Controversial Civil Rights Activist Sarsour Speaks at Fresno Event

Linda Sarsour, a political activist embraced by progressives and vilified by the right, appeared in Fresno Thursday (Sept. 6). She spoke at a California Endowment gathering called “Fight For All”  at the Doubletree Hotel in downtown Fresno.

Known for her advocacy for women’s rights, Palestinian rights, and other liberal causes, she has inspired much praise and vitriol.

Sarsour was among several activists arrested Tuesday (Sept. 4) at the U.S. Capitol during the confirmation hearing of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

According to the Twitter account of Cal Endowment’s Tony Iton, Sarsour told the audience “dissent is the highest form of patriotism.”

“Dissent is the highest form of #patriotism” Thank you @lsarsour for challenging us to look at what it means to truly be part of the #resistance. #WeAreBHC pic.twitter.com/D9R8sSzrfP

— Dr. Tony Iton (@dr_tonyiton) September 6, 2018

Sarsour also talked about her activism and the Kavanaugh hearing. She said that everyone has a voice in a democracy.

TJ Cox Campaigning with Obama

Congressional candidate TJ Cox will campaign with former President Barack Obama, according to numerous media sources.

The Democrat will be among seven candidates at Saturday’s (Sept. 8) rally in Orange County.

His opponent for the District 21 seat, incumbent David Valadao (R-Hanford) is making light of Cox’s out-of-town event.

His campaign tweeted out a mock video, noting Cox’s political donations from the Bay Area and “Hollywood liberals.”

.@TJCoxCongress is skipping town for The OC to rally Hollywood liberals this weekend.

Here’s the opening credits.

MORE: https://t.co/dx4OJNPy9C #CA21 pic.twitter.com/mPTWK7cje0

— Alex Tavlian (@tavlian) September 5, 2018

Cox, meanwhile, is linking Valadao to Trump administration policies in the social media jabbing between the campaigns.

Trump and congressional Republicans like @RepDavidValadao are so owned by special interests they are attacking laws that protect people with pre-existing conditions.
We need to protect people, not find new excuses to throw them off of their healthcare.https://t.co/9K1Vf4paYI

— TJ Cox (@TJCoxCongress) September 5, 2018

Proposed Animal Shelter Would Be State-of-the-Art

GV Wire Locator Map/Alexis DeSha

Derrel Ridenour, CEO of Derrel’s Mini Storage, wants the Fresno County Board of Supervisor to approve zoning changes in order to build a new animal shelter. After all, he is donating the land and providing the funding to build the facility.

Ridenour and his wife are animal lovers and have long sought to build a new shelter for Fresno Humane Animal Services.

“Our mission is to reduce euthanasia in Fresno County, with a nice, state-of-the-art adoption center. I think it will make a huge difference to the community,” Ridenour said.

He said the shelter, slated for Grantland Avenue south of Herndon, will be modeled on Miss Winkles Pet Adoption Center in Clovis.

Neighbors have complained about the potential traffic and noise, but Ridenour said the modern design should alleviate most of those problems. Plus, he said the shelter will act as a buffer to reduce noise from Highway 99.

Ridenour does say he plans to eventually build a mini-storage site next to the shelter, not enclosing it as initially reported in GV Wire.

The total price tag is $6-7 million.

The supervisors hear the item at Tuesday’s (Sept. 11) meeting at the Hall of Records.

Fresno Teachers Make Endorsements

The union representing Fresno Unified teachers has endorsed candidates in three of the four races in the November election.

In Area 4 (McLane High School region) race, Veva Islas won the nod over incumbent Christopher De La Cerda.

“I’ve seen the inaction, the lack of vision to move this district forward from De La Cerda,” Fresno Teachers Association President Manuel Bonilla said. “Veva provides that vision and is going to listen to the voice of teachers and enact policy that will help the community and transform public education in Fresno.”

FTA is recommending three of the four contestants in Area 7 (Bullard High region): Nasreen Johnson, Terri Edwards, and Terry Slatic.

“These three people have a unique vision for what transforming public education is like in Fresno. We see them as collaborators. We feel we can work with any of them,” Bonilla said.

The trustee for the area, Brooke Ashjian, did not seek re-election. Amanda Karabian is also running.

In Area 1 (Edison High region), FTA picked Robert Fuentes over Keshia Thomas. Both are running to replace the retiring Cal Johnson.

FTA has yet to endorse in the Area 3 race (Sunnyside High region) involving incumbent Valerie Davis and challengers Mark Ratchford and Karl Diaz.

Chamber Endorsements

The Fresno Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee has officially endorsed three Fresno City Council candidates: Tate Hill (District 3), Luis Chavez (District 5) and Brian Whelan (District 7).

“During his time in office, Luis Chavez has proven to be a strong voice for business, and we’re confident that Tate Hill and Brian Whelan have what it takes to join him in improving Fresno’s business climate and helping to create jobs throughout our community,” Chamber President/CEO Nathan Ahle said in a statement.