Surrounded by his supporters Wednesday evening
in Central Park, Davis Mayor Pro Tem Don Saylor
announces his candidacy for the Yolo County
Board of Supervisors. He will run for the
District 2 seat held by Helen Thomson, lower right.
Fred Gladdis/Enterprise photo

Davis Mayor Pro Tem Don Saylor launched his campaign Wednesday to represent Davis as a Yolo County supervisor.

Flanked by backers from high and low on the political food chain, Saylor publicly declared his candidacy in the heart of a Davis tradition: the Farmers' Market in Central Park.

'The county - like all of government throughout California - is at a crossroads,' Saylor told The Enterprise before his announcement. With deep cuts to the state's budget, Yolo County's commitment to agriculture, the environment and its most vulnerable residents 'hangs in the balance.'

A powerhouse group of politicians rained praise on Saylor as a hard worker capable of tackling tough issues with a mind focused on the big picture.

Speakers included Davis Mayor Ruth Asmundson, Supervisor Helen Thomson, former Supervisor Betsy Marchand, former Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo, state Sen. Lois Wolk and former state Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin.

Air quality, flood protection, water - these are not just limited to one area, Fargo said.

'We need someone with a regional view, someone who can cooperate and deal with big issues,' she said.

Thomson, who opened the door for Saylor when she decided not to run for re-election in 2010, praised her would-be successor for reaching beyond his office to collaborate with other officials. As a case in point, the West Davis supervisor credited Saylor for founding Saving California Communities, a coalition of Davis politicos dedicated to restructuring the relationship between local governments and the state.

The spotlight Wednesday shone on Saylor, but Thomson's career also was showcased at the event. It spans three decades, including two stints as District 2 supervisor. Thomson spent a decade on the board from 1986 to 1996 before being elected to the state Assembly.

After term limits sent her packing, Thomson came back to Yolo County in 2002, winning a sea on the board. She ran unopposed in 2006.

'It was a good run,' Thomson said. But, she added, it's not over. With a year and a half left in office, Thomson wants to tie up loose ends, including the county's 20-year General Plan, its parks master plan and her run as chair of the Sacramento Area Council of Governments.

'There is much to do,' she said.

Saylor echoed Thomson about his own job. He's slated to take over mayoral duties from Asmundson next June. Saylor's top priorities while on the City Council: working on the city's two major water projects, revitalizing the Westlake Shopping Center, negotiating contracts for city employees and dealing with economic hits to the budget.

'I won't be slacking off,' Saylor said with a smile.

But he has to get elected first, and he's 'taking nothing for granted. If he loses, Saylor said he would stay on as Davis' mayor.

If elected, Saylor would join Jim Provenza, the East Davis supervisor who won the District 4 seat a year ago. Provenza watched Saylor's campaign kickoff, but said he's not endorsing any candidates since he'll work with whomever is elected, either in the June 2010 primary or in the November 2010 runoff if necessary. The new supervisor would be seated in January 2011.

But, Provenza added, he enjoyed working with Saylor when the two started an ad hoc coalition to battle a massive power lines project with proposed routes cutting through Yolo County and brushing past Davis.

Not too far removed from his own campaign, Provenza had some advice for Saylor.

'Walk door to door,' he said. 'When I ran, I found out how important it is to preserve farmland, the quality of life in Davis and the rural character of our county. I don't think you get that from reading the newspaper or attending forums.'

And expect the unexpected. Provenza said he thought he was running head-to-head against John Ferrera. Then, at the last second, Cathy Kennedy threw her hat in the ring.

'I had no idea she was going to run,' Provenza said.

Saylor should keep an eye on the seat next to him on the City Council dais. Fellow Council member Sue Greenwald said she's considering running for supervisor as well. However, Greenwald wants to finish out her term, which, like Saylor's, ends in 2012. But, if she can't find anyone to push for slow growth, she's willing to give it a go.

'(District 2) is a very, very important seat, because the county has the ability to build on (Davis') borders,' Greenwald said. 'I hope someone steps forward to hold the line. ... I'm considering doing it if no one else does.'