Elk Grove News.net

Elk Grove City Council Nixes Aquatic Center Bid Reimbursement Request

2013-05-23T14:15:00.000-07:00

The Elk Grove City Council turned back a request from a bidder for the city's aquatic center that sought to be reimbursed for bidding on the project.

By a 4-0 vote (Vice Mayor Steve Detrick was not present) the council denied a request from the P3i company that sought to be reimbursed up to $155,000 for the cost of bidding and development of a plan a plan for the city's proposed aquatics center should their bid be denied.

Assistant City Manager Rebecca Craig noted during her presentation to the council that the proposal is "scoped as a high risk project." PSi is the only bidder who qualified for the request for proposal.

During council questioning, Craig said that the aquatics center would likely end up with two operators - one for the commercial water park and another for the competitive center which would include among other things a diving platform facility and an Olympic sized swimming pool. She also said the commercial component would need to subsidize the competitive facilities so the center would not operate at a net loss to the city.

During their deliberations, the council uniformly expressed skepticism about the request noting the putting together a bid and proposal is the cost of doing business.

Council Member Jim Cooper noted the city is putting $14 million and 20-acres of land towards the center and the commercial component will make a good return.

"I have a hard time as a council member sitting up here doling out $155,000," Cooper said. "That is not a ton of money, but it is significant."

EGPD Officer Spots Stolen Car, Lands Two Men in Jail

2013-05-23T11:26:00.000-07:00

A watchful Elk Grove Police officer's eye resulted in the arrest of two Sacramento men who were driving a stolen car.

According to Police reports, officers observed 26-year old Marlon Wall driving a car that had been reported stolen. After initiating an enforcement stop, officers detained Wall and his passenger, 26-year old Valaxay Vang and discovered both had outstanding warrants out for their arrest.

A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of narcotics. Both suspects were arrested and taken to the county were they both remain in custody.

Elk Grove City Manager - Budget Good For Now, But Could Face its Own 'Fiscal Cliff' in Future

2013-05-22T21:07:00.001-07:00

May 23, 2013 |

At their regular meeting tonight, Elk Grove City Council members were told that the city's budget for the next two years looks fine, but could face its own version of the fiscal cliff in as little as two years.

Those comments came as Elk Grove City Manager Laura Gill made the initial presentation of the city's proposed budget for fiscal year 21014 which starts on July 1.

"While I consider the two year plan to be a good news in nature, the five year projection indicates that revenue will cover projected operational costs over the next two years," Gill said. "However, we face our own version of the fiscal cliff in fiscal year 2015, 16 because of a couple employment benefit issues."

Gill warns of 2015 fiscal cliff.

Gill identified those issues as the Affordable Health Care Plan which is scheduled to take effect on January, 2014 and the employment retirement benefit increases administered by the state employee retirement system, CALPERS.

"What has happened is that the Calpers has sustained quite a bit of investment losses during the great recession," she said. "The Calpers board has approved a plan which recoup those losses over a shorter amount of time which means that the employer contributions to pers will increase substantially."

According to a report from the Sacramento Bee, Calpers is asking government employers to raise funding by 50 percent over a five year period starting in 2015.

Regarding the Affordable Health Care Act, Gill said there is quite a bit of uncertainty on how it will affect health insurance premiums. Gill said the proposed budget for 2014 reflects a 16 percent increase in premiums the city will pay.

Because of these two factors and the uncertainly of their financial effects over the next two years, Gill said unrepresented employees, primarily those outside the police department, will not have current wage and benefit concessions given back. However Gill proposed that once the books are closed on the current budget, unrepresented employees will be allocated a pool of $135,000 in raises for retention purposes.

As for the overall 2014 budget, it has a proposed increase of $10 million to $164 million and the general fund budget will go up by $3 million to $54.8 million. The proposed budget also includes five new positions including a full time police dispatch manager, one finance analyst and a compliance specialist for the the city's recently adopted climate action plan sustainability element.

A budget workshop will be held during the June 12 city council meeting. By statute, the budget must be approved prior to July 1.

The proposed budget will be available tomorrow afternoon at city hall and in the city's website.

Previoulsy Deported Felon Arrested by Elk Grove Police

2013-05-22T13:46:00.001-07:00

May 22, 2013 |

A routine traffic stop yesterday afternoon led to the arrest of a man who had been previously been deported as a convicted felon.

According to Elk Grove Police, 31-year old Juan Robeldo of Sacramento was stopped on the 9100 block of East Stockton Blvd. for a vehicle code violation. A records check revealed the suspect had an active warrant for his arrest and was found to be a previously deported felon.

The suspect was taken to the county jail where is he remains in custody on an U.S. Border Patrol hold and three other charges. Robledo is not eligible for bail.

Maplight Scores Victory For California Election Financing Transparency

2013-05-22T09:35:00.003-07:00

May 22, 2012 |

Oakland-based Maplight.org announced yesterday that California Secretary of State Debra Bowen has agreed to make campaign financing information easier to access.

This development comes in response to a letter MapLight wrote to the Bowen last month, co-signed by a coalition of media, transparency, and reform groups, asking her to provide a downloadable version of this database, which details who funds our elected officials' campaigns.

This new transparency is a major victory for MapLight's work and for democracy in the state of California. It will help citizens hold their elected officials accountable," Maplight President Dan Newman said. "We hope that it inspires similar transparency for public data in states across the country."

The downloadable version, which the Secretary of State has promised to launch by Labor Day, will be a major improvement for transparency. Currently, it is only possible to access California campaign finance data online for one committee at a time, making it impossibly time-intensive to answer questions such as "How much has company X given to lawmakers?"

To get bulk access to the state's campaign finance data, one currently must request a CD-ROM copy of the database, which can take up to two weeks to receive in the mail.

When millions of dollars are being raised and spent every day during election season, a downloadable version of the database, made available daily, is what Californians need and deserve in order to know who's funding public elections.

Rumsfeld Rules - Is Elk Grove Suffering From its Own Version of Mission Creep?

2013-05-20T12:37:00.000-07:00

May 20, 2013 |

In recent weeks former U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has been making the rounds on the media circuit to promote his new book, Rumsfeld's Rules.

One show Rumsfeld appeared on last week was America Public Radio's Marketplace. During the interview Rumsfeld was asked about the seemingly contradictory message on one of his rules and the "mission creep" of the Iraqi War.

