Fresno Mayoral Poll

Arizona Black Expo

Last week, I traveled with BlackXChange.net (BXC) to the 2008 Arizona Black Expo in Phoenix, AZ. We took the BXC Tour RV there, which was my first RV experience. Dan Gambel was right... RVs are cool! We hit the Dock Weiler State beach near LAX airport before driving across state boundaries into Arizona. After capturing a great AZ sunrise, we headed into Phoenix.

The Expo attracted about 1500 visitors to the Glendale Expo Hall, which sits next to the University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals. BlackXChange was one of about 150 vendors present along with a number of local performers from hip hop dancers, inspirational speakers, spoken word poets and new inspirational artist, Tarsha McMillian Hamilton.

BlackXChange was the official Expo internet and media host with an eight-station internet cafe and the VIP station. Hundreds learned how to connect with black-owned businesses not only in their community but across the nation as they approached the BXC station with the 38-foot RV backdrop. BXC staff video interviewed vendors and recording artist Anthony Hamilton and his wife that were broadcsted live on two huge projector screens.

Like many cities, we heard the complaints of a fragmented black community and concerns with B2B (black to black) business partnerships. For this reason, BlackXChange was well received as many signed up for free membership and several event coordinators asked when we would be back to AZ.

About Phoenix
Though Phoenix is a pretty large city (1.5 million), it has a relatively small black population at 5.1% according to the US Census. Black businesses only account for 2.1% of the approximately 92,000 firms or companies in the area.

Obama's Rap Biography

Just when John McCain thought Senator Barack Obama couldn't get any more popular, someone does a rap biography about the presumptive Democratic nominee.

The song is informative... check it out

Obama 08 (Do the Knowledge)

Track credits:
Artist: Alpha
Title: Obama '08 (Do the Knowledge)
Producer: J. Brookinz
Engineer: Warren 'Three V' Harris
Website: myspace.com/alphaisforever
Blog: alphaisforever.blogspot.com
Encoding: Shadowkat Nightson

The Best of Black Fresno survey

This past spring, In the Black e-newsletter, focused on providing an African-American perspective to local topics, conducted a survey administered by Constant Contact to its over 230 readers in a desire to gain an African-American perspective on leadership, civic participation, business and local market preferences. The survey entailed a series of questions asking participants to rate the performance, effectiveness and satisfaction with individuals, organizations and agencies in Fresno.

The Best of Black Fresno Survey Summary

Go to Blog Talk Radio to hear the radio program about the results that airs Monday, July 28, 2008 at 8 PM on KFCF 88.1 FM. Guest included Councilmember Cynthia Sterling and Keith Kelley.

No PAL takeover at Frank H. Ball Park

On Saturday, July 19, 2008, Hester Ricks and other West Fresno residents looked on as they listened to Assistant City Manager Bruce Rudd and Parks & Rec. Director Randy Cooper who apologized on behalf of the City and assured listeners that Frank H Ball Park & Center would retain its services. The audience applauded as Rudd mentioned that Fresno Police Activities League (PAL) would operate in southwest Fresno but not at the Center.

Bruce Rudd compared the park's value in West Fresno to the Yankees playing in the Bronx. "Frank H Ball is like Yankee Stadium to the community", said Rudd demonstrated by the community's response to originally proposed changes.

Neighbors expressed their concerns about the maintenance of facility, new technology, and the need for staffing support. Within the hour plus of comments and suggestions, many expressed their frustrution that the City "...decides what's best for us" without consulting with the community.

"All the monies in West Fresno has been allocated to other part of Fresno. Oh course there's no money because you've built up other parts of the city and when you come here money runs out," stated Hester Ricks, a resident of the Golden West Side for over 50 years to many applauds. "We want what's due to us given to us." Hear Hester Ricks comments

Its starts today, vote Senator Obama

We will possibly mark Tuesday, February 5, 2008 as the day that will change of course of American politics. Voters all across the country will exercise their rights in the ultimate democratic process. Over the years, many disenfranchised group within our society have felt alienated from the electoral process because they lacked representation that truly addressed the core of their needs while inspiring them to look forward to the future.

