Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Cemetery's Condition Is Latest Flashpoint in Brandau-Bredefeld Race
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 2 years ago on
May 4, 2023

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Two candidates for Fresno County supervisor have found a new wedge issue — maintenance of the county-run Veterans Liberty Cemetery — courtesy of a Fresno County Grand Jury report criticizing the conditions there.

Garry Bredefeld, the Fresno city councilman challenging incumbent Steve Brandau for the District 2 seat, pounced.

“Complete disgrace and disrespect to our veterans! The Board of Supervisors just spent $225,000 of Covid money for a Garlic Fest but ignore taking care of a County cemetery for veterans,” Bredefeld wrote on Facebook.

My colleague Bill McEwen did some digging on the issue of cemetery vandalism. Fresno cemeteries have been dealing with homeless encampments in recent years. The challenges posed by the transients include stealing everything of value and leaving messes behind. In the case of Fresno’s historic Chinese cemetery, some families became so concerned that they dug up the remains of their loved ones and re-buried them elsewhere.

Brandau Responds

Brandau clapped back at Bredefeld in a Facebook video. He blamed the deteriorating conditions on homeless people from the city of Fresno. The county is fixing the cemetery, Brandau said.

“It’s really tragic that our friends from down the street (Fresno City Council) are ranting about a problem in the county when they have so much of their own that they could be concerned about,” Brandau said.

He then pointed out the city’s problems with maintaining Fresno Memorial Auditorium.

“You would think that the councilmember would get to work on that instead of calling out Fresno County. My point is, look, if you live in a glass house, don’t throw rocks, bud,” Brandau said.

Brandau also took a shot at Bredefeld for using The Fresno Bee as his reference material.

“He’s usually griping and complaining about (The Bee). Now he’s using them as a resource,” Brandau said.

A Brandau spokesman said the video — filmed in Brandau’s county office — was his official supervisor’s response to the Bredefeld allegations.

However, Bredefeld maintains that filming in the office is “against the law, no matter how much he rationalizes it.” But, Bredefeld says he does not plan on filing a complaint.

Keep in mind: Brandau and Bredefeld are conservative Republicans and former friends.

The election is on March 5, 2024.


Also in Politics 101 …

  • Fresno car wash approved, but will it be appealed again?
  • River Board names interim leader

Car Wash Approved Despite Neighbors Objections

Despite objections from an adjacent adult day care facility, the Fresno Planning Commission approved a Surf Thru car wash on the northwest corner at McKinley and Fine avenues near the airport.

Ramirez Planning wants to build a car wash but met opposition from its potential backdoor neighbor.

Fresno City Councilman Tyler Maxwell appealed — on behalf of the Rivendell Community Adult Development Center — the planning department’s decision to approve. The commission initially heard the appeal on March 15, delaying a decision by six weeks to let the sides talk.

Noise, parking, traffic, and aesthetics were the main objections. The carwash would remove 45 parking spots.

My autistic clients … function daily on a routine. And if their routine is changed, their whole behavior changes,” Xiamy Ly-Yang, Rivendell’s operator, told the commission.

 

The developer says the project is permitted “by right,” meaning the zoning code already allows the use of the car wash without additional approvals.

The developers said they are willing to make concessions to be good neighbors.

Planning Commissioner Haley Wagner wanted the parties to work together.

“Use it as an opportunity to get to know one another, use it as an opportunity to maybe educate and teach them how things work. I think access to, you know, seeing something built from the ground up will be really interesting and there may be even some excitement and you be a good neighbor,” Wagner said from the dais.

The planning board voted 4-2 to approve at its Wednesday night meeting — Wagner, Kathy Bray, Monica Diaz, and Jacqueline Lyday voted in favor; Peter Vang and D.J. Criner voted against. Brad Hardie was absent.

The approval could still be appealed to the city council, but only by the councilman for the area, Maxwell. He offered no comment on if he will file the appeal.

Renderings of a car wash, approved by the Fresno Planning Commission on Wednesday, May 4, 2023, despite neighbor objections. (City of Fresno)

River Board Hires Interim Executive

Karen Buhr

The San Joaquin River Conservancy board hired Karen Buhr as interim executive officer.

She replaces John Shelton, who was fired by the board last month.

Buhr, a Bullard High School graduate, comes from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy, where she was deputy executive officer since August 2022.

Previously, she was executive director of the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts from 2010-2022. She graduated from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and obtained a Master of Science degree across the river at the University of Minnesota.

