Jonesin’ for governor

Making Chico the latest stop on a statewide "ag tour," California Secretary of State Bill Jones spoke about the need for better agricultural policies and his bid for governor. Jones is a third-generation rancher from Fresno and says this election is California’s last chance to elect a farmer to what he called the second most powerful job in the country. The Republican said Gov. Gray Davis has done little to help with the energy crisis and even less about the state’s water needs. Jones said that a drought without adequate water supply would send the ag-dependent state into a new Dust Bowl. "[We need] to make sure we don’t just have short-term planning," he said. Here, Jones, left, checks out the Chico Nut Company during a tour led by Dale Penne, right.