Valley Voice Issue 104 (2 November, 2017)

Volume XXXVII No. 21 • 2 November, 2017

www.ourvalleyvoice.com

Visalia Unified Looking to Add Fifth High School Dave Adalian Although plans are still in at the earliest stage, Visalia Unified School District (VUSD) Trustees are gearing up to seek voter approval for a $300 million bond to fund construction of a fifth high school.

At least one long-time VUSD volunteer expert, however, isn’t sure it’s needed.

Zero Population Growth

Visalia may need another high school and soon. Or, it may not. It depends on who you ask.

What isn’t in dispute is the lack of growth of Visalia’s high-school aged population. According to Jerry Jensen, a volunteer who has worked on VUSD bond oversight and facilities committees since the early 1990s, the District will experience no growth in the number of high school students beyond the year 2020, at least from within.

“I’m just a numbers guy. I update (VUSD’s) enrollment projections. I’m just a volunteer,” Jensen said. “I ran the numbers again, and it indicates there are going to be 600 new students [entering

the city’s high schools by 2020], but nothing after that.”

Jensen, who is now retired, spent 30 years as a sales manager for an international consumer goods company.

Crunching numbers on growth was a main staple of his job.

“I spent a lot of time doing consumer demographics,” he said.

VUSD Agrees, Disagrees

“We don’t have any issue with his process or his analysis,” said VUSD Deputy Superintendent Robert Gröeber. “In fact, I think we agree with it.”

But, there’s more to the picture than matriculation of students already enrolled in Visalia’s elementary and junior high schools. Visalia remains a popular place to relocate, and new families coming to the area will bring more highschool aged children with them.

“I think the difference is we still anticipate growth from mobility, people moving into the district,” Gröeber said.

“Especially in the northwest, we see people moving in every year.”

Getting those growth numbers

SCHOOL continued on 12 »

Sanctuary State Designation Doesn’t Change Much, Yet, With Local Law Enforcement Nancy Vigran In early October, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law the California Values Act (SB-54) – the “sanctuary state” bill fighting for immigrant rights, amidst confronting the presidential administration agenda. With the San Joaquin Valley, where an abundance of undocumented residents live, the bill changes little with interaction between local law enforcement and these residents.

Recently, in national news, Attorney General Jeff Sessions has been fighting back against various cities that have declared themselves Sanctuary Cities.

According to NBC News – “Earlier this month [October], Attorney General Jeff Sessions told the four cities — New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and New Orleans — as well as Cook County, Illinois, which includes Chicago, that they appeared to be in violation of a federal statute that requires jurisdictions to comply with federal immigration officials and help to deport suspected undocumented immigrants held in local jails.

The DOJ gave those cities an October 27 deadline to prove compliance, or lose a critical federal grant that supports law enforcement and prosecution,

among other crime-fighting areas.”

As of October 31, no announced updates to the potential grant-loss had been given. It is possible that California law enforcement may face similar threats to funding when the bill goes into effect in January.

Other than that possibility, the sanctuary state status doesn’t affect the Visalia Police Department, said Chief Jason Salazar.

“We don’t participate in immigration raids,” Salazar said. “We don’t ask immigration status, when officers pull someone over, or even if someone is under arrest.”

With regard to grant funding, “that remains to be seen,” Salazar said. The department has received a couple of federal grants, which could be potentially affected in the future.

Shared Information Will See a More Narrow Scope

Kings County Sheriff Dave Robinson said there could be new challenges within the bill. He agrees with Chief Salazar in that there has not been, and will not be, any intent by local law officials to ask immigration status of anyone.

SANCTUARY continued on 10 »

Tulare Regional Medical Center has suspended its services as of October 29, 2017. Hospital officials don’t have a timeline on when the hospital will re-open. Tony Maldonado/Valley Voice

After TRMC Closure, Area Hospitals Prepare for Influx With the shutdown of Tulare Regional Medical Center (TRMC) on October 29, other area hospitals are prepared to take on an additional patient load.

The remaining TRMC patients were transferred to neighboring hospitals late last week, including to Kaweah Delta Health Care District (KDHCD), Sierra View Medical Center (SVMC) and Adventist Health in Reedley.

At KDHCD in Visalia, “We are near or at capacity daily in the acute medical center;” said Laura Florez-McCusker, senior public relations specialist. The hospital has 403 beds.

“We are here to serve the community and provide care for those who need it,” she added. “Like many hospitals, we have experienced times of high patient demand, and we expect that to continue as we move into cold and flu season, a peak time of year for hospitals.

“In recent months, Tulare physi-

Nancy Vigran cians have asked for, and been granted, staff privileges to care for patients at Kaweah Delta.

“Last month, at the request of their doctors, we began receiving patients from Tulare [TRMC]. We always try to accommodate immediate needs for patient transfers from any hospital.”

SVMC is a 167-bed, full-service acute care facility in Porterville. “With our proximity to Tulare Regional, we are preparing to support our neighbors and community to the best of our ability,” Kiley Arce, public relations assistance for the hospital stated on October 27. “We currently have available beds on all nursing units with the exception of our Cardiac Telemetry Unit, which is at capacity.

We also have four patients being held in our Emergency Department at this time awaiting that level of care.”

AREA HOSPITALS continued on 11 »

Two Vie for Ramirez’ Hanford City Council Seat Hanford residents will head to the ballot box on January 23, 2018, where they will be faced with two questions: should City Council Member Francisco Ramirez be recalled, and if so, who should replace him?

Ramirez was first elected in 2014 and represents District D. If 50 percent plus one voters say yes to the recall, then the replacement candidate with the highest number of votes wins.

In that case, voters will have a tough choice between two long-time and active Hanford residents, Shelly Barker and Paula Massey.

According to Jennifer Gomez, Hanford City Clerk, the nomination period ends November 9--but she is not anticipating other candidates coming for-

Catherine Doe ward. She reported that the paperwork normally takes about a week to compete and that no one else had inquired about running.

Shelly Barker – “Being on the City Council is the highest level of service”

Barker didn’t comment on whether or not Ramirez should be recalled but said she has a passion for serving her community. “I am hoping to perhaps bring fresh optics to the council.”

Barker’s goals if elected would be to expand youth activities while at the same time be cost effective. She wants to

HANFORD continued on 11 »

2 • Valley Voice

2 November, 2017 FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK

A Day Late and $85 Million Short

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Tulare Regional Medical Center (TRMC) its clinics and gym, Evolutions, are scheduled to close--temporarily, it is hoped--at midnight tonight, 28 October, and at the time of this writing the new board of directors has yet to have access to the financial information it requires to accomplish much of anything.

The books are still in Healthcare Conglomerate Associates’ (HCCA) hands.

HCCA is the alignment partner that, until Federal Bankruptcy Judge Rene Lastreto ll approved TRMC rejection of the HCCA contract on 25 October, managed the hospital’s daily operations.

Three things happened virtually simultaneously last week--between Wednesday and Thursday, that is. On Wednesday morning, as aforementioned, Judge Lastreto approved the contract rejection. That evening, at its regular meeting, the Tulare Local Healthcare District (TLHCD), the board which governs TRMC, voted to voluntarily suspend its California operational license--a studied maneuver in an attempt to safeguard itself from a state-initiated shutdown in the event HCCA fired its employees.

On Thursday morning HCCA terminated its employees.

I’m uncertain if even all the many attorneys know what will happen next.

What seems clear, though, is the bravery demonstrated by the new TLHCD board. So let’s name them: Kevin Northcraft, Mike Jamaica, Senovia Gutierrez and Xavier Avila.

A state-initiated shutdown might have proved impossible to recover from, given that re-opening the hospital in that case would be akin to opening a new one.

Under a voluntary suspension, the hospital is less subject to fines and dodges completely the onus of having to be fully up to all codes before re-opening.

The new board, then, didn’t fall on its sword--it fell on a safety pin. While a painful stab, still, it’s a wound TRMC can recover from.

Let’s hope the 524 terminated employees, and their families, can endure this arduous--but hopefully brief--trial. They, too, will have to be brave.

Unlike the old TLHCD board--and let’s name them, also: Sherrie Bell, Dr. Parmod Kumar, Linda Wilbourn, Laura Gadke and Richard Torrez--all names that could be featured in a book such as “Profiles in Courage” only if it was penned by Vidkun Quisling as opposed to JFK. I can’t imagine any more egregious traitors to the good taxpayers of the City of Tulare--unless it would be four of the five Tulare City Council members. Would the old board have fallen on a safety pin in furtherance of the public good? No. That board was an HCCA rubber stamp, and if you must have proof all you need do is peruse the record Tony Maldonado has amassed on the Valley Voice website.

It has been suggested in online commentary that Tulareans boycott their businesses--and maybe that’s a good idea, given that the old board members seem immune from the reach of the law and we each of us do, ostensibly at least, live in a democracy. Or one wherein, somehow, corporations are now held to be “people.”

I suppose a corporation can be a person if only one person owns and controls that corporation.

And now the Tulare City Council--about as sterling, honest and trustworthy a body as the old TLHCD board was--has chimed in with its two cents worth.

Of course, it can afford much more than that if it has been able to keep its Chief of Police in a state of paid suspended animation--unexplained--for more than a month now.

But now, mysteriously--and in its benign wisdom--the Tulare City Council has finally deigned to meet with the new TLHCD board. Now that it’s a day late and $85 million short.

Suddenly, instead of drafting a letter it has debated for weeks--a letter asking for a state audit of HCCA’s books--the Tulare City Council has decided to meet with the new TLHCD board on 7 November, purportedly to hear from the board its opinion of having such a letter sent in its support.

I do commend Councilmember Jose Sigala for being the sole member to have always recognized that the best interests of TRMC mesh with the best interests of the City of Tulare.

Tulareans--you can thank the old TLHCD board and your city council, except Sigala, for any economic chaos to come.

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2 November, 2017

Valley Voice • 3

Political Fix #WeSaidEnough

California is experiencing a watershed moment.

Women all over the state are standing up to sexual harassment that plagues the work place.

It started with women publicly speaking about the sexual misconduct of producer Harvey Weinstein. As Hollywood took a hard look at their treatment of women over the last 75 years, women in Sacramento were saying, “me too.”

Hundreds of Sacramento lobbyists, lawmakers and staffers signed a letter demanding an end to the mistreatment of women in politics. The protest and letter has evolved into a “We Said Enough” campaign.

And how has Tulare County responded to this historic moment?

By being home to the very first politician accused of sexual assault since the Harvey Weinstein scandal broke.

On October 19 a story circulated online that Assemblyman Devon Mathis committed sexual assault on one of his young female staffers in April of 2016 after a night of heavy partying.

Of course he is innocent until proven guilty and there is speculation over whether the accusations are true.

Joseph Turner, who broke the story in his blog American Children First, is an ultra conservative determined to unseat the eight Republican legislators, including Mr. Mathis, who voted for the cap and trade bill. He calls them the “Cap and Traitors.”

In addition, former staff has said Mr. Mathis did not display this kind of behavior when they worked for him.

Why hasn’t Mr. Mathis given his side of the story?

Police can’t discuss cases under investigation, but the subjects of those investigations can talk to whomever they want — whenever they want.

Did He Do It?

It almost does not matter.

For the first few months of Mr. Mathis’ tenure in 2015 it was smooth sailing as he deftly recruited Democrat, Republican and Tea Party support.