The 2008 Primary will act as an opportunity for individuals like you and I to support a candidate who challenges stereotypes and will transcend the social barriers within our country. One that will inspire both young and mature members of our community and mobilize them to see cast their vote with confidence that we are on the brink of change beyond just a catchy political phrase. I believe this candidate to be presidential hopeful, Senator Barack Obama.

One of the defining moments for me have been the numerous calls and conversations with young black men from the hood to the college campus following the details of the election— speeches, debates and previous primaries. Thousands of nontraditional voters and supporters are joining their enthusiasm in states like Idaho and Delaware where Obama drew crowds of 10-15 thousand people. But its’ more than record breaking rally attendance, raising $32M in January alone (2.5X more than Clinton) and the endorsement of the Kennedys, Oprah, and Maria Shiver. Obama has substantive plans regarding universal healthcare, access to equitable education, energy independence and a withdrawal of our troops from Iraq war that will boost our economy, provide and prepare generations to come with a higher quality of life and restore our global relationships.

But it all starts today with a casted vote for Senator Obama.

Fresno's Ethnic Professionals under 40: Changing the way we think about leadership

Last week Business Street, a local business newspaper announced their list of “top business professionals in the private and public sectors in central California who are leaders in the community, and have experienced great success before the age of 40”. Of the 40 individuals listed, only nine were of color. This say one of two things: (a) this is another example of how ethnic minorities are excluded from mainstream media messages and the dominant culture’s concept of power and success; or (b) there is continued concentration of real power and influence amongst Caucasians in a community that is 55% comprised of Blacks, Hispanic/Latinos and Southeast Asians. One would hope those undesirable traits of previous generations would not be passed on as a rite of passage as our age bracket proclaims to stand at a higher level of equity and social justice.

Some satisfy their internal struggle of being perceived as socially equitable when developing comprehensive lists such as these or collecting community data by stating they aren’t aware of members of disconnected, disenfranchised or minority groups (it’s the same rationale used by those over 40 to exclude those under 40 from the conversation). OK….. why don’t you? With access to the internet, six local cambers and business associations of which four are ethnic based, and the thousands of ethnic business owners alone the age of ignorance is inexcusable. Even if none of those resources existed, one could make a good ol’ fashion telephone call to a few knowledgeable people of color in their network (there is an assumption there) as I did to come up with these individuals:


Debbie McKenzie, came to the Valley four years ago as a AmeriCore VISTA and now works under the County Administrator’s Office as the coordinator of the County of Fresno’s Gang Taskforce.

Dwayne Ferguson, owner of Overcolor Print & Design and developer of BlackXchange.net, a nationwide black business directory and search engine

Darrell Stamps & Veda Ramsay-Stamps, formerly the County Housing Manager and City Council Budget Analyst, they are now managing partners of Catalyst Development and The Ramsay Group whose clients include The California Endowment, City of Fresno, and The Redevelopment Agency and Fresno Works for Better Health. Veda is the co-chair of the City’s 10X10 Housing Taskforce.

Crystal Smith, City of Fresno management analyst who administered the City’s $9M CDBG funds now working in the Mayor’s Office as a budget analyst.

Terence Frazier, Frazier Realty. FSU and professional baseball athlete turned owner/broker/real estate developer. Terence seats on the board of the Central Valley Business Incubator.

Sandy Cha* is the local Community Development Officer for Wells Fargo Bank and sits on Wells Fargo Asian Business Services Strategic Advisory Board. Sandy is on the board of the Fresno County Women’s Chamber of Commerce and a graduate of Leadership Fresno.

Yammilette Gutierrez Rodriguez, government relations liaison for PG&E and the former Director of Admissions at Fresno Pacific University

Lawrence D. Garcia, since taking over his father’s business in 2000, he has grown AmeriGuard Security to a $4M private security company with 12 times the number of employees. AmeriGuard is one of the largest locally-Hispanic owned businesses that employs 180 Valley residents and has been featured on the Hispanic Business 500 List and in The Business Journal’s Book of List. Lawrence is the treasurer of the Central CA Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and a member of Chief Dyer’s Advisory Board.

