Marble wants to stop robbing Peter to pay Paul (aka state pilfering)

From the Woodland Record – Letter to the editor:

The time has come for voters to say NO to the State of California and STOP the continued State pilfering of local revenues. We must put an end to the legislature’s irresponsible practice of raiding, seizing, diverting, borrowing, suspending, transferring, shifting or otherwise taking local taxpayer dollars. Robbing Peter to pay Paul never works!

It’s no secret that local government budgets are stretched to the breaking point. Unfortunately, no single panacea has emerged that will allow us to easily balance city and county budgets. The process is painful for all of us.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Thanks be to the bee

From UC Davis, Agriculture and Natural Resources:

When we sit down to give thanks at the traditional Thanksgiving dinner, we should also be thanking the honey bee.

“A substantial portion of the meal is pollinated by the honey bee,” said UC Davis Cooperative Extension apiculturist Eric Mussen.

Read the press release at UCANR.org.

Gunmen loose in Davis, too

From the Woodland Record:

Aggie Liquor in Davis robbed by gun wielding pair

Unnamed Davis business owner flees robber, then son is kidnapped for ATM heists

Thanksgiving 100 years ago

From the public domain:

TURKEY EXPORTS FROM YOLO

R. Alge is shipping a big lot of turkeys to railroad construction crews today. M.C. Threlkeid of Sacramento who boards all these crews, as far north as Klamath Falls, and as far east as Summit, has a contract with Mr. Alge. All the men at work with these crews will have Thanksgiving turkey. The shipment of turkeys from Woodland for the Thanksgiving trade has bean very heavy. Most of the shipments have been by express.

THE CARLTON CLUB DANCE

The Carlton Club will give its third annual ball In Native Sons hall on Thursday evening, November 25th. The young men comprising this club are hustlers and they know full well how to entertain. The success achieved by them in the past is an assurance of the success of next Thursday's event. The young men are making extensive preparations for the reception of their friends. The Woodland Orchestra of five pieces has been engaged to furnish all the late and popular music of the day.

Woodland Daily Democrat, November 23, 1909.

Familiar Raiders fan robs Little Ceasar's Pizza with semi-automatic

From City of Woodland, Police:

On Wednesday, November 25, at approximately 10:08 pm, Woodland police were contacted by an employee at the Little Caesar's Pizza located at 1861 East Gibson Road. The caller said they had just been robbed at gunpoint.

Though the store had already closed for the evening and the front doors were locked, the suspect was able to enter the store through an unlocked back door. Upon arrival, police learned that the suspect entered the store alone, pointed a black semi-automatic handgun with silver detailing at the employees, and demanded money.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

North East St. gas plaza robbed at gunpoint

From City of Woodland, Police:

On November 24 at approximately 10:22 pm, Woodland police officers were dispatched to 454 North East Street, the Woodland Gas Plaza, for an armed robbery that had occurred five minutes prior. The suspect entered the store wielding a large handgun and walked up to the clerk demanding money. The clerk gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of money and then the suspect quickly departed on foot.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Attorney General upholds DA decision in Navarro shooting, FBI still investigating

From Yolo County, District Attorney:

No criminal charges will be filed against Yolo County Sheriff’s deputies Hernan Oviedo, Hector Bautista and Dale Johnson, who were involved in the April 30, 2009, fatal shooting of Luis Gutierrez Navarro (26) in Woodland, California. A 37 page District Attorney report report outlining the reasons for the determination and a supporting letter from the California Attorney General were released today.

The report concludes, “When considering all of the facts and circumstances known to them at the time, the use of deadly force by the deputies was objectively reasonable and justified and therefore does not warrant the filing of criminal charges against Sgt. Johnson, Deputy Oviedo or Deputy Bautista.”

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Luis Gutierrez Navarro autopsy report PDFs from SacBee.com:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Woodland Chamber steals Christmas

Here is the new theme for the Woodland Chamber of Commerce parade:


According to the Chamber Web page, they are celebrating the 45 year anniversary of the Woodland Holiday Parade? I thought it was always the Woodland Christmas Parade? I guess they should say this is the first annual Holiday Parade, then.

