 
Political Notebook ArchivesMay 9, 2008Obama supporters register votersSupporters of presidential candidate Barack Obama will hold a voter registration drive Saturday in the Free Speech Area at California State University, Fresno. Candidate Smith claims Minuteman supportBob Smith, one of the four Republicans in the June 3 primary for the 34th Assembly District, has received the endorsement of Chris Simcox, founder of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps. In recent campaign talks, Smith has touted his support for securing U.S. borders. The Minuteman corps, named for the colonial militia that fought the British for American independence in the late 18th century, is known for its members participating in musters to stake out the border between the U.S. and Mexico and reporting sightings of illegal crossings to the U.S. Border Patrol. Simcox confirmed the endorsement this afternoon, adding that he is doing so as a private citizen, not as an official representative of the Minuteman organization. Smith is expected to join Simcox at an immigration forum Monday in Porterville. The forum begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Porterville Veterans Memorial Hall, 1900 W. Olive Ave. Organizers are asking for a $5 donation to attend. Smith is facing three other Republicans -- Connie Conway of Tulare, Becky Maze (wife of termed-out incumbent Assembly Member Bill Maze) of Visalia and Jon Zellhoefer of Tecopa -- in the primary contest, each boasting their own conservative credentials. Just how the Simcox endorsement and the immigration issue plays could be an interesting question in Tulare County, which has the preponderance of the Republican voters in the far-flung 34th Assembly District -- and where Hispanics make up 55% of the population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The district ranges from Tulare County to Inyo County on the far side of the Sierra Nevada to the desert landscape of eastern Kern and San Bernardino counties. Details about Monday's forum in Porterville: Michelle Perez, Smith's campaign office manager, at (559) 827-4877 or michelle@electbobsmith.com. May 8, 2008Wining, dining Fresno-styleFresno politicians were wined and dined at receptions for Ivanka Trump when the TV personality’s father was trying to consummate a deal with the city for Running Horse golf course last year. Mayor Alan Autry and other city officials listed the receptions as gifts in economic-interest statements recently filed with the city. City Council Member Mike Dages attended one of the Trump receptions, but he didn't disclose it on his statement. State law says gifts of $50 or more must be reported, but Dages says he only had hors d'oeuvres and didn't think they cost that much. Still, Dages said he will check with City Attorney Jim Sanchez about whether he should disclose the event, and he'll amend his form if needed Fresno developer DeWayne Zinkin and Fresno businessman Bob Smittcamp paid the costs of the July receptions with representatives of the Trump Organization. Autry valued the two dinners and receptions he attended at $135. Other Fresno officials also listed as gifts their attendance at one or both of the receptions, including Deputy Mayor Jeff Eben; City Council members Henry T. Perea, Brian Calhoun, and Jerry Duncan; City Manager Andy Souza and City Clerk Rebecca Klisch. Eben, Perea, Dages and Duncan are all competing to replace Autry as mayor. Calhoun is running against Fresno County Supervisor Susan Anderson and accountant Paul Dictos for the Second District supervisor seat. The city offered to help Donald Trump buy part of the land needed to finish the golf course in southwest Fresno, but the deal fell apart in December. --Brad Branan Tulare County keeps GOP candidates hoppingIt's not difficult for candidates to cross paths during a campaign, but today's schedule is getting a bit ridiculous for the Republican candidates in the 34th Assembly District. All four GOP hopefuls in the June 3 primary are crossing swords in three different forums today, in what candidate Connie Conway of Tulare said is one of the busiest days of the campaign. Conway, chairwoman of the Tulare County Board of Supervisors, was joined by Becky Maze of Visalia, Bob Smith of Yermo and Jon Zellhoefer of Tecopa this morning in Visalia for a forum with the Tulare County Association of Realtors. A few hours later, the quartet got to practice their pitches again in a lunchtime event with the Visalia Republican Women. Later today, they'll wrap up their whirlwind day in Porterville at a forum put on by the Southeast Tulare County Republican Women. All four candidates are vying for the opportunity to run in the November general election to replace Becky Maze's husband, termed-out incumbent Bill Maze, in the Assembly. Desmond Farrelly of Visalia is unopposed in the Democratic primary, but with the heavy Republican advantage in voter registration throughout the district, odds are that the eventual winner of the seat will actually be decided in the Republican