It is amazing how people can run for political office and get elected to represent the community without a fundamental understanding of urban planning. My personal education came at a tremendous cost, is it my job to educate others? It is indeed my Godly obligation to share knowledge with those who inquire. However, it is initially difficult to refrain from scolding those in key decisional positions who are ignorant of the foundational roll transportation plays in urban development.

The proceeds of Fresno County’s Measure C 1/2cent sales tax is to provide additional support for Fresno County’s transportation needs. Within this projected 20 year $1.7billion tax is a “New Technology Transit Fund” that was not created by any of the Fresno City Council members. There are concerned citizens in Fresno that work towards a brighter future economically and support environmental responsibility; one of these incredible people miraculously launched the new tech fund.

As one who is deeply embedded in the new tech industry, there is no greater industry that Fresno could capture for regional economic prosperity than this new paradigm of transportation. With the continually rising cost of oil, as well as peak oil concerns, the world is quickly needing alternative forms of transportation other than the automobile. In terms of engineering, design and manufacturing jobs this industry is due to grow very fast. Fresno has the ability to capture this high growth industry.

Henry Perea Sr. has spent a great deal of effort to exploit the New Tech funds on a trolley using 100 year old transit technology; similar to the traditional types of trolleys used in other communities. The New Tech fund is the first of its kind in the nation, its designed purpose is to use the fund to build a NEW technology transit system. Yet, the sub-committee is stalled because of lack of knowing what to do. Since this type of project hasn’t been done anywhere else, Fresno’s political farce, I mean force, doesn’t have anyone to follow and they don’t know what to do. It is an amazing act to watch, even though embarrassing. Apparently, Henry Perea, Sr. doesn’t understand that “New Technology Transit” means “New Technology Transit” and not 100 year old technology transit with new parts and an on board computer to regulate ticketing. The new technology is not only about the vehicle but includes the guideways and power.

Fresno has an opportunity to lead the Nation with a leap in urbanized ultra modern transit technology. These new technologies use computerization and the systems are light weight in design which makes the infrastructure costs one tenth the cost of the older technologies that were designed in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

For an insight to this technology, here is a link: http://faculty.washington.edu/jbs/itrans/index.html

I hope that this clarifies the question.

I did understand you to be asking about the internet connection. My apologizes! To be honest, I was very surprised that you were so surprised by my dislike of Duncan's idea. Is New Technology Transit different that Light Speed Rail?

Jpatrick,

I think you need to clarify for everyone what "New Technology Transit" is. I believe that mjorgensen is referring to the idea to bring wireless internet to the buses. I recall that the new technology in transit you are championing is a different topic.

If you disagree with me, I'd like to know what I'm missing. I could be wrong, but it does not appear to be very well thought out or progressive to me.

I would like to hear from someone else that possibly has information or statistics that I'm not aware of.

Thanks.

New Technology Transit is a "Stupid idea"? Wow.

I oppose Forest City concept. For years, the city has been talking about rebuilding our infrastructure. However, when it comes down to making a decision, they go back to the same "tear it down and build it back up" tactics. Fresno's been doing this since blowing up the old courthouse, which was beautiful, to put up something new. The downtown offers a lot of soulutions to Fresno's issues. One of which, one of the candidates wants to build a 500-acre Industrial Park. Unless I see some unbiased evidence to the contrary, I believe Fresno should utilize the South side of that Forest City area for an Industrial Park. It's close to transportation and it would be a step in putting jobs back down in that area. Fresno has been building non-stop for too long. We need to do what we originally planned to do, start putting money into fixing up that part of the city.

That high-tech transit idea was out of left field. Was anyone prepared for that? One day it just happened. I wonder if Jerry Duncan ever rides the bus. Where did he come up with that? Anyway, I do not believe it's necessary. Fax themselves has told the City that there is not enough, if any, interest from the bus riders. The city should start listening to what FAX is saying before they spend more of our tax dollars on a stupid idea.

Rob DeFrees

The problem with taking out your little red pencil to correct a mistake is that it shows you had your mind closed for the word go, and were just looking to attack.

Are you thick as a brick? If you read you would have learned that she is a mother of 3 small children, some would say that is a right big job.

Should think that anyone willing to try and make a change and is able to run for office is qualifcation. But you seem to be looking for one who has the right connections and who will lie to get elected and then sit on hands and allow the same problems to continue.

If you really listen to the lady, you would learn that she is passionate about wanting to bring change to Fresno. She does not have all of the answers, who does? You would be surprised at how quickly one can learn to do the job if one is bright and has eyes wide open.

I have met this lovely lady. I listened to what she had to say. That is all she or anyone who is running for office wants. She listens and you listen. That is how ideas come about, not by being closed minded from the start.

Explain your take on the Forest City project DT and your perception of New Tech Transit for Fresno.

I'm an attorney. I have a law degree from San Joaquin College of Law and a BA in Political Science from Fresno State. I have three children, ages 2 to 10, all girls! My husband is a children's lung specialist at Children's Hospital. As you can see, there's a lot of action at my house.

I bring these things up because I believe it's time for a real person to represent the residents of Fresno. I'm tired of detached businessmen who golf every weekend with other businessmen while their wives are at home taking care of the kids and household. I want that wife on the City Council. She knows what roads have pot holes and what parks lack adequate shade or seating. She takes the kids to the doctor for checkup or if they are having an asthma attack. She's the one that has to check to see if the air quality is appropriate for her child to play outside that day. I could go on and on. Of course, there are dad's that do this job too, but they aren't the ones running for the City Council either!