Abrahams family settles with Woodland after taser death

By David Greenwald at The People's Vanguard of Davis:

The parents of Ricardo Abrahams have settled a portion of their law suit, the portion that sued the city of Woodland and four police officers for the tasering incident on May 28, 2008 where Mr. Abrahams eventually died not from the Taser strikes but rather from positional asphyxia--being improperly handcuffed in a prone position. The coroner concluded that the weight of the victim contributed to his death.

Read the rest at DavisVanguard.org.

Gas odor in Sacramento region

Sent by Alisa Okelo-Odongo of PG&E at 12:02 pm today:

We were just alerted to the situation below. The odor has not hit the Sacramento Region as of yet, and we anticipate it should hit this afternoon. The media will be alerted as well to help communicate the message to residents:

PG&E has determined that natural gas imported into our system was over odorized and is currently in our pipelines, moving through the northern part of our service area right now.

A strong odor is being reported in many of these areas. PG&E believes it is due to the high amount of odorant in the gas in our transmission system.

The smell from the extra odorant is expected to steadily dissipate through the weekend. The odorant is a safe chemical that is added to gas to help customers detect gas leaks. The odor will dissipate safely into the atmosphere.

PG&E is experiencing increased call volume and customers’ may experience extended wait times for calls and service appointments as a result of the situation.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this has caused area residents.

Davis meth lab and weapons bust includes WesSac and Woodland tweakers

From City of Davis - Police:

An investigation into narcotic sales by a parolee led Officers from the Yolo Narcotics Enforcement Team (YONET) to an apartment on Alvarado Avenue in Davis where a search warrant revealed a methamphetamine lab.

On November 18 at approximately 6 pm, officers from the Davis Police Department, YONET, Woodland PD Gang Task Force, Yolo County Gang Task Force and the California Department of Corrections arrested Brandon Lee Whittmore, (34 years old from Davis) in the parking lot of the complex.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

HWDBA luminary preparation scheduled

As part of the annual downtown Christmas tree lighting festivities, luminaries are provided by the Historic Woodland Downtown Business Association. Anyone wanting to help with the preparation of the luminaries are asked to meet at Hamilton Insurance, 1100 Main Street, #130 on Tuesday, December 1 at 5:30 (or 6 or 6:30 – "whatever works best for everyone who wants to help!").

Stroll raffle winner gets a Cowboy Coffee

From James Barrera – Trick Roper, Whip Master, California Folklore Storyteller:

I recently hosted a "Cowboy Coffee" for, Carina, the winner of a tea party raffle for the Stroll Through History. I got to show off my trick roping routines, some whip cracking, some storytelling. It didn't hurt my feelings that the group was made of up of an attractive, spirited and beautiful cast of young ladies. Oh yeah, and Carina's boyfriend as well.

Carina, the winner, even got to crack one of my whips within five minutes of training. Check out her blog as she describes and shows photos of the event at MyMissadventures.com.

Eaton Ct. teen arrested after drunken tantrum, shooting arrows at cops

From City of Woodland, Police:

On Wednesday, November 18,at approximately 11:51 pm, police received a call from the mother of a 15 year-old juvenile, who was reportedly intoxicated, out of control, and vandalizing their Eaton Court residence.

A second caller told police that the suspect, whose name is being withheld due to his age, was now breaking windows at the residence. According to the mother, who left the home and was at a neighbor's house, there was nobody else in the residence with the suspect.

Police arrived to find the suspect still in his home, throwing and breaking items within, breaking windows, and yelling and screaming.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Anonymous is as anonymous does

"Anonymous is as anonymous does." By Anonymous.

In today's mail at the Woodland Record, I received an anonymous letter. It was securely "scotch-taped," even the cut-out address "label" had a double-dose of the sticky stuff. Obviously, some secret was inside.

