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David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 6 years ago on
January 9, 2019

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Miguel Arias and Nelson Esparza are officially Fresno city councilmen, assuming office Tuesday, as prescribed by the city charter. They will be ceremonially sworn in Thursday (Jan. 10).

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For Arias, he will focus his time and attention fully on City Hall. He tells GV Wire he is resigning his position as chief information officer with the Fresno Unified School District as of Friday (Jan. 11). He’s been with FUSD since 2007.
Arias never fully answered the question during his campaign about how he would handle his school position if elected. Critics were concerned that Arias would have two public-sector jobs.
Like Arias, Esparza was settling in his new digs and hiring staff.
“We’ve been taking constituent calls and setting up the office!” Esparza said on his first day.

Surprising Results in Latest Fresno Chamber Report Card

The Fresno Chamber of Commerce has a reputation as a conservative, pro-business organization.
Yet, in its 2018 scorecard for the Fresno City Council, the four liberal or moderate members received 100% grades while the three conservatives received grades under 90%.
Of course, there are many caveats. First, the chamber only rated the council on eight votes.
Garry Bredefeld, perhaps the most conservative member, was dinged for opposing Grizzly Fest being held at Woodward Park. He also voted opposite of the chamber’s position on amending an industrial waste contract. That six-for-eight put Bredefeld at 75%.
Steven Brandau, who is running for county supervisor, also opposed Grizzly Fest. That was his only demerit. He checked in at 88%.
And, now-former councilman Clint Olivier was absent for two votes that the chamber supported — creating a job incentive program along the Ventura/Kings Canyon corridor and making it easier to obtain a  mobile food vendor permit. That knocked him down to 75%, too.
Esmeralda Soria, Luis Chavez, Paul Caprioglio and now-termed out Oliver Baines all attained perfect scores.


The chamber’s scores for the Valley delegation in the state Legislature went a little more as expected.
Former senator Andy Vidak (R-Hanford) led the way with 95%. Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) scored 90%; former senator Anthony Cannella (R-Ceres) achieved 80%, while Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) scored 25%

Costa Skipped Over

According to a recent Roll Call story, House Democratic leadership passed over Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno) for chair of the natural resources committee.
Roll Call profiled the new chairman Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), noting that “Costa had the seniority but couldn’t secure the votes for the job.”
During his 2018 campaign, Costa said he would not support Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) for House speaker. He voted against her in the party’s caucus vote but supported her on the House floor.

Mendonca is Newsom’s Economic Advisor

Lenny Mendonca
A man with Valley ties is Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new economic advisor.
Newsom named Lenny Mendonca his chief economic/business advisor and director of the Office of Business and Economic Development.
Mendonca, a well-known businessman, also serves as the co-chair for California Forward, a good-government think tank. He owns the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company and Mavericks Beer Company.
The grandson of Portuguese immigrants, he grew up on Turlock dairy farm.
Former Fresno mayor and CVCF CEO Ashley Swearengin approved of Mendonca’s appointment on Twitter.

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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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