The City of Elk Grove 2024 Year in Review, Part I

Elk Grove News readers may have seen two posts about our most viewed stories of 2024. While these stories provide an overview of popular events in Elk Grove, they do not tell the entire tale. 

While some stories were not as popular, they also covered important issues affecting Elk Grove. We will highlight some of these events in our City of Elk Grove 2024 Year in Review.

We will list the events chronologically and provide links and other media when appropriate. 

January 

Closed sessions

The year had just started when Mayor Singh-Allen announced on January 2 the first of several closed-session meetings to discuss the ongoing Oak Rose supportive housing lawsuit.

We ultimately learned that the mayor and city council were coming up with a dollar amount to make the Old Town affordable housing move and appease the handful of people who had their way with the city. 

Money talks, and in this case, it cost taxpayers $10 million. No problem, it didn't come from the mayor or city council.

Watch the magic happen! 

The mayor's political advisor

The entire Oak Rose lawsuit imbroglio taught us a couple things. 

One is that a noted citizen has the mayor's ear on matters of great importance. Second, that same citizen knew precisely what would happen with the monetary burden placed on taxpayers by Mayor Singh-Allen and her weak-kneed city councilmen and leaked that information. 

It's reassuring to know that closed session meetings are inaccessible to the public but that the mayor will blab to her confidente!  

An alternate plan after another city project, this time Project Elevate, collapsed 

If there is one thing sure about Elk Grove, most of its initial project plans collapsed. Think of the soccer stadium, the mall, baseball fields (remember that one?), and, of course, the grand Zaha Hadid city hall plans.  

Unsurprisingly, the mayor and economic development guru Darrell Doan's grand Project Elevation plan collapsed. Nothing to see here folks, move it along! 

One creative citizen presented a more realistic idea, and it didn't cost a few hundred thousand dollars in consultant fees! Who knows, the mayor may appoint this citizen to her new creative arts commission!

Mayor questioned, and she gets unhappy when challenged

Mayor Singh-Allen likes to throw her influence around. Specifically, the mayor was in a conflict of interest when she used her elected position to advocate for her day job as a gas station lobbyist. 

This citizen pointed out the conflict of interest during a January meeting. 

Vice Mayor Rod Brewer mixes up his analogies

During a January meeting, Rod Brewer mixed up his analogies. It's no wonder some people now call him the Crockpot! 

February

How the mayor, her city councilmen, and executive behave like children

Any parent knows children tend to discard old toys in favor of the new, shiny ones. The same behavior happens with Mayor Singh-Allen, her city councilmen, and the city staff she scrutinizes.   

As we will see with this and with other examples, the city does not pay attention to older, less glamorous neighborhoods and instead focuses on places like the Ridge shopping center. 

Boocoo bucks for Boocoo mayor

If there is one skill Mayor Singh-Allen accelerates at, it is raising boocoo bucks for her boocoo campaign. Even though she had no challengers entering 2024, Mayor Bobbie "Big Red" Singh-Allen knows how to tap campaign money like a vampire at a blood bank! 

AG Rob Bonta to Mayor Singh-Allen, Elk Grove - 'We are continuing to be aggressive'

We are sure Mr. Bonta isn't on her list of supporters when she runs for higher office! 

For Mayor Singh-Allen, Elk Grove welcomes you unless, of course, you are a poor person. Then it's "hit Calvine Road and get out of town, you low-life losers!"

Another botched scheme from City Hall

During a February city council meeting, taxpayers learned the District56 Aquatics Center, aka, The Swimmin' Hole, had a larger than budgeted operating loss.

If Mayor Singh-Allen, her city councilmen, and the city hall brain trust can't get this forecast on target, can you imagine how they will screw the pooch on the $1 billion zoo project?  



Where was the former Elk Grove mayor? 

Even though he has been out of office for eight years, former Elk Grove Mayor Gary Davis still likes the limelight. He was curiously missing from this political mailer for the March California statewide primary election. 

Old Town advocate pushes back on EGN story

First, the Old Town crew came after those needing affordable supportive housing; then they came after those needing services and relief from homelessness; then they came after senior affordable housing. 