Enclosed was a pink "Fax Cover Page" that was not signed. It was sent anonymously to me, and I assume sent anonymously to the others listed on page: The superintendent of the Woodland Joint Unified School District and the board of trustees. The letter urged the recipients to contact the Woodland Police Department with a certain case number and instructed us to read something that was enclosed.

With the pink letter were four pages of comments (30 total) made under an article at DailyDemocrat.com. All comments had a handle (pseudonym) because that's the way you have to do it at that Web site. On this blog, you can just choose to comment as "anonymous" for whatever reason you have. (See "Why bloggers remain anonymous" that I posted on Oct. 27, 2007.) Regardless, all commenters under that article are essentially anonymous – except for "Bob," perhaps.

The comments have been removed, probably due to one (and others like it) that prompted the self-proclaimed "Intelligent" to post this:

"The posting above is very mean-spirited and the Daily Democrat should not be allowing such posts. I don't know the man but I know that he probably deserves better than to be assailed by anonymous posters. Woodland has always loved its anonymous posting forums whether it was 'Sound Off' in the old Daily Democrat or that stupid Woodland Journal blog site where the truly inept go to feed. If you want to accuse someone of something at the very least you should put your real name and stand up like a man."

That's funny. The commenter said, "You should put your real name and stand up like a man." Wait... wasn't that posted by "Intelligent?" Sure, we all know her! She's very smart. Do as I say, not what I do.

There are many reasons why bloggers remain anonymous, or use a handle, but the bottom line is anonymous bloggers are hiding in some form or fashion. And that wouldn't be so bad if what the anonymous blogger did wasn't shady. By shady, I mean acting like a troll – loosely defined as an anonymous person who intentionally disrupts discussions. Generally trolls are known to disrupt conversations as a joke – but I include purposefully talking off-point to discredit other commenters with personal attacks.

On this blog, myself and The Realist decided to moderate comments because there were too many anonymous comments made that were off-topic, were lies, or were just plain vicious. (Our "hits" actually have decreased after we did this, probably because it's not as entertaining without all the trolls.) But even before we began moderating, I began attempting to snuff out trolls in two ways: 1) Use facts and research, rather than hearsay while "discussing," and 2) Call them out for what they said - ironically translated as "name-calling" by the anonymous, faceless clones who have already taken stabs at me or others in the string. The anonymous bloggers can dish it out, but they can't take "counter-trolling." And THAT is my entertainment.

Obviously, most comments really don't need a handle to be understood in its context. However, there are times when it would help the discussion if readers knew something about the commenter to avoid assumptions about authority, knowledge, experience or lack thereof. I find it especially discourteous that even a morsel of effort isn't given to help readers track who is saying what - it takes a split second to add a handle to your comments. If your comment isn't worth that effort, then don't expect others to value what you say.

Again, I truly understand why bloggers remain anonymous. However... here at the "stupid Woodland Journal blog site where the truly inept go to feed," just be prepared how your veil of secrecy might be interpreted. Anonymous is as anonymous does.

(And to the anonymous sender of the pink letter... I'll just let you figure out what to do with your information. I don't know why you provided just a case number and not a copy of the report - why should I go to the trouble of fetching that?)

Live music at the Capital Saloon on Thursday

Charlie Batey (of Little Charlie & the Nightcats fame) is returning to the Capital Saloon to play with the Adam Hancock Trio this Thursday from 6 to 8 pm.

Apparently, he had such a good time and was so warmly received by a good crowd last month he is coming back. So if you want to hear really good jazz, help build a music scene downtown, and to support the Capital Saloon (which is committed to bringing more music to downtown without a cover charge), then come downtown on Thursday.

Above, Adam Hancock jams. Courtesy photo.

Pint-size pooches face off in Woodland earth dog trials

From the Sacramento Bee:

A secluded grove near Woodland is the place to be this weekend for fans of terriers and dachshunds – small, scrappy, independent dogs bred to hunt vermin underground.

