Opinion -This Madness Has to Stop
March 7, 2014 | Ed. note - This following opinion piece was posted as a comment to an earlier story . The writer of this, who asked to ...
https://www.elkgrovenews.net/2014/03/opinion-this-madness-has-to-stop.html
March 7, 2014 |
Ed. note - This following opinion piece was posted as a comment to an earlier story. The writer of this, who asked to use a pseudonym, has been verified. Mayor Davis has an open-ended invitation to address the concerns expressed here.
___
By Robert Johnson
After all of the poor judgments and idiotic
statements coming from our mayor, I can't believe he continues to put his foot
in his mouth yet again with the article in Wednesday's Citizen about all the
monies poorly spent being "investments in our city's future."
I'm finally convinced he's actually lost his mind.
$1.1 million dollars of our (my) tax money spent on a Sphere of Influence plan that was as poorly presented and planned as the rest of our city. Of course it was defeated soundly. Our city has yet to build ANYTHING of SUBSTANCE that we can be proud of. Our city is a connection of rooftops and strip malls, many half empty. Yet, our mayor says our $1.1 million was wisely spent because we now have an "environmental document."
I want to throw up!
He mentions the $1 million of our (my) tax dollars spent on the UPRR property in Old Town. It's seldom used and as far as I know has not created any income, except for what the mayor may have received in donations to his campaign(s) at the monthly "hot dog-o-rama's" he holds, evidently free from rental fees and associated costs. I don't see any money coming in from this "investment."
Let's not forget the $1.4 million on our new "occtopussian" civic center. We have absolutely NOTHING to show for that fiasco, but as Davis says, "As a good steward of resources, it's our job to prioritize what's important to the city."
Further, the mayor states that the $14 million or our (my) tax dollars to be spent on this new civic center "will present a return up to 500 percent."
I need an explanation for that one. How does a civic center create a return of 500 percent? Are we going to have women of ill-repute wandering the hallways creating city capital?
How about the $700,000 just approved for "feasibility study" for a swim center and water park. A week later it's discovered a swim center has already been approved just north of our borders, yet no discussion of this even though city staff said they were aware of it prior to advancing the $700,000 to a firm that has NO EXPERIENCE in planning or building such a facility.
Now we hear the only large undeveloped area within the city is being planned. According to the mayor the area will be master planned (like Madeira?) to create an influx of jobs to alleviate the commute of many residents. At the same time the city's planning director has stated that the area will be 70 percent new homes.
And let's not forget the $100 million of our (my) tax dollars planned to build a MLS soccer stadium to bring in residents from hundreds of miles to create income for BJ's, McDonald's and the Holiday Inn Express.
This man and his companions will bankrupt this city with such ill-fated plans.
This madness has to stop!
I'm finally convinced he's actually lost his mind.
$1.1 million dollars of our (my) tax money spent on a Sphere of Influence plan that was as poorly presented and planned as the rest of our city. Of course it was defeated soundly. Our city has yet to build ANYTHING of SUBSTANCE that we can be proud of. Our city is a connection of rooftops and strip malls, many half empty. Yet, our mayor says our $1.1 million was wisely spent because we now have an "environmental document."
I want to throw up!
He mentions the $1 million of our (my) tax dollars spent on the UPRR property in Old Town. It's seldom used and as far as I know has not created any income, except for what the mayor may have received in donations to his campaign(s) at the monthly "hot dog-o-rama's" he holds, evidently free from rental fees and associated costs. I don't see any money coming in from this "investment."
Let's not forget the $1.4 million on our new "occtopussian" civic center. We have absolutely NOTHING to show for that fiasco, but as Davis says, "As a good steward of resources, it's our job to prioritize what's important to the city."
Further, the mayor states that the $14 million or our (my) tax dollars to be spent on this new civic center "will present a return up to 500 percent."
I need an explanation for that one. How does a civic center create a return of 500 percent? Are we going to have women of ill-repute wandering the hallways creating city capital?
How about the $700,000 just approved for "feasibility study" for a swim center and water park. A week later it's discovered a swim center has already been approved just north of our borders, yet no discussion of this even though city staff said they were aware of it prior to advancing the $700,000 to a firm that has NO EXPERIENCE in planning or building such a facility.
Now we hear the only large undeveloped area within the city is being planned. According to the mayor the area will be master planned (like Madeira?) to create an influx of jobs to alleviate the commute of many residents. At the same time the city's planning director has stated that the area will be 70 percent new homes.
And let's not forget the $100 million of our (my) tax dollars planned to build a MLS soccer stadium to bring in residents from hundreds of miles to create income for BJ's, McDonald's and the Holiday Inn Express.
This man and his companions will bankrupt this city with such ill-fated plans.
This madness has to stop!
After
all of the poor judgments and idiotic statements coming from our mayor,
I can't believe he continues to put his foot in his mouth yet again
with the article in Wednesday's Citizen about all the monies poorly
spent being "investments in our city's future."
I'm finally convinced he's actually lost his mind.
