FRESNO, CA (KMJ) The vote is more than a year away, but the debate over Measure C is already hotter than a Fresno highway in July.
The Fresno County roads tax expires in 2027. Voters will cast ballots in November of 2026 after a Measure C reboot failed to pass in 2022.
Now, the in-fighting about who decides where the tax dollars will go has gotten personal.
Local businessman Brooke Ashjian was supposedly booted off the Measure C steering committee after his fiery July 10th appearance on KMJ’s Broeske & Musson program:
The Chair of Fresno’s Council of Government’s policy board, Alma Beltran, is standing by her decision. Beltran, who is also the Mayor of Parlier, said Ashjian was removed from the committee for what she described as “lies and personal attacks.” But it’s not totally clear if she has the authority to remove a member. Ashjian claims only the City of Fresno can pull him out because Mayor Jerry Dyer appointed him to the position.
In an Op-Ed for GV Wire on Monday, Ashjian said he rejects his dismissal and will not leave his post. “Only the City has the prerogative to appoint or remove its delegates,” Ashjian said. He goes on to say Mayor Jerry Dyer “of whom I have 100% support in writing” that the City will pursue appropriate remedies to ensure its voice is heard.
The Measure C steering committee will meet again July 30.