Read more at SacBee.com.

As Woodland leaders cower to marijuana laws and policies, Portland embraces a budding business

From the Fox News article "First U.S. Marijuana Cafe Opens in Oregon:"

The United States' first marijuana cafe opened on Friday, posing an early test of the Obama administration's move to relax policing of medical use of the drug.

The Cannabis Cafe in Portland, Oregon, is the first to give certified medical marijuana users a place to get hold of the drug and smoke it — as long as they are out of public view — despite a federal ban.

Read more at FoxNews.com.

Yolo County Water Resources Association to include The Moon

With discovery of at least 25 gallons of water on the moon, perhaps Woodland City Councilman and WRA chair Bill Marble will propose that The Moon join the association.

From the NASA article "LCROSS Impact Data Indicates Water on Moon:"

The argument that the moon is a dry, desolate place no longer holds water.

Secrets the moon has been holding, for perhaps billions of years, are now being revealed to the delight of scientists and space enthusiasts alike.

NASA [yesterday] opened a new chapter in our understanding of the moon. Preliminary data from the Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite, or LCROSS, indicates that the mission successfully uncovered water during the Oct. 9, 2009 impacts into the permanently shadowed region of Cabeus cater near the moon’s south pole.

Read more at NASA.gov.

Read "The Search For Lunar Water," also at NASA.gov.

From the AP release "Splash! NASA moon crash struck lots of water:"

"Indeed, yes, we found water. And we didn't find just a little bit. We found a significant amount," said Anthony Colaprete, lead scientist for the mission, holding up white gallon water buckets for emphasis.

The lunar crash kicked up at least 25 gallons and that's only what scientists could see from the plumes of the impact, Colaprete said.

Continue the AP story at News.Yahoo.com.

Above: The visible camera image showing the ejecta plume at about 20 seconds after impact. Credit: NASA.

HWDBA meeting features Gateway II overview

From the Woodland Record:

This month's meeting of the Historic Woodland Downtown Business Association will be 6 pm on Thursday, November 12, at the Odd Fellows Building on Third and Main Streets.

Woodland City Planner Cindy Norris will make a presentation about the Gateway Plaza Phase II annexation and rezone application process.

Norris said, "We [will] provide basically the same overview of the project that we did for the public scoping meeting... an introduction to what has been proposed, where we are in the CEQA process – early – and the studies being done. This is a very good time to open discussions."

Also on the agenda is the Christmas Tree Lighting and Open House (December 4) and the Christmas Parade (December 12)

Two fallen soldiers

By Larry Shapiro
American Legion Post 77

THERE, IN FRONT of the courthouse in Woodland, sits the Yolo County monument memorializing our local servicemen who have courageously given their lives serving America in war. Each name is individually engraved from World War I through the War on Terror, over 250 in total.

With sadness, the Yolo County Veterans Coalition and American Legion Post 77 on November 11, as part of Post 77’s Veterans Day program, will unveil the names of two servicemen, both born in Woodland, who will be added to that place of remembrance. They are Pfc. Jason Casillas and Major Alan Rowe. Both had in common their love of country and a strong desire to stand up for America. And each has a story of bravery in the face of danger.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Courthouse photo by Delilah Valdez. Monument photo by Darla Plymesser.

Dishonesty and prejudice earmark the city's latest public policy

From the Yolo Sun opinion piece "Woodland Initiates New Policy Against Prop. 215:"

Prevarication and dishonesty pervade all aspects of the City’s sudden policy move, initially before the Woodland Planning Commission on November 5, against proper implementation of Prop. 215: California’s medicinal cannabis initiative.

Despite recent federal relaxation of its cannabis prohibition where state laws permit medicinal use, Woodland’s elected officials persist with unreasonable public policy on this topic.

The federal government now respects Prop. 215. Yet, Woodland’s political leaders still refuse to cooperate; ironically, using federal law as pretense for suppressing implementation of this 1996 ballot initiative.