Are you next? 

"Lose, Lose, Lose!'- Elk Grove Citizen Refutes Mayor's 'Win, Win'

Not everyone buys what Mayor Singh-Allen foists upon the good people of Elk Grove! 

When people in one of Elk Grove's overlooked neighborhoods learned the Oak Rose supportive housing project would move and be renamed Coral Blossom, the mayor was confronted at a city council meeting. 

March 

Mission: Possible or Cruella de Vil?

The Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce, which is nothing more than a glorified TeTip club, hosts the annual State of the City Address. The address is one of their primary fundraisers. 

In any case, as seen in the picture at the top of this page, the mayor looked like Cruella de Vil, as noted by one astute Elk Grove resident! For the 2025 address, we hear she'll channel Wicked!

 

For three years running, Elk Grove City Councilmember Darren Suen has never met a freebie he couldn't resist!

Financial disclosure reveals another interesting fact about Elk Grove City Councilman Darren "Bobblehead" Suen - he'll never pass up a free lunch! 

Of course, there is no such thing as a free lunch, which the Bobblehead will bob his head in agreement! 

If the Mayor likes you, she'll engage, if not fuhgeddaboudit!  

If Mayor Singh-Allen doesn't like what someone has to say, she'll shut you out as she does to poor people in Elk Grove. If you brown-nose the mayor and her city councilmen, she'll drool like Pavlov's Dog and offer up some Crocodile Tears!

Mayor Singh-Allen picks loser in Sacramento mayoral race

In her ongoing effort to build up her list of endorsements as she seeks higher office, Mayor Singh-Allen endorsed former Sacramento City Councilman Steve Hanson's mayoral bid. It didn't work out well for Madame Mayor, as Hanson came in last place! 

How much you want to bet Singh-Allen is kissing new Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty's ass? 

Get ready for Elk Grove garbage inspections! 

In March, many Elk Grove residents complained about fence inspections. If this pisses them off, they should note a warning from Elk Grove city manager Jason Berhman about coming garbage can inspections! 



Does Mayor Singh-Allen have a relative, 'associate' in the police drone business?

Keeping up with the Jones, the Elk Grove Police spent $2.1 million on a drone program. Interestingly, the massive expenditure was done on a no-bid contract. 

The reason for the no-bid contract seemed reasonable. But how often have we heard crooked politicians arranging payoffs, kickbacks, and other devious dealings with taxpayers' money?  

The best of intentions go astray for Mayor Singh-Allen

What happens when Christianity's most sacred day lands on the same day as an international day of recognition of a long-marginalized group that is antithetical to conservative Christians? 

It was a public relations dumpster fire for Mayor Singh-Allen and the city! Better luck next year.  

April 

Open bar for Elk Grove City Councilman Sergio Robles

In May 2023, Elk Grove City Councilman Sergio "Bender" Robles admitted during a city council meeting he was a drunk driver. In April of 2024, we learned that he had free tickets to the event where he started his Bender, which led to his arrest. 

Since then, the Good Time Charlie has subdued, at least on social media, his drinking exploits.

By any means necessary! 

During an April Planning Commission meeting, Sacramento Zoological representatives made a claim more commonly associated with the likes of Tony Soprano! They'll get that cash, even if they have to have bake sales, as we see later in the year. 

Delays persist at rail crossings in "old" Elk Grove as traffic increases

Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and most of her city council don't realize there is life in the city east of Highway 99. If they did, they would use taxpayer money to improve infrastructure on rail crossings instead of bailing out the Sacramento Zoo and the city of Sacramento. 

After initial plans collapsed, Project Elevate sold to a strip center developer

After a failed deal with an internationally renowned Houston-based developer, the city of Elk Grove sold Project Elevate to a Southern California strip center developer. 

At least the mayor and her boys can go to the grand opening and make more silly videos, and that is what really matters to them!  

Western Festival 86ed

In late April, news broke that Elk Grove's oldest event, the Western Festival, was canceled by the Cossumes Community Services District. The news was met with consternation by longtime residents. 

Even though the city has nothing to do with the festival's organization, that didn't stop people from taking their concerns to the city council. 


