Editor’s Note: Fresno businessman Brooke Ashjian is fighting his removal from the Fresno Council of Governments’ steering committee for the Measure C transportation tax extension. On Monday morning, Ashjian submitted this op-ed to GV Wire outlining why he believes COG and its executive director, Robert Phipps, don’t have the authority to dismiss him from the committee.

Mr. Phipps,

I am writing in response to your email dated July 17, 2025, purporting to remove me from the 2026 Measure C Steering Committee.

I categorically reject your authority, and that of the Fresno Council of Governments (COG), to dismiss me from this position. As a representative appointed by the City of Fresno, my role is to advocate for the interests of its residents, and only the City has the prerogative to appoint or remove its delegates.

Your action appears to be retaliatory, aimed at silencing dissent and violating principles of free speech and open governance, as echoed by Fresno City Councilmembers and the city manager who have publicly deemed this removal wholly unacceptable.

The facts demonstrate that, beyond being unauthorized, this dismissal is evidence of uneven (in this case, heavy-handed) enforcement of so-called “ground rules.”

The City of Fresno, home to over 540,000 residents — more than half of Fresno County’s population — deserves its fair share of Measure C dollars, primarily for road maintenance and improvements, which are critical priorities for our community. Yet, the recent expansion of the committee by adding 12 activists whose interests do not align with the beneficiary agencies has diluted this representation.

Related Story: C for Chaos? Ashjian Kicked Off Measure C Committee

New Committee Members Seek 50% of Measure C for Transit

These add-ons, who previously opposed Measure C, have unabashedly informed COG representatives that they are seeking to allocate up to 50% of funds to buses and alternative public transit, and trying to renegotiate the agency allocation to create inequitable distributions to the smallest cities in the county.

My public statements highlighted these imbalances: the City’s three mere seats compared to the 12 new voices advocating for less road funding, despite overwhelming public input favoring roads.

Fresno residents should not be denied equitable representation simply for demanding more investment in infrastructure that supports daily life, rather than subsidizing expanded bus systems at the expense of pothole repairs and highway upgrades.

For 40 years, I have been deeply invested in the future of our community and have been unafraid to invest blood, sweat, tears, and resources to ensure we move forward in the right direction. It is not an exaggeration to assert that the future of Fresno County is hanging in the balance.

I remain committed to serving on the committee and urge you to rescind this invalid removal and demand an apology before returning.

Should you persist to block my ability to participate, I am told by the Mayor of Fresno – of whom I have 100% support in writing – the City of Fresno will pursue appropriate remedies to ensure its voice is heard and receives appropriate revenues for their roads.

Sincerely,

Brooke Ashjian
City of Fresno Representative, Measure C 2026 Steering Committee

About the Author

Brooke Ashjian is the founder and CEO of Seal Rite Paving and a former Fresno Unified School District trustee.

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