Last night friends, family and supporters gathered at Upper Crust to celebrate the election of a progressive majority to the Chico City Council: Ann Schwab, Tami Ritter and Randall Stone.

“Swearing In” celebration at Upper Crust. (see story below.)

And then, down to the City Council Chambers to thank the exiting council members Andy Holdcombe, Jim Walker and Bob Evans, for their years of service to our town and to witness the “swearing in” of the new progressives and one conservative, Sean Morgan.

Outgoing council members Jim Walker, Bob Evans and Andy Holcombe

I’ll miss Andy who served on the council for 8 years.  His demeanor was always civil and he was a good listener.  And when it came time to make a decision on an issue that was important to me, I always found him to be fair and impartial in his deliberations whatever his final decision might be. Though Andy summed up the workings of a democracy as one where not everybody is happy or content with the decisions made by their government, I find that I am both happy and content with Andy’s years of service on the council.

Andy Holcombe

Mayor Ann Schwab thanks Andy Holcombe for his 8 years on the Council.

This year’s “swearing in” portends a hopeful environmental outcome for our community. Environmentally progressive Tami Ritter and Randall Stone add to the developing environmental outlook of the council.  And Ann Schwab, who has served on the Sustainability Task Force from its beginning and as Mayor urged the rest of the council to adopt the Climate Action Plan, has proven herself to be a true advocate for environmental change.

Left – right: (Conservative) Sean Morgan, Ann Schwab, Randall Stone and Tami Ritter are sworn in.

The winning Council members are an expression of the Chico community’s hopes for the future, and what’s needed now is a continuation of the broad based support that brought these three progressive candidates to occupy seats on the city council. They need our actions and our voices if they are to prevail in implementing the policies upon which they ran for office.

New Mayor, Mary Goloff, thanks Ann Schwab for her time as Mayor.

Mike Worley and his mom, Mardi Worley.