Debbie Poochigian elected chair of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors

Published: Tuesday February 14, 2012

Supervisor Poochigian at an area event.

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Fresno - Debbie Poochigian, who represents District 5 on the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, was elected Chairman of the Board on January 10.

After assuming the Chairmanship, Poochigian thanked her colleagues for the opportunity to lead the board in the year ahead. She stated, "Many of the decisions made in Sacramento have a profound effect on Fresno County. They have spent generations spending every dime and more and now when times get tough they find it difficult to ratchet back."

She continued, "We can't just pretend to fix our problems. We must have the courage to tackle them head on. In these tough budget times, we must continue to hold the line on spending and have the courage to make necessary cuts. We have made some hard choices - and the times require that we continue to do so. I believe even though it may be tough, even though it may be unpopular, we must have the courage to do what needs to be done."

Poochigian concluded her remarks with the following resolutions for the coming year:

Let us resolve... To not stand by as Sacramento politicians make us more vulnerable.

To develop goals that will build opportunities for success.

To show common sense and willingness to make tough choices, even if not popular, that will strengthen us over time.

To recognize the damage that can be done by kicking the proverbial can down the road.

To resist the temptation to accept illusive offers of assistance from Sacramento and Washington if they will lead to a deeper fiscal rut that weaken us fiscally.

To live within our means and not bet the farm on optimistic assessments of when and to what extent recovery will come.

To find ways of making local government more open and accountable. And, to thoughtfully, efficiently, and respectfully deliver public services and get the most value for the least expense to Fresno County taxpayers.

Poochigian is a lifelong resident of Fresno County and is currently serving her first term on the Board. Her family has been farming in Fresno County for four generations. She has been married to Justice Chuck Poochigian for 35 years. Supervisor Poochigian remains very active in the community, her church and has taught Sunday School for over 36 years. She and her husband have three children, two daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren.

District 5 is comprised of 3,200 square miles and includes portions of the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains, a national park, thousands of acres of prime agricultural land, and a rich mix of urban and suburban areas - including parts of the Cities of Fresno and Clovis.

For more information, contact Sue Garabedian at 559-600-5000.