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...
Video: Alonzo vs. Maxwell in GV Wire City Council Forum
Fresno city council candidates Nathan Alonzo and Tyler Maxwell meet face to face in a one-hour forum moderated by GV Wire reporter David Taub. Alonzo and Maxwell are vying to represent central Fresno (District 4). Current councilmember Paul Caprioligio will be termed out of office in December. Click on the...
Brand New Sales Tax Idea for Funding Fresno's Big Needs
Fresno Mayor Lee Brand rolled out his early idea for a new sales tax in an interview Tuesday with GV Wire. Though he didn't name it such, you might call it "Triple-P" — a 0.75% hike on the November 2020 ballot raising about $69 million annually for public safety, parks,...
Fresno Judge Rules Measure P Parks Sales Tax Hike Failed
A Fresno County Superior Court judge has sided with a taxpayers advocate group's contention that a Fresno parks sales tax measure failed. Judge Kimberly Gaab issued the ruling Thursday, agreeing with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and against Fresno Building Healthy Communities. Fresno voters backed Measure P in November 2018...
Did Fresno Parks Tax Pass? Court Delays Its Ruling.
Update, 7/08/19, 3:15 p.m.: A Fresno County Superior Court judge delayed a tentative ruling expected today on Measure P. Judge Kimberly Gaab pushed back a decision on whether the Fresno sales tax for parks was approved by voters with 53% of the vote. The city contends it needed two-thirds to pass....
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...
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...
City Hall and Fresno Unified Team Up to Make a Splash
For the third straight year, City Hall and Fresno Unified School District will partner to open up pools and school fields during the summer. The city will provide staff for the parks and pools; the district provides the facilities. Fresno Unified Superintendent Bob Nelson called it a “true partnership.” “The...
From a Few Icicles, a Winter Wonderland of Ice Sprouts
NORTH WOODSTOCK, N.H. — On a clear, frigid night in a courtyard made of walls of ice, Bruce McCafferty and his young son stand mesmerized, bathed in the pulsating rainbow light emanating from a series of stout ice formations. McCafferty and his son Dougie have come out to Ice Castles...
Fresno Parks Director No Longer with City
Multiple sources have confirmed to GV Wire that Fresno’s parks director is no longer with the city. Parvin Neloms Junior’s last day was Feb. 22. The city hired Neloms in Oct. 2017 at a base salary of $150,000. “He was always a help. He cares about parks very deeply. I’m...