issues, John Ferrera would be an asset in Yolo's always difficult budget debates, but as a member of the Davis School Board Jim Provenza has the deeper, more expansive experience with local government. Both candidates are smart and articulate. And Kennedy, while not as well known, should not be overlooked. She has a compelling personal story. She is a single mother who grew up in poverty and worked her way through school. She stresses her experience in the private sector and has garnered the support of law enforcement. But in a close call, The Bee's endorsement goes to Provenza. Provenza has held elective office in local government and performed well. As a member of the Davis school board he helped revamp the district's troubled budgeting system. That experience will benefit the Yolo board in difficult times. The 5th District supervisor's race pits incumbent and Yolo farmer Duane Chamberlain against Mel Smith, the owner of a Dunnigan mobile home park and member of the Dunnigan Advisory Committee. Chamberlain came into office four years ago as a fierce defender of farmers. He remains deeply committed to helping farmers but is not always as constructive in his advocacy as he needs to be. As a result he is often on the losing end of close votes. His opponent, Smith, is largely an unknown quantity. He is clearly angry with some decisions that the board has made regarding land-use issues in Dunnigan, but anger alone is not a reason to unseat the incumbent. Chamberlain's enthusiasm and his deep knowledge of agricultural issues make him a good fit for this district.