If people want that sixty year old business man on the city council, then I'm not your guy. But if you want someone that's going to be concerned not ONLY about the budget, but also about the livability of our city, then I'm more then qualified.

What do you currently do?

What are your qualifications for office?

(PS - Reagan is spelled with an "a" not an "o.")

I am running for District 6. The northeast portion of the community is blessed with Woodward Park, a very nice library, and Clovis School's. But it is not Reaganville!!! This part of the city is a good place to live, has good shopping and restaurants and is close to the Savemart Center. However, it lacks a museum, Art Gallery, or Tower Theatre. Lucky for us, the Pop Lavall Photography Gallery just opened up and is amazing. For District 6, and for the City at large, my emphasis is on the need for Clean Air, Public Safety, Shaded Parks, and well kept, well lit bike lanes, walking trails and sidewalks. This is not an exhaustive list by any means, but it is a quick over view.

The downtown needs to be revitalized not just because it will give people something to do, but it will be good for our economy. Fresno has tried and failed to buy people's desire to set up a business in Fresno. You can't buy love of people or cities. It doesn't happen that way. People will fall in love with Fresno when Fresno is the total package. When it has that "special something" that no other city has. Right now, in the Downtown area, Fresno has a whole lot of could be and should have been, but not a lot of have.

My vision for the city is really all encompassing. I see a city that has parks with shaded play structures, large trees and concrete benches. I see a downtown that is broken up into districts; China Town, Arts, Sports (for lack of a better word.) All of the districts would serve a purpose, and they would be dealt with individually and in as cost effective manner as possible. For example, the downtown's Sportstown walk. First of all, $900 Thousand dollars could have been spent more efficiently. Why not put the stars along the wall in front of the stadium? Why not decide to hold off on the stars until the fairly new sidewalk needed to be repaired? Did the City stop to think that unless the stars continued to the entrance of the stadium, now they stop at the entrance of the Fulton Mall, that it was meaningless? Besides that, people do not park on that side of the Stadium and will not walk up that walk on their way to a baseball game.

Do you know what is right outside of the front door of the Grizzly's Stadium? Chinatown. Now this is where $900 Thousand dollars could have been well spent. My vision is a sign "Chinatown" with two dragons coming down the poles. It has a ton of lighting. There are a couple of restraunts that serve the best authentic Chinese Food in the central valley. There are a couple of mom/pop stores and maybe even a Chinese Art Gallery. This is all within a couple of blocks. There is music coming out of four speakers places stratigically in the district. The funding for this would go to fix up existing buildings, not tearing down and building back up.

This is just one example of my Vision. Can we complete it in one day? No. But we can invest $900 thousand dollars into the sign and maybe the building located just next to the sign. It's safe. It's right next door to the parking area. This would get me downtown, not a Sportstown walkway. This would also expose children to Cultural Appreciation.

I love the question : how can I apply old fashioned ideals in a postmodern society! This is totally subjective, but I'm referring to a strong work ethic, spending money only when you need to and not just because you can, and putting children first. Obviously children need nurturing for their sake, but children also need nurturing for the sake of our city!

Those criminals that are locked up in jail, a vast majority of them had troubled childhoods. Those gang members that we don't want in our neighborhood, they usually come from troubled neighborhoods. These children that went unnutured and ignored by society because we were too busy with out own lives, understandably, grew up and made us too afraid to go downtown or we might get shot. Now I don't fear downtown, but a believe a majority of Fresno will not go down there after dark until the gang, drug, and crime problem in Fresno clears up. Do we not rebuild downtown? No. But we ALSO work on afterschool programs and work in the schools and with teenage parents and children of gang members to keep them well educated and on the right path. The Fresno Parks and Recreation Department is doing an outstanding job on a small scale. If we do have excess funds, then it should be redirected to their Nationally Recognized Program so that they can help the kids on the waiting list too.

If you read this whole thing, I'm impressed and humbled. Thanks.

I believe our downtown needs the excitment to roll once more and need the additional attractions. There is so many beautiful buildings downtown waiting for a breath of life.
By revitizing what already is there will bring more wealth. More jobs, more revenue a complete circle of prosperity. Mr. Politics please focus on the blighted and not the already lighted.

what are "good old fashion common sense ideals?"

segregation? spousal abuse? discrimination?

okay, i'm just kidding with those. but, i really do want to know what these "ideals" are, and especially how they mesh well with the complex, postmodern world that we live in now? i'm also curious how you will be a breath of fresh air of change, while bring back "old fashion[ed] ideals?"

i'd also like to know what district that you're running in, as fresno doesn't have an at-large council. your example is one from downtown, and i'm wondering if that would be your district? one of your tags is northeast, so is that your district? sure, the members of the council shouldn't just worry about their own district, but they are being elected as representatives of them for the entire city.

The merits of the Sportstown project are debateable. Once side says that block had already received streetscape, lighting and sidewalk improvements a few years ago, so the money might have been better spent in other areas. The City says they're spending the money in that location first to help make an attraction that will grow downtown businesses, and give fans who visit the stadium and convention center something to do downtown before and after the game. They want Kern Street to be a vibrant area full of nightlife that links two major "anchor" destinations of downtown, which strategically makes sense, if you're trying to encourage economic growth in an area sorely in need of it.

It's ok to say "I disagee," but what is your alternative vision in regards to revitalization and the role the city plays there? You mention hiring more police. Does that mean you eliminate any money going to revitalization projects and instead spend it on police?