Supporting a truly ‘complete’ streets project

We’ll dig up downtown to upgrade aging utilities. Chico’s Complete Streets Project lets us help decide what our streets will look like when it’s all finished. Project timelines show we have months to chew this over. Here is another bite.

Sweet Suzie, the Chico City website bot, told me this: “The goal of the Complete Streets Project in Downtown Chico is to improve connectivity for all modes of transportation, rather than specifically focusing on increasing revenue for downtown businesses.” I think Suzie’s stated goal is short sighted, and I’ll tell you why.

The Project can increase the number of shoppers. Yes, all transportation modes through downtown must be smooth. But wait! There’s more. We need room on sidewalks for hanging-out tables, shade, and bike racks every block. But parking might be the biggest challenge. People who drive don’t want to walk too far. Parking means narrower sidewalks. What to do?

New American solar panels are quite efficient, so as we design for downtown’s Lost Park space, let’s consider parking, rooftop solar, and grid-hooked battery back-up. Wire the whole level for EV’s but only install stations upon demand, creating passive revenue streams.

A stronger Complete Streets Project goal would be to increase the number of shoppers downtown and thereby increase revenue for our diverse and courageous small businesses there. More shoppers ensure fewer vacancies. Without The Mansion, let’s preserve or restore all we can.

Chew on that bite.

— Michael Bertsch, Chico

Klean Kanteen doing its part for climate

This week marks the ninth anniversary of the global commitment to fight climate change — the Paris Agreement — and for the sake of this amazing place we call “home,” Klean Kanteen remains “all in” on our commitment to drawdown climate pollution.

The 5,000 members of the America Is All In coalition, including Klean, are taking action to achieve at least 50% emissions reduction by 2030. Local leaders have tools, resources, and support they need to reduce emissions, invest in clean energy projects, bring good-paying clean energy jobs to their communities, and meet our climate goals. The investments of the Inflation Reduction Act, a law with bipartisan support, must continue to support strong and sustainable local economies like ours.

Here in Chico, Klean Kanteen is doing its part to achieve the emissions reduction targets put forth by the Paris Agreement. We’ve been hard at work to drawdown our emissions, from installing solar at our Morrow Lane facility to working with our suppliers to use green power in the manufacturing of our products. We’ve swapped out conventional stainless steel in our reusable drinkware and food containers for a 90% post-consumer recycled version and avoid use of air freight whenever possible.

There is no time to waste, and we stand united in our commitment to the Paris Agreement and to a healthier and more prosperous future.

— Danielle Cresswell, Chico

Innocent victims of guns in Butte County

It is ironic and appalling that children from a Seventh-day Adventist elementary school were the innocent victims of guns. The public may not know that Adventists’ religious mission is to provide medical care and education to people of all faiths and races worldwide. Adventists founded the City of Loma Linda, home to Loma Linda University and hospital, medical, nursing, and dental schools.

The shooter had a history of mental illness and recent confrontations with Butte County law enforcement. How did local crime prevention and behavior health professionals let this man slip between the cracks to be free to move about with a gun? Why do children, and their families and friends, have to suffer from this incompetence? There are a lot of questions that must be asked of government officials charged with protecting and serving the county’s men, women, and children.

— Scott Rushing, Ventura