FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – A major infusion of cash is coming into the “Yes on P – Fresno for Parks” Campaign.
The announcement of endorsements and money was made on Friday, at Storyland inside Fresno’s Roeding Park.
Former Mayor Ashley Swearengin, President & CEO of the Central Valley Community Foundation, was joined by Todd Suntrapak, the President & CEO of Valley Children’s Healthcare, David McDonald, the former CEO of Pelco, and Former Mayor Alan Autry, all are in support of Measure P.
The measure was developed by Fresno for Parks, a diverse, non-partisan group of Fresno residents who believe that safer, cleaner parks for all Fresnans is important to the health, safety and overall quality of life of the community.
David McDonald (below), the Chairman of the Measure “Z” Campaign that benefited the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, presented a check for $400,000 to help the campaign spread the message.
Valley Children’s CEO Todd Suntrapak (below, right) announced that his hospital’s board had unanimously approved Valley Children’s endorsement of Measure P and that the measure was also backed by the California Children’s Hospital Association, which represents hospitals up and down the state.
Fresno City Council voted in August to place Measure P on the November 2018 ballot after gathering more than 35,000 signatures of local support.
The measure is opposed by Fresno’s Mayor Lee Brand, who says money needs to go to public safety.
Former Mayor Ashley Swearengin (above, middle) addressed the issue of safety, she said that safety personnel would be added as an eligible expense, and they will rely on City officials as to the best way of doing that.
Swearengin says Measure P was crafted to implement Fresno’s Parks Master Plan, and it will take care of existing parks.
She said it’s a misnomer that they would be building new parks and letting the old ones get worse, rather she says they would focus on improvement, removing graffiti, making sure playground equipment is safe, reducing crime and homelessness, and making sure the bathrooms are clean.
Supporters say Measure P will update and improve Fresno’s current parks, trails and facilities, create parks in neighborhoods that lack access to them, and improve access to the arts in the City of Fresno.
Measure P would add a 3/8% sales and use tax in the City of Fresno, bringing an estimated 37.5 million dollars annually for 30 years to improve Fresno’s parks and neighborhoods.
Measure P is the only measure this year that voters will decide upon at the polls on November 6.
Learn more at: www.FresnoForParks.com
Click to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