$1.1 million dollars of our (my) tax money spent on a Sphere of Influence plan that was as poorly presented and planned as the rest of our city. Of course it was defeated soundly. Our city has yet to build ANYTHING of SUBSTANCE that we can be proud of. Our city is a connection of rooftops and strip malls, many half empty. Yet, our mayor says our $1.1 million was wisely spent because we now have an "environmental document."
I want to throw up!
He mentions the $1 million of our (my) tax dollars spent on the UPRR property in Old Town. It's seldom used and as far as I know has not created any income, except for what the mayor may have received in donations to his campaign(s) at the monthly "hot dog-o-rama's" he holds, evidently free from rental fees and associated costs. I don't see any money coming in from this "investment."
Let's not forget the $1.4 million on our new "occtopussian" civic center. We have absolutely NOTHING to show for that fiasco, but as Davis says, "As a good steward of resources, it's our job to prioritize what's important to the city."
Further, the mayor states that the $14 million or our (my) tax dollars to be spent on this new civic center "will present a return up to 500%."
I need an explanation for that one. How does a civic center create a return of 500%? Are we going to have women of ill-repute wandering the hallways creating city capital?
How about the $700,000 just approved for "feasibility study" for a swim center and water park. A week later it's discovered a swim center has already been approved just south of our borders, yet no discussion of this even though city staff said they were aware of it prior to advancing the $700,000 to a firm that has NO EXPERIENCE in planning or building such a facility.
Now we hear the only large undeveloped area within the city is being planned. According to the mayor the area will be master planned (like Madeira?)to create an influx of jobs to alleviate the commute of many residents. At the same time the city's planning director has stated that the area will be 70% new homes.
And let's not forget the $100 million of our (my) tax dollars planned to build a MLS soccer stadium to bring in residents from hundreds of miles to create income for BJ's, McDonald's and the Holiday Inn Express.
This man and his companions will bankrupt this city with such ill-fated plans.
This madness has to stop! - See more at: http://www.elkgrovenews.net/2014/03/emir-of-katsina-formally-invited-to-elk.html#sthash.F1Av1IEd.dpuf
I'm finally convinced he's actually lost his mind.
$1.1 million dollars of our (my) tax money spent on a Sphere of Influence plan that was as poorly presented and planned as the rest of our city. Of course it was defeated soundly. Our city has yet to build ANYTHING of SUBSTANCE that we can be proud of. Our city is a connection of rooftops and strip malls, many half empty. Yet, our mayor says our $1.1 million was wisely spent because we now have an "environmental document."
I want to throw up!
He mentions the $1 million of our (my) tax dollars spent on the UPRR property in Old Town. It's seldom used and as far as I know has not created any income, except for what the mayor may have received in donations to his campaign(s) at the monthly "hot dog-o-rama's" he holds, evidently free from rental fees and associated costs. I don't see any money coming in from this "investment."
Let's not forget the $1.4 million on our new "occtopussian" civic center. We have absolutely NOTHING to show for that fiasco, but as Davis says, "As a good steward of resources, it's our job to prioritize what's important to the city."
Further, the mayor states that the $14 million or our (my) tax dollars to be spent on this new civic center "will present a return up to 500%."
I need an explanation for that one. How does a civic center create a return of 500%? Are we going to have women of ill-repute wandering the hallways creating city capital?
How about the $700,000 just approved for "feasibility study" for a swim center and water park. A week later it's discovered a swim center has already been approved just south of our borders, yet no discussion of this even though city staff said they were aware of it prior to advancing the $700,000 to a firm that has NO EXPERIENCE in planning or building such a facility.
Now we hear the only large undeveloped area within the city is being planned. According to the mayor the area will be master planned (like Madeira?)to create an influx of jobs to alleviate the commute of many residents. At the same time the city's planning director has stated that the area will be 70% new homes.
And let's not forget the $100 million of our (my) tax dollars planned to build a MLS soccer stadium to bring in residents from hundreds of miles to create income for BJ's, McDonald's and the Holiday Inn Express.
This man and his companions will bankrupt this city with such ill-fated plans.
This madness has to stop! - See more at: http://www.elkgrovenews.net/2014/03/emir-of-katsina-formally-invited-to-elk.html#sthash.F1Av1IEd.dpuf
After
all of the poor judgments and idiotic statements coming from our mayor,
I can't believe he continues to put his foot in his mouth yet again
with the article in Wednesday's Citizen about all the monies poorly
spent being "investments in our city's future."
I'm finally convinced he's actually lost his mind.
$1.1 million dollars of our (my) tax money spent on a Sphere of Influence plan that was as poorly presented and planned as the rest of our city. Of course it was defeated soundly. Our city has yet to build ANYTHING of SUBSTANCE that we can be proud of. Our city is a connection of rooftops and strip malls, many half empty. Yet, our mayor says our $1.1 million was wisely spent because we now have an "environmental document."
I want to throw up!
