GV Wire Publisher Darius Assemi, left, and Fresno City Councilmember Mike Karbassi opine that FUSD's $500 million Measure H bond on the Nov. 5 ballot is premature because the district has yet to name a superintendent and the project list fails the "equity" test. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall). While six...
DARIUS ASSEMI’S MESSAGE ON FARMING CHALLENGES
Central Valley farming operations face unprecedented challenges created by low commodity prices, high interest rates, rising operational costs, and decreased water supply. The Assemi farming group has not been able to avoid these challenges. And, after months of effort and good-faith negotiations by all parties, two banks could not agree...
ENOUGH WITH THE EXCUSES. ARE YOU PART OF THE PROBLEM WITH FRESNO’S PUBLIC EDUCATION?
A quality public education shouldn’t be reserved for deadweight political talk—it's a civil rights matter that is everyone’s business. If you don't see that, you are part of the problem. Look at the statistics: our Black and Hispanic children in Fresno Unified are lagging far behind their peers. How do...
A Sneak Peek of the Copper River Marketplace
https://vimeo.com/475642512 Greetings Neighbors, I am so excited to share with you a sneak peek of what’s coming to the corner of Copper and Maple Avenues. The beautiful Copper River Marketplace will be unlike any other shopping center in Fresno and will bring convenient shopping and dining experiences to the residents...
The Responsible Neighborhood Market Act: Our Letter to City Council
An ordinance named the Responsible Neighborhood Market Act is being proposed at City Hall. While this ordinance is intended to reduce the number of liquor stores in Fresno, it actually imposes barriers to bringing quality markets to our neighborhoods, without addressing the current problem. The biggest violators of city code...
There’s a Better Way to Make Fresno Sparkle. Vote ‘No’ on P.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJCDi-OfQg4 Originally published on GV Wire, Oct 23, 2018. Here’s something I believe people on both sides of the parks tax debate can agree on: We’ve got miles to go to make Fresno a vibrant, safe, and prosperous city for all. For decades, our elected leaders have struggled to make...
Investment in Fresno PD Will Protect Citizens, Boost Economy
Originally published on GV Wire, Aug 31, 2017 Fresno Mayor Lee Brand made good this week on his promises to hire a full-time independent police auditor who resides in Fresno and to appoint a Citizens Public Safety Advisory Board. It is my fervent hope that John Gliatta, a former FBI...
Will our next mayor’s vision be alligned with Fresno’s needs?
Our city has become handicapped in many ways, and we are falling behind our neighbors. In May of 2015, Gallup named Fresno out of the 100 largest cities nationwide the city where people are least likely to feel safe. The Brookings Institute ranked Fresno 93rd out of 100 major cities nationwide in prosperity growth...
Fresno needs realistic plan for revitalization
I love Fresno. This community has been instrumental in the success of my family and my company, and for that, I feel a deep sense of responsibility for its revival. Fresno has rich cultural diversity, a booming agriculture industry, excellent school districts, affordable homes, and one-of-a-kind access to the Sierra...