The possibility of a bike museum moving into a space currently occupied by the teen center has some concerned about the future of teen programs in Davis.

City leaders are advocating for the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame to be located in a city-owned building on Third and B Streets, where the teen center is currently located. Teen center staff are not thrilled about the prospect of losing their space, however.

Those from the teen center stress the importance of location to the teen program.

“The teen center would be hard to recreate at another place,” teen center director Caitlyn Hughes said. “Teens spend time downtown, and the multiple levels to separate quiet and noisy activity are ideal. The basement is especially good for loud activities.“

Several teens at the Apr. 21 city council meeting agreed that most teens do not utilize the center.

“I think that as a landmark the Hall would have to take priority to the teen center,” local student Mario Salvagno said. “A teen center is a great idea, but I’ve only been there once, and I don’t know a lot of teens who actually use it.“

City council members did address the need for teen programming planning.

“We do have to take care of teen programming before we reuse the space,” said Councilmember Stephen Souza. “But in these budgetary times we have to utilize facilities to our best advantage.“

Others believe that there needs to be a determination of what a successful teen center means to the Davis community. There is also concern over teen programming in general.

“My fear is that teen programming has become an afterthought,” said Councilmember Lamar Heystek. “We need to make sure that we’re setting the right course of teen programming, and treat teens like any other member of our community who have a say.“

A survey by the California Park and Recreation Society said that 80 percent of 800 Californians agreed that local Park and Recreation agencies should provide places and activities during non-school hours for teens and kids.

“I don’t think it’s okay to just displace the teen center simply because of a perception that it’s not valued by the community,” said Susan Sabatie, a member of the Davis Recreation and Park Commission. “The commission recommends that the council not displace the center until an alternative location is selected because the teen center could be lost for good if an alternative is not found now.“

According to a recent teen center staff report, funding for the center has been reduced from $135,000 in 1998 to $122,000 today. Sabatie says this comes even with the supply and personnel cost increases.

When the center first opened in June of 1991, it was open six days for 42 hours a week. The center is now open four days for 18 hours a week, Sabatie said. In Davis, almost 25 percent of teens in grades seven to nine attend the center, compared to the national average of 10 percent.

Citing the lack of funding and reduced number of staff members, Sabatie feels that this is the reason for the perception that the teen center is not well utilized and is a waste of resources.

“Like a field of dreams: if you build it they will come,” Sabatie said. “Davis deserves the honor of the museum, but we can’t neglect teen programming.”

The fate of the teen center and other decisions about teen programming in Davis were not yet decided at press time.

The Veterans Memorial Center on East 14th St. has been named as a possible alternative location. Davis Deputy City Manager Ken Hiatt said a replacement, multi-use site should be constructed within three to five years, hosting many other programs for the community as well.

ANGELA SWARTZ can be reached city@theaggie.org.

California voters will decide on May 19 if elected officials deserve pay raises in a time of economic decline.

Proposition 1F would amend the California Constitution to prevent elected state officials from receiving raises in deficit years. The measure defines deficit years as when the state’s reserve fund has a deficit larger than 1 percent of the state’s general fund revenues.

All measures on the ballot were negotiated as a package to address the state’s budget problems.

Supporters and opponents agree that the money the state would save by preventing pay raises is minute when compared with the $143 billion budget California has through 2010. Currently, a 1 percent raise in California lawmakers‘ salaries costs the state $160,000.

“It’s symbolic,” said Owen Jackman, a regional director of the California Democratic Party whose region includes the Yolo County area. “It’s a gesture to show that if you don’t do your job, you won’t get a pay raise.“

Currently, the wages and insurance benefits of high-ranking elected state officials are determined by the California Citizens Compensation Committee, which was created in 1990 as a result of Proposition 112. The committee is comprised of seven governor-appointed California citizens. None of the committee members may be current state employees.

Also in 1990, a proposition passed to prohibit California lawmakers from receiving a retirement pension.

Currently, California elected officials receive the nation’s highest lawmaker salaries starting at $116,000 a year. Governor Schwarzenegger is allowed a $212,000 salary, though he has declined to accept it. Michigan lawmakers have the second-highest elected official salaries, starting at about $79,000 a year.

The committee meets annually before Jun. 1 to determine if state lawmakers need a raise. California lawmakers have received a 17 percent increase in salaries since 2005. The governor and other top officials have received increases of almost 25 percent since 2006.

