Elk Grove News Podcasts
By Elk Grove News
Elk Grove News PodcastsApr 10, 2019
A repudiation of Sacramento’s political status quo
This year’s Sacramento mayoral race has been Competitive and interesting. Notwithstanding low voter turnout, or because of it, Dr. Flo Cofer is headed to the November general election.
Elk Grove Mayor, City Council says yet to land acknowledgement, no to the unhoused
Sometimes things happen that create an unintended irony. Such was the case during the September 27, 2023, Elk Grove city council meeting led by Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen.
Anti-LGBTQ+ crusaders, Anita Bryant and Leisure Suits
Unless you are a certain age, you probably never heard of Anita Bryant. A Miss America second runner-up, Bryant was a grade b-singer celebrity and TV commercial spokesperson for Florida Orange Juice. She was also a sparkplug in the 1970s to a bigger movement.
Push Mayor Singh-Allen and make this happen!
Some time ago, a suggestion was made by an Elk Grove resident to the Elk Grove City Council that deserves serious consideration.
To the Elk Grove Citizen newsroom, we bid adieu
Recently, the Elk Grove Citizen was sold for the second time in less than two years. It was purchased by the Messenger Publishing Group, owner of several community newspapers.
We agree with Congressman Kevin Kiley - Just say no way to Julie Su
Listeners of this podcast and Elk Grove News readers know we generally take a liberal stance on most issues.
On occasion, however, we find common ground with conservative politicians such as former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney and her defense of the Constitution and American Democracy.
Closer to home, on one issue. we have found common ground with conservative Republican Congressman Kevin Kiley.
With all apologies to hourly rate motels on Stockton Boulevard
A trait of most politicians and many of the bureaucrats serving them is deception. An example of this was Elk Grove City manager Jason Behrmann’s recent deceptive administrative report.
Will the big new project swamp the older one?
Recently, Elk Grove has been hyping its oldest and original district, Old Town by renaming it Historic Downtown Elk Grove and Main Street.
Does this mean all the Wayfinding signs are obsolete?
Most Elk Grove residents are familiar with the Old Town district. That special planning area is the origin of the city.
Does he or doesn't he? Only his hairdresser knows for sure!
At least twice a year, elected officials in California must report campaign contributions they received. Those so-called California 460 reports are revealing.
Ya' Gotta be Schmittin' Me - Sure, close our borders
By Dan Schmitt |
A couple days ago, a meme, written by a guy named John Coleman Ray, showed up on my Facebook page. One of my Facebook friends decided to share the meme, and that’s how it came to me. The meme simply said “Close our Borders. Let’s see how many shares we can get.”
It’s left to the reader to interpret what exactly the very short meme means. I’m pretty darn sure it’s not referring to the U.S./Canadian border, so it seems obvious to me the meme is referring to our southern border. I certainly understand the concern Americans have about our southern border where thousands of desperate people, mostly from Central American countries, have amassed in northern Mexico in hopes of escaping poverty, violence and political turmoil in their own countries.
But, when John Coleman Ray says, “Close our Borders,” it’s a fair assumption he thinks our southern border is wide open and those desperate Central American folks can enter the United States at any time, at any place and make their way to wherever they wish to go in our country. That of course is not true.
Keep an eye on this authoritarian blueprint
Donald Trump’s continuing threat to American Democracy is well documented. Notwithstanding his criminal indictments, Trump is still the favored 2024 Republican nominee.
Should Trump win in 2024, what would a second term look like?
They treat constituents like they are the idiots
A few weeks ago, former Republican Congresswoman and Donald Trump critic Liz Cheney made an obvious observation. Cheney said, "We're electing idiots."
A cozy little system for incumbents
During Elk Grove's 23 years of cityhood, city council members and mayors often have been elected without reaching 50 percent.
Regaining its rightful place as America’s pastime
Ever since my Italian immigrant grandfather taught me how to pronounce the name of Detroit Tigers player Rocky Colavito, which he said were my first words, I have enjoyed Baseball.
'You’ve come a long way baby, but you got a lot further to go'
There has been a rebranding of Old Town Elk Grove. It’s new name is Historic Downtown Elk Grove. The renaming is part of a six-month marketing campaign by Explore Elk Grove.
Exact address needed by Elk Grove Police to respond to illegal fireworks calls
For the 2023 Fourth of July celebration, the Elk Grove Police is advising residents they can only respond to calls about illegal fireworks when callers provide an exact address.
What if the assault weapons ban hadn't expired?
Hardly a week passes when Americans are not killed in mass shootings. Thirty years ago today, an event that was considered shocking spurred legislation to address mass shootings.
These two cases could have far-reaching implications
Next week the current term of the United State Supreme Court will end, which means there will be rulings on a couple of significant cases. Those cases are Groff vs. Dejoy and Moore vs. Harper.
Who is giving the Elk Grove Mayor and City Council their marching orders?
Elk Grove has two large projects on the horizon – the mixed-use development called Project Elevate and the relocation of the Sacramento Zoo. At the end of the June 14, 2023 city council meeting, as members of the zoo subcommittee Councilmember Rod Brewer and Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen discussed the zoo project.
