Seriously? The best way you thought to promote restarting Fulton Mall's fountains was a homeless gentleman taking a quick bath (photo Aug. 20)?
That will certainly bring new business and vitality to the area. Not.
Wow, I am finding it hard to wait to go to the Fulton Mall to see some homeless person take a bath. That has been on my bucket list for years.
The Aug. 20 picture in The Bee sure does not paint a pretty one or make you want to get in your car, drive downtown and find a parking space so you can watch someone taking a bath. And they wonder why.
A spurned Fresno man says a diamond-studded engagement ring he gave to his former fiancée belongs to him, and he wants it back – especially since the ring is worth $52,550.
James Mekalian, 45, has sued Nichole Grazioli, 30, in Fresno County Superior Court for fraud and deceit in connection with the couple's April breakup.
Mekalian is asking the court to order Grazioli to return the 4-carat diamond ring and a 2006 Hummer to him. He also wants Grazioli to pay for nearly $1,000 in credit card bills that she charged after the breakup, as well as pay him damages for emotional distress.
Seven of 18 fountains have sprang to life on Fresno's Fulton Mall. It's a small but visible sign that the administration of Mayor Ashley Swearengin, after 30 months of talking and planning, is ready to deliver on a campaign promise to re-energize Fresno's downtown.
From graffiti to reading the handwriting on the wall (of Chukchansi Park), readers were caught up in concerns about how public money is spent and how top officials do their jobs.
Fake driver's licenses, a fight over a pricey engagement ring, and a pay decision by Fresno County's schools superintendent sparked a flurry of reader comments. Meanwhile, Fresno's effort to rehab Fulton Mall's fountains drew praise from some readers, but others were put off by a photograph of a homeless man bathing in one of the restored fountains.
Here are the top stories of the past week, along with selected comments posted by readers at fresnobee.com.
What happened: Federal authorities say DMV employees in Fresno and their associates took payoffs to provide commercial driver's licenses to people who didn't pass the required tests.
What it means: Unqualified drivers are piloting big rigs, cement trucks and other large commercial vehicles on the state's highways and present a threat not only to public safety, but also national security.
What readers said:
"As the holder of a Class A license I can tell you for sure if you don't know what you are doing in a truck the outcome WILL BE A DISASTER. I have driven well over one million miles without an accident, but without the training I received I'm sure that I would not be so fortunate."
"I am glad they were caught, I hate corruption, and there are a lot of good people out there who are unemployed who will do a good job for all of us, many thanks to who ever caught them!!"
What happened: Fresnan James Mekalian sued former fiancée Nichole Grazioli for the return of her $52,000 diamond-studded engagement ring and 2006 Hummer -- both gifts from Mekalian -- after she dumped him.
What it means: The lawsuit cites a state law that says a gift offered to a potential spouse can be retrieved if the betrothed calls off the wedding.
What readers said:
"If takes a \ ring for her to be with you, she is using you dude! What an idiot! Someone that really loves you will be with you even when you are broke!"
"You're kidding, right? Mekalian hired attorney Attashian, and the Bee sought comments from attorneys Margosian and Tatarian? Was Pooboojian not also available? Let me guess, Mekalian bought the ring from Vartanian. Maybe this case can be investigated by Mannix. Then it can be tried at the new 5th district court of appeals building located in "Old ... (too easy, complete your own punchline)."
What happened: Fresno city officials have filled seven of the fountains along Fulton Mall and turned on the pumps. The six-block-long mall has 18 fountains, and all had been empty for about two years.
What it means: Restarting the fountains is part of the city's effort to revitalize downtown. The city is preparing to unveil long-awaited urban renewal plans within the next two months. But challenges remain, including homeless who rifle through trash and bathe in the fountains.
What readers said:
"I spent last weekend in Riverside at a place called the Mission Inn. It is a hotel that opens onto a beautiful outdoor mall with mid- and high-priced stores. Nice sandwich shop, cupcake store, Italian restaurant. It was incredibly beautiful!! But 10 years ago it looked worse than the Fulton Mall. Improving downtown Fresno IS doable."
"If they're going to do this right, do one of two things, A: Get rid of everything and turn it back into Fulton Street (my choice), or B: Redesign downtown to make it look like some of the great downtowns in America. Examples, Santa Barbara's Stearn's Wharf, Las Vegas' Fremont Street Experience etc."
Catching Up is compiled by Bee editors. Go to fresnobee.com/catchingup/ to comment or learn more about these stories.
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