A new park in southwest Fresno will honor a trailblazing politician and community activist.

On Aug. 29, the city council voted 7-0 to honor the late Les Kimber, naming an under-construction park at South MLK Jr. Boulevard and Church Avenue.

City Ignores Rules Again

Kimber was the second Black city councilmember in city history, elected in 1983 and winning a second term in 1987.

“We are just very honored that the city would acknowledge my dad’s work in the community. And so we feel blessed,” Kimber’s daughter Terri Edwards told Politics 101.

Considered a strong voice for the Black community and west Fresno, Kimber was the founder and publisher of “The California Advocate.” He also helped organize the annual Martin King Luther, Jr. parade in downtown Fresno.

Edwards said her father would want to be remembered as a “community organizer, someone that cares about the future of our city. He loved to help people.”

Kimber died in 2015.

There was no debate — literally to honor Kimber. But, the city council once again skipped its vetting rules.

The council — recognizing the national debate about past historical figures and their views on race — voted in 2020 to require any naming or renaming of city facilities to be examined by the Historic Preservation Commission. The Aug. 29 vote exempted the honoring of Kimber from scrutiny.

The naming of other city facilities have bypassed the vetting process: a police training facility for Jerry Dyer; a senior center for former city councilmember Paul Caprioglio; a park for Dolores Huerta, and so on.

The park is expected to open next year.

City Council Plans More ARPA Spending

The Fresno City Council has two items on Thursday’s agenda to spend federal ARPA dollars.

The city plans to allocate $100,000 to seven different LGBT-related nonprofits, for what the city is said to “aid in the COVID-19 recovery effort.”

This will be the second time the item has gone before the council. On Aug. 29, the city council approved 6-1 a version of the spending. This time, after an outcry from LGBT groups, the city is awarding Oasis Legal an extra $20,000 (for a total of $25,160). The Berkeley-based law firm specializes in helping LGBT immigrants and asylum seekers.

Also, the Central Valley Honor flight is set to receive $100,000. The nonprofit organizes flights to Washington for military veterans to see the war memorials, and the nation’s capital.

“I believe everything we enjoy as a community is thanks to our vets. Our freedom to own a home, attend church, and get a great education is because of the sacrifices made by these brave men and women,” Councilmember Tyler Maxwell — the sponsor of the motion — told Politics 101.

The Biden Administration awarded Fresno $170 million in ARPA funds in 2021.

Jewish Caucus Selects Leaders

Jesse Gabriel and Scott Wiener will once again serve as leaders for the California Legislative Jewish Caucus.

Gabriel, an Assemblymember from Encino, and Wiener, a state Senator from San Francisco, also served as chairs last year. They are both Democrats.

In a statement, Wiener highlighted some of the caucus’s legislative wins including Holocaust education, fighting hatred on college campuses, and grants to keep community groups safe.

“The Jewish Caucus has established itself as a strong force in state government and we are proud to unapologetically stand up for our community and our values — particularly in this difficult moment. We look forward to continuing to work closely with our partners to advance our community’s priorities and to help uplift vulnerable Californians of all faiths and backgrounds,” Gabriel said.

Four-JPAC Bills Headed to Governor

The Legislature approved four bills supported by the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California that await Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature.

Senate Bill 1277 helps train educators to teach about the Holocaust and genocide education. The state has provided money in the past for the training system, but if the bill is signed, it will become an official part of the program.

Other bills on the governor’s desk include:

• SB 1287 would require colleges to update enforce codes preventing intimidation, harassment and violence.
• AB 2925 would require colleges to include antisemitism in its training to combat discriminations.
• SB 85 would extend case management services for new refugees for 90 more days.

Blood Drive This Saturday

Producers Dairy and the Central California Blood Center are holding a blood drive on Saturday at the dairy’s headquarters, 250 E. Belmont Ave., in Fresno.

The event runs from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Donors will receive tacos and ice cream for their service.