In 1972, California voters decided that lawmakers could not be subject to salary reductions during their term of office.

State lawmakers are also eligible for per diem payments, which are not decided by the committee. These payments include lodging and meals while attending legislative sessions, and a free car and gas.

Though Prop 1F was written by Representative Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) the California Republican Party is opposing all measures on the May 19 ballot.

Deputy communications director of the California Republican Party Kevin Roberts said there are a lot of holes in Prop 1F.

“It’s not real reform,” he said. “It’s not going to do anything to help balance the budget year in and year out. To hold something like that is not the strong stick that some of the proponents feel that it is.“

Opponents of Prop 1F have also pointed to the fact that the state attorney general, state controller and insurance commissioner are also subject to the increase restrictions, yet are not involved with the budget-making process.

State Representative Mariko Yamada (D-Davis) said she supports Prop 1F but has reservations.

“I think the legislators should set an example in times of stress and difficulty,” said Yamada, who has declined per diem payments and the free car and gas offered to every legislator.

Yet Yamada raised concerns about the unintended consequences of the proposition, citing the lack of pension as one that may deter future Californians from running for office. California public office could attract wealthier people if 1F passes.

“Over time there is an erosion of the job,” she said. “Good people who would like to serve will not be willing to run for office.

“When this job is done in a responsible and ethical way, I think people should be compensated for what they do. But the people are angry and have every right to be.“

RONNY SMITH can be reached at city@theaggie.org. 

The sun’s coming out, UC Davis students are gearing up for summer, and what better way to celebrate spring than spending a day at the fair?

The 134th annual Dixon May Fair, operating in this small agricultural community since 1875, kicks off Thursday and will last the whole weekend.

The fair will feature an abundance of rides, attractions and musical performances on various stages.

From crawlers in the Diaper Derby to 102-year-old flower growers such as Letha Cannon, the fair aims to represent the entire gamut of age groups, making for an environment where children, parents and grandparents alike can come together for wholesome family fun.

“People come there and want to come again,” said Ray McClursky, president of board of directors for Dixon May Fair. “There’s a certain charm in it, clean and safe … a charm that’s reminiscent of old state fairs.“

Musical acts scheduled to perform are 1970s group Cheap Trick on Thursday, singer-turned-actress Jessica Simpson on Friday and Stockton native Chris Isaak on Saturday. All shows begin at 7 p.m.

“There’s not a venue nearby that has such a great entertainment spot … you’d have to drive all the way up to a casino to get that, which is what makes the Dixon May Fair really special,” said Andrea Owen, marketing director for Butler Amusements.

Other bands will perform classic rock, Latin American, country, blues and a variety of other genres of music.

Every year, Butler Amusements tries to get rides that are fresh and fun, not only for children, but for adults as well, Owen said.

The Nitro is anticipated to be a popular addition. Made in Holland, it lifts people into the air 24 at a time with its seats spinning as it swings back and forth, giving riders a feeling of weightlessness.

“It’s basically a swinging pendulum, perfect for people who want a thrill but don’t like to go upside down,” Owen said.

Each ride will require three to five coupons. A day pass costs $28, individual ride coupons a dollar each.

Owen said those seeking dining options beyond hot dogs and cotton candy will find some healthier alternatives.

“This year we will serve sliced apples that guests can dip in caramel of their own volition, rather than buying one that’s already smothered in it,” Owen said.

In the mood for something with a little more kick than apples or cotton candy? The wine-tasting pavilion will be open until 10 p.m., for those who’d care to wind down or experience some spinny sensations prior to hitting the Tilt-A-Whirl.

Guests too young to enjoy a sip of wine can turn to the comedy of “Dr.Goodjohn,” otherwise known as Ernie Guderjahn of Murrieta, an accomplished comedian who has written, directed, produced and performed shows for such parks as Magic Mountain, Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland. With two degrees in theater arts, Guderjahn has been performing since 1957.

If Dr. Goodjohn’s lively antics still aren’t doing anything to lift your low spirits, there’s always Terrence B. Volunteer to participate in one of his hypnotist shows and you may find yourself involuntarily singing, dancing or getting slightly cozy with the stranger sitting next to you.

Additional booths and attractions will feature embroidery, ground acts, junior livestock show, cooking contest, cow-milking contests, hog-calling contest, scrap-booking, flowering shrubs, cookie baking, dried fruit stands, table setting, quilts and brownie baking.