Are there lessons on 'Mission Creep' the Elk Grove City Council can learn from DOD Secretaries McNamara and Rumsfeld?

While Rumsfeld was, at best oblique, the topic of mission creep and his response came to mind when reviewing this week's Elk Grove City Council meeting agenda. Specifically, item 10.4 whereby the city will pay an vendor to bid on the aquatics center.

While the discussion of paying a vendor to bid on a project is a separate discussion (see side bar below), it appears that Elk Grove City seems to be caught up in its own version of mission creep. For Elk Grove it could be more accurately called unfulfilled project creep.

Think about it, how many plans, several of them grandiose - some might say delusional, has the city undertaken that have gone unfulfilled yet cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars? A simple jog of the memory reminds us of several and undoubtedly readers can probably point out several others that don't immediately come to mind.

Perhaps the biggest was the civic center project that the city council spend spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayers dollars on for architectural plans that are now collecting dust on some shelve inside city hall.

Of late, the city has laser focused on pursuing several athletic endeavors from the proposed softball fields a while back to the more recent aquatics center. Of course the city continues to spend tens of thousands of our dollars on consultants, studies and travel in pursuit of landing a Major League Soccer Team even though the City of Sacrament clearly has taken a commanding lead in this pursuit.

This is not to say all of the city's unfulfilled projects plans are unwise. For instance, the city has developed plans to open a stop on Amtrak's San Joaquin route that to date remains unfulfilled.

Then there are those categories of projects that many correctly assert would regionally connect us, reduce car traffic, improve air quality and provide a real service to citizens that the city has shown no inclination to pursue and one can even argue has shown varying degrees of outright hostility towards. Can you say Light Rail?

So while the city might spent $150,000 more of our money to pay some consultant to develop a proposal that they could bid on, the city council and staff might want to consider self-medicating themselves with some Ritalin, quit spending taxpayers money on consultants and travel junkets and focus on realistic infrastructure plans that benefit the taxpayers and not their political agendas or personal egos.

To paraphrase one of Rumsfeld's more notorious quotes, this might be asking to much with our local government as there are several "known unknowns" when it come to their scheming with taxpayers dollars.

Side Bar - Paying to Bid?

Item 10.4 on this week's Elk Grove City Council agenda meeting has the audacity to recommend that the City reimburse each bidder up to $155,000 to cover their costs to submit a bid proposal for the design of the waterpark.

Perhaps this a win-win, no-lose policy using taxpayers money. Win-win, because the losing bidders win their money back, even if they lose.

We cannot find or recall any recent example of this in other levels of government, except maybe Department of Defense contracts and we all know how convoluted those are. By pulling this latest economic incentive rabbit out of their hat, the Elk Grove City Council is sending a strong signal that says 'we are a desperate city and will pay you to bid on our projects.'

We all know that others are watching and will want the same deal. Win-win, no losers, except for the taxpayers of course.

Isleton Cajun (Crawdad) Blues Festival Has Summer's Best Musical Lineup

2013-05-19T08:41:00.001-07:00

May 19, 2013 |

The 2013 Cajun & Blues Festival set for Father's Day weekend, Saturday and Sunday, June 15-16 on Main Street in the Delta hamlet of Isleton is just around the corner.

National headliners like blues legend/Grammy winner Elvin Bishop and two impressive Cajun bands flying in direct from Louisiana, The Lost Bayou Ramblers and The Magnolia Sisters (with Grammy winner Ann Savoy) will top the line-up.

Also on the bill are Bay Area Louisiana music favorites, Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic, The Creole Belles with Andrew Carriere, and the 2012 Blues Music Award winner, Terry Hanck and his sizzling blues/soul band. Portland, Oregon's blues diva, Karen Lovely is a barnburner. Oakland's rising blues stars, Howell Devine (Arhoolie Records recording artists) will play both days. The country blues trio represented the Bay Area at the 2013 International Blues Challenge in Memphis and were finalists among over 400 contestants.

Sacramento favorites The Kyle Rowland Band, Catfish & The Crawdaddies and The Sacramento Blues Revue are also on the bill, along with Modesto's Blues Box Bayou Band. Rio Vista's own Derek Abel and his blues band will also bring the blues party to his hometown. Davis' Gabe Lewin completes the stellar line up. Full band links, bios and set times are at www.isletoncajunfestival.net.

Presented by the Isleton Chamber of Commerce led by new president Lynette Brister, former Chamber president Jean Yokotobi and talent producer Mindy Giles (Sacramento's Swell Productions) the two-day family-friendly festival is promoting the strongest music line-up yet.

Over 20,000 pounds of fresh Delta crawdads cooked by Isleton's master c-dadster, Kenny Silva, and festival food from vendors will feed the thousands of attendees. The traditional crawdad eating contest and best costume contest will be held Saturday afternoon.

The Jim Ott Brass Band, a 30 piece brass band, will welcome fest goers on Saturday near the large free parking area on the north side of Main Street.

Tickets are $15 per day for ages 12 and over. Those under 12 are free. Advance tickets online will go on sale at the festival website @ www.inticketing.com on May 7. Tickets are also available in person at the Isleton Chamber of Commerce office at 23 Main Street.

Sheldon Heritage Festival Seeks Crafters, Vendors For Inaugural Sept. Event

2013-05-18T09:37:00.001-07:00

May 18, 2013 |

The Sheldon Community Association, in partnership with the Elk Grove Food Bank, is seeking local artists and craftspeople wishing to participate in The Sheldon Heritage Arts and Crafts Fair slated for Sunday, Sept.29.

The event will highlight the City of Elk Grove's unique rural area and feature entertainment, food vendors and crafters. Booth spaces of 10 ft. by 10ft. are available for $35. Space is limited and will be reserved on a first come, first served basis.

For more information please contact Rick @ 916-747-5976, Linda F. @ 916-690-8980 or Linda C. @ 925-323-2569. Email inquires should be sent to sheldonheritagefair@gmail.com.

All proceeds, net of expenses, will be donated to the Elk Grove Food Bank. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Delta Stewardship Council Adopts Plan Amidst Massive Opposition

2013-05-18T09:12:00.001-07:00

By Dan Bacher | May 18, 2013 |

In spite of overwhelming opposition from environmentalists, fishermen, family farmers, elected officials and the majority of Californians, the Delta Stewardship Council (DSC) on Thursday, May 16 unanimously adopted what it described as a "comprehensive management plan" for the Delta.