On the heels of extending its recently renewed moratorium on medicinal cannabis “dispensaries” — the city is tacitly abandoning that process and abruptly forging a much broader policy, intending to prohibit from Woodland all: “businesses – land uses – operations – uses,” etc., related to Prop. 215 – the primary purpose of which is to establish lawful, medicinal cannabis access.

Read much more at YoloSun.wordpress.com.

Property for sale. Call WJUSD for details.

Excerpts from Doiley Dennocart article "WJUSD explores generating money:"

As the Woodland Joint Unified School District readies to make another $3 million in cuts, the superintendent and her counterparts are exploring ways to enhance revenue within the district.

Superintendent Debra LaVoi has proposed several options, such as selling property, shared tenancy of the district office, and joint endeavors with the city, but she emphasized they are only discussions at this point.

Another discussion centering around property use is the option of subleasing the district office. A yearly lease on the Sixth Street facility costs $445,000, and half of its 10 conference rooms are currently unoccupied.

Read it while you can at Netflixpopunder.com.

Lisa Shelley of Corner Drug (and others) on Channel 13!

The CBS13 news crew was downtown yesterday - so the word was to watch for Lisa Shelley of the Corner Drug Co. on the 10 pm news.

Lisa made it on air – you can see her, resident Shirley Pereira, shopper Nancy Tesler, The House Dresser owner Anita Long and City Manager Mark Deven (shown pointing out Dog Gone Alley and Dead Cat Alley). The report called "Woodland Downtown Ghost Town" featured the failing businesses along Main Street.

CBS13 reporter Nada Iranpour remarked about the downtown, "It's history and charm isn't quite surviving the recession."

Wim van Muyden to be celebrated on Saturday

Dr. Wim van Muyden, seated center left, is surrounded by his loving family. He will be missed by Pauly (his wife of 55 years standing behind him); daughters, Janet Frink, Jennifer Sanders; and son, David (all seated); as well as their spouses, Nelson, Savvy (Carl H. III), Catherine; and grandchildren, Michelle, Russell, Brian, Anika, Serena, Adrian, Vanessa and Kees. Photo by George Streng.

A celebration of life service is scheduled for 10:30 am, Saturday, November 14, at the Woodland Community & Senior Center.

Prepared by Wim's family:

Wim van Muyden died peacefully at home in Woodland on Monday, Nov. 2, 2009, after a prolonged illness from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Yolo Hospice assisted in making Wim's passing a blessing.

Wim was born on July 17, 1930, to Gerardus Floris and Willempje Visser van Muijden in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. During WWII, his family moved to Curacao, Dutch West Indies, where his father worked for the Shell Oil Company.

Please continue at the Woodland Record.

Woodlander finalist on 107.9 The End

Andre Williams has made it to the finals of 107.9 The End Jingle Ball Star search. The winner will play in front of a large crowd. I have actually heard this guy sing in person with music and he is very incredible. I hope he wins, this audition is nothing compared to how well this guy can sing.

WesSac Norteño punks convicted of felonies, but due back in court for one more

From Yolo County, District Attorney:

Delinquent yells “Broderick in the house!” after pair jumps victim

On November 4 a Yolo County jury convicted two young West Sacramento men [sic] of being active participants in the Norteno Criminal Street Gang. Charles Rios (16) and Benito Morales Jr.(16) were convicted of felonies, under Penal Code section 186.22(a), as well as theft, under Penal Code section 484. Rios was also convicted of felony receiving stolen property, pursuant to Penal Code section 496. The jury hung 11 to 1 to convict the pair for Assault by Means of Force Likely to Cause Great Bodily Injury, pursuant to Penal Code section 245(a)(1). Both individuals were charged and tried as adults.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

More First Friday receptions tonight!

