Events this week

Our meeting on Monday evening was very well attended, and if the announcements of upcoming progressive events are any indication, it is going to be an EXCITINH election season!  Here are some of the events THIS WEEK and later in the month:
EVENT #1:  
WHAT:  FRESNO CITY COUNCIL Hearing Re:  PRIVATIZATION OF CITY TRASH COLLECTION
WHEN:  Thursday, Aug. 16th at 4:00pm
WHERE:  Fresno City Hall
WHY:  V4CF member Bob Merrill asks everyone to attend this important City Council hearing regarding the privatizing trash collection in the City of Fresno.  You can speak for up to three minutes, or just be there to offer a show of support for the city employees who collect our trash.  Fresno's waste collection service has received national recognition for outstanding service, yet the mayor wants to privatize it and sell the city's trucks and other equipment. The service is paid for by our monthly bills and not from taxes. It is estimated that employees of the privatized service would have much lower wages.
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EVENT #2:  
WHAT:  Grand Opening of  the Fresno Office for 
            District 22 U.S. Congressional Candidate OTTO LEE
WHEN:  Saturday, August 18th, 1-3pm.
WHERE:  1265 W. Shaw (near Palm), Suite 108, Fresno
WHY:  At least 25 people attended our V4CF monthly meeting this week, and had the opportunity to hear Otto Lee speak about his candidacy.  Many of our members strongly support Otto’s campaign against incumbent Devin Nunes.  If you haven’t had a chance to meet Otto Lee, and/or want to show your support, here is your opportunity.  Bumper stickers and yard signs will be available.
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EVENT #3:
WHAT:  FRESNO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Meeting – Re:  JESSE MORROW MTN
            (CEMEX’S Aggregate Mine & Asphalt Plant)
WHEN:  August 28th at 9:00am
WHERE: The hearing will be held across Tulare Street from Hall of Records in the Fresno County Ballroom at 2220 Tulare Street. 

WHY: Bob Merrill also reminds us of the very important hearing about the fate of Jesse Morrow Mountain.  Again, everyone is urged to attend. It is critical that we have a large turnout of opponents to the mine and that speakers are prepared to make clear and factual presentations (limited to three minutes).
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Don’t forget to MARK YOUR CALENDARS for the
SEPTEMBER MEETING of  VOLUNTEERS FOR CHANGE FRESNO!
Monday, September 10th, 2012
7:00-8:30pm
UC Center, 550 E. Shaw, Fresno (across from Fashion Fair)
Topic: To be determined...

August Meeting- Monday, August 13, 2012

Please join us for the MONTHLY MEETING of Volunteers for Change Fresno.

When:  Monday, August 13th, from 7:00-8:30pm
Where:  UC Center, 550 E. Shaw, Fresno (across from Fashion Fair)
What:  Featured Speaker will be Otto Lee, candidate for Congressional District 22.  We will also have an update from OFA (local Obama campaign). 
As usual light refreshments will be served and announcements are welcome during the "Around the Table" portion of the agenda (bring handouts if available).

• Bob Merrill, V4CF member, asks everyone to attend these 3 VERY IMPORTANT HEARINGS.  Please feel free to forward this information to anyone who might be interested and able to attend.  As Bob says, "numbers are important" and a good turnout at these meetings makes a difference!  (More details about each issue can be found below):

1. FRESNO COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – Re:  CARMELITA MINE
WHEN:  Thursday, Aug. 9th at 10:30am
WHERE:  Auditorium of the old Del Webb building (Tulare & M Street)
The hearing on Thursday is a front page story in the BEE today:  
"Opposition to Carmelita mine proposal expected" Here is a link to the story:
http://www.fresnobee.com/2012/08/06/2940836/large-mining-proposal-to-face.html

2. FRESNO CITY COUNCIL – Re:  PRIVATIZATION OF CITY TRASH COLLECTION
WHEN:  Thursday, Aug. 16th at 1:00pm (Note: The City Council meeting starts at 1:00pm but once the final agenda comes out on Friday August 10th, you can check the City of Fresno website for the time the issue is scheduled to be heard.)
WHERE:  Fresno City Hall

3. FRESNO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS – Re:  JESSE MORROW MOUNTAIN
(CEMEX’S AGGREGATE MINE & ASPHALT PLANT)
WHEN:  August 28th at 9:00am 
WHERE:  Hall of Records
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DETAILS ABOUT THE CARMELITA MINE:

