You Be The Judge: Was Scherman Acting Bitterly, Without Decorum?

During the Wednesday, September 22 meeting of the Elk Grove City Council Mayor Sophia Scherman was criticized for poor behavior on the dais.

The poor behavior came following Scherman and her protege, City Council Member Pat Hume, failed to get the mayor a position on the sphere of influence (SOI) sub-committee.

A few things to watch for in this discussion:

• Immediately out of the gate, Scherman said she wants to be on the sub-committee.
• After Cooper, Davis and Detrick all indicate they too want to serve, Hume says he is not in favor of forming the committee. Hume lost a major political battle for many of his local patrons when the 100-year Cosumnes River floodplain was removed from the SOI application.
• Hume says his does not want to form the sub-committee as it would keep him from getting information and updates directly.
• Cooper retorts that using Hume's logic, there should be no sub-committees. Cooper asserts sub-committees do work and can help the council.
• Elk Grove citizen Lynn Wheat says during public testimony she does not favor the sub-committee as they do not fall under the Brown Act.
• Scherman says she is only on one sub-committee and that is why she wants to serve.
• Davis makes motion for Cooper and himself to serve on the sub-committee. After the motion is made, Scherman seemingly gives a cue to her protege, Hume, and says "any other motions." Following his mentor's cue, Hume, who opposed its formation, makes a substitute motion for a sub-committee comprised of Cooper and Scherman.
• After Hume's motion fails, Davis' motion is voted on and passes and just prior to casting her no vote, Scherman bitterly says "I'm not surprised."
• Cooper immediately says "that's not very nice."
• Davis says "“Mayor, with all due respect, I think that a little bit of decorum is expected up here,” and “The side comments - I’ve bit my tongue a long time, I would appreciate if you would leave the side comments quiet.”

After the meeting and not caught entirely on tape, Hume immediately confronts Davis, perhaps for questioning his mentor. Davis, at least from a physical point of view, stands his ground with Hume.

Cooper was also seen speaking with Scherman.

It is not known what was said in these exchanges.

Watch the video.



Here are the closing seconds of the meeting. Hume seems to rush to speak with Davis.