Quote of the Week
“It’s because we don’t have affordable housing. For too long, we’ve only focused on the people that have the money to play the game, and it’s time for that to change.”
–Candidate Dion Bourdase, speaking about homelessness and housing a political forum co-hosted by Fresnoland.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this newsletter incorrectly identified candidate Dion Bourdase’s first name. The newsletter has been corrected.
This Week in Fresnoland
Candidate forums give the public a chance to meet candidates as March election looms
To further help Fresno County voters flesh out the key issues and candidates in the upcoming March 5 presidential primary election, Fresnoland partnered with KVPR, the League of Women Voters and CMAC to present a series of candidate forums.
The first two kicked off Tuesday night with forums featuring candidates for Fresno City Council District 6 and Fresno County Board of Supervisors District 2.
Fresnoland’s Pablo Orihuela details how each candidate responded to questions on a variety of issues, including affordable housing, safer roads, and homelessness, among others. Read the full story here and stream both forums via CMAC.
The third forum is set for 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12, at the John L. Dodson Theater, 710 Van Ness Ave., featuring candidates for the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, District 3. RSVP for the event here.
Crowded field of candidates taking on this Fresno County incumbent
Fresnoland’s election coverage pivoted to a crowded five-candidate race for the Fresno County Board of Supervisors District 2 seat currently occupied by incumbent Steve Brandau. Gregory Weaver breaks down the candidate’s positions on various key issues the board will confront over the next four years.
North Fresno voters will decide a critical swing vote on the county Board of Supervisors, one who will wield the power to determine the future of the region’s economy, housing, and environment.
At stake is the fate of vast swaths of land in north and south Fresno. After a 30-year hiatus, the county is proposing to start developing again the fringes north of Fresno, in the Friant area for luxury homes.
And in south Fresno, the county’s plans for industrial development are even attracting the California Attorney General’s attention. Sandwiched between the two plans is an unprecedented blast mine proposal on the San Joaquin River. Fresnoland
Which political newcomer will represent this trendy Fresno district?
Fresnoland’s guide to the upcoming March 5 primary election cruised into the Woodward Park area with this examination by Julianna Morano of the only city race without an incumbent candidate on the ballot.
Fresno City Council District 6 in the city’s northeast region has been represented by conservative firebrand Garry Bredefeld since 2016. But with the longtime Fresno politician terming out and seeking a Board of Supervisors seat, the city’s northeastern council seat is wide open for newcomers.
Julianna breaks down the race with profiles of the four candidates. If no candidate wins an outright majority on March 5, the top two vote-earners will square off again during the general election in November. Fresnoland
Business leaders clash with city council over wage theft program
A move to give some prosecutorial powers to Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz was greeted with skepticism from many in the city’s business community, Fresnoland’s Omar Shaikh Rashad reported.
The Chamber of Commerce’s President and CEO Scott Miller said his organization is against wage theft, but it does not think a city program is the best way to address the issue.
“Our position as a chamber is that we don’t think that there are a lot of examples of wage theft that go unanswered if they are reported to the state or to any attorney because the enforcement actions are pretty robust,” Miller told Fresnoland, adding that the program was announced without consulting the business community.
Before California’s recent adoption of AB 594, only the California Labor Commissioner’s Office could investigate wage theft claims. The new law allows public prosecutors, including city attorneys, to take companies to civil or criminal court over wage theft cases. Fresnoland
Nearly two dozen asylum speakers sent to Fresno by Texas politicians
City officials are partnering with local nonprofit groups to help transport 19 asylum seekers who arrived in Fresno last week, KVPR reported this week.
Exactly how the group came to Fresno remains a mystery.
Fresno Bee columnist Marek Warszawski noted that, unlike the greeting received in Texas and then Colorado, Fresno officials scrambled to help.
“Rather than be greeted with a cold shoulder, the Venezuelan refugees were given a helping hand,” Warszawski wrote Wednesday.
The group consists of four families with three children under 5 years old. KVPR
Outside the Lines
Creepy and memorable: That’s how Fresno Councilmember Luis Chavez described a scene he captured on video this week while canvassing neighborhoods in his campaign for the county Board of Supervisors. Just check out the video.
Paletas at the park: Mobile food vendors will soon be selling cold and prepared food at city parks thanks to a new program unanimously approved Feb. 1 by the Fresno City Council, Fresnoland reported.
Fresno landmark comes down: Two weeks after workers failed to remove the Guarantee Savings sign from its perch in downtown Fresno, crews managed to bring the 11,000-pound landmark down on Feb. 3, The Fresno Bee reported.
Block Beat
Project Review Committee: The Fresno City Council District 1 committee meets 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8 in Room 2165-A at City Hall in downtown Fresno to review three conditional use permit applications.
Major road closure: West Avenue remains closed between Shaw and Ashland avenues as BNSF Railroad works on train track improvements in the area. The work began Monday, Feb. 5 and was expected to last four days.
Tree trimming: Will soon begin in the area within the boundaries of McKinley-Fruit-Olive-Weber Avenues. Please take caution when traveling in this area. Move vehicles when arborists are on your street to prevent delays in the completion of work. Trimming is expected between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. for the next “two to three weeks.” Questions or concerns? Call 559-621-7832 or by email at District3@fresno.gov.
Department of New Construction
ROEDING: A development permit is under review for a proposed banquet hall venue to be built at 820 E. Shields Ave. The two-room venue would include food and alcoholic beverages and a “luxury party bus” would be available. The “low-cost venue” would be available for weddings and quinceaneras with on-site security.
Around Town
Splash Fresno hosts a Soulful Mixer from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25 at the club on Olive Avenue in the Tower District. The event aims to bring the community together in celebration of Black History Month. Come discover all the local music, arts, and commerce the Black community of Fresno has to offer. Splash Fresno
A new exhibit, ‘From China to Fresno: A 150-Year Cultural Journey,’ is on display at the Kearney Mansion Museum & Gallery in Fresno. The Gallery is open for viewing as part of the Kearney Mansion Museum Tour on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m. or by appointment. Fresno Historical Society
A BMX Bike Skills clinic is set for Feb. 16 and Feb. 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Mosqueda Community Center, 4670 E. Butler Ave., Fresno. Children ages 5 and older are invited to ride with bike park staff to practice “pumping, jumping, and carving skills.” No registration is required, and the events are free to the public. Helmets are required, and elbow and knee pads are recommended. Questions? Call 559-621-PLAY. Bicycle skills clinic
Next Week in Public Meetings
Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. | Fresno Planning Commission
Thursday, Feb. 8 at 8:45 a.m. | Fresno County Planning Commission
Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. | Reedley City Council
Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. | Clovis City Council
Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. | Madera County Board of Supervisors
Thursday, Feb. 15 at 6 p.m. | Sanger City Council
Thursday, Feb. 15 at 9 a.m. | San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District