Rev. Shane Scott* is the newly installed pastor of largest African-American church in the greater Fresno area, Saints Rest Baptist Church with over 1100 members. He is overseeing an onsite 20,000 sq. ft expansion that will include a new recreational and community center. Because of his work in the SF Bay Area before moving to Fresno, he is well connected and resourced nationally.

Silas Cha is the associate director at Fresno Center for New Americans serving the Valley’s 30,000 plus refugee community. Silas leads Hmong-American Concerned Citizens and is a recognized advocate in health care and refugee-related issues. This UC Berkeley alumus is a graduate of Great Valley Center’s IDEAL program and sits on the regional advisory board for the Central Valley Health Policy Institute.

Marcus Davis & Nickolas Crawford* of Creative Solutions Marketing Group is one of the upcoming marketing solutions firms being incubated by the Central Valley Business Incubator. But don’t think these guys are beginners. With clients from CSU Fresno, Cool Hand Luke’s and the National Baptist Convention of America. Not sure if you’ve their work? Think about the Bruce Bowne Foundation, FWCED or Cooper River Ranch websites, the website and materials for the Worlds Aparts, Future Together Summit (Fall 2006), CSUF Football tickets… that’s Creative Solutions.

Tate Hill*, former Vice President of Program Services at Fresno West Coalition for Economic Development who helped bring $1.1 M of new grants to southwest Fresno, finalized the West Fresno Association serving over 350 Empowerment Zone residents with access to the Fresno County Federal Credit Union and participated in the launch of African-American micro loan fund through Valley Small Business Corporation. Tate was the founding chair of Creative Fresno and member of the Mayor’s Creative Economy Council. Currently, he is the Central Valley Vice President for Youth Leadership Institute.

* under 30

Fresno MLK Events- 2008

click poster for larger view

Graffiti Walls "What Will I Commit to do to Fulfill the Dream?"
Think of this Holiday as a day to ACT! Write your commitment to action on one of our Graffiti Walls.
Date(s): January 15-18 2008
Location(s): Free Speech Area, University Courtyard, USU Pavilion @ CSU Fresno

Dr. King's Birthday Tribute to Dr. King and Acknowledgement of the 100th Anniversary of the founding of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
(The Sorority of Coretta Scott-King)
Date: Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Time: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Free Speech Platform @ CSU Fresno
Speakers: University President John D. Welty, Associated Students President Juan Pablo Moncayo, Black Student’s United President Dalitso Ruwe and Assistant Vice-President Joyce Ester

Poetry Jam!
Come hear local and regional poets, musicians and performing artists give tribute to Dr. King.
Date: Friday, January 18, 2008
Time: 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Location: Satellite Student Union (SSU) @ CSU Fresno

Contact for CSU Fresno Events: Central Valley Cultural Heritage Institute at CSU Fresno

23rd Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Breakfast
Enjoy a delicious breakfast, wonderful speakers, and musical performances.
Start Date: 1/19/2008
End Date: 1/19/2008
Time: Breakfast: 8:30am, Program: 9:30am
Location: Clovis Veteran's Memorial Building Independence Room - 453 Hughes Ave.
Contact Info: Fresno MLK Unity Committee: Caroline Carlson - (559) 324-2416

23rd Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Candlelight Vigil
Enjoy a variety of community speakers and musical performances.
Start Date: 1/20/2008
End Date: 1/20/2008
Time: 5:00 - 6:00pm
Location: First Congregational Church, 2131 N. Van Ness, Fresno
Contact Info: Fresno MLK Unity Committee: Dr. David Howard - (559) 277-9552

23rd Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. March
Start Date: 1/21/2008
Time: March begins 9:30am,
Location: St. John Cathedral, 2814 Mariposa Ave to Saroyan Theatre, 700 "M" St.
Contact Info: Fresno MLK Unity Committee: March & Food Drive - James Lett lll - (559) 284-6420

23rd Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Program
Commemorate the contributions of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by marching from St. John Cathedral to the Saroyan Theater. Listen to local leaders honor Dr. King at the steps of City Hall and conclude with an inspiring program of local talent. The march also supports a food drive to end childhood hunger, with donated food being collected at the church.
Start Date: 1/21/2008
End Date: 1/21/2008
Time: March begins 9:30am, Commemoration Program 11:00am
Location: St. John Cathedral, 2814 Mariposa Ave / Saroyan Theatre, 700 "M" St.
Contact Info: Fresno MLK Unity Committee: Commemoration Program - Julia Dudley - (559) 352-1444