He mentions the $1 million of our (my) tax dollars spent on the UPRR property in Old Town. It's seldom used and as far as I know has not created any income, except for what the mayor may have received in donations to his campaign(s) at the monthly "hot dog-o-rama's" he holds, evidently free from rental fees and associated costs. I don't see any money coming in from this "investment."
Let's not forget the $1.4 million on our new "occtopussian" civic center. We have absolutely NOTHING to show for that fiasco, but as Davis says, "As a good steward of resources, it's our job to prioritize what's important to the city."
Further, the mayor states that the $14 million or our (my) tax dollars to be spent on this new civic center "will present a return up to 500%."
I need an explanation for that one. How does a civic center create a return of 500%? Are we going to have women of ill-repute wandering the hallways creating city capital?
How about the $700,000 just approved for "feasibility study" for a swim center and water park. A week later it's discovered a swim center has already been approved just south of our borders, yet no discussion of this even though city staff said they were aware of it prior to advancing the $700,000 to a firm that has NO EXPERIENCE in planning or building such a facility.
Now we hear the only large undeveloped area within the city is being planned. According to the mayor the area will be master planned (like Madeira?)to create an influx of jobs to alleviate the commute of many residents. At the same time the city's planning director has stated that the area will be 70% new homes.
And let's not forget the $100 million of our (my) tax dollars planned to build a MLS soccer stadium to bring in residents from hundreds of miles to create income for BJ's, McDonald's and the Holiday Inn Express.
This man and his companions will bankrupt this city with such ill-fated plans.
This madness has to stop! - See more at: http://www.elkgrovenews.net/2014/03/emir-of-katsina-formally-invited-to-elk.html#sthash.F1Av1IEd.dpuf
I'm finally convinced he's actually lost his mind.
$1.1 million dollars of our (my) tax money spent on a Sphere of Influence plan that was as poorly presented and planned as the rest of our city. Of course it was defeated soundly. Our city has yet to build ANYTHING of SUBSTANCE that we can be proud of. Our city is a connection of rooftops and strip malls, many half empty. Yet, our mayor says our $1.1 million was wisely spent because we now have an "environmental document."
I want to throw up!
He mentions the $1 million of our (my) tax dollars spent on the UPRR property in Old Town. It's seldom used and as far as I know has not created any income, except for what the mayor may have received in donations to his campaign(s) at the monthly "hot dog-o-rama's" he holds, evidently free from rental fees and associated costs. I don't see any money coming in from this "investment."
Let's not forget the $1.4 million on our new "occtopussian" civic center. We have absolutely NOTHING to show for that fiasco, but as Davis says, "As a good steward of resources, it's our job to prioritize what's important to the city."
Further, the mayor states that the $14 million or our (my) tax dollars to be spent on this new civic center "will present a return up to 500%."
I need an explanation for that one. How does a civic center create a return of 500%? Are we going to have women of ill-repute wandering the hallways creating city capital?
How about the $700,000 just approved for "feasibility study" for a swim center and water park. A week later it's discovered a swim center has already been approved just south of our borders, yet no discussion of this even though city staff said they were aware of it prior to advancing the $700,000 to a firm that has NO EXPERIENCE in planning or building such a facility.
Now we hear the only large undeveloped area within the city is being planned. According to the mayor the area will be master planned (like Madeira?)to create an influx of jobs to alleviate the commute of many residents. At the same time the city's planning director has stated that the area will be 70% new homes.
And let's not forget the $100 million of our (my) tax dollars planned to build a MLS soccer stadium to bring in residents from hundreds of miles to create income for BJ's, McDonald's and the Holiday Inn Express.
This man and his companions will bankrupt this city with such ill-fated plans.
This madness has to stop! - See more at: http://www.elkgrovenews.net/2014/03/emir-of-katsina-formally-invited-to-elk.html#sthash.F1Av1IEd.dpuf
After
all of the poor judgments and idiotic statements coming from our mayor,
I can't believe he continues to put his foot in his mouth yet again
with the article in Wednesday's Citizen about all the monies poorly
spent being "investments in our city's future."
I'm finally convinced he's actually lost his mind.
$1.1 million dollars of our (my) tax money spent on a Sphere of Influence plan that was as poorly presented and planned as the rest of our city. Of course it was defeated soundly. Our city has yet to build ANYTHING of SUBSTANCE that we can be proud of. Our city is a connection of rooftops and strip malls, many half empty. Yet, our mayor says our $1.1 million was wisely spent because we now have an "environmental document."
I want to throw up!
He mentions the $1 million of our (my) tax dollars spent on the UPRR property in Old Town. It's seldom used and as far as I know has not created any income, except for what the mayor may have received in donations to his campaign(s) at the monthly "hot dog-o-rama's" he holds, evidently free from rental fees and associated costs. I don't see any money coming in from this "investment."
Let's not forget the $1.4 million on our new "occtopussian" civic center. We have absolutely NOTHING to show for that fiasco, but as Davis says, "As a good steward of resources, it's our job to prioritize what's important to the city."
