Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger got chewed on a bit today about the state's water troubles during a Fresno appearance. Hey, this is supposed to be friendly territory for the governator. But the lack of water apparently has many San Joaquin Valley residents on edge.
The Sacramento Bee has the story here. Click here for The Fresno Bee's version of the Schwarzenegger story. There's an audio link to the speech.
The Fresno Bee's John Ellis reported this in his early dispatch from the Tower Theater:
"About 200 people, including Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin, Clovis Mayor Harry Armstrong and other local government officials, attended the morning session at the Tower Theater. Outside, about 50 protesters waived signs and chanted in support of a variety of causes, ranging from more water for Valley farms to more money for universities and social services. Some protesters said they support higher taxes to forestall deeper state budget cuts."
After a questioner attacked Schwarzenegger on his lack of success in getting a comprehensive water deal, the governor asked Orange Cove Mayor Victor Lopez to respond, according to The Sac Bee:
"If there's been anybody that has stood with us, the farm workers, the farmers and the business people of the whole state of California (on building a better water delivery system) it's been this governor from Day One," Lopez shouted. "There is going to be victory, because we have the best governor that any state in this whole nation has ever had!"
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