City Council — City of Chico

I’ve had the privilege of living in Chico for 42 years; as a student, a business owner, and as a business instructor at Chico State.  My wife of 20 years and I are raising out two boys here. Chico is a magical place, but it didn’t get this way by accident.

Our city council has begun to meet the high standards our families and neighborhoods deserve: A safe place to raise a family, an ideal location for business, and a premier place to live.

While we’ve accomplished many great things, there is still work to be done.

My pledge to you is to always tackle our challenges head-on and keep Chico the thriving, dynamic city it is meant to be.

I’m honored to serve you and would appreciate your vote on November 8^th.  Please call me anytime, 530-487-4105. 

Chico City Councilmember Ann Schwab has built a reputation as a strong leader. The knowledge, experience, and insight Ann gained while serving as Chico’s mayor for two terms guide her as she focuses on making Chico an exceptional place to live.  Ann is proud of her work to distinguish Chico as an environmental leader, including completion of the City’s first Green House Gas emissions audit.

Ann’s values of honoring Chico’s traditions, embracing diversity, advocating for the environment, assuring balanced growth, and enhancing Chico’s neighborhoods are reflected in the decisions she makes.  With your support, Ann Schwab will continue working for Chico.  

When Ann moved to Chico in 1975 to attend Chico State, she discovered a warm, welcoming community that continues to be a safe place to raise a family, an ideal location for business and a premier place to live. Ann's ongoing involvement through community service has deepened her pride in Chico. Ann strongly believes in community service and live by this ethic in my personal and professional life.

As director for Community Action Volunteers in Education (CAVE), Ann encourages university students to serve our community while gaining valuable hands-on experience. Ann and her husband, Budd, own Campus Bicycles and understands the importance of small business and value downtown as the heart of our community. She's enjoyed serving as president of Chico Velo Cycling Club, and volunteering as a Bidwell Park Watch member.

Ann remains committed to preserving Chico’s heritage as we progress into the future. Her priority is to continue to sustain Chico’s values and make Chico an even more special place to live. By honoring traditions, embracing diversity, and welcoming civil conversations on hard issues, we can improve our environment, strengthen our economy, and enhance our community.

Ann Schwab's Values & Vision

For a Livable Community

Prioritize full police and fire department staffing to ensure safe neighborhoods

Attract, develop, and support innovative businesses, from small entrepreneurs and manufacturers to high technology

Protect Chico’s future through comprehensive, thoughtful planning, and actively support local heritage by preserving and enhancing Chico’s uniqueness – its wonderful parks, tree-lined boulevards, livable neighborhoods, and vibrant neighborhoods

Support alternative transportation projects, for pedestrians as well as bicyclists – making it possible for people of all ages to walk or bike throughout Chico, safely and enjoyably

Preserve Chico’s Greenline, open spaces and Creekside greenways

Promote inclusivity in decision-making through recognizing, appreciating, and respecting differences.  Encourage proactive communication by more effectively providing transparent government portals and opening doors to community engagement

Create opportunities for local volunteerism, by finding new ways to engage everyone – including CSU, Chico students – in community service

Karl is a former Chico Mayor, Airport Commissioner, and Silver Dollar Fair Board member. In his career he has helped over 300 families become owner/builders. He currently works nationwide to help communities build affordable housing. Karl started his career as Director of CAVE and of the local Red Cross. Karl has a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from CSU Chico and has taught Political Science. Linda and Karl have raised two children in Chico. Karl grew up in a huge family - the 7th child in a family 14. He works well in groups!

Karl believes in a vibrant local government that is inclusive, providing a forum for all citizens and ideas. The commission system of government in Chico provides for that forum and needs to be strengthened. Karl believes that all Chico residents should pay their fair share for services including public safty, parks, and infrastructure, not just those within City limits. Last year Karl was awarded life time achievment recognition by Butte Environmental Council and by Butte County Democratic Party. 

I am running for re-election to the Chico City Council because I feel passionately about preserving and enriching our community. With a focus on sustainability (social, environmental, and fiscal) I will work to ensure that future generations enjoy the same or a better quality of life in Chico that I cherish. With a solid history in social services and community involvement, in addition to a first term as a City Councilor, I have the skills and experience to be a city leader. I have worked with diverse constituents and have a proven track record of successfully working with people of all political/idealogical persuasions. As a counselor, educator and mediator, I am able to communicate respectfully with all people, not just those with whom I am in agreement.

