David Rosenberg has dedicated his life to public service. With the election of his long-time friend and mentor, Governor Gray Davis, Rosenberg has immersed himself in his element in a way few lawyers from the private sector would have the skills, experience, stamina or audacity to do. And he loves it.

Serving concurrently as a member of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors (including soon-to-be chair of the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District, co-chair of the Criminal Justice Cabinet and chair of the Yolo County Economic Development Council), chair of the California Lottery Commission, the Governor's Director of Intergovernmental Relations, and Senior Advisor to the Governor, Rosenberg describes his professional life as "juggling chainsaws — while they're running."

It did not happen all at once, but Rosenberg began piling it on as soon as he graduated in 1974 from the UC Davis School of Law, where he earned membership in the Order of the Coif. After a stint as clerk to Tom MacBride, then-chief judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Rosenberg went to work for Governor Jerry Brown in 1976.

By 1981, Rosenberg was deputy executive secretary and chief of staff - and a colleague of then-Lieutenant Governor Gray Davis. Rosenberg went into private practice in 1981 but also served as the governor's appointee to the California Law Revision Commission, first as a commissioner then as a chairman, from 1981 - 1985.

In 1984, Rosenberg jumped into elective public office, eventually serving twelve years on the Davis City Council. He served twice as mayor of Davis - in 1987-88 and 1994-96. Practicing law all the while, Rosenberg says he never missed a meeting or a council vote.

In 1997, Yolo County's Fourth Supervisorial District, the county's most populous, elected Rosenberg to the Board of Supervisors, which immediately elected him its chair. Guess what? He hasn't missed a meeting.

Even for Rosenberg, an unabashed self-promoter and glutton for politics, that's a lot of shoe leather and potholders, meetings, fundraising, policy making, and constituent servicing. As Rosenberg and I spoke earlier this month, the governor had yet to analyze 1100 bills passed by the Legislature; he had barely 24 hours left to do so. Rosenberg put it succinctly, "Fun is not the right term."

Why does he do it? Rosenberg said he finds public service "intense and satisfying." Working at this level on this variety of policy issues gives him a role in shaping public policy with the broadest possible impact on Californians and their environment. And he gets to work with the governor, one of the three smartest men he ever met. "He's a brilliant man, hard working and multi-dimensional."

Surely, this is one of the most unusual combinations of jobs held by any public lawyer - until Rosenberg takes on his next challenge. And if the Governor asks who the other "smartest men" are? The true politician smiles, "I never reveal the other two."

© Sacramento Lawyer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—Release No. 001
Contact: Stephen or Suzanne Mikesell—758-0223 or 757-2521

Accompanied by his wife, surrounded by friends and supporters, and standing on the Yolo County farmland he has pledged to protect and preserve, Yolo County Supervisor Dave Rosenberg made it official, announcing today that he would run for re-election to the Board of Supervisors

"I've worked hard to serve my constituents and to preserve the good farmland and open space we all cherish in this County," said Rosenberg in making his campaign announcement. "I enjoy this job entrusted to me by the people, and hope to continue to work on the public's business."

The dramatic backdrop for Rosenberg's announcement was an agricultural field in the area between Davis and Woodland. Rosenberg, who represents both Davis and Woodland, has made the preservation of farmland a central theme during his first term of office as a Yolo County Supervisor. In particular, he has stressed the creation of urban limit lines meant to preserve agricultural land between Davis and Woodland.

During his announcement, Rosenberg noted that he has spent the last nine months discussing his potential re-election with his constituents. "Frankly, I was overwhelmed with the outpouring of support and the encouragement to stand for re-election," said Rosenberg. "Some 600 regional leaders and local residents have already endorsed me for re-election, reflecting the breadth and diversity of my community. I've never enjoyed this level of support, and it tells me that I'm doing right by people. I intend to respond by placing my name before the voters in the March 7 election and asking for their support for another four-year term of duty." (more)

November 3, 1999

Effective Response (Letter to the Editor, Davis Enterprise)

I'm writing to make you aware of the attention the residents of South Davis and Willowbank have received from Supervisor Dave Rosenberg in regards to the speeding problem, which was occurring on Montgomery Avenue.

Since the city of Davis has implemented many "traffic calming" measures on the city streets, those waiting to cross town on the south border of Davis have been using a faster alternative, Montgomery, a county road. It became an expressway from Danbury to Mace Boulevard.