Further, the mayor states that the $14 million or our (my) tax dollars to be spent on this new civic center "will present a return up to 500%."
I need an explanation for that one. How does a civic center create a return of 500%? Are we going to have women of ill-repute wandering the hallways creating city capital?
How about the $700,000 just approved for "feasibility study" for a swim center and water park. A week later it's discovered a swim center has already been approved just south of our borders, yet no discussion of this even though city staff said they were aware of it prior to advancing the $700,000 to a firm that has NO EXPERIENCE in planning or building such a facility.
Now we hear the only large undeveloped area within the city is being planned. According to the mayor the area will be master planned (like Madeira?)to create an influx of jobs to alleviate the commute of many residents. At the same time the city's planning director has stated that the area will be 70% new homes.
And let's not forget the $100 million of our (my) tax dollars planned to build a MLS soccer stadium to bring in residents from hundreds of miles to create income for BJ's, McDonald's and the Holiday Inn Express.
This man and his companions will bankrupt this city with such ill-fated plans.
This madness has to stop! - See more at: http://www.elkgrovenews.net/2014/03/emir-of-katsina-formally-invited-to-elk.html#sthash.F1Av1IEd.dpuf
I'm finally convinced he's actually lost his mind.
$1.1 million dollars of our (my) tax money spent on a Sphere of Influence plan that was as poorly presented and planned as the rest of our city. Of course it was defeated soundly. Our city has yet to build ANYTHING of SUBSTANCE that we can be proud of. Our city is a connection of rooftops and strip malls, many half empty. Yet, our mayor says our $1.1 million was wisely spent because we now have an "environmental document."
I want to throw up!
He mentions the $1 million of our (my) tax dollars spent on the UPRR property in Old Town. It's seldom used and as far as I know has not created any income, except for what the mayor may have received in donations to his campaign(s) at the monthly "hot dog-o-rama's" he holds, evidently free from rental fees and associated costs. I don't see any money coming in from this "investment."
Let's not forget the $1.4 million on our new "occtopussian" civic center. We have absolutely NOTHING to show for that fiasco, but as Davis says, "As a good steward of resources, it's our job to prioritize what's important to the city."
Further, the mayor states that the $14 million or our (my) tax dollars to be spent on this new civic center "will present a return up to 500%."
I need an explanation for that one. How does a civic center create a return of 500%? Are we going to have women of ill-repute wandering the hallways creating city capital?
How about the $700,000 just approved for "feasibility study" for a swim center and water park. A week later it's discovered a swim center has already been approved just south of our borders, yet no discussion of this even though city staff said they were aware of it prior to advancing the $700,000 to a firm that has NO EXPERIENCE in planning or building such a facility.
Now we hear the only large undeveloped area within the city is being planned. According to the mayor the area will be master planned (like Madeira?)to create an influx of jobs to alleviate the commute of many residents. At the same time the city's planning director has stated that the area will be 70% new homes.
And let's not forget the $100 million of our (my) tax dollars planned to build a MLS soccer stadium to bring in residents from hundreds of miles to create income for BJ's, McDonald's and the Holiday Inn Express.
This man and his companions will bankrupt this city with such ill-fated plans.
This madness has to stop! - See more at: http://www.elkgrovenews.net/2014/03/emir-of-katsina-formally-invited-to-elk.html#sthash.F1Av1IEd.dpuf
After
all of the poor judgments and idiotic statements coming from our mayor,
I can't believe he continues to put his foot in his mouth yet again
with the article in Wednesday's Citizen about all the monies poorly
spent being "investments in our city's future."
I'm finally convinced he's actually lost his mind.
$1.1 million dollars of our (my) tax money spent on a Sphere of Influence plan that was as poorly presented and planned as the rest of our city. Of course it was defeated soundly. Our city has yet to build ANYTHING of SUBSTANCE that we can be proud of. Our city is a connection of rooftops and strip malls, many half empty. Yet, our mayor says our $1.1 million was wisely spent because we now have an "environmental document."
I want to throw up!
He mentions the $1 million of our (my) tax dollars spent on the UPRR property in Old Town. It's seldom used and as far as I know has not created any income, except for what the mayor may have received in donations to his campaign(s) at the monthly "hot dog-o-rama's" he holds, evidently free from rental fees and associated costs. I don't see any money coming in from this "investment."
Let's not forget the $1.4 million on our new "occtopussian" civic center. We have absolutely NOTHING to show for that fiasco, but as Davis says, "As a good steward of resources, it's our job to prioritize what's important to the city."
Further, the mayor states that the $14 million or our (my) tax dollars to be spent on this new civic center "will present a return up to 500%."
I need an explanation for that one. How does a civic center create a return of 500%? Are we going to have women of ill-repute wandering the hallways creating city capital?
How about the $700,000 just approved for "feasibility study" for a swim center and water park. A week later it's discovered a swim center has already been approved just south of our borders, yet no discussion of this even though city staff said they were aware of it prior to advancing the $700,000 to a firm that has NO EXPERIENCE in planning or building such a facility.
