Mayors say no to Measure A

Chico Mayor Ann Schwab was flanked by five former Chico mayors on Friday (April 1) during a press conference in opposition to Measure A, the June ballot initiative to move Chico City Council elections from November to June.

Stephanie Taber, a local Tea Party activist, is the author of the Yes on Measure A ballot argument. She organized the initiative process, an effort that included employing the services of a professional signature-gathering company.

During the press conference, speakers noted that fewer people vote in June than November and that lower voter turnouts are known to favor conservative issues. Schwab said that the June 7 special election will cost the city $151,000 and that the move would make the elections more costly in general. (Holding the elections in June costs an estimated $73,000 more than in November.)

Schwab (left) was joined by current Councilmen Andy Holcombe and Scott Gruendl, as well as former Mayors Chuck Nelson, Karl Ory and Maureen Kirk, who is a current Butte County supervisor.