FRESNO COUNTY \u2013 The Fresno County Board of Supervisors rang in its first meeting of the new year with a changing of the gavel and a moment of reflection for two supervisors who will leave their seats at the end of the year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As part of the board\u2019s annual reorganization on Jan. 6, Vice Chair Garry Bredefeld moved into the position of board chair and Supervisor Luis Chavez filled the position of vice chair. Bredefeld took over from Board Chair Buddy Mendes, who will not seek reelection in November and plans to retire at the end of his term.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSupervisor Mendes, you are a tough act to follow,\u201d Bredefeld said. \u201cTremendous things have been accomplished this year under your leadership, and I, for one, am very grateful. \u2026 I\u2019ve learned a lot, and I will continue to learn a lot in the last year that you\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mendes is entering his 12th year as a supervisor, having first been elected in 2014. In recognition of his time on the board and the three years he spent as chair, the rest of the board presented Mendes with a special gavel and plaque.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Board members also gifted Mendes a poster of him depicted as Michael Corleone in a famous poster for the movie \u201cThe Godfather,\u201d a nod to a nickname given to Mendes. Mendes\u2019s Chief of Staff Vickie Day also referenced the nickname in a poem she read out during the meeting that she wrote as \u201can ode to Chairman Buddy Mendes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA farmer, a supervisor, you wear those hats well, but there\u2019s a secret I\u2019m dying to tell,\u201d Day said. \u201cHe is known as the Godfather, and we do believe that is a legacy he is destined to leave. To the Godfather as chairman, we must say adieu, but look forward to serving one more year with you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n