Now we hear the only large undeveloped area within the city is being planned. According to the mayor the area will be master planned (like Madeira?)to create an influx of jobs to alleviate the commute of many residents. At the same time the city's planning director has stated that the area will be 70% new homes.
And let's not forget the $100 million of our (my) tax dollars planned to build a MLS soccer stadium to bring in residents from hundreds of miles to create income for BJ's, McDonald's and the Holiday Inn Express.
This man and his companions will bankrupt this city with such ill-fated plans.
This madness has to stop! - See more at: http://www.elkgrovenews.net/2014/03/emir-of-katsina-formally-invited-to-elk.html#sthash.F1Av1IEd.dpuf
I'm finally convinced he's actually lost his mind.
$1.1 million dollars of our (my) tax money spent on a Sphere of Influence plan that was as poorly presented and planned as the rest of our city. Of course it was defeated soundly. Our city has yet to build ANYTHING of SUBSTANCE that we can be proud of. Our city is a connection of rooftops and strip malls, many half empty. Yet, our mayor says our $1.1 million was wisely spent because we now have an "environmental document."
I want to throw up!
He mentions the $1 million of our (my) tax dollars spent on the UPRR property in Old Town. It's seldom used and as far as I know has not created any income, except for what the mayor may have received in donations to his campaign(s) at the monthly "hot dog-o-rama's" he holds, evidently free from rental fees and associated costs. I don't see any money coming in from this "investment."
Let's not forget the $1.4 million on our new "occtopussian" civic center. We have absolutely NOTHING to show for that fiasco, but as Davis says, "As a good steward of resources, it's our job to prioritize what's important to the city."
Further, the mayor states that the $14 million or our (my) tax dollars to be spent on this new civic center "will present a return up to 500%."
I need an explanation for that one. How does a civic center create a return of 500%? Are we going to have women of ill-repute wandering the hallways creating city capital?
How about the $700,000 just approved for "feasibility study" for a swim center and water park. A week later it's discovered a swim center has already been approved just south of our borders, yet no discussion of this even though city staff said they were aware of it prior to advancing the $700,000 to a firm that has NO EXPERIENCE in planning or building such a facility.
Now we hear the only large undeveloped area within the city is being planned. According to the mayor the area will be master planned (like Madeira?)to create an influx of jobs to alleviate the commute of many residents. At the same time the city's planning director has stated that the area will be 70% new homes.
And let's not forget the $100 million of our (my) tax dollars planned to build a MLS soccer stadium to bring in residents from hundreds of miles to create income for BJ's, McDonald's and the Holiday Inn Express.
This man and his companions will bankrupt this city with such ill-fated plans.
This madness has to stop! - See more at: http://www.elkgrovenews.net/2014/03/emir-of-katsina-formally-invited-to-elk.html#sthash.F1Av1IEd.dpuf
After
all of the poor judgments and idiotic statements coming from our mayor,
I can't believe he continues to put his foot in his mouth yet again
with the article in Wednesday's Citizen about all the monies poorly
spent being "investments in our city's future."
I'm finally convinced he's actually lost his mind.
$1.1 million dollars of our (my) tax money spent on a Sphere of Influence plan that was as poorly presented and planned as the rest of our city. Of course it was defeated soundly. Our city has yet to build ANYTHING of SUBSTANCE that we can be proud of. Our city is a connection of rooftops and strip malls, many half empty. Yet, our mayor says our $1.1 million was wisely spent because we now have an "environmental document."
I want to throw up!
He mentions the $1 million of our (my) tax dollars spent on the UPRR property in Old Town. It's seldom used and as far as I know has not created any income, except for what the mayor may have received in donations to his campaign(s) at the monthly "hot dog-o-rama's" he holds, evidently free from rental fees and associated costs. I don't see any money coming in from this "investment."
Let's not forget the $1.4 million on our new "occtopussian" civic center. We have absolutely NOTHING to show for that fiasco, but as Davis says, "As a good steward of resources, it's our job to prioritize what's important to the city."
Further, the mayor states that the $14 million or our (my) tax dollars to be spent on this new civic center "will present a return up to 500%."
I need an explanation for that one. How does a civic center create a return of 500%? Are we going to have women of ill-repute wandering the hallways creating city capital?
How about the $700,000 just approved for "feasibility study" for a swim center and water park. A week later it's discovered a swim center has already been approved just south of our borders, yet no discussion of this even though city staff said they were aware of it prior to advancing the $700,000 to a firm that has NO EXPERIENCE in planning or building such a facility.
Now we hear the only large undeveloped area within the city is being planned. According to the mayor the area will be master planned (like Madeira?)to create an influx of jobs to alleviate the commute of many residents. At the same time the city's planning director has stated that the area will be 70% new homes.
And let's not forget the $100 million of our (my) tax dollars planned to build a MLS soccer stadium to bring in residents from hundreds of miles to create income for BJ's, McDonald's and the Holiday Inn Express.
