That is a question I’ve asked myself and maybe you guys about one thousand times – why do we put up with this shake-down? Here’s a good read –
https://www.naturalnews.com/2025-03-24-scam-income-tax-purchase-tax-property-tax.html
“Citizens are subjected to multiple layers of taxation on their income, spending, possessions, and estate – including income tax, sales tax, property tax and estate tax –which is unjust and exploitative.” Again, I’ll say, it’s a SHAKE DOWN! They do it because THEY CAN! They do it because WE ALLOW THEM TO DO IT.
In Chico I believe Measure H passed because most of our voters here are either public employees or attached to public employees, who are the only people who are benefitting from that measure. The signs you saw on Bruce Road were probably paid for with Measure H money, but the rest of that job was funded with state and federal grants. Measure H goes into the General Fund which is completely unrestricted, only to be transferred into the Pension Stabilization Trust.
The city claims they are taking in about $24 million a year off Measure H – look at the budget – they just spent $18 million on the pension deficit.
Here’s another question – why do we pay for parking Downtown, when there’s no guarantee of security or any added convenience? Not to mention retail areas all over Chico that provide FREE PARKING.
A friend of mine just found out how much Chico PD is worth – the victim of a hit and run accident, he turned to the cops for help. I’m sorry, I learned a few years ago – the cops like to think of themselves as victims, they don’t have any time to help anybody else. When I asked a cop a question after we’d called him to report a crime, he said exactly this – “I don’t care....” I think that pretty much sums it up.
You don’t get what you pay for, you get what you are willing to accept.
Chico Taxpayers Association 
Speaking of Chico PD, its No. 1 priority is NOT public safety. At least that’s what one of its officers, Jeremy Gagnebin, said under oath at the Tyler Rushing trial last October. Gagnebin, along with officer Alex Fliehr, filled Desmond Phillips full of hollow-point rounds on St. Patrick’s Day 2017. Three months later, Gagnebin watched silently with other big, strong, young cops as Fliehr courageously tasered Tyler Rushing, who had lay motionless in his own blood for 70 seconds and was most likely already dead. Gagnebin said, and I quote, “our No. 1 priority is our (own) safety.” If you’re a cop and you put your own safety above the people you’ve sworn to protect and serve, I’d say you’re in the wrong profession. But that’s the culture at Chico PD, according to officer Gagnebin: Us first.
Yes you said it – us first. I don’t know what to add.
But you know Dave, when the fish stinks, it’s the head of the fish – and that’s Mark Sorensen. We can call for his removal, and that would send a huge message around the block.
Maybe it’s just me, but does anyone see a troubling pattern in deadly officer-involved shootings involving Chico PD “peace officers”? CPD officer Alex Fliehr killed Desmond Phillips, along with CPD officer Jeremy Gagnebin. Fliehr was involved in the death of Tyler Rushing. On March 2nd, Fliehr and Nick Bauer were shooters in the killing of Michael Oxley. I saw in the ER that Aldridge recently gave an award to Tyler Johnson. Johnson, along with Bauer, killed Stephen Vest. As Juanita reported, CPD cops “don’t care.” CPD is expensive and dysfunctional.
Thanks Scott. I still believe Mark Sorensen is the problem here, and he needs to go. We can’t recall a city manager because he’s appointed – but we can certainly hold a pack of matches to the feet of those who appointed him – how about a recall on the mayor? She’s a piece of shit. Dave, any comment on that?
Both the mayor and manager are unqualified for their positions. I just watched the April 1, council meeting. It is painful to listen to these two try to make a point. Proving your point!
No kidding – April Fool’s Day! I wish they televised the committee/commission meetings, you wouldn’t believe the stupid stuff they say/ask. They don’t read staff reports ahead so thewaste a ton of staff time $$$ asking questions or making (oftentimes illegal) suggestions already covered in the reports.