The Carmelita Mine is a proposed sand and gravel mine near the Kings River.
The Draft EIR for the Carmelita Mine project can be found at:   http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/DepartmentPage.aspx?id=44386
Speakers will be limited to 3 minutes.  Bob suggests sticking to one or two facts, and including a question to the commissioners.   The main points to emphasize are:
    1. The destruction of good agricultural land.  The final pit depth will be lower than the Kings River, and therefore agricultural reclamation in the pit is unlikely to impossible.  Can any commissioner name an example in the valley where Ag restoration has been successful of abandoned gravel mines? 
2. Pits will extend into groundwater, and when abandoned become an endless source
of groundwater pollution and financial liability to the County.  How large a bond should the County require to avoid the taxpayer picking up the tab? 
3. In view of the economic downturn and the foreclosure crisis, how accurate is the
estimate for Fresno County's future sand and gravel needs?  Or do the projected needs include areas outside of Fresno County? 
    4.  All of the projected estimates for sand and gravel needs in Fresno County and the Central Valley assume continued population growth.  This population growth means continued loss of agricultural land, and increased water needs by that growth.  With the loss of agricultural land, where will this growing population obtain its food? At what point do we consider that infinite growth is NOT possible on the FINITE resource of high quality agricultural soils? 
    5.  Air pollution.  How does one interpret the applicant's statement that PM10, PM 2.5 and NOx will be reduced to the extent feasible?  Shouldn't the County require a measurable standard so that asthma sufferers are are not further impacted?  What is that standard, and shouldn't the County require that new technologies be installed as they become available?  What happens if the operator says that type of pollution reduction equipment is too expensive to install?       
6. When mining is completed there will be a net water loss due to evaporation from
the ponds of 1 acre foot per acre per year more than is currently lost from the existing fruit orchard agricultural operations.  This in a county that is already short on water supply.  What do you suggest the county do to offset this water loss without impacting the taxpayer? 
    7.  What happens at the cessation of mining, when the owner quits paying property taxes, letting the property ownership lapse and fall to the county?  How will the County protect the taxpayer? 

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DETAILS ABOUT THE PRIVITIZATION OF TRASH COLLECTION:

The Mayor of the City of Fresno desires to privatize Residential Trash Collection. 
Issues and Concerns:
    1.  Currently the trash collection is a self supporting enterprise, that means wages and benefits, equipment and maintenance are fully supported by collection fees.  There is no General Fund money used to pay for the service.  Why doesn't Mayor Swearengin tell you that fact?  This unit of the City also earned a national award for its efficiency, and now she wants to sell it off.  Why? 
    2.  Selling the equipment is a one time infusion into the City's General Fund.  There is no buying it back, once the service is gone, you no longer have control over any problems that occur.  Sure you can call the City and complain, but your elected representatives cannot do very much to help you. 
    3.  The annual franchise fee will be negotiated in future years, and its amount is not guaranteed, that is subject to negotiations. 
    4. Currently Fresno residents enjoy some of the lowest trash collection fees in California, and the Mayor is not telling you that.  Why? 
    5.  Trash collection fee increases and cuts in vehicle maintenance and workers wages are about the only areas that a private company can use to maintain profits. 
6. Decreased worker wages will further lower employment compensation in Fresno.
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DETAILS ABOUT JESSE MORROW MOUNTAIN/CEMEX:

The Fresno County Board of Supervisors will vote on Cemex’s Aggregate Mine and Asphalt Plant at Jesse Morrow Mountain on Tuesday, August 28, 2012. It is critical
that we have a large turnout of opponents to the mine and that speakers are prepared to make clear and factual presentations (limited to three minutes).  Cheers and singing will not impress the Board members. Brief, cogent letters to the Board members will ALSO be helpful, but should be sent at least a week prior to the meeting.  
Please see the July 17th V4CF Blog/Eblast for more facts/talking points about this issue.

July Meeting Info and Some Announcements

Please join us for the JULY MEETING of VOLUNTEERS FOR CHANGE FRESNO!

Date/Time: Monday, July 9th, 2012 at 7pm (meetings end promptly at
8:30pm)

Location: UC Center, 550 E. Shaw, Fresno (across from Fashion Fair)

Topic: We will focus on engaging V4CF members in the November 2012
election, discussing the ways each person is (or plans to be)
involved, possibly through voter registration, phone banking, and fund-
raising. We have invited a representative from Obama for America to
share information about how we can help re-elect President Obama. In
addition, there will be a presentation by two Democratic Central
Committee members about ways to get involved in local Democratic party
efforts, candidate campaigns, ballot initiatives, and working the
polls on Election Day. Our goal in the meeting will be to mobilize the
group around specific action plans.

Light refreshments will be served and announcements are welcome

during the "Around the Table" portion of the agenda (bring handouts if
available).

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM OUR MEMBERS:

1) MEDICAL SUPPLIES NEEDED -- V4CF members CJ & Sekani Radellant
request that we bring to our meeting any medical supplies for donation
to the 23rd Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba, which will be in Fresno
on Monday, July 9. Sekani participated in the Caravan last year and
shared information about his trip during a recent V4CF meeting. For
more info about the Cuba Caravan and their visit to Fresno, go to
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/07/02/18716796.php .

2) VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY -- V4CF member Kai Bolden reports that the
Sierra Foothill Conservancy will be having "a good old fashioned weed
pull" at the SFC's Bean Creek Preserve, as part of a meadow
restoration project there in which star thistle plants need to be
removed.

When: Saturday, July 7th and Wednesday, July 11th, 2012, 9am-2pm
(both days)

Where: SFC's Bean Creek Preserve- http://goo.gl/maps/FEL2

Wear long pants, a long sleeved shirt, gardening gloves, sunscreen
and a hat. SFC will provide snacks and water. Pack a lunch to enjoy
under the shade of a willow next to the creek. For more info contact
Ray at 209-742-5556 or ray@sierrafoothill.org. Ray would also
appreciate knowing if you're planning to join the weed pull on either
or both of the days.

3) HEALTH CARE TRAINING – PRIMARY PREVENTION FOR CHANGE -- Another
reminder from CJ about the FREE one-day training sponsored by the
Prevention Institute and the California Endowment.

When: Friday, July 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: UC Merced Center, 550 East Shaw Ave., Fresno 93710, Room 230-A.

The training will focus on understanding and analyzing the community
factors that shape health, safety and equity, and on developing
comprehensive strategies to create environments that prevent illness
and injury. Call CJ (559) 307-9505 to RSVP. Seats are limited!

Meeting Reminder- July 9, 7pm

Happy 4th of July!

Join us for V4CF's next meeting:

Monday, July 9, 2012 at 7:00pm (meetings end promptly at 8:30pm)UC Center, 550 E. Shaw, Fresno (across from Fashion Fair)

We will be focusing on how V4CF members can become more engaged and involved in the 2012 election. Please come ready with suggestions!

Light refreshments will be available, and we welcome your announcements during the "Around the Table" part of the agenda (bring hand outs if available) - **Please note that our meetings are held on the second MONDAY of each month.

*May Meeting Reminder*

Please join us for the Monthly Meeting of Volunteers for Change, Fresno!

Monday, May 14th, 2012 at 7pm (meetings end promptly at 8:30pm)

UC Center, 550 E. Shaw, Fresno (across from Fashion Fair)

Our guest speakers are going to be:

*Liz Shields, Chair of Voter Services for the Fresno League of Women Voters, will discuss the propositions on the June ballot. 

She will also describe the League's work registering voters and hosting candidate forums.

*Debbie Harkness, candidate for the Board of Supervisors, District 2

Debbie has a website:  www.harkness.4supervisor.com  

*Susan Good, candidate for City Council, District 4
Susan has a website: http://www.good4council.com/

Light refreshments will be available, and we welcome your
announcements during the "Around the Table" part of the agenda (bring
hand outs if available)
-
**Please note that our meetings are held on the second MONDAY of each
month.

*We also have another great volunteer opportunity! At our April meeting, Radley Reep of Friends of Lost Lake Park invited us to join other groups in assisting with the maintenance of the park, which is on the San Joaquin River near the Friant dam.  Four V4CF members helped paint the campground kiosk and removed litter and invasive thistle last Saturday.

The Next Volunteer Event begins Sat., May 12, 2012 at 7:00 am.  Meet at the campground kiosk at the north end of the park. Tools and gloves will be provided.  You may want to bring a hat, snacks and water.  There is no need to sign up.  Just mark the date on your calendar, and come out to the park as early as you can Saturday morning.  If you are interested but have questions, please feel free to contact Ruth at ruth37@gmail.com or 559-297-8582.

Next Meeting-- Mon., March 12, 2012

Join us for our March meeting to learn about genetically modified food and Cuba. We will feature two speakers:

*Judy Nelson will explain a ballot initiative that would require labeling on genetically modified food. Judy is the Central Valley coordinator
for the statewide organization sponsoring the initiative.

* Sekani Radellant,
a pre-med student, will speak and show pictures from his trip to Cuba last July
as part of a national group taking medical supplies.

V4CF meetings are held at the UC Center, 550 E. Shaw, across from Fashion Fair and next to the Men's Wearhouse. The meeting starts at 7:00 pm.

Next Meeting--Mon., Feb. 13, 2012

Join us for an informative update on the situation of Fresno's homeless. Our speaker will be Mike Rhodes, editor of the Community Alliance and advocate for the homeless. We'll also hear from the local Obama campaign.

V4CF meetings are held at the UC Center, 550 E. Shaw, across from Fashion Fair and next to the Men's Wearhouse. The meeting starts at 7:00 pm.