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	EGPAC
	by Sandi Russell
	In 1989 there was an interest in Elk Grove becoming a city and controlling its own destiny. Elk Grove was a rural community, but beginning to grow. Many residents were leery of a new city being able to support itself and were concerned the city would raise taxes to support a city structure. The initiative lost and Elk Grove remained under Sacramento County control.
	Again in 1994, another push was on to become a city. Citizens began realizing that Elk Grove was changing from rural to a bedroom community for Sacramento. With the massive building going on west of highway 99, a way of life and the country atmosphere was fast disappearing. The idea of local control was a way to stem the tide of new building and disappearing farm and agricultural lands. This time the initiative narrowly lost due to the influx of BIA dollars and the misinformation of increased taxes.
	In 1998, the dream of city-hood was rekindled and put before the people once again. This time the initiative passed and in July 2000, the community of Elk Grove officially became the City of Elk Grove. Our city council was elected on the platforms of "No New Taxes" and "Local Control". They were also elected by the people because of their stand of fairness and concern for the people of the community with a willingness to involve the citizens and listen to their concerns.
	There was a concern from the very night of their swearing in that their professed willingness to involve the citizens and listen to our concerns was nothing more than campaign rhetoric. One councilmember was concerned that he wouldn't have enough time to spend with his family and wanted to have only one meeting a month. Then there were the two Sheriff's officers; would they have a conflict of interest serving the City of Elk Grove and the County Sheriff? Were we truly out of the county's control?
	As time passed, citizens found that we could go before the city council, ask questions and express our concerns, but the council was not listening to us; frequently, council members even left the room while citizens were talking. They continue to treat citizen comments the same way to this very day. The large majority of the time, when we finish talking, they thank us and immediately call the next person up for his or her comments. There was and still to this day isn't usually a question, an answer or a comment from the council about what the citizens say or ask. Communication between the citizens and the council grew and continue to grow more and more strained. Citizens demanded to become part of the process but were being shut out.
	Finally, the city started having workshops about various projects and invited the citizens. They even pretended that they were listening to the people, but they weren't. This is clearly demonstrated by the recent spate of "public hearings" on a skate park. Citizens, led by Dyric Ramirez, spent hours planning for these public meetings, designing skate parks, getting involved in the political process and doing everything in a manner set forth by the city. The outcome? After two extensive public workshops, they were told by the city "thanks, but no thanks. We're involved with our turf war now with CSD; we're going to appoint a parks commission and they'll make the decision. We really value your input and now that you've served our purpose as window dressing, you can leave". Of course, we're paraphrasing, but we don't believe we're exaggerating.
	At a recent City Council meeting, the council discussed a Code of Ethics, which citizens had written. Could no one on the city council come up with a basic concept of ethics? Apparently not! At that same meeting they broke that code by threatening to withhold grant funds from organizations to keep their members silent! Did we really become a city in order to betray our fundamental right to free speech under the First Amendment?
	The Elk Grove Political Action Committee (EGPAC) has been formed to help overcome these issues, but we are looking at more than the city. We are looking at all forms of government that affect the people of Elk Grove and the surrounding area. We will be a place for the citizens to bring concerns and possibly find answers with the help of other citizens with the same concern. Through EGPAC, the people of Elk Grove will have a political voice that cannot be ignored. We are a small group now, but we will get larger. If you are concerned about the path of government in Elk Grove, then you should make yourself heard. One way to do that is to add your voice to EGPAC; you can do that by contacting Sandi Russell at tom-sandi@comcast.net.
	"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Edmund Burke
	Edmund Burke was a political philosopher who never lived in Elk Grove to our knowledge, but Sandi Russell is a long time resident.
	The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent those of the Elk Grove Insider or any other entity.
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