FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: David Schecter
Thursday, May 15, 2008	559-307-7250

Swearengin Connects with Fresno Voters in KVPT/KJWL Forum

Ashley Swearengin delivered a clear and concise message to local voters Monday night: Fresno can become a top-tier city in California by choosing a new style of leadership over the politics of the past. “It’s going to take fresh ideas and a different approach to those problems that have plagued our city for too long,” Swearengin said.

Her comments were made during this week’s Mayoral forum broadcast live on Channel 18 and K-Jewel radio. During the program, Swearengin offered solutions for improving Fresno’s economy, fighting gangs, managing a lean City Hall budget and consolidating redundant City and County services, among other issues. The forum came on the heels of the Fresno Bee’s editorial last week endorsing Swearengin as Fresno’s next Mayor.

In the forum, Swearengin outlined her 5-Point Plan for Economic Development which is focused on supporting local business growth first, preparing industrial land for future needs, expanding vocational training, reinvigorating Downtown and supporting cultural arts in our city. As she accurately pointed out, “a comprehensive approach is the only way to improve our local economy”.

On gangs and crime, Swearengin made clear, “I believe in being extremely aggressive about putting a stop to crime.” She added that keeping our city safe also requires attacking the root causes of crime in our city. Her plan calls for working with schools, parents, churches and others to keep kids out of gangs in the first place.

On a related topic, candidates were asked if consolidation of city and county law enforcement services will ever materialize. As Swearengin correctly pointed out, Fresno’s politicians “have been talking about consolidation for more than a decade but the idea has gone nowhere.” Noting her successful experience bringing public and private organizations together during her career, Swearengin emphasized, “I have the experience that it takes to bring city and county agencies together to make real progress on achieving public safety consolidation.”

To a question regarding budget challenges at Fresno City Hall, Swearengin’s response reflected her fresh approach to meeting the challenges of governing our city effectively. “I think the fact that (the city) is going to have to operate in a leaner way brings opportunities for efficiency and innovation.” She vowed to eliminate unnecessary programs, expand the use of online services to cut costs and continue her fight to secure Fresno’s “fair share” of resources from Sacramento and Washington D.C.”

When asked to sum up her credentials to serve as Fresno’s next Mayor, Swearengin identified three key ways she is different from her opponents: 1) She is independent from the politics of Fresno’s past; 2) She has the proven leadership experience to move Fresno into the rank’s of top tier cities in California; and 3) She is running to serve Fresno as Mayor – not to set up a run for higher political in Sacramento. “I’m ambitious for Fresno – I’m not trying to get myself another job,” Swearengin said. “That means I will make the best decisions for the community as a whole.”

The Mayoral Forum will be rebroadcast on The Fresno Channel (cable channel 96) on Thursday, May 15th at 5pm and 9:30pm. The Forum will also be available for viewing on the KVPT website later this week.

Visit www.ashley4mayor.com to read more about Ashley Swearengin and her vision for Fresno.

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