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On Thursday, dozens of lawmakers gathered at Selma City Hall, disappointed over Governor Jerry Brown’s recent $ 1-billion emergency drought package. Part of the Governor’s billion dollar emergency drought package would give the Valley some food, and bottled water.
The local elected officials we spoke to on Thursday say they’re grateful for what the Governor is offering, but what they really want- and need- is water for showers, flushing toilets, and water for crops.
Scott Robertson, the Mayor of Selma, orchestrated the gathering. He said, "Sin agua, sin trabajo, no vida. No water, no work, no life."
Fresno County Supervisor Buddy Mendes exclaimed, "Governor, are you asleep?"
Phil Larson, a former Fresno County Supervisor said, "That doesn’t work, Governor. Governor, wake up! Here’s where the food is produced, here’s where the crops are given, and here is where the employment is had!"
Robertson stated that because of the historic drought and lack of water in the Valley, farmers and farm workers have lost jobs, and it’s killed the economy and spirit of many local cities.
"In the Valley, however, water is a health issue. It’s an economic issue. And, it’s an urgent issue," said Robertson.
Brown issued an order on Wednesday requiring all cities across California to take unprecedented action to conserve water. He is calling on all residents of the state to cut their water use by 25-percent.
Brian Pacheco, a Fresno County Supervisor said, "We appreciate the offer of food and assistance, but the people of District One, which I represent, the Westside of Fresno County, we want a job. And, without water, we can’t get a job."
Many like Pacheco are asking the Governor to pump more water from the delta, into the Central Valley. They said that is what will slowly bring back jobs and life back into the heart of California.
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