Take a Stand for Chico - A Call to Action

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On February 4th, 2020, hundreds of Chico residents like myself assembled at City Hall in an effort to make our voices heard. Democrats, Republicans, conservatives, liberals, and everyone in between stood side by side to voice their discontent at the direction our city leaders are taking our town. As a private citizen, a no-party-preference voter, and a member of our community unaffiliated with any groups, PACs, or parties, I am asking for your help to keep the momentum going and send a message to City Hall that immediate action is needed to address the concerns many of you share with me.

To do this, I have drafted a declaration of grievances, included below, that I intend to submit to the Chico City Council. I need the help of as many local citizens and businesses willing to donate funds to purchase a full-page ad in the local paper. Such an ad would show that the citizens of Chico support immediate action to improve the quality of life in our community. The cost of the ad would be about two thousand dollars, and each donor would have the opportunity to have their name added to the declaration and published in the ad. For those who are interested in donating, but concerned about their name being published, contact me to ensure your name is kept confidential.  We are asking for a minimum donation of $10 per person.   If you would like to show your support, but cannot donate, contact me and I will add your name to the declaration.  For those able to donate more, please help us cover the cost of those who may be unable to contribute funds. 

Any funds that are raised over and above our goal will either be kept for a 2nd or 3rd run of the ad, or donated to the Work Training Center or local Salvation Army. Please help me defend our community. Even $10 could make all the difference in the world.

*By donating, you are providing your permission for your name to be added to the Declaration and published in the ad.  If you do not want your name to be published, please contact me to have it removed.

**I am not a member of a PAC, political party, or community group.  I am doing this as an individual and am asking others to join me in a common cause.  I am not endorsing or opposing any current or prospective political office holder or party.  I am not and do not plan to become a candidate for political office.



Declaration of Grievances:


We, the people of Chico,

- In order to protect and enhance our community's quality of life for present and future generations; 
- Maintain our streets, parks, and other public and private areas; 
- Preserve the cleanliness, sanitation, and accessible condition of our community;
- And protect the health, safety, and public welfare of the City of Chico, 

Do hereby tender the following list of grievances to the Chico City Council: 


The Chico City Council has failed to make a priority those things of the greatest concern to the public welfare, such as concerns about and threats to public safety, choosing instead to pursue unpopular and frivolous projects and partisan policy making;


They have failed to address, through proper enforcement, the growing offenses against the public welfare, to include both statutory crimes against persons and properties both public and private, and damage to the general sentiment of safety in the community of Chico;


They have violated the mandate of our City Charter to protect our children, families, and businesses by failing to oppose the establishment of a needle distribution program which has resulted in an increase in the littering of hypodermic needles on school grounds, streets, parks, and waterways;


They have, as a result, unduly exposed the public to infectious disease and physical harm in violation of the mandate to protect health and safety within the city limits;


They have failed to protect the health and safety of vulnerable unhoused populations of Chico by failing to collaborate with the County of Butte and other stakeholders to secure resources for mental health treatment, drug detox, rehabilitation, permanent and transitional housing solutions, and job placement;


They have failed to preserve sensitive ecosystems by neglecting to enforce existing federal, state, and local laws -- or to pursue additional ordinances -- to protect local waterways from pollution and degradation by illegal camping and the resulting dumping of human waste and other garbage into local watersheds;


They have violated the Mission Statement of the City of Chico by failing to attend to public safety; neglecting concerns of business owners about criminal activity; and undermining the quality of life entitled to residents of Chico by refusing to take measurable actions to improve infrastructure such as housing, roadways, and sewer;


They have, in exhibiting the failures enumerated above, violated and eroded the public trust and confidence in their ability to uphold, protect, and defend the Chico City Charter and preserve the quality of life promised therein.


We, the People of Chico, therefore resolve that this Council shall heed this call to action and shall in all urgency redress the aforementioned grievances. With friends, family, and community as our witnesses, we record our names below in petitioning this Council to uphold its Charter, correct its abuses, and restore the public confidence in its ability to govern.