Jared Gordon knows he’s not close to the fundraising leaders among the candidates for the Fresno City Council special election next month. Frankly, he’s not worried about it. “I’ve intentionally prioritized focusing on going to community events and talking to voters before raising money. That’s really been the core of...
What Fresno Council Candidates Say About Homelessness
Candidates for the Fresno City Council's empty seat say one issue is consistently among the top concerns expressed by voters: the human suffering and public unease caused by homelessness. The city has more money than ever to spend on the problem, thanks to its share of a one-time injection of...
Karbassi Outraising Opponents in Council Special Election
Mike Karbassi is the leader in campaign contributions for next month’s special election for the Fresno City Council. The latest figures show Karbassi has raised approximately $140,000, nearly double the amount reported by any other candidate. The special election to fill the vacant seat representing northwest Fresno is Aug. 13....
Candidates for Fresno Council Introduce Themselves
Fresno City Council candidates, tell us about yourselves. Three of the five men seeking to fill the council's empty seat and represent the city's northwest residents laid out their backgrounds and their ties to District 2 at a recent candidates forum. Attorney Jared Gordon, business owner Mike Karbassi, and special-needs...
Does Fresno Need More Police? What District 2 Candidates Say
The $1.2 billion Fresno city budget approved last month for the 2019-20 fiscal year includes no increases in sworn police officers. That doesn't sit well with at least one candidate for the open seat on the Fresno City Council. Three of the five men vying for the District 2 seat...
District 2 Candidates Weigh in on Homeless, Police, Potholes
Three candidates vying in a special election to fill the open District 2 seat on the Fresno City Council gathered Wednesday in a forum presented by GV Wire and CMAC to give their opinions about police, homelessness, and reaching out to residents. The forum served as an introduction for many...
Airport Labor Pact Wins Unanimous Council Support
Update, 6/27/2019, 4 p.m.: The Fresno City Council unanimously passed the airport project labor agreement Thursday. Council members said they expect the expansion project to be performed on time and with no budget overages. Original story: Supporters of a labor deal for the $115 million parking and terminal expansion at...
Dear Council, Please Show Up. It's Your Job.
Are city council members more effective advocating for the city attending out-of-town conventions or actually voting on issues? The absence of Fresno councilwoman Esmeralda Soria last Thursday spotlights the issue of council members missing votes. Soria started Thursday on the dais. She left about 90 minutes later, not to return....
Advance Peace Isn't About Paying Gang Members Not to Shoot People
A renewed effort to convince gang members to become law-abiding citizens is coming Fresno's way. What that initiative looks like, how much it costs, and who funds it, however, will be decided over the next three months. That was the compromise hammered out by the Fresno City Council at Thursday's...
Future Parks Tax Could Be in Hands of Fresno Council
Fresno councilman Miguel Arias doesn’t want to wait on the mayor to figure out a successor plan to Measure P. So, he wants the council to take the next step. Now Arias wants to establish a parks and public safety committee, with a focus on determining a new tax proposal...