Guest Editorial: PMS'ers in Elk Grove?

by Connie Conley

Back in November of 2007, at an Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Conference, keynote speaker Jack Schultz yelled at the top of his lungs at Council members Sophia Scherman and Pat Hume, “Are you listening? Do you understand that small businesses in this city are suffering?”

Throughout the speech, Schultz referred to his “7 ½ Keys to Success.” What is the key to any city’s success according to Schultz? Small businesses and raising up strong leaders.

Now it is three years later and our small businesses are still suffering. Many have closed, and more are closing every day. Is anyone listening?

Four years ago, the Elk Grove City Council voted to spend $750,000 of taxpayer money on the newly formed Economic Development Corporation. We still haven’t seen any results. Could that money have been better spent in retaining the small businesses whose windows now show “vacancy” signs?

Schultz validated what many Elk Grove citizens have been screaming at the podium during council meetings for years to “embrace the concept of regionalism.” Schultz was very blunt, saying if our leaders aren’t listening, get rid of them.

He asked the room, “Do you have a sense of place?” Is Elk Grove living up to its potential?

Schultz spoke of six women who turned one city into a Bavarian heaven thereby saving it from sure extinction. Schultz called the leaders of that city who turned away from these six women as “PMSers” (Pale, Male & Stale) telling them they would fail and thought them “crazy.”

Over and over Schultz reinforced the “I Can” attitude, meaning that no matter what, we cannot allow ourselves to be “beaten down.”

Jack Schultz told a very crowded room what we already know, reinforcing that we must get back on the right track, no matter the odds, with our vision and mission for Elk Grove to help small businesses by creating more viable alternative services and resources.

To this resident, that is true economic development. Are we currently doing that?

So when our leaders say that we “can’t,” I say that sooner and “not” later, there will be many people who say, “I CAN!” And thankfully, we do not stand alone.

November is around the corner, and if you believe there are PMSer's on the ballot who aren't listening, vote them out!