Elk Grove Community Connection to Pitch Small Business Stimulus ProgramTonight
Dubbed "Ship & Dine Elk Grove" The Elk Grove Community Connection will present a proposal at tonight's city council meetin...
https://www.elkgrovenews.net/2009/07/elk-grove-community-connection-to.html
Dubbed "Ship & Dine Elk Grove"
The Elk Grove Community Connection will present a proposal at tonight's city council meeting aimed at helping small businesses in Elk Grove.
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What is the EGCC? I googled for a website and only found references to the group. Can someone point me to the right place? They seem very active in town. When and where do they meet? I'm curious about their goals, focus and mission. How does one become a member? After some research, I may want to join and help out.
It's a great idea, unfortunately it's also about nine years late. After nine years of corporate handouts, developer giveaways, and zoning overlays now all of a sudden we think city hall will be interested in saving "local" businesses? Okaaay, there aren't many left but I'm all for steering some business toward those few that have survived.
Here's another idea. How about throwing a bone to local homeowners in the form of some rational regulations on 24 hr. businesses adjacent to or in close proximity to houses and schools? I'll just sit here and hold my breath and wait for it to happen...
What is there to stimulate? Unemployment, fear, etc. People are not going to spend any money. They have no money, and what they have, they are going to hang on to, just in case they lose their job.
People aren't going to buy a car, go out to eat, buy un needed things, etc. Everyone is hanging on to every nickle and dime.
It is interesting to me that there is no response to the first comment. Who is and how does this organization operate?
For information regarding Elk Grove Community Connection (EGCC), you may email me at: atthefords@frontiernet.net. However, please be advised that I don't do "Anonymous."
Linda Ford
EGCAPP Chairperson
EGCC Spokesperson
Who in the heck is Linda Ford??? Any connection to the Lent Family is trouble and wasted money!
Ms Ford,
Why not post a public answer to the questions. People seem interested. Those who insist on transparency should also practice it, don't you think?
Really, it should be limited to locally owned independent stores. I say this because these stores return 68% to the local economy (through payroll taxes, sales receipts and other expenditures that the owner buys locally to keep the store running), while spending at a national chain returns 43%.
It seems to me odd to spend $300 to buy foreign made clothing, helping no local manufacturer or cotton grower, at a chain store whose administrators, lawyers, and accountants are providing their payroll taxes to the city of Framingham, MA instead of Elk Grove...and claiming this is a local purchase! Of course, the low wage retail jobs will be providing payroll taxes back to the city, yes...
How about spending it at Baja Burrito (ha! a plug for my neighbor's restaurant)...and this makes better sense from every point of view of increasing monies into Elk Grove. His raw materials are [more likely] purchased locally instead of Bangladesh. He still will be paying commercial property taxes back into Elk Grovian coffers. He can offer products that are unique, tailored to our local buyers, instead of what marketing majors in Framingham say you're gonna get. He's got a personal stake in our local economy...he won't pull out of Elk Grove solely because it's an underperforming outlet as measured against hundreds of other non-local outlets.
I am simply suspicious of what the real effects a shop local campaign will bring without recognition that we built a city without a local economy of its own. You know it'll be the Elk Grove Target and WalMart that will probably gain 85% of all these monies whilst the city gets a smaller return on its program. In the not too distant future these will be the only retailers left in the city.
Lewis, if you don't know who Linda Ford is, then I think you may be a little out of your league on here!
Knock, knock Ms. Ford. I'm still trying to keep an open mind. The lack of a public response is begining to make a very loud sound. Is it possible you don't do transparency as well as not doing anonymous?
Linda, who is trying to bait you here? Someone's agenda is clearly showing.
Or is it that you are getting too much positive press for trying to better the community and others can't swallow their sour grapes?
For instance, starting EGCAPP with now Council member Steve Detrick four years ago and the difference that group has made in the community.
Or more recently, the Elk Grove Economic Development Corporation has embraced this idea and will be showcasing Shop & Dine Elk Grove in their next month's newsletter.
Knock, knock. Who's there? Linda Ford. Linda Ford who? Linda Ford who brought forth, as a core member of the Elk Grove Community Connection(a group of citizens who don't want to be singled out but because you are), the Youth Commission, the Social Host Ordinance, the Elk Grove Auto Mall Gift Card program and the Gang Prevention Ordinance just name a few in the last year. (Two of which named here, the Elk Grove City Council unamiously passed in two weeks and third after a year of research that included parterning with our new police chief, Bob Lehner.)
