Today was swearing-in day for a new crop of elected officials at Fresno City Hall. Two new council members, Paul Capgriolio representing District 4 and Steve Brandau representing District 2, were sworn in for the first time, as well as Lee Brand who was reelected to represent District 6.
Mayor Ashley Swearengin also used the start of her second term to highlight her goals for the next four years. Swearengin says she sees Fresno as what she calls “a turnaround city,” and called for the city to return to fiscal health.
She also addressed the current controversy over outsourcing the city’s residential solid waste program. The program is currently the subject of a petition drive from a union representing city sanitation workers. Union officials hope to overturn the city council's decision to privatize the service and send the issue to voters in a special election.
"I've heard it said recently, that I have an agenda, and that it is an anti-union agenda. Let me correct the record. I don't have an anti-union agenda. I have an anti-insolvency agenda," said Swearengin.
Swearengin also outlined plans for economic development focusing on growing the local food industry, a call for more trails within the city and a revitalized downtown, with an indoor public market.