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West Sacramento Sun

Local Activist Honored by City Council

Nov 25, 2015 12:00AM ● By By Jan Dalske

The City of West Sacramento has lost one of its most dedicated residents, William “Bill” Lowell. Upon hearing of Lowell’s death, Mayor Christopher Cabaldon said, “William Lowell, the most prolific, thoughtful, musical, and regular participant in city council hearings, has passed. An extraordinary citizen.”

Lowell was remembered at this week’s City Council meeting. The City Council dedicated “his” chair in recognition of his dedication and ongoing contributions to the City of West Sacramento.

Lowell attended almost every West Sacramento City Council meeting since the City was incorporated in 1987. He may have missed a few meetings, but when he could not be present, he called the City staff to let them know that he had another engagement.

Lowell was the first person to speak at the meetings. Each West Sacramento City Council meeting opens with “presentations by the public not on the agenda within the jurisdiction of the Council.” The speaker is allowed just three minutes to speak to the Mayor and the Council members. They talk and the Council listens intently. There are no questions allowed from the Council. This is because any items that are discussed or acted on by the council must first be noticed on the agenda.

Of course, the comments that Lowell offered were noticed. They were various items that he had observed during his travels around the city. He rode Yolobus, the only public transit system that provides daily service in the West Sacramento area. Lowell talked about his trips on the bus and how Yolobus could make the ride easier for local senior citizens. He was their advocate. Lowell wanted easier access for them to get on and off the buses and be able to use carts to carry their groceries home from the local grocery stores.

He offered criticism about what he saw taking place in his city. Bill was the “eyes and ears” of the residents who did not attend the meetings. The City staff believes that he attended more meetings than most staff and Council members. In the three minutes that Bill was allowed to speak, he was never boring. He offered advice about local food establishments and retail shopping alternatives. He wrote poems and sometimes he sung his lyrics. He was always prepared and always spoke first.

Bill read all of the Council agendas and was certain to point out what he perceived to be errors in the presentation. He shared information about signs, lights, unsafe curbs, tree branches that needed trimming, and other items that he felt needed attention from the City staff. His expertise in critiquing government was not only aimed at local government—he was also active at the Yolo County, State of California, and Federal levels.

Bill Lowell was born in Salinas, California on May 31st, 1939. He was raised in Olivehurst. After he graduated from junior college, he worked for the State of California in the accounting department. He also worked as a mail carrier before he retired in the early 1980s. He relocated to West Sacramento in 1980 and immediately became immersed in local and regional political issues. His insight, comments, and suggestions for the City of West Sacramento will be missed.

Source: City Council Meeting November 18th, 2015

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