The Council also certified the final Programmatic Environmental Impact Report (PEIR), despite opposition to the report from every single person who spoke during the public comment period, ranging from Delta farmers to a representative of the Metropolitan Water District. In addition, the Council adopted regulations that will implement the policies of the Delta Plan.

“State law told us to develop a legally enforceable Delta Plan that will guide state and local agency actions on water use and the Delta environment,” said Delta Stewardship Council Chair Phil Isenberg, who previously served as Chair of the privately funded Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative Blue Ribbon Task Force to create so-called "marine protected areas" on the Central Coast, as well as Chair of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force, which recommended the construction of a peripheral canal or tunnels.


Wendy Stokes, Chair of Restore the Delta, speaking at the protest at the Delta Stewardship Council meeting in West Sacramento on May 16. Photo by Dan Bacher.

“We will now be able to focus on implementing the policies and recommendations that will help achieve the State’s coequal goals of providing a more reliable water supply for California and protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Delta ecosystem while protecting the unique values of the Delta as an evolving place," Isenberg claimed.

A press release from the DSC revealed how the Delta Plan is intimately tied to the Bay Delta Conservation Plan to build the peripheral tunnels.

“The Delta Plan is California’s plan for the Delta and is intended to be a single enforceable blueprint that requires and encourages sustainable actions now, and lays a strong foundation for future projects and programs that will improve statewide water supply reliability, provide a vibrant and healthy ecosystem, and preserve, protect and enhance the rural, agricultural and recreational characteristics of the Delta. The Plan will eventually include the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) when the BDCP is completed and successfully permitted,” the release stated.

Delta advocates, who held a protest featuring the "Death of the Delta" coffin at the Radisson Hotel in West Sacramento before the meeting, disagreed strongly with Isenberg's contention that the plan would protect, restore and enhancing the Delta ecosystem "while protecting the unique values of the Delta as an evolving place." They said the flawed plan would "drain the Delta and doom salmon and other Pacific fisheries."

Delta plan perpetuates unsustainable status quo

Bill Jennings, executive director of the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, began his presentation at both the rally and in the public comment period at the meeting by stating, "Good morning, welcome to the resumption of California's water wars."

"The Delta Plan fails to comply with the law, and perpetuates an unsustainable status quo that enriches a few powerful water brokers at the expense of reliable water supplies and healthy fisheries," said Jennings. "It is a classic shell game to benefit special interests and, if implemented, would represent a death sentence for one of the world's great estuaries."

"The Council has squandered a marvelous and unique opportunity," emphasized Jennings. "Because the Council failed to identify and analyze the root causes of California’s water crisis – over-appropriation, unreasonable use, failure to balance the public trust – the Delta Plan and EIR largely recommends that agencies should continue to do the same things that created the crisis in the first place. The Plan and EIR ignore history and are predicated on an artificial reality. They’re little more than omelets of half-truth and distortion to justify predetermined conclusions."

Referring to the failed Cal-Fed process designed to meet the "co-equal goals" of water supply and ecosystem restoration, Jennings said, "Instead of vision, we have a warmed over CalFed Lite!"

"Instead of perpetuating the destructive water export policies, the Delta Plan should be focused on developing regional water solutions that reduce reliance on the Delta," said Wendy Stokes, a Delta farmer and chair of Restore the Delta. "The Delta Stewardship Council has abandoned the path of sustainable water policies to help endorse the Peripheral Tunnels. Agriculture will not be able to afford this expensive water. The majority of the $60 billion cost will be paid by the families of Southern California through their higher water bills."

Water “reliability” – code for more water

"The stated purpose of the Delta Plan is to provide water ‘reliability’ for Southern California users. ‘Reliability,’ in this case, is code for more water," said Nick Di Croce, co-facilitator of the California Environmental Water Caucus, and board member of the California Water Impact Network. "The delta cannot be saved, and its ecological crisis cannot be addressed, by taking out more water. The real crisis for the delta is that state and federal agencies have committed to deliver five times more water than is available; these unrealistic commitments need to be revised."

Stockton City Councilmember Kathy Miller, representing the Delta Coalition, blasted the Delta Stewardship Council and the Brown Administration for failing to conduct an analysis to determine how much water is available for export.

"Until this water availability analysis is done, there is no way to know how much water is available for export," she said. "The Delta Plan nevertheless endorses building huge Peripheral Tunnels. This places the cart before the horse."

She also criticized the Council for not addressing the dire economic impacts of the tunnels on the city of Stockton, a community where the population of people living in poverty has risen 56 percent in the past decade. "We need an open hand, not a closed fist," she said. "We need policies that enhance jobs creation and capital investment."

The Delta plan’s true purpose: get around biological opinions

The tunnel opponents said the true purpose of the Delta Plan is to get around the court "biological opinions" that restrict water exports in order to protect Sacramento River Chinook salmon, Central Valley steelhead, Delta smelt, green sturgeon and the southern resident population of killer whales (orcas), which forage on Sacramento River Chinook salmon, from extinction.

"The courts have found that water exporters have threatened the very survival of several fish species. Now, instead of reducing water exports, the Delta Plan endorses simply moving the point of export to a different spot in the Delta," said Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, executive director of Restore the Delta.

Independent scientists have found that the removal of more Delta flows through the Peripheral Tunnels would hasten the extinction of Sacramento River winter Chinook salmon, Delta smelt, longfin smelt and other fish species. "Yet, that is what the Delta Plan endorses," said Jennings.

Jennings concluded, "We have urged the Council to analyze and incorporate the findings of the legislatively mandated flow reports by the Water Board and Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Delta Protection Commission’s Economic Sustainability Plan. Following an extensive proceeding involving agencies, academia and non-governmental organizations, the Water Board concluded that a substantial increase in Delta outflow and a return to a more natural hydrograph were necessary to protect public trust resources. The Delta Plan EIR didn’t even consider that report as a major source of information."

Dick Pool, Secretary of the Golden Gate Salmon Association, criticized the failure of the plan to address the recovery needs of Central Valley salmon.

