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After participating in a candidate forum sponsored by the Central Valley Progressive Political Action Committee and Fresno City College this morning, I headed down to the Bigby Villa neighborhood in Southwest Fresno to participate in a block party.  The event was coordinated by local residents and supported by Fresno Street Saints, Glorybound Ministries, Care Fresno, One by One Leadership, the Fresno Police Department, Fresno State students, and several other organizations.  It was a terrific example of community building.  Kids were having a blast.  A few lucky ones got new bikes.  All the ingredients for a terrific Saturday afternoon were there in abundance - bounce houses, music, food, face painting, etc.  It seems like these kinds of activities are more and more the norm in Southwest Fresno.  Almost every weekend that goes by, I hear about some kind of special event that local residents in Southwest Fresno are putting on in coordination with a host of community organizations.  This is very good news and suggests to me that Southwest Fresno is getting its footing again thanks to the commitment and leadership from so many.  It's just more evidence that the City of Fresno is at a "tipping point."  The next Mayor of Fresno has to work with these and other grassroots leaders to ensure our city tips forward and that our neighborhoods are strengthened.  The entire city will benefit as our older neighborhoods are improved!

At the Fresno County Women's Chamber of Commerce lunch today, I was reminded of a very important rule:  watch out for women on a mission!  And, the women of the Fresno County Women's Chamber are certainly no exception to that rule.  I learned today that the Fresno County Women's Chamber has more than tripled the attendance at its monthly meeting in just the last few years.  They now have almost 200 members.  These folks are raising money for local scholarships, providing resources to support the growth of small businesses, taking on health and fitness challenges together, and organizing important community events.  It was a pleasure to speak to the Women's Chamber.  One of the members even wrote a poem to mark the occassion.  Check out local poet Liesel Garner's poem on what Fresnans are looking for in their local leaders.

Today, the Fresno Women's Medical Group held their sixth annual "Women Physician's Retreat."  Drs. Kelli Beingesser and Gail Newel hosted the event.  About 100 women physicians and medical professionals gathered for the day's activities.  I was pleased to attend and have an opportunity to talk with these leaders in the field of science and medicine.  Among the issues of most importance to them were Medi-Cal reimbursement rates, the lack of mental health services in Fresno, and the redevelopment of Downtown Fresno.  The group also talked about a community-wide initiative to address obesity, research at the UCSF Fresno facility, and several other projects under way in the medical community.  These women are clearly leaders in their field, dedicated to their community, and, in many cases, are raising families at the same time.  It was an honor to spend time with them!

I met with Brian King and his colleagues from Fresno Street Saints this morning.  Fresno Street Saints is a grass-roots organization working in public housing projects in the southern part of our city.  This volunteer organization offers after school programs, mentoring and tutoring in some of Fresno’s most difficult neighborhoods.  They are making an incredible impact on the lives of the kids they are working with every day. 

I also attended a conference tonight organized by Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, the Fresno Institute for Urban Leadership, One by One Leadership, and the Christian Community Development Association on faith-based community development initiatives.  The founder and leader of the movement, John Perkins, was the keynote dinner speaker.   His message was powerful and challenging.  He called for the development of a unique kind of leadership in the 21st century – leaders who care more for the people they are leading than for themselves.  Just imagine the kind of impact that type of leadership could have on our city.

Every Thursday, a group of home schooling parents and their kids gather at the Keith Tice Park across from Clovis West High School.  Today was no exception, and I had the pleasure of joining the moms and dads to learn more about the issues important to them in our city.  Increasing parks and green space was a topic of great interest.  Not surprisingly, air quality was a big concern.  These parents also expressed frustration with the overly political nature of our local government.  That’s a common refrain I hear from Fresno residents as I attend neighborhood meetings, walk precincts, and get comments back on my Voter Survey (click here to take the survey).  I’m committed to bringing an independent voice to City Hall as the next Mayor of Fresno.

Today’s annual Fresno Compact luncheon highlighted the important work of local educators and businesses who are seeking to positively impact area schools.  One local educator, Dr. Tom Crow, Chancellor of State Center Community College District, received special recognition for his leadership of one of the largest community college districts in the state.  Under Dr. Crow’s leadership, State Center has increased its focus on career technical education.  The District has worked closely with industry leaders through the Regional Jobs Initiative to develop more vocational education that responds directly to industry demand.  It has been a pleasure working with State Center on such efforts.  We still have a long way to go, but thanks to the efforts of Dr. Crow and many on his team, we are making progress.  I’m looking forward to helping take these efforts to the next level as the next Mayor of Fresno.  In my Jobs and Economic Development platform, I recommend the creation of a city-wide initiative on career technical education and job readiness. 

It was a pleasure today to attend the opening ceremonies of the California Police Chiefs Association annual conference.  Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer will be sworn in tomorrow night as the statewide president of the association, which is a tremendous tribute to Chief Dyer and the Fresno Police Department.  Fresno will benefit from Chief Dyer’s leadership in this organization over the coming year, as our community will have access to and input on the most current state legislative proposals pertaining to law enforcement and will have the opportunity to shape those proposals.

The opening ceremonies also included a salute to the law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty during the last year, which was incredibly moving.  Several of the moms, dads, spouses and children of the fallen officers were present for the ceremony.  It was difficult to watch the families’ reactions as their sons, husbands, and dads were remembered.  It increased my resolve to bolster public safety in our community and to push for long-term solutions to crime – jobs and education.