enterprise THE DAVIS
SUNDAY, APRIL 30, 2023
Provenza won’t seek re-election in 2024
“He touched so many lives in such a determined and inspired way ...” — Davis Mayor Will Arnold Flowers decorate Breaux’s “Compassion Bench” at Third and C streets in downtown Davis on Friday, after word spread of his death.
By Anne Ternus-Bellamy Enterprise staff writer Supervisor Jim Provenza will not seek a fifth term on the Yolo County Board of Supervisors. Provenza, who has represented east and south Davis on the board since he was first elected in 2008, announced Thursday he won’t be on the March 2024 primary ballot. He cited his desire PROVENZA to spend more time 45 years of with family, includpublic service ing his wife, Donna, and their children and grandchildren, after 45 years in public service. “No political position is a lifetime appointment,” Provenza said. “I am deeply grateful to the voters of the 4th District for allowing me to serve for 16 years. I love the work and the people I am privileged to serve. It has been one of the biggest honors of my life, but as George Harrison once observed, ‘All things must pass.’” Two candidates have filed paperwork with the county indicating they
See PROVENZA, Back page
Sue Cockrell/Enterprise file photo
David Breaux speaks at a November 2012 protest at UC Davis, following the infamous pepper-spray incident at UCD that year. The local activist, known colloquially as the “Compassion Guy” was found stabbed to death in Central Park on Thursday morning.
Lauren Keene/ Enterprise photo
Police identify park stabbing victim By Lauren Keene Enterprise staff writer On the day he died, David Henry Breaux planned to host an online gathering “in the name of truth and peace,” something he did on a weekly basis. “A message emphasizing love and compassion. Without a teaching or socializing,” Breaux posted on his Facebook page. “A simple pointing to alleviate the illusory nature of suffering and coming home to the essential. All are welcome.” His latest effort never
happened, however. Hours earlier, the 50-year-old Breaux — a well-known member of the Davis community popularly known as “the Compassion Guy” — fell victim to a violent homicide. Davis Police Chief Darren Pytel said Breaux had suffered “a significant number of stab wounds” when a passerby found him late Thursday morning at Central Park, a place where for years Breaux sought to raise awareness of compassion and seek others’ definitions of the term.
The Stanford graduate also was the driving force behind the Compassion Corner Earthbench, a public art sculpture located on Third and C’s southeast corner that, on Friday, became a place for people to remember Breaux and grieve. His killing remained unsolved Friday as police issued a plea to the public for any information that would help them locate Breaux’s assailant. Anyone who was in the Central Park area during the earlymorning hours Thursday, or has surveillance cameras facing
towards the park or downtown area, is urged to contact the Davis Police Department at 530-747-5400 or policeweb@ cityofdavis.org. Those with information but wish to remain anonymous can call the department’s tip line at 530-747-5460.
‘Disturbing’
The homicide investigation began at about 11:20 a.m. Thursday, when a passerby
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UCD Chávez event features grandson City bestows environmental
recognition awards for 2023
By Monica Stark Enterprise staff writer César Chávez’s grandson, Andrés Chávez, will be the keynote speaker at the 21st Cesar Chavez Youth Leadership Conference and Celebration at UC Davis on Saturday, May 6. Andrés Chávez, who majored in public policy and administration at CSU Bakersfield, is the executive director of the National Chavez Center. He spoke in-depth with The Enterprise about the importance of education, upholding the legacy of his “tata” grandfather, the inspiration of the farmworker movement. Welcoming high school, community college and middle-school students
VOL. 125 NO. 52
INDEX
Business �����������A3 Forum �����������������B2 Op-Ed �����������������B3 Classifieds ���������B5 Living �����������������A5 Sports ���������������B1 Comics ���������������B4 Obituary �������������A4 The Wary I ���������A2
By Anne Ternus-Bellamy Enterprise staff writer
Monica Stark/Enterprise photo
Andrés Chávez, director of the National Chavez Center, which memorializes his grandfather César Chávez, stopped by The Davis Enterprise office to talk about his upcoming appearance at UC Davis’ Cesar Chavez Youth Leadership Conference. and their parents; the conference attracts 1,200 to 1,500 students from across
WEATHER Today: Mostly sunny, cooler. High 80. Low 47.
the state. The free college
See CHÁVEZ, Page A4
They teach children about science, pick up trash throughout the city, provide education on electric vehicles, endorse sustainable living and encourage Davis children to walk and bike to school. They are the recipients of this year’s Environmental Recognition awards from the city of Davis. For nearly three decades, the city has been honoring businesses, nonprofits and individuals for their efforts to improve the quality of life in Davis through education,
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environmental stewardship and community sustainability and this year’s recipients were recognized by the City Council last week.
Receiving the Environmental Legacy award was Explorit Science Center.
Since 1982, Explorit has ignited and fostered curiosity about science and nature through inquiry and discovery by providing opportunities for hands-on science exploration at its educational center in East Davis.
“Encouraging environmental awareness
See AWARDS, Page A2
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