"The salmon cannot be restored with only habitat changes in the Delta," said Pool. "There is a large body of science including the state and federal agencies that recognize that only a combination of both upriver habitat and Delta actions can restore the salmon populations. Delta operations, specifically the pumps in the South Delta, with their strong impact on upstream water movements and reservoir operations, severely impact the survival of juvenile salmon above the Delta. The Delta Plan fails to address these issues."

Salad Bowl Science

Nicky Suard, owner of Snug Harbor Resorts in Walnut Grove on the Delta, summed up the lack of credible science in the Delta Plan and the EIR when she described it as "Salad Bowl Science," where the plan officials "pick and choose" the science to justify their pre-determined goals.

"Don't pass this plan," Suard urged the Council. "It will destroy the Delta and everything in it."

In her written comments to the Council, Carolee Krieger, President of the California Water Impact Network (C-WIN), shredded the Final Delta Plan.

"We find the Final Delta Plan utterly deficient," said Krieger. "It is nothing more than a continuation of the policy that has destroyed the largest estuary on the west coast of the continental United States and instigated the state's water wars. As such, it is not a solution to our water crisis, but a disastrous adherence to the status quo."

"It speaks to special interests, not the public interest," she stated. "It has been an unconscionable waste of taxpayer money, in that it sedulously avoids any course of action that would lead to the pragmatic and equitable distribution of our water while simultaneously protecting the Delta."

The pleas of Suard, Krieger and everybody who spoke against the plan and EIR’s adoption fell on deaf ears.

As was the case in the parallel Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative, Delta Vision and Bay Delta Conservation Plan “collaborative” processes, the goal was to present a façade of an open and transparent process where the “input” of the “stakeholders” was considered when the outcome of the process, the privatization of the public trust, was predetermined by state officials and corporate interests.

Council refused to conduct necessary analyses:

Restore the Delta, California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, the Environmental Water Caucus and the Delta Coalition said they had implored the Council to undertake a series of necessary analyses because the responsible agencies have refused to conduct them. These include:

• A water availability analysis essential for addressing over appropriation and separating real water from paper water and the legal rights to it.

• A benefit/cost analysis indispensable for maximizing the use of limited resources for the greatest good for all Californians.

• A public trust analysis crucial for ensuring that the common property rights of all Californian’s are protected and balanced against those of special interests.

• A beneficial use assessment addressing the extent that consumptive water is wasted and unreasonably used.

For more information about the campaign to stop the peripheral tunnels, go to: http://www.restorethedelta.org

2014 Budget, 'Old Town Plaza' Use Policy Tops Lengthy City Council Agenda

2013-05-17T14:43:00.003-07:00

May 17, 2013 |

After several relatively short meetings, next Wednesday the Elk Grove City Council will face a lengthy agenda that will feature an initial presentation of the city's 2014 budget.

According to information released this afternoon with the agenda, the actual first presentation will be presented to the council Wednesday night. According to a recommendation from city budget director Katy Baumbach, the budgt could be approved as early as the June 12 city council meeting.

In addition to the first budget presentation, among significant items the council well hear include a rezone request and a proposed use policy for the city-owned empty lot in Old Town Elk Grove now referred to as the Old Town Plaza.

Wednesday's meeting starts at 6 p.m.

'Star Trek: Into Darkness' film review by Gary Chew

2013-05-16T20:07:00.002-07:00

May 16, 2013 | By Gary Chew |

Maintaining linkage with itself has to be one of the underlying secrets of success for the durable“Star Trek” franchise. The linkage with all the star trekking from its outset when Gene Roddenberry got the space fable launched in 1966 to the very motion picture that's just been released called “Star Trek: Into Darkness” makes it clear its genesis was in broadcast television.

The Trek characters continue, even if they are now younger and played by others who, in many instances, weren't yet born when the series began. At present, we remain in the prequel mode of this enduring future of which Jim Kirk and Mr. Spock --- as well as the rest of the star ship Enterprise crew --- serve well the importance of justice, loyalty and honor whether it be in deep space or on a dusty street in a lonesome, desert town with two hombres facing-off with six shooters instead of Phasers.

Since we're talking sci-fi, the connections made forward and backward in time are more easily, yet cleverly employed to keep “Star Trek” up to at least Warp speed. (That, in spite of the fact that “Into Darkness” introduces a new space ship that makes the Enterprise look like a toy and can better the Enterprise's “warpiness.” Wow!

Director J. J. Abrams gives us more of Chris Pine as Kirk and Zachary Quinto Spock. The other, long-running likeable, familiar characters are also well cast. Most of the fresh Trek faces resemble the Shatners and Nimoys, etc., from those thrilling star dates of yesteryear --- thus keeping many talented people in the movie business employed and all the world's beloved Trekkies stoked, entertained and full of popcorn.

An added role to this 2013 “Star Trek” shows up as the character's younger self; I won't spoil you with the specifics. What's fun watching this new adventure is that (thanks to the conceit of time travel) scriptwriters Robert Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof have drawn from an earlier “Star Trek” and reversed characters' lines in scenes that stage similarly to the other film. For example: what Kirk says to Spock in one movie is, almost word for word, the same thing that Spock say to Kirk in the other “Star Trek.” It's another savvy feat to keep veteran Trekkies on board with the new, younger actors, while giving new fans a nice, big, fat sci-fi story. After seeing it, the latter day fan can watch the older “Star Trek” story and join in on the neat knowledge about what's been flip-flopped in the scriptwriting.

By the way, it's difficult to write about all this without spoiling it for the old Trekkies or the new Trekkies.

Shouts outs for the new film again go to Pine and Quinto. Other significant performances come from Benedict Cumberbatch, Peter Weller and Bruce Greenwood.

Since seeing the new film, I've watched the earlier“Star Trek” feature that connects most to the new release; and in all candor I must say that this latest edition makes the older film look like a slow freight chugging into the Neutral Zone. You must watch fast when viewing “Into Darkness.”

Unlike my old Trekkie friend, Mike Lazar of Sacramento, I haven't watched every “Star Trek” TV episode or, for that matter, all the feature films; but “Into Darkness,” bests the bunch I've seen, which includes the 2009 version with Pine and Quinto I award the new “Star Trek” 3.5 stars … and for myself, 5 stars for figuring out a way to tell you all you really need to know about this stunningly visual 3-D movie without using nary a spoiler.