primary. Candidates headed for a MAPA marathon, and a live debateA typical candidate forum lasts anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours. Saturday, the Mexican American Political Association will prove the cliche that elections are marathons - not sprints - when they host a six-hour forum for candidates running for mayor of Fresno or a seat on the Fresno County Board of Supervisors. The forum, which starts at 9 a.m. at Club One in downtown Fresno, will be hosted by the San Joaquin Valley Regional MAPA, Cesar Chavez Fresno local chapter, the Regional Hmong American Political Association and various immigrant groups. There's no word yet on how many candidates will attend. Monday, the mayoral candidates go back to work, this time on live television for the KVPT Forum at 7 p.m. Valley Public Television, in partnership K-Jewel 99.3, will sponsor the debate, which will also be broadcast live on the radio station. Assembly hopeful takes a jab at Big OilJon Zellhoefer, one of four Republicans in the primary for the 34th Assembly District seat now held by term-limited Bill Maze, R-Visalia, spent much of a noontime forum in Visalia making nice with competitors Connie Conway, Becky Maze and Bob Smith. At today's meeting of the Visalia Republican Women, all four agreed on the need for cutting the state budget, strengthening local control of schools, and coming up with a fair way to redraw legislative and congressional districts. But when a question arose about energy supplies and oil prices, Zellhoefer was the only one to step to the mike and take a swing. Zellhoefer lashed out with a zeal that's uncharacteristic for a party with strong ties between the White House and the oil industry. He blamed Big Oil for quashing altenative energy development by stifling new technologies to buoy reliance on crude oil. But in a more conventional party line, Zellhoefer also took environmentalists to task in the quest for energy. "What we need to do is get our nuclear technology up and running again," he said, "and tell the environmentalists, 'Too bad, sit down and be quiet.' " Break-in gives Assembly candidate a bad dayEven an ex-cop can be a victim of crime. Just ask Bob Smith, a candidate in the 34th Assembly District Republican primary. Smith, a former deputy sheriff in San Bernardino County, said he was attending a barbecue in Visalia about 6:30 p.m. Monday, and had parked his car along Lovers Lane. A fellow guest went to get something from her car and came back with news that another car’s window had been shattered. It was Smith’s car. The rear driver-side window was smashed. Missing from the car was a bag containing his handgun, credit cards and a checkbook. And his campaign literature was strewn all over the road. “It’s so frustrating,” Smith said. “I spent the day cancelling cards.” When asked if he should have kept the valuables in the trunk, especially a handgun, he said he keeps his weapon in the bag, but within reach when in the drivers seat. Five priorities for FresnoEarlier in the campaign, I asked the 11 candidates for mayor about their top priorities for Fresno. The answers weren't surprising - a safer community, more job opportunities, a vibrant downtown, a healthier city budget. But the editors and I were curious if other community leaders shared those priorities, so we asked them to give us a list of their top five issues. Most didn't even need five. And there was a common theme among the non-candidates that may surprise some people. The key to improving Fresno, most said, is to have a mayor who will cooperate rather than compete with other government agencies. Craig Scharton, a former Fresno City Council member who now leads the Central Valley Business Incubator, said he wants the next mayor to focus on improving quality of life, and expanding economic development. He wants the city to use great planning to fix bad neighborhoods, be innovative in its thinking and hire the best and brightest to lead city departments. Read more about Scharton's list here. Jeffrey Reid, a partner in the law firm of McCormick, Barstow, said he hopes the mayor focuses on Guv stops for cash in FresnoGov. Schwarzenegger picked up a little campaign cash in Fresno last night at a fundraiser hosted by developer Tom Richards. A couple hundred people showed up at the $1,000 per person event, said former California Secretary of State Bill Jones, who was on the host committee. Others on the committee were west-side farmer John Harris, food executives Bill and Bob Smittcamp, and the Zinkin family, well-known developers and long-time Schwarzenegger allies. The event supported the governor's "Dream Team," which raises money for ballot measures. The governor is seeking to put a redistricting measure on the November ballot. May 7, 2008The judicial candidate's business card Deputy District Attorney Douglas Treisman, who is running for Fresno County Superior Court judge, says his business card -- and the business cards of many of his colleagues -- are often the butt of office jokes.
