ChamberPAC Announces Candidate Endorsements for the Fresno Unified School Board

The Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee (ChamberPAC) today announced its endorsements of three candidates for the Fresno Unified School Board for the 2008 November election: Manuel Nunez, Trustee #2, Natalie Clark, Trustee #5 and Janet Ryan, Trustee #6.

Fresno Unified School Board Incumbent Manuel G. Nunez worked at CSU Fresno from 1974 until he retired in1998. He has been a board member for Fresno Unified since 1990. Nunez is running on a platform of improving student achievement, improving on truancy and to increasing graduation rates.
 

Janet Ryan is currently serving on the Fresno Unified School board, with a

Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Behavior from the University of San Francisco. She has served as president of and is the Western Regional Director for The Concord Coalition, worked as president of Citizens for Integrity in Government, and established the Coalition for Clean Campaigns. Janet was elected to the Fresno Unified School District’s Board of Trustees in November 2004, and has the support of the chamber for the 2008-2009 election as well.

Newcomer Natalie Clark is a Lifelong Fresno resident with an MBA from Fresno State, a mother of two and co-owner of Fresno County’s longest running plant nursery business. Clark is also a board member of Tree Fresno as well as a PTA member of Hamilton Elementary; she is a co-organizer for Fresno Juvenile Diabetes Walk for PG&E and volunteers with PG&E’s Government Relations Team on Children’s Hospital Central California Kid’s Day Fundraiser.

The Chamber believes it is important for the business community to endorse and elect school board candidates that believe in the same values as business owners and trust these candidates understand the importance of encouraging a skilled and educated workforce and discourage crime in our community by promoting graduation rates. “Fresno Unified School Board Elections are approaching, and Fresno residents will have an opportunity to have dramatic impact on the future of our education system and our entire community. The Fresno ChamberPAC is asking all business owners to partner with us and make this a top priority in the election on November 4, 2008 by considering the candidates we support. Let’s educate now to stop crime and develop a healthy workforce later” stated Al Smith, President and CEO of the Fresno Chamber.
 

The Fresno Chamber of Commerce’s Political Action Committee (PAC) officially announced its endorsement for Henry T. Perea for the next Mayor of Fresno. Perea, who announced his candidacy for Mayor in November of 2007, is currently serving as the Fresno City Council member for District 7.

Henry Perea’s vote record on City Council sheds the light on his ability to understand the needs of business in our community. According to the Fresno Chamber of Commerce’s 2007 report card Perea voted over 70% of the time with the Chamber in 2007, making him one of the top business friendly council members. While in addition, Perea has been a great supporter of public safety integration, an effort the Chamber has been leading since 2006.

The endorsement for Perea has come after an extensive interview process, where he has proven to the business community that he is the most forward thinking and collaborative candidate running for Mayor; both qualities being extremely important in the upcoming Mayoral race in order to advance the City of Fresno. Perea has continuously impressed the Fresno Chamber PAC with his forward thinking on efforts to revitalize our downtown, making it a thriving economic engine where businesses can thrive. Perea has also shown great leadership through his ability to collaborate community efforts to make Fresno a leader in improving air quality.

"The decision on who to endorse was not easy by any means, but we feel that Henry can take our City to the next level given his proven leadership abilities, his common sense business approach and his ability to collaborate with the different interests that make our City so unique," stated Al Smith, President and CEO of the Fresno Chamber.