Local
Will Soria Jump on High-Speed Rail Executive Position?
Last week, Caltrans announced it hired Diana Gomez as director for the region covering Fresno County and the Central Valley.
Gomez left her position as the Central Valley regional director of the High-Speed Rail project.
David Taub
Politics 101
Multiple sources have told Politics 101 that Fresno councilwoman Esmeralda Soria might be a fit for the high-paid, newly vacant position.
According to Transparent California, Gomez received a salary of $185,230 as the bullet train’s regional director in 2019. In comparison, Soria made $84,683 in 2019 on the city council.
Soria tells Politics 101 that others have spoken to her about the job, but she hasn’t had time to consider it. She said she’s too busy worrying about COVID-19 and her regular council duties.
The job listing, first posted on July 1, is still listed on the HSR website. It will remain open until filled.
Also in Politics 101:
- Will a new county leadership position entice a wider pool of candidates, including Quan?
- Arambula pressures county supervisors for spending on vulnerable.
- Another tense confrontation between Arambula and Mendes.
- Clovis council rejects raises.
- Obama endorses some Valley congressional candidates, not others.
A Job Created for Fresno’s Quan?
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to establish a new management position, that of chief operating officer. The post will be second-in-command to County Administrative Officer Jean Rousseau. The vote was 3-2, with Steve Brandau and Sal Quintero opposed.
Could this position be created just for current Fresno City Manager Wilma Quan? Sources say Quan is looking to jump to the county. And, one person inside the Hall of Records said the COO position was “tailor-made” for her.
Board chairman Buddy Mendes, however, said the position — with an expected higher compensation package than an assistant CAO — is meant to draw more candidates, including department heads.
“We’ll get a good pool of people to pick from,” Mendes told Politics 101 prior to the meeting.
When Politics 101 previously reported on Quan possibly leaving for the county, City Hall spokesman Mark Standriff said, “We don’t comment on gossip.”
[rlic_related_post_three]Arambula Continues Pressure on Supervisors in COVID-19 Efforts
Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula continues to pressure Fresno supervisors to spend money on the county’s most vulnerable residents.
Speaking during public comment at Tuesday’s meeting, Arambula called for the board to spend more on rental and food assistance, personal protective equipment, and testing for workers mainly living in rural communities.
“This is a once-in-a-century crisis. Their health and lives depend on the decisions that you make,” Arambula said. “Give them hope and assurances that their voices are being heard. We are in this fight together. Do your job and protect our community.”
This has been at least the fourth time Arambula has brought the issue forward, either in public or in front of a camera, to the board in the last 30 days.
A U.S. Treasury Department report showed that the county incurred costs of nearly one-third of its federal allotment of more than $80 million in federal stimulus money through June.
Supervisor Brian Pacheco announced he would introduce programs to aid minority- and women-owned businesses, as well as a housing-retention program focusing on essential workers in the agricultural communities.
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Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula told the Fresno County Board of Supervisors he wants more spending in vulnerable communities. (Fresno County Board of Supervisors)
Tension Remains Between Arambula, Mendes
The tension between Arambula (D-Fresno) and Supervisor Buddy Mendes remains.
Prior to the meeting, Arambula and other community leaders met with select members of the media outside the Hall of Records in downtown Fresno.
Arambula then tried to speak during a discussion about COVID-19 spending at the jail. He wanted to make general comments, which were scheduled for later in the meeting.
“You’re making a political statement. … Go sit down. If you want to give a public comment, give it on item six (about jail testing),” said Mendes, who is well known for keeping meetings on a tight schedule.
“Thank you for being a public servant,” Arambula replied.
Obama Likes TJ Cox, Harder
Two Valley Democrats have won the support of former president Barack Obama.
In a tweet Monday to his 121 million followers, Obama endorsed Josh Harder (D-Turlock) in the 10th Congressional District race and TJ Cox (D-Fresno) in CD 21. Both are incumbents running against Republicans Ted Howze and former congressman David Valadao, respectively.
“I’m proud to endorse this diverse and hopeful collection of thoughtful, empathetic, and highly qualified Democrats,” Obama said.
Obama didn’t endorse every Democrat running. Notable Central Valley absences include Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) in CD 16 and challenger Phil Arballo (D-Fresno) in CD 22.
Costa, running for his ninth term, faces Republican Kevin Cookingham. Arballo hopes for the upset against conservative superstar Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare).
Obama did say this was his first wave of endorsements, implying subsequent waves could come.
I’m proud to endorse this diverse and hopeful collection of thoughtful, empathetic, and highly qualified Democrats. If you’re in one of their districts or states, make sure you vote for them this fall. And if you can, vote early—by mail or in person. https://t.co/PSm3Rf3wkF pic.twitter.com/7RXrJriBz8
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 3, 2020
Clovis Council Says No to Raises
The Clovis City Council voted unanimously, 5-0, to skip a pay raise.
