At noon today, Fresno mayoral candidates Ashley Swearengin and Henry T. Perea will meet in the first major debate of the runoff campaign. They will be questioned by Bill McEwen and me for an hour. We plan to ask some very tough questions -- the questions you want answered -- as well as probing the candidates on their visions for Fresno.
You can watch the debate live on your computer by going to www.fresnobee.com/multimedia. If you can't get to your computer at noon, you can listen to the debate on demand at the same web address.
We are just 62 days away from the Nov. 4 election, so it's time to focus on who will lead Fresno for the next four years. Under Fresno's modified strong-mayor form of government, the mayor is the city's chief executive, making this job the most powerful post in an local government in the region.
The city's 24th mayor must be a strong leader, who can get the potholes fixed, as well as have a vision for where Fresno is headed over the next decade. The next mayor also must figure out how to tame a City Hall bureaucracy that seems to do what it wants, especially when it comes to having an efficient permitting process. And the city must remain safe, which means that more and more tax dollars will be going into public safety. The next mayor must be able to meet all those needs -- and more -- and still put money into parks and other quality-of-life areas.
This isn't an easy job, and Swearengin and Perea must be tested during the campaign to see if they are up to the challenge. Their first big test comes today with the debate on the Boren/McEwen Political Podcast. Tune in.
Writing prior to the 'debate' you have planned later today, I have to say that I fully support Henry T. Perea for Mayor.
This position is taken after meeting with both candidates in formal interviews and in informal discussions. I've observed Mrs. Swearengin in one of her 'professional' roles (with the RJI); discussed issues on Fresno's air quality and the future of Fresno's residents with Mr. Perea.
Mr. Perea is immently qualified and has a clear plan for the future of Fresno and the people who live and work in the city and surrounding areas. He will be a formidable mayor and will lead Fresno into the early changes needed to draw more and better industry, and jobs into the central valley, and improve the quality of life for the people of the city of Fresno.
Everyone should get behind this talented leader for the future.