This rural road is utilized at all times of the day by joggers, walkers and bike riders, so the speed generated by those crosstown drivers created a very dangerous situation

This past spring, a speeder hit a critically injured our cat of nine years, who eventually made his way to the yard of our neighbor whose house fronts on Montgomery, where died from his injuries.

Since Supervisor Dave Rosenberg attends the meetings of our local Meadowbrook Advisory Committee, of which Chuck is a member, and upon hearing the concerns of many of the neighborhood residents in relation to the speeding problem, he secured and coordinated the efforts of the county of Yolo's traffic department to complete a review of the roadway.

The initial step to reduce the speed was the placement of a Sheriff's Department patrol car on Montgomery at different locations, utilizing a mannequin to look like an officer. This technique, while amusing to the children in the area, did not have much of an effect on the speeders.

Thereafter, Supervisor Dave coordinated a presentation by the Yolo County traffic staff to the advisory committee and the plan was approved is now evident as you visit the area.

Stop signs were placed at Oakside and Meadowbrook an 30 mph signs were painted on the roadway, combined with the repainting of the bicycle lanes, including arrows. All of these measures have had a dramatic effect on reducing the speed on Montgomery, which will, in turn, make it a safer place for the residents who recreate along the shoulders of the roadway.

It has been my experience that government works slowly, however, through Supervisor Dave Rosenberg's interest in the safety of Yolo County and Davis residents, the time line for the implementation of the safety measures was greatly reduced.

Thank you, Supervisor Dave.

Chuck, Lori, and Andrew Krouse
© Davis Enterprise

October 18, 1999

Help with a nightmare (Letter to the editor, Davis Enterprise)

Now that some of the shock and grief has abated, I would like to write a letter commending Dave Rosenberg, Yolo County supervisor. My family suddenly found ourselves in the middle of a nightmare following the arrest of my son and the strong possibility of a subsequent trial. No one can prepare you for the terror and ordeal of such an experience.

After agonizing about what the best approach would be for all concerned, compounded by the fact that we could not possibly afford an attorney, I decided to call my representative on the Yolo County Board of Supervisors. It took days for me to work up the courage.

I needn't have worried because Supervisor Rosenberg listened to our situation without judgement or condescension and did not in any way give our family additional pain. He made some sound suggestions and assisted us in learning how to navigate through the court system when you find yourself for the first time in your life, on the "wrong side of the law."

It was obvious that he stays in touch with county staff and is knowledgeable about county laws and proceedings.

My son was represented by an outstanding public defender, John Klopfenstein, and after the proceedings ended I wrote a letter to Supervisor Rosenberg commending the Yolo County court system for its courteous treatment of our family, which he made sure was placed in each person's personnel files.

It is very difficult even now after the situation was successfully resolved without going to trial to talk about this topic, especially when, as a resident of Davis you all to often feel that everyone's child has a 4.2 GPA, is a star athlete, and a popular hobby is comparing SAT scores.

We could not possibly have meant extra votes or carry any political clout under the circumstances. Yet Mr. Rosenberg made us feel that being a constituent of his was important and that the accused had the right to fair and objective treatment.

Thank God for people like him in a society where condemnation too often comes first and the truth comes out very, very far down the road.

This has been a hard letter to write but I wanted Yolo County residents to know we have a representative whop follows through and is truly interested in all of his constituents. I also wanted Supervisor Rosenberg to know, publicly, how grateful our family is to him for his assistance.
© Davis Enterprise

October 22, 1999

Some public officials aren't really that bad (excerpt from Bob Dunning's column, Davis Enterprise)

Man of Action...that was a sweet and touching letter to the editor earlier this week from a distraught parent whose son had been arrested and the family couldn't afford a lawyer...according to the writer, Supervisor Rosenberg was of great assistance in aiding the family and putting them in touch with the public defenders office, even though his work was behind the scenes and not likely to earn him any pats on the back...

Those of us who have seen Rosenberg in action are not surprised...despite the pounding he has taken from the above-pictured columnist over the years - all of it deserved - Rosenberg truly cares...

If you have a problem in Yolo County and you have a choice between Superman or Dave Rosenberg, take Dave...he can't leap tall buildings, but he is faster than a speeding bullet...he gets things done...we are lucky to have him...
© Davis Enterprise

Paid for by Friends of Dave Rosenberg, ID# 950270
Mariko Yamada, Campaign Manager. Vic Bucher, Treasurer
Please send contributions to "Friends of Dave Rosenberg", Post Office Box One, Davis, CA 95617

© Copyright 1999, Friends of Dave Rosenberg. Comments or suggestions to the site editor.
Last update: December 29, 2000