His card says "Career Criminal" under the title "Office of the District Attorney." That refers to the career criminal unit, where Treisman worked until about six months ago, when he began representing the state at parole hearings in the lifer unit.
"We joke about that in the office," Treisman said. "But that's in fact what the unit is called. It's a running joke."
Fresno County opposes eminent domain measureFresno County supervisors took a hard stand against Proposition 98 -- the eminent domain issue on the June 3 ballot. County supervisors said Tuesday they will give the “No on 98" campaign authority to use their names in campaign materials. They join a growing list of elected officials opposed to the proposition, including Gov. Schwarzenegger, Valley Rep. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa and former Gov. Pete Wilson. The supervisors said water and rent control are two main reasons why people should vote against 98. Supervisor Phil Larson said the measure could “put restrictions on water storage projects, which is so important here in the Valley.” Board Chairman Henry Perea said buried in the ballot language is the ability to eliminate rent controls. “It’s not good for our senior citizens,” Perea said. “People on fixed incomes need to have predictability in their rent.” The measure is backed by the California Farm Bureau Federation. It would prohibit governments from seizing property, including farmland, for private use. Continue reading "Fresno County opposes eminent domain measure " » May 6, 2008VIDEOS: Mayoral candidates at Pride forumThe Stonewall Democrats hosted a forum for the 11 mayoral candidates on May 3. Four spoke to 20 people in attendance at Machinists Hall, 544 W. Olive Ave. in Fresno. The questions here deal with discrimination toward the GLBT community, improving relations between police and the community, and whether the candidates support the Pride festival. Continue reading "VIDEOS: Mayoral candidates at Pride forum" » Play that sweet budget music
One dollar at a time, an anonymous fiddler is filling in the gaping state budget gap. Well, not really, despite what his sign says. In truth, he plays his violin for money for lunch or to buy a pack of smokes. You can find him around lunchtime, at various spots around the Capitol. For fear of retribution, he won't give his name. He only says he is a state worker. "If I make $2.50, I'm a happy guy," he told me. Cogdill: North Fork compact is "premature"
"I think we need to figure out first what the federal government's going to do," Cogdill said in an interview with the Fresno Bee/Sacramento Bee Capitol bureau. The people of California "certainly always opposed off-reservation gaming,” said the Modesto Republican, whose district includes the planned casino site. Schwarzenegger signed the compact with the tribe last week, but he said he would not ask the Legislature to take it up until the federal government puts the land in trust, a process that could take months, if it happens at all. The targeted site is about 35 miles from the tribe's traditional home in the Sierra foothills. Cogdill touched on a variety of subjects during his 45-minute visit with the bureau. Continue reading "Cogdill: North Fork compact is "premature"" » May 5, 2008Conway endorses 23-year-old for her Tulare County seatThe campaign for Pete Vander Poel III announced today it has secured a major endorsement in his quest to become a Tulare County supervisor. To learn more about this race, click here to read last week's story. May 2, 2008Local Lincoln Club gives Fresno mayoral nod to DuncanThe Lincoln Club of Fresno County has endorsed Fresno City Council Member Jerry Duncan to be Fresno’s next mayor. Given the group’s political leanings, this is hardly a surprise. First and foremost, it’s a Republican organization. Duncan certainly isn’t the only Republican seeking to replace outgoing Mayor Alan Autry, who has reached his term limit. But his economic philosophies fit with the group’s conservative-oriented business principles. Michael Der Manouel Jr., a local businessman, Republican political strategist and the Lincoln Club’s chairman, cited Duncan’s experience as a two-term member of the City Council, and said he was “the only top-tier candidate with private sector business experience.” Duncan, Der Manouel added in a news release, is the only mayoral hopeful “properly equipped to handle the immediate challenges faced by the city.” Those challenges, he wrote, are declining tax revenues, budget challenges and the “imminent threat posed by public employee unions. In particular, the unions don’t seem to understand or care that local government will have to reduce or stabilize costs to balance future budgets.” Prisoners are people too -- and the state counts 'em
