in the pages: MAR 11, 2011

Dyergate: The end of Dyer? LET’S EAT!

the

INSIDE THE
DUES
FRESNO
FOOD EXPO

A LOOK AT
DOWNTOWN’S
BALLPARK CAFE
dailydues.com
 The calendar says 2011...
The political parties say 2012.

C KE T
E TI I CA L N E W S

TH POLIT

POLITICS.DAILYDUES.COM
 IN THE PAGES
the
DUES VOL 2, No. 4

the
DUES
is a publication of the
Daily Dues.

All content is
copyrighted to its
respective owner.

Contact the DUES:

Email:
info@dailydues.com

Twitter: @dailydues
A group of visitors to the Fresno Food Expo eat up some ribs on the ground
Facebook: floor of The Grand. Photo: The Daily Dues.
fb.dailydues.com HOMEBUILDERS ASSAULT DEFECT
REVIEW: BALLPARK CAFE LAWSUITS
Steps away from Chukchansi Another lawsuit for Fresnoʼs top
Park, the Ballpark Cafe is cop has some people
Downtownʼs latest addition with wondering: is this the end of
food aplenty. PG. 3 Jerry? PG. 5
THE DUES
NETWORK THE TICKET: WHY FRESNO MATTERS COVER: DELICIOUS: ACCOMPLISHED
TO JEFF DENHAM Whatʼs happened at Fresnoʼs
With Census data for California newest downtown event. PG. 8
The Record
now in, Denham and other
record.dailydues.com
Valley congressmen prepare for
The Ticket 2012 new district lines. PG. 6 FOTOGRAPH: DENHAM IN FRESNO
politics.dailydues.com
The Freshman House member
The Dues Review DYERGATE: THE END OF DYER? makes a stop in Fresno for a
review.dailydues.com Another lawsuit for Fresnoʼs top budget townhall. PG. 18
cop has some people
wondering: is this the end of
Jerry? PG. 12

DAILY DUES
THE
The Latest
from the
Interwebs.

The Daily Dues

BRIEFING ROOM
 REVIEW 3

Ballpark Café in Downtown Fresno

BALLPARK CAFÉ
LOCATION: 1920 TULARE STREET

FOOD: 8.8/10 (B+)

SERIVCE: 7.8/10 (C+)
DÉCOR: 10/10 (A+)

OVERALL GRADE: 88.7% (B+)

Suggestion: Must Try

Specialty: American Food

A new Downtown lunch
spot worth a try.
Thereʼs a new restaurant a few
steps away from Chukchansi
Park, home of the Fresnoʼs own
Grizzlies. Today, the we tried out
downtown Fresnoʼs Ballpark
Cafe with some jittery
excitement as someone
attempts to connect Fresnoʼs
downtown team to the ever-
developing Fulton Mall.
THE FOOD
What kind of restaurant doesnʼt
have good food? Unfortunatley,
plenty. However, Ballpark
doesnʼt fall prey to this problem
with delicious American grub.
From creative hot dogs and
hamburgers to the good
sandwiches and even wings,
there arenʼt too many problems
to be had with the food. Itʼs a
place that really matches the
park cuisine, but catered to a
table (not a stadium seat).
FOOD GRADE: 8.8/10 (B)
THE SERVICE
Overall, the staff is extremely
friendly; from a greeting when
you walk in the door to ordering
your food to leaving the cafe,
thereʼs always someone making
sure youʼre doing well. However,
there were a few problems
along the way. Granted, the
restaurant is only a few days
old. The time it took to order our
food (including the time standing
in a fairly short line) was around
10 minutes. That wasnʼt exactly
spectacular. After ordering,
though, receiving our food took
far less time.
SERVICE GRADE: 7.8/10 (C)
ATMOSPHERE/DECOR
Filled with Giants memorabilia,
what could go wrong? In all
honesty: nothing. With four (yes,
four) flat screens providing OVERALL GRADE: 88.7% (B+)
coverage of Spring Training and
other sports, there wasnʼt
anything to complain about.
While this is Fresno, not San
Francisco, Iʼd hope to see some
Grizzlies stuff up (given that the
store front is a walk away from
the front gate of Chuk. As a
Giants fan, though, it was very
impressive.
I almost forgot to mention: the
cafe has a second floor with
some seating, one of the four
TVs and a pool table. Nice place
to relax, if I do say so myself.
ATMOSPHEREGRADE: 10/10
(A)
Given that Ballpark Cafe has
only been open for a few days,
Iʼm utterly impressed with the
place. With plenty of Giants
memorabilia to relish in
(REPEAT CHAMPIONSHIP!!!)
and great food; this is a place
that should definitely be on your
“must try” list.
 NEWS & MORE
from TWITTER