COGIC'S 100th Convocation

On Thursday morning I arrived in Memphis, TN for the Church of God in Christ's (COGIC) 100th Holy Convocation. Since I knew very little about the city outside of that it was in the South, home to Graceland (no, I didn't take a tour) and headquarters for multiple Pentecostal denominations including COGIC, Memphis was larger and much more modernized than I anticipated.

Memphis has been larger than Fresno's current populations since about 1960 with over 650,000 within the the city and approx 850,000 in the greater area. The downtown area, like Fresno had suffered but now is in a boom with the recently constructed FedEx Forum, home of theNBA's Memphis Grizzles. The City has completed over $158M of private resident and mixed-use projects as part of a $3.1B development plan ($1.7B in progress). Adjacent to the Mississippi River, the urban center has several convention venues, a lively music scene, and plenty of good eats. To learn more about Downtown Memphis, go to downtownmemphis.com.

Saints from 61 countries came to participate in the celebration of one the oldest and largest Pentecostal organizations in the world. I attended the Thursday night 'Missions: International Day' that included representation of over 150 delegates from across the globe with music and singing in multiple languages. Even the COGIC anthem, 'Yes Lord' included renditions in Spanish, French and Japanese that were sung by approximately 17,000 at the service. All services at the FedEx Forum were broadcasted live via the internet (www.cogic.org). Missionaries from South Africa, Pakistan, and India were recognized for the service to the Church and people.

Hillary Hysteria?

On Monday, October 22, presidential hopeful Senator Hillary Clinton made a campaign stop in the Central Valley. To a diverse crowd of nearly 1000 supporters and a few outskirt protesters, the former first lady of the White House touted her stance on the war in Iraq, health care, education and need to investment in renewable energy. Some of the platform speakers, which included Delores Huerta (co-founder of the United Farm Workers), Council President Henry Perea, Councilmember Blong Xiong and program emcee Cynthia Sterling, sang Mrs. Clinton’s praise and mentioned the Valley hadn’t been inspired to such Democratic-fever since the famed Robert Kennedy visit over forty years ago.

Four black leaders were on the platform in front of Fresno High School at Monday's rally including Rev. Shane B. Scott, the senior pastor of St. Rest Baptist Church. His support for Senator Clinton centers on the issues that are important to him and his congregation-- health care and education. "My support is based on qualifications over race", says Pastor Scott, when asked what drew him away from his early support of Senator Barack Obama. Like others, he had contacted Obama's staff about planning a visit to the Central Valley, only to be told the campaign preferred to utilize resources elsewhere in the state.

Where is Brother Barack?

As the campaign proceeds and Senator Clinton continues to command strong support national wide by African-American voters, the question is— where is Brother Barack? Given Senator strong showing, will he reconsider visiting Valleycrats, who tend to be more conservative than their counterparts in the Bay Area and Southern California? Can he appeal to the Valley’s younger demographic (age 18-34), where his support is the strongest?

Urban Legend: US Post Office to destroy Black Heritage Stamp series

I love that the African-Americans braces technology and that we made great strides in using the Internet. At the same time, we have to savvy about the investigating the messages and information that comes into our INBOX.

Heard this one:

"The P.O. will DESTROY all remaining African American Heritage stamps at the end of the month instead of following their usual procedure of selling them"

This internet urban legend dates back to 2000, stating that the US Post Office will stop selling stamps depicting black American heroes and leaders and destroy the remaining in possession. The Post Office has made several official statements indicating that it has no intention of taking such actions against the Black Heritage Stamp series. On the contrary, on January 8, 2007 it issued its 26^th consecutive stamp commemorating Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.