I got an e-mail today from a Bee reader who said: "It's nice to see my town of Coalinga on the list" of the state's fastest growing cities. (Coalinga is ninth on the fastest-growing list.) But the "growth is misleading." The reader pointed out -- correctly -- that the state counts prison population in the city totals. Coalinga is home to Pleasant Valley State Prison and Coalinga State Hospital, a maximum-security psychiatric hospital. So I did some checking on how much of the city's growth is due to prison growth. Here's what I found out from the state:
May 1, 2008Proud liberal Dems descend on FresnoIn 1953, the left-leaning California Democratic Council held its first convention at the Californian Hotel in downtown Fresno. In 2003, the council’s 50th convention was held in Fresno as well. This weekend, the CDC will hold its annual convention at the Four Points Sheraton. The organization, which espouses old-style liberalism, isn’t as powerful as it once was, but it can still rouse those lefties who think the Democratic Party has drifted too far to the right. In 2003, Ohio congressman and two-time presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich delivered a fist-pounding, lectern-rocking speech that brought around 150 people at the Piccadilly Inn-Airport to their feet. State Democratic Party Chairman Art Torres is due to address the convention Saturday at 1 p.m. Villines to guv: "We've got bass boats, but not airplanes."There were plenty of laughs on the Assembly floor this morning as lawmakers poked fun at Gov. Schwarzenegger's small town comments. As blogged here yesterday, the guv told a Beverly Hills crowd Wednesday that it's good for lawmakers “from those little towns” to go out in the world and see worldly things like “an airport,” “a highway that maybe has 10 lanes” or even “a highway on top of a highway.” More from the Sacramento Bee here. Among those yukking it up Thursday was Clovis' Mike Villines, the Assembly's GOP leader. He joked that Fresno doesn't have airplanes. "We've got bass boats, but not airplanes." Fresno, by the way, ain't so small. New population figures out today put the city at 486,116 people, the sixth-largest city in the state. But I'm wondering what folks from one of the Valley's many small towns think about what Schwarzenegger said. Offended? Or is this all just good fun? Update: I just got off the phone with Schwarzenegger's press secretary Aaron McLear who said the comments are being "blown out of proportion." The governor was asked a question and was simply "suggesting that lawmakers ... get out and see what other countries are doing," he said. I'd still like to know what you think.
Which way Waterston?Candidates seeking the District 5 seat on the Fresno County Board of Supervisors are building up their endorsement lists. But neither has received the official nod of approval from the man whose job they are trying to take. Supervisor Bob Waterston says he's not sure if he will lend his support to either candidate -- Clovis City Council Member Nathan Magsig or community activist and businesswoman Debbie Poochigian. "I don’t know if I’m going to get involved in the race or not – it’s still up in the air," Waterston said this week. Magsig has been the only one to solicit his help, Waterston said. Poochigian, he said, called and left a message several months ago, but the two haven't talked since. Waterston, who said he's not favoring either candidate, had critical words about Poochigian's candidacy. He said he's not sure she has the experience to help the county with it's financial troubles. Said Waterston: "I know Nathan has experience with politics. I think he can hit the ground running – and she’s got a bigger learning curve." Both Poochigian and Magsig said they would accept Waterston's endorsement even though he has been dogged by conflict-of-interest questions. Last year, Waterston resigned from the Local Agency Formation Commission after The Bee reported that he voted in favor of six annexations that benefited a developer with whom he had a business relationship. Other stories explored Waterston's purchase of a luxury car at an apparent discount from a local tribal official, his use of a shortcut given by county planning officials that allowed him to build a second house behind his own, and his use of a Sheriff's Department gun. Waterston, who also owns a pool construction business, has consistently denied any conflicts of interests. Other Beehive BlogsOther Bee SitesRecent Comments
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