I think it’s weird that a few weeks ago the ER was running as many as 10 letters a day, but now that’s dropped off to three or four. I happen to know there are letters in the queue – a few of my friends have told me they sent “no on A” letters before the February 21 cut-off, and they just haven’t appeared.
Of course you know – ER front man Mike Wolcott has endorsed Measure A.
Of course, Wolcott recruited our friend Dave Howell to write a “con” piece so he could give Jim Parrott another shot at a “pro” piece. I don’t know how many of you noticed – Wolcott listed Dave as “Dave Smith”, Dave had to correct him. By the time Wolcott put the right name on the piece it was buried. That might not sound like more than an innocent mistake (like Karl Ory putting his hand in Nichole Nava’s face?), but it means anybody who googled the name would not find any of Dave Howell’s previous letters or his new “Chico Taxes” website.
Excuse me for thinking Mr. Wolcott would ever do anything like that on purpose, I’ll just go on thinking he’s an incompetent ass.
Frankly, this measure was written deceptively, and presented falsely by the ER. The proponents aren’t telling us that CARD intends to invest the proceeds in a $36 million bond, and that the funds can be spent at the poor discretion of the CARD board. This election has been dirty.
But Saturday I attended a gathering of Chico Republican Women Federated. Many indicated to me that they had already voted NO on A. Others indicated to me that they had friends who were waffling. I told them to look at CARD’s budget, it’s all there – millions of dollars going to CalPERS on their unfunded pension liability, while district facilities sank into disrepair. I think the group was just as shocked as I am about how little public employees pay toward very generous benefits.
I wish more people were as involved as this group. We listened to local candidates, had a great chat with GOP Vice Chair Peter Kuo, and I got to meet new, young, dedicated members. It’s good to see a group that’s on top of local issues and engaging new people all the time.
It’s encouraging to see young people who are willing to work hard to make a difference. The future looks brighter today.
Chico Taxpayers Association 
I think the ER is surprised how many people are against it, so now they are covering their ass. There is a lively discussion on the Nextdoor app with overwhelming opposition. The News and Review also came out against Measure A.
yeah, I think Wolcott put his money on the wrong dog in this little dust-up.
Maybe because the special interest dogs put their money on Wolcott, or more accurately, in his paper’s back pocket…for that advertising.
That’s not an unreasonable suggestion. The paper is pretty desperate to stay in the black.
Jim, could you pass along the information I posted in the comment below to the people on the Nextdoor app?
Looking at the numbers on the county clerk’s Web site for the ballots received, the vast majority of voters still have not voted. Maybe most won’t bother but maybe most who will have held off up until now.
good point – one of the candidates that spoke said most of the ballots turned in were Republican. Said he got that from the clerk’s office.
Also, in the Pro piece Jim Parrott says this, “In spite of state-created unfunded liabilities at the local level, CARD has done a remarkable job managing their pension debt compared to other local entities.”
This is an outright lie. The liability was created by CARD’s board because it was CARD’s board that approved the contracts that resulted in the liability. And the “remarkable job” is siphoning off millions to CalPERs to try to pay down that liability, money that should have gone for maintenance and other essential expenses.
What is most outrageous is that CARD has a long list of goals and projects they claim the money from the new tax will be spent on BUT 2 OF EVERY 3 DOLLARS THEY TAKE FROM US WILL GO TO WALL STREET TO SERVICE THE NEW 36 MILLION DOLLAR DEBT CARD TAKES ON IF THIS NEW TAX PASSES!
THAT IS MONEY THAT CAN’T BE SPENT ON PARKS, PROGRAMS OR EVEN PENSIONS!
Yet nowhere in the ballot measure or even in the voter information guide is this even mentioned!
LET’S FACE IT FOLKS, THAT’S FRAUD!
Why is no one outraged? Where is the local media?
I guess we can’t expect anything from the ER as they are running ads for Measure A paid for by the SEIU (one of the special interests that put a boat load of money into getting this new tax passed). Is it any coincidence the ER endorsed Measure A?
FOLKS, YOU ARE BEING SWINDLED! CAN’T YOU SEE THAT???
And the tax increases never end. Didn’t see this article but knew they are working on taking more of our money.
Big thanks to Reynolds and Morgan for voting for this. What’s the point of voting for Republicans if they go right along with the incessant tax increases?
Chico working to bring new sales tax to November ballot
Plans for a 1 percent sales tax on the November ballot are moving forward, said Chico City Manager Mark Orme.
The Chico City Council voted 6-0 in October to place an item on the November election ballot that would increase the city’s sales tax by 1 percent. The proposal is the result of a survey conducted by the city that showed voters were in favor of the measure.
Only an idiot would favor the measure. But that’s your tax dollars being used to propagandize the public. The city council spends tens of thousands on a “survey” to figure out how to word the measure so it will pass. Of course you can bet the cause of the fiscal problems were never mentioned to the voters in that “survey.” They will do all they can to keep the public in the dark.
THIS IS JUST CRIMINAL! YOU PEOPLE ARE BEING RIPPED-OFF! GET A CLUE!
https://www.chicoer.com/2020/01/28/chico-working-to-bring-new-sales-tax-to-november-ballot/
Well, so much for my “free subscription” – I get pop up ads that won’t go away, and apparently I don’t even get the whole paper. I have never seen this article. I knew they were talking about it, but all I see in my version of the paper is sit-and-lie and the needle distribution. I’ve actually tried to unsubscribe but never even get a response. The ER is really a piece of cat-box-liner. I never should have taken that shill up on his donut party offer.