In both my career and personal life, I have been dedicated to giving back and creating a better, more egalitarian community. Professionally, I have worked with both victims and offenders of domestic violence, directed the local homeless shelter, worked as an advocate for individuals with intellectual disabilities, served as the director of a self-help housing organization, and counseled those suffering from addictions. In my personal life, I have volunteered for the City of Chico Police Department's Youth Diversion program, have been a crisis-line volunteer, a park volunteer, a foster parent, and have rescued numerous animals from the shelter.

With a strong commitment to ethical and legal standards and a focus on accountability and personal responsibility, I will always work in the best interest of the City. I believe in compromise but do not think that consensus is always possible. That said, I am interested in making sure that Fair Process is observed (The three principles of fair process are: Engagement—involving individuals in decisions that affect them by listening to their views and genuinely taking their opinions into account; Explanation—explaining the reasoning behind a decision to everyone who has been involved or who is affected by it; and Expectation clarity—making sure that everyone clearly understands a decision and what is expected of them in the future).

I will continue to be an excellent Council person not only because of my experience but because of my personal integrity and work ethic. I will work hard for the City of Chico and its residents. I will be fair and thoughtful in my decision making, and I will always seek clarification and additional information so that I can make the best, most informed decisions. 

Believing that Chico works best when everyone contributes in their own way to its success, Jovanni has worked with many in our city to build a community-wide effort of civic engagement over the last several years.  He and his family love Chico and are committed to making our city a thriving place to live, work and raise a family!

Jovanni’s approach to problem solving is collaborative, bipartisan, and focused on solutions. For example, in 2014 he led a community-wide effort to begin strategically re-staffing the Chico Police Department out of his commitment to ensure that Chico is a safe place for everyone. The Chico Police Staffing Plan resulted in a 10% drop in crime just in the last year. Imagine what will happen with a City Council who champions this approach of community leadership and engagement with these types of community solutions and results!

Jovanni works effectively with a wide spectrum of businesses and community organizations to create grassroots solutions to our city’s challenges. He is committed to ensuring businesses have the support they need and our city’s resources are stewarded responsibly. He is a community leader who works for everyone in our community.

Jovanni currently owns a small business in Chico while also serving as the Director of Community Engagement at the North Valley Community Foundation (NVCF).  He founded various social ventures in our community and dedicates much of his work to help others find their unique ways in which to contribute to their community.  NVCF empowers individuals, families, businesses and non-profits to maximize their impact on the local and global community through financial services, program support, training and education.

Before joining NVCF, Jovanni co-founded the Chico Stewardship Network (CSN), a network of engaged community leaders addressing issues in education, public safety and economic development. His work at CSN built effective and ongoing programs like Reading Pals, the Chico Police Department Business Support Team, Clean & Safe Chico and the Downtown Ambassadors.

With 15 years experience in international relief and development work, Jovanni has travelled to over 35 countries as a strategic advisor on issues related to poverty, international relations, leadership development and peace and reconciliation initiatives. Currently, he serves as an advisor to several international non-profit organizations in Central and South America.

Jovanni received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA and a Master of Arts degree in Communication and Leadership from Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA. He and his wife, Hilary, have two sons, ages 6 and 8.

Married for 53 years. Widowed three years. Seven grandchildren. Presently runs farming corporation from home. Has a background in accting, bookkeeping, payroll and budgets for her company.

Caregiver 24/7 for her husband for last nine years of his life. Wrote a book called "Caregiving for Beginners" by Frank's Wife.

I was a liberal for 30 years years, until I realized: you will run out of other people's money unless you stick to a budget and encourage businesses to grow and flourish.

THEN spend public money WISELY, slowly, carefully on social issues. I am now a conservative Republican (make that a capitol C conservative.)

I intend to watch Chico's budget like a hawk. Making sure we never get so close to bankcrupcy again. If you are a taxpayer of this city you can rest assured that I will spend the hours and hours necessary going over every agenda, every burgetary report and help the city council: 1)  to encourage businesses big and small to succeed in this city.

2) make sure priorities are in place to keep enough police,fire and staff to keep familys safe.

3) spend money we do have to maintain our city, parks and roads once again.

