You meet the nicest people online. I met Connie through the Marysville water rates protest group, and she’s always kind enough to send me any news she has from her neck of the woods.
Latest news – “Juanita, Lou Binninger received a letter today from the FPPC saying they need more time to sift thru everything that was sent to them. The letter was from the Chief of Enforcement Division FPPC. A court date will be set soon for the litigation to nullify Measure K.”
Wow, looks like the squeaky wheel gets the grease! Yuba County gadfly Lou Binninger sent in a complaint about taxpayer money being spent on a campaign to raise taxes – yes, Virginia, that’s illegal!
Binninger was originally told that he had to send evidence of such spending. No, the FPPC does not investigate, they just contemplate. It’s you and I and the rest of the taxpayers that have to dig up the dirt on our public officials. So Binninger turned to other citizens of Yuba County, who brought in a crap ton of evidence.
I’ll tell you what, though, I still haven’t heard exactly what constitutes evidence. I bet I have another crap ton of such evidence in my blog and my notes, and it’s all over the agendas and minutes of meetings. And don’t forget the budgets – they have to tell us if they spend money on consultants.
What I’d like to know is, does $taff Time count? Cause it seems city of Chico staff has been spending an inordinate amount of time lately telling us we need to pay more taxes.
I just saw city mangler Mark Orme on the news recently saying the Paradise evacuation was causing us so much expense (even though the city hasn’t done Jack Crap for the evacuees, sending them down the road to Gridley). Then a story in the paper in which public works staffer Brendan Ottoboni was complaining about not having enough money to mitigate all the new traffic. The city just completed a traffic study – wow, that couldn’t have anything to do with that “street maintenance” bond they are pitching to the public.
So I’ll be watching Binninger’s complaint – thanks for the head’s up Connie!
Chico Taxpayers Association 
Dear Juanita:
Your articles are always interesting and bring a common sense approach to the use of taxpayer funds. I am a person who does not mind paying taxes if the tax money is well spent. My point in writing you is to have your readers consider the hidden costs to the taxpayer of the fatal officer-involved shootings by the Chico Police Department. My son Tyler Rushing was killed in an officer-involved shooting in Chico 7.23.17, and I am suing the city. I would rather my son be alive. My argument is that poor leadership from the city police chief has resulted in a “shoot first and ask questions later” policing culture. The recent $950,000 settlement to Mindy Lohsee is an example of a direct cost to Chicoans in the form of higher insurance premiums to the Joint Powers Authority plus untold staff labor costs and increased legal fees to the firm that employs the city attorney over the five year period prior to the settlement a few days ago. There is a current lawsuit against Chico PD for the killing of Desmond Phillips. I have been told other lawsuits are coming soon. The taxpayers, in my opinion, are paying a high price for the reckless leadership of their chief. The taxpayers should demand a new chief. Very Truly Yours, Scott Rushing
Thanks for your comments Mr. Rushing, I agree. The police department has cost the city a lot of money over the years with their “cops first” policy . You’re also right about lack of leadership. Although, I don’t know if the chief is reckless or gutless – he’s determined to hold onto his position until he reaches retirement, and he knows which way the wind blows. The CPOA owns the council and the council hires the chief.
I was just reviewing the police campaign contribution reports, it was very interesting.
Why would the result by any other way? When the government screws up, it’s ALWAYS the taxpayers who pay the settlements, not the individuals responsible.
And that goes for the government monopolies like PG&E. After the Camp Fire PG&E goes bankrupt so the CEO quits and walks away with millions while taxpayers and rate payers get stuck with the fallout.
We live in a society where every major institution is corrupt.