May 

Mayor Singh-Allen's fishy taxpayer-funded survey to enhance her image 

Politicians trying to make themselves look good is a given. But it is quite another thing when the taxpayer's dollars are used with suspect surveys to bolster elected officials, especially in an election year.

That, unfortunately, is what happened with this fishy taxpayer-funded survey. Do we really expect anything but deception by a Mayor Singh-Allen-led government? 

Vice Mayor Brewer admits he breaks the law; Are they on the take? 

During a May Elk Grove City Council meeting, Councilman Rod "Crockpot" Brewer admitted he intentionally breaks the law. The Crockpot flew off the handle when his city council colleague Kevin Spease didn't toe the mayor's line on the Sacramento Zoo relocation project. 

It is never surprising when a politician breaks the law, but we must thank Mr. Brewer. His admission verifies the corruption of Mayor Singh-Allen's city council.

With all these secret meetings on the zoo project, you cannot help but wonder if the Mayor and at least three of her city councilmen are accepting bribes.  

$300 million zoo project approved; Zoo people call Councilmember Kevin Spease a liar

Sacramento Zoological Society executive director Jason Jacobs (left) and board president 
Elizabeth Stallard attacked Elk Grove City Councilmember Kevin Spease when he asked 
about the validity of their financial commitment for the Sacramento Zoo relocation project.

To nobody's surprise, the multi-phased Sacramento Zoo $300+ million relocation project - estimated to cost taxpayers up to $1 billion after all phases - was approved by a 4 - 1 city council vote. The only descending vote was from Kevin Spease. 

During the meeting, Sacramento Zoological Society representatives called Spease a liar. Spease made the mistake of having the audacity to ask them about their financing.

While highlighting their financing, the zoo representatives noted they got a $500 donation from a group of Brownies.  The SZS better hit up every Boy and Girl Scout troop from here to Timbuktu if they intend to raise that $50 million!  

Subsidies for the District56 Swimmin' Hole explodes; Can we trust the city council dunces? 

Even though swimming pools operate at a loss for the benefit of residents, the cost at the District56 facility has grown faster than the brainiacs at city hall planned.

During a city council meeting, taxpayers learned the annual subsidy for the problem-plagued facility now requires $1 million annually. The subsidy will grow in the coming years.

With this in mind, can you trust the city council dunces with the $1 billion zoo project? 

Rail crossings doing their magic again - this time trapping cop cars! 

The problems and hazards of the Union Pacific rail crossing are well documented. An astute EGN reader captured this image of two cop cars trapped by a slow-moving train.  

Tough luck for people in old Elk Grove. Mayor Singh-Allen could care less! 

June 

Your Elk Grove taxpayer dollars at work!

Thanks to Mayor Singh-Allen's largesse, she could have Elk Grove taxpayers guarantee a whopping $500,000 loan for an Old Town BBQ joint. 

Of course, the grand opening saw the mayor and her city hall crew get their grub on! We are so pleased, they have fun on our dollar!  

Elk Grove's homeless population doubles

Even though Elk Grove has opened a year-round homeless shelter, the number of homeless in the city has doubled. We doubt the city will report this in its annual review of accomplishments! 

That reminds us. Why hasn't Mayor Singh-Allen followed through on more affordable home-ownership opportunities. Just more hot air from Madame Mayor. 



Mayor Singh-Allen is too busy to be bothered!

If she can get her mug on TV, or in any one of her endless selfies for social media, count Mayor Singh-Allen in. When it comes to fulfilling her other duties, well, not so much! 

Large audience attends zoning administrator meeting for Coral Blossom project

Opponents of an affordable housing project attended a zoning administrators meeting. The group, facing long odds, objected to relocating the Oak Rose supportive housing project to their north Elk Grove neighborhood.

Unfortunately for this group, they learned a hard lesson about the mayor. That lesson is she will throw you under the bus if it serves her needs.

Three murders in four days

We can't say for sure, but this is probably a record number of homicides in one week for Elk Grove. With all the growth, Elk Grove is now a big city with crime, murder, drug dealing, and all the things that come with it. 

Welcome to Elk Grove! 










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