Jeffrey has been a Chico resident for 15 years and lives in the downtown historic area with his wife, Joni German, and their dog, Kipling.   He and Joni have helped raise their 4 nieces and nephews since Joni’s brothers passing about 10 years ago.  He has been a staple at high school football games over the years for their nephews.    

He and Joni moved to Chico from Los Angeles where Jeff was a Producer and owned his own Production Company, producing award winning Image Campaigns and Upfronts for networks such as Animal Planet and Discovery Communications.   He worked on countless television commercial campaigns from Toyota to Diet Coke.  He started his work in the entertainment industry as a financial analyst for TriStar Pictures and then went to work at one of the largest talent agencies in the US.  He worked with the Head of the Motion Picture Department with the likes of Bruce Willis and Danny Glover.   Jeff moved on to be part of the founding team for Planet Hollywood where he was responsible for the acquisition of all the film and television memorabilia for the successful restaurant chain owned by Arnold Schwarzengger, Bruce Willis and Sylvester Stallone.    Jeff became a Producer in his own right and started his own Production Company.  He was hired as a consultant by Fortune 50 companies such as ExxonMobil andPepsiCo for his knowledge of commercial film production and managing multi-million dollar budgets.    

Currently, he is a business owner with Joni, in Old River Road.  Old River Road is a leading home décor and accessories manufacturer, whose clients include, and have included; Williams-Sonoma, Frontgate, Nordstrom, Dillards, Sur la Table, Crate & Barrel, Walt Disney, Tommy Bahama and many more.  They manufacture products here in Chico, that are American Made, as well as import goods from overseas that are all designed by Joni.

Jeff grew up in the metropolitan area of Washington DC and had been around politics all his adolescent life.    He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin Business School with Honors in International Business and Finance.  Jeff moved to Los Angeles after graduation and took a job with Merrill Lynch to be an Institutional Trader.  Having a strong interest in the entertainment industry, he shortly moved on to begin his 20 year career in the film and television industry.

His unique background is one of Jeff’s biggest assets for a City Council Seat.  Having lived in large cities most of his life, he chose the uniqueness and small town charm of Chico.  Jeff feels that many life long residents sometimes do not understand the gift they have in Chico.  It boasts one of the largest city parks in the nation, a vibrant and creative community and a small town feel that is so hard to find in America.  He feels we are in danger of loosing this uniqueness and hence we all will suffer if Chico falls into the hands of those that do not understand what they have and allow the continual slide that is affecting all our public safety and destroying the economic foundation that Chico must have to thrive going forward.

I got involved with the idea of running for Chico City Council because I was upset and disappointed in the City Councils we have had over the past number of years and thought I could make a difference.  

While we are on finally on the right track we have a long way to go.  

I have met with many of the city leaders over the past couple of weeks and what I have learned is just depressing and disheartening.  

We are not even close to being at a public safety level that should be acceptable to the public.  Our children are not safe, our students are not safe, our neighbors are not safe.  I do not want to just have an average staffed level at the police force, which we still do not have, but an above average staffing.  I want Chico to be one of the most family friendly and safe communities in America, as it once was.   

I have come to learn that Politics plays a huge role in our local government which is supposed to be and must be non-partisan.  National Political Agendas should not be a part of our community no matter how strongly you feel about them.  Each local community is different and has its own unique challenges.  

If there is one thing i want to leave you with it is the knowledge that i will support ordinances that help our Police in their efforts to acquire additional tools for the safety and protection of your families and community.

I will not make a National Civil Liberties Campaign and the rights of the criminals more important than the safety of citizens like you and me or the family that lives behind us for example, whose house was broken into while their children slept by people who were living in the park.  My wife was attacked by a hypodermic needle wielding drug user hours before a Saturday Movie Night in the Park.  Shootings in areas where our students live.   It all must stop.  Everyone here knows someone that has been a victim of the criminals living in our town.  I would like to ask you to look past national agendas and vote for the candidates that are looking to protect your safety, your families and our communities.  Candidates that also understand Chico is unique, creative and beautiful city.

My family has lived in Chico for generations. I was born in 1963 in Oakland, California. Fond memories of long visits with my grandmother led me to fall in love with Chico. I remember catching tadpoles and feeding the deer in Bidwell park. I even used to shop at S&S Produce and the old mall as a child. As an adult I continued to visit the city frequently and eventually moved here to start a family. In 2007, I bought a house near Lindo Channel and moved there with my father, Kenneth, and daughter, Wendy. In 2009 I met my future wife, Nicole, and married her in 2013. The most recent event in my family’s history was the passing of my father in the summer of 2015.