Also, both the CCSD and the Elk Grove Charter Commission summit meetings whereby the EGCC was asked to partner with them on public outreach.
Not to mention all of this year's EGCC Summit meetings alone on the SOI, the Civic Center and the Connector JPA.
All standing room only attendance with Mayor Pat Hume as the host and facilitator of very one single of these summit meetings. All were incredible successes and did the community a public service as education is growth.
We need more citizens like you Linda so you can come knocking any time you want at the podium at Elk Grove City Council meetings. Elk Grove is better for it because you have.
Shall I continue? Or Lewis, are you going to contact Linda? Trust me, she doesn't bite, or does she?
Hell Linda, with all of this, and this is just a sampling, maybe the Herburgers should make you Citizen of the Year?
Still, no answer.
Does Linda's Peeps
know when and where this group meets? Does she know how they are organized (PAC, 501c3, etc.)? Does she know if there is a mission statement? Does she know if there is a website to learn more about them and their goals and methods to achieve them? Does she know how one becomes a member? Does she know who funds the activies? Does she know if they report contributions and/or dues? Does she know if there is a roster of members? Does she know if there are bylaws? Does she know if officers are apponited or elected and by whom? To date these and myriad other questions have not been made clear. No bait here. Just curiosity originaly. But now I am becoming a bit suspious. Are there reasons such simple questions seem to intimidate the organizers and/or defenders of EGCC? I don't know, but one has to admit the responces and lack of forthright answers seems odd. It seems to me that any and all groups which wish to influence public policy should be able to do so as long as they are transparent and accountable. Just as we expect all elected and community leaders should be.
Are those standards too much to ask. Maybe they feel beyond scrutiny.
No aspirsions, just questions.
What does all of the above matter when you are doing good work in the community?
Can it be that just a group of citizens came together to come up with ways to better the community?
In my book, one of the originators of EGCAPP is now on the city council with the highest margin of victory ever in the history of Elk Grove.
That says a lot about the integrity of the five people who formed EGCAPP that one of them is now on the city council with so much community support behind him.
Amazing, defense but no answers.
We know about the BIA, Chamber of Commerce, Historical Society, Rotary Clubs, Lions, numerous Home Owners Associtions, GRESHA, Sheldons group, Old Town Merchants, EG Economic Developement group and so many many more are "open books". All have interests to promote as they see best. But it is relativly easy to assess their motives based on the membership, activities, funding and philanthropy.
I suppose it doesn't apply to EGCC.
Is this a self interested few or a membership of hundreds or more?
Who knows?
Simple questions, no answers.
Hmmm...
Pretty quite Spokesperson, don't ya think...
Hey "Knock-Knock", you seem pretty adept at blogging but e-mail doesn't seem to be in your repertoire. Linda Ford graciously offered individual contact information so you could get your "questions" answered. You have elected not to do so, evidently your questions are rhetorical. If you have legitimate questions about EGCC you should ask them, to Linda Ford.
And stop insinuating there is a conspiracy of silence in this blog. No one is better qualified to answer your questions than Linda Ford who has offered to do so asking nothing more in return than the identity of the questioner. Nobody else is answering your questions because nobody else is better qualified.
Another thing, anonymity in this blog is for the purpose of having statements evaluated on their intrinsic merit rather than on the basis of who wrote them. When you keep asking questions without seeking answers and simultaneously imply conspiracies because there are no answers you waste everyone's time....
AMEN!!!
Lewis & Deb Lewis,
Get over yourself...The Elk Grove Community Connection (EGCC) has been in existence for well over 2 years. If you've ever been to a city council meeting to partake in your local government process, you no doubt have see Linda Ford at the podium. Apparently, you're not a regular participant at city hall because if your were, you wouldn't be acting the part of a fool on this blog.
There is no secrecy or conspiracy here...just your lack of integrity shown by your insulting comments and apparent desire to smear the name of a very active, positive minded, city hall watchdog who believes there is a role for each and every citizen who wants to affect positive changes for the city she calls home.
For god's sake, email the women..or are you afraid? Or don't you really care? It'll be interesting to see if Linda receives any communication from you. My bet is that you'll not have the cahuna's. My other bet is that you know Linda too well and jsut don't agree with her politic's. That's fine; that's why this is America...but get off your soapbox..it's getting very old!