Daily Dues
Review

review.dailydues.com
 THE RECORD
Introduced nearly two months ago, California
State Assemblywoman Linda Haldermanʼs
litigation reform bill (AB 20) seemed a little out of
place in her Assembly agenda. After a Fresno
City Council hearing February 17 on frivolous
construction defect litigation, the pieces of the
puzzle seem to be falling into place.
The meeting, which did not adopt Council
President Lee Brandʼs resolution, allowed for
testimony from Granville President Darius Assemi
and Bonadelle Neighborhoods leader John
Bonadelle.
While litigation reform is nowhere near subject
matter jurisdiction of the council, it does provide
for a much larger discussion about overbearing
litigation on homebuilders from statewide law
firms engaging in trend lawsuits. Some firms,
including one in Santa Monica, dedicate
5
Homebuilders go to
City Hall, Assembly
for litigation reforms
Granville Homes president Darius
Assemi and Bonadelle
Neighborhoods president John
Bonadelle pushed for Construction-
Defect litigation reform before the
City Hall. Now theyʼre heading to
Sacramento for real action.
numerous lawyers to sue home builders in class-
action suits.
The real question to be asked is: Why are two
home building business leaders going to the City
Council and not the State Assembly? The
answer: Theyʼre getting there.
Haldermanʼs tort reform bill is the legislative foot-
in-the-door for the two industry leaders.  Next is a
nice long hearing with plenty of testimony on the
Cal Channel.
The bill, which was assigned to the Judiciary
Committee a month ago, may finally see the light
of day.
THE RECORD is the political section of the Daily
Dues.
Go to record.dailydues.com for more political
news.
 THE TICKET 6

WHY FRESNO MATTERS

TO JEFF DENHAM
Jeff Denham is riding out a worry across California:
that his district will be significantly redrawn by the
California Citizens Redistricting Commission

Left: Then-Sen. Jeff Denham in Sacramento before

being elected to Congress. Photo: ABC NEWS

Two months into his first term as a Congressman,
Rep. Jeff Denham (CA-19) has learned a very
invaluable lesson: Fresno matters. The southern
most part of Denhamʼs Central Valley district is
the economic heart of Fresno and home to north
of Shaw residents. While many voters across his
district make up more of the population, Fresnans
contribute quite a bit more hay to the campaign.
With major endorsements for the upcoming 19th
Congressional District race originating from
Fresno (including the Lincoln Club of Fresno
County, Central Valley Tea Party Patriots and
various big money GOP donors), Denham has
begun to focus his attention on Fresno. Then
thereʼs the other reason: redistricting.
With much focus on the Californiaʼs new Citizens
Redistricting Commission, the upside to
Californiaʼs stabilizing census result is that
(theoretically) the Central Valley will receive a
new Congressional seat in 2012. The translation
for Denham: a new district with more Fresnans
than in 2010.
This shift in Congressional politics puts Fresnans
(currently represented by three men) with the
opportunity to elect another Fresnan (currently,
Fresno is only represented by one Fresnan: Jim
Costa). That puts freshman Denham in the
possible hot seat, granted that the prospective
seat adds new Fresno voters to the constituency.
In order for Denham to start currying favor with
the Ash Tree City, heʼs been spending plenty of
time gaining recognition. From observing the
innerworkings of Fresno-area businesses to
Fresno Yosemite International. Also, heʼs been
bringing the Washington discussion back to
Fresno, not in any other main city of the 19th.
The first discussion, a House Transportation and
Infrastructure listening session with Florida
Chairman John Mica, was held in Fresno where
the issue of high speed rail was nearly crushed
by the two members of Congress.
Two weeks later, Denham is hosting a townhall
meeting on the budget with Fresno County
Supervisor Debbie Poochigian and Fresno City
Councilmember Larry Westerlund.
THE TICKET is the election hub of the Daily
Dues.
Go to politics.dailydues.com
 W I T H
C I A L
T S O UE S
GE I LY D
E D A
T H
.dailydues.com