Yet, in the ensuing years, he has managed to alienate all of them and generate some pretty negative press. Some highlights include Mr. Mathis’ receiving thousands of dollars from Health Care Conglomerate Association (HCCA) and then doing nothing to save the Tulare hospital from HCCA’s mismanagement.

Ironically, Mr. Mathis’ biggest defender concerning the hospital has been Tulare Mayor Carlton Jones, another recipient of HCCA money. Mr. Jones also did nothing to save the hospital, saying that it wasn’t any concern of the city’s.

Mr. Mathis allegedly bragged about saving Southern Inyo’s hospital with one phone call. He allegedly called HCCA CEO Dr. Benny Benzeevi, which resulted in HCCA’s taking over soon after. Twenty months later, Southern Inyo hospital is suing HCCA to get out of its contract.

Others stories include: the leaked email instructing staff to make appointments for Mr. Mathis only with donors when possible. Mr. Mathis’ funneling campaign donations to Chief of Staff Sean Doherty’s consulting company and

Catherine Doe

hiring his and Mr. Doherty’s relatives.

Mr. Mathis’ receiving a Fair Political Practices Commission warning because he neglected to disclose his one and only asset on his campaign finance form.

Most revealing is Mr. Mathis’ lack of loyalty toward his staff and their lack of loyalty towards hm. In three years, his small office has lost or fired 9 or 10 staffers.

The final straw with his Republican base was when Mr. Mathis told his constituents that he would not vote for Cap and Trade or the cell phone tower legislation--then turned around and voted for both bills.

A Drinking Problem

So the point isn’t whether Mr. Mathis committed a sexual assault. The point is his record in Sacramento and his personal life decisions that put him in the position of being accused in the first place.

And his personal life is a bit of a mess.

He is a twice married father of five young children and two step children. I admire anyone who has a big family, but what is a married father of seven doing out carousing late at night and allegedly getting stoned?

Why is Tulare County’s representative bombed on a Wednesday night?

There are rumors from a Sacramento insider that Mr. Mathis’ drinking starts in the afternoon at the restaurant patio across from the capitol.

Staffers allegedly try to water his drinks down or throw them away when he is not looking.

According to another blog, The Right On Daily, written by Aaron F Park, “What I know of Devon Mathis’ situation is that he liked to go out drinking with his staff, a lot. When I have personally seen Mathis at CA GOP Conventions, he has been intoxicated. ……. why the hell was an Assembly member drinking with his staff? Why was Devon Mathis regularly seen at the house of Justin Turner near Sacramento State? Why did I hear about this pattern from a ton of people?”

According to divorce court documents from his first wife, Amber, “In December of 2011 the Petitioner (Devon Mathis) and I were living in Fresno. We had enrolled our son in school together in Fresno. When the Petitioner’s attitude began to break down, his partying escalated, he was drunk around the children, he refused to watch the children when I was working, and he even tried to rape me. It was obvious that I could no longer live with him.”

Amber and their children moved to Porterville.

An Anger Management Problem

According to divorce records Amber said, “Over the past several years there have been 4 reports to the CPS (Child Protective Service) against the Petitioner (Mr. Mathis) regarding abuse to the children.”

The CPS was called over allegations of Mr. Mathis abusing his children after losing his temper, such as throwing things at them or knocking them over.

He has also allegedly used harsh corporal punishment since his oldest was only two months old. In another alleged inci-

dent he spanked his middle child so hard that he left bruises over his buttocks.

Amber filed a police report when she saw the bruises on her son and the case was handed over to the Tulare County DA’s office.

On another occasion, the police were called to Mr. Mathis’ home when he was living in Porterville. Mr. Mathis allegedly left his oldest son, who has autism, outside in the front yard alone. The boy was found about two miles away on the highway.

According to his neighbors and court records, the Mathises lost custody of his second wife’s oldest son because Mr. Mathis abused him.

Amber stated, “It is obvious Mr. Mathis has a serious problem with anger and cannot control his temper with our children. There is also an order protecting his current wife’s son from Mr. Mathis with a no contact order.”

The son in question now lives with his father in a county north of Sacramento.

Rigging the System

What really frosts my cake is that it appears he used the National Guard in 2008 to his financial advantage.

In March of 2008 according to Amber, “I told Devon that if he wanted our marriage to work out that he should not sign another six-year contract. Devon ignored my request and signed the contract. He told me that if they did try to deploy him, he would file for a hardship.”

In Mr. Mathis declaration to the

court he confirmed her statement.

“I had decided not to go active duty because of how hard all this had been on our relationship, but Amber and I did decide for me to sign another six-year contract with the National Guard reserves. This way I could still build up retirement rather than throwing away the past seven years of career I had with the National Guard. We planned to file for a hardship if ever they wanted to have me deploy again so I would not have to go.”

I’m no expert on the army, but is a reservist supposed to sign a six-year contract with the National Guard when that person has no intention of serving if deployed?

Mr. Mathis signed the contract with the Army National Guard in March of 2008.

Amber was diagnosed as bi-polar in November of 2007, which was going to be used as the reason for his family’s “hardship.”

Did Mr. Mathis disclose her condition to the National Guard or keep it in his back pocket as a “get-out-of service-free” card?

Mr. Mathis wrapped himself in the American flag and built his entire campaign platform around his status as a veteran.

Though he claims to the contrary, he has accomplished precious little in Sacramento and had to use his veteran status again to be elected in 2016.

POLITICAL FIX continued on 12 »

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4 • Valley Voice

2 November, 2017

Officials Struggle to Work Together on Tulare Hospital Dave Adalian Directors of the Tulare Local Health Care District (TLHCD) and the Tulare City Council will sit down for a joint meeting to discuss the future of the District at 6pm Tuesday, November 7.

Agenda Unclear

While TLHCD President Kevin Northcraft welcomes the meeting, which will be held in the Council Chambers in the Tulare City Library, he isn’t sure why it’s being held. Yet, a joint public meeting with a goal of full disclosure is welcome, he said.

“Everybody, every public agency that contributes to quality of life should work together,” Northcraft said.

He believes at least one topic up for discussion will be the use of the Council Chambers for future meetings of the TLHCD Board of Directors. Earlier, at the request of Mayor Carlton Jones, the Council toyed with the idea of not allowing TLHCD to use the room. He cited incidents of violence.

“I suspect we may talk about the Council Chambers,” Northcraft said.

The Board used the room, which is available for any organization to rent, for a meeting in April. The rental was arranged by Health Care Conglomerate Associates (HCCA), the company that managed the District at the time.

“There was no discussion of problems,” Northcraft said.

‘They Don’t Like Us’

HCCA’s contracts with TLHCD were voided by a federal bankruptcy judge last month, prompting a suspension of services at Tulare Regional Medical Center (TRMC), TLHCD’s main facility. That could be the end of an ugly and intense battle between the company, TLHCD’s board and the public.

Jones, who is friends with former TLHCD director Dr. Parmod Kumar, testified about his relationship with Kumar as part of a lawsuit filed against former TLHCD directors by the former Medical Executive Committee at TRMC. Kumar appears to have helped Jones hire a lawyer, according to the testimony he gave.

Jones also signed a letter to the California Medical Association defending the removal of the former MEC. Jones and Councilwoman Maritsa Castellanoz both received campaign

donations from HCCA and Dr. Yorai “Benny” Benzeevi, CEO of HCCA. “It’s clear they didn’t want us to use their council chambers because they don’t like us,” Northcraft said. “I hope we’re beyond that.”

TLHCD Audit

For several months, the City Council has been debating sending a letter to state and federal representatives asking them to contact the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC) and request an audit of the District, especially how $85 million in bond funds intended to expand TRMC were spent.

So far, the Council has been reluctant to act, with Jones and Castellanoz providing the main opposition.

“I don’t think it would hurt to do that (send a letter), if it’s appropriate,” Northcraft said.

Jones maintains such a request would overstep the Council’s authority, despite having been approached repeatedly by citizens asking the Council to pen such a letter.

Meanwhile, Sen. Jean Fuller (R-Bakersfield) contacted the JLAC requesting the audit of TLHCD. Alberto Aguilar, a former member of the Bond Oversight Committee at TLHCD, has also been trying to get local legislators involved. He send two lengthy letters to Assemblyman Devon Mathis requesting he contact the JLAC. Aguilar said he received no response.

‘Owed a Favor’

Aguilar later met face-to-face by happenstance with Mathis at a holiday event in Tulare.

When he asked Mathis why he had not acted on his request for an audit, Aguilar says Mathis told him he could not. Mathis, Aguilar claims, told him he “owed Benzeevi a favor.”

Mathis denies he refused to act because of his relationship with HCCA and Benzeevi.

Asked at a recent town hall about his relationship with HCCA and Benzeevi, and why he did not act on Aguilar’s request, he avoided responding.

“What is the purpose of your line of questioning?” Mathis asked.

Mathis, at the time of Aguilar’s request, was working with HCCA and Benzeevi on assisting the Southern Inyo Hospital District in a deal with some similarities to Tulare’s.

GET SOLAR

Tulare Regional Medical Center currently isn’t accepting patients. Tony Maldonado/Valley Voice

That District has since started the process of parting ways with HCCA as well, claiming financial misdeeds.

At the time the incident was first reported, Mathis denied Aguilar’s accusation.

However, someone from Mathis’s office began a negative disinformation campaign against the reporter who authored the story and the Valley Voice, using a false name.

The Internet Protocol number for the comments was traced back to Mathis’s office.

“There are prior staff who have been fired,” Mathis said of the incident.

However, he still maintains a hostile relationship with the media. He appears to support the idea the public is being fed so-called “fake news.”

“If the press would actually print valid things these days, it would be quite fascinating,” Mathis said.

Mathis Denies Rape Allegation

A press release last month from American Children First, a right-wing, anti-immigration organization based in Torrance, accused Mathis of sexually assaulting an unconscious female staff member during a small gathering at a private residence. He denies any wrongdoing.

“I’ve already put out a public response,” Mathis said. “They’re [the allegations] false.”

Mathis said the rape allegation is politically motivated, a move by unknown enemies against him for unknown reasons.

“I’m in politics,” he said. “Politics can be very interesting at times, and people do and say anything to try and destroy somebody’s reputation.”

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Despite these unsettling alleged past acts, Northcraft says local leaders must put resentments behind them and work for the betterment of Tulare together.

At his recent town-hall style coffee meeting, Mathis spoke with Northcraft’s wife, Chris Northcraft, who implored Mathis to become involved now that HCCA and Benzeevi are out of the picture.

“He did seem more receptive to Chris’s comments this morning. Regardless of what’s gone on in the past, can you help us now?” Northcraft said of his wife’s message to Mathis. “He gave her a card and ways to contact him directly, so

I will be following up directly with him.

We’re dealing with state agencies continuously. There’s a lot of state interaction he could help us with.”

The last time Northcraft tried to work with Mathis’s office, the results were less than he had hoped for.

“I actually had lunch with one of his staff members six to eight months ago,” Northcraft said. “I never heard back anything.”

Northcraft’s request was for oversight of TLHCD and HCCA. “I asked them to participate in getting an audit and hopefully an investigation into the questions we’d heard about the past and current administrations,” he said.

Moving Forward

However, it may be difficult for those working with Mathis to take the assemblyman at his word. While he denied having a relationship with HCCA and Benzeevi, he later admitted to working with HCCA at the Southern Inyo Hospital District.