I am a woman and a provider for my family. I have worked in the animal healthcare industry for most of my life. I entered that field in 1988 and worked with the same veterinarian, Dr. Tisdale, until I moved to Chico in July of 2007. When I arrived here I began working at Mangrove Veterinary Hospital; that company eventually turned in to a full-service emergency care hospital called VCA Valley Oak Veterinary Center. After proving my leadership and administrative abilities I was promoted to the management team and am currently the Client Service Coordinator.

Since I moved to Chico with my family, I have come to appreciate its relative calm but have also worried about the issues it is currently facing. One of the reasons that I moved away from the Bay Area was the lack of safety that exists there. That area has higher crime rates and large amounts of pollution. I have worried that Chico is moving in a similar direction, with its growing homeless population and its faltering infrastructure. These concerns caused me to run for City Council in 2012. I lost that election because I lacked political experience and money, but I learned a lot and hope to win this November. I want to serve on the city council so that I can make the city that I love into a better place for my family and my community.

My name is Lisa Duarte and I am running for Chico’s City Council. I feel like Chico has had several problems in the past few years, and the current council has done little or nothing to fix these issues. There are a few things that I think should be priorities for local governments, but the conservative majority on the council has only seemed to be concerned with cutting spending on vital services and increasing the salaries of the police. Though providing sufficient funding to the police department is important, other items on the budget are equally valuable for creating a safe place for us to live. We shouldn’t be scared to spend money on these other services. I appreciate the thriftiness of private industry, but the government is not a business. The City of Chico is going to have to spend money to obtain the goals that we set for ourselves.

Information Agent;

As founder of Information Agent, Inc. I have been an active member of my community (Chico and Butte County) in creating entry level jobs for people often unemployable elsewhere. Since its inception in the year 2000 Information Agent has provided approximately 500 entry level jobs for the local community. In every case I have provided paid, on the job training in skills such as; data management, professional telephone representation, marketing, database management, Internet skills, shipping room skills and shipping room management. As of July 1, 2016 Information Agent has the approximate equivalent of 10 full time jobs with the average hourly earnings of about $15.00 an hour, twice the required minimum wage that most entry level jobs in the local community pay.

Real Estate Investor Entrepreneur and Job Creator

While I held 3 investment properties in the year 2000 that number today stands at approximately 34. During the last 14 years I have had additional purchases and sales on approximately 10 other properties.  I have managed this entire portfolio on my own with no outside property management firm! Each year I have added several hundred thousand dollars directly to my local community by hiring local qualified plumbers, electricians, contractors, roofers, maintenance men and women, landscape maintenance professionals, etc.  I have built quality lasting relationships with all, all whom would express clearly the benefits to their own lives and those of their families from the regularly provided work.

Perhaps the greatest accomplishment of this self-managed portfolio is financial. When the real estate market collapsed in 2008 I was left with a portfolio with an upside down negative equity of approximately $2,000,000 as well as a large monthly negative cash flow.  Many advisors professional and otherwise advised simply walking away from the portfolio and leaving the institutional lenders “holding the bag”.  I choose not to do this. As far as I was (and am) concerned I had and have a moral obligation to honor the agreements I signed when I borrowed money to purchase and refinance the portfolio.  While every other multiple rental property owner I know of left the banks stuck for millions of dollars in losses I simply hunkered down at my other full time job,  Information Agent Inc. and made every payment, every time, on time, for the last 6 years of the real estate crisis.  Never did I fail to perform as I obliged myself to. Today I begin to feel the rewards. The equity position has gone from approximately negative $2,000,000 to a net positive of approximately $2,000,000. I have maintained my honor, my credit, and my dignity.

Charitable acts and donations

Over the last 15 years I have been a regular financial contributor on a monthly basis to a handful of charities including The Southern Poverty Law Center, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Amnesty International, Greenpeace, etc.  I and my family have also supported the daily education and feeding of two different children through the Charity ChildFund, a small boy in Mexico, and a young girl in Bangladesh. For the last several years I have directly provided local money to elementary schools here in Chico to sponsor an entire class for a field trip. Many parents can’t afford to send their kids on these field trips despite the nominal cost and school budgets are crushed.  It has been particularly gratifying to receive letters from the local schools expressing gratitude and expressions of how it helped. For the last ten years another important contribution to my community has been sending employees and deserving and needing members of the community to “Tony Robbins Three day Unleash the Power Within and Firewalk”. This 50 hour plus seminar teaches the participants how to better deal with the stresses and inevitable difficulties that life can sometimes present. Randomly picking and paying for a few participants each year has not only enhanced the individual’s lives (and subsequently the lives of their families) but has also lead to many lifetime friendships. This year I added the local Boys and Girls club to local community cause that I support.