Mar-a-Lago will be Trump's Elba, but what will be his Waterloo?
Now that former president Donald Trump has been federally indicted on 37 charges, what happens if he is convicted?
If a conviction is upheld on appeal, and we have a Democratic president, will Trump be jailed?
Singh-Allen is the tip of cover-up spear
Two weeks ago, Elk Grove City Councilman Sergio Robles was arrested by Elk Grove Police for drunk driving. Since then, Robles has emphasized the police officers' professionalism during his arrest.
Shame on you, Congressman Dr. Ami Bera
A field representative who is also a local elected official. was recently arrested for drunk driving. What did Dr, Bera, a physician who understands the health sans safety hazards have to say about his employee's misbehavior?
One thing California and Texas have in common
Texas Governor Gregg Abbott is expected to sign an interesting piece of legislation soon. Approved by Texas Republican legislators, the law allows the state to supersede most any local ordinance.
Singh-Allen loves taxing working people to fund her billionaire buddies
During this week’s Elk Grove city council meeting, Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen revealed some interesting information. Unfortuately, it is not something that is favorable for working families and consumers in Sacramento County.
San Francisco Chronicle legal correspondent Robert Egelko discusses fair housing lawsuit against Elk Grove on public radio
On this morning's edition of Cap Public Radio's Insight program, host Vicki Gonzalez interviewed noted San Francisco Chronicle legal correspondent Robert Egelko. One of the main focuses of the discussion was the lawsuit filed against the city of Elk Grove by Attorney General Rob Bonta for alleged violations of fair housing rules.
A reporter with over 50 years of field experience, Egelko cited other precedent-setting cases that said issues of a statewide concern override local ordinances.
Ya Gotta be Schmittin' Me - Getting To Know People
By Dan Schmitt |
I recently read an article that caused me to pause and ponder a fair bit. The author of the article discussed how racism and bigotry seem to be on the increase in certain parts of our country and in certain political circles.
He gave numerous examples of how racism and bigotry are evident and how they negatively affect people who are the recipients of such hatred.
Queen Cat Singh-Allen and her four mice men
Even with her abhorrible rhetoric, Marjorie Taylor Greene is fulfilling one of her duties as a member of Congress. She is independently expressing her values and those of her constituents.
Will his replacement be worse?
Twenty nine ago, the world learned of the shocking Rwandan genocide that left over a half million dead people. There were many contributing factors to the genocide, one of which was a constant barrage of radio broadcast lies and disinformation.
Will Sacramento County in-home health care workers be treated as generously as the supervisors?
With no fanfare and virtually no public comment, the five Sacramento County Supervisors voted themselves a hefty pay raise this week.
Playing a game of chicken with the California Attorney General they're unlikely to win
At the Wednesday, April 12th Elk Grove City Council meeting, what didn’t happen might have great significance.
After their closed session, Mayor Singh-Allen had no reportable actions on the several legal matters confronting the city.
Are officials like Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and her city attorney Jonathan Hobbs honorable?
A 2004 Los Angeles Times story resurfaced this week. The story was about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’s gift disclosure.
Embarrassed by the report, Thomas simply quit disclosing his gifts.
As Emmett Till's mother say, "Let them see what I've seen"
This week saw another school shooting that killed six people, three of them 9-year-olds, in Nashville. Coincidentally, Washington Post had a lengthy and somewhat graphic - not gory - animation of what happens when AR 15 bullets shred a body.
What's being said about Elk Grove's multi-million dollar tax hike
On April 1st, 2023, the City of Elk Grove will start collecting an additional one percent sales tax on almost every consumer purchase made in the city, in perpetuity.
The tax hike was narrowly approved by Elk Grove voters during the November 2022 general election. The city expects to collect about 23 million annually from the tax.
As part of their outreach effort, the city of Elk Grove has posted information on social media this week reminding consumers of the new tax.
On this edition of Elk Grove news, we’ll hear some of the comments posted on the city’s Instagram and Facebook page. Except for my voice, the others are computer generated.
Hell, even Sacramento County Supervisor Pat Hume know better than Supervisor Sue Frost
In case you didn’t catch it, the week of March 27 is transgender visibility week. Across social media, there is widespread support and probably some haters, but we won’t focus on that.
More Than Three Minutes Podcast - Will Elk Grove only address affordable housing with apartments?
By Lynn Wheat |
In this segment, as a long-time advocate for better planning, I am going to discuss the decisions of our past and current Mayor and Councilmembers. For many of the new listeners, I want to open with an email I sent to another previously engaged community member.
History will judge them as Elk Grove's 21st-century segregationists
Across social media and comments on sites like Elk Grove News, Attorney General Rob Bonta and the state of California have been attacked for their intervention in Elk Grove's denial of the Oak Rose supportive housing project.
Recap of Elk Grove's scantly publicized City Council biennial retreat meeting
On Friday, March 10th, the Elk Grove City Council held its biennial retreat meeting. Several city staff members, Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen, and her four councilmen had an all-day meeting.
Even though the city complied with meeting notification requirements, it was not well publicized. They did the bare minimum.