But in the word of Reading Rainbow's Levar Burton, "don't take my word for it":

Snopes.com
(see the various forms of the hoax and the Post Office's multiple counter memos)

Break the Chain (letter)

Statement from US Postal Services

Localized Community Solutions to Support Fresno Black Athletes

Black on Black Mentorship. Collaborate with local universities and colleges, to set-up an African-American male mentorship programs to provide psychology and social guidance outside of the campus environment. Where do we recruit these mentors? United Black of Men, Fresno Black Peace Officers Association, Black churches, and other local black professional organizations. Community-campus networks. Black community organizations and concern citizens should connection to college athletic departments to create a social networks for the many black students recruited to our campuses, especially from outside the area who lack those relationships. Black Enterprise. Invest into the athletes' academic and professional development with internship and employment opportunities with black-led organizations and businesses. Outside of the approximately 10-15 individuals who will continue with a professional athletic career, the remainder have an immediate need to focus on preparing themselves life outside off the field.

Black Athletes and Crime- Who's Responsible?

Black athletes and crime—Who’s responsible?

There are countless stories of black college athletes posed with celebrity, potential wealth and promising professional careers only to have those opportunities taken away due to criminal behavior and/or poor decisions. From the recent FSU football player, Jason Shirley and convicted murder Terry Pettis to even the Edison High School and college student athletes killed the car attendance; these young black men have lost opportunities that many aspire to. Many ask the question: Are these results solely the responsibility of the young men or are others partly to blame? And if so, who?

Here are some responses to an article on www.blackprof.com . I though to extract information from the comments but I think some of the issues could not be better stated.

Personal Responsibility

“Why are we supposed to feel sorry for them when they break the law? Are they not adults? Are they not over 18? See, I have a hard time feeling sorry for them when they go out there and break the law. It should be common sense, after all, they do live in America, but I guess common sense isn't all that common anymore. But, someone needs to tell them the list of DO'S and DONT'S. And, if I knew that this was in place, then I REALLY wouldn't have any sympathy. Because, you and I both know that, because they are athletes, everything has been excused away for them, so when the REAL WORLD slaps them silly, it's a shock to them, and a shock that usually costs them their future.”

“I get it. They screwed up!!! They deserve whatever punishment they receive!!! You can't possibly see my posting as an apology for them. I always call for personal responsibility. But when schools make millions, they have a strategic opportunity to stop these boys from getting into trouble.”

Parents & Families

“Most people thus far as saying there need not be any community solutions because this is a ‘personal problem’. If they were raised properly by their parents by 18 they should be able to make some intelligent decisions. Some of the stuff these fools do is asinine.”

“Parents need to do their job. But let's deal with the reality on the ground. It's fair to call parents to do their job.”

In the recently published Come on People, co-authored by Bill Cosby it speaks to the lack of parenting and that many of the problems in the black family stem from absence of father and positive male figures. But is that the only possible response?

Universities

“Some believe universities have failed to supply young athletes with proper mentoring and active monitoring to protect them from over exposure and poor decision making. Of course, these young men bear responsibility for their actions as well. Yet, given the psychology of superstar status, celebrity and the rags to riches stories, most of these young men have in common, they are not nearly equipped to handle the transformation without guidance. Moreover, these young men generate, untold dollars in revenue for their respective schools. Surely, they can afford to expend a few dollars counseling and guiding them.”

“But, I also blame the colleges. The colleges need to have, on retainer, a hard middle-aged Black man that sits these folks down at the beginning of the semester and tells them the rules of LIFE for a Black Man.”

One reader, gave the following recommendations for colleges and universities to avoid further loss of life and livelihood:

1) Assign a guidance counselor and require check-ins.

2) Require counseling to explore their minds and make future recommendations tailored to their needs.

3) Require athletes to live on-campus in monitored facilities, in terms of going and coming. This would assist universities ability to limit the gift culture, access to alcohol, drugs and women.

4) Implement random drug testing and rehab for violations, not suspension.

It Takes a Village…

Why should young people be allowed to go down the wrong path because their parents' failed them? If others around them can see the problems ahead and take a few measured corrective steps to avoid calamity, where is the harm? It's wrong to watch someone go the wrong way if you can offer a word to steer them in the right direction.

I want you bloggers to consider the measured steps that can be taken to assist young athletes whose parents have failed them before they get into trouble. Remember when these young men go down, they take, in part, the dreams of many younger and older black boys and men with them. When we work together to help them, we help ourselves as well.

