The Esplanade League is a political action committee (PAC) established in 1997. Our main purpose is to support progressive candidates running for the Chico City Council.

The Esplanade League is an all-volunteer group of local Chico progressives, many of whom are already active in our community. We are committed to using our time, energy and expertise between now and November to help secure a stronger progressive majority on our City Council. We are proud to have helped elect Mayor Scott Gruendl in the 2002 election. Scott has proven to be a valuable and knowledgeable representative for the progressive viewpoint in Chico. Now, in  2006, we need to help re-elect Scott. But we also need to help elect more candidates, like Scott, who are independent, free-thinking individuals to the Chico City Council this November.

The need for a progressive PAC is clear. The wealthy development interests in our town have “upped the ante” for anyone who wants to run for Chico City Council. Candidates now spend $30,000 or more to finance a winning City Council campaign in Chico. Simply put, the development interests have their own PACs and the financial resources to give much more money to their candidates than we do.

Most progressive candidates receive their campaign contributions from hundreds of small contributors - ordinary working people and small local business owners who give what they can. We think this is good because that way council members represent a much broader spectrum of our town’s citizens and not just a few wealthy interests.

But the developers are already pledging huge amounts to their three favored candidates. That’s why we need to start raising money now and we need you to help us as much as you can before the November election.

We invite you to join The Esplanade League’s 2006 Campaign. Click on How You Can Help. Sign up so that we can invite you to our future events and send you important election information. Also tell us how you’d like to get involved.

With the passing of our friend, Chico City Council Member and Vice Mayor Coleen Jarvis, it’s more important than ever for the progressive community to gather together and work for change on the City Council. Let’s work together to forge a carefully chosen path for Chico’s future.