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Welcome! “As you know, I’ve always put the Valley first. For me, that means knowing what is happening in our Valley. I don’t go a day without reading this news roundup. I hope it is as helpful to you as it has been for me.” — ADAM GRAY.
About the author: Mike Dunbar, aka MAD, is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker who worked for McClatchy Newspapers in the Valley. Mike also worked for the State Assembly. Reach him at [email protected]
Artist Ma Ly with his portrait of Kamala Harris, which was rejected then accepted.
Kamala portrait un-rejected
GV Wire. Controversial Kamala Harris portrait returns to Big Fresno Fair art exhibit.
Synopsis: Artist Ma Ly complained on Monday that his portrait of Kamala Harris had been rejected by the Big Fair’s committee over some sort of copyright concern. After publicity, the committee has reversed its position and the art teacher’s acrylic portrait will hang for judging in the Fine Arts Building. CEO Christina Estrada met with Ly and apologized.
Council candidate steps out
Merced Sun Star. Merced City Council candidate suspends campaign; why he’s dropping out.
Synopsis: District 5 candidate Felipe Rojas-Flores says his job as an attorney with CA Rural Legal Assistance forbids him to hold office. So, he’s stepping out of the race to supplant Sarah Boyle and throwing his support to Alex Carrillo. Flores says that if he gives up his job, he won’t be able to afford to buy a house – his biggest campaign goal.
Daily ration of politics …
Merced Sun Star. Merced mayor faces a former council member in re-election bid.
Synopsis: Editorial: The editorial board picks Matthew Serratto over councilmember Anthony Martinez. The choice was based on their answers to questions about homelessness, development, growth and public safety.
Modesto / Sacramento Bee. Bee Editorial Board endorses this Republican leader for Assembly.
Synopsis: Heath Flora gets the nod over Tami Nobriga of the American Independent Party. The Bee calls Flora “a straight-talking elected official who is willing to search for shared solutions.” Flora is a member of the Problem Solvers caucus, started by Adam Gray four years ago. Flora is especially anxious to revise the Private Attorney General Act.
Fresno Bee. Soria seeks second term for 27th Assembly, but Republican challenger stands in her way.
Synopsis: Tim Sheehan does what appears to be the usual profile and Q&A. But while Esmeralda Soria’s name is in the headline, only Joanna Garcia Rose’s answers appear in the story. Apparently, a copyeditor pushed the button too quickly, before Soria’s campaign offered its response.
Fresno Bee. Incumbent and 3 others seek Madera mayoral post.
Synopsis: This editorial provided bio information and asked several questions of the four candidates. Bottom line: “The Editorial Board believes (Santos) Garcia has made a positive difference in his four years as mayor by making sure the needs of neglected neighborhoods have been addressed. We recommend his reelection.”
Voting is ‘Ballot Joy’
Sweep Six: Ballot Joy – Alliance Vote on Day One
Synopsis: The California Grassroots Alliance is hosting a look at the statewide and federal offices on this year’s ballot – including in CA Congressional District 13 tonight via Zoom at 7 pm. Many of the candidates, including Adam Gray, provided video statements on the importance of voting early in the process – as millions are doing across the nation.
CA firefighters buck IAFF
Politico. CA firefighters consider bucking national union on Harris.
Synopsis: The International Assn of Fire Fighters decided to stay neutral, but that hasn’t been sitting well with CA union members who appreciate that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were the first president and vice president to walk a picket line. When Trump said he would withhold emergency funds from CA over political squabbles, that angered many CA Professional Firefighters. “He would rather watch our state burn in the name of his political games than to send help,” said Brian Rice. Political consultants say that most endorsements mean little, but firefighters carry more sway with voters.
This scholarship ‘reeks’
Fresno Bee. Fresno State’s signing of formerly incarcerated basketball star reeks of desperation.
Synopsis: Marek Warszawski writes about the signing of Zaon Collins, a top-50 prospect at point guard before he was found guilty of killing a man in a traffic accident in 2020. Collins was going 85 in a 35 zone. A legit program, the kind that plays in front of packed arenas, doesn’t offer Collins a scholarship, writes Marek. This “reeks of desperation” no matter the lofty words about Project Rebound and second chances, says Marek.
Elected leader must apologize
Fresno Bee. Fresno-area leader must apologize for promoting sexist slur about Kamala Harris.
Synopsis: Editorial writers Juan Esparza Loera and Tad Weber tee off on Chowchilla councilmember John Chavez, who posted a lot of ugly stuff on X about Kamala Harris. He denied that calling Harris a “Ho” was sexist or vulgar or inappropriate. “Clearly, Chavez suffers from a lack of courage along with a lack of judgment,” says the editorial. Chavez should apologize, they write. “But don’t hold your breath.”
MAD Take: Well done.
2 food-truck hubs for Merced?
Merced Golden Wire. Food truck hubs being considered.
Synopsis: The Golden Wire offers examples of food-truck hubs in other communities as the Merced City Council considers locations at the corner of West 16TH and MLK Jr. Way for one hub and Hwy 59 and Olive Avenue for the other. Both will offer outdoor seating and plenty of spaces for trucks if approved.
Flood as effective as drip
Ag Alert. Done right, flooding fields can be efficient.
Synopsis: After decades of scorn for “wasting water,” flood-irrigation has been gaining support over the past few years. People like Vance Kennedy kept the faith, pointing out the value of replenishing the aquifers – which is best accomplished through flooding permeable fields – outweighs the water savings and is better for plants. As UC Extension specialist Khaled Bali puts it, “Flood irrigation doesn’t waste water. The fact is, it could be as efficient as pressurized irrigation systems – and friendly to the environment.” Fortunately, 3.8 million acres in CA are still flood irrigated, compared to 4.0 million that use micro systems and 952,000 on sprinklers. Worse, drip systems lose effectiveness unless farmers also install “management systems” to make sure the water is going where it supposed to. Among those quoted is Chris Jergenson, who farms in Merced and Stanislaus counties; he prefers flooding his sweet potatoes. Why? It works better.
Higher sewer rates for business
Turlock Journal. Council adopts new sewer rates amidst industry protests.
Synopsis: Residential customers will pay a tiny bit less than they are currently, but commercial and industrial rates will go from 300% up 400%. The current rate covers only operating expenses, says the city, and not the debt services and capital improvement needed for an aging system. A city study found residential customers are paying 60% of the system’s cost but use only 38% of its capacity. Industrial users pointed out that they did not budget for this increase, so the timing is bad. “This is not a business or economic development friendly strategy,” said Maryn Pitt of the Manufacturers Council of the Central Valley. Jeff Segars of Foster Farms was shocked by a proposed 300% increase for his firm. Denair was unhappy, too. It sends 10 million gallons of sewage a month to Turlock and will see its cost rise $250,000 a year.