On this joint edition of Elk Grove News podcasts and Lynn Wheat’s More Than Three Minutes, we chat with Lynn about her observations of that meeting.
Be careful not to break the law again lest you cultivate another lawsuit
This week Governor Gavin Newsom promoted his More Housing, faster program. The program in part funds 1,200 tiny homes statewide and 350 in Sacramento.
How the Elk Grove Unified School District handles the culture wars could foretell the city’s fortunes
With a great deal of pride, the California city of Elk Grove and the Elk Grove Unified School District embraces its diversity.
While most have embraced the school district and the city’s diversity, this is a recent development.
As former Elk Grove City Council member and current Sacramento County Supervisor, Pat Hume acknowledged, it wasn’t long ago Elk Grove had an unsavory reputation. Hume was commenting after Elk Grove was rocked by a series of racially-motivated hate messages in the city in 2017.
Moving forward to 2023, Elk Grove finds itself fully engaged in the current round of culture wars which includes attacks against the LGBQT community and book bans.
This is today's Republican party
Every so often, a piece of legislation scarily catches the imagination. A recent example is from, not surprisingly, Florida Republicans who gave us the don’t say gay law and book bans.
Incompetence is often rewarded in politics and the public sector
It is a rare occasion that we find ourselves in agreement with conservatives, but this week we had to agree with an assessment from Rep. Kevin Kiley.
Cosumes Community Services District, Elk Grove's Measure E Workshop #4 on road and parks
On Tuesday, February 28, 2023, the Cosumnes Community Services District and the city of Elk Grove held the fourth and final presentation on how they want to spend the money generated by the voter-approved Measure E.
That measure will impose a new sales tax effective April 1 2023, on most consumer purchases in the city of Elk Grove.
The new tax levy will generate about 23 million dollars annually for the city of Elk Grove and the CCSD.
On this edition of Elk Grove News Podcasts, we are providing an audio recording of that presentation.
Among the speakers after the opening remarks by Chrystal Love Lazard were Elk Grove City manager Jason Behrmann, Cosumnes Community Services District general manager Joshua Green, Elk Grove’s public works manager Jeff Werner, and the CCSD’s parks manager Phillip Lewis.
The presentation was held at Elk Grove’s District 56 facility.
Elk Grove, Cosumnes Community Services Measure E Workshop #3 - Homelessness
On Monday, February 27th , the Cosumnes Community Services District and the city of Elk Grove held the third of four presentations on how they want to spend the money generated by the voter approved Measure E.
That measure will impose a new sales tax effective April 1st 2023 on most consumer purchases in the city of elk grove.
The new tax levy will generate about 23 million dollars annually for the city of Elk Grove and the CCSD.
On this edition of Elk Grove News Podcasts, we are providing an audio recording of that presentation.
Among the speakers were Elk Grove City manager Jason Behrmann, Cosumnes Community Services District general manager Joshua Green and Elk Grove’s housing manager Sarah Bontrager.
The presentation was held at Elk Grove’s District 56 facility.
The 4 Ps of elected officials
Have you ever thought about what motivates an individual to run for elected office?
It's worth contemplating.
How much do we really know about the Elk Grove Mayor and her four city councilmen?
Representative George Santos has caught the imagination of Americans and not in a favorable way. Closer to home, Lodi City Councilmember Shakir Khan has run into a host of legal problems.
In Living Color, Up With People and Super Bowl half time shows
This weekend people will gather for the mid-winter celebration known as Super Bowl Sunday. We’ll be drinking suds and grubbing on wings as we watch the game. We’ll also watch the commercials and, of course, the all-important half time show.
In the 60s, 70s, 80s, and into the early 90s, halftime entertainment was often college marching bands and maybe a musician like Andy Williams or Al Hirt thrown in for some name recognition.
CCSD, Elk Grove's Measure E Workshop #1 on public safety
On Tuesday, February 7, 2023, the Cosumnes Community Services District and the City of Elk Grove held the first of four presentations on how they want to spend money generated by the voter-approved Measure E.
That measure will imposed a new sales tax, effective April 1, 2023, on most consumer purchases in the city of Elk Grove.
The new tax levy will generate about 23 million dollars for the city of Elk Grove and the CCSD.
On this edition of Elk Grove New Podcast, we are providing an audio recording of that presentation.
Among the speaker were Elk Grove City Manager Jason Behrmann, Elk Grove Police chief Bobby Davis, Cosumnes Fire Department Chief Felipe Rodriguez, and CCSD parks administrator Phil Lewis.
The presentation was held at Elk Grove’s District56 facility.
Politicians like Sacramento's Caity Maple are incubators for our rampant cynicism and mistrust
This week the Sacramento City Council made the controversial decision approving the purchase a half million-dollar piece of military equipment. At the center of the controversy was newly elected Sacramento City Councilmember Caity Maple.
Ya' Gotta be Schmittin' Me - That Damn Socialism
By Dan Schmitt |
Back in my bartending days in the early 70s, I knew a history professor who was a regular patron at the bar, especially during happy hours. The good professor, with other happy hour imbibers, would discuss all sorts of issues of the day.
One heated topic was a discussion about economics, specifically communism, socialism, and capitalism.