Is Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer mincing words about a Fresno County supervisorial race?

Tuesday, Dyer appeared at a fundraiser for Garry Bredefeld — the Fresno city councilmember running for county supervisor against incumbent Steve Brandau. Dyer even introduced Bredefeld at the event, leading one to assume that meant a Dyer endorsement. Bredefeld posted video of the event on his social media.

After all, the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “endorse” as “to express support or approval of publicly and definitely.”

After initial reluctance to talk to GV Wire about Bredefeld’s candidacy, Dyer clarified where he stands.

“Garry is my friend and colleague and I have supported his efforts as he runs for the Board of Supervisors. That includes attending his fundraising events and introducing him at these events. However, I have not made any public endorsements in the media at this point,” Dyer said.

At one point, Bredefeld confirmed he had Dyer’s endorsement. After being informed of Dyer’s clarification, Bredefeld sent GV Wire this statement:

“Mayor Dyer is a good friend. I appreciate his strong support for my campaign for supervisor. He and I both know how important the election is in November and that I will bring real change, accountability, and transparency to the Board of Supervisors,” Bredefeld said.

Bredefeld had the most votes in the March 5 primary, 38%. Brandau finished second in a five-person race with 28%. Both advanced to a Nov. 5 runoff.

What does Brandau have to say?

“I always thought endorsement statements come from the one doing the endorsing, not from the one being endorsed,” Brandau said.

Related Story: Bredefeld, Smittcamp Debate the Salary of Valley Children’s CEO

Great night. Another successful fundraiser with about 60 supporters and friends.

The Good Old Boy Club at the County is coming to an end and real change, accountability, and open and transparent government are coming. Thank you again to everyone for your incredible support! pic.twitter.com/nUtbGP4KYL

— Garry Bredefeld (@GarryBredefeld) April 17, 2024

Bredefeld vs. Brandau

The Bredefeld vs. Brandau campaign has been marked by verbal fireworks from the candidates.

They continued the jousting when speaking to GV Wire at the Fresno County GOP Reagan-Lincoln Dinner on Wednesday.

“I speak out, and I did all through COVID. I do (speak out) through the things that need to be talked about in our community, the policies that are radical and destructive in nature. I think that’s the difference between me and him and a lot of politicians,” Bredefeld said.

Said Brandau: “(I’m going to win over voters) just by being consistent, showing them that there’s a workhorse versus a show horse. And I’m the workhorse. And I think the voters are going to appreciate that. I think they’re finding out, you know, really what my opponent’s all about — barking Chihuahua,” Brandau said.

Update on New Clovis Library

The 26,000 square-foot library in Clovis will be ready in fall 2026, county officials told the Clovis City Council this week.

The new library will have books, computers, reading areas, and a community room. The current library, which opened in 1976 at the Clovis Civic Center, is much smaller.

The new library’s location is just a few blocks away at Landmark Square, at 3rd Street, east of Clovis Avenue — in the space of the former Clovis lumbermill.

Fresno Measure P Commission Members Re-Appointed

The Fresno City Council approved the re-appointment of three members to the Fresno Measure P commission — assigned to advise on how the parks sales tax dollars are to be spent.

Kimberly McCoy, a policy advocate at the Central California Asthmas Collaborative, was re-appointed to a term ending July 1, 2026. Technically, her term expired July 1, 2022. City code allows a member to remain until a successor is chosen.

McCoy was almost replaced when her term expired, but the council did not go along with Dyer’s planned move.

Jon Dohlin, CEO of the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, and Jose Barraza, CEO of the Southeast Fresno Community Economic Development Association, Inc., were re-appointed to terms expiring July 1, 2027.

All three have served on the Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission — the technical name of the commission — since its inception in 2021.

The vote was 7-0 with no discussion.

The terms of commissioners Harman Singh and Mona Cummings expire on July 1.

Hardie Moves From Planning Commission to Civil Service Board

Brad Hardie is now off of the Fresno Planning Commission.

On Thursday, the city council approved Hardie — president of Regency Properties and RH Community Builders — for a vacancy to the Civil Service Board. It was in the same 7-0 vote to approve the park commission re-appointments.

“Upon appointment to the Civil Service Board, he will no longer serve on the Planning Commission,” a city staff report said.

The city said it’s difficult to fill Civil Service Board positions because of the time commitment.

Hardie had served on the planning commission since 2018. His term expired in 2022. Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias has criticized Hardie for several recusals the latter had to make.

Hardie’s last meeting was Wednesday.

Haley Wagner is the next planning commissioner with an upcoming expiring term (June 30, 2024).

Arias previously proposed that expired members leave immediately, but his idea was tabled.