Chico's City Council is Failing its Residents - It's Time for Change
Chico's city council has come under increasing scrutiny from residents concerned about a growing list of issues.
Transparency Concerns: Many residents feel the council operates with a lack of transparency. Agendas may be unclear, public comment periods limited, and crucial information released at the last minute. Councilors do not report out on committee meetings and actions, and much business is done in closed session. In fact, this council has been sent several Cease and Desists over Brown Act violations. This lack of openness makes it difficult for the public to stay informed and participate meaningfully in local government.
Endless Lawsuits and Legal Fees: A string of lawsuits against the city has cost us millions; from having speakers dragged out of the council chambers, to violating citizens' civil rights and mishandling of public records requests. All of this has residents questioning the council's decision-making processes. These lawsuits not only divert city resources and waste our tax dollars, but raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Elitism and Representation: The council has been criticized for not adequately representing the diverse needs of Chico's population. Some residents feel their voices are not being heard, particularly on issues of economic disparity and social justice. They have ignored the concerns of mobile home park residents asking for protection from unreasonable rent increases. Rent increases for homes and apartments are capped at 10% per year, while mobile home parks, where residents are primarily older and on fixed incomes, have no such protections. Councilmembers went so far as to suggest that the companies that bought the parks and raised rents as much as 30% were the ones that "needed protection" of their profit margins. Meanwhile, Councilmember Tom van Overbeek has been openly derisive of those who are less wealthy, saying that "if someone needs the $1900 month stipend for serving on the city council, they shouldn't be making land-use decisions."
Cruelty as Public Policy: The treatment of the city's homeless population is a major point of contention. Policies like endless, aggressive sweeps (often in the same locations that were swept a few months before), and their failure to open a sanctioned, managed campground, are widely seen as inhumane and ineffective. Residents are demanding a more compassionate and results-oriented approach to homelessness.
We Can Replace 4 Councilmembers This Year, But We Need Your Help
The residents of Chico have a right to a city council that is accountable, transparent, and representative. In 2024, we can replace Sean Morgan, Andrew Coolidge, Deepika Tandon and Dale Bennett with excellent candidates who share our values. Can't provide details yet, but we have some amazing candidates prepping to run in coming months.
We'd like to fund their candidacies to the maximum amount allowed when they kick off their campaigns. Can you help today with a donation?