twitter.com/dailydues

foursquare.com/user/dailydues
DELICIOUS:
ACCOMPLISHED

4
 It was good eating...
Itʼs all in the Pom.
Left: Twin Pomegranates
Wine was the crowd
favorite among the 10th
floor exhibitors at the
Fresno Food Expo.
Initially created to provide food producers with the
opportunity to meet high-demand buyers, the
Fresno Food Expo also proved to be quite a
hopping place for Fresnans.
The Expo, created by the Downtown and
Community Revitalization Department, provided
for a great springboard towards Downtown
revitalization. One thing is clear: people will still go
to downtown for big events, exciting events. And
this expo was one of them.
With plenty of around-the-town vendors from
Valley Lahvosh Bakery to Zacky Farms to
National Raisin Company, the event provided a
great opportunity to meet the growers and makers
of the unique food that makes the Central Valley
so special.
To boil it down, the expo was the kind of event
that ABC 30's Taste of the Valley would be proud
of.
9
From the various vendors providing delicious
food, there were two vendors that we'd like to
highlight. Both vendors, attempting to start and
grow their businesses, made a huge mark on the
crowd at the Fresno Food Expo.
P*DE*Q
Yesterday, we introduced you to P*DE*Q
(pronounced pee-dee-que) a new food business
venture from Brazilian-born Flavia Takahashi-
Flores. Her tapioca-based cheese balls have the
potential to be a hit in cafés and restaurants in the
Valley.
The Fresno State grad is looking for a good
opportunity to build up a brand new business, and
something from her own heritage has fit in
perfectly.
TWIN POMEGRANATES WINES
Finally making a mark in the Valley, Twin
Pomegranates Wines had a big showing with the the insiders to her attendance during the public
public crowd during the Expo. Grown in Fresno, event.
Twin Pomegranates sends their fresh crop of
pomegranates to San Luis Obispo County to be
fermented; then the wine is shipped back to
Fresno.

Used as an ingredient at cupcake bakery Frosted

Bakery in the Tower District, Twin Pomegranates
has an assured market in the Valley after the
Expo.

WHO DOMINATES “SELL LOCAL?”

The event also showcased where the Valley's

growers and food makers sell their products. For
most new or growing food makers, the northwest
Fresno grocer The Market, was a haven for Mayor Ashley Swearengin at the Fresno Food Expo.
marketing and selling goods.

From Valley-made Hottie Biscotti to the extremely

popular Twin Pomegranate wine, The Market has But she wasnʼt alone.
been supplying the Valley's goods to customers
who are in the "Buy Local" state of mind. During the public event, City Council members
Lee Brand, Clint Olivier, Blong Xiong, Andreas
Like Takahasi-Floresʼs P*DE*Qs, there were Borgeas and Oliver Baines were in attendance.
many businesses that were brand new or recently Given the packed crowd at the expo, there is no
starting-up, offering consumers a chance to try doubt that Council member Larry Westerland was
also eating the event up.
their products (a move that could wind their
products into stores or restaurants). It goes without saying that the man behind the
event, Revitalization czar Craig Scharton, was in
If thereʼs one thing in Fresno that beats out a attendance and lavishing in the success of the
popular exposition; itʼs an expo that has plenty of event.
food. Given that, the Food expo was a jackpot
winner for people wanting to have good food from With the event over, and people still full from their
their favorites and some new places theyʼve exploration of Valley flavors, the question for
never heard about Scharton and the City is this: how do we replicate
this every night?
THE POLITICS OF FOOD
That question could take a very long time to
While not any form of political function, there were answer. From the relaxed parking meters to the
plenty of members of the City government in well-organized event, there are plenty of
attendance at the Fresno Food Expo. From ingredients for success when the Fresno Chili
Mayor Ashley Swearenginʼs opening remarks to Festival comes around.

