Save the Mansion builds up steam

The drive to save the Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park from closing will accelerate with a town hall meeting early next month, organized by state Sen. Doug La Malfa, of Richvale. The closure of one of Chico’s best-known landmarks was announced in May, along with 69 other state parks. A special Save the Mansion fund recently was created to keep the mansion operating for the next fiscal year.

As for the town hall meeting, “We want to get ideas and not just hear complaints,” La Malfa said.

He said the meeting is the first of its kind and may be used as a template to help save other parks slated for closing. “This is ground zero—the starting point,” La Malfa said. “This means a whole bunch to the city, county and tourists, among others.” The meeting will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Chico City Council chambers.