Read about these at the Woodland Record:

First Friday event: Group show and music at Studio Artists Gallery

First Friday event: Slumped glass (a cookie and cider) at Main St. Antiques

First Friday event: Rios, Fierro, Montenegro shows at Concept Birth with special guest

From the Concept Birth Studio & Gallery:

The Concept Birth Studio & Gallery announces the November artist show and First Friday reception for Francisca Rios, Jose Fierro and Maricela Montenegro. Noah Jull is the special guest for the November 6 reception at 525 Main Street in Historic Downtown Woodland.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Deadbeat, lowlife and hay thief among headlines at WoodlandRecord.com

Arrest Log:

Valadez, Aaron
Morales, Jeanete
Kawelmacker, Mikee

Convictions:

MiMihelk goes to prison after paying only $2,800 for $211,000 in hay and restitution
Lowlife sentenced to 3 years in state prison for battering jury tamperer
Deadbeat dad sentenced to county jail
WesSac man, age 43 (so he should know better), convicted of fighting officers

Capay Valley:

Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation participates in Tribal Nations Conference in DC

Public Notices:

Woodland Redevelopment Agency Five Year 2009-2010 Implementation Plan

North St. drug bust: K9 locates chiva, mota, ice and $4K

From City of Woodland, Police:

On Wednesday, November 4, at approximately 11:54 pm, Woodland police made a traffic stop on a vehicle near the intersection of Beamer and College Streets. The driver was identified as 22 year-old Woodland resident Isidro Olivares. The only passenger in the vehicle was identified as 34 year-old Woodland resident Maria Olivares. After discovering that Maria Olivares was in possession of marijuana, the officers called for the assistance of the K-9 handler.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Opinion: Gateway II ignores redevelopment, conflicts with regional planning

From the Woodland Record – Letter to the editor:

RE: Notice of Preparation of EIR for the Proposed Woodland Gateway Phase II Project

We request that the following comments and concerns be addressed in the EIR for the above-referenced project:

Land Use and Agriculture

We have concerns about the compatibility of this 154 acre commercial proposal with the Woodland General Plan goal of redeveloping the downtown area, including the East Street corridor. Currently, the redevelopment area is pocked with vacant parcels and empty stores, including a vacant city block bordering Main-Court-Sixth-East streets owned by Paul Petrovich, the developer who desires to build Gateway II. Until there is significant new private investment in the redevelopment area that generates additional property taxes for the redevelopment program, the vision of redevelopment will fall short and the goal of building an exciting and rejuvenated core area for its citizens will remain a distant dream. Woodland will remain a city with unrealized “potential.”

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Songs

I was sitting around tonight listening to itunes. It is interesting what memories certain songs bring up. What three songs bring up your High School memories? Here are mine:

1. Smells like teen spirit - Nirvana

2. Black Dog - Led Zeppelin

3. Anything Queen

WHS class of 1993

New courthouse among first built by SB 1407 funds, final design waits for site acquisition

From Superior Court, Yolo County:

The new Woodland courthouse is among the first of 41 projects to be funded by Senate Bill 1407, which finances critically needed courthouse construction, renovation, and repair through a portion of judicial branch fees, fines, and penalties.

This project, with an estimated total cost of $173 million, was ranked as an “immediate need” in the judicial branch’s capital-outlay plan and is among the judicial branch’s highest-priority infrastructure projects.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Petrovich claims Gateway II is necessary for downtown revitalization

As today's deadline looms for submitting comments relevant to the environmental impacts of the proposed Gateway II project, it is clear upon reading the application to rezone 153.4 acres and amend the city's general plan that the Petrovich Development Company is delusional.

