The city should back off and tell him no deals.
It should be on the Citys terms not on Trump's terms.
Obviously Trump wants it and he wants it bad or he would not be back.

I listened to the KMJ podcast that has Michael Cohen ranting about the Running Horse it also featured, Jerry Duncan, and Bruce Rudd.

I have to agree with fresnoR, Cohen is a snake. So much so he even made Ray Appleton uncomfortable.

Business Practice 101: Avoid making complicated deals with anyone who continuously insists that they're doing you a favor. Because they're not, they're just trying to make you believe they are. The last thing Fresno needs is uber-capitalists coming in to do us favors.

Kiel Famellos-Schmidt

I thought I would try to give a little insight to the whole Running Horse fiasco.
I have read the proposal from our city council and our city manager and I can tell you quite honestly and without a doubt that the Running Horse project was destroyed by our city council. I won't say names, but they rhyme with Berea, Bages and Buncan, all had big parts in wanting Trump to pay ridiculous fees and deposits immediately and before the properties were even acquired by the city. Which by the way, it specifically states that these same council members were going to use eminent domain in order to take the land from most of the people in that area. The council members then, wanted to charge Trump an enormous amount, way above the fair value of these properties. There are many other examples, but these will do for now. It is specifically because of how the city council and the city manager wrote the proposal that made it where the taxpayers would have had to front approximately 6 million. Of course, I verified and I did the math as well to re-verify that if the council members running for mayor had not attempted to take people's property and to take advantage of a developer, our city and thus, our people would have benefited by receiving approximately $60,000,000, (yes, 60 million) in annual revenue. That does not include the new schools, the jobs created or the complete revitalization of that area. It also does not count the 10 year guarantee that Trump made to bring the PGA tour here which would have made Fresno millions in revenue as well as put Fresno on the map as a destination people can enjoy. I am not a big fan of Trump, Cohen or anyone with that type of ego, but the sad reality is that once again, the do-nothing city council members and especially those who continue to run for office and say that they are going to make positive changes for Fresno are the people who are to blame for the Running Horse project failure. Think about the truth. The truth is that the council member candidates for mayor have had many years to revitalize EVERY part of Fresno and they have not. They continue to make these false promises and after they are elected, they never come through. The simply don't know how to get things done unless it benefits them. Don't we all think it is more than a coincidence that there are a few project beginning during an election year? Where was all of the revitalization for the last 6-8 years? These are simply ways for these do-nothing politicians to pad their resume's. I made the mistake of believing the council members when they blamed Trump, and anyone else they could blame, but I have done my research and read the proposal. It is sad that once again, the people of our city will suffer because of these council members. I have also spoken to the Trump organization in order to find out if the Running Horse project can be salvaged because I believe this would benefit the people. I have it recorded so I could go over the conversation and make sure my facts were straight. Yes, I am running for mayor and I believe that every decision made should benefit the people of our city. The Trump organization is willing to take this project on and I have created a plan that will allow this project to be accomplished without using the taxpayers funds our city council member candidates believe need to be used. We can have an amazing area revitalized and bring in an enormous amount of revenue for the people if we keep the egomaniacal council member candidates out of it. Mayor Autry did make his best attempt to keep this alive, but the project was destroyed by the council. I have also spoken to various candidates who wish to replace the existing council member candidates for mayor and they have agreed that the revitalization of the Running Horse project plan I have discussed with them will get the job done and will greatly benefit the people of our city.
Just a side note; I am completely against spending 100 million or more taxpayer dollars on the Forest City company to come in and make all of the benefits and the people will not benefit at all. I would rather see a revitalized downtown as described in my plans that will benefit ALL of the people without using taxpayers funds, but rather by using the surplus of funds I have created in excess of 36 million annually. I have spoken to many downtown business owners and they love the plan I have introduced. My plans as mayor are so good in fact, that my opponents keep introducing half cracked versions for their own campaigns. Unfortunately for them, I actually know the plans because I have done the work involved to create plans that will get things done, but will also benefit the people.
I also believe that we should, and I will build, affordable housing in the downtown area. Building million dollar, or close to it, condos will not allow the other 99% of Fresno residents the ability to afford the downtown housing if they would like to move into the revitalized downtown area.
I also belive that we should have many functions downtown and throughout Fresno for that matter, for the people to enjoy. We have wonderful art downtown that a lot of people do not know about, which is yet another reason to love the ARTHOP and the many other great organizations who have different events for the people to enjoy. My point is, that we can revitalize many areas of Fresno but we must keep the peoples' best interests in mind and not the developer or anyone else. The people of our city can enjoy many wonderful functions,different events and the benefits of living and working in a great city if they elect the right person and vote for a candidate who will get things done, but this candidate must accomplish these goals FOR THE PEOPLE.
I realize that there are plenty of people who are diehard fans of certain opponents of mine and that is great. It celebrates our freedom, but I simply ask you to follow the facts and to follow the money. My opponents have a mess of special interest money. What does that tell you? Who will they work for if elected? The people? I think not and from past records, we can see this to be true.
Thank you for your time.
Jim

Compare these two. Trump wants $7million, Forest City wants $100million. How about the phoney TOD that the City just contracted with that Santa Clara company for $18million? Figure out the cost per square foot and you'll find out that company is gaining about an $11million profit, less the cost of landscaping.