This man and his companions will bankrupt this city with such ill-fated plans.
This madness has to stop! - See more at: http://www.elkgrovenews.net/2014/03/emir-of-katsina-formally-invited-to-elk.html#sthash.F1Av1IEd.dpuf
I'm finally convinced he's actually lost his mind.
$1.1 million dollars of our (my) tax money spent on a Sphere of Influence plan that was as poorly presented and planned as the rest of our city. Of course it was defeated soundly. Our city has yet to build ANYTHING of SUBSTANCE that we can be proud of. Our city is a connection of rooftops and strip malls, many half empty. Yet, our mayor says our $1.1 million was wisely spent because we now have an "environmental document."
I want to throw up!
He mentions the $1 million of our (my) tax dollars spent on the UPRR property in Old Town. It's seldom used and as far as I know has not created any income, except for what the mayor may have received in donations to his campaign(s) at the monthly "hot dog-o-rama's" he holds, evidently free from rental fees and associated costs. I don't see any money coming in from this "investment."
Let's not forget the $1.4 million on our new "occtopussian" civic center. We have absolutely NOTHING to show for that fiasco, but as Davis says, "As a good steward of resources, it's our job to prioritize what's important to the city."
Further, the mayor states that the $14 million or our (my) tax dollars to be spent on this new civic center "will present a return up to 500%."
I need an explanation for that one. How does a civic center create a return of 500%? Are we going to have women of ill-repute wandering the hallways creating city capital?
How about the $700,000 just approved for "feasibility study" for a swim center and water park. A week later it's discovered a swim center has already been approved just south of our borders, yet no discussion of this even though city staff said they were aware of it prior to advancing the $700,000 to a firm that has NO EXPERIENCE in planning or building such a facility.
Now we hear the only large undeveloped area within the city is being planned. According to the mayor the area will be master planned (like Madeira?)to create an influx of jobs to alleviate the commute of many residents. At the same time the city's planning director has stated that the area will be 70% new homes.
And let's not forget the $100 million of our (my) tax dollars planned to build a MLS soccer stadium to bring in residents from hundreds of miles to create income for BJ's, McDonald's and the Holiday Inn Express.
This man and his companions will bankrupt this city with such ill-fated plans.
This madness has to stop! - See more at: http://www.elkgrovenews.net/2014/03/emir-of-katsina-formally-invited-to-elk.html#sthash.F1Av1IEd.dpuf
27 comments
Great editorial. Davis better hope this person doesn't attend his State of the City speech in a couple weeks!
While I knew of each item as they came before the city council, it was quiet another to see them itemized as our Mayor did in the Citizen and even more upsetting in how he presented the article as if he were some financial wizard. He is not the only one I take to task, the whole city council is responsible, they all endorsed this spending. Mayor Davis was just the only one to lay it out in the media..the limelight he loves, like it was some hugh accomplishment they had made, but actually made him look like some kind of kook. This 500% return mentioned makes me think someone has lost a few brain cells.
I remember a couple of years ago someone wanting to set up a Bingo Parlor (Game of Chance) and they were turned down. Now here is the city playing that GAME OF CHANCE with our tax dollars...you know those high Mello Roos taxes we all struggle to pay...out like they're trash.
This article in the Citizen is like some deranged person speaking, like something I would see made by some third world country, a warlord maybe. This madness has to stop.
Well, put so succinctly, these expenses do seem to be adding up. And what do we have to show for these expenses; not too much. Now with Fresh Market and Radio Shack closing, Elk Grove's economics’ takes another hit. I agree with Robert..time to rein in the spending; make better financial choices; and ask the people what amenities they want to pay for. Perhaps the council might hear something different that might change the path they are on. I think most of us just want a safe place to live; less stressful commute; good schools and recreation. It might be time to have a little town hall meeting of the minds. Mayor Davis, what do you think?
Nor*Cal Fitness closed last week and Kinetic Cycles is/has moved to Sacto. See Staples are closing several stores, will EG's be on the list to close also? The last couple of times I have visited DSW Shoes few people were there....hopefully it was just my timing.
It is really unfortunate that the Mayor has taken this path. When he came to town, he showed promise, but as time as progressed he has regressed into nothing more than just another self-important politician. he full of empty talking points that are increasingly meaningless.
While Briggs was a developers delight, as is Davis and every council member who has served for that matter, at least Briggs might have shown some fiscal restraint on these various schemes. Mr. Hume, can you not impose some fiscal sanity on the council?
It appears the timing of the Mayors State of the City speech is not going to be good. He may want to smile, take the Fifth and just have some lunch.
Robert for Mayor! Well stated and accurate.
It might be too late.
Elk Grove runs the risk of being Stockton in the making with
all the bland subdivision sprawl,
boring cookie cutter strip centers,
vacant mall,
convenience stores,
ugly LED Highway signs,
1.1 million spent on an unsuccessful Sphere of Influence plan,
UPRR lot in Old Town,
"Octopussian" Civic Center,
Scream / Water Park in the Madeira subdivision,
Numerous parcels that have been zoned and rezoned for 3,500 high density LOW and VERY LOW income housing PROJECT units,
money spent on plans for a MLS soccer stadium.