“The livestock auctions are the biggest in the area. … It’s always fun to see how excited the kids get about interacting with the animals each year,” McCluskey said.

The Demolition Derby, one of the biggest crowd-drawers at the fair, will be held on Sunday. Featuring the energetic antics of warring cars making “metal sandwiches” of each other throughout a crowded arena, this event is usually a sell-out, and draws drivers from all over Northern California.

Richard Byrum, vice president of Butler Amusements, said that although the types of attractions don’t vary much from year to year, the diverse crowd is always what adds a distinctive flavor to the festivities.

ELENI STEPHANIDES can be reached at city@theaggie.org. 

In its continued push to make Davis environmentally sustainable, the Davis City Council approved two programs allowing homeowners and new homebuyers to make their homes more energy efficient.

Both programs are part of a greater effort by the council to adopt greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets for the city of Davis.

One plan, the Energy Efficiency Financing Program, would allow private property owners the opportunity to go to the city to finance energy efficiency improvements, solar installations, water conservation measures and other energy saving tactics.

City financing would be made available through pending state legislation, and would get homeowners past the significant hurdle of high up-front costs. The homeowner could amortize the costs over 20 years through continual property tax assessments, and would be permitted to pass the costs on if the property is sold.

The idea is that savings earned in monthly energy bills would compensate for the ongoing costs. The program was approved as a concept, and staff members expect to bring a refined proposal to the city council in late summer or early fall.

Mayor Pro Tem Don Saylor said that these two measures are part of a continuing philosophy in Davis.

“The Davis community has long been committed to environmental causes and actions,” Saylor said. “The times now demand an ever-increasing focus on the impact we are making on our environment. This is not an abstract idea. This is serious business.“

Saylor recognized that this financing program has some details that need to be ironed out before it can proceed.

“There’s going to be some issues we need to take care of [to make sure it works],” Saylor said. “Like, what it’s going to cost for the homeowner is something we’re going to have to consider. I want to make sure we get all the details right so it is successful.“

The other proposal, the Greenhouse Gas Thresholds for New Residential, establishes enforceable GHG emissions targets and reductions measures for new residential development projects.

The program would involve mandatory energy efficiency improvements to new homes, and also would implement a range of measures to reduce automobile emissions, and to conserve water use.

“The city’s GHG inventory shows that more than three-quarters of the total GHG emissions generated in Davis are associated with energy used in Davis‘ homes and transportation associated with residential land uses,” according to a city staff report.

According to Mitch Sears, the city’s sustainability program manager, Davis uses the governor’s GHG targets as its minimum goal, with an ideal goal of below 1990 levels by 2020.

“We set a range, using the state as the baseline, and using the high end as our kind of stretch goals,” Sears said, “because it’s not entirely clear whether the state’s goals are aggressive enough.”

The reductions would be achieved through a variety of measures, such as solar panels, energy-efficient insulation, incentives for hybrid and electric car use, and others. To achieve 1990 levels, each housing unit would have to reduce emissions by 44 percent.

Sears said he understands it may seem difficult to reach those goals.

“In the housing sector, we’re looking to move toward low-carbon, [and then] to carbon neutral housing stock,” Sears said. “That’s a big transition, yes, but with initial steps we will start moving in the right direction. If all communities were moving in the direction Davis is going, we could see how this works on a larger scale.“

The costs would be transferred directly to the new homebuyer, and would vary depending on the size of units. One scenario presented to the council averaged an additional $8,500 in costs per new unit. The city is aware that this may present a challenge to some.

“Staff is sensitive to the fact that until more communities adopt similar standards, development in Davis will be constrained or new houses in Davis will be less affordable,” reads a memo from city staff reported in The Davis Enterprise. “In recognition the framework phases in GHG standards, provides credit for smart growth measures and allows for flexibility in how the standards are met.“

Jason Taormino of Taormino & Associates, a local developer, said he liked the program despite the extra costs.

“The plan the city council laid down is a fantastic goal in my opinion,” Taormino said. “And the costs to get there for homebuyers are quite small if we focus on changing our overall general consumption behavior.“

Saylor agrees completely.

“It’s the little things we do, whether it’s buying food, or riding the bike into town instead of driving, every small action we take makes a difference as a whole community.“

TOM MORRIS can be reached at city@theaggie.org.