“I think he took credit for getting HCCA involved with South Inyo, something I think they now regret,” said Northcraft. “So, there’s some kind of relationship.”

While the main goal of Northcraft and his fellow TLHCD Directors is getting TRMC up and running again, they are still trying to track down where the bond money for the hospital expansion went. The past board, which hired HCCA, refused to provide an accounting.

“There was a forensic audit underway, and the board canceled it,” Northcraft said. “I think it was December of 2012, when [former TLHCD President] Sherrie Bell was elected.”

Those questions would likely be answered by a forensic audit of the District’s and HCCA’s books, past and present.

Northcraft says the Tulare City Council and Mathis, by requesting JLAC involvement, could aid that process immensely.

“There’s a lot of concern about what happened to the $85 million,” he said.

“Was all that money spent correctly on the tower? Why wasn’t that tower completed?”

The joint meeting of the Tulare City Council and the TLHCD Board of Directors will be held at 6pm, Tuesday, November 7, in the Council Chambers at the Tulare City Library, 491 North M Street.

2 November, 2017

Valley Voice • 5

Kings County Prosecutor Darby Runs for Tulare County DA Catherine Doe Matt Darby declared his candidacy for the office of District Attorney of Tulare County Thursday in front of the Tulare County Courthouse.

Clayton Diltz, a chaplain at the Fresno Veterans Home, introduced Darby to the crowd summing him up by saying “in a word Matt is authentic.”

Darby said that his purpose is “to bring back integrity to the office of Tulare County District Attorney (TCDA.)” As a long-time prosecutor for the TCDA, Darby left to work in Kings County along allegedly with nine other lawyers because of a lack of leadership and integrity inside the TCDA office.

Darby puts the blame squarely on the shoulders of the current DA, Tim Ward.

Darby said, Ward “pursued the office of district attorney for political gain instead of prosecuting the difficult cases.”

“He hasn’t taken on the more difficult cases because they don’t provide enough political payback,” said Darby.

According to Darby’s press release, “When we are able to clean up the mess at Tulare County District Attorney’s Office, we can once again hope to attract and keep skilled and successful prosecutors working for us. We have lost so many experienced advocates of justice, myself included, as we sought work compatible with our ethical duty. We have lost over 100 years of combined experience in our prosecutors since Tim Ward has been in office. I am committed to attracting experienced prosecutors to Tulare County, rather than pushing them away as Mr. Ward’s office has done.”

Darby said that he is running as a prosecutor, not a politician.

“I don’t care about the personal accolades. My value comes from being a Christian and believing in God as our savior.”

What Darby would prefer to see are the people who put all the work into the cases, such as victim’s advocates and prosecutors, get more credit than they do under Ward’s administration.

Darby also attributes a lack of integrity inside the DA’s office to Ward’s acceptance of big corporate campaign donations.

Because Ward took $21,000 from

Medflow and Health Care Conglomerate Associates (HCCA,) companies owned

by Dr. Benny Benzeevi, “he is hopelessly compromised in the investigation into HCCA.” Darby also attributes Benzeevi’s donations as the reason Ward started so late in the game his investigating HCCA. “I will see that big donors are no longer able to influence investigations and prosecution decisions.”

Darby said he guarantees a very fair, thorough, and complete investigation into all cases no matter who they involve.

“Good prosecutors know that we must be allowed independent and aggressive prosecution of those who commit crimes.”

Narcotics and Gangs

The two biggest issues for Darby are narcotics and gangs.

“Right now the DA’s office is prosecuting drug crimes, but they are not aggressive enough.”

He said when he worked at the TCDA’s office, he was the last methamphetamine expert to prosecute cases. He was in that position for three years until the federal grant ran out.

“We were making huge inroads and I encouraged Ward to make it a permanent position,” Darby said. But the DA wanted to wait for another possible grant.

“Ward would not commit county money to this even though meth is the main problem facing Tulare County.”

Darby pointed out that more people died last year from drug overdose than in the Vietnam War. “Narcotics cases have dire consequences for the community,” he said.

“We should be aggressively prosecuting cases that adversely affect our community and not wait for a federal hand-out.

Background

According to Darby’s press release: “Matt Darby is a career prosecutor and trial attorney with a long record of public service. His grandparents moved to Tulare County to find work in the fields during the height of the Great Depression.

Matt grew up in Porterville and has often commented publicly on the consequences of increased gang and narcotics activity in his hometown.

Darby attended Strathmore and Rock-

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ford elementary schools and graduated from Monache High School, where he participated in student government and water polo. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political studies with a summa cum laude distinction at The Master’s College in Santa Clarita, then earned a law degree at the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento. Darby served as student body president and was selected to speak at his 2005 graduation ceremony.”

He now lives in Visalia with his wife and four children. Matt Darby. Catherine Doe/Valley Voice Ward is not from the Valley and came Darby says he to the area to work in the DA’s office. “had an all-American childhood.

“For him,” Darby said, “Tim Ward “For me, I couldn’t have grown up in a better environment.” He said the com- sees Tulare County through the bubble of munities were clean, crime was low, and the District Attorney’s office and through words on a police report. That doesn’t it was safe to play outside.

After returning from law school he give you the full panorama of what Tusaw so much more crime and pan han- lare County is all about. He arrived here dling. “It was not what I remembered with Tulare County already suffering from high crime, drug use and gangs.” from when I was younger.”

Darby said, “I always wanted to Darby isn’t saying that Ward is the problem, but that Ward “lacks the vision serve and be a public prosecutor. I have of what Tulare County was and what Tu- a passion to make a difference in my community.” lare County could be.”

6 • Valley Voice

2 November, 2017

Agriculture Ranchers Tally The Toll In Wake of Huge Wildfires Kevin Hecteman, CFBF

As California ranchers take stock of their lands and herds in the wake of October’s deadly wave of wildfires, the exact scope of the disaster remains to be learned.

“There’s still a lot of information coming in, now that everything’s kind of died down and people are getting their bearings about them,” said Martin Emigh, president of the Napa-Solano Cattlemen’s Association. He said he’s aware of ranchers who have lost cattle and pasture in the area but doesn’t have a tally yet.

Emigh added that his group donated hay to the animal-evacuation center at the Solano County Fairgrounds in Vallejo, and is helping a member who had to evacuate his livestock and now

needs hay.

Those who lost pasture land will face additional expenses, and not just for the hay itself.

“If you’ve got to throw hay on the ground, somebody’s got to do it,” Emigh said. “If the pasture’s all burnt up, you’re going to have to throw hay on the ground until we get some rains and start growing some new pasture.”

In Sonoma County, rancher Michael Furlong, president of the Sonoma-Marin Cattlemen’s Association, said some of his members were affected, with one losing nearly all of his pasture land. His group is putting up $10,000 to help those needing it.

“Without any grass, they’re going to have to ramp up their feeding program,” Furlong said.

To the north, fires in Yuba and Butte counties spared cattle but cost them much of their winter feed.

“In Butte and Yuba, a lot of that country is what we would call winter range or winter ground,” said fifth-generation rancher Dave Daley, president of the California Cattlemen’s Association. “Those were really quick-moving fires with high winds, just the same as they were in Napa and Sonoma.”

For ranchers in his area, the losses mainly amount to feed and fencing, he said, adding that those who lost feed and fences can count on their neighbors.

“The ranching community is always supportive of one another,” Daley said, adding that he’s had a lot of calls to the CCA asking about how to help. “There’s a lot of good neighbors

out there working to help one another.

I know in the Napa-Sonoma area, a lot of people volunteered to transport livestock out of the fire and did so.”

The fires moved so fast, however, that some people had no time.

“They just had to cut the fences, and hopefully they can gather their animals up later and locate them,” Emigh said.

Daley said because ranching is a statewide activity, it often takes the brunt of California wildfires.

“Any place there’s been a fire, it typically has impacted our ranching community one way or another,” he said.

“It’s a statewide issue, and I think Napa-Sonoma really brought it to the forefront,” Daley added. “Wherever there’s been wildfire, typically it’s going

WILDFIRES continued on 7 »

Tulare County Walnut Buying Period to Start November 6 Staff Reports Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner Marilyn Kinoshita announced today that the walnut-buying period will begin Monday, November 6th as the County’s nut theft ordinance continues to be enforced.

“Commercial production and handling of walnuts constitute an important industry here in Tulare County” Kinoshita said. “Unfortunately, some people steal them from orchards and attempt to sell the walnuts illegally on the streets. County staff has been actively enforcing the nut theft ordinance by conducting compliance

checks at places where walnuts are sold to ensure that this practice stops.”

In 2017, the Tulare County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved amendments to an existing nut theft ordinance to assist with an issue that has long plagued the walnut industry.

Walnuts are typically shaken from the trees until workers can gather them up, making them prime targets for heists.

One amendment to the ordinance mandates that walnut-buying stands shall not operate within the boundaries of Tulare County until a “Walnut Buying Period”, as established by the Agricultural Commissioner, is in effect.

Kinoshita said that consensus was reached amongst walnut growers to determine the appropriate start date.

What documentation is required to sell walnuts at a walnut-buying stand?

The County’s nut theft ordinance states: Upon probable cause to believe that any agricultural commodity is in the unlawful possession of any Person, the Agricultural Commissioner or any peace officer may inspect the commodity and request that proof of ownership be provided.

The following information shall be included on the “Proof of Ownership Certificate” or the ”Small Grower’s Cer-

tificate” provided by the Agricultural Commissioner: (a) Name, address, driver’s license number, telephone number, signature and thumbprint of seller. (b) Name, address, telephone number, and signature of buyer. (c) Vehicle license plate number of the seller. (d) Common or generic name and quantity of the commodity involved. (e) Date and time of the transaction.

A copy of the record shall be retained by the seller for a period of 60 days after delivery and by the buyer for a period of two years from the date of such sale.

West Hills Brings Broadband Issue to the Forefront Staff Reports Registration for the sixth session in West Hills Community College District’s premier policy series—Essential Elements—is now open. The session, Grow Food, Grow Jobs – Ag Tech Broadband Pilot, is set for Nov. 8 and takes an unprecedented look at the issue of broadband accessibility in the rural Central Valley’s communities and agriculture industry.

This free event is set for Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are available now and include a free lunch. To register or for more information about the event, visit www.essentialelementsseries.com.

This year’s Essential Elements will serve as an organizing session for the nation’s first broadband pilot focused on agriculture. Based on the findings from a survey of farmers regarding agriculture technology adoption and broadband need conducted by WHCCD Farm of

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the Future and Western Growers, the focus will be to tackle the broadband accessibility issue and develop a plan to increase broadband accessibility in the Central Valley.

“Lack of broadband access in our rural communities and agriculture industry impedes innovation and education and, with our broadband pilot, we aim to bring this conversation to the forefront while also generating real solutions,” said Dr. Linda Thomas, West Hills Community College District Vice Chancellor of Educational Services and Workforce Development. “Without broadband, nothing works – without it, there are no tech-related jobs in agriculture and other industries, no remote healthcare delivery and no distance learning. Ensuring reliable broadband access is key to the growth of the Central Valley.”

The session will feature panels, a keynote address and networking opportunities with major players in the field.

The goal of the session is to organize a broadband pilot with WHCCD and other assets deployed in the Coalinga-Firebaugh-Five Points area. Attendees will analyze existing facilities and infrastructure and discuss the technology needed as well as charting next steps and discussing possible funding sources to increase broadband accessibility in the Central Valley.