Chew Reviews: Movies to Think About

www.imdb.com
www.sacramentopress.com
www.humortimes.com
Hear: Fridays at 89.5 KVMR
Archived: www.kvmr.org
Podcasts: www.peterbcollins.com
www.elkgrovenews.net

Archived reviews from 2003-2011
at www.tulsatvmemories.com
Other stuff at http://www.soundcloud.com/decibellydancer

Routine Traffic Stop by EGPD Leads to Discovery of Stolen Checks, Credit Cards

2013-05-16T13:28:00.003-07:00

May 16, 2013 |

A routine traffic stop yesterday morning led to the arrest of two Sacramento men who were reportedly found in possession of stolen checks and credit cards.

According to Elk Grove Police, a car being driven by 26-year old Anthony Leyva was stopped on the 10400 block of Grantline Road for a vehicle code violation. A records check revealed the car Levya was driving had been reported stolen and that he had an outstanding arrest warrant.

A vehicle search led to the discovery of stolen credit cards, checks and Social Security cards. A passenger in the car, 28-year old Darryl Labat, was found to be in possession of narcotics paraphernalia.

Both suspects were arrested and taken to the county jail where they remain in custody.

Elk Grove Police, Jiffy Lube Offering Free Cat Converter Etching

2013-05-16T10:12:00.001-07:00

May 16, 2013 |

In an effort to address catalytic converters thefts, the Elk Grove Police is partnering with Jiffy Lube to offer a free etching event.

The event will take place on Tuesday, June 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Jiffy Lube located at the entrance area of the Elk Grove Auto Matt. (9611 Auto Center Drive in Elk Grove).

During the "Etch and Catch" event, your vehicle's license plate number will be etched onto your catalytic converter(s). The etching may deter thieves from stealing your converter.

The presence of license plate numbers on catalytic converters can also provide law enforcement with the information needed to identify stolen property, contact victims, and apprehend criminals. This free "Etch and Catch" event is open to residents of all cities.

DUI Suspect Leads EGPD on Vehicle Pursuit, Damages Several Cars

2013-05-15T11:57:00.001-07:00

May 15, 2013 |

A Sacramento motorist who was stopped for a vehicle code violation led Elk Grove Police on a pursuit early Tuesday morning.

According to police reports, 22-year old Avneel Singh was stopped near Waterman Road and Westray Drive. As officers approached the suspects car, he drove away to a nearby neighborhood where he struck several parked cars.

Singh reportedly abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot in an effort to escape. A resident who had heard the sirens, saw the suspect fleeing from the suspect vehicle, confronted him and was able to detain him until an officer arrived.

When Singh was was contacted, he displayed objective signs of impairment and was arrested then transported to a local area hospital for medical treatment of minor injuries sustained in the collision.

Once cleared for incarceration, Singh was taken to the county jail where he remains in custody on $50,000 bail.

Mayor Davis Says Elk Grove 'Building Bridges' at Groundbreaking Ceremony

2013-05-14T14:30:00.000-07:00

May 14, 2013 |

During a groundbreaking ceremony this morning, Elk Grove Mayor Gary Davis said the city is not only metaphorically building bridges, but literally building a new bridge to help improve the city's trail system.

The comments were made during the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Elk Grove Creek Trail Crossing pedestrian bridge that will connect the trails on both sides of Highway 99. Upon completion one year from now, the 1,300-foot long, 14-foot wide bridge spanning East and West Stockton Boulevard and Highway 99 will connect to a new 2,640-foot long, 12-foot wide asphalt trail along the creek.

"The City of Elk Grove is all about building bridges, and often times that is figurative, and sometimes it is literal," Davis said. "Today we get to celebrate a literal building of a bridge."

Davis also noted the project was a collaboration between the city, the Cosumnes Community Services District (CCSD), Caltrans, SACOG and the Elk Grove Trails Committee. Davis added that the $4.85 million project got significant funding from the Federal Highway Administration.

Also on hand at the ceremony was Vice Mayor Steve Detrick, Council Member Pat Hume and CCSD Director Rich Lozano.

Elk Grove Trail Committee member Sharon Anderson also noted during her comments the bridge will be an important part of connecting the city's various trails and represents years of pushing by trail committee members, most notably Mark Mendenhall

"Hint, hint, to the naming committee, Mendenhall bridge has a nice ring to it," Anderson said.

Elk Grove Teen Speaks Truth to Power - Offers Critical View of Suburban Life

2013-05-13T15:10:00.000-07:00

May 13, 2013 |

During last Wednesday's Elk Grove City Council meeting, numerous youth were recognized for their various achievements.

Among the recipients were local high school seniors who had won the Elk Grove Green Student Scholarship funded by Elk Grove' garbage contractor, Republic Services.

One of the winners delivered a very interesting commentary on how a portion of Elk Grove residents were sold on walkable communities yet continue to be a highly car-dependent community.

See the comments below.

Elk Grove Police Arrests Suspected Drunk Hit and Run Driver

2013-05-13T14:46:00.000-07:00

May 13, 2013 |

A Sacramento man was arrested late Saturday after he allegedly was involved in a hit and run accident.

According to Elk Grove Police, 23-year old Phung Tran was involved in a collision near Sheldon Road and Lewis Stein Road and fled the scene on foot. As a result of the accident, a passenger in the other vehicle in the accident sustained an injury that required medical attention.

Responding officers began an extensive search and located Tran approximately two miles from the collision scene. Upon contact, the suspect displayed objective signs of impairment.

Tran was arrested then transported to a local area hospital since he was involved in a collision. After he was medically cleared, he was taken to the county jail where he has been released on bail.

Elk Grove Police Arrest Five on Cultivation, Distribution Charges After Pot House Fire

2013-05-12T15:55:00.001-07:00

May 12, 2013 |

Five alleged pothouse growers were arrested yesterday after firefighters from the Cosumnes Community Services District Fire Department and the City of Sacramento Fire Department responded to a structure fire at a home in the 6000 block of Laguna Villa Way in Elk Grove.

According to Elk Grove Police, upon entry to the structure firefighters observed a large amount of suspicious material consistent with a marijuana growing operation and immediately contacted the Elk Grove Police Department for assistance.

Duong Su

Firefighters extinguished the fire inside the residence and determined that no one was in the home at the time of the fire. Detectives from the Elk Grove Police Department's Street Crimes Unit were called out and began their investigation into the marijuana growing operation that was discovered.

