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The Sacramento Bee, Calif., Diana Lambert Column: Elk Grove Cops Who Battled Gunman Are Up for National Honor

Posted on: Sunday, 16 April 2006, 18:00 CDT

By Diana Lambert, The Sacramento Bee, Calif.

Apr. 16--Vote for top cops: On March 25 a man began randomly shooting people along Laguna Boulevard in Elk Grove. Two died. But many credit two Elk Grove police officers - Janell Bestpitch and Tisha Smith - with saving many more lives. Now, the officers have been nominated for the "America's Most Wanted All-Star Contest" by one of their peers. The nomination says the women were able to "return fire while shielding other citizens from harm." The officers are up against a entire slate of law enforcement heroes for the title. "I think it's a great recognition," says Ed Kelly, Elk Grove assistant chief of police. "What they did was heroic." Voting continues at www.amw.com until Friday. The grand prize will be a trip to Charlotte, N.C., for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series All-Star Challenge, as well as $10,000. Weekly winners will receive a duffel bag. Don't leave these officers holding the bag, start voting. ...

Bring on the grits: Ray Smith, 41, is turning his popular Sunday breakfasts at Ella's Southern Catfish into a full-time gig. Soon, his dishes will be available at breakfast, lunch and dinner at his new restaurant - Table 260. "People will follow me over there for my chicken and waffles," Chef Ray says. Apparently Ray's customers have been pretty enthusiastic. "They want me for my grits," he says. "The way that I make it is a little bit different. They offer to marry me. I'm already married." Ray says Table 260 will be an urban chic fusion of American and soul food. The restaurant is scheduled to open after Mother's Day at 2745 Elk Grove Blvd., Suite 260. Ray has been in the restaurant business for 22 years. "I'm doing it for myself now," Ray says. ...

Political watch: Last week, the race for Elk Grove City Council really got grooving. Campaign fliers appeared in mailboxes, fundraisers were scheduled and residents began their pleas for a clean campaign. Candidate Gary Davis responded by asking all office seekers to come together and make a public pledge to run a clean campaign. The e-mail was sent to candidates Patrick Hume and Davies Ononiwu, as well as to incumbents Rick Soares and Dan Briggs on Tuesday. Ononiwu responded Wednesday via e-mail, saying he would sign a clean-campaign pledge. But he seemed skeptical as to its power. "I don't believe that simply being asked to sign a document will mean anything unless the person truly is committed to what he or she is signing," he said. ...

Follow the money: So, who is raising money for whom? Looks like Gil and Kay Albiani hosted a successful first fundraiser for Gary Davis on Thursday Night. Kay is a Los Rios College District trustee and Gil sits on the Elk Grove Community Services District board. Sheriff Lou Blanas also was listed on the invite, as was Mike Winn, a longtime Sacramento area developer. "It was overwhelming," Davis says. He happily reported Friday that 120 people attended the $100-a-person reception. On Thursday, Roberta and Craig MacGlashan will host a fundraiser for Rick Soares at Todo Un Poco. Roberta is a Sacramento County supervisor. The fundraiser is from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $99. Sponsorships vary from $500 at the bronze level to $5,000 at platinum. Call (916) 826-2034 to reserve a seat. Patrick Hume is kicking off his campaign with a fund-raising celebration from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Patrick is hosting his own party and keeping ticket prices at $50 each, with sponsorships of $150. Call (916) 687-1693 to reserve a space. The event will be at Nissan of Elk Grove, which has offered its facility to any candidate that asks. ...

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Sacramento Bee, Calif.

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Source: The Sacramento Bee

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