Hey Braden, you should learn what you’re talking about before criticizing. The fact is Trump demanded the City put far too much into the project. The original deal was going to have the city assemble the parcels and have Trump purchase them at market rate. He then changed his mind and was offering much less than that, leaving the city to pick up the difference, and also required the city to put in the infrastructure. It was a bad deal. Both the Mayor's people, city attorneys and staff all recommended to the Council to deny the project.

That was just one night!
Its been a week and there is nothing on that street at night.
I know because I go to the Buck's.
I get BBQ from Savanna's sometimes.
Everynight I go to the stadium for baseball.

I think that the reason Kern was a waste of money is because it was BEAUTIFUL before the reconstruction. It looked great before they put in the stone blocks. The street lights, okay they look better but throwing Christmas lights in the trees doesnt constitute the money they spent but I believe any other street downtown would've benefitted from that reconstruction....namely Inyo. Why not leave well enough alone and spread the love to the areas where it is really needed.

Amazing how the City Council gets away with screwing this up. What else do you think will ever save that area. They sure screwed up a good thing. How was Kern Street a waste of money. I went and checked out the party before the game last Friday and it sure seemed like a hopping place to me. Were any of you there?

You just sit at your little computers and complain and never do anything. E-Activists about as effective as shooting at the moon.

Things get done by people like Trump, not activist groups that sue everything and hold back progress.

I am not sure if any of you were able to listen in, but that guy Cohen is a snake. It is very interesting to hear what kinds of things he had to say about the City of Fresno.

I highly reccomend that you go onto KMJ's website and listen in on the podcast:

http://www.kmj580.com/kmjpodcasts.html?pollId=169

Okay, perhaps reason doesn't always mean reality, however; money and politics go together like a particular item and a certain smell.

I hate to rain on the parade, but I was recently at an event with both Autry and Eben, with none of the other mayoral hopefuls in the room, where Autry clearly stated, "I refuse to endorse any candidate."
Regarding Trump, anyone who invests millions of dollars will likely have a large political stake/say. Good luck finding someone who's willing to do business any other way.

It would be nice to see something postive happen to the Running Horse project. I don't support the city taking major risks for Trump. He is a wealthy man, let him pay for the holdout properties.

What's more patriotic then stars and stripes jogging suits?
Plus he has worn tons of bling bling atleast 30 years.
Plus he has that wild hiar.

They would need two seats.
One for him and one for his invisible friend.
The debates between him and his friend would keep us entertained for hours.

We'd know who was speaking depenging on if he sat in the "Mayor" chair or moved to the "Friend" chair.

Question does his friend get to share in the veto power?

It would absolutely not surprise me if this is Autry's way to get Eben elected. It is also a very sneaky way of Trump putting himself right in the middle of all the mayoral debates.

The really sad part is this town is so star struck (I'm not going to mention any other incompetent celebrities it's embraced) that this move may actually affect the masses during this election.

I cannot believe it but i totally agree with OrangeBear. Quick, check the sky....is it falling?
I'd vote for Mike Eagles....i loves me a big man on a little bike!
And who says OMG anymore, anyways?

You know Autry's behind this.
They secretly pull the Running Horse out of the ashes and save it so Eben can take credit for it.
Then Autry can claim its his Legacy as Mayor since Kern Sportstown proved it was a waste of money.
Then Autry can roll Eben into the Mayor Office by hailing him as savior of Fresno and the Trump Resort.
All Hail the White Knight from Clovis Savior of Fresno.
Do we want more of the same?
It's time for a clean sweep of Autry and his kind.
Out with all the old dwarves and in with some new idiots.
Maybe Ms. Vickey should put on his red rubber dress and come on out!
Hey Hey!
Also where is Mike Eagles?
Mr Eagles always runs for Mayor.
Atleast Eagles is good entertainment.

Trump domination of Fresno politics. Yeah, that's just what we need. Flogging a dead horse. I thought bios in the Bee of the mayoral candidates have been so very revealing. So many people's hands are tied. They can't actually come out and say with a headline, "Here's a Flake", but they do a pretty good job of getting that point across. And I commend them for it because I'm not in the know. But, it's a rich tradition in our country. Anyone and everyone can run for political office. No matter how unqualified they are. Anyone remember when Jello Biafra ran for mayor of SF?