I have formed several private mastermind groups over the years where I and other like individuals have “think tanked” on how to make our community a better place, how to enhance the lives of our families, and how to contribute and grow. Multiple times through these self-created associations large food donations have been made to the local women’s shelter as well as directly to families in need within the local community.

My family

I am blessed with an incredible wife, Anke, a citizen of Germany, who has made my life heaven on earth. We were married on March 15, 2006 in Hawaii. Our daughter, Lucille was born July 3, 2006. I have a son, Alex, who started pre-med classes in 2013 at UCSB, and I “inherited” a daughter, Anne, when I met my wife Anke. Anne is a scientist with a specialty in Biology. She is currently working in her field in the greater Los Angeles area.

Political philosophy is actually rather simple. Freedom to succeed also means freedom to fail.  If it was the job of the captain to preserve the ship, then the ship would never leave port.

I think this statement from a leader of the past, Ronald Reagan, sums it up perfectly;

The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'

Small businesses make up 99.7 percent of U.S. employer firms and 64 percent of net new private-sector jobs. Businesses with 20 or less employees are about 90% of all businesses. (http://sbecouncil.org/about-us/facts-and-data/)

A small business is generally formed by an entrepreneur or two and occasionally even a small handful of ‘em. They have big dreams and usual start with minimal cash (Like every dollar they have saved, can beg, borrow, or “steal”, etc.)

One of the most expensive components to starting a new business is time.  The political apparatus we know as “the city” often seems to be blissfully unaware of the value of time.

Let’s say that you wish to open a small business in Chico. Let’s imagine that the business needs a use permit. Say goodbye to at least $15,000 dollars you borrowed from your IRA or savings. You will need professionals (cost) to draw it up. You will pay the city a five figure “fee” to s-l-o-w-l-y examine your proposal (more cost) and it is a great possibility that the permit plan examiner has never run a business of their own or personally meet a payroll… ever!  After a few months they may ask you to change some things. If you’re lucky, six months later you will get a hearing on your business proposal.  That hearing will have several more people whom have never owned a business, or made a payroll, decide whether your business is even allowed the way you have proposed it.

Look at it this way; Only about 10% of the population can come up with more than $10,000.  Worse yet 62% can’t come up with $1000 in the case of even an emergency.

So if you’re fortunate enough to be able to round up enough money to start a new business, one that will likely employee people right here in Chico, I personally want to get you from your dreams to reality as quickly as possible and with as little bureaucratic expenses as possible. Chico needs jobs. Let’s not kill or disable the businesses that will create those jobs before they even get started!

On that same note I have heard many city leaders talk about the need for high tech jobs. Our current city leaders have certainly developed one skill; TALK, TALK, and even more TALK!

I BELIEVE IN ACTION. If I find myself on the new city council I will be taking an active look at how we can potentially work with Chico State to morph to a polytechnic university.  Do you think that might bring more high tech firms to the area? Do you think that might help graduates stay and work in Chico rather than leave to bigger cities looking for high tech jobs?

Bottom line = If you want more than talk, if you want to truly create jobs, vote for someone who has created business and jobs, right here in Chico, all his life.

Born in San Diego to a Native Mexican American and a Mexican Immigrant, Mercedes spent her first three years in the Chula Vista barrio.  In 1993, her family relocated to Paradise, CA, where she later enrolled in Kindergarten at the local parochial, St. Thomas More Catholic School, and remained until graduation.  A background in Roman Catholic ideology got me volunteering at a very young age, starting by working the game booths in 2002 at Johnny Appleseed Days.  It was then that she decided she’d like to someday be the mayor of Chico.

In 2004, her family detoured toward Red Bluff, and two years saw her bussing tables for Splendid in the Valley while attending Mercy Catholic High School.  As her life experience progressed, she found herself determined to move back to Chico and become more involved in Vocal Performance, Ballroom Dancing, and Community Theater.  Her last two years of High School were spent reading textbooks cover-to-cover out of HomeTech Charter in Paradise, with Shasta and Butte College courses concurrently.

