FRESNO, CA – In politics, four years barely scratches the service for what needs to get done in such a short time period: most politicians encompassing a new office spend the first two years getting acclimated with processes, constituents, meetings and more meetings, and of course, mundane paperwork.
In between it all, they somehow still have to convince voters for the next term that a lot had been done in just a few years; such is the case with District 1 Fresno County Supervisor, Brian Pacheco.
Featured on The ONME Network online TV show, The Conversation, Sunday, April 22, Pacheco touted that within those four years, there were numerous goals he was able to tackle in that short amount of time; there was not enough time to review all 12 pages of the work completed during the 25-minute allotment of time during the show, but here are some key items Pacheco has voted on and supported since 2015 as a Board of Supervisors:
New Drug Court in partnership with the District Attorney’s Office;
New Eagle One helicopter to combat crime from the sky;
Funding to improve County 9-1-1 system and adequately staff dispatch;
Funding for Domestic Violence Unit & Victim Restitution Program;
Funding for Internet Crimes Against Children Program;
Partner with City of Fresno for Safe Neighborhoods and High intensity drug traffic areas;
Additional staffing for District Attorney, Public Defender and Probation departments to more quickly process criminals;
Adult Offender Work Program to perform roadside work with CalTrans;
Partnership with California Highway Patrol to combat auto theft;
Pacheco, a fourth-generation family farmer and dairyman in Fresno County, has an in-depth agricultural background that stems from his educational experience and rich family history of over a 100 years in the ag industry: His great-grandfather began dairying in the early 1900’s.
In reference to small businesses, Pacheco is no stranger to hard work and the benefits of helping small businesses succeed.
“When businesses thrive, more people find good jobs,” stated Pacheco on his website, making economic development a priority:
Formation of the County of Fresno Economic Development Action Team;
Agreement with the Economic Development Corporation to help new and existing businesses be successful;
Provide employment and vocational skills training to help recipients of the Welfare to Work
Program find job placements with participating employers;
Help Cal Works clients obtain new job skills that lead to higher wages
After graduating from Kerman High School, Pacheco attended the University of California, Davis, earning his bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics, where he excelled and was the commencement speaker at his college graduation. He also received the Award of Distinction from the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Not only does Pacheco have an understanding of the needs of Valley farmers, his hand in education has given him a deeper perspective of what is lacking in the local school systems. As an elected member of the Kerman Unified School Board of Trustees, he has always been a strong advocate of public education:
Agreement with Marjaree Mason Center for family violence counseling services;
Funding for three new libraries including one in Highway City;
K-12 grade early mental health intervention program;
Agreement for Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program;
Agreement with Economic Opportunities Commission for At-risk after school meals program;
Assistance to improve outcomes for youth in foster care;
Funding for Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program;
Truancy Intervention Program & Targeted reentry program at the Juvenile Justice Campus;
Funding for programs at the Poverello House, Youth Centers of America and the Boys and Girls
Clubs of Fresno County
Pacheco has demonstrated his dedication to the community by serving and volunteering for various philanthropic organizations: he is the past president of the Fresno County Farm Bureau; member of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving; member of the Fresno, Biola and Kerman Chambers of Commerce; member of the Board of Directors of Community Regional Medical Center and the Agency on Aging Foundation; former member of the Human Resources Advisory Board and member of the Nisei Farmers League.
Attending church in Kerman, CA, with his wife Alena and three children, Pacheco has also been an usher and chairman of his church’s finance committee for the last 20 years.
Pacheco has been the 4H Dairy Project Leader for more than 8 years, where he and his wife have served as the Kerman 4H Community Club Leaders, helping the youth prepare their 4H and FFA animals.
For 2019, Pacheco’s goals include:
Continue supporting and improving Public Safety;
Continue to collaborate with the City of Fresno to more efficiently serve residents;
Maintain local control of safe and reliable water supply;
Repair and improve roads;
Help families in need.