Yes, this was an expensive lesson in civic irresponsibility. The once-revered Davis League of Women Voters has now been billed $812.50 by the city of Davis after the city pulled its previously approved fee waiver for a League-sponsored “forum” about Measure A.

Unfortunately for the League, the $812.50 bill is the least of its worries. You can’t put a price tag on the damage done to the League’s reputation by this mismanaged forum that was nothing more than a thinly disguised if poorly attended “Yes on A” rally.

Deputy City Manager Kelly Stachowicz, at the request of Mayor Joe Krovoza, reviewed the tape of the meeting and noted, “The forum was definitely biased in favor of Measure A. No question.”

That bias was obvious from the get-go, since forum moderator Jean Canary, in an exchange of emails beforehand with “No on A” advocate Thomas Randall, said the “No on A” side would not be allowed to be represented.

Thus was “Debategate” born.

The city, assuming the League was going to run an informational forum that would present both sides of this contentious issue, granted a fee waiver, which breaks down to $550 for video services and $262.50 for the actual use of the Community Chambers.

The forum was held on the evening of April 15, the Friday night before Picnic Day, when most of us were home boarding up our windows and installing deadbolt locks in anticipation of the beer-fueled hurricane that was expected to roll into town the next day.

As a result, hardly anyone attended the forum, which means many of us didn’t realize that among the presenters in this one-sided “debate” was none other than Superintendent of Schools Winfred Roberson.

It had been previously reported that in addition to Canary, the moderator, the presenters included School Board trustee Sheila Allen and former California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin, both arguing for the Yes on A position.

But also present and speaking — in fact, leading off the presentations — was Roberson, apparently not at all chastened by the fallout over his recent inappropriate Measure A endorsement letter to selected seniors that explained why “the District is seeking voter approval for a parcel tax.”

While Roberson later apologized for both the timing and the content of what was clearly a campaign mailing on District letterhead, he had no problem appearing on the dais in what can only be described as a “Yes on A” forum, when it was obvious the loyal opposition had been left out of the debate.

Said Stachowicz, after viewing the tape: “There is zero question that this forum was promoting Measure A. They were supposed to present an information session, but this was not an information session.”

Now, the responsibility for compiling the invitation list clearly falls on the League of Women Voters, but for heaven’s sake, did Allen, Eastin or Roberson ever look around the room and, seeing no “other side” represented, question their own participation in such a one-sided charade? Obviously not.

And while Roberson did go to great lengths to avoid specifically saying “Vote Yes on A,” it didn’t take a genius to figure out which side the Superintendent was on.

For his part, Mayor Krovoza acted quickly and decisively when it became clear the city had been snookered by the League’s request for a fee waiver.

In fairness, the mayor was willing to hear the League’s side of the Debategate story, but hearing nothing at all to justify the League’s position, he decided to yank the fee waiver. It’s not easy, obviously, to admit you’ve been blindsided by a long-standing and respected group in our community, one that has run a number of debates and forums over the years. But Joe Krovoza did what needed to be done, and he did it without hesitation after seeking out the facts of the matter. A good day for the mayor.

Not such a good day for everyone else. Including, especially, the voters of this community, who deserve so much better from those who pretend to lead us.

— Reach Bob Dunning at [email protected]

Comments

comments