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Take 5: Veva Islas on Her District 7 Council Run
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 7 years ago on
January 31, 2018

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Veva Islas draws her motivation from her upbringing as the daughter of immigrant laborers. After growing up in Fresno and Kern County, she now works as a public health care advocate. She now wants to serve as a Fresno city councilwoman from District 7.
She also says she can be a role model for other girls and women of Fresno.

Views on District 7 Needs

Islas visited GV Wire to discuss the needs of the district that covers central Fresno, including the Manchester Mall. She wants to fix roads, control loose animals and improve parks.
All of her answers can be viewed in the Take 5 video above.
She says that grant money and private partnerships might help pay for those parks. But, she is not ruling out raising taxes.
“We need to think about creative solutions. It might be incremental tax initiatives or a bond measure,” Islas said.

About Medical Marijuana

Regarding recreational marijuana, she says that the taxes it would generate could help the city in the long term — if the drug is legalized in Fresno.
Islas also criticized Councilman Steve Brandau for his recent “poverty pimps” comment directed at a Fresno advocacy group and its leaders.
The candidate previously addressed a campaign miscue she made on a mailer and answered a question about her residency in another GV Wire interview.
To view GV Wire’s Take 5 interviews with other District 7 candidates, click the links below.
Nelson Esparza
Brian Whelan

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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