Elliott Balch, one of the architects of 2018's Measure P and now working on a new parks/public safety tax, says things are on track to get it to the ballot in November. "The injection of resources for our parks, arts, and trails would be transformational, as would the fire service...
Balch Exits Mayoral Race, Citing Family Priorities
Elliott Balch, the chief operating officer of the Central Valley Community Foundation, pulled the plug on his Fresno mayoral campaign Tuesday night. Balch's exit, along with Mayor Lee Brand's earlier decision to not seek reelection, reduces the field to just two candidates, county prosecutor Andrew Janz and police chief Jerry...
Dyer Outlines Plans for Final Months as Chief
Jerry Dyer is on the final sprint to his Oct. 15 retirement date after 18 years as Fresno's police chief. He'll spend most of it on his hammock, metaphorically speaking. Politics 101 asked Dyer about the end of his term, as he transitions into a full-time candidate for mayor. What...
Dyer is Money Leader in 2020 Fresno Mayoral Race
Fresno police chief Jerry Dyer has amassed more money for his 2020 mayoral run than the rest of the field combined. In numbers released Wednesday that cover the first six months of 2019, Dyer raised $262,834. His closest fundraising competitor, Fresno County prosecutor Andrew Janz, collected $70,109. Elliott Balch, the...
Candidate with Strong Ties to Swearengin Joins Race for Fresno Mayor
The 2020 Fresno mayoral election has a new entrant. Elliott Balch, chief operating officer of the Central Valley Community Foundation, filed paperwork with the city clerk Wednesday. Balch also spearheaded the Measure P campaign to raise the city's sales tax for parks improvements. That effort fell short in 2018. Former Mayor...
City Council Candidate Garcia Touts Business, Veteran Background
With six candidates in the Aug. 13 special election for the vacant northwest Fresno city council seat, the campaign season is on. Lawrence Garcia welcomed about 50 guests to his fundraiser Thursday at the Elbow Room. I heard more than one attendee, all veterans of such functions, mention they saw...