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By Michael D. Evans
The Light Brigade hits the streets to defeat Measure G. Photo by Mike Rhodes
You’re probably sick of hearing about Measure G, the City of Fresno referendum on privatizing residential solid waste disposal service. But as with a presidential campaign, it is important that you not let the advertising and media overkill deter you from voting. The election is June 4, and most people will opt not to vote. A 25% turnout would be considered exceptional in a special election of this sort. So every vote counts.
With the election just around the corner, …[Read the details]
By Tom Grave
After a three-year legal battle, Walmart can now proceed with building a 1.1 million square foot distribution center on 230 acres within the city of Merced. This massive project will bring with it all of the negative effects identified in the environmental impact report and repeatedly noted by citizens during numerous hearings before the City Council.
The proposed distribution center will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with 600 or more diesel truck trips per day. Walmart stores currently operating in the central California region and those planned for the future would be …[Read the details]
By Community Alliance Staff
Utilizing a recent change in state law, the United Farm Workers (UFW) is working to negotiate contracts with two local farmers, Gerawan Farming out of Fresno County and DP Enterprises in Madera. This change in the state law moves contract negotiations to mandatory mediation if the two parties cannot come to an agreement after 90 days.
As part of this effort, the UFW has a number of people on the ground educating the current farmworkers about the union and the potential for a new contract. The actual elections to represent the workers at these companies …[Read the details]
By Michael D. Evans
Holding the “Ashley Let the People Vote” sign is Gloria Hernandez. That was the primary message from the community and labor groups opposed to the privatization of the City of Fresno’s sanitation department. Photo by Howard Watkins
At the time of our press deadline, opponents of Mayor Ashley Swearengin’s plan to privatize the City of Fresno’s residential sanitation service had just delivered about 40,000 signatures to City Hall in a Referendum Against Fresno City Ordinance #2012-26. The number of signatures was almost twice the nearly 22,000 required to force a referendum on the …[Read the details]
By Gary Lasky
Opponents of the City of Fresno’s residential garbage privatization contract with Mid-Valley Disposal fileda lawsuit in Fresno Superior Court on Jan. 22, alleging that the contract violates the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
“It appears very clear that the City rushed this decision without full compliance with CEQA,” said Sara Hedgpeth-Harris, a local attorney representing contract opponents.Filing as Fresnans for Clean Air (FRESCA), petitioners are requesting that the court order the City to prepare a full Environmental Impact Report.
CEQA is a state law that requires analysis and public disclosure of the environmental impacts likely to …[Read the details]
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