This year’s keynote speaker is California Assembly Member Anna Caballero, who represents the 30th District and is also the Chair of the Assembly’s Agriculture Committee.

Panels will address issues including the needs of farmers relating to broadband access and the possibility of using the existing Central Valley infrastructure as a base for a broadband pilot. The group will also inventory the technology available to make this project a reality and define tasks needed to accomplish major goals.

The session will end with the outlining of a concrete to-do list of actions to make rural broadband a possibility.

WHCCD is collaborating with the following partners on this event: the California Emerging Technology Fund, San Joaquin Valley Partnership, Valley Vision, several telecom providers and the AgTech Roundtable, a pro bono group whose members include executives from UC Ag & Natural Resources, CDFA, USDA, Public Utilities Commission Broadband Council, legislative committees, State Water Board, Western Growers and individual farmers and ag tech companies. The Gualco Group, Inc. is a co-founder.

For questions, contact Kathy Finster at kathyfinster@whccd.edu or 559-934-2141.

2 November, 2017

Valley Voice • 7

Agriculture Producers to Receive Ballots Week of November 6 Staff Reports

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin mailing ballots to eligible farmers and ranchers across the country for the 2017 Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee elections on Monday, Nov. 6, 2017.

“County committee members play an indispensable role in our efforts to provide assistance to producers,” said FSA Acting Administrator Steve Peterson. “They provide local input as decisions are made about the services we provide, including disaster and emergency programs. I strongly encourage all eligible producers to cast a vote

for a candidate that brings expertise and a diverse perspective to their local committee.”

To ensure their votes are counted, producers must return ballots to their local FSA offices by Dec. 4, 2017.

Nearly 7,700 FSA county committee members serve FSA offices nationwide.

Each committee has three to 11 elected members who serve three-year terms of office. One-third of county committee seats are up for election each year. County committee members apply their knowledge and judgment to help FSA make important decisions on its commodity support programs, conservation programs, indemnity and

disaster programs, and emergency programs and eligibility.

Producers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program to be eligible to vote in the county committee election.

Approximately 1.7 million producers are currently eligible to vote in this year’s election. Farmers and ranchers who supervise and conduct the farming operations of an entire farm, but are not of legal voting age, also may be eligible to vote.

Farmers and ranchers will begin receiving their ballots the week of Nov. 6. Ballots include the names of candidates running for the local committee

election. FSA has modified the ballot, making it easily identifiable and less likely to be overlooked. Voters who do not receive ballots in the coming week can pick one up at their local FSA offices.

Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than Dec. 4, 2017. Newly elected committee members will take office Jan. 1, 2018.

For more information, visit the FSA website at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. You may also contact your local USDA service center or FSA office.

Visit http://offices.usda.gov to find an FSA office near you.

Wolf Pack Makes First Confirmed Livestock Kill Staff Reports

California has experienced its first confirmed livestock depredation by wolves since the gray wolf returned to the state in 2011.

A livestock loss determination report issued Oct. 20 by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed that one week earlier, Oct. 13, the Lassen Pack of wolves killed a cow on private property in western Lassen County.

Data from a GPS tracking device worn by the breeding female of the Lassen Pack—known as LAS01F—confirms the wolf was present at the site for at least six hours on the night the 600-pound yearling heifer was killed.

According to the CDFW report,

Wildfires Continued from 6

to be on rangelands.”

Daley said he thinks the fires simply had too much fuel, and action needs to be taken to address that.

“We have such fuel-load problems in this state, because of unwillingness to manage our forests and our open space,” he said. “These catastrophic wildfires are going to continue to be problematic. I think that’s an inherent issue that we have to deal with.”

And, Daley said, that’s “another testament to why we need cattle grazing.”

He called grazing “one of the opportunities to reduce that fuel load, and we got so many areas—whether they’re state or federal lands—where grazing has been excluded.

It’s problematic in terms of contributing to additional fuel load, because we SALES, SERVICE, RENTAL AG EQUIPMENT & TRUCK REPAIR

“wolf tracks were observed within the area,” including “kick marks and disturbed ground consistent with a struggle.”

It was evident that wolves had killed the heifer, the report said, because of the location and nature of the bite marks, many of which were more than an inch deep.

“Frustratingly, current California law provides ranchers and CDFW very few tools for deterring and managing wolves,” California Cattlemen’s Association President Dave Daley said.

“Under current law, we have extremely limited options for protecting our livestock.”

Livestock groups also criticized CDFW for declining to announce the wolf kill.

“It’s important for Californians to understand the full implications of the wolf ’s return,” California Farm Bureau Federation President Paul Wenger said.

“CDFW has been more than willing to notify the public when it identifies a new pack or when wolves have pups.

People need to recognize wolves not as cute woodland creatures but as predators that kill.”

CFBF and CCA have sued the California Fish and Game Commission to overturn its decision to list the gray wolf as an endangered species in California, which would allow more flexibility in wolf management.

Although the Oct. 13 incident marked the first confirmed livestock kill by a wolf, suspected kills occurred on four other occasions between

Sept. 19 and Sept. 30, each reported by the same Lassen County rancher whose cow suffered the confirmed kill this month.

CDFW did not confirm any of those incidents, but GPS data and eyewitness reports place the Lassen Pack near the cattle at the time.

The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of more than 48,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of more than 6.2 million Farm Bureau members.

The California Cattlemen’s Association represents more than 1,700 cattle ranchers in California and has been serving cattle ranchers and beef producers since 1917.

can’t graze like we should, particularly in many of the state and public lands.

“Frankly, without fuel-load reduction, I would anticipate more catastrophic wildfire,” he said.

Ranchers also spoke of access issues during the fires; roadblocks often prevented or slowed their attempts to check on their animals.

“If you have a substantial number of cattle, you don’t want to let them die,” Furlong said, adding that ranchers need safe access to their herds.

Daley agreed. He said he understands why access needs to be restricted, but “I couldn’t get in to take care of cattle that I had just brought out of the mountains that were five, six miles from the fire,” he said.

“The roads were blocked. I had to go across country just to make sure what’s going on with the livestock that I’d just been bringing out of our national forest lands,” Daley said, “and I’m

sure I’m not the only one.”

Emigh credited Woodland-based University of California Cooperative Extension cattle advisor Morgan Doran for his efforts.

“He’s been outstanding all through this situation with gathering information on different producers that have been affected, and getting the word out there with the government programs that are available,” Emigh said.

Among the programs available to ranchers affected by fires are the Livestock Indemnity Program, which reimburses producers up to 75 percent of the market value of animals lost to wildfires or other natural disasters; the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, which compensates those who have federally managed grazing leases they can’t use because of wildfires; and the Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, which allows ranchers who have applied for coverage to receive

compensation for a loss of forage due to wildfire, drought or other natural disasters.

One provision of NAP requires that a rancher had to have previously enrolled in the program with the county Farm Service Agency office and paid a service fee.

The Emergency Conservation Program helps ranchers rebuild fences and other infrastructure damaged or destroyed in a natural disaster.

A list of wildfire-recovery resources can be found at www.cfbf.com/wildfireaid. The California Department of Food and Agriculture also maintains a directory at www.cdfa.ca.gov/firerecovery/.

(Kevin Hecteman is an assistant editor of Ag Alert. He may be contacted at khecteman@cfbf.com.)

This article reiprinted with the permission of the California Farm Bureau Federation.

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8 • Valley Voice

2 November, 2017

Tulare’s Hospital Has (Temporarily) Closed Tony Maldonado Tulare Regional Medical Center, Evolutions Gym, and the hospital’s clinics have suspended their operations indefinitely after the hospital board voted October 26 to begin temporarily winding down operations -- and the hospital’s management company moved to hasten the process.

The news came only hours after a court decision that board members were happy with -- the healthcare district could exit its contract with Healthcare Conglomerate Associates (HCCA), the hospital’s current management company, as soon as it found a successor.

The district already had found a successor in Community Medical Centers of Fresno, and drafted management plans -- but Community hadn’t applied to the California Department of Public Health for permission to manage the Tulare hospital, and the department wasn’t impressed with the draft plans.

The board stated their vote was a necessary one -- they had received information stating HCCA would move to give employees layoff notices in the wake of the court decision.

“They indicated that on October 29, they’re going to be issuing a WARN notice, suspending all employees,” Niki Cunningham, a lawyer representing the board, told the public at the October 26 meeting.

“That is going to, in essence, result in a lack of staffing for the hospital, which is going to prompt the state to come in and intervene,” she said.

Such a move would have likely caused the state to shut down the hospital, which would have been accompanied by stiff penalties and a requirement to bring the hospital up to current code. Board members likened their vote to taking the hospital’s fate into their own hands.

Initially, board members stated that the hospital would continue to stay open for 30 days for public safety reasons.

“The state requires that the emergency room stays open for thirty days,” Xavier Avila, a hospital board member. said. “You don’t want people that show up with an emergency, and the hospital’s closed.”

Tulare Local Healthcare District Board Chairman Kevin Northcraft answers questions from the public on October 26. Tony Maldonado/Valley Voice

But the day after the vote, the hospital’s employees did receive layoff notices from HCCA -- stating that the company would suspend its operations at the hospital October 29. The hospital can’t operate without an approved management company, and all staff at the hospital are employees of HCCA. HCCA’s CEO told the Voice that this situation could have been avoided.

“

which owns the hospital, Evolutions, and the clinics, continue to work with the California Department of Public Health to ensure the hospital reopens as quickly as possible.

“It just kills me that we’ve got 70,000 people with no emergency room open 24 hours for them, so we’re pushing [to reopen] as fast as we can,” Kevin Northcraft, the district board’s chairman, said.

We’re stuck. This is a hostage situation, and [Dr. Benny Benzeevi, CEO of HCCA is] using the employees as the hostages.

”

Xavier Avila, a member of the Tulare Local Healthcare District board.

“HCCA was prepared to continue with the management of the hospital and provide financing alternatives to the board which would have kept the hospital open,” Dr. Benny Benzeevi, HCCA CEO, said in a statement.

“Instead, blinded by their hate and personal agendas these individuals hastily and without any plan, filed for this unnecessary bankruptcy for the sole reason of trying to remove HCCA,” he continued. “Unfortunately, their imprudent actions informed by personal vendettas and hate may end up costing the taxpayers of Tulare millions of dollars and may result in the closure of their hospital.”

Officials with the Tulare Local Healthcare District, the legal entity

Richard Gianello, a consultant for the board, claimed that the closure could last “maybe thirty to sixty days,” though later giving a best-case time of only one week.

Although the hospital, its clinics, and the Evolutions gym are closed, businesses based at Evolutions -- including Fugazzi’s, Top O’ The Morn Farms, re.vive tan & spa, and Posh Boutique -- were open for business Tuesday, October 31.

Stuck With Nothing

A bankruptcy court ruled October 26 that the hospital was free to exit its contract with HCCA as soon as an alternative management company was approved by the California Department of

Public Health to take over operations of the hospital — a process that could take days or weeks.

If it didn’t find one, it would have to wait until November 27 to exit the contract.

Until another company is approved by the state, the hospital is still managed

by HCCA — and subject to the company’s timeline, even if it’s not operating.

The company’s employees were provided with notices stating that the company would “temporarily suspend its operations at the Tulare Regional Medical Center […] on or about 12am on October 29, 2017.”

The letter, dated October 25, doesn’t mention the late-night vote by the Tulare Local Healthcare District’s board of directors to temporarily suspend operations of the hospital, and it is unclear whether the notices were printed before or after the board’s vote.

