Elk Grove’s leaders should take responsibility for their decisions before election | Opinion

The Elk Grove City Council has had some highs and lows in recent times, and in November, voters have a chance to change course or maintain the status quo in a contested race for mayor.

The lowlight by far for Elk Grove has been affordable housing. The saga started back in July of 2022 when the Elk Grove City Council denied a proposal for a 66-unit supportive housing project for lower-income households at risk of homelessness — even though those same city officials approved a similar project for market-rate housing just a few blocks away.

After the developer sued, the supportive housing project was ultimately relocated to a city-owned property earlier this year. However the state launched its own lawsuit against Elk Grove for breaking several state housing laws that require cities to approve such projects under certain circumstances, and the city was forced to not only allow the project to move forward, albeit in a different location.

Elk Grove was required to agree to strict reporting requirements over the next five years to monitor its compliance with the state housing laws it had broken, and it will also be required to identify a second site for an additional 66-unit project, somewhere in a “high resource area,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said.

Meanwhile, the highlight was the council’s decision in May to move the Sacramento Zoo to the city. Long without a signature attraction, Elk Grove has decided to enter into this historic partnership with the non-profit zoo to build a $308 million project on 103 acres off Kammerer Road.

Now, voters in Elk Grove will need to decide to keep incumbent mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen in the top job — even though she led the charge on defying the state’s affordable housing laws — or opt for one of her competitors in Brian Pastor or Lynn Wheat.

Districts 1 and 3

Two other councilmen, District 1’s Darren Suen and District 3’s Kevin Spease, are also up for reelection, but both are running unopposed. Spease declined to interview with The Bee’s Editorial Board, and it is our policy not to endorse a candidate who does not meet with us.

Suen, however, was forthcoming about his plans for the future of the city and his district, which encompasses the land between Highway 99 and Interstate 5, with a southern boundary of Elk Grove Boulevard and Laguna Boulevard to the north.

Suen took the time to explain his decisions around the city’s affordable housing plans. He’s an intelligent and caring leader who will remain invested in the people of Elk Grove and their ongoing success.

His professional background and specialization in transportation and water resources is an asset to the city as climate change threatens all aspects of a city’s business; Suen currently works as a principal engineer and policy advisor for the California Central Valley Flood Protection Board, when not serving as the District 1 representative to city council. He has our endorsement.

Mayoral race is hardly a contest

Mayor Singh-Allen is in her second term and is by far the best candidate running for the position. Singh-Allen therefore has The Bee’s endorsement. Her opponents have both previously run for the position of mayor in Elk Grove; Wheat once before in 2012 and Pastor in the two last elections, but neither seem to us to be prepared for the role.

Singh-Allen’s command of city issues outshines her competitors: Both Wheat and Pastor needed a refresher on the city’s Measure N, while Singh-Allen was able to speak authoritatively in favor of the school bond measure asking for $542 million to repair and modernize schools in the Elk Grove Unified School District.

While we have endorsed Singh-Allen twice for mayor, we wish she would acknowledge that Elk Grove was wrong on the Oak Rose project. The state was right to sue the city. Singh-Allen is a passionate advocate for her city and she should be, but the housing crisis in California is exacerbated when cities like Elk Grove turn down good affordable projects. Criticism of Elk Grove’s posture on the Oak Rose project wasn’t personal. Singh-Allen is a terrific leader, but California needs more affordable housing, period.

Elk Grove is a thriving city with attractive qualities for families, businesses and professionals. While the current city council could do better for the less fortunate residents, it’s our opinion that none of the challengers would be worthy replacements for the council as it currently stands.