Double the Trouble? West Fresno meat rendering plant to expand

Darling Intl. is seeking to expand the capacity of their West Fresno rendering plant (795 W. Belgravia, Fresno, CA 93706) from 855,000 lbs to 1,500,00 lbs per day. It has been a long time standing odor nuisance in southwest Fresno for over 50 years. It is in close proximity to several schools, public housing complexes, and single-family homes.

The SJV Air Quality Control District allowed Darling to install the equipment in 2006 but they weren't given permits to increase capacity as they are requesting now after public outcry. Since those permits were given, the HUD and City-funded HOPE VI housing development sponsored by the Fresno Housing Authority is slated to invest nearly $60M of housing surrounding the plant including the newly constructed LEED-certified preschool & community center. In addition, there are hundreds of new privately-funded housing units planned within 1 mi. radius of the plant.

We were initially told that the City has no legal jurisdiction in the matter though Sterling and the District 3 Implementation Cmte will submit opposition letters. In addition, the Control District may put the item on their board's consent calendar (no public comment unless posed by one of the board members) unless they receive significant comments (I don't know that's defined). Fresno City Council President Henry Perea Jr. is now on that Board along with Supervisor Judy Case. There is one other minority on the board from Arvin-- a local councilmember.

In August 2007, the Air Board approved their new Environmental Justice Strategy. Ray Leon (Latino Issues Forum/Asthma-Air Advocate) , Kevin Hamilton (Sequoia Healthcare/Asthma-Air Advocate), Metro Ministries, the Poverty Center among others were participants in writing it. The Board is in the process of selecting members to sit on a EJ Committee to advise the Governing board.

The Concerned Citizens of West Fresno that includes advocates such as Mrs. Mary Curry (former FUSD school board member) and Harlan Kelly (former vice-chair of Edison Planning Advisory Cmte and an origin FWCED board member) requested an 30-day extension of the public comment period from the Air Board, which was granted. That new deadline for public comment will end November 5th.

Councilmember Sterling office is coordinating a community meeting that is scheduled to take place before the November 5th deadline.

Public Notice (Sept 5, 2007)

SJVAQCD Environmental Justice Policy

Fresno Bee Article (10/03/07)

Sign a Petition

West Fresno Community Design Workshop

October 17, 2007
5:30 PM Doors Open
6:00 PM Workshop

Location:
Cecil Hinton Center
2385 S. Fairview Ave
Fresno, CA 93706
(map)

Partner Introductions

Community Break-out Workshops

Come share your ideas about regarding :

• Housing & commercial development
  
• Public Transportation
• Bicycle & Walking Routes
• Open Green Park Space
• Street Intersection Improvements

Event Host:
Fresno Housing Authorities
Event Partners:
Fresno West Coalition for Economic Development (FWCED)
Design Community & Environment
Strategic Energy Innovations

Refreshment & Beverages

Spanish & Hmong language services will be available

Fresno 6?

Last week, during one of my regular barber shop conversations, I jokingly expressed to one barber that I was surprised they weren't in Jena participating in the protest. Straight faced they replied,

"Why go to Jena, when we have unresolved issues in Fresno?"

It raises a good question that I have posed to myself and now to you-- do we only get excited about those stories that make headline news?

Given the Valley's history of racial and social inequity, I'm sure there are many cases like Jena that receives to no press or protest but merit our attention. From to the Paul Perry lawsuit to everyday black men and women entangled in the system, our community cries out for individuals to plead their case.

Have you or someone you know experienced criminal injustice in our Valley? Feel free to share your story

Why black Fresnans need to participate in the awareness and prevention education of HIV/AIDS in our community

• According to the National Center for Health Statistics, in 2002, AIDS was the leading cause of death among African-American women ages 25-34 and the second leading cause of death for African American men ages 35-44
• African Americans accounted for 50 percent of all AIDS cases diagnosed in 2004 in the United States, yet African Americans make up only 12 percent of the population
• In California, as of December 31, 2006, there were 143,946 cumulative reported AIDS cases; 25,590 of these cases were African Americans. This represents over18 percent of all AIDS cases, yet African Americans constitute less than 7 percent of California’s population

Fresno AIDS Walk
October 6, 2007, 9 AM
Roeding Park

The 2006 Fresno AIDS Walk raised $5,000 with hundreds of walkers. The proceeds benefited several local programs including Community Center Hospital’s C.A.R.E. and Cornerstone Foundation’s (operated by Cornerstone Church) Red Ribbon AIDS Project.

