In a perfect world, Fresno and other inland California cities would not need tax-sharing incentives to convince major companies such as Amazon and Ulta to build distribution centers in their locales. But, as we know, the world isn't perfect. And in California — where the poverty rate is among the...
Mayor Brand: Amazon 'Put Fresno on Corporate Map'
The opening of the Amazon Fulfillment Center in southwest Fresno last year has meant much more to the city of Fresno than the addition of thousands of new jobs, Mayor Lee Brand said Wednesday at a grand opening ceremony heralding the facility. Amazon built an 850,000-square-foot, $200 million facility that...
Mayor Brand Cuts Advance Peace, $1.3M from Fresno Budget
A handful of community service officers for the Fresno Police Department and a controversial anti-gang initiative are among $1.3 million sliced from city's next budget by Mayor Lee Brand. Brand laid out seven line-item veto cuts as he announced approval Monday of the city's 2019-20 fiscal year budget. The vetoes...
Water Returns to Fresno Splash Pads, For Now
The sounds of summer finally returned to two broken splash pads in Fresno. Kids giggled and screamed as a giant bucket dumped cool, refreshing water on them. Water cannons quelled the heat as the temperature climbed into the high 90s. Despite signs nearby that said it was closed, the splash...
Got a Beef With Code Enforcement? A New 'Sheriff' Is in Charge.
Cars parked in the front yard, broken-down RVs seemingly anchored to the street, and junk stockpiled by hoarders have driven residents and Fresno City Council members bonkers for years. On Thursday, the council finally decided to do something about code enforcement's apparent inability to get such complaints — and many...
Brand's New Initiative Would Take Out the Trash
Mayor Lee Brand wants to take out the trash. Speaking Wednesday to nearly 900 people at his State of the City address at the convention center, Brand announced an initiative he called Keep Fresno Beautiful. As the name implies, the goal is to pick up trash in and around the...
Is Mayor Brand Free to Lead, a Lame Duck, or Both?
Last year produced the election that knocked City Hall off of its right-leaning political axis, propelled it sharply left, and made "patience" a word for a bygone era. Deliberative, consensus-building Mayor Lee Brand saw the handwriting on the wall and decided not to seek a second term. His thinking? By taking...
Police Chief Jerry Dyer Jumps Into Fresno Mayoral Race
Jerry Dyer, who often has cut a larger-than-life figure in 18 years as Fresno's police chief, is aiming for an even bigger stage as the city's next mayor. Amid chants of "Jerry! Jerry!" Dyer announced his candidacy at a news conference Wednesday morning at Manchester Center, briefly outlining an approach...
Dyer Expected to Launch Mayoral Bid on Wednesday
Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer is expected to announce his entry into the 2020 mayoral race at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Manchester Center. ABC30s Corin Hoggard, citing emails sent to pastors and business leaders, first reported Dyer's expected event on Twitter. If Dyer tosses his hat into the ring, he...
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...