Letter: Downtown Chico is just ‘off limits’ – Chico Enterprise-Record

The July Chico News & Review asks the question: “What’s the matter with downtown?”.

I haven’t read it yet; and I’m not sure I will bother. Downtown is “Off Limits” to most normal Chicoans.

So, one might ask why?

For me personally: with all the overcharging (including suggested 30% tips!) at downtown’s high-end eateries, failing and closing older businesses, dangerous ‘trip hazard’ sidewalks and tall curbs I smash my car doors into, I haven’t been there in many months.  And, oh, those new smart parking meters, or as I’ve heard them called “van-O-meters”!

And now, the final straw.  I am hearing that traffic downtown is so deadly, especially if you must cross a street, that red light cameras could be employed to catch the multitudes of red-light runners, while the Chico Donut Patrol continues to sit in their cars on 10-7.  If it’s that dangerous walking downtown, I’ll just steer clear until it gets better.

I guess I’ll know it’s better when I hear there are no longer any red light cameras in Chico.

— Dave Fundakowski, Chico