fresno elections 2008

I feel that Lemoore should curtail the development area to the west of Highway 41. They have not been building home in this area yet. On this side of Highway 41 they have the West Hill College and Laprino Cheese plant with these noise and the odor from the plant I feel that this is not a compatible use of the land and that the home owners might complain. Keep this as an industrial area and it will be a buffer zone. But again this is the choice of the City of Lemoore to decide. They need to build on the east side of Highway 41 where they have housing now.

In regards to the issue of new residential development in the flight path of the Naval Air Station in Lemoore, I would be very concerned about any development that would jeopardize the viability of the Naval Air Station. The importance of the base to the local economy (and to the nation’s security) is of higher importance than a residential development; however it is my understanding that the property in question was zoned for residential development in the General Plan several years ago, thus giving the property owner a reasonable expectation to be able to develop the property for residential use. It is unfortunate that this potential conflict was not realized when the General Plan was adopted several years ago. The issue is primarily a City of Lemoore issue to decide and I hope that they will be able to come to a solution that is fair to the property owner without compromising the viability of the Naval Air Base.

Lemoore should put a moratorium on any expansion to the west of Highway 41. That would give them time to do a land use study which the Navy has suggested. During the last BRAC process, the Fresno Bee called me and asked what we would do if L.N.A.S. were to be shut down. My answer was, "I can't even imagine it, because it would be so devastating to our economy". We could never replace the jobs. Our Board has done everything to support the base as has the City of Lemoore. We have maintained a united front that says you are wanted and we will protect you from the first day the base was built. Now you have people who have not been around as long as most of us, and who believe that this is not that big a deal and that the Navy is overreacting, that the Navy has plenty of green belt to protect them from encroachment. These people are wrong. The base is competing for new aircraft, new aircraft tend to be louder; and speaking from a "hail cannon" perspective people are not understanding of loud noises that impact their homes. In balance, the risk of allowing growth in this area outweighs the benefit, period. In war, you cannot show weakness. We are at war with other areas of our country for military bases. We cannot afford to show any chink in what has been a united front for 45 years.