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The Esplanade will always be a symbol that encompasses the entire community as a metaphor for thoughtful, appropriate growth and change. The Esplanade represents the community's preferred route to the future, one that respects genuine local tradition and values a comprehensive community perspective. Just as the Esplanade has, for multiple generations, symbolized Chico's best and broadest vision of itself, The Esplanade League is committed to extend that vision to future generations as well. The Esplanade League is dedicated to the principle that the entire community must be informed about the issues and decisions that affect Chico's quality of life. For that reason, The Esplanade League will educate the public and inform residents through roundtable discussions and community workshops. The Esplanade League is also dedicated to promoting local leaders who envision a carefully chosen path for Chico's future and who support the practical steps and policies necessary to translate these ideals into day to day reality.
Incredible Chico Election Results
In the November 7 election, The Esplanade League endorsed 7 strong progressive leaders for Chico City Council, Butte County Board of Supervisors, and the Chico Unified School District. The voters responded to this incredibly successful campaign by electing 7 out of 7!!! Never before have we achieved such an overwhelming election success, which we attribute to excellent candidates, who ran great campaigns, and very well-organized grassroots efforts by the EL and other progressive groups. We were, as always, unable to match the big bucks behind the developer-backed conservative Council candidates, including $20,000 from just two developers. But, with support from our many donors and volunteers, the Esplanade League sent about 30,000 campaign mailers, called voters, and distributed campaign literature door-to-door to reach every voter at least once. It certainly paid off! When we’re able to inform the voters, we see a steady shifting of the electorate toward more careful growth planning. We look forward to working with a progressive City Council for years to come after reelecting Mayor Scott Gruend (a health services director and fiscal expert) and electing first time candidates Mary Flynn (a Chico High School teacher) and Tom Nickell (who will retire from the CHP in May and be a full-time Council member). In a local reflection of the national election, they swamped two-term religious right Councilman Dan Herbert, leaving him in fifth place, far out of the running. They join Council members Ann Schwab and Andy Holcombe to form a 5-2 progressive Council majority! Ann and Andy are likely to run for reelection in 2008, along with both remaining conservative Council members Steve Bertagna and Larry Wahl. Council member Maureen Kirk was elected to the Butte County Board of Supervisors with our strong support, defeating Steve Bertagna in his second effort. Along with Jane Dolan, Maureen is expected to hold the line on farmland protection, rural development in the north county, and protection of our groundwater. On the Chico Unified School District Board of Trustees, Rick Rees was reelected and joined by Andrea Lerner Thompson and Kathy Kaiser. Chico’s Values are Not for Sale
Support Independent Community Leaders who will:
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