Robert Milsap, the company's "Director of Development for Yolo County," justifies the project as follows:

The proposed uses on the Annexation Parcel would be an auto-mall and other uses permitted in the C-2 zone to be more particularly determined and entitled in further proceedings with the City after the completion of Annexation. The annexation will be part of a larger, inter-related development program involving the following elements:

1. Construction of a court house facility and related parking structure in the downtown area of Woodland as proposed by the State of California's Administrative Office of the Courts and as contemplated by the City's fundamental planning policies,

2. Annexation of the Annexation Parcel and relocation of the Hoblit Auto dealership from its present site on Main Street to the Annexation Parcel; and

3. Development by Petrovich Development Company of a cinema complex with related commercial uses on the former Hoblit site

Redevelopment of the Hoblit site as a cinema complex is a key element of the City's redevelopment plans for Downtown Woodland, not only as a conjunctive user of the parking structure by night, but also as a destinatlon site anchoring the transformation of the downtown area from its current emphasis on retail sales activity to a new emphasis on uses compatible vvith the theater, such as restaurants and other entertainment venues,

The Hoblit site is immediately adjacent to, and south of, the proposed location for the contemplated parking structure and is owned by applicant or by persons or entities of which applicant is an affiliate. Applicant also contemplates that development of an auto dealership site for Hoblit on the Annexation Parcel will serve as an impetus tor relocation of other downtown auto dealers to the Annexation Parcel.

The proposed application is a necessary step in furtherance of established General Plan policies of the City of Woodland in its Downtown Specific Plan because, without it, Hoblit cannot be relocated and, without the relocation, the downtown site cannot be redeveloped per the City's plans

Even if they did not further any existing redevelopment plans in the Downtown area, the General Plan amendment and the annexation would still be in the best interests of the City. Applicant proposes development of an auto mali and related commercial uses on the Annexatlon Parcel. These will be adjacent to Applicant's own Gateway Shopping Center where a Costco, Target and other related commercia! uses are being developed. Those uses will help to generate commercial activity and tax revenues at the neighboring Annexation Parcel-commercial activity and revenues that would not have otherwise occurred in the City of Woodland or perhaps even in the County of Yolo The proposal will also provide shopping opportunities and other amenities that are not currently available in Woodland.

Read the application.

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors are encouraging the annexation through its approved letter in response to the Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report for the Proposed Woodland Gateway Phase II Project:

"The Notice of Preparation did not discuss which alternatives would be analyzed in the EIR. Given the limited access to the subject property, and the mixture of varied uses on the site, the Alternatives analysis has a number of variables to consider. The retail development has the potential to have an economic impact on downtown businesses, and the viability of the County Fair Mall. As such, it may be useful to include an alternative that focuses on the auto mall only, and eliminates the retail portion."

Read the county's response, pending minor modifications.

City plans prohibition of cannabis shops

Editor's note: The People of the State of California declared through the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 that Californians have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes where that medical use is deemed appropriate and has been recommended by a physician.

The act contradicts existing federal drug laws, but the Obama administration indicated a shift in policy as early as March 18 of this year when the U.S. Attorney said that the Justice Department has no plans to prosecute pot dispensaries that are operating legally under state laws. This was confirmed last month when, according to the Washington Post, “Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. directed federal prosecutors [October 19] to back away from pursuing cases against medical marijuana patients, signaling a broad policy shift that drug reform advocates interpret as the first step toward legalization of the drug.”

Subject: The prohibition of businesses and uses prohibited by state or federal law

The following are excerpts from a staff report prepared by Paul Hanson, Senior Planner, for the November 5 Woodland Planning Commission meeting:

(1) STAFF recommends the Planning Commission adopt a Resolution or Intention for a text amendment to Chapter 25 of the City or Woodland Municipal Code to prohibit businesses and uses prohibited by State or Federal law.
(2) Staff also recommends the Planning Commission provide a recommendation to the City Council for the approval of proposed amendments to Chapters 13 and 25 of the City of Woodland Municipal Code to prohibit businesses and uses prohibited by State or Federal law.

BACKGROUND

Cities throughout the State are currently receiving business license applications for businesses that are allowable under state law but prohibited by federal law, or vice versa. The courts will ultimately resolve the ambiguity or the laws. However in the meantime the attached ordinance should help the City avoid litigation that may potentially arise from the City’s efforts to enforce inconsistent laws.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

According to a city official only one application (as of October 30) for a dispensary had been received from a person by the name of “Flash Gordon.” It was denied by the city.