Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Santa Has Gifts for Nunes, Newsom, and More
Bill McEwen updated website photo 2024
By Bill McEwen, News Director
Published 5 years ago on
December 24, 2019

Share

Jolly old Santa Mac is heading down the chimney with a bag of gifts for:
The seven Fresno Unified trustees, in the words of Toby Keith, “a little less talk and a lot more action” on student achievement.

columnist mug of Bill McEwen as Santa Claus
Bill McEwen
Opinion
Mayor Lee Brand, one last successful campaign (Keep Fresno Beautiful) before he exits.


The Gap, the corporate heart to do right by Fresno by donating land for a no-kill animal shelter by the airport.
— Derrel Ridenour, Darius Assemi and the late David McDonald, a thank-you for your support and love of dogs, otherwise known as “our furry friends.”
— Derek Carr, Quincy Pondexter, the Brothers Lopez, Sloane Stephens, and all the other star professional athletes who give back to Fresno, keys to the city.
—  California, affordable housing that’s truly affordable.
— NIMBYs, dropping the “N” for a “Y” to become Yes in My Back Yard. (I’m pretty sure this gift won’t be opened.)
Rep. Devin Nunes, a conspiracy theory a month to satiate Fox News — and keep the rest of us laughing off our chairs.
The San Joaquin River Parkway, the kind of public access people have been dreaming about for decades.
Lois Henry, thousands of new readers (and supporters) for her SJV Water website. (Her knowledge of Valley water issues is deeper than a west-side well.)
— Kalen DeBoer, the recipe for Turnaround Ala Tedford. I’m sure his old Fresno State football boss will share it.
California, which is so big and so challenged that it needs two gifts, a variation on the words often attributed to Mark Twain: “Whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting.” Let’s try, “Water’s for sharing by cities, farmers, and fish, and the more voluntary agreements the better.” (Alas, a gift that will be exchanged for a water lawyer retainer.)
All who occupy the sanity zone, the rise of a third major political party populated by Blue Dog Democrats and Principled Republicans.
Mark Arax, another year of poking the bear that is California and the city of untapped potential that is Fresno.
Armenians around the globe, an American president with the gumption to stand up to Turkey and say “genocide.” (This comes with a raincheck.)
— Ashley Swearengin, a successful year piloting Fresno DRIVE, the 10-year effort to elevate economic and racial equality in our city.
Fresno residents, passage of a 2020 compromise sales tax proposal that funds more parks and keeps us safer. (This gift was mistakenly delivered in 2018 to a noncompromising city council.)
— Gov. Gavin Newsom, a transformation plan for PG&E that doesn’t cost ratepayers an arm and a leg. (Less focus on Trump, and more on California’s economic divide, too.)
PG&E, the realization that safety trumps profits.
Mark Standriff, a role of a lifetime. (On stage, not in politics.)


— Farmer Devin Nunes, a bigger crop of lemons.


Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and to all, a great 2020!

DON'T MISS

Merced Police Chief: Local Sexual Assault Exams ‘Worth’ Higher Cost

DON'T MISS

Anjelah Johnson-Reyes to Headline Chukchansi’s Summer Series with ‘Family Reunion Tour’

DON'T MISS

Sue or Hold Back? The University of California Does Both as It Faces Trump’s Wrath

DON'T MISS

Central Unified Takes Additional Steps To Protect Undocumented Students

DON'T MISS

Americans Trade Michelin Stars for Mac and Cheese

DON'T MISS

Dueling Protests Clash at Fresno Tesla Dealership

DON'T MISS

Hamas Says It Accepts New Gaza Ceasefire Proposal but Israel Makes Counter-Offer

DON'T MISS

Andrew Tate’s Ex-Girlfriend Accuses Him of Sexual Assault and Battery in New Lawsuit

DON'T MISS

Protesters Rebelling Against Elon Musk’s Purge of US Government Swarm Tesla Showrooms

DON'T MISS

Plastics Are Seeping Into Farm Fields, Food and Eventually Human Bodies

UP NEXT

If California Bails Out LA’s $1 Billion Budget Deficit, Beware the Slippery Slope

UP NEXT

Trump Has Had Enough. He Is Not Alone.

UP NEXT

The Real Crisis in California Schools Is Low Achievement, Not Cultural Conflicts

UP NEXT

Trump and Musk Are Suffering From Soros Derangement Syndrome

UP NEXT

CA Politicians Have an Irritating Habit of Ignoring the Downsides

UP NEXT

If Pete Hegseth Had Any Honor, He Would Resign

UP NEXT

If Zero-Emission Cars Cut Gasoline Sales and Tax Revenue, How Will California Replace Them?

UP NEXT

How Israel Divides the Right

UP NEXT

Under Pressure From Trump, UC Abandons ‘Diversity Statement’ Requirement for Faculty

UP NEXT

California Seniors Are Paying the Price for Lawsuit Abuse 

Bill McEwen,
News Director
Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email

Central Unified Takes Additional Steps To Protect Undocumented Students

11 hours ago

Americans Trade Michelin Stars for Mac and Cheese

12 hours ago

Dueling Protests Clash at Fresno Tesla Dealership

1 day ago

Hamas Says It Accepts New Gaza Ceasefire Proposal but Israel Makes Counter-Offer

1 day ago

Andrew Tate’s Ex-Girlfriend Accuses Him of Sexual Assault and Battery in New Lawsuit

1 day ago

Protesters Rebelling Against Elon Musk’s Purge of US Government Swarm Tesla Showrooms

1 day ago

Plastics Are Seeping Into Farm Fields, Food and Eventually Human Bodies

1 day ago

Myanmar’s Earthquake Death Toll Jumps to 1,644 as More Bodies Are Recovered From the Rubble

1 day ago

Top Vaccine Official Resigns From FDA, Criticizes RFK Jr. for Promoting Misinformation, Lies

1 day ago

If You Want to Ski Affordably Next Season, Buy Now

1 day ago

Merced Police Chief: Local Sexual Assault Exams ‘Worth’ Higher Cost

Last year, The Merced FOCUS reported that for the first time in over a decade, a crucial service for survivors of sexual assault would be of...

10 hours ago

10 hours ago

Merced Police Chief: Local Sexual Assault Exams ‘Worth’ Higher Cost

10 hours ago

Anjelah Johnson-Reyes to Headline Chukchansi’s Summer Series with ‘Family Reunion Tour’

11 hours ago

Sue or Hold Back? The University of California Does Both as It Faces Trump’s Wrath

11 hours ago

Central Unified Takes Additional Steps To Protect Undocumented Students

12 hours ago

Americans Trade Michelin Stars for Mac and Cheese

1 day ago

Dueling Protests Clash at Fresno Tesla Dealership

1 day ago

Hamas Says It Accepts New Gaza Ceasefire Proposal but Israel Makes Counter-Offer

1 day ago

Andrew Tate’s Ex-Girlfriend Accuses Him of Sexual Assault and Battery in New Lawsuit

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend