A Fresno political activist known for speaking at public meetings has died.

Sean Burdine was 34.

Although the exact cause of death is unknown, his parents said he died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, July 20.

Burdine, who was known for wearing vests and impeccably styling his hair, often spoke before the Fresno County Board of Supervisors and at other local meetings. Voting integrity was a frequent topic.

Cindy Burdine said her son accelerated his political interest at Fresno City College, where he served in student government.

“Sean’s big driving force was the fact that he saw inequalities. (At Fresno City), he saw how unfair it was that kids were graduating from high school, not even able to read or write, and they’d have to go to remedial courses before they could actually take regular college courses. And it ate him up, it just destroyed him,” Cindy Burdine said.

“People might have looked at him and thought he was a right-wing kind of guy. But no, he was all for fairness and good for everybody. He just didn’t like seeing people being used for political gain,” she said.

Several friends, as well as conservative and Republican groups, posted condolences online.

“We are absolutely devastated and heartbroken at the unexpected loss of Sean Burdine. He was an intelligent young man, well-spoken, very active in the community,” family friend Patty Casio told GV Wire. “He was respected and loved in the community.”

Burdine registered to vote as no party preference. His mom said he supported Barack Obama for president.

Sean Burdine will be dearly missed. Please join us in prayer for his family. ❤️

To support his parents: https://t.co/XM3WxknlyC pic.twitter.com/8U17eDTvPl

— Fresno County Republican Party (@FresnoCountyGOP) July 23, 2024

Interest in Elections

His father, Brent Burdine, said Sean took to speaking at local government meetings, but always doing so in a respectful manner. He also taught others about civic engagement, public speaking, and how to respect the process.

“Try to appeal to people’s better logic and appeal to their better angels rather than just attack them and criticize them,” Brent Burdine said.

Sean Burdine worked previously for the Fresno County library, and San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust. He was also a coordinator for the Election Integrity Project.

During election season, Sean spent countless hours at the election warehouse, and helped train poll observers, his dad said.

“The focus was not on a particular candidate or issue. It was simply on the rules, the policies, the procedures, and the Constitution,” Brent Burdine said.

County Election Clerk James Kus praised Sean Burdine’s civic engagement.

“Sean Burdine was an active and conscientious election observer, eager to learn about elections in general and Fresno County’s procedures in minute detail,” Kus told Politics 101. “He made the effort to observe election activities in the field, at our office, and at our election warehouse during large and small elections and he provided feedback regarding his observations in a concise and respectful manner. His presence will be deeply missed during our November election processes.”

Friends organized a Give Send Go account on Burdine’s behalf.

City Accepts Water Donation

Producers Dairy donated 38,000 bottles of water to the city’s three cooling centers. Mayor Jerry Dyer thanked the Shehadey Family — operators of Producers — at the Ted C. Wills Community Center, blocks from Producer’s office.

“We will make sure that we are able to convey into the hands of the people of Fresno who are in need of this fresh water. This is the latest example of our community coming together to be able to benefit folks in our community, oftentimes who are the most vulnerable, all for the purpose of keeping them safe,” Dyer said.

The city offers cooling centers on extremely hot days at Wills (770 N. San Pablo Ave., near the Tower District); Mosqueda Center (4670 E. Butler Ave.) and Maxie L. Parks Community Center (1802 E. California) from noon to 8 p.m.

The city is also offering free movies for seniors at the Regal Clovis 8 as a way to beat the heat.

Related Story: Fresno Offers Free Movie Tickets for Seniors to Beat the Heat

Court Sides with Fresno on Tower Theatre Lawsuit

The city of Fresno scored a court win over Adventure Church that may finally end the legal drama over the Tower Theatre sale.

To recap — the church, which already used the theater for services, wanted to buy it outright in 2020. The community objected, and the city made inquiries to buy the theater instead. The deal between Adventure Church and the Tower Theatre owners imploded, and the city eventually bought the landmark in April 2022 for $6.5 million.

The church sued, claiming unfair interference from the city. A Fresno County Superior Court judge sided with the city, and last week, so did the Fresno-based Fifth District Court of Appeal.

The appeal court held that the city’s actions did not amount to illegal interference, and the church would unlikely prevail showing any breech of contract. The purchase contract between the church and original theater owners expired, allowing the city to purchase the theater, the courts ruled.

The ruling also allows the city to collect costs for defending the lawsuit.

Justice Thomas DeSantos wrote the 39-page opinion, agreed with by justices Charles Poochigian and M. Bruce Smith.

Newsom Appoints Locals

Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced appointments of Fresno-area residents to state positions.

• Reappointed Troy Taira, of Madera County, to the Board of Parole Hearings, a position he’s held since 2018. A Democrat, Taira earns a yearly salary of $204,120.
• Appointed Melany Acosta-Parra, of Kerman, to the California Youth Empowerment Commission. She is the city’s recreation leader in the parks department.
• Appointed Brianna “Shae” Dellamaggiore, of Chowchilla, as an alternate to the California Youth Empowerment Commission. Dellamaggiore works as a youth advocate and consultant.