Fresno’s mayoral race: Letters to the editor, Feb. 23, 2020

Who is in Dyer’s ‘One Fresno’ city?

It was announced on Jan. 17 on KSEE 24’s “Sunday Morning Matters” that Jerry Dyer backed out of a public mayoral forum. The forum, scheduled for Jan. 30, was to be hosted by the #Fresno4All coalition, which includes Fresno Building Healthy Communities, The Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, CAIR Central California, (Council of American Islamic Relations), Faith in the Valley-Fresno (an interfaith social justice organization), ACLU of Northern California and the Jakara Movement (representing the Sikh community).

Dyer’s mayoral opponent, Andrew Janz, showed up to debate at forums hosted by Asian Pacific Islanders and GV Wire (owned by one of Dyer’s largest donors, Darius Assemi). Janz also was a guest on Gary Bredefeld’s conservative talk radio show. But, Dyer decided not to show up to the forum that represents Fresno’s diversity. Maybe Dyer feels he has the election in hand and does not want to say anything else. Maybe Dyer does not want to hear difficult questions.

Is this indicative of what Dyer would do as mayor: avoid diverse communities; speak to only select friendly news media while ignoring everyone else? Dyer’s slogan is “One Fresno.” Who is that one Fresno?

Janz is the future, Dyer the past

Many of us are so focused on the national political scene that we lose track of the really important election that means the most for us: mayor of Fresno.

Your city government affects you every day, for better or worse. If you think Fresno is just fine as it is, then you’ll probably vote for Jerry Dyer. If you believe that Fresno can be a really great city, the beating heart of the Central Valley, then vote for Andrew Janz, who sees what Fresno could and should be.

Just remember Jerry Dyer equals has been. Andrew Janz equals will be.

Mistakes, results, and the mayor to be

God, through His Son Jesus, forgives sin. I believe that completely. But even forgiven, there can be natural consequences from our sin. Some of those consequences can last a lifetime. I am reminded of Jesus’ crucifixion. Hanging on that cross A man hanging next to him asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom. Jesus told him he would be with Him that day in paradise. Forgiven. But there were consequences. The man still died on that cross.

Jerry Dyer has put himself in the public eye. As police chief he was able to retain a private life to some degree. His past has not been without issues and, potentially, criminal acts. He has refused to own up to those issues and address them. As it stands now, I believe that, if the accusations are true, there are consequences that should preclude his running for mayor. He says he has confessed his sins and been born again, I have absolutely no reason to believe that to be untrue. But like the guy on the cross next to Jesus, there are consequences to our actions in this life. I do not believe Jerry should be running for mayor.

Why must SE Fresno shelter homeless?

I see Mr. Dyer would like to put homeless shelters in southeast Fresno. I also notice the he moved from the southeast just outside of town to run for mayor. I`m sure he didn`t move to the southeast of Fresno. Fresno has received millions of dollars for the homeless from the feds over the years. Where is the money? If they have used it, where?

I will say the people of southeast must stand up! That also means those of us in county islands. Where is our supervisor?

Calling on Dyer to be honest

In his Feb. 16 letter to the editor, Alex Rubalcava wrote “People shouldn’t judge former Police Chief Jerry Dyer by his past. Nobody is perfect, we all do dumb things when we were young, but people change. Jerry Dyer has become a Christian, a man of integrity, and is a happy family man.”

All right, perhaps he has done dumb things in his past, but it is a past that Dyer has never explained. Dyer is alleged to have committed unlawful acts during his 20s, while he was a police officer, and the only statements that he’s made about his past were that he’d made mistakes, and that he’d done things that he wasn’t proud of doing.

What he hasn’t said, to anyone, was that he never committed the unlawful acts that he is alleged to have done. If he did not do these alleged unlawful acts, then why not just say so? If he is a Christian, and a man of integrity, then why not simply tell everyone in Fresno that he never did them? How can we citizens of Fresno even think of placing our trust in someone who will not be totally honest with us?

Discrimination, racism and Dyer

I’m writing regarding Brianna Calix’s article “Jerry Dyer is running for Fresno mayor. As police chief, he’s long been a political force” published on Feb. 13. It was a well-written article addressing Jerry Dyer’s run for mayor. I’d like to share my opinion on what is the biggest issue with Jerry Dyer running for mayor.

Although some of the platforms Dyer stands on are admirable, such as his desire to change the condition of the homeless population in Fresno, I don’t think we can risk putting someone in power who has been accused of discrimination and racism. Fresno is characterized by its diverse population, it’s what has enabled us to become the city that we are today. Our diversity is far too precious to chance being challenged or corrupted by someone who has been accused of discrimination and racism several times over the years.

Right now, we are dealing with a president who has been accused of similar acts, and it has torn the nation apart. This is not what Fresno needs when we are trying to make positive changes within our city.

Dyer must show up for One Fresno

I was shocked and appalled when I arrived at a recent nonpartisan mayoral candidate forum to learn Jerry Dyer was not attending. It was indicated he was concerned about bias of the sponsors and his possible safety.

Five of the seven candidates were in attendance. The audience was quiet, respectful, and followed the instructions provided. The group was refreshingly diverse, and perhaps this is what frightened Mr. Dyer. Who are the sponosring, “threatening” groups? They were community-based organizations including Faith in the Valley, Building Health Communities, Council on American Islamic Relations, ACLU and Jakara.

What mayor can represent and unify a divided city by fearing and ignoring consituents and their concerns?You cannot represent people you don’t understand.

Dyer’s “One Fresno” theme perhaps means he represents only one particular Fresno: white and affluent.

Dyer must show up, demonstrating the courage to lead the one Fresno I know: incredibly diverse, rich in culture, and in need of vision that brings unity and pride.

This story was originally published February 23, 2020 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Fresno’s mayoral race: Letters to the editor, Feb. 23, 2020."