At Monday’s (Feb. 11) Board of Supervisors forum, candidate Nasreen Johnson criticized Steve Brandau for taking developer contributions. “My campaign comes from folks like you, writing small contributions. That’s how I’m running my campaign. I’m not tied to any developers, and I truly have the voice of the people and...
Question About His River Access Vote Gets Under Brandau's Skin
For much of Monday’s (Feb. 11) Board of Supervisors District 2 forum, the three candidates discussed various topics in a genial manner. Then, the moderator asked Fresno City Councilman Steve Brandau about the San Joaquin River access controversy. The question, presented by Daren Miller, asked why Brandau voted to “destroy...
Before Losing Quorum, ALRB Rules in Favor of Longtime Nemesis
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s latest pick for the California Public Utilities Commission will leave her former board shorthanded. Last week, Newsom appointed Genevieve Shiroma to the CPUC. She had served on the Agricultural Labor Relations Board since 1999. A Newsom spokesman says Shiroma will be unable to hold both positions. The...
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...
Face-Off for Fresno Supervisor: Brandau, Hosey, Johnson
The election for a vacant Fresno County supervisorial seat is less than six weeks away. And, the three candidates vying to represent north and central Fresno and parts of Clovis are getting ready. Fresno City Councilman Steve Brandau may have some built-in advantages. He has name recognition as an elected...
Environmental Win: Caglia Pulls Plug on Mega Industrial Park
A planned south Fresno business park project, touted by City Hall as an economic driver but pilloried by environmentalists, is no more. Caglia Environmental is pulling the plug on a 2-million square foot industrial park project, slated for Central and Orange avenues. The project received unanimous approval from the Fresno...
Former Westlands Lobbyist Now Seen as Likely for Interior Secretary
The number of contenders with Valley connections in the running to become President Trump's next Interior Secretary has risen to two. Earlier this month, the name of outgoing Valley Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) surfaced as a potential choice. Denham has expressed his interest in the job, which is being vacated by...
Party Registration in Vacant Supervisor District Favors Brandau
Voter registration numbers favor Steve Brandau in his quest to win a special election for Fresno County supervisor. The county’s latest figures show that the district, which covers mostly the city of Fresno north of Shaw Avenue, has an 8,700 (7 percentage points) Republican voter advantage. The numbers (as of...
Is Steyer Town Hall in Fresno a Clue to Presidential Run?
There are a few signs someone is running for president at this point in the game. Release a book and go on a signing tour. See Kamala Harris. Another is holding town halls throughout the country. See Tom Steyer. He is bringing his 5 Rights tour to Fresno on Thursday...
Nasreen Johnson Jumps Into Race for Vacant Supervisor Seat
Nasreen Johnson is giving politics another chance. After finishing second in a four-person race for Fresno Unified school board last month, she plans to run for the vacant Fresno County supervisor seat. Johnson tells GV Wire she is pulling papers today (Dec. 11) to run for the seat vacated by...