Scherman Hangs on as Mayor

Mayor Sophia Scherman managed to hang on to her position as Mayor of Elk Grove last night following two grueling meetings that ran for almost six hours.

The special meeting, which was called by three council members last week, was to consider Scherman's status as mayor. After close to two hours of contentious council deliberations, the council's only action was to change the internal procedures for the calling of special meetings by the mayor.

The meeting came as a result of a special meeting Scherman scheduled to discuss juvenile sex offender facilities. Council members were disturbed that Scherman had not consulted them regarding the meeting and there was only a 24-hour notice given.

Prior to taking the action, the council heard from over a dozen speakers whose comments ranged from urging the council to work together to condemning the actions of Vice Mayor Steve Detrick and Council Members Jim Cooper and Gary Davis.

'Petty bickering'

"Things went to a new low last Wednesday," said Jake Rambo, a former Elk Grove City Charter Commissioner. "This petty bickering makes us look bad."

In her defense of Scherman, Elk Grove resident Cheryl Tolson noted Scherman's involvement in the cityhood effort ten years ago and said Cooper was not present at chamber of commerce functions at the time. Responding later Cooper, a veteran Sacramento County Deputy Sheriff, noted that "he works for a living" and said that "I was out catching bad guys."

During council deliberations, Cooper, Davis and Detrick all took Scherman to task for scheduling the meeting with the knowledge they would not be able to attend. All three cited previously scheduled commitments.

Davis persistently asked Scherman to explain her rationale for scheduling the meeting. After hearing Scherman read her prepared statement, Davis was not satisfied.

"I would like an answer to the question," Davis said.

Cooper said that Scherman was not acting as team player by scheduling the meeting. "I think you need to be collaborative," he said.

Detrick said he was disturbed by Scherman's actions saying they showed a lack of "respect" for the time of the council. Detrick added "I've seen no remorse." 

Aside from reading her statement, when Scherman spoke to council during deliberations it was done in an often indignant manner and never directly answered Davis' query other that to say "Maybe I could have done something better."

Ultimately the only action the council took was to change the norms and procedures for how a Mayor calls for a special meeting.