Cracked crystal ball

I make it a habit to monitor the other media outlets in town, but not to assail them. Newspaper wars are counterproductive, taking up space and time better devoted to meaningful stories. If the CN&R regularly critiqued print and broadcast journalists, that would be one thing; we don’t, and I don’t believe in taking random pot shots.

I do believe in addressing important issues, however, and so I couldn’t let a post-Thanksgiving editorial go by unchallenged.

The piece in question, in the Enterprise-Record, laid out some “cynical suspicions” about the progressive-dominated Chico City Council for the next two years. The tone was blatantly sarcastic, the points so obviously exaggerated that laughter was part of the agenda.

I chuckled a time or two … when I wasn’t shaking my head.

The underlying message irked me. I don’t think the progressives are idealistic clowns, in the same way I don’t think the conservatives are modern-day robber barons.

Maybe I’m naïve, having experienced just one election cycle here, but I just don’t think these assumptions hold water:

• With Andy Holcombe as mayor, the longest meeting ever will ensue.

Puh-leeze—I’d expect the opposite. He may be sensitive to the underdog, but he’s also a lawyer. If anyone will make sure rules get followed, it will be Holcombe. Painting him as Sally Field on Oscar night carries the “bleeding heart liberal” caricature to the extreme (even in a piece of hyperbole).

• The council will reverse every decision made by a commission.

The “example” given is the Bidwell Park Master Management Plan rewritten in chambers after a cursory scan. But this assumes two things: that progressives don’t do their homework and that they are the big advocates for planning at the podium. Review recordings of this year’s meetings; you’ll see who seems to be learning on the spot and most often impersonates a planning commissioner.

• The council will go charrette-crazy, sustainability-crazy, concrete-crazy and cell-tower crazy.

Wow, all those sure sound like progressive values to me—no contradictions there!

• Wal-Mart, rebuffed in its plan to Super(center)size the Forest Avenue store, will sidestep the city and get county approval for the North Chico site.

Actually, that one rings hauntingly true. Shhh, don’t give ’em any ideas …

• Having a 5-2 margin will prompt councilmembers to think for themselves and surprise voters.

I’d surmise the contrary. With less need to listen to the other faction, each side is less likely to cross the ideological bridge, not more likely. The current 4-3 split has produced a handful of “surprises” the past six months alone.

At least the deliberations should be faster. Will they be better? Only the real psychics know.