Leary targeted during city council meeting

Third candidate announces challenge to Leary, Davis dresses him down for cop quota comments

In the race for Elk Grove's third district seat, the city council meeting seems to be the place to announce a challenge to two-term incumbent Mike Leary. First there was Steve Detrick's announcement last month.

Last night it was David Cano's turn. The similarity end there though as Cano's announcement stood in stark contrast to Detrick's.

"I am running for city council as an openly gay man," Cano said to the council and standing room only chamber during the public comment period. "I figure if a person is in the city council can be in the closet, why not have two."

Speaking to the media outside the chambers, Cano emphasized the importance of attracting high paying non-retail jobs to the area. "I would go over over (the Bay Area) and bring those jobs to Elk Grove," he said.

Cano also said attracting high-paying jobs was crucial in light of the high retail vacancies in town. He said the high vacancies sully Elk Grove's appeal and is "a crime waiting to happen."

Leary was also in the sights of Mayor Gary Davis but for far different reasons. Davis publicly condemned Leary for comments he made at the conclusion of the last city council meeting suggesting that Elk Grove police were issuing traffic citations based on a quota system.

Citing the code-of-ethics passed by the city council in April, 2005, Davis said he felt Leary's comments needed to be addressed. "It is important that we be reminded of it from time time to time," he said.

Calling Leary's comments "totally inappropriate," Davis said that while the code has no enforcement mechanism, he felt it is the mayor's responsibility to address it. "It is the mayor's job to enforce it or at least point things out when I notice things are not in accordance with it," he said.

Council member Sophia Scherman echoed Davis' sentiments. "It's about time. Thank you," she said.

Leary was not in attendance during this portion of the meeting and did not respond to e-mail request seeking his comments.