While detectives were processing the residence, after obtaining a search warrant, the homeowner drove up to the residence. The homeowner, identified as 43-year-old Felix Su, was detained by detectives.

During the course of the investigation, detectives determined Felix Su was responsible for the marijuana growing operation that was discovered inside the the house. Detectives also arrested Su's 41-year-old Kim Ta at another location in Elk Grove. Both were arrested on charges of 11358 H&S: Cultivation of Marijuana and 11359 H&S: Possess Marijuana for Sale.

Detectives obtained search warrants for two other Elk Grove residences, 6800 block of Kilconnell Dr. and 7500 of Shelby Way, as a result information obtained during their investigation. Both residences were found to be actively growing marijuana.

Between the three locations, over 550 marijuana plants and approximately six pounds of packaged marijuana were recovered. In addition, detectives seized over $1,400.00 in U.S. Currency and a loaded sawed off 12-gague shotgun.

As a result of this investigation, detectives also arrested Duong Su (54), Raymond Su (24) and Mui Ly (47) on charges of 11358 H&S: Cultivation of Marijuana and 11359 H&S: Possess Marijuana for Sale. Raymond Su was also arrested for 33215 PC: Possess short barreled rifle or shotgun.

All suspects have been booked into the county jail are according to the sheriff's website are not eligible for bail.

The investigation into this marijuana growing operation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Elk Grove Police Department at (916) 478-8114. Tips can also be sent via SMS text message by entering CRIMES (274637) on a cell phone, followed by Tip732 (agency identification number) and the message.


Felix Su


Raymond Su

Kim Ta

Mui Ly

When God Created Mothers

2013-05-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

By Erma Brombeck | May 12, 1974 - Mother's Day column |

When the Good Lord was creating mothers, He was into his sixth day of “overtime” when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, “Have you read the specs on this order?”

• She has to be completely washable, but not plastic;

• Have 180 movable parts... all replaceable;

• Run on black coffee and leftovers;

• Have a lap that disappears when she stands up;

• A kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair;

• And six pairs of hands.”

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands... no way.”

“It’s not the hands that are causing me problems,” said the Lord. “It’s the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have.”

“That’s on the standard model?” asked the angel.”

The Lord nodded. “One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks, ’What are you kids doing in there?’ when she already knows. Another here in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn’t but what she has to know, and of course the ones here in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and say, ’I understand and I love you’ without so much as uttering a word.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching His sleeve gently, “Go to bed. Tomorrow...”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I’m so close to creating something so close to myself. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick... can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger... and can get a nine-year-old to stand under a shower.”

The angel circled the model of a mother very slowly. “It’s too soft,” she sighed."

“But she’s tough!” said the Lord excitedly. “You cannot imagine what this mother can do or endure.”

“Can it think?”

“Not only can it think, but it can reason and compromise,” said the Creator.”

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told You You were trying to push too much into this model.”

“It’s not a leak,” said the Lord. “It’s a tear.”

“What’s it for?”

“It’s for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness, and pride.”

“You are a genius,” said the angel.”

The Lord looked somber. “I didn’t put it there,” He said.

What the fudge is going on in my backyard? 'Combat science' and the war over Fish, Upstream diversion, the Delta, Government, Environment, and water eXporters

2013-05-11T08:21:00.000-07:00

By Michael Monasky | May 11, 2013

When suburban sprawl and feuding agribusiness interests deplete water supplies, bureaucrats seek a scapegoat. This time it's science. The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) and the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation -think mining, energy and dam construction - hosted a forum Friday that featured its latest study of the so-called stressors in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Contaminant discharge, depleted fish populations, unpredictable water delivery, invasive species and loss of wildlife habitat are the five stressors studied in the report. A major concern of the authors is that “parties...are likely to meet as legal adversaries” where “science takes on a 'combat' role-- where legal defensibility, rather than improved understanding, becomes a driver” in the planning process.

Never mind, however, that “institutional fragmentation,” a euphemism for the patchwork crazy-quilt of local, state, and federal agencies that oversee water, wildlife, and natural resources, as well as land use planning, have become so dysfunctional as to do no more than identify and amplify the narcissistic cries of special interests.

So, who is to blame for the institutional inertia when water becomes scarce while the Delta flora and fauna deteriorate? The PPIC panel was dominated by six attorneys, four engineers, two economists, and one planner. Only three of the 16 speakers were scientists; a geologist, a biologist, and a chemist, so it was easy to understand why science took the brunt of the blame.

The study supports the Bay-Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) of Governor Brown, which hopes to divert yet more water deliveries from two, huge 35 mile tunnels starting just south of Elk Grove. It admits that science, planning and regulation must be included in the effort to avoid public misunderstanding of the project's cost, to coordinate interagency cooperation, and to eliminate current inconsistencies in management of Delta water resources.

A Delta Ecosystem Regulatory Coordinator (DERC) would oversee environmental permitting. When asked about the role of agribusiness and sprawl in the Delta's water woes, the panel of consulting scientists chuckled but had no response. These water professionals seemed to have no intention of exposing themselves to risk. After all, the history of water management in California is an old zero sum game; take from the North, and give to the South.

The study included references to the newly formed Delta Stewarship Council (DSC). Former State Assemblyman Phil Isenberg was appointed chair by former Governor Schwarzenegger. The DSC replaced the CALFED agency, which was heavily criticized by the Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) for bureaucratic cost overruns, ineptitude, and duplications. History seems to be repeating itself.

Isenberg complained that Californians want unlimited personal choice while demanding government efficiency, which he argued are mutually exclusive. “I'm the gardener in the crabgrass of government,” he declared, and “politics lags behind policy” in discussions about water. Isenberg prioritized informing the public about its water supply and the associated costs.

Peter Goodwin is the DSC lead engineer who maintained that an independent, open, transparent, and competing process should prevail in the promotion of scientific hypotheses in the study of the Delta. Science proposes “alternative futures” to assist policymakers. “Are we doing the science that will help inform policy?” he asked. Goodwin declared that there is “uncertainty between scientists, but that business prefers certainty.”

Mark Cowin leads the California Department of Water Resources and says he “hates integration” since it “works only when it's in your self-interest...collaboration and litigation cannot co-exist...I believe in crawl-walk-run.” “I'm skeptical about a single organizational structure that will solve these problems” for the Delta, Cowin said.