10
LOOKING TO NEXT YEAR

Swearengin had hoped that the expo would

become an annual event in Fresno. Coupled with
selling out the event, having a great attendance
rate and, of course, delicious food. Thereʼs a
great chance that the event could be back.

But thereʼs one other issue to weigh: do buyers

really like what producers and makers are selling
them? Some of the up-and-comers are on their
way to gaining some very good deals with
markets and restaurants; others might not,
however.

In either respect, the Fresno Food Expo was a

night of good eating.

In the Pictures:

Clockwise: Wawona
Frozen Foods, P*DE*Q,
Valley Lavosh Bakery,
Cuties Clementines

11
DYERGATE
IS JERRY DYER ON
HIS WAY OUT?
An oriental ringtone for Fresno City Council Thatʼs not a good sign for Jerry Dyer, a public
member Blong Xiong? In the words of Mike Oz: servant whose star was shining ever bright as a
“Say it ainʼt so Jerry!” crime fighter and burgeoning political insider (as
evidenced by his work with Gov. Jerry Brown).
According to a lawsuit filed by Deputy Chiefs But this suit is an ugly one; uglier than many of
Robert Nevarez and Sharon Shaffer (represented the past complaints against him regarding racist
by big win attorney Warren Paboojian), Fresno hiring and promotion practices.
Police Chief Jerry Dyer has been making If the suit is to go to trial, the discovery period will
seriously demeaning remarks about black, Asian either provide hard evidence of the Deputy
and female workers in the police department; but Chiefsʼ claims or will prove, as the Fresno PD
his prejudicial moves, according to the suit, head internal investigation did, inconclusive of any real
into City Hall as well. wrongdoing

The Beeʼs Pablo Lopez goes into some of the Hereʼs our perspective is this: with the number of
detail on Dyerʼs conduct in regards to his diverse EEOC complaints, and lawsuits regarding Dyerʼs
staff and colleagues. gender and racial conduct; somethingʼs got to
give. If this was one or two complaints, the

“
When Dyer refers to African-Americans,
including employees, he allegedly sings a
slave song: “Mammyʼs little baby loves
shortʼnin bread.”
…later…
Dyer also referred to a female Japanese
employee “as his little Geisha Girl,” the
lawsuit says. When Council Member Blong
Xiong calls him, Dyerʼs cell phone ring tone is
“an Oriental sounding ring tone,” the suit says.
complainer might hold a grudge with the Chief.
But with the number of complaints about racial or
gender improprieties, Dyerʼs public perception
might not be as good as it used to be.
Another thing of note: Every high-level member of
the Autry administration has left City Government
since Mayor Ashley Swearengin, except Chief
Dyer. Could this be Dyerʼs exit from his service as
a man-in-blue. Or even worse: A return to growing
hair on his head.
Quite possibly, these claims alone (even if they
turn out to be, at some level, false) could have
enough impact to get Dyer out of the Police
Department and allow Swearenginʼs “sorority” to
pick a new chief.

12
 FOTOGRAPH
DENHAM IN FRESNO

Following his second townhall meeting, Rep. Jeff Denham spoke

directly to voters in the 19th Congressional District. Denham’s townhall
meeting related to President Obama’s FY 2o12 Budget
Photo: The Daily Dues

FOTOGRAPH
13
It’s What We’re
Made Of.