Monica is committed to prioritizing Chico’s safety and bringing the sparkle back to Bidwell Park again. Bidwell Park was gifted to the citizens of our town over a hundred years ago. Chico is known for being a family friendly town, for wholesome family fun in the sun and healthy recreation.

Chico’s founding matron, Annie Bidwell, had two conditions for use of Bidwell park: 1) No alcohol 2) No camping. It is not and never was intended for overnight stays. Humans should not have to take refuge in any of our parks or greenways, but especially Bidwell Park. Overgrowth and invasive non-native species, such as English Ivy, create excessive fuel in our park that can spread fire rapidly. These are problems running through all of our municipal parks and greenways, such as Rio Lindo Channel.

It’s important to feel safe in city parks in order to be able to relax and recreate. As your council member, Monica is committed to finding ways to help people feel safe again in our open spaces. Solutions such as supervised volunteer groups can and do help to harvest vegetation overgrowth. More park rangers would also help to maintain a sense of safety to park visitors.

At the time of writing this piece, the Park Fire continues to burn; over 400,000 acres along with 567 structures. Even prior to the heartbreaking fire that started in Upper Bidwell Park in July 2024, the park had lost its sparkle. Bidwell Park is the crown jewel of Chico with Big Chico Creek running through the middle. Their maintenance has been neglected and put on the back burner. Monica will make Chico’s parks a top priority.

Downtown Chico is the heart of our town. Downtown Chico is a bustling epicenter of local activity, with the many small shops, restaurants, and lively entertainment. Why are there so many empty buildings in Downtown Chico? Empty buildings downtown sends a negative message to its residents, visitors and is contrary to economic development. There are approximately 30 empty buildings in two city blocks! This is unacceptable.

Current city leadership has failed to solve the problem in any meaningful way. The empty buildings need life again. Full occupation of downtown buildings adds to the attraction of a city and promotes economic tourism and prosperity for all. Monica will collaborate with the Downtown Chico Business Association and others to find a solution to fill those buildings that are vital to Chico’s culture and economic health.

Vehicles both private and commercial must turn and weave to avoid damage because our roads are appalling. This is a safety issue where the City of Chico could be liable for damages if the road conditions cause an accident or property damage. The current City Council has been negligent in prioritizing the resurfacing of our most traveled roads in town.
 

This City Council has been tone deaf, distracted and fiscally wasteful when it comes to repairing our city streets. Instead this council has been focusing on expanding Chico’s borders by advocating for Valley’s Edge, an enormous development rejected by the community, rather than prioritizing our already existing neighborhoods and civic centers.
 

Our children and the greater community deserve to get around town safely on our streets. Monica is committed to fiscally prioritizing the community’s top concerns and needs over big development and before someone gets hurt.

The town of Chico is a place where innovation, economic development and natural beauty meet. Much of Chico’s unique character comes from its relationship with Chico State – the gown. Chico State, a Chico anchor institution, continues to bring in an incredible amount of energy, investment, jobs and diversity to our beautiful town. It is an honor to host the 14,000 students and more than 2,000 faculty and staff.
 

Monica is committed to growing a win-win partnership with Chico State’s administration and Chico’s residents. Today’s city council has been stale and tone deaf. Students look to the future and Monica does too. As a graduate of Chico State University herself, Monica is eager to collaborate with CSU Chico for a bright future. She believes in a future where both the town and gown will grow, providing a safe environment for its residents and visitors to flourish for generations to come.

Police: The relationship between law enforcement and its citizens has been problematic on a national and therefore on the local level. Trust has eroded between citizens and the police. Communication and transparency is the key to gaining trust, once again.

Monica currently sits on the Police Community Advisory Board (PCAB). The purpose of PCAB is to be a link between the Chico community and its police department, working to enhance communication and transparency. PCAB gives Monica an opportunity to listen and give her input on what can be done to align the police department with those they serve and protect. As your elected official, Monica will continue to advocate for all police officers to receive proper training, with ongoing certification renewals and professional development opportunities to better serve our community.

What we have seen from current elected leadership is disempowered appointed commissions working on behalf of Chico’s future. They have forgotten how to listen and prefer to listen to one another. They are stuck in the past and misuse their power. Monica is committed to listening to her neighbors in Chico’s District 3 regarding their concerns.

A vote for Monica is a vote for a collaborative problem solver. As your city council representative, Monica will work to further understand the complicated relationship between law enforcement and its citizens with a goal of creating a harmonious and trusting environment.
 

Homelessness: The majority of residents in Chico want the sidewalks, bike paths and parks cleared of unhoused encampments. So does Monica. Chico’s homelessness crisis is a national problem and not unique to the City of Chico. Reports show that there are almost 700,000 homeless individuals living without a roof across the United States. Chico’s population is around 120,000, with almost 1,000 without a shelter. Chico has an opportunity to move forward with sustainable and lasting solutions.

Over the last few years, the current city council’s mismanagement of the unhoused has cost Chico residents close to $700,000 in legal fees and judgements. Incompetence, anger and backwards thinking is fiscally wasteful and hasn’t solved the problem. Governor Newsom’s directive gives local leaders greater authority to remove homeless encampments; however, he requires a “plan.”

Monica is committed to collaborating with visionaries and professionals to map out sustainable and compassionate solutions, because Chico needs a better plan than to play whack-a-mole with human lives.