“It is ironic that the very people who rejected the proposed bond offering and instigated the recalls and who promised that they will do a better job, are now faced with the imminent closure of the hospital,” Benzeevi said.

The board’s advisors had previously stated that the company was planning to issue notices suspending the employees.

The Vote

Gianello initially stated that he hoped the closure would be “maybe thirty to sixty days” — but that was on the far end of what the board wanted.

“Thirty or sixty is unacceptable to me,” Kevin Northcraft, the board’s chairman, said, stating his vision of a bestcase scenario could be as little as “five to seven days.”

Gianello later stated his vision of a best-case scenario would be a closure time of only one week.

CLOSED continued on 9 »

2 November, 2017

Valley Voice • 9

HCCA Filed Deed Against Evolutions Before TRMC’s Bankruptcy Tony Maldonado Healthcare Conglomerate Associates (HCCA) filed a Deed of Trust against Evolutions Fitness & Wellness Center in Tulare one day before the Tulare Local Healthcare District, the legal entity which owns the gym, filed bankruptcy.

The deed was filed September 28, the same day that the hospital management company told its employees it could not immediately make its payroll obligations or continue to fund Tulare Regional Medical Center (TRMC).

Mark Levinson, an attorney for HCCA, stated in a bankruptcy court hearing October 19 that the company had, indeed, filed a deed against some of the hospital’s property.

“There is one, but there’s a story,” Levinson said.

That story is that the deed, issued against Evolutions and the land adjacent to it, backs promissory notes issued to the company under the Management Services Agreement, the contract between HCCA and the Tulare Local Healthcare District.

The district is the legal entity which owns both TRMC and Evolutions.

The Deed Filed as a “short form deed of trust and assignment of rents” on September 28 — and dated September 27 — the deed assigns Chicago Title Company as a trustee.

According to the document, the deed was taken out to secure: • Payment “of the indebtedness evidenced by those certain Promissory Notes dated as of 7/31/2015, 7/31/2016; 12/21/2016, 12/28/2016, 12/29/2016, 12/30/2016, 12/30/2016 B, 3/31/2017, 7/21/2017, and 7/31/2017,”

Closed

Continued from 8 Given the circumstances, the temporary closure was the best of the worst, the board’s attorneys and consultants stated.

Even a scenario in which Community Medical Centers could have stepped in the next day wouldn’t be workable, Cunningham told the public, because of logistical issues.

“We don’t have access to all the financial records — we don’t have simple things like all the passwords to the computer systems,” she said.

Responding to one question from the audience, she stated the hospital couldn’t simply operate by naming a CEO, either, she said.

Because the state knows that Community Medical Centers would be serving “in a management role,” they wouldn’t allow the hospital to continue operating under its own license with a CEO in a management position.

Reaction

Northcraft said that the district’s representatives were in discussions with the California Department of Public Health soon after the company’s layoff notices were revealed. “[Dr. Benny Benzeevi, HCCA’s CEO] is saying he wants to do what’s right for the community, but how is that doing what’s right for the community?”

Northcraft said.

•

Payment “of such further sums as the then record owner of said property hereafter may borrow from [HCCA], when evidenced by another note (or notes) reciting it is so secured.”

The only signature on the deed was that of Dr. Benny Benzeevi, signed as the CEO of the Tulare Local Healthcare District on September 22.

In a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County on September 15 — before the district filed bankruptcy, and before the deed was placed on the property — attorneys for HCCA claimed that the hospital district had not made any payments against the promissory notes.

“As provided for in these notes, HCCA has made demand for payment of the principal of the loans,” the filing reads.

“The District has failed to make payment of these notes in whole or in part.”

Promissory Notes

The ten notes total $10,233,950.05 in loans made by the company to the healthcare district.

Under the agreement, the company is allowed to unilaterally make interest-bearing loans to the district at its discretion, if the district isn’t able to repay HCCA for its expenditures on behalf of the district.

“Manager shall have the right, but not the obligation, in its sole and absolute discretion, to advance funds or agree to undertake to advance funds to any Person, as a loan to the District and to meet the shortfall caused by the District’s failure,” the agreement reads.

At each point a promissory note was issued under the terms of the contract, the district would have been approached by HCCA with a “Request for Funds” and a deadline for an amount of money to be provided to HCCA.

“

The company is also allowed to “execute” promissory notes to the district, effectively able to request money in one hand and lend from the district, to itself, in the other.

It’s also allowed, under the contract, power of attorney to “prepare and execute” security instruments to “perfect and continue its security interest” on those loans, giving it the legal authority to unilaterally issue the deed of trust.

A Public Records Act request by the Visalia Times-Delta showed numerous instances where the only signatures on the documents were those of Benzeevi, the CEO of HCCA. At least one, dated December 21, 2016, and provided by Benzeevi in legal filings but either not made available or not posted by the Times-Delta, shows a note from Dr. Parmod Kumar.

“The District is unable to advance the funds at this time,” it reads.

Tax Liens

In the process of researching this article, the Voice found multiple tax liens against for unpaid property taxes on the district’s Earlimart clinic.

Under California law, healthcare districts are tax exempt on property they own within their district.

The Earlimart clinic, however, is located inside the territory of the North Kern/South Tulare Local Healthcare District — not Tulare’s.

The district may owe up to $10,746.56 in delinquent property taxes on the Earlimart property, according to liens filed against the hospital in May by the Tulare County Tax Collector’s office.

The amount is spread across three different liens, all filed against the district and recorded on May 16, 2017.

Additionally, the State of California’s

Unfortunately, [the board’s] imprudent actions informed by personal vendettas and hate may end up costing the taxpayers of Tulare millions of dollars and may result in the closure of their hospital.

”

Employment Development Department filed a $11,176.73 tax lien against Healthcare Conglomerate Associates directly on October 2.

Roadblock to Future Financing

The existence of such a deed on the Evolutions building could complicate the process of receiving interim financing to continue the hospital’s operations under a new operator.

HCCA had previously entertained the idea of using the Evolutions building to finance loans against the hospital, receiving information from two companies to do so.

It had engaged in discussions with two companies: MedEquities Realty Trust and Leaving Innovations.

The MedEquities proposal would have provided “an immediate combined $20,000,000 capital funding,” including a $12m “acquisition/leaseback” of Evolutions.

The Leasing Innovations loan would have provided $7m in funding and been secured by a Deed of Trust against Evolutions similar to the one that HCCA took out.

The hospital district’s post-HCCA turnaround plan would likely have used Evolutions and its adjacent land as collateral towards a loan.

The plan, submitted in court filings, stated that the district, in partnership with Community Medical Centers and Sante Health, would use “unencumbered buildings and land as collateral for an initial working capital loan with [Community.]”

Until the Healthcare Conglomerate Associates deed was filed, Evolutions was one of the district’s only pieces of unencumbered property.

NEXT MEETING

The board will hold its next meeting in a joint session with the Tulare City Council on November 7 at 6pm.

Dr. Benny Benzeevi, CEO of Healthcare Conglomerate Associates He also said that the closure of Evolutions made little sense.

“We can’t understand Evolutions closing. Evolutions raises it own money. That appears to be purely vindictive,” he said.

The letter from HCCA states the suspension was necessary due to “faltering financial conditions.”

“HCCA is faced with faltering financial conditions and is forced to temporarily suspend all its operations at TRMC until additional funding or other arrangements can be secured,” the letter reads. “HCCA remains hopeful that it will be able to reach an alternative resolution with the District.”

“The permanent termination of HCCA’s operations at TRMC will affect a total of 524 employees. We expect that if this occurs, your separation of employment will occur on or about November 27, 2017.”

“We apologize for any inconvenience this event may cause and we thank you for your hard work and dedication,” the letter, signed by Dr. Benny Benzeevi, HCCA CEO, states.

Benzeevi told the Voice that while the board succeeded in removing HCCA,

it came “at a terrible cost of potentially hundreds of jobs lost.”

The Best of a Bad Situation

Northcraft told the public that the board, its attorneys, and its consultants had tried to work with HCCA to ensure a smooth transition to another management company.

Those negotiations didn’t work out.

“This is because HCCA won’t agree to back out and give us the reins,” Avila said. “That’s really it. It would be really easy for [Dr. Benny Benzeevi, CEO of HCCA] to work with us and the health department and say this is what we’re going to do, and there really wouldn’t be any need to shut this down.”

“We’re stuck. This is a hostage situation, and he’s using the employees as the hostages,” Avila continued.

Northcraft stated that while the decision was a difficult one, it would ensure the hospital’s survival.

“We’re looking at options that are pretty bad on a short-term basis,” he said, “but on a long-term basis, we see a vibrant, quality, and successful hospital in our future. We’re trying to keep our eyes on that.”

WHERE CAN I GO NOW?

The closest hospitals to Tulare are: • Kaweah Delta Medical Center, a roughly 20 minute drive from Tulare 400 W Mineral King Ave, Visalia (559) 624-2000 •

Adventist Health Hanford, a roughly 30 minute drive from Tulare 115 Mall Dr, Hanford (559) 582-9000

•

Sierra View Medical Center, a roughly 40 minute drive from Tulare 465 W Putnam Ave, Porterville (559) 784-1110

GET THE WHOLE STORY

View court filings and other documents used throughout our reporting by going to ourvalleyvoice.com/in-depth-trmc View this article online to re-watch the full board meeting, including public comment statements.

Follow the Voice on Facebook at facebook.com/ourvalleyvoice to watch board meetings live and follow events as they happen.

10 • Valley Voice

2 November, 2017

Community Partners Join, Create STEM Program Tulare County Office of Education The conversation between members of an Earlimart Middle School after school STEM program was a snapshot of quality 21st century learning. The team of students had gathered on the dusty baseball field with their facilitator to assemble and test a trebuchet, a type of catapult they had designed and constructed. All the elements of learning were there: collaboration, critical thinking, communication and creativity. “I think the weight is too low,” Manuel theorized as the team fitted the launching arm with a sling designed to propel a 10-pound exercise ball through the air. For nearly two hours the team worked together, testing and modifying the trebuchet. “We need a lighter ball, maybe a basketball,” said Andrick.

Modifications and further testing continued into the early evening. Through the process, the students remained optimistic. “The ball will probably hit the score board,” they joked, looking at the object that sat across the field some 40 yards away.

There on the baseball field and during the design and construction process weeks before, students learned engineering the empirical way – the process of engineering through observation and experience.

To the students, the success of their efforts would have been to see their ball rocketing across the baseball field. While that didn’t happen, they were successful in engaging in the engineering process and thinking about their decisions. “In many ways, the process was the point of the program,” said Virginia Sepeda, Region 7 Expanded Learning Program project coordinator. “We were successful in getting middle school students to think critically, creatively and collaboratively.”

Sanctuary Continued from 1

As a member and officer of the California State Sheriffs’ Association, Robinson said he knew of no law enforcement department within the state that does, certainly not within Kings County or the South Valley.

The Association had sent a letter to the members of the State Senate in early April, prior to the senate passing SB-54, sharing concerns with the original bill, as written.

“This bill creates a severe public

e

Th

The Earlimart after school STEM program was developed through a partnership between Self-Help Enterprises, the Tulare County Office of Education Region 7 Expanded Learning Programs and CHOICES After School Program, the Earlimart School District and ImagineU Children’s Museum.

“Our vision was to broaden the community’s access to expanded learning opportunities by leveraging local resources to their maximum,” said Ms. Sepeda. “We also work to ensure our programs are aligned to the Twelve Quality Standards for Expanded Learning in California. The Earlimart STEM project supported six of these standards.”

The partnership began as a Earlimart Middle School students are participating in a STEM after school program that began this summer well-received pilot in spring of and continues into the spring. This fall, the students designed and constructed a trebuchet, a type of cata2017 for 30 middle school stu- pult. Courtesy/TCOE dents who explored simple rophase of the program – the design and communities we serve.” In total, Self-Help botics. In May 2017, through a generous construction of the trebuchet. Guided Enterprises has 28 multifamily housing grant from Tulare County Board of Super- by Enrique Ramirez, a senior docent at developments with community centers in visors’ Step Up Youth Activities Grant, the ImagineU Children’s Museum, the stu- eight Central California counties – develpilot evolved into a three-part, year-round dents worked in the community room of opments Ms. Sepeda and Ms. Ludvickson course, with each session lasting six weeks. the Washington Plaza Apartments, a Self- see as potential sites for other community The first of three sessions kicked off Help multifamily development in Ear- after school program opportunities. in July, which filled a gap between Ear- limart. Students began with research and While students failed to launch a limart’s summer learning programs and sketches of the machine, followed by con- ball with their trebuchet, they weren’t too the first day of school in August. Summer struction using simple tools. Mr. Ramirez disappointed. Ms. Ludvickson was quick content included learning about simple explained that he didn’t give the students to offer the possibility of extending the machines and motors, while building ideas on constructing the trebuchet. “They program by a couple days if the students and programming robotic mice. “It was are learning as they go,” he said. would continue their design research. The important to the partners to harness comKari Ludvickson, residential services third session of the Earlimart STEM partmunity resources over the course of the coordinator for Self-Help Enterprises, nership is scheduled for February 2018 summer so that students had access to said, “This program is important to us – an event sure to offer students more an expanded learning opportunity,” said because we believe in providing access to real-world learning and, hopefully, create Ms. Sepeda. quality STEM opportunities in the rural ideas for careers of their own.

This fall, students began the second safety problem by limiting, and in some cases eliminating, our ability to communicate with the federal government.

SB 54 could result in potentially dangerous offenders being released to our streets,” the letter stated.

“Upon arrest, any inmate to the jail system is fingerprinted,” Robinson said.

“The prints are shared with the Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), have been and remain free to check the immigration status of any inmates,” he said.

The change comes with ICE holds and shared information. Currently, ICE

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has been allowed to contact the Kings County Jail and let officials know of any inmate they are interested in – the jail, in turn, has shared any information and informed ICE as to when that particular inmate may be released from jail, along with a reminder as that date approaches.

“With SB-54, some of that information will not be shared and those reminders will no longer be sent,” Robinson said. “ICE will still be able to check fingerprints of inmates and take custody of those individuals upon release, but it is up to ICE to keep track of the individuals. Of the 7,000-8,000 individuals booked into the Kings County Jail per year – ICE has requested further information on about 300 of them,” Robinson said.

As of January, 2018, the jail staff will only be allowed to share information, with ICE, on those with the most violent offenses.

SB-54 “will not stop ICE from coming into our communities,” Robinson said. And, it may bring them out even more, he added, when they are trying to find someone specifically.

“They will absolutely do this, and will vet any family members and/or friends associated with that person,” he said, “and we don’t want ICE broadening their net into our communities.”

Robinson also expressed concerns for federal grant funds possibly being withheld. The county is currently working with a three-year $660,000 grant for its gang task force.

“We would like it to be re-

newed,” he said.

Keeping Violent Offenders Out of Local Communities

The largest concern for Sheriff Robinson, and Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux, is that violent offenders – those convicted of murder, rape and abuse – could possibly be released back into the local communities.

And, that’s not just their opinions, Boudreaux said.

“I have met with some successful people in the community [who are undocumented] and they believe violent criminals should be deported,” he said.

Boudreaux said he had also met with the governor and the state attorney general to share his feelings on the matter.

Tulare County hasn’t, nor does it intend to, round-up undocumented workers, he told them. Governor Brown understood law enforcement concerns with the bill, according to Boudreaux.

“It [the bill] doesn’t change a lot of what we do here in Tulare County,” he said. He concurred with the others, that local law enforcement has not and will ask immigration status of anyone.

It is his understanding, Boudreaux said, that the department will continue to speak with the DOJ regarding those violent offenders of concern to everyone, but not more minimal crimes.

The most important thing is “to protect the people who live here [legally or illegally],” Boudreaux said. “I can’t turn a blind eye to victims.”

2 November, 2017

Area Hospitals Continued from 1

“Life Star Ambulance services, which serves Tulare, has been transporting patients from Tulare and surrounding areas for the past few weeks, but we have seen a larger increase this [past] week,” she said.

Emergency Services

Normal fall ER increases are added to by additional increases from the Tulare community.

SVMC has an 18-bed emergency room.

“SVMC is seeing a typical increase in emergency department volume with the onset of fall,” said Jeffrey Hudson-Covolo, SVMC vice president of Patient Care Services and chief nurse executive. “Our daily census in the emergency department averages 128 patients per day for September and October.

“We have confirmed flu in the outpatient clinic setting in our community and one patient has been admitted to the hospital for the complication of having the influenza. Daily ambulances volume was up in September and October by 23%.”

KDHCD has 41 beds in its emergency room and sees approximately 300 patients per day.

Valley Voice • 11 Seeing patients from the Tulare area is not new.

“Existing policy [dictated by the state and county] outlines where we take people,” said Jackie Paull, vice president of Life Star Ambulance, which serves Tulare and the surrounding areas of Tipton, Pixley and Earlimart. “Any patients with trauma or cardiac in nature, they had been going to Kaweah Delta anyway.”

Patients who are stable have always had the choice of where they would like to go, be it TRMC, KDHCD, Sierra View or further, Paull said. Now, they are just a bit more limited, without TRMC. The majority has not only chosen KDHCD recently, but in the past as well, she explained.

Life Star was once a part of the TRMC district and was managed by the board. In 1995, the ambulance service was privately purchased, but remains dedicated to the community. It has a good relationship with TRMC, its nursing staff and doctors, Paull said, as well as the community.

Urgent Care vs. Emergency Care

The SVMC urgent care depart-

ment, “helps to decrease wait times in our ER by evaluating and treating non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses,” Hudson-Convolo said.

The importance of the use of urgent care versus an emergency room need should always be considered.

According to the KDHCD website, “If you are sick or need non-emergency care and your doctor is unavailable, our urgent cares and health clinics are ready to care for you. We would like to help you choose the right place to receive the best and most timely care.”

SVMC echoes with similar information. “The main difference for treatment at the ER versus Urgent Care is if the patient is experience life-threatening conditions,” Arce said. “Urgent care can best be utilized for flu symptoms, minor cuts or burns, broken bones and other symptoms for non-life-threatening injuries, illnesses and conditions.”

SVMC’s urgent care hours of operation are 4pm-11pm Monday-Friday, and 11am-9pm weekends and holidays.

It is located at 263 Pearson Drive in Porterville.

KDHCD’s urgent care is open from

8am – 10pm, daily. It is located at 1633 S Court St. in Visalia.

“We understand the severity in the loss of a hospital so close to home for the Tulare community,” Hudson-Convolo said. “Sierra View Medical Center is prepared to support Tulare and its surrounding communities for emergency and urgent care services, as well as provide comprehensive outpatient and hospitalization services as needed.”

Medical Staffing

With fall leading into winter seeing a demand for additional needs of medical services, and the foresight of the potential closure of TRMC, SVMC is seeking additional staffing.

“Winter tends to be our busy season so we have already anticipated additional staffing needs and are currently recruiting for 48 open positions,” said Tracy Canales, SVMC vice president of human resources. The hospital held a career fair on November 1.

“We have also taken measures to increase staffing at our medical center and at our urgent care center,” Flora-McCusker said. “We are prepared to handle the region’s trauma needs as the only trauma center between Fresno and Bakersfield.”

For job openings at KDHCD, visit its website at www.kaweahdelta.org/Careers/Career-Search-Log-In.aspx

Hanford Continued from 1

provide the same opportunities to all kids despite their socioeconomic status.

She would like to start with Hanford’s youth sports programs and then work on art and technology youth programs.

Safety is another important issue and Barker says it ties into keeping Hanford’s youth engaged. Hanford has been labeled as one of the safest cities in the Central Valley and Barker wants to keep it that way. Prior to moving here as a young adult, Barker did her research to find a community oriented, clean and safe city. “I decided Hanford would be a great place to raise children. And I have no regrets in doing so.”

Barker does not agree with the direction the city council has taken regarding downtown zoning. Though there are still some protective zoning rules in place, they have been whittled away by the current council. Zoning changes such as allowing mini-fridges and coffee makers in hotel rooms, and allowing furniture stores outside down town passed earlier this year and are believed to be detrimental to the area.

Barker says, “Maintaining the zoning restrictions is critical. This downtown is our small business owners ‘bread and butter.’ And thanks to them, the true heart and soul of Hanford. We must take care of these trailblazers, and begin fostering concrete ideas in order to revitalize.”

Paula Massey Says “No Vote, No Voice, No Change”

Massey has also been involved in the Hanford youth community, focusing on education. Her involvement with children spans over 30 years.

She has home schooled her kids, was a principal of a private school, and is involved in Women with a Vision that focuses on childhood literacy.

Shelly Barker.

Massey is also concerned about safety on the south side and sees where there could be improvements.

One such improvement would be installing crosswalks at Douty and Irwin Streets next to Lincoln Elementary School. She said that, not only is there a school, but apartments and many kids that need the crosswalks.

Her main goal in representing District D is to see the south side coming together as a community.

Massey says that there a several non-profits working in the area and that it would be good if they could network. She would like to see more townhall meetings.

Massey said that Ramirez has held some meetings but they concerned the recall or he was handing out awards in an auditorium. She said it wasn’t an environment where people could talk.

“My hope is to bring the community together, African American, Hispanic, and everyone.

“Some people want carrots and some people want cake. I say let’s make carrot cake.”

Massey disagrees with the protective zoning for the downtown. “When you go downtown you see a lot of empty

Paula Massey.

buildings. We don’t need more restrictions we need to open things up.”

She feels a furniture store should be able to locate anywhere in town and that the restrictions have been a hardship on the local Target and Walmart.

Massey feels a deeper investigation needs to go into why Hanford’s downtown buildings are empty and admires Visalia’s night life.

“We have no nice restaurants to go to after seeing a show at the Fox. We need to look at what we can do to improve the nightlife in Hanford.”

Neither Massey nor Barker were born in Hanford but both raised their kids there and their grandchildren attend local schools.

Barker and Massey agree that

Hidden Valley Park is an asset for the community.

Massey said that she would love to see something like Fresno’s Woodward Park in Hanford.

Woodward is a popular city asset with a bird sanctuary and Japanese Garden that attracts visitors from all over the Valley.

Barker agrees, saying that it seems that the people of Hanford have clearly “spoken with an obvious passion for preservation.”

“I would like to see the Hidden Valley Park put on the upcoming November [2018 general election] ballot. Honestly, in my opinion, a lot more needs to be left up to the citizens who pay taxes here.”

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12 • Valley Voice

2 November, 2017

Check Before You Burn Starts Its 15th Season Staff Reports During winter, the largest source of particulate pollution comes from residential wood burning. “The Check Before You Burn program provides an opportunity for Valley residents to do their part to help reduce air pollution and improve public health throughout the San Joaquin Valley,” said Seyed Sadredin, the District’s executive director and air pollution control officer.

Check Before You Burn runs November 1through the end of February each year. The Air District issues a daily wood-burning status by county. Daily burn statuses are available by calling 1-800-SMOG INFO (766-4463), by downloading the free iPhone app “Valley Air” from the App Store, or Valley residents may sign up for email notifications

Political Fix Continued from 3

Losing His Assembly Seat is the Least of Mr. Mathis’ Problems

A lawyer pointed out that we are missing the big picture.

“The least of his problems is losing an election. Mr. Mathis might be going to jail.” He also may have to register as a sexual offender after he gets out of prison.

On October 20 Sacramento police opened an investigation into the

by visiting www.valleyair.org/CBYB. In order to take advantage of additional burn days, Valley residents should register their clean EPA Phase II wood or pellet burning device with the District by visiting www.valleyair.org/CBYBregistration.

Valley residents wanting to switch out older wood-burning devices for a cleaner model can take advantage of the District’s Burn Cleaner grants which provide $1,000 for certified wood, pellet inserts, freestanding stoves or natural gas inserts or $2,500 for eligible low-income applicants for all devices. An additional $500 is available to all applicants for the installation costs on a natural gas device.

To participate in this program please visit www.valleyair.org/burncleaner.

“Wood smoke is one of the most dangerous pollutants that you can ex-

pose yourself, your children, and your neighbors to,” said Seyed Sadredin.

“Prolonged exposure to wood smoke can lead to pulmonary arterial hypertension, pulmonary heart disease, heart failure and cancer.”

There are two exceptions to wood-burning prohibitions: If the residence does not have another source of heat or if the residence does not have access to natural-gas service (even if propane is used), they are exempt from the rule and may continue to use their device. Residents may get exemption information at www.valleyair.org/Rule4901.

Additionally, fireplace inserts or stoves that run solely on gas or propane, and never burn wood, continue to be exempt from the rule. Wood-burning declarations also apply to outdoor devices and chimineas.

following: According to Turner’s blog, “At some point ‘Victim A’ gets very sick and the other female takes her to a guest bedroom to rest. She subsequently passes out.

“Later, Assemblyman Mathis excuses himself to use the restroom. The inordinate length of his absence prompts the female to check in on him. Unable to locate him she proceeds to then check in on the ‘Victim A’ whereby she discovers Mathis digitally penetrating her while she was unconscious.”

According to Penal Code 289, “Any person who commits an act of sexual penetration when the victim is prevented from resisting by any intoxicating or anesthetic substance, or any controlled substance, and this condition was

known, or reasonably should have been known by the accused, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for a period of three, six, or eight years.”

School

be crowded.

“If they grow by 600 students, they will be hard pressed to handle them,” Jensen said of VUSD’s carrying capacity.

That means even with zero population growth, Visalia high-schoolers are going to be packed in tight if another campus isn’t built to spread out the load.

Currently, some 10,000 students attend Visalia’s four high schools. Approximately 300 additional students attend the District’s continuation high school.

Constructing a new campus will cost $130 to $150 million. Land for the school is already owned at the northeast corner of Akers Street and Riggen Avenue, across the street from the recently constructed Ridgeview Middle School.

VUSD estimates it needs an additional $159 million for modernization of its other campuses, and intends to include that funding in the possible bond request.

Continued from 1 wrong could be an expensive mistake. In 2011, College of the Sequoias canceled its summer session after a decline in enrollment. Jensen doesn’t want to see a similar error at the VUSD.

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Different Data Sets

The data set Jensen used to reach his zero-growth conclusion came from the California Department of Education Data Quest website.

“You can go to that website and pull up every number I present,” he said. “All of this base information is online and open to the public.”

The VUSD relies on another source for its demographics information, the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPERS). Its data set is also available online, and it’s that information, Gröeber says, that shows the city may need another high school.

“We’re in the process of putting those number together now. We do a similar analysis every year,” he said. “We take that data by school and work with it based on old growth. We just got the baseline data. We’re about two weeks away from having that.”

Tight Squeeze

As it stands, with an increase of 600 high school students during the next two years, the city’s high schools will

What Say You, Tulare County?

Mr. Mathis’ motus operandi is to conduct a smear campaign against anyone who reports negatively on him.

The Valley Voice has reported on Mr. Mathis’ forums, town halls and major press conferences.

But when we print something critical he calls on a handful of relatives and loyal followers to fill the comment section using fake names to make his supporters to seem more legion than they really are.

Even former Chief of Staff Sean Doherty joined in the comment section

Check the Numbers

Jensen presented his findings to the VUSD at a Facilities Advisory Committee meeting last week. His main concern is whether what he sees is valid.

“I’m going to offer a contrarian opinion, and it’s only one man’s opinion,” he said prior to the meeting. “You need to audit these numbers and tell me if I’m right or wrong.”

While Jensen is a qualified volunteer, the District has a paid consultant doing similar work, and Jensen hopes he will provide a second pair of eyes to look over his work.

“I would hope they would have him

using false names to criticize the paper.

But this is bigger than an incumbent who isn’t going to win the next election, or even make it through the primary.

This is about an incumbent who needs to know when it is time to step aside.

He is an embarrassment to the entire Republican Party.

Aaron Park said in his blog, “Mathis?

Everyone knows he is dead on his feet – when will Republican Leadership break the news to him that he needs to pack it in?”

I’ll be curious to see what Mr. Mathis’ supporters have to say now.

Maybe instead it’s time that the people of the 26th Assembly District to have their say – #WeSaidEnoughMathis look at those numbers to see if I’m right or wrong or somewhere in between,” Jensen said.

Gröeber said VUSD will be performing that due diligence as it feels out the political landscape.

“We’re at the very early stages of testing the public’s support for additional facilities at Visalia Unified,” he said.

Survey Says...

The District has commissioned a survey of likely voters, and a poll of 500 of them will be performed this month.

Questions for the survey are being written now.

“We’re hopeful we’ll be doing that work by the end of November,” Gröeber said. “This is the first step along the way. We’ll bring the results to the board in January. A lot hinges on this survey.”

With the survey results in hand, VUSD officials will begin setting the scope of their bond request, a process that is scheduled to be complete by April.

VUSD Trustees will make their decision on whether to ask for voter support for a bond at a meeting on April 24.

If they decide to move ahead, a resolution calling for an election will be presented to VUSD Trustees for discussion on May 22 and final approval on June 12. If they OK an election, the county must have the documents in hand no later than August 10.

Voters will have their say on paying for a fifth high school during the general election scheduled for Tuesday, November 6.

2 November, 2017

Valley Voice • 13

New Domestic Violence Team to Help Prevent Injury, Death Teresa Douglass, TCSO The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with Family Services of Tulare County, the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office and the Tulare County Probation Department to roll out a new collaborative model using the Domestic Violence High Risk Team (DVHRT) approach, which was created by the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center (JGCC) in Massachusetts.

“We are the first in the western United States to implement a Domestic Violence High Risk Team from the research-based model at the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center,” Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said.

The JGCC, a leader in the movement to end domestic violence, created the DVHRT model following a domestic violence homicide in 2002. The model has become a nationally recognized domestic violence homicide prevention framework, identified by the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women as a promising practice in the field. Since the JGCC implemented the DVHRT Model in 2005, there have been no reported domestic violence homicides in communities participating in their DVHRT. The DVHRT in Tulare County hopes for similar results, Sheriff Boudreaux said.

The DVHRT strategies include: 1. Early identification of high-risk cases through risk assessment 2. Engagement of a multi-disciplinary team 3. Ongoing monitoring and con-

tainment of high-risk offenders 4. Victim services During its inception in Tulare County, DVHRT partners received customized training and technical assistance from the JGCC to replicate the DVHRT model.

If cases can be identified that are escalating towards a homicide, there are opportunities for the DVHRT to intervene.

“Research shows that the escalation of domestic violence to a lethal level follows an identifiable pattern with identifiable indicators,” said Caity Meader, Executive Director of Family Services of Tulare County. “If these highly dangerous cases can be identified early on, we have opportunities to intervene. Research also shows that community-based domestic violence services such as Karen’s House protects victims from being killed. We need to reach victims who may not be walking in our doors for whatever reason. This is lifesaving work.”

District Attorney Tim Ward said the vicious cycle of domestic violence tears at the fabric of families and has no place in the home.

“Those who abuse will be held accountable to the fullest extent,” he said.

“If you’re a victim, don’t hesitate to reach out to those who can help. There’s no excuse for abuse.”

How It Works

Tulare County Sheriff’s detectives and deputies received training on administration of the Danger Assessment for Law Enforcement (DA-LE), an onscene risk assessment tool used when

The Domestic Violence High Risk Team meets to discuss its cases Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, at Family Services of Tulare County. Participating in the meeting are members of the Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, Probation and Family Services. Courtesy/Tulare County Sheriff’s Office/Teresa Douglass

responding to calls involving intimate partner violence.

Since Oct. 1, 2017, deputies have started to administer the DA-LE with victims. The answers victims give to these questions determine the severity of the risk that the case may escalate to a lethal or near-lethal assault.

If the case is determined to be high risk, the High Risk Team is notified and initiates special protocols for case review and coordinated services. The Sheriff’s domestic violence detective and Family Services of Tulare County’s victim advocate provide immediate follow-up with the victim. The case is submitted to the DVHRT, which meets twice a month to ensure all parts of the system are working with the same information in real time to maximize victim safety and offender accountability.

In addition, Family Services of Tu-

lare County’s victim advocates have been trained to administer a more thorough Danger Assessment tool with survivors of domestic violence who are seeking services but who may or may not already be involved with law enforcement. With the victim’s consent, Family Services can submit the cases to the DVHRT for review.

Results

Between Oct. 1 and Oct. 16, deputies responded to 19 reports of domestic violence. Of the 19, eight are considered high risk and were submitted to the DVHRT. One victim refused to answer the questions.

“The Domestic Violence High Risk Team improves communication between partnering agencies to make a difference in the lives of victims in Tulare County,” Sheriff Boudreaux said.

14 • Valley Voice

2 November, 2017

Comments & Letters “

Tulare Patriot.. I don’t know who called you and who had shared their”fears” of looting by anyone. We had a management meeting this morning as we have had every day this week and sometimes twice a day but it was reiterated multiple times that great care and caution will be taken with District assets during this transition time. There will be continued security and for off site locations we have asked the Sheriff to more vigilant in patrol in Earlimart. As HCCA management, I can assure you we have gone to great lengths to preserve everything for the new management coming in. I would like nothing more than a smooth transition to assure the work we have done thus far continues, including the 15M grant I wrote and secured for the District and community. This is difficult for all, let’s not add more concern and burden to employees and the community than necessary. I respectfully ask that of all.

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— David Alavezos on Kings County Prosecutor Darby Declares Run

Mr M, we don’t need anyone badmouthing employees of the hospital and being devisive at a pivotal moment like this. Current employees who may have supported HCCA in the past should be welcomed with open arms if they still wish to be part of the future.

Teresa and Kim just happen to be excellent RNs and I hope they wish to stay and support our cause now. As much as I disagreed with Benzeevi, the last time I saw Teresa, I got a hug from her as she has always been my friend.

