Up The Mainstream

You'd probably guess that I am not a member of the Chico Chamber of Commerce. As to why...well, other than the fact that they take money from the city (your and my tax dollars) then engage in political activity targeting city government, a grievous and unethical conflict of interest in my book, I think they're a swell bunch of folks with whom I seldom really see eye to eye. I'd go so far as to say that, for the most part, they do good and important work for Chico.

Anyway, I coughed up the $20 non-member fee to attend their State of the City, Eggs and Issues event last Friday, both out of curiosity and to show my support for the five council members to whom I have contributed time and money to occupy those seats on the dais. I think this was the first time I've seen all of them together in this sort of public speech environment.

I preface my observations by saying that I was very proud of my five dogs in the fight, if you will, and I was very pleased with overall respectful tone of the Chamber of Commerce audience. The biggest frustration of the morning was with the PA system that was lacking some technical adjustment for optimum operation.

Public speaking ability and comfort with the audience varied from speaker to speaker, but I was overall impressed with the ideas that were expressed and even felt entertained from time to time. Everyone spoke glowingly of the performances of city staff, the police and fire departments and even PG&E during the recent storms. Scott Greundl was particularly powerful in relating his personal experience and had me riveted during the whole of his speech. Tom Nickell’s caution about upcoming water issues showed great vision. Ann Schwab spoke passionately about sustainability in Chico. Mary Flynn gave an upbeat assessment of economic develop and Andy Holcomb spoke most sincerely about the merits of good planning. Like I said, I was very proud of them all.

On the conservative side, Steve Bertagna waxed eloquent about the necessity of simplifying the process people have to go through to execute plans through the Planning Commission. He saddled up an analogy comparing Chico’s economic future to a vehicle coming to an intersection with a yellow light, rode it hard and put it up wet. It was amusing and everyone got his point, I think, but he seemed to overlook the fact that a yellow light commonly means, “proceed with caution” not, “put your pedal to the metal.” Steve seems like a nice guy and a great conversationalist. I am not surprised that he gets reelected.

Then there was Larry Wahl. Larry looked great, he had one of the best ties in the whole room and he was one of the best speakers of the morning. He commended city workers about the storm and had some very positive statistics about the library. I was just about to start liking him when he took a low shot at Mayor Andy Holcomb over his decision to revisit the Disorderly Events Ordinance. I’m sure his fellow wing nuts in the audience were also very amused by his disparaging reference to the ACLU.

Now, in any “patriotism-off” you could conceive, Larry Wahl would probably even kick Chuck Norris’ muscular posterior, but I can’t believe he would be so hostile and intransigent about Andy’s effort to improve something as obviously flawed and unconstitutional as the Disorderly Events Ordinance. I’m sorry Larry, 9/11 may have “changed everything” but the last time I heard the Bill of Rights is still in effect in Chico.