The Southeast Plan Area which will have 2,200 low income units will be an instant HOOD which will impact the Sheep, I mean buyers in Madeira.
Sister city relationships with cities in third world nations.
Who is the captain of the ship?
The mayor?
The City Manager?
PMC?
City Council?
Signs of the future:
Look at the Franklin corridor in the last two days.
Knife point robbery in the Bel Air / CVS center
Shooting in Franklin Reserve, just south of Raley Elk Grove and Franklin.
Just another day in the neighborHOOD?
Good thing it is getting easier to get a Concealed Weapons Permit! (two recent 9th Circuit Court of Appeal decisions)
At least Stockton has Banner Island baseball field,the Asparagus Festival and a very nice waterfront.
Got a complaint?
Think something is fishy?
Think there might be a problem with campaign financing, closed door meetings, non-compliance with the Brown Act?
Call the Fair Political Practices Commission to complain.
Phone
General Contact Line: (916)322-5660
Advice Line: 1-866-ASK-FPPC (1-866-275-3772)
Mailing Address
Fair Political Practices Commission
428 J Street, Suite 620
Sacramento, CA 95814
http://www.fppc.ca.gov/index.php?id=189
How about providing the number for the Napa State Mental Hospital?
Or how about these numbers: 1-800-Stronger-Neighborhoods; 1-800-Tran-Sperancy; or 1-800-Climate-ActionPlan; or 1-800-500-Percent Return.
Getting back to the article mentioned, I thought the same thing. I was so taken aback by Mayor Davis's lack of humility and regret for wasting so much tax payer money on frivolous and pie-in-the-sky dreams.
There seems to be no one on staff or council with any degree of practical concepts or application for the future of our city and residents.
It was unbelievable the amount of wasted tax dollars here. I can't believe everyone who read that article isn't demanding answers if not the mayor's resignation.
Elk Grove is going down the toilet. This article exposed it, and I'm damn mad about it.
Isn't the City Manager supposed to provide guidance?
How about the PMC consulting firm?
What responsibilities do they have?
Naomi,
I hope you will tell all your neighbors and friends about this site and article.. WE have got to spread the word to each and every neighborhood. The only way we can truly effect change is by talking; spreading the word...spreading the word....spreading the word.....When Elk Grove Grasp wanted and attempted to reach out to neighborhoods to discuss the Elk Grove Sphere of Influence application and the impacts we were allowed into Stonelakes but every other HOA under a management company locked us out saying that the subject matter was to "political"...wait this is about "us" the residents the ones who live here! Should we not be allowed to have a conversation. Our elected officials sure were not spreading this word.
This is a good article that sums up what has been going on recently....however....this behavior is not new. Our leaders selected to give 3.3 million in our tax dollars to a developer and Dept of Corrections(1,500 jobs) to come to our city. This was not new jobs to the region but relocation of the jobs....we were told as residents the money would come back to us by 1500 people going out for lunch, buying new cars at our autocenter. The 1500 people would not be commuting to downtown sac and would take cars off 99....interestingly enough many don't live in elk grove and reverse bus passes were given to commuters. This was to bring more state jobs to our city...ok now what other state jobs will relocate here without our tax incentives? This action by our council did not make us a regional player. We are getting the pharmacy school; another transfer of jobs here not new jobs to the region. I asked if the pharmacy school received tax incentives and was told no. However, what I forgot and did not investigate; was the property owner given incentives. The moving of the pharmacy school here from Rancho Cordova...hmmm....again are we a regional player? Are we business friendly? Are we resident friendly? Naomi...please come to Elk Grove Council meetings and bring your neighbors....
An open request to Mayor Davis:
It seems there is a bit of controversy over the running of OUR city. It appears many people are unhappy. It is in your power to bring these people together for a frank discussion about OUR city's future. I will be checking EGN during the weekend hoping you will announce a city wide town hall meeting to discuss pending projects; resident's needs vs. wants; EG long term vision for the area; and spending of tax dollars. Please Mayor Davis: it is time to stand up and lead.
Sincerely,
A frustrated resident from your former district.
November 2014 is a time to clean house. Get rid of the incumbents, get a new set of consultants, get new management.
Who is really watching out for the residents?
We are facing one of the worst droughts in 560 years.
City of Sacramento has a cash for grass program.
The city of Roseville has a cash for grass program.
What does Elk Grove have?
Close four million dollars spent on the UPRR parcel in Old Town, the Water Park plan, Civic Center "Octopussian" plan and Sphere of Influence plan.
Four million dollars down the toilet?
Another $14 million to be given to the developers of the water park.
Who recommended these projects?
Who signed off on these projects?
