I launched this blog on January 8, 2006. I didn't expect to continue as long as I have with 1,132 blog entries since my first posting.

Earlier this year, I told myself I'd take a hiatus after the November election, which you've probably noticed if you're a loyal reader.

I'm going to take some time till the end of the year to assess whether I will continue postings.

Until then, enjoy a Scrabble game or two. Or maybe go play some disc golf. Ouch. I know I just touched a nerve.

Today's Scrabble word is galyak, a fur made of lambskin.

Right now Sorensen is behind Wahl by 328 votes.

Most people I know – Democrats, Republicans, and independents – are rooting for Sorensen because he’ll bring a fresh perspective.

Nevertheless, Sorensen appears to have run a mild campaign. It’s surprising given that he barely lost two years ago and should have been hungrier to win this time.

He should have walked every neighborhood during the past year to meet as many voters one-on-one as he could.

Right now, both of them received roughly 1,000 more votes than Larry Wahl as the two top voter getters.

I expect Schwab will become Chico’s next Mayor.

Jim Walker should be comfortably in the third position. He ran a strong, smart campaign and will bring another thoughtful demeanor to the City Council.

Walker will likely be the only new face on the City Council with the three incumbents re-elected.

Today's Scrabble word is lapser, one that lapses.

Today's Scrabble word is kir, an alcoholic beverage.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Butte County is easily identified above Sacramento in blue.

Not really. The City of Chico has not always had liberal leanings.

The City of Chico only recently - I believe within the last 10 years - had a Democratic Party registration advantage.

Like most of the country, the City of Chico has a significant and growing independent voting population whose leanings are difficult to assess but I've always felt were pragmatic, non-ideological moderate voters.

Today's Scrabble word is hondle, or to haggle, which is what some people do when they bargain shop.

Life goes on.

Today's Scrabble word is cordate, or heart-shaped like a Valentine.

Probably about 1/3 to 1/2 of you have already voted, but if not, go vote.

Today's Scrabble word is flong, a sheet of a certain type of paper.

The "Yes on Prop. 8" campaign is trying to appeal to African-American voters by sending out a mailer highlighting support from ministers.

In case you're concerned about the "scared" institution of marriage, check out:

The quote above states: “Proposition 8 is vital for anyone who cares about upholding the scared institution of marriage."

Of all the state propositions on the November ballot, Prop. 8 is the most expensive and likely the most interesting to analyze.

I'll be very curious how voters in more conservative parts of California, like the Central Valley, vote on this issue. Even the E-R editors urged a "No" vote on Prop. 8.

And in Chico, I'm curious if Prop. 8 will help bring out a larger youth and student vote - many of whom are already motivated to vote by Barack Obama. John McCain is certainly not exciting many young voters.

Today's Scrabble word is fordo, or to destroy.

McCain vs. Palin.

Today's Scrabble word is goglet, a long-necked jar.

Change. That's wassup.

This is the last weekend to mobilize voters with get out the vote (GOTV) efforts before election night.

Based on new party registrations, it's pretty clear local Democrats have been much more successful than local Republicans over the past several months.

The after-party is at Duffy's Tavern and/or the local Democratic headquarters on Main St. There will be drinks of joy or sorrow at Duffy's on Tuesday night.

The local Republicans, I suspect, are meeting at their usual election night gathering spot - The Holiday Inn. I never get invited, but I hear the food on election night is not so bad.

For years, former City Councilor and current Assemblyman Rick Keene and his allies "borrowed" the City of Chico's video projector for their partisan election night party.

In other words, tax dollar-purchased equipment was used by local Republican activists to enjoy watching voting returns on a big screen.

Thankfully, that "borrowing" practice stopped a few years ago when someone with better sense finally said, "uh, that's not an appropriate use of City equipment. Go get your own video projector somewhere else."

I don't know why local Republican party organizers didn't see the irony of relying on a "government subsidy" to project voting returns for their election night party when the "free market" or private enterprise could sufficiently meet that demand.

But maybe Keene and his friends just assumed in the past that the video projector was in the "public domain" for them to use, even for partisan purposes.

Happy Halloween!

Today's Scrabble word is pawl, a hinged mechanical part.

Message received loud and clear. Sprint to the finish line.

Today's Scrabble word is lehr, a type of oven.

Six more days!

Today's Scrabble word is inurns, or to put in an urn.

The City will officially release its quarterly financial report this week. Some people have incorrectly speculated that the budget forecasts would look dire, but I'm hearing that the quarterly financial reports are promising, especially in light of a weak economy.

Higher than projected revenue, coupled with the tough fiscal decisions the current City Council majority have made on spending, will likely paint an entirely different budget picture than presented by ACT.

Here is the media alert sent by Schwab and Holcombe:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Mayor and Vice Mayor Announce Press Conference
Chico, CA, October 28, 2008

Mayor Andy Holcombe and Vice-Mayor Ann Schwab are holding a press conference at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, October 29 at the City Council Chamber steps to address the deceptive mailings sent by the developer-funded Political Action Committee: Accountable for Chico ’s Tomorrow (ACT).

The City of Chico ’s official quarterly financial report, to be released on Thursday, October 30, indicates that the City’s current revenue streams combined with expenditure reductions are in line with the City’s deficit reduction strategy. The net taxable value of city property increased 8.7% compared to a 3.5% projected increase.

Vice-Mayor Ann Schwab commented: “It’s appalling that the biggest developers in town who have a vested financial interest in converting more open space and agricultural land for sprawling development are spending over $60,000 to push their agenda. The City’s official quarterly financial report shows the City is on track to balance its long-term budget with decisions we’ve made to curtail spending.”

Holcombe added: “It's unfortunate that our City Attorney had to take time from her work to send a letter to ACT notifying them of their improper use of City and Department images and insignia, and requesting them to immediately cease their unauthorized use of these items. ACT is a group that should have known better, and undoubtedly did, but had the arrogance to think they could just get away with it. They were apparently intent on misleading, no matter what the cost."

According to City budget reports, the City’s budget challenges started in year 2000 before Holcombe and Schwab were elected to the City Council in 2004.

Larry Wahl should show up to the press conference and offer his views too. In fact, I'd love to see a substantive debate on the budget between Wahl and his counterparts.

And then maybe City Manager Dave Burkland and former City Manager Tom Lando can referee to call out the fact from fiction.

Today's Scrabble word is guid, or good.

Is this a new mural as part of Chico Artoberfest?

Today's Scrabble word is dormin, a plant hormone.

This uncanny old video sums up John McCain's campaign focus on the election homestretch - trying to make voters think Barack Obama is unworthy because of nefarious past "terrorist" ties.

McCain will hopefully go down like The Penguin because his attacks are not only horribly inane, but come across angry and trivial just like in this video.

Today's Scrabble word is ictic, or pertaining to, or caused by, a blow.

Assemblymember Rick Keene and his aide Cliff Wagner, who head the developer-funded Accountability for Chico's Tomorrow (ACT), get a hand slap from City Attorney Lori Barker for improperly using the Chico Police Department shoulder patch and Fire Department photo for campaign purposes.

By using these images improperly, ACT left an misleading impression that the public safety departments and the individuals presented in the photo endorsed the group's message. This tactic was willfully deceitful, especially since the mailer was created by seasoned political operatives who know better.

Today's Scrabble word is picot, to edge with ornamental loops.