Whitman voices support for $11b state water bond

Picking a side in a debate that could split the GOP, gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman has come out in favor of the $11 billion water bond that lawmakers recently placed on the November 2010 ballot.

Whitman initially gave a cautious response to the bond, but her press secretary told The Bee this week that the candidate would be voting yes.

“Meg believes providing water to communities across the state is too important to delay the process once again,” Sarah Pompei said in an e-mail. “She will vote in support of the measure on the ballot and will work to fix the broken process in Sacramento as governor.”

GOP candidate Tom Campbell gave the most positive review in the days after the bond’s passage, saying the “fundamentals” of the deal “all appear to be the right ones.”

Steve Poizner, who is also seeking the GOP nomination, is undecided.

Most Valley farm groups support the bond, which potentially includes money for a proposed dam near Fresno. But some fiscal conservatives have criticized the borrowing, which will cost the state up to $809 million in annual debt service at its peak.

– E.J. Schultz

Poizner talks water in Fresno

Speaking of Steve Poizner, the gubernatorial candidate was in Fresno campaigning Friday and said more water storage is crucial for California’s long-term economic future. But he remained noncommittal about the water bond measure.

Poizner, the state’s insurance commissioner, didn’t directly address the bond as he spoke to about four dozen Fresno Chamber of Commerce members. “We need to build more dams; I support that,” he said. “We clearly need to invest in more water storage systems.”

But Poizner told reporters before his speech that he continues to evaluate the bond measure that legislators put on next fall’s ballot — the same ballot on which he hopes his name will also appear as the Republican nominee for governor.

“The bond measure has its pluses and minuses, and we’re taking a look at all of those,” he said. “We need to build more dams in California, and this bond may do that … but I want to take a closer look.”

Poizner said he’ll “press for immediate action to turn on the [delta] pumps and get water flowing to farmers now.”

– Tim Sheehan

Another fundraiser

Whitman, meanwhile, came to Fresno on Thursday for another fundraiser, this one at the home of developer John Bonadelle.

But how many more times can she tap this well before it runs dry?

Fresno, though a reliable source for GOP dollars, has never been high on the state’s wealth meter. There are wealthy people here, but not in the numbers in other GOP strongholds like Orange and San Diego counties.

Earlier this year, Whitman picked up $25,000 from Donaghy Sales. River Park Properties II, which is controlled by Fresno developer Ed Kashian, also gave $25,000.

Developer Richard Spencer gave $10,000 and Granville Homes and its various principles, as well as several from the local ag community, have chipped in quite a bit.

It’s all low-hanging Republican fruit. From here on out, it will get more difficult to fish out the dollars.

– John Ellis

Magsigs on Dr. Phil

Clovis City Council Member Nathan Magsig has gone Hollywood — sort of.

Magsig says there is nothing political about his scheduled Tuesday appearance on the Dr. Phil show. Instead, it will be about potty training.

Magsig says his wife, Julie, is a fan of Dr. Phil and e-mailed the show for potty-training tips. Two days later, the show responded and asked for a photo, and then a video.

A few weeks ago, a film crew came to Clovis to film the Magsigs at home, and then they went to Los Angeles to tape the show.

Says Magsig: “It was a strange experience, that’s for sure.”

– John Ellis

Ed Eames honored

Ed Eames, the late Fresno resident and activist for the disabled, was honored this week in the Congressional Record. Curiously, it was a Virginia congressman who chose to honor Eames.

In the Record’s Nov. 17 issue, as part of what’s called Extensions of Remarks, Rep. Robert J. Wittman, R-Va., included an homage to Eames. Before passing away Oct. 25 at the age of 79, Eames had founded the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners.

A spokesman for Wittman explained Thursday that one of the congressman’s Virginia constituents had worked with Eames in the past and had urged the lawmaker to pay his respects via the Congressional Record.

– Michael Doyle

Bee staff