I will not tolerate any attack on our employees, save it for Benny and his HCCA cronies.

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— Greg Cotta on HCCA To Leave Tulare Regional By Nov. 27 – Or Sooner

— AnotherformerTCDDA on Kings County Prosecutor Darby Declares Run

I do not believe I have a reputation as either a sycophant or “non-prosecutor”.

ADA Kerri Lopez is another who has a great deal more experience as a prosecutor than any I know of who are no longer with the office and significantly more homicide experience than any of the “nine” that Mr. Darby mentioned when he talks of more than a “100 years of experience”. Chief Deputy Dan Underwood tried five murder cases in a single year – again more than any I am aware of among those who have left the office. The lies mentioned above are obviously politically motivated and do not have any basis in fact or there would be court decisions that back those claims. There are many reasons people leave an office.

Some leave to go back to an area they really wanted to live and work in when they came to Tulare seeking experience with a good office. Others (those with a longer history in the office) on occasion, leave when they do not receive the assignments they desire or the promotions they believe they deserve. What I am see so far in this campaign is an attack on the integrity of the Tulare County District Attorney staff. This negative campaigning is not even focused on the elected but rather those people who go to court every day to seek justice and protect our county from those that would do it harm. Apparently those supporting Mr. Darby cannot provide any positive campaign material such as a list of accomplishments as a manager and leader. On the other hand, I can state that I have known and worked with Tim Ward since 1999 when we both started at the office. During that time he rose from a brand new prosecutor to a member of the homicide team where he prosecuted a significant number of murder cases prior to becoming a supervisor. After spending time actually supervising teams in the office and heading up our move into the 21st century from a computer systems standpoint he became one of two assistant district attorneys where he was involved in handling issues like budget and long term planning for the future of the office. It was only after all of this leadership experience that he became our District Attorney. There many more positive aspects in Mr. Ward’s background involving leadership and management, such as his military experience as an army officer, but this is not the time or the place. In addition there are many instances of leadership of character that will be coming out during the campaign. And for those who will want to state that I am just “protecting my boss” without being upfront about who I am, I will state that am proud to be an assistant district attorney at the office with a fair amount of trial experience, enough to be considered a real prosecutor.

”

— TRMC Employee 91 on Hospital Board Forced to Temp. Close TRMC

— Barbara on Mathis Faces Sexual Assault Allegations

TCDA under Ward’s leadership or lack there of has lost a lot more than 100 years of experienced prosecutors… it’s more like double or triple that number.

Ward has surrounded himself with a bunch of sycophants not prosecutors. When prosecutors violate their oath by refusing to comply with discovery, intentionally misleading the courts and hiding evidence, refusing to listen when exculpatory evidence is presented by the defense and won’t dismiss cases cases when they know they should… when winning means more than doing the right thing… that is when it is time for a NEW DA!!

Employees were told today that the Hospital will shut down at 12am Saturday.

There is still the question of ER and OB to stay open for 30 day period. Regardless, if RMC comes in, we as employees have to go through the process to be rehired.

But here is the part you should all know. All of employee files are not being turned over from HCCA to whoever comes in. That means ALL certifications, backrounds etc will have to be redone. That may take us to the 30 day and may have to close completely.

This presents a huge problem.

Hopefully RMC will expedite the process and get us in quickly. If not, we will have to go on UI insurance. Plus, our benefits will be on COBRA for 30 days.

Then counter that we may have to wait 90 days for benefits to kick in.

In the end, we will get what we need done.

This Board is doing right and going through the motions with legal help. That is the first step. The Board hired people that know how to do this.

That’s all we ask.

— Samantha Bland on TRMC Temporarily Suspends Operations October 29

America Children First is a conservative right wing factious extremist group who is a cancer on society as a whole. They seek out and destroy anyone who rejects on any level their personal philosophies and political agendas. I guess that Devon Mathis did not toe the line so he must be destroyed at any and all costs. I am not a Devon Mathis supporter. I have not nor will I ever vote for the man. But I do believe as a fellow American that he is entitled to the presumption of innocence until verifiable facts NOT allegations prove him not to be. A word of caution……..unless you too follow the practice of seeking out and destroying those who disagree with you…….keep in mind who is behind the “outing” of these allegations. This group freely admits to waging war in the most extreme manner toward those GOP Representatives and Senators who do not vote as they are told to vote or say what they are told to say. How can anyone trust anything they say when they have no sense of honor or humanity. The actions of this group and others just like them are now apparently sanctioned by the current Republican Party. This appears to be a political hit job and Devon Mathis is the intended target. I don’t believe in coincidences and this has a terrible smell to it.

We as employees will survive this as with any other issues that come our way.

It seems to me that the contract was written to protect HCCA from the exact thing that is happening right now. The pattern of Tulare behavior should give anyone pause and if I was stepping into this morass I would make sure that I was protected and the consequences of trying to screw me over after I save you would be dire. The contract is one sided for sure and would I have signed it, probably not but then I wasn’t the board faced with closures and devastation. The elected board signed this contract and that is true. It protects HCCA and that is true. It kept the hospital open and that is true.

And a bunch of doctors got mad about someth No that had nothing to do with what was best for the patients or the communtiy and decide to kill the hospital over their personal grievances and that is true. And no they sit back and see the chaos that they have wrought itch their greed and petty personal politics and folks fight their innuendo battles for them.

”

— Watched the whole thing happen on HCCA Stays at TRMC

“

I agree with Watched.

The contract was written to protect HCCA from exactly this thing.

HCCA should be protected from disclosing financials.

HCCA should be protected from questions about legality of money transfers between Tulare & Inyo hospitals.

HCCA should be protected from vendors asking for payments in exchange of their services, nursing staff, medicines & supplies.

HCCA should be protected from consequences of running a coup against medical staff – an event so major that it is of national importance.

HCCA should be protected from lazy & greedy employees expecting their paycheck for their labor.

HCCA should be protected from legal responsibility of not providing enough staff leading to avoidable & unnecessary deathS of not one, not two but MANY patients.

HCCA should be protected from people asking where their tax money went.

I agree with Watched. The contract was written to protect HCCA.

”

— KD on HCCA Stays at TRMC

“

This is just unbelievable. Dr. Benzeevi was presenting how wonderful the hospital was doing since HCCA came in. Never mentioned they had to loan money and then Dr. Kumar signoffs on a promissory note in December, a month that had no board meeting. Was the board chair even aware.

Kumar of course will make it seem like it was all for the good of the District.

Seems like a conflict since the District pays both he and his wife. I wonder if they were part of the doctors that weren’t paid or did their checks arrive timely.

”

— Deanne Martin-Soares on HCCA Filed Deed Against Evolutions

2 November, 2017

Valley Voice • 15

Comments & Letters “Make A Difference” in Visalia Visalia Mayor Warren Gubler On Saturday, October 28, 2017, the community of Visalia again came together to help “Make a Difference.” According to our head count, approximately 300 volunteers turned out to assist the city in freshening up our local parks and city properties, including planting trees and plants, spreading bark, weeding, painting, and trash clean up. The projects included Rotary Park, the Piano basin, Packwood Creek, Soroptimist Park and Oval Park. In addition to private individuals who came out to show their civic mindedness, the event was supported by Downtown Rotary, The Church of

Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Alpha Gamma Sigma Club at COS, Redwood Key Club, World Link, Sequoia Visalia Kiwanis, West Coast Believers, Ismaili Community Engaged in Responsible Volunteering (ICERV), Visalia Sunset Rotary, V-Town Roller Derby Team, Center for Spiritual Living, and Soroptimist International of Visalia.

Afterwards, most of the participants came to Lions’ Park where my wife and I served free root beer floats to say “thank you” for a job well done. Two thumbs up to the many Visalians who came out and donated their Saturday morning to make “Make a Difference Day” a success!

Mayor Warren Gubler

Comments on City of Tulare Gregory Blevins The City of Tulare is a great place to live and work.

Why, then, is there so much turmoil with the elected officials and public administrators? Why do we see in the news media almost every day another controversy? Some might say the media sensationalizes issues. Not true, because clearly the media is simply reporting what we in Tulare are doing to ourselves.

Making the news lately is the controversy with Mayor Carlton Jones, Tulare City Manager Joe Carlini, and Chief of Police Wes Hensley. The city manager placed the chief on paid administrative leave. There is an assertion by some that Mayor Jones pressured the city manager to take that action. If looked at logically, that assertion is utter nonsense.

In a Council-Manager type government, the city council hires the city manager, and the city manager is the primary public administrator responsible for the services provided to all of people of Tulare. The City Charter gives the city manager complete authority over the department heads in Tulare, including the police department and therefore the chief of police. (There is a link to the Municipal Code and the City Charter on the city’s website. Anyone interested in this issue should read the charter.)

So what kind of influence can Mayor Jones exert to cause City Manager Joe Carlini to place Police Chief Wes Hensley on administrative leave without good cause? Could Mayor Jones threaten Mr. Carlini with his job? Again, utter nonsense. It takes a majority of the city council members to vote to terminate the city manager. So, Mayor Jones acting alone does not have that power.

Are the people of Tulare to believe a majority of the city council secretly met in violation of the Brown Act and conspired to fire Mr. Carlini if he did not place Chief Hensley on paid administrative leave? No reasonable person should even entertain such a scenario. There is absolutely no evidence that three or more members of the city council committed such an egregious act in violation of state law and their oaths of office.

So, did Mr. Carlini take some action to garner favor with the city council?

Once again, utter nonsense. Mr. Carlini has absolute authority to take the action

he deems appropriate and in the best interest of the city. He doesn’t need council’s permission. One of the first news stories quoted him as saying there would be an independent investigation. Mr. Carlini evidently took some action, and decided he would step back and have a third party review the situation. It seems to me this is exactly what we want in a good public administrator.

Whatever the reason, the decision to place Chief Hensley on administrative leave rests with the city manager alone.

That’s his job. Until there is evidence Mr. Carlini exceeded his authority, the citizens of Tulare must trust his decision.

Since Mr. Carlini alone has the authority, it is factually impossible for him to exceed his authority.

So, can Mr. Carlini terminate Chief Hensley? Yes. The chief is an at-will employee subject to termination unless he is in a protected class of individuals who have historically been discriminated against, and the discrimination was the basis of termination.

Chief Hensley is a white male adult, and therefore not in a protected class of people who have been historically discriminated against.

People don’t like not knowing. Personnel matters are secrets that must be kept. But don’t blame the city officials for playing by the rules. Like it or not, Mr. Carlini is playing by the rules and Mayor Jones is observing from the sidelines.

If the citizens of Tulare do not like the Council-Manager type of government, change it. We can have a strong mayor form of government, if we choose.

If the voters of Mayor Jones’ district do not like the job he is doing, find someone to run against him. But whatever we do as citizens, do not waste time engaging in ridiculous conspiracy theories to fill in blanks because we have given authority to run the city to someone else. It makes us look ridiculous.

(Note: Gregory Blevins is an attorney in private practice in Tulare, completed his undergraduate degree in Management of Human Resources at Fresno Pacific University, has a Master in Business Administration from Pepperdine University, and is a Doctoral Candidate in Public Administration at the University of La Verne. He currently serves as a member on the City of Tulare’s Board of Public Utilities.)

USE YOUR VOICE

Comment online at ourvalleyvoice.com Send letters to editor@ourvalleyvoice.com

Open Letter