A great resource for black pastors and churches: http://healingbeginshere.org/index.htm

Trusting Community Relationship = Good Communication

What happens when in a relationship there is a sense of mistrust because of a perceived lack of sincerity, forwardness, and commitment to open communication? Without purposeful action to remedy such apprehensions, the relationship spiral towards a dismal end where both parties are viewed as adversaries centered on destroying the other. How is this problem magnified when this relationship is between a community and those that lead them— political and social leaders? This is a dilemma facing many urban and ethnic communities across the country and Fresno is no different.

Over the summer, residents of southwest Fresno have been bombarded with scenarios and real life situations that have heaped onto years of feeling neglected, unimportant, and disregarded by their representatives at all levels of government. From gang violence to the Running Horse ‘gone wild’, the attendance at recent town hall meetings demonstrates residents’ frustration with the circumstances surrounding their quality of life. At the most recent town hall meeting hosted by Councilmember Cynthia Sterling, residents repeatedly raised concerns about the lack of communication from City Hall. Their fears regarding the Trump Running Horse, redevelopment and eminent domain stemmed from mixed messages transmitted by mainstream media. These rumors and media stories were put to rest in a truth-telling setting where Sterling, Mayor Alan Autry and current owner, Mick Evans along with a host of city officials from police, redevelopment and city management provided the community with an in-depth explanation of past and current events surrounding Running Horse.

What I heard was not that residents’ were resistant to development but objected to the fact of not knowing. For most people, one of the greatest fears is uncertainty or unpredictability. It’s what drives the purchase of insurance of any type (reallocating risk) to the value of modern technology that allows accuracy and access to information. The politics of yester generations, where information was held tight and confidential by the government leaving citizens in the dark is over. Due to technology—instant messaging, camera phones, television/radio news, the internet along the Freedom of Information Act, people can readily obtain information on just about any subject within a short period of time thus demanding its government to respond respectively.

One good outcome from the last town hall meeting was the Mayor’s commitment to continuous communication and the establishment of a community communications taskforce. The taskforce compromised of Dr. Mary Curry, Keith Kelley, Les Kimber, LaVera Williams amongst others were charged to manage the governance of the taskforce including how to increase the composition of the group and act as a liaison between City Hall and the community. Some may ask, why is direct contact the form of communication key to maintaining a respectful relationship between leaders and an urban ethnic community? Despite today’s many mediums, leaders must not forget that direct oral communication is the one that leaves residents with a sense of sincerity and the opportunity to express their concerns.

Hopefully, the taskforce will take this as an opportunity to open a true channel of communication between an often disfranchised group of residents and those with the given authority to be their voice in our representative government.

West Fresno Town Hall Meetings: Two Down, One to Go

In the past two weeks, there have been two community-driven Town Hall meetings:

1. August 3-dealing with police brutality. Facilitated by Rev. Floyd Harris
   
2. August 9- getting questions answered about Running Horse and eminent domain. Facilitated by Dr. Mary Curry and Gloria Ponche-Roderiguez.

Both were well attended by concerned residents and decision makers from the City of Fresno. The third planned Town Hall will happen this evening hosted by Councilmember Cynthia Sterling at Macedonia COGIC. The meeting's original scheduled guest included members of the Trump team before he withdrew his $30M offer. The meeting is scheduled to continue that will no doubt have carry-over questions from Augsut 9 Town Hall's crowd of 200+ residents (some attendees estimated the audience closer to over 300) about jobs, the petition to stop the closure of Kearney Blvd. or California Ave., eminent domain, and more.

