The Fresno City Council voted Thursday to repeal a program designed to make the planning department more efficient. But, councilmembers sparred again over accusations of impropriety and meeting procedure. The vote reverses an ill-fated city program that attempted to address charges that Fresno is unfriendly to businesses. After years of...
Immigrant Committee Coming to Fresno. Legal Defense Fund Next?
In the first major social policy proposal of the year, the Fresno council will vote on creating an “Immigrant Affairs Committee” at Thursday’s (Feb. 14) meeting. The idea comes from council members Luis Chavez (District 5) and Esmeralda Soria (District 1). All signs point to its passage. Chavez said he...
Money Back Guarantee Gets 7-0 Vote, But Fine-Tuning Ahead
A proposal to guarantee that Fresno delivers planning department services on time received a 7-0 vote from the city council Thursday. But council members also made it clear that important issues must be ironed out before the "money back guarantee" plan is adopted. The bill, introduced by Garry Bredefled (District...
Bredefeld's Money-Back Guarantee Gains New Support
Two business-friendly Fresno city councilmen are putting their money where their mouth is. Technically, it’s the city’s money. Garry Bredefeld (District 6) and Steve Brandau (District 2) want a money-back-guarantee program for the planning department (officially called Development and Resource Management, or DARM). The concept: City staff will meet specified...
Better Business By Bickering? Brand & Bredefeld Bash Away.
Two Fresno leaders went head-to-head Thursday over the best way for the city to improve its business climate. And their months-long war of words continued on the city council dais, each trading insults and accusations. Councilman Garry Bredefeld and Mayor Lee Brand debated the merits of how to hold the...
Bredefeld Floats Money Back Guarantee. Will it Sink or Swim?
Dueling ideas for improving Fresno’s reputation for business friendliness are headed for another showdown. Fresno City Councilman Garry Bredefeld plans to officially introduce his "Money Back Guarantee" ordinance to his colleagues next Thursday (March 22). Showdown No. 1 happened Wednesday at the Fresno Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Council in...
Take 5: Nelson Esparza on His City Council Run
Nelson Esparza says he wants to positively affect the lives of more people in Fresno. So, he is running for higher office. Voters elected him to the Fresno County Board of Education in 2016. Now, Esparza is asking voters to send him to the Fresno City Council. Esparza is running...
Take 5: Nelson Esparza on His City Council Run
Nelson Esparza says he wants to positively affect the lives of more people in Fresno. So, he is running for higher office. Voters elected him to the Fresno County Board of Education in 2016. Now, Esparza is asking voters to send him to the Fresno City Council. Esparza is running...
Making Fresno Business Friendly Becomes a Hostile Battle
It’s safe to say Mayor Lee Brand won’t invite Councilman Garry Bredefeld to his Super Bowl party. And vice versa. Last week, the two Fresno political leaders engaged in verbal battles in print and on the radio. The main source of friction was their dueling opinions over ways to make...
Making Fresno Business Friendly Becomes a Hostile Battle
It’s safe to say Mayor Lee Brand won’t invite Councilman Garry Bredefeld to his Super Bowl party. And vice versa. Last week, the two Fresno political leaders engaged in verbal battles in print and on the radio. The main source of friction was their dueling opinions over ways to make...