The five members earn $1,455 a month. A proposal from city staff would have raised the pay by 4%, the same as other city employees received recently, or the 10% maximum allowed by state law. The council’s last raise was in 2018.
The city’s uncertain finances because of COVID-19 influenced the decision to turn down a raise.
“This doesn’t seem quite right to take a raise, even if it’s really small,” councilwoman Lynne Ashbeck said.
Councilman Bob Whalen said the economy factored into his vote.
“I don’t know what to expect over the next couple of years,” Whalen said. “We are not making a living off of this. To forego the increases is a very minor sacrifice for us to make.”
Bill
August 5, 2020 at 2:31 am
“Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula continues to pressure Fresno supervisors to spend money on the county’s most vulnerable residents. ” for his 17 CBOs money grabbing at millions. They formed these packs to give the illusion they will perform services for the ” most vuknerabke” no checks and balances ..miney is lost in a huge hole with no accountability.
“Pacheco wants more funding for minorities” there they go again referring to Mexicans as “minorities ” when they are in fact over 60% of Fresno County and not victims You want to help AMERICAN CITIZENS give the minority white families that lost their jobs in central Fresno a JOB that Is all they want. No handouts just a helping hand.
Arambula is going to have to do more convincing before the city & county throw good money after bad . Especially to his 17 CBOS. Where were they last year before Covid-19 newly created or hiding behind a non-profit more government money taken for illegals while hard working Americans who own businesses continue to get the shaft from Arambula and his master King Newsom . Socialism at its finest destroy the middle class, destroy churches and private businesses and throw millions to illegals because they are entitled to it. Purchasing future democrat voters?
Bill
August 5, 2020 at 7:51 am
Quan leaving the city or running away? Perhaps she got a hint that the new mayor will replace her.? Quan isn’t as bad as the rest at city hall but waffled after Miguels defamation of her. Instead of threatening to sue him Quan should have flollowed through otherwise Miguels unprofessional destructive hostility toward Fresno continues to exist. Quan has failed at City Manager why would we want her to transfer to the county and carry on the failures. Isnt she the person responsible for allowing Terrance Frazier more millions in public funds despite an audit showing financial mismanagement? The city of Fresno is facing millions in lawsuits because of her .
Speaking of Terrance Frazier his fiance Esmeralda Soria will bolt from the city council for $100,000+ more in salary at Cal Trans where she can join her godfather Perrea who sits on the board. Instead of robbing taxpayers of millions for illegaks and homeless projects she will get to rob billions from taxpayers and gut through more farmland. She hates farmers, the very people who work hard to allow work visas and support illegal workforce . The very people that offered her family jobs and her the opportunity to go to college. Soria will have to take the opportunity there is no future in politics on a local level. Cal Trans will continue to milk taxpayers a few more years before the failed overpriced project is scraped. The billions wasted could have been used to house her homeless and low income benefactors . Should the HSR every be finished in the next 20 years the fare will be expensive. The quest to get more vehicles off our Highways /Freeways will come at a huge loss to farmland and destruction of other modes of travel Amtrax train and Greyhound bus . But what does Soria care about people losing their livlihoods and businesses? Her district is rife with crime and taxpayer funded methadone clinics.. When her buddy Gavin was busy letting out criminals from prisons resulting in 300% increase in crime and 71% increase in gun violence her answer was ‘ defund the police” and her solution was having social workers answer calls ( not exactly what families & businesses in her district wanted to hear) . Be part of creating the problem then having no solutions to fix what she helped to destroy or create more of a problem with flawed self serving interests.
Cal trans corruption woukd suit her well and just think how much more she could milk the taxoayers. Soria exists on public paychecks and destroying independent businesses and livlihoods of taxpayers . Homeless, low income and illegals are great pawns for milking the system. No wonder vagrants, illegals and losers flock to Fresno. Her base is the under 30 progressive social justice AOC crowd. Soria is not a leader for all people only her selected population.
Paul
August 5, 2020 at 3:42 pm
Dear Bill
On your next rant , place these titles behind your name: Q member, KKK, sparatist, hate monger, extreme right white supremist (naught) and all the other ugly American titles you embrace. Fresno doesn’t need wachos like you.
Bill Thacker
August 6, 2020 at 11:42 am
“Paul” aka Pablo;
I gave facts you give labels. How about you debate the facts and not resort to your usual name calling and creating divisions in Fresno. BTW you know nothing of my race or ethnic background. You use labels as a sword and shield when you cannot debate facts. Sounds like Mendota politics . Reality bites doesn’t it?
Susie
August 9, 2020 at 9:52 am
I agree with Bill. Why not debate the issues? Why are you resorting to name calling and insults? That is just immature and irrational. Ms. Soria’s participation on the Fresno City Council has not been good for Fresno. Her district is full of crime/graffiti/trash/homeless and she has no viable solutions for anything. She “goes along to get along” — as long as it benefits her pocketbook. The same can be said for a few of the others as well. Glad she’s leaving.