Lots of hits sandwiched around one typical election-season miss this week:
HIT — Great news from our nation’s capital: Victims of the Camp Fire and Zogg Fire are one step closer to having their settlement funds protected from federal incomes taxes.
The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 has been passed by the House of Representatives by a vote of 357-70. The bill includes the Protect Innocent Victims Of Taxation After Fire Act sponsored by our local congressman, Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale), and Congressman Mike Thompson (D-Yolo), which exempts all Camp Fire and Zogg Fire settlement money from federal income taxes.
All that’s left is passage by the Senate and the signature of President Biden.
“This is absolutely the best news fire victims have received since the fire,” Paradise councilor Steve Crowder said. “A lot of hard work has gone into this bill by many people, and we will be forever grateful.”
(Speaking of grateful, isn’t it nice to see a fair amount of bipartisanship in this effort?)
It’s the right thing to do, and it’s long overdue. The last thing any of these wildfire survivors needs is to be penalized again.
HIT — Few things mean as much to a city’s image and outlook for the future as the beautiful representations of its past. That’s why we’re happy to hear that California State Parks will be taking great care of Bidwell Mansion.
The mansion is set to undergo a $2 million restoration project this spring. Among other things, the roof will be replaced and the mansion will be repainted.
Much of the needed construction comes from general wear and tear on the over-150-year-old building. Sadly, some damage is the result of vandalism.
During construction, the mansion will be closed to the public, and the property, including portions of the landscape, will be fenced off. That’ll probably happen in March, so you still have time to take a tour now!
MISS — If there’s one thing we’ve learned through years of Chico election seasons, it’s this: Yes, both sides do it, and yes, both sides are quick to claim the other side does it but they never do. From stealing signs to vandalism and making exaggerated claims in advertising, it never changes.
While the supervisor races have been relatively mild to date, the Valley’s Edge referendum is heated. A couple of weeks ago, a mailer was sent out attacking “a small group of extremists attacking Valley’s Edge” as “the same people supporting Chico’s needle giveaway program.” The cover photo was — you guessed it — another shot of discarded needles.
Needles? Again? Really?
First, to get the referendum on the ballot, more than 6,000 signatures were verified. That’s hardly a “small group of extremists.”
We understand the frustration from Valley’s Edge developers in feeling that the benefits and risks of their project have been misrepresented at times, but dragging needles into yet another Chico election to undermine the credibility of opponents was a move that’s puzzled, or even angered, some of the project’s supporters.
Meanwhile, across the aisle, the Department of Geography and Planning at Chico State organized a “panel presentation” on Valley’s Edge, to be held on campus. Just one problem: All six members of the panel are on record as opposing the project. That’s not a panel discussion; it’s a campaign event, and it’s not legal in the state of California for universities to host campaign events.
That event eventually got called off, but quickly came back to life in form of an event hosted by Smart Growth Advocates (instead of the college department) that’ll be held at Bell Memorial Union — still on campus, but in a rented-out room versus a “hosted by” situation.
Not surprisingly, the panel will remain the same.
HIT — Finally, fantastic news for the Chico Airport this week on a couple of fronts.
First, the Airport Commission signed off on a lease with a major aerial firefighting company for a facility north of the terminal that includes a right of first offer on property south of the terminal. It’s also rewarding to note that the company, Aero-Flite, chose Chico over Sacramento.
Also, the city signed a five-year contract with Armstrong Consulting to work on the Chico Regional Airport’s capital improvement plan to help secure funding. Runway rehabilitation is a vital step as Chico seeks the return of commercial passenger service, along with terminal improvements. Armstrong’s expertise in the areas of grant funding and project engineering should be a huge boon.
Most encouraging of all, Chico Airport Manager Tom Bahr said two carriers are interested in Chico and will make site visits in the next few months.
It’s a long ways from seeing that first commercial flight lift off, but it’s a great bit of progress.
Hits and misses are compiled by the editorial board.
