Now here's something we can all agree on

Over the last few days, there has been a sub rosa discussion about the proposed Elk Grove anti-gang, or as some like to call it, gang prevention ordinance on this site.

Under the surface, I think all the parties involved would agree that we have the best interests of Elk Grove at heart, no matter the differences of opinion. I think we can all agree we don't want Elk Grove to end up on this list: Forbes list of America's Most Miserable Cities.

Topping the list is a city very near and dear to ElkGroveNews.net, Detroit. Coming in third place is Detroit's auto-bred soul sister to the north, Flint. 

Sacramento's sister city to the south, Stockton, came in "second" place, largely due to soaring foreclosures. Sound familiar?

Like Detroit, California's Central Valley has two in the top ten. Modesto comes in eighth place. Chronic unemployment seems to be the problem there.

That ought to serve as a hint to our city council what not having well-paying jobs in the city does to a community over the long haul. Are they pushing us toward inclusion on this list?

Let's hope not.

The pictures featured here are on the campus of St. Anne's Parish in Detroit. St Anne's is believed to be the oldest Roman Catholic parish in North America and Ste. Anne's today, "possesses one of the longest continuous church records in the United States." One of St. Anne's most influential priest was Fr. Gabriel Richard whose many accomplishments include being a co-founder of the nations top rated public university, The University of Michigan in 1817. Go Blue!