Will Stelle is a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) attorney and its Northwest Regional Fisheries administrator who cited examples of successes in the Columbia River Basin, where he encountered a decade-long controversy in preserving the spotted owl. Stelle premised increased performance standards upon implementation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), with the Bonneville Power utility company and the Columbia River Project as “core drivers.” He said that these complex problems had “simple answers” so long as program, finance, governance, and science were integrated into the plan. “There are winners and losers,” Stelle admonished.

Chuck Bonham, director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, said that there are too many bureaucracies, but supports the establishment of those agencies listed in the report. Bonham espoused expedited “performance-based permitting.” Tim Quinn, executive director of the Association of California Water Agencies, complained that the regulatory process does not shift resources to needs. Quinn suggested that water recycling in Southern California was implemented in 1984 only after an uncharacteristic change in water agency leadership. Quinn lamented that there are “too many adversarial relationships;” and that compromise should result in “science, broadly accepted,” a reference to a softening of science in deference to policy makers.

After the meeting, chemist Terry Young explained her panel remark that she was optimistic, that “the glass is half-full, that we have made progress,” especially considering the conditions prior to enforcement of environmental laws. When asked about other environmental degradation, she admitted to additional levels of complexity (such as air quality and congestion) that further confounded ecological conditions. “Some days,” Young said, “it seems the glass isn't half-full.”

Elk Grove's plans to expand its Sphere Of Influence (SOI) play directly into these water controversies. When constructed, Governor Brown's BDCP will displace prime agricultural lands and wildlife habitat. Nearby property must be set aside to replace those lands taken out of farm and wildlife uses. The SOI property just south of the city of Elk Grove will likely be tapped for such mitigation measures, potentially making the city's expansion plans moot.

Meanwhile, special interests want more water down south, making the plea for “reconciliation ecology,” a euphemism for the “co-equal goals of ecosystem health and water supply reliability.” Ecologists and citizens, beware.

Internet Sales Tax Bill Passes Senate - Contributions from Key Stakeholders

2013-05-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

May 11, 2013 | from Maplight

By a vote of 69-27, the Senate passed a bill on Monday that would require online retailers to collect and distribute sales taxes according to the tax laws of the fifty states.

Under current law, retailers are only required to collect sales taxes for online purchases originating in states where they have a physical presence. The Senate's bill is supported by national brick-and-mortar chains and Amazon, both of whom would gain a competitive advantage by the increased burden the bill would place on small and mid-size retailers that sell online (the bill exempts businesses with less than $1 million in annual sales). Opposition to the bill is being led by eBay, which has organized a coalition of small online retailers to lobby Congress on the bill.

Data: MapLight analysis of campaign contributions from interest groups that have taken a position on S. 743 (Marketplace Fairness Act) to members of the Senate from January 1, 2007—December 31, 2012. Contributions data source: Center for Responsive Politics

Amazon contributions to the Senate total $208,428.
eBay contributions to the Senate total $177,900.
Interest groups supporting the bill (including Amazon, Walmart, AFL-CIO) have given 40 times as much money to senators than interest groups opposing (including eBay, TechNet, FreedomWorks).
Senators voting "YES" received, on average, 53% more money from Amazon than from eBay.
Senators voting "YES" received, on average, 44% more money from Amazon than senators voting "NO."
Senators voting "NO" received, on average, 62% more money from eBay than senators voting "YES."
Senators voting "YES" received 29% more money, on average, from interest groups supporting the bill than senators voting "NO."

Methodology: MapLight analysis of campaign contributions from interest groups that have taken a position on S. 743 to current members of the Senate, from January 1, 2007—December 31, 2012. Contributions data source: OpenSecrets.org

A link to this data report can be found here.

MapLight is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan research organization that tracks money's influence on politics.

Elk Grove Citizens Seek Info on Using Old Town Parcel, Agendas

2013-05-10T15:28:00.001-07:00

May 10, 2013 |

During Wednesday night's Elk Grove City Council meeting two citizens sought information on procedures for obtaining use of the city's recently purchased lot in Old Town and how one can get an item placed on the city council agenda for consideration. The two inquires were made during the public comment section of the meeting.

Elk Grove resident Lynn Wheat inquired on how an item might be placed on the agenda for council consideration. Wheat, who noted she regularly attends council meetings, said she was asked by an acquaintance on how an item might get placed on the agenda.

"They were just wondering how a resident or a citizen would be able to request an item to be agendized," Wheat said. "And I wasn't able to answer that question."

Wheat went on to say she was not aware of how a resident could request to have an item placed on the agenda for council consideration.

"So if that could be put on the website or spoken to tonight, so we can all be aware of how our house works I would appreciate it," she added.

"I think that is a good suggestion," Mayor Gary Davis said. "The answer is you simply can come to a council meeting and ask us all. You can shoot an Email to one of us and ask us."

Davis went on to say that is was probably a good idea to put that information on the city's website.

Mark Forster of Elk Grove also inquired how an individual or group could get permission to use the vacant city-owned lot in Old Town. Since the city purchased the parcel last fall, the site has been used for a city-sponsored seasonal ice rink and most recently as a monthly food truck event co-sponsored by Mayor Gary Davis.

"What is the availability to get that land," Forster asked. "Is it available to rent, or for any business owner to use."

Forster went on to say that he is a local business owner and is trying to find out the availability to use the parcel.

Addressing the inquiry city manager Laura Gill said interested parties need "to get hold of somebody in my office to see if the land is available for your event and all that we ask is that you don't have anything on there that would incur a cost to the city."

Gill also said at the next council meeting there will be a use policy put forward.

"We frankly want that property to be used in order to bring events and to bring folks down to Old Town Elk Grove," Gill said. "To the extent that we can make that happen, that is what we like."

Forster also asked if monthly food truck event co-sponsored by Davis is a city sponsored.

"That event is put on SactoMoFo, which is the food truck organizer and myself " Davis said.

Forster went to say he thought there was some confusion to whose event that belonged to and asked Davis if he wanted to set up a booth at the event, how could he participate.

"I can tell you right now, just show up," Davis said. "We've allowed anybody who has asked to a have a booth there."

The next SactoMoFo and Mayor Davis food truck event in Old Town Elk Grove is scheduled for Wednesday, June 5 from 5 - 8 p.m.

