George Murphey's 17-year tenure as an Elk Grove Planning Commissioner recognized at his final meeting
https://www.elkgrovenews.net/2024/04/george-murpheys-17-year-tenure-as-elk.html
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| Elk Grove Planning Commissioner George Murphey during his final meeting on April 4. | |
The April 4 Elk Grove Planning Commission meeting ended with the simple announcement, "This is George Murphey signing off."
With that statement, Elk Grove's longest-serving planning commissioner, George Murphey, ended his 17-year tenure. Murphey announced his resignation from the body in February.
Murphey started his service on the planning commission in February 2007 after being appointed by former Elk Grove City Councilmember Gary Davis. Before Elk Grove voters approved a directly elected mayor, starting with the 2012 election, each of the five city council members appointed a member to the five-person body.
A resident of the Sheldon area, Murphey has been a steadfast advocate for the interests of Elk Grove's rural residents. His commitment to their concerns has been unwavering, earning him recognition as a fair-minded and inquisitive commissioner.
During Thursday's meeting, Michael Monasky, a city policy watchdog, criticized four commissioners, saying they lacked curiosity. As he criticized the Sacramento Zoo project environmental impact report and the commissioners, Monasky noted that while he frequently disagreed with Murphey's politics, he added the commissioner cares about people and often asked important questions about planning matters heard by the commission.
During his tenure, Murphey also ran in 2010 for the District 2 city council seat, then occupied by former Elk Grove City Councilmember and current Sacramento County Supervisor Pat Hume.
During his first term, Hume was unpopular, but a last-minute hit-piece mailing to members of Elk Grove's St. Joseph's Roman Catholic parish criticizing Murphey's vote against the establishment of St. Maria Goretti's Roman Catholic church on Bradshaw Road tipped the scales. Murphey came in second place to Hume in the three-candidate citywide race.
After the Sacramento Zoo relocation project hearing ended, fellow commissioners and several city staff members took the opportunity to acknowledge Murphey's service. Their comments are included in the first video below.
For those interested in Elk Grove's political history, watch the second video below of Murphey during the 2010 candidate forum.
Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen will nominate Murphey's replacement during the Wednesday, April 10 Elk Grove City Council meeting. The mayor's four councilmen will unquestionably confirm whoever she nominates.
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3 comments
Thank you, George for your loyal, dedicated and sincere service to our city. We didn’t always agree but I always knew you did your homework, thought outside the box, sought solutions that would work not only for the developers, but also the citizens. Know that you’ll be sorely missed, that’s for sure. You set a good example for your peers and I hope some of them dedicate themselves to the job as you have. Thank you for your service and your dedication.
Enjoy your retirement!
With George's departure, Mayor Bobbie will have completed her campaign promise - five potted plants on the planning commission to match the five potted plants on the city council. Well done mayor!
Time to think about term limits.
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