$1
Community invited to Capstone Basketball Tournament News, Page 3
including tax
Experiences of Japanese Americans in Yolo County Features, Page 1
Volume 141, Number 5 — Locally-owned since 1884
The hometown paper of Chris Kelsch
Winters, Yolo County, California, Wednesday, March 6, 2024
City begins discussion of cannabis considerations By Amelia Biscardi Express staff writer With five Winters City Council members and four Planning Commissioners present, space at City Hall council chamber was especially snug on Feb. 27. On the agenda was a workshop to educate and begin a conversation about allowing the cannabis industry into Winters. The Cannabis Industry Workshop began with a 40-minute presentation from senior policy advisor Mark Lovelace of HdL Companies. HdL Companies is an organization
that provides consulting services for local government agencies within California. “It’s important to note that we remain agnostic regarding cannabis legalization,” Lovelace said. “Our goal is to support your city with information to support your decision-making process regardless of what direction you want to go. And not to advocate for any particular outcome.” The purpose of the workshop was not for the planning commissioners or the city council to advocate for or against. No de-
cisions were made — as that will happen at a later date — and the public was able to ask questions and provide input. City Manager Jeremey Craig explained that HdL, in their current capacity, is to start the process before the item appears on a future city council agenda item. “What we’ve engaged HdL to do is this public outreach and engagement step first before we discuss anything else,” Craig said. Lovelace explained that there are five categories within the cannabis industry: culti-
vation, testing, manufacturer, distribution and retail. The local cities with cannabis industries that are not cultivation are Davis, Dixon and Woodland. Winters currently does not have any policies in place allowing any of the licensing of the cannabis industry. As well, during the meeting the main portion of the cannabis industry brought up was retail — meaning considering a storefront. Lovelace explained that one of the things for the city to consider is what is called a “buffer zone” set
Supervisors rescind 1943 proclamation opposing Japanese Americans’ return
By Angela Underwood
Express correspondent
EXPRESS
The Yolo County Board of Supervisors rescinded a 1943 proclamation based on racial discrimination, prejudice and baseless fears. Those were District 2 Supervisor and Chair Lucas Frerichs’s exact words at the Feb. 27 meeting regarding the legal document opposing the release of Japanese Americans residents confined at various internment camps and their return to Yolo County after World War II. “I think many of us were really shocked to read the language of the resolution,” Frerichs said, adding former Yolo County Deputy District Attorney Pattie Fong found the legal document. Fong read the first sentence of the resolution. “The general feeling of the residents of this county that said Japanese because of their inborn native untrust-
Courtesy photo
The Yolo County Board of Supervisors rescinded a resolution from June 10, 1943, opposing the release of interned Americans of Japanese descent at the Feb. 27 meeting. Pictured are Pattie Fong, Supervisor Oscar Villegas, Supervisor Jim Provenza, Supervisor Mary Vixie Sandy, former State Assemblymember Mariko Yamada, Norb Kumagai, Floyd Shimomura and Yolo County Assessor Jesse Salinas. worthiness should not be permitted to leave such relocation centers and again infiltrate into the various sections of the United States, and particularly the West Coast,” Fong read. Fong said the resolution, which she found when researching for the screening of the film “And Then They Came for Us,” directly impacted Yolo County Japanese Americans. “They read it, they heard about it, and they didn’t feel welcome, and some didn’t come back, and that
is a shame,” District 5 Supervisor Angel Barajas said. Barajas said he is grateful for those who did return. “I know some of them are prominent farmers, businesswomen and businessmen who still have roots here because they are from Yolo County and this is their land,” Barajas said. One of those families is the Shimomura family of Winters. Floyd Shimomura, former Japanese American Citizens President, told officials only 15 percent out of the
Index
We at he r
Features ........................ B-1 Classifieds ................... B-4 Community .................. A-2
Date
Rain
High
Feb. 28
.00
65˚
35˚
Feb. 29 TRACE
69˚
43˚
Mar. 01
59˚
41˚
0.16”
See RESCIND, Page 3
council decides to not create cannabis regulations, there is also money available to cover the discussions through the American Rescue Plan.
Residents voice opinions
Some of the points brought up by the public included concerns that a cannabis retail store was being prioritized over other priorities such as more medical facilities. Winters resident Marjorie Maciel also expressed concerns about the 600-foot
See CANNABIS, Page 3
Youth Day asks public to share memories Express staff The Youth Day Committee is taking action to ensure Mike Sebastian’s legacy lives on as part of annual Youth Day traditions. This year marked Sebastian’s 46th year of commitment to ensuring the Youth Day event and parade came to reality. He advocated not only for the event but to include students in the process. Before his death, Sebastian and the Youth Day Board had begun work with the Winters Joint Unified School District to revive the civic-engagement piece and to invite student leadership groups and clubs to have a hand in planning the event’s multiple activities. This year, the Youth Day Committee and the Rotary Club of Winters plan to honor Sebastian with a float dedi-
cated to him and his undeniable love for Youth Day. The Express is partnering with them and is asking community members to share their favorite memories of Youth Day or of Sebastian to be featured in the Youth Day special edition and to be included in the special float. Youth Day memories or photos can be submitted online now through April 1 at https://bit. ly/3P7UdrJ. If you would like to volunteer to help build the float, fill out the Volunteer Form at linktr.ee/ wintersyouthday. Write in “Mike’s Float” in the “Other” field. The committee is accepting applications to participate in the Main Youth Day Parade or to host a vendor booth in the city park. Visit www. wintersyouthday. com for details.
Low
Mar. 02 0.80”
60˚
41˚
Eventos hispanos ....... A-2
Mar. 03 0.23”
54˚
38˚
Mar. 04 0.10”
55˚
39˚
Opinion ......................... B-3
Mar. 05 TRACE
58˚
43˚
Real Estate ................... B-2
Rain for week: 1.29 in. Season’s total: 20.89 in. Last sn. to date: 26.97 in.
Sports ........................... B-5
approximately 300 Japanese Americans who lived in Winters returned. That number includes his parents and grandparents, who were incarcerated in intermittent camps. “The Shimomura family was one of the
by the state, but cities can decide the amount. A buffer zone is designed to protect sensitive groups such as schools, parks and daycares. The starting point for a buffer zone from the state is 600 feet, however, cities can change that to zero or increase it beyond 600 feet. This was brought up on the Consent Calendar on Nov. 7, 2023, via the Cannabis Local Jurisdiction Retail Access Grant. This grant would provide $115,000 for the development of cannabis regulations, if the city
Winters rainfall season began 7/1/23. Weather readings are taken at 9 a.m. daily by local weatherman Joe Bristow.
Jack Vickrey/Courtesy photo
Girls soccer makes history for WHS sports The Winters High School girls soccer athletes hoist the CIF NorCal Division V Championship plaque up to celebrate their hisoric win over the Hilmar High School Yellowjackets on Saturday, March 2. Read more on Page B5.
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