Gun safety groups object to out-of-touch Fresno promo video | Opinion

Out-of-touch promo video

“Promo video for Fresno with helicopters, guns and county supervisor stirs reactions,”

The promotional video for Fresno County’s upcoming State of the County address raises an important question: Why are guns, specifically assault rifles, the centerpiece of an official county event?

The video features Supervisor Garry Bredefeld firing guns, riding in military vehicles and embracing action-movie imagery. This seems an odd way to promote a discussion of county government.

Enough Gun Violence, a local organization affiliated with Brady United Against Gun Violence, hears regularly from people concerned about the impact of gun violence on our communities. Enough Gun Violence promotes gun safety and responsible gun ownership. But for many residents, firearms are reminders of lives lost, families shattered and the ongoing challenge of keeping our communities safe.

The State of the County event should focus on the issues that affect Fresno County residents every day: public safety, housing, education, economic opportunity, health care and infrastructure. Those challenges deserve thoughtful discussion, not Hollywood-style exploitation.

Our elected officials have every right to express their personal views. But when promoting an official public event, they should seek to unite and inform the community rather than celebrate weapons.

Rev. Nancy Key

President, Enough Gun Violence/Brady Greater Fresno

Unconscionable act by supervisors

“Let Fresno voters decide on a Measure C replacement,” (fresnobee.com, July 17)

It is unconscionable that three members of the Board of Supervisors — who are supposed to be representatives of the county’s population — should ignore the wishes of at least 22,000 of their constituents who signed a petition in support of the Better Roads plan for Measure C.

Supervisors Garry Bredefeld, Nathan Magsig and Buddy Mendes have attempted to set up a roadblock so that by the time another review of the plan is complete it will be too late to include it on the November ballot, and therefore also prevent access to over $200 million in local, federal and state funding.

If those same supervisors are truly interested in their constituents’ welfare and wishes and the county’s financial health, they should direct their staff to complete the study by August 7 in time for the November ballot.

Francine M. Farber

Fresno

Living in fear

“Are 911 calls answered fast enough in Fresno? Vacancies, low pay, stress can slow progress,” (fresnobee.com, July 21)

I have a spouse on oxygen with limited time to live. I’m concerned that our 911 service is too slow in answering true emergency calls. Calling the line prompts a long speech about how to reach the non-emergency line before letting a true emergency call through.

For people in crisis, every second counts. The call should go straight to an operator. I fear for anyone with a true emergency in Fresno.

Jonni Pettit

Fresno