To above; without resident participation in city council meetings and other meetings offered by our city...yes who is watching out? We all need to take responsibility here and hold the leaders accountable. I have continued to speak up but now am referred to as the "complainer". WE all have to go to meetings. We all need to speak up. I suppose I would not be called a complainer if I made a decision to not speak out about so many issues that truly are not in my backyard...or at my age will really greatly impact my future....Once the leaders decided our city needed to be a destination... they recommended the projects and they sign off on them....using our tax money.
This spending on large municipal items does seem out of control, especially the MLS stadium.
Unless the city can strike a deal with the city of Sacramento to place their future MLS team here, much like the Sacramento River Cats are housed in West Sac, the idea of having a MLS team here while Sac has a minor league team is a pipe dream. To date, I have heard of no discussions between Mayor Johnson and Mayor Davis along these lines.
From what I've read it seems Mayor Davis wants our own team here, an Elk Grove team. I just think that's a terrible waste of resources, because it just isn't economically feasible and sustainable (see Stockton).
As for the other expenditures, I'm afraid they are all poor decisions as well. The SOI and the money paid for the atrocious designs of the civic center were a terrible waste of time and money.
Our city leaders really need to make Elk Grove better for those of us who live here and not worry about bringing outsiders in.
Lighten up Steve L, how do you think Fabian Nunez is going to pay all those legal bills for that gang-banger wanna be son of his! It's not enough that Gov. Schwarzenegger gave Nunez Jr. a pass, but do you think Nunez Sr. should actually have to pay his own legal bills! Come on man, show some compassion!
This city is becoming a regional joke!
To Anon @ 13:48:
Guess the Mayor isn't interested in what the people think or want.
That should signal his need to leave. His time is done.
The Mayor and city council have never been interested in what the people want. Had they been none of this would be happening. There's five of them at the dias and they all nod in unison on everything...only in EG would five minds all think the same way. That only happens when the "green $$" stuff enters a decision and politics gets in the way of common sense and who they work for, the people...
Every time I read one of their media statements I wonder why they didn't speak to the people instead. Will Mayor Davis speak to us publicly as he did the Citizen about the cities "Investments" and especially that 500% return? Probably not...he/they can't accept public feedback should someone disagree with them. They've proven they are not good listeners. I've noticed many times when speakers are at the podium most of them are reading something and have tuned the speaker out. Mayor Davis gets a cold chill when Michael M. hits the stage...fun to watch.
I'd like to think that I'm more than entertainment for folks who do not attend city council meetings, and who tune in only to see Gary Davis' skin crawl when I speak.
I see the issue as a lack of commerce, and yes, jobs, in the city of Elk Grove.
But that's a dilemma for most communities.
Even places that have a better jobs to resident ratio, such as Rancho Cordova, have their own real issues of poverty, pollution, over industrialization, and so forth.
Bush the Elder called for a kinder, gentler nation in the late 1980s.
The labor union movement is stalled and under siege.
I believe we suffer from what I call the incredible, shrinking economy.
There is a three-legged stool of thought that drives an economy such as ours which includes business, government, and labor.
The right has hijacked our political orthodoxy such that government and labor get the short end of the stick.
But today even business is crying out against such rhetoric.
We need a social safety net.
We need to respect labor.
We need jobs, and we need business to be on board.
Believe it or not, business has had enough of the tea party and the uber-right.
This is an opportunity to right the ship of state (city) so that players who've been absent from the table come back to join in solutions, not just the shell game of company relocations.
Human needs should drive our economy, not profit.
But that's a tough sell in a society that perceives capital as a religious totem.
Michael Monasky
Having public meetings after a decision has been made is like going backwards.
Cities should be about a sense of sharing something more important than one's own private interests. That's what is lacking, a spirit of the place that made us all feel like we mattered and shared something with our city leaders.
We need a grassroots revolution and a new generation of leadership that can offer something more than greed and advantage over others.
I thought I moved to a city where people still count, where our concerns are important to our officials, where elections are not under the control of a political machine with all the money and power.
I know our city is not paradise, but it's streets are paved and crime fairly low. But it would be even better if our city council paid attention and got involved in what the community as a whole wants and the process to make it happen without the political machine I call, DEVELOPERS MONEY!
To the above; I agree with you! City council will only pay attention when we change its membership. How can we do this; let us all start talking to one another. WE can begin with; this isn't about politics...this is about us!; the residents who live here! I most certainly would like other boxes to check when we go to vote. How can we say this is a democracy when only one box exists. I do believe word of mouth can be effective; however it takes each one of us spreading the word and coming to public meetings.
Invite a friend. There are other items on the agenda this week; closed session items; Please come; you do matter, we matter and all the residents here and into the future matter. WE can make a difference...but notice it is a WE; can not be just you or me....needs to be all of US! This is the only way WE can get the big money out of the game. It takes you and me all of us willing to commit some of our TIME....It will be worth it! It can be worth it! I leave you this; The big money is hoping and feeling confident it can not happen; the big money counts on apathy....
Has the group considered using Facebook to get the message out fast? It might be the only way to fight the big dollar interests that are causing the city to slide downhill.
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