Paradise Council Considers Renaming Town Hall to Honor Late Congressman

Mayor requests town hall be renamed after Doug LaMalfa, who helped with recovery efforts after Paradise fire

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Paradise Town Council is considering a request from Mayor Steve Crowder to rename the town hall in honor of the late Congressman Doug LaMalfa. Crowder cited LaMalfa's efforts in securing funding and resources for the town's recovery after the devastating Paradise fire, including warning sirens, police radios, and millions in federal aid. While some council members expressed support for honoring LaMalfa, others were hesitant about changing the name of the town's council chambers.

Why it matters

The renaming proposal highlights the important role that federal representatives can play in supporting local communities, especially in times of crisis and disaster recovery. It also reflects the ongoing debate around how to best memorialize public figures and recognize their contributions.

The details

Mayor Steve Crowder brought the request to rename the Paradise Town Hall to the town council during their Tuesday meeting. Crowder said he would like to see a plaque installed over the door to honor LaMalfa's work for the town, including securing funding for warning sirens, police radios, sewer improvements, and $200 million in federal aid through the Department of Housing and Community Development. While some council members, like Steve Culleton, spoke favorably of LaMalfa, Culleton expressed hesitation about changing the name of the council chambers, saying "This is the town of Paradise. This is your council chambers, and it belongs to the citizens." The council agreed to have staff prepare a formal resolution that can be voted on at a future meeting, allowing for public comment on the potential name change.

  • The Paradise Town Council discussed the renaming proposal during their meeting on Tuesday, February 15, 2026.
  • A formal resolution on the name change will be considered at an upcoming council meeting.

The players

Steve Crowder

The mayor of Paradise, California, who brought the request to rename the town hall to the town council.

Doug LaMalfa

The late Congressman who represented California's 1st congressional district and helped secure funding and resources for Paradise's recovery efforts after the devastating fire.

Steve Culleton

A Paradise town council member who expressed hesitation about changing the name of the council chambers, saying "This is the town of Paradise. This is your council chambers, and it belongs to the citizens."

Heidi Lange

A Paradise town council member who backed Crowder's request to bring an official item on the name change to a future meeting.

Ron Lasonde

A Paradise town council member who also supported Crowder's request to consider the name change.

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What they’re saying

“The reason I brought it forward is for everything he's done for this town, before the fire and especially after the fire. The warning sirens were him, our police radios were him, every year there's money that goes toward the sewer through his office and even the $200 million through (Department of Housing and Community Development) came through the federal government, and I just think it's something we need to do because I personally don't believe we would be as far ahead without his help.”

— Steve Crowder, Mayor (chicoer.com)

“We get elected to these positions to work for the people, and Doug did a great job of doing that … These council chambers are the town of Paradise Council Chambers. That's what I think they should be. I have no problem putting a plaque out here but this is the town of Paradise. This is your council chambers, and it belongs to the citizens.”

— Steve Culleton, Town Council Member (chicoer.com)

What’s next

The next step is for staff to put together a formal resolution that can be voted on at the next town council meeting, where there will be an opportunity for public comment on the potential name change for the town hall.

The takeaway

This proposal highlights the important role that federal representatives can play in supporting local communities, especially in times of crisis and disaster recovery. However, it also reflects the ongoing debate around how to best memorialize public figures and recognize their contributions, with some council members expressing hesitation about changing the name of the town's core civic institution.