COVID-19 is no time for ‘coasting.’ Why this Fresno councilman should take early exit
Every elected official should have an internal buzzer that sounds when it’s time to make a graceful exit.
Here’s your cue, Fresno City Councilmember Paul Caprioglio. Do what’s best for your constituents and hand over the reins.
Caprioglio is what’s known in political parlance as a lame duck. His second council term officially ends in early January. Except Caprioglio seems to have gotten “lame duck” confused with the old high school malady, “senioritis.” Because by most indications, the 74-year-old has almost completely checked out.
During normal times, no big deal. But as we enter month six of a pandemic that shows few signs of waning, Caprioglio’s coasting can’t be tolerated. He should resign immediately. The residents of District 4 deserve better.
Only one city council member has missed any of the regular or emergency meetings related to COVID-19 in 2020, according to the official minutes.
That would be Caprioglio, the council vice president, who has missed three. He missed one in January due to illness, another in June for undisclosed reasons and a third, on July 16, because he couldn’t get a cell phone signal from his Montana cabin.
Even when he is in attendance, Caprioglio’s participation level is minimal. Unlike the other six council members, who attend meetings on Zoom during the pandemic and thus can be seen by those watching, Caprioglio dials in on his phone.
Besides not being visible, he’s also seldom heard. Caprioglio rarely asks questions or makes motions — odd for a trial attorney. He is also the least likely to engage a fellow council member in a debate over issues.
Loves the photo op
The disconnect continues away from the dais. On fresno.gov, six of the seven council members provide contact information beyond the general 559-621-8000 number for City Hall. Guess who doesn’t?
Unlike those of other council members, Caprioglio’s staff never sends press releases to local media. He seldom returns their calls or responds to texts, including mine.
If past experience is any indication, I’ll hear from Caprioglio soon enough. That’s what happened last summer when I tried contacting him several times about his refusal to take a meeting with supporters of Advance Peace before a key council vote.
Two hours after the column appeared at fresnobee.com, my cell phone rang. It was Caprioglio, angry at me for disturbing his vacation.
The only time Caprioglio seems to be a visible presence is whenever Fresno State (located within District 4) hosts a well-known speaker. “Cap” is quick to present the visiting dignitary with a city proclamation and pose for a photograph. In 2019, he even skipped part of a budget hearing to attend a town hall with presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg.
Just about everything I’ve mentioned, the absences and scant participation, could be overlooked if Caprioglio was focusing his energy on constituent services.
Except there’s no evidence he’s doing that, either. An example: Over the last month, several council members have organized mobile COVID-19 testing events through a city partnership with United Health Centers.
‘People want answers’
Guess who was behind Wednesday’s drive-up testing event at Hoover High School, in the northern reaches of District 4?
Caprioglio? Guess again. It was sponsored by Tyler Maxwell, the councilman-elect.
Even though he doesn’t take office until Jan. 5, Maxwell has been busy fielding calls from future constituents in addition to his duties as a council aide to District 7’s Nelson Esparza.
“Frankly, at this point I’m getting more District 4 calls than District 7,” Maxwell said. “People are not able to get through to Paul, and they want answers about what’s going on in the district and what’s being done to help them during the worst health crisis in our lifetimes.”
Maxwell told me he sponsored the COVID-19 testing event, alongside Fresno Unified school board member Claudia Cazares, because people asked and he felt there was a need.
Did he consult with Caprioglio? Nope. Why bother? According to Maxwell, Caprioglio hasn’t returned several phone calls and texts over the past six months. In fact, the two have not spoken since Maxwell’s victory at the ballot box.
Maxwell’s opponent in the March primary, Nathan Alonzo, had the backing of Caprioglio, Mayor Lee Brand and most of Fresno’s political establishment.
Is that the reason why Caprioglio has given the cold shoulder to his successor? If so, it’s awfully petty.
“I’m not sure why it would — politics is politics,” said Maxwell, president of Fresno Young Democrats. “At the end of the day you have to bury the hatchet in order to serve people who put you in that position.”
Residents deserve better
My purpose is not to denigrate Caprioglio’s eight years on the City Council. District 4 residents say he was much more active — and responsive — during his first term. His greatest success is probably an initiative called “Light Up Fresno.” Caprioglio received training in street light replacement and performed some of the work himself.
In addition, Fresno City Council President Miguel Arias tells me Caprioglio has not been derelict in his duties as vice president.
“I connect with him three or four times a week on city matters — that’s been my relationship with him,” Arias said. “I’m not familiar with how active he is in his district.”
Unfortunately, the residents of District 4 are all too familiar.
If a council member resigns or leaves office during the final year of their term, the remaining six choose a replacement. In this case, that choice would be obvious. Maxwell is eager and raring to go.
The residents of District 4 would be better served if Maxwell doesn’t have to wait another five months to take office. They deserve an active, engaged representative to steer them through this pandemic and fight for their needs in the September budget hearings.
At this point, Caprioglio is no longer that guy. He should admit the obvious and embrace the fact there’s no shame in riding off into the sunset early.
This story was originally published August 13, 2020 at 11:30 AM.