In 2007, she travelled to Eastern Australia as a Student Ambassador with People to People.  Upon her return, she endeavored to remain local and invest time in her community by registering for the Honors Program at California State University, Chico, where she was accepted on a full scholarship.  The summer after graduation Mercedes travelled to the People’s Republic of China with a close friend native to the area, where she stayed with their friends and families for 3 months, visiting both big cities, tourist destinations, and what can only be described as desolate rural villages.  One week after their return, they found a cheap apartment on North Cedar Street and she started her Freshman year of college.

While at University, she participated in Community Action Volunteers in Education (CAVE), became involved with the  and founded the Karaoke Club on campus.  She pursued a Bachelor’s in Philosophy, declaring a double minor in Ethics, Justice, & Policy and Sustainability and earning a spot on the Dean’s Honors’ List for two semesters in a row.  She was hired on as the Personal Assistant to the Head of the Honors’ Department before filing for a leave of absence to spend more time with her family.

In 2010 she began work for the ARC of Butte County as a Respite Care Provider at the request of a theater acquaintance who has since come to be known as a cherished personal friend.  Mercedes continues to offer aid and support to this family and the beautiful young girl who lives with Epilepsy, Cerebral Palsy, and Autism while she gradually transforms into a young woman.

A brief stint in the California Conservation Corps earned her distinctions and a scholarship with AmeriCorps for total volunteer hours logged (over 250 in 2012) and a promotion to Acting Crew Leader.  During the harsh 2012 California Fires, she was motivated to earn a Class-B Commercial Drivers’ License and passed with a perfect DMV Score, helping to coordinate support for Firefighters and HotShots at the Sites-Complex and Colusa Fairgrounds Supply Camps.  It was during this time that she began active involvement with the Stream Team Citizen Water Monitoring Project and the City of Chico’s Park Watch Volunteer Initiative; her volunteer status with these organizations is active to this day.

In the fall of 2012, she chose to extract her passions from the CCC and began studying the Korean Martial Art of Tae Kwon Do under Grandmaster Farshad Azad.  Spring 2013 brought with it an age of increased inner reflection and the integration of T’ai Chi Ch’uan into her ongoing practice.  She reached out once more as a volunteer usher and concessions worker to local theaters and resumed her interest in vocal performance.  This network eventually led her to an invitation to serve as the youngest member of the Board of Directors for the Theatre on the Ridge in Paradise.  She has since accepted the role of Secretary for the 40 year Non-Profit.

As April 2013 began, she found herself writing again and seeking ways to learn.  She jumped into local efforts to study and increase food security in Chico, especially in unincorporated Chapmantown.  She was hired as the Assistant Market Manager for the Certified Farmers’ Market and with the North Valley Community Foundation as an independent contractor for the “Cultivating Community” grant.  At the same time, Mercedes was creating much of the original paperwork and forms for the Downtown Ambassadors, working under the model of Bill Such, training new volunteers, and attending City Council Meetings.

At the end of 2013, Mercedes detached herself from her role in Chapmantown and stepped aside to make way for a new direction in the Downtown Ambassadors.  She chose to postpone the pursuit of her own personal dreams and interests when a new business in Downtown Chico requested that she assist them in establishing their family restaurant.  Although initially declining the offer, Mercedes eventually agreed, with the understanding that she would not be a simple employee, but an equal partner and member of the family -- one day managing that particular venue while the couple opened other restaurants.

2013 was just start of three years of broken promises…  However, in February 2015 she reconnected with her soul-mate.

By the end of July of 2016, Mercedes turned 26 and wasn’t happy with her professional life.  She worked harder than ever, but the return was almost nonexistent.  The professional relationship at the restaurant had deteriorated along with the hours.  She could no longer financially support herself or emotionally tolerate the strain of the work environment.  She had to make a change. 

She quit her job and filed paperwork to run for City Council.

August 1^st Mercedes started a new job as an early morning barista and was brought on as an intern for the CA Urban Streams Alliance.  She resumed her position as a Respite Care Provider with the ARC of Butte County and her passions for Ballroom dancing, social activism, and vocal performance.

Back to volunteerism and promoting community engagement!

For more information about this candidate, please visit their website: https://ArticulatedJargon.com