'The Great Gatsby,' a Film Review by Gary Chew

2013-05-10T10:03:00.001-07:00

UPDATED

By Gary Chew | May 10, 2013 |

The most salient point in F. Scott Fitzgerald's great novel, “The Great Gatsby,” comes when Nick Carraway admonishes Jay Gatsby: “You can't repeat the past.”

Making sure to abide by that admonition had to be what Baz Luhrmann was up to when he co-wrote and directed the Fitzgerald classic now opening across the nation. Although the story takes place as the twenties roared, this “Gatsby” has much that makes it seem as though it's actually 2013 and a grand, splashy embellishment of “Gatsbys” of the past.

That's because of the film's visual effects of more recent vintage. Not only are the lavish parties thrown by Gatsby and the entire film in 3D, but Luhrmann's parade of spectacle-engorged scenes, sets, effects, costumes and crowds seem never to cease. He didn't pull out the stops as far as they’ll go when making the picture; he threw them away.

Ironically, with all the stuff Luhrmann has so cleverly created for us to see, I caught 3 or 4 jump cuts in the film … not glaringly obvious, but I did especially see DiCaprio suddenly be in a different position from one split second to the next when the camera angle changes but the same scene goes forward.

Watching the film so closely, for those reasons, I came out of the screening with a bit of a 3D headache. If you've seen Luhrmann's earlier, well-received film, “Moulin Rouge,” there must be a notion in your head about what this Australian filmmaker has done for and, mostly, to the fabricated East and West Egg, Long Island, where the narrative is mostly set.

I would like to think that if Fitzgerald saw all the films and TV shows that draw from his iconic novel, he might think Luhrmann has gone a little overboard with the jazzy, tragic story of urbane elitists who hover even higher than mere bourgeois Americans ... not long before the crash of '29.

Should you not yet know, marital infidelity is the vehicle by which “Gatsby” is told. Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio) is obsessively in love with Daisy (Carey Mulligan), who is married to Tom (Joel Edgerton). Nick (Tobey Maguire) rents the modest cottage on Gatsby’s elaborate estate. Middle-class Nick is a cousin of the very well-off Daisy. Gatsby persuades Nick to cover for him and act as go-between for his covert resumption of the love affair with Daisy that ended five years earlier when Gatsby left for World War I and Daisy had yet to meet then marry Tom.

Tom is also having an illicit liaison with a poor man's wife, which allows Fitzgerald to invest his story with some of the plight of lower-class Americans and minorities.

The film is not sexy … or maybe I should say that Luhrmann hasn't made it sexy. In that regard, the script is as Fitzgerald intended.

The casting is fine. As with the “Gatsby” of Robert Redford, the character of Jordan Baker (Elizabeth Debicki), fetches and intrigues. I prefer Mulligan as Daisy to Mia Farrow's turn in that role with Redford. Tobey Maguire is slightly goofy as Nick. Sam Waterston's "Nick" is hard to beat in the tamer “Gatsby” production from 1974. Edgerton as Tom is appropriately menacing but again, Bruce Dern will be, for me, the better actor playing Daisy's coarse, arrogant spouse.

DiCaprio has turned in one of his pretty good performances here. He looks as upper-class as Redford did, and more outwardly emotional in the lead.

My difficulty also lies with part of the story of “The Great Gatsby," even though I think Fitzgerald's novel is superlative. However … the stretch of the ritzy hotel room confrontation between Gatsby and Tom has always struck me as ringing not so true. Both men are vying to ultimately possess Daisy. Their verbal exchanges come off a bit silly sounding and uncharacteristic of powerful, wealthy gentlemen who control lots of people and things. There seems to be nothing clever of either in the stand-off.

Luhrmann's take on the penthouse row in the summer heat high above New York City doesn't delete the silly from the scene, which also seems long.

Since one of the novel's greatest strengths is the author's on-the-page turn of phrase, what's best about "The Great Gatsby" available for translation to the screen that also remains, is its deep sense of tragedy and the obvious fact that money ... and as George Carlin would put it, “stuff,” most likely, by themselves, won't bring happiness to those who have leisure, comfort and opulence “to the nines.”

With a five as tops, this old sport gives “The Great Gatsby” --- vintage 2013 --- an insubstanial three.

Listeners of Sacramento's NPR affiliate KXJZ and KXPR (Capital Public Radio) will likely recognized the name Gary Chew as a longtime classical music host. He’s been writing film reviews for years as is almost burdened with deciding whether music or movies tops his agenda. No signs yet if Gary is even close to making up his mind on that.

Elk Grove to Hike Garbage Pick-up Rates

2013-05-09T15:54:00.002-07:00

May 9, 2013 |

In a unanimous vote last night, the Elk Grove City Council agreed to raise monthly garbage collection fees to help continue financing of the city's special waste collection facility. That facility, which is currently under construction, is located on Grantline Road across Highway 99 from the Promenade Mall.

The new rates, which will be effective July 1, will see monthly 32 gallon garbage can fees increase 44 cents to $22.44; 64 gallons increased 60 cents to $25.51 and 96 gallons 98 cents to $31.71.

During his presentation to the city council city accounting manager Andrew Keys noted these increases were less than had previously approved by the city council. The original rate schedule increase was approved in December 2010 and would have allowed for increases that are roughly twice as high as the current increases.

During the brief concil deliberations Council Member Pat Hume said when the rate increase was approved in 2010 he challenged city staff to closely monitor this and only impose what was needed.

"Even though it is a rate increase, it is less than what we had originally projected," Hume said. "Government taking only what it needs is a good thing."

Elk Grove Probationer Arrested on Shoplifting, Other Charges

2013-05-09T11:30:00.000-07:00

May 9, 2013 |

An Elk Grove man who is on probation was arrested for shoplifting and others charges yesterday afternoon.

According to Elk Grove Police, 32-year old Anthony Domingos was observed shoplifting at the Kohl's store on Calvine Road by loss prevention personnel who were able to obtain the license number of the car he fled in. Officers responded to the registered owners address and contacted the suspect.

A records check revealed that Domingos was on probation and a search of his vehicle led to the discovery of narcotics, narcotic paraphernalia, burglary tools and the property stolen from Kohls. The loss prevention officer was transported to suspects location and positively identified him as the person responsible for the theft.

Domingos was arrested then taken to the county jail where he remains in custody.