How many of you have a personal, super-polite chauffeur to take you to work or elsewhere in FresYes land? I would venture to say very few, particularly in these difficult financial times. I am one of the privileged few that get taken anywhere in comfort for only $1.00 a ride. Yes, you heard correctly: Only a buck! I am, of course, speaking of Fresno's wonderful FAX system. I am also speaking of Pete, my friendly chauffeur on the 7:29 a.m. southbound #30 bus from Blackstone and Nees.
My commuting day begins as I hop on my trusty 20+ year-old Nishikki ten-speed bicycle at home for the half-mile ride to my chauffeured limousine. (Did I neglect to mention that I share it with 39 others?) Pete always arrives on time and greets me with with his trademark, "Good morning, Mr. Calhoun!" We trade a few gossip tidbits as he waits for his 7:29 a.m. meter to send us on our way. Before he leaves, however, he hands me his personal copy of The Fresno Bee to read and return. I then settle back and read my Wall Street Journal for the remainder of the trip down Blackstone.
Over the subdued talk of my fellow passengers, I can hear Pete as he wishes everyone departing his public limousine a hearty "Thank you." Those getting on the bus receive a "Good morning" or, for the regulars, a special something about their life or family. My limousine continues on to the Manchester Transfer Center where Pete has to be particularly quick to do all his "goodbyes" and "good mornings" as many passengers move on and off.
We are off again, rolling south. Most mornings my 8:03 a.m. Blackstone and Weldon stop is at Fresno City College. I always get Pete's trademark, "Goodbye and have a nice day" as I take my Nishiki off the bike rack and head off to my office for another day of teaching students planning for a teaching career. On Tuesdays Pete takes me downtown to "M" Street and the Mariposa Mall where my bike takes me to City Hall for the day-long public Council meeting. (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday my bike takes me to City Hall in the afternoon after my classes are over.)
If you haven't recognized it by now, what makes Pete so special is his customer service. On one occasion I inadvertently left my gloves on the bus. Later that day there was a knock on my faculty office door at City College, and there was Pete personally delivering my "lost" gloves. Now, that's real customer service!
The City of Fresno provides an excellent public transit system. I routinely take FAX (to include going north on #30 or #32 to get home). It's not as fast as my little truck, but it is predictable and gets me to work or home in a comfortable environment where I can read newspapers, books, correct papers or just doze a little. I also have the little warm, fuzzy feeling of knowing that my carbon footprint is much smaller using FAX rather than my truck.
Coming soon is the Bus Transit System (better known around City Hall as BTS) with higher limousine amenities and faster service. I encourage you to let your elected officials know how important it is to our City.
Since my Scottish background tends to make me "kinda cheap," I will (thanks to provisions in the recent Measure C Transportation Reauthorization Measure Fresno County citizens approved) be able to ride FREE on FAX. How? I am turning 65 on December 20th! Being the leading edge of the Baby Boomer Generation has, believe it or not, some advantages!
If I can crib from the great Visa ad: "Don't leave home without it!" (FAX that is.) And if you see Pete (and all his equally friendly FresYes public limousine drivers), please say "hello" and "goodbye" from me.
Coming soon. . .
This blog "works to dive" and, therefore, is going on vacation to the scuba diver Holy Grail: The Great Barrier Reef of Australia. The blog, however, never misses an opportunity to share neat things with its FresYes friends. Look for a postcard or two from Australia on the perceptions of our Aussie friends on our politics, particularly on our incoming president, Barak Obama. I'll be back on January 1, 2009. Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger and the State Legislators,
Please permit me to help you with the $14.7 billion (and growing!) budget deficit. But first, a little history of my fairly long experience with the Golden State may be helpful.
California was a wonderful state to grow up in during the 1950's and 1960's. Nothing seemed impossible! The first-class elementary and secondary school system routinely ranked at the top of the nation's schools. The California Master Plan for post-secondary education created the California Community College, California State University and University of California systems, a model recognized world-wide. Cities built vibrant museums, libraries, and other cultural centers. Our agriculture fed the world. State parks were created and dams and other critical infrastructure permitted people to live, work and travel anywhere in the State.
Then, beginning in the 1970's, came the establishment of a full-time legislature, the rise of special interest micromanagement of the state budget through various ballot propositions (beginning with Proposition 13 and accelerating exponentially since), a gerrymandered legislature resulting in safe seats for both parties (exacerbated by a Constitutional requirement that the State budget receive a two-thirds super-majority vote for enactment).
I love California, but I am very worried about its future. You, our elected representatives, seem incapable of moving beyond narrow, parochial political interests to achieve the common good that was a hallmark of those part-time legislators of years ago. Compromise is out, and political ideology is in. And while you are in Sacramento debating these issues, those of us at the local level--whether families, businesses, special districts, cites, or counties--simply cannot wait.