“We are confident that the experience and knowledge Ms. Buhr will bring to the Conservancy will further the goals set out to preserve the beauty and nature found in and around the river, while also increasing access for the residents of Fresno and Madera to enjoy all that can be found at the San Joaquin River,” board chair and Fresno City Councilman Mike Karbassi said in a news release.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

World Leaders React to US Attack on Iran

DON'T MISS

Congress Members Split Over US Attack on Iran

DON'T MISS

Investors Brace for Oil Price Spike, Rush to Havens After US Bombs Iran Nuclear Sites

DON'T MISS

Investors React to US Attack on Iran Nuclear Sites

DON'T MISS

Tulare County’s Colvin Fire Ignites With 80 Personnel on Scene

DON'T MISS

US B-2 Bombers Involved in Iran Strikes, U.S. Official Says

DON'T MISS

Trump Says Iran’s Key Nuclear Sites ‘Obliterated’ by Airstrikes

DON'T MISS

LA Dodgers Pledge $1 Million to Support Families Impacted by ICE Raids

DON'T MISS

Pakistan to Nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

DON'T MISS

Vance, in Los Angeles, Says Troops Need to Stay, Blasts Newsom Over Immigration

UP NEXT

Congress Members Split Over US Attack on Iran

UP NEXT

Investors Brace for Oil Price Spike, Rush to Havens After US Bombs Iran Nuclear Sites

UP NEXT

Investors React to US Attack on Iran Nuclear Sites

UP NEXT

Tulare County’s Colvin Fire Ignites With 80 Personnel on Scene

UP NEXT

US B-2 Bombers Involved in Iran Strikes, U.S. Official Says

UP NEXT

Trump Says Iran’s Key Nuclear Sites ‘Obliterated’ by Airstrikes

UP NEXT

LA Dodgers Pledge $1 Million to Support Families Impacted by ICE Raids

UP NEXT

Pakistan to Nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

UP NEXT

Vance, in Los Angeles, Says Troops Need to Stay, Blasts Newsom Over Immigration

UP NEXT

Nuclear Diplomacy Stuck, Israel Says It Killed Top Iran Commander

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

Despite Clashes With US Presidents, Israel’s Netanyahu Usually Gets His Way

5 hours ago

Pope Leo Urges International Diplomacy to Prevent ‘Irreparable Abyss’

5 hours ago

Oil to Open Higher as US Strikes on Iran Boost Supply Risk Premium

6 hours ago

US Strikes Against Iran Not Aimed at Regime Change, Pentagon Chief Says

6 hours ago

US Bombing of Iran Started With a Fake-Out

6 hours ago

Pakistan Condemns Trump’s Bombing of Iran a Day After Nominating Him for Peace Prize

6 hours ago

World Awaits Iran’s Response After Trump Says US ‘Obliterates’ Nuclear Sites

6 hours ago

Mariska Hargitay Comes to Terms With a Lifetime of Family Secrets

7 hours ago

Mysterious Ancient Humans Now Have a Face

7 hours ago

World Leaders React to US Attack on Iran

19 hours ago

Advisory Warns of ‘Heightened Threat Environment’ in US After Iran Strikes

WASHINGTON  -An advisory from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security warned on Sunday of a “heightened threat environment in the Uni...

5 hours ago

A "No war on Iran" banner is held as people attend an anti-war demonstration in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 21, 2025. (Reuters File)
5 hours ago

Advisory Warns of ‘Heightened Threat Environment’ in US After Iran Strikes

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as they are flanked by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and members of Turkish and Iranian delegations, during the 51st Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in Istanbul, Turkey, June 21, 2025. (Reuters File)
5 hours ago

Muslim Countries to Set up Contact Group to Seek Israel-Iran De-Escalation

5 hours ago

Visalia Police Seek Public’s Help in Sexual Assault Investigation

President Donald Trump speaks as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waves following a meeting in the White House, in Washington, U.S., April 7, 2025. (Reuters/Kevin Mohatt)
5 hours ago

Despite Clashes With US Presidents, Israel’s Netanyahu Usually Gets His Way

Pope Leo XIV holds a Jubilee audience on the occasion of the Jubilee of Sport, at St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican June 14, 2025. (Reuters File)
5 hours ago

Pope Leo Urges International Diplomacy to Prevent ‘Irreparable Abyss’

An oil tanker is being loaded at Saudi Aramco's Ras Tanura oil refinery and oil terminal in Saudi Arabia May 21, 2018. (Reuters File)
6 hours ago

Oil to Open Higher as US Strikes on Iran Boost Supply Risk Premium

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth holds a briefing at the Pentagon, after the U.S. struck Iranian nuclear facilities, during the Israel-Iran conflict, in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., June 22, 2025 in this still image taken from handout video. Reuters TV/U.S. Department of Defense/Handout via REUTERS
6 hours ago

US Strikes Against Iran Not Aimed at Regime Change, Pentagon Chief Says

A satellite view shows an overview of Fordow underground complex, after the U.S. struck the underground nuclear facility, near Qom, Iran June 22, 2025. MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES/Handout via REUTERS
6 hours ago

US Bombing of Iran Started With a Fake-Out

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

Search

Send this to a friend