Here is The Bee Editorial Board’s endorsement for Fresno’s District 6 council seat | Opinion

Two people are competing to represent northeast Fresno’s District 6 on the City Council in the March primary election.

The candidates are:

▪ Attorney Roger Bonakdar

▪ Marine reservist and pilot Nick Richardson

In interviews with The Bee Editorial Board, they expressed strong commitment to improving Fresno and meeting the challenges facing the city, such as homelessness.

Of the candidates, the Editorial Board was most impressed with Bonakdar. He is campaigning to streamline Fresno’s planning process so new businesses can open and the economy can grow. He pledges to support only budgets that include the hiring of more police officers and firefighters. And he will seek help from Fresno’s nonprofit and church communities for more housing and treatment options so homeless people can get off the city’s streets.

Here are profiles of the candidates:

Roger Bonakdar: Bonakdar and his wife have two children. He attended UC San Diego and then Santa Clara School of Law. Among his endorsements are the unions representing Fresno police officers and firefighters and the Fresno Chamber of Commerce.

Bonakdar says a main reason for running is to bring professionalism to City Hall. When it comes to the problem of unhoused persons living on the streets, Bonakdar says Fresno cannot use a “cash cannon” approach. Instead, he wants to improve coordination with Fresno County officials and involve nonprofit social service organizations and churches more. To alleviate the growing problem of traffic along Friant Road, Bonakdar wants to consider diverting some drivers onto other arterial streets. And on the issue of what flags should fly at City Hall, Bonakdar wants just the American, California, Fresno and POW flags.

Nick Richardson: A Clovis native, Richardson graduated from Buchanan High, then spent 10 years in the Marine Corps as a helicopter pilot. Helping veterans is a key part of why he is campaigning. Richardson believes the city can do a better job of coordinating with the county and nonprofits to help unhoused people and reduce homelessness.

He also has a perspective on the LGBTQ community that hearkens back to what the Republican party’s philosophy used to be. From his website: “Many in our community believe that homosexuality is a sin. Well, so is lying, coveting, lusting, and cheating. So as it says in John 8:7, ‘Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.’ Otherwise, I practice the ‘mind your own damn business’ method and it’s great for my mental health.”

Bee Editorial Board’s recommendation

Of the two, the Editorial Board recommends Roger Bonakdar for District 6.

This story was originally published February 7, 2024 at 5:30 AM.