I suggest that you first solve the immediate budget crisis by making painful program cuts while also instituting equally painful increases in taxes and fees. These budget adjustments can and should be a short-term fix. While unpleasant, Californians will understand. The major fix, however, requires the establishment of a Constitutional Convention to make the long-term changes that will prepare California for the 21st Century.
While it is probably unrealistic to recreate the Golden State of the 1950's and 1960's, I am willing to do my part to right the "listing ship" by sending the State Treasurer a check for $100 to help with the short-term budget fix before you embark on the long-term fix necessary to establish Golden State II. And, if you can make a cogent case as to why you need more of my limited income, I will willing to send it.
I believe that Californians care very much about this State and are willing to make sacrifices for the common good. Your side of the bargain, however, is a promise to make the short-term fix to eliminate the debt while at the same time beginning the more arduous task of initiating a State Constitutional Convention to prepare your 18 million (and growing!) constituents for Golden State II.
Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a (Happier!) New Year.
Brian Calhoun
Coming Attractions. . .
1) "Improving our education system - let's start by changing the school boards."
2) "A postcard from Australia - What the Aussies think of our new president-elect."
3) "Downtown Development - The City's Redevelopment Agency Needs Some Changes."
Mayor Alan Autry's decision three years ago to celebrate the Christmas holiday with a large, decorated and lighted tree in front of City Hall raised a number of eyebrows. There was, of course, some cost associated with it, and in the minds of a few it raised the--how shall we say--politically correct question of whether a public entitity like City Hall should get into the "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" debate. The Mayor had his detractors and his supporters.
I believe that the verdict is in: It's a success; well-received by most Fresno's citizens, still probably ignored by a few.
You are really missing a treat if you don't visit City Hall (which I fervently believe is an architectural jewel) both during the day and in the evening to enjoy the beautiful sight. The gorgeous tree, a generous donation by the folks that bring us our gas and electricity, is majestic. City Hall proudly serves as its backdrop.
During this time of uncertainty in the world, the nation, the state and here at home, the tree symbolizes good will to all. Your city leaders try their best to provide essential services to the citizens of Fresno year around. Christmas at City Hall is a time for all of us to celebrate life and our sense of community.
I salute Mayor Autry for this small but important contribution to our quality of life.
Coming Attractions. . .
1)"The state of the State - How we can do something about the State's deficit."
2)"Improving our education system - let's start by changing the school boards."
3) "A postcard from Australia - What the Aussies think of our new president-elect."
While the Nation, the State of California and countless cities and counties (to include our own) find themselves in fiscal crisis, I am proud that the City of Fresno is in a sound financial position with significant cash reserves. "Almost every city in the country is feeling the impact," says Chris Hoene, Director of Policy and Research at the National League of Cities. Termed-out Mayor Autry, Councilmember Duncan and I will be leaving Mayor-elect Swearengin, Councilmembers Dages, Perea, Westerlund, Xiong and Councilmembers-elect Borgeas and Brand a multi-million dollar budget that will be used to continue moving the City forward without reducing services or raising taxes.
Prudent budgeting does not come easy. During the dot-com downturn of a few years ago when State revenues decreased and Sacramento dipped into local government pockets to cover their debts, City expendtures were reduced, and employees received little, if any, pay raises. When the revenue picture improved, much-needed projects (particularly police, fire, infrastructure and parks) were started or accelerated. Most importantly, the City established for the first time in eight years a significant cash reserve for future fiscal challenges.
Credit is due to many individuals: Mayor Autry for his vision, the City Council for its leadership in balancing the need for constituent services with the wisdom of not overspending during the good times and mortaging the future, and the City staff (to include employees--both union and exempt--that were willing to forego raises during challenging economic times) that so effectively carried out these policies. A special thank you to City Manager Andy Souza and Assistant City Manager Bruce Rudd. These fine individuals, working through the City department heads, made the difficult day-to-day decisions that allowed the system to work and kept us out of debt.
While significant fiscal and quality of life challenges face us, the citizens of this fine City are, I believe, in good hands as one administration turns over the reins of leadership to the next. Mayor-elect Swearengin and the new Council might want to take to heart the Citizen Oath of Ancient Athens:
"We Will Strive To Quicken The Public's Sense Of Civic Duty; And Thus In All The Ways We Will Strive To Transmit This City Not Less But Greater, Better And More Beautiful Than It Was Transmitted To Us."
Coming Attractions. . .
1)"The state of the State - How we can do something about the State's deficit"
2)"Improving our education system -- Let's start by changing the school boards."
