by Jack Lee
I was at a very large luncheon yesterday and our guest speakers were reviewing the state propositions, so naturally after the speakers finished our table discussion was on politics. The discussion eventually got around to the Chico city council race and in specific, candidate Larry Wahl.
The rumors are Wahl is a target of the liberals powers that dominate the city council race and they want him out! So I was pleasantly surprised when Abe Bailey, a local democrat activist said, “Larry puts his money where his mouth is and that’s why I’m voting for him!” I was stunned. Abe went on to explain Larry Wahl donates quite generously, but quietly, to many local charities, and further he was impressed by Wahl’s straight forward, common sense decision making on the council. He just felt Wahl was a good man and partisanship didn’t matter, he was supporting him, no doubt much to the consternation of his fellow democrats.
I thought this was refreshing, because here was a democrat leader who had the courage to simply vote for the person he felt was most qualified and not be coerced by partisanship!
After the luncheon I was walking out the door and another friend of mine (also a very staunch democrat) approached me just to say hello. Eventually our conversation turned to the local election and again to my surprise she said she was voting for Larry Wahl too…same reasons! I’m not going to use her name because this was a private conversation, but I will say she has been teaching at Chico State for many years.
I left the meeting feeling a little better about our democratic process, because these folks saw through the curtain of partisan politics and took a bold stand. Maybe Larry’s election is not in as much jeopardy as we think? I sure hope not, we need him for balance on our council and we could use a few other conservatives too to support his voice of reason!