I don't think Linda Ford even knows Lisa Lent. This is a proposal for our small businesses and to keep some money at home to support them by giving shoppers a small incentive for doing so.
Why is Linda suddenly under a microscope for bringing forth an idea?
The Elk Grove City Council welcomes and appreciates public comment. Got an idea, come share it and please know that you won't be attacked by Linda Ford for doing so!
Why the continued reluctance to answer simple questions publicly?
Once again I will say that organizations and people who wish to influence public policy should do it in the open. Private emails don't answer public questions. There is apparently no meeting or podium to ask questions of EGCC.
Keep in mind the only criticism has been that there has been no explaination of how this group is organized and operates.
Something to hide? I had no idea that was the case when I made the initial inquiry. Now, not so sure.
"Goose and Gander" anyone?
The EGCC is the educational leg for EGCAPP. The website is www.egcapp.org.
As someone who supports both, and knows the hard work these people put in, what are you trying to do here? Something smells very fishy.
This person knows a lot and is trying to be coy. How many people know the exact name for GRSEHA?
Seems to me this might be coming from the new chair that is a bit jealous that EGCC has formed a nonpartisan PAC and might give his new group with all his postings on Elk Grove Online something to worry about.
EGCAPP/EGCC do their own thing. There is room for everyone.
And as I recall, for all their meetings with great food and raffle prizes, not to mention the informative meeting agendas, the EGCC pays for everything out of their own pocket. They aren't beholding to anyone.
No hidden agendas here, but the poster above won't contact Linda Ford. Could it be that he doesn't want her to know who he is?
Poster, email Linda Ford. This is one of the most forthright people you will ever meet. That is why she has such a wonderful reputation in Elk Grove.
Email her, get your answers and then come back and post everything you learned.
And if the poster doesn't, want to bet this poster has been to many a EGCC meeting and knows exactly who they are and what they do?
No public answers to simple questions. The public silence of the "Spokesperson" is now loud and clear.
I now have my answers...
No credibility when they do speak as far I can tell
I see Linda isn't falling for the bait. Good job Linda. You are the wise one! This poster obviously has his own agenda. You provided a resoure; he is refusing to utilize it; my opinion is he is trying to minimize the importance of your work here in EG. I've seen nothing but hardwork on your part and have been to many of your community meetings. Open to the public; full of information; usually a great speaker or presenter; good topic's. I support Linda's continued show of professionalism by not responding to an obviously politically motivated con man who only want to stir up dander.
Hey Linda? Is that why the Elk Grove City Council passed the Elk Grove Community Connection's proposal for the Youth Commission in two weeks. The council didn't hear you at all did they?
Some people are worth listening to and others are just worth igorning. You are one smart woman, Ms. Ford.
Any answers out there? I'm unable to tell, due to all the smoke in the mirrored hallway.
Mayor Pat Hume is taking some hits here on Elk Grove News. He doesn't like Linda Ford one bit.
Mayor Hume, are you helping your appointee to the Charter Commission here come after Linda Ford?
If you have a problem with Ms. Ford, have the courage to contact her directly?
Seems to me that Linda Ford is someone to be wreckened with....You Go Girl! She doesn't need smoke and mirrors...she has a stellar track record..If only the Charter commission members did..very sad they have to come on here and try to beat their chest...it's not working. LOL!
You hae them running scared Linda. Bravo!
Coughing and choking on the smoke...
No one answers the question ... lisa lent queen of the mall....
No vulgar language!
BUT Feel free the spread all the filth you wish. In the 50 years I have lived in Elk Grove, I have never been more disappointed in my fellow citizens as when I started reading this blog yesterday! Are you all such unhappy people that you have to rejoice in the troubles of others. Glass Houses folks, or maybe you ARE just perfect people.
No real names used, just cowardly attacks. "Dirt flies fast and free in Elk Grove the city of true brotherly love and compassion.
You make me want to leave town.
No last post was for the Strauss thread. Altough it may apply to those last few posts here as well.
The Elk Grove Community Connection, if anything is disconnected from elk grove. They have done nothing for the city on record, have no membership to speak of, and.....
Since their formation, no one has given them money per 460's. This means, in a political and community context, they are a joke, a T-Shirt, a bumper sitcker, and nothing more.
I hope no one ever gives them money. The FPPC should screen people forming PAC's like they do hand gun owners prior to a purchase. If they did, this PAC would never have been allowed to form.
But hey, at least they were diligent enough to file some paperwork and get a PAC. Aren't they cool?
LOL.
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