Free tickets - Can't the Elk Grove Mayor, 3 of her Councilmen spring a few bucks for parking, a comedy show or concert?
According to required disclosures, in recent weeks, Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and Councilmen Rod Brewer, Sergio Robles, and Darren Suen took advantage of their position to move metaphorically to the front of the line and waived in gratis.
That information was recorded on California Form 802 Ceremonial Role Events and Ticket/Pass Distributions. The key word is Ceremonial.
Recent postings show that Brewer, Robles, Singh-Allen, and Suen got free parking valued at $10 for the Strauss Festival. Attendance at the festival is not a required function of their duties.
For the July 21 Blues in Elk Grove 2024 concert, Suen received six tickets and Brewer two tickets, each valued at $40 (see above).
On August 16, Suen and a guest were given tickets to the Friday/Grove Comedy Night. Those tickets are valued at $10 each.
Granted, the value of these tickets is minimal, but what sort of message does it send? Brewer, Singh-Allen, and Suen have incomes larger than most Elk Grove families, yet they gladly accept these free tickets to attend non-official events.
Are they skinflints, self-entitled, or more than likely, both?
Suen, who until recently was a California Assemblymember's chief of staff with a salary of $170,000, had a reported household income over $200,000 in 2023.
This isn't the first time Suen has been tone deaf. During the early days of the pandemic when many of the families he represents were struggling, Suen bragged about have expensive sandwiches while working from home (see below).
Brewer's recent statement of economic interests showed an annual income of $100,000 to infinity in 2023. The first-term councilman is not known to have dependents.
The mayor's household income in 2023 was at least $220,000 to infinity. Robles did not report his income for 2023.
So, as the mayor and three of her city council members sit on the dais whining about the expenses they incur as they justify a 300 percent salary increase, remember this - they aren't required to attend these social events, and when they do, they get a free pass!
Work meetings have increased. Impromptu conversations with colleagues have turned into scheduled check ins. One positive of working from home is being able to eat lunch each day with my kids. - District 1 Councilman Darren Suen pic.twitter.com/AsPlAH0xrQ
— City of Elk Grove (@CityofElkGrove) April 23, 2020
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And let's not forget the free food and drink they cop when attending business grand openings! I still can't unsee the memorable pics of our leaders gnawing away at the Slow and Low smokeless BBQ like medieval royalty!
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