To be honest I'm like many others who are on the fence regarding Running Horse and its project scope. I hope City leaders will take into consideration the overall socio-economic impact to current residents in the area, as southwest Fresno contains some of the highest levels of concentrated poverty in the country (Brooking Institute, October 2005). Will this concentration increase because low-income residents are relocated via the market or eminent domain, thus reducing the number of neighborhoods with available affordable housing? Will West Fresno become gentrified like West Oakland and the Fruitvale communities in Oakland, CA because of redevelopment where high rents forced long time residents out?

At the end of the day, the problem with being on the fence is the potential fall. Land one way and no development happens and the community remains as it has been for decades-- destitute of community amenities and deprived of economic growth. Land the other way and the community forever changes, forcing low and moderate-income families and individuals out, which perpetuates bad land use planning of the previous decades that has resulted in residents in 15 of the 26 census tracts south of Belmont living in extreme poverty (40%+) and all West Fresno tracts in moderate or extreme poverty by concentrating low-income, public and Section 8 housing into a small area. Neither has to be the case for West Fresno.

This project is a prime opportunity for us as a city and community to build a bridge between often polarizing neighborhoods through the policy and practice of mixed-income housing. This land use & development policy incorporates housing that people can afford while transforming a distressed community through the injection of market-rate housing and conscious economic development.

Running Wild... Horse

On Monday's Valley Black Talk on KFCF 88.1 FM, the show talked about the current status of the Trump-Running Horse saga. In the program, Council District 3 Chief of Staff, Greg Barfield called in to talk about the current process, provide some facts addressing some of the rumors circulating in the community, and to speak about possible scenarios relating to Running Horse. As reported by the Fresno Bee, Trump has requested back the $1M deposit delivered earlier this month. Barfield stated those funds would be used to go after the seven (7) parcels needed but not owned to complete the Running Horse Project as currently planned. This doesn't mean Trump has completely back out of the deal, conversely it's the opposite.

In addition, Barfield touched a couple of issues that would explain for the some the added complications to the project:

1. All parcels needed to complete the development are not owned by the project


2. Some of the land within the project has owner options, of which some are owned by Mick Evans, the seller of the Running Horse


3. Most of the land encompassed within Running Horse does not nor will it incorporated under the scope of influence of the Fresno Redevelopment Agency (Project Area Map)

The third item is a major bump based on the conversations between the City administration and the Trump team. As stated by Barfield and reported in the Fresno Bee, we have known since 2003 that the Running Horse Project was outside of the redevelopment project area. According to the CA Redevelopment Association, a project area can't be expanded without amending the survey area that requires qualifying that proposed area as 'blighted'. The Fresno RDA recently reported, after being asked by the City administration to evaluate the possibility to incorporate Running Horse into the project area, that it would not qualify as blighted. This was done rightly so, backing up the the previous 2003 assessment that determined the area, which was primarily ag. land, did not "consist of the physical and economic conditions that caused a reduction of, or lack of, proper utilization of that area" (e.g. High business vacancies, low commercial leases /high turnover rates, odd shaped lots, or Unsafe access into buildings or parking lots).

The only possible thread to justify blight would be "incompatible adjacent or nearby uses of land parcels that hinder economic activity" or "vacant and underutilized land or buildings" as defined by the CA Redevelopment Association. If these assessments were made before the housing boom and the adaption of the 2025 General Plan that has pushed development southward, they may have worked. Time will tell, if Mayor Autry and the City will be able to influence state legislators to promptly move on incorporating the Running Horse into Fresno redevelopment project area. Again, redevelopment is never a quick fix solution and changes are mandated by the public process, taking anywhere from 12-18 months. If Trump has the patience and commitment as his daughter, Ivanka has stated, the change can happen to the project's overall financial benefit.

These are just some of the issues Councilmember Cynthia Sterling has to consider as she deals with the economic future of her district. Do you have thoughts, concerns or unanswered questions that you like to share with her or the Trump team? On Tuesday, August 13 you will have your chance. Sterling has arranged a town hall meeting for the project stakeholders-- the Trump team, the City and the community as reported on Valley Black Talk.

Running Horse Town Hall Meeting

August 13, 2007 - 6 PM

Greater Macedonia Church

1825 S. Delno, Fresno, CA 93706

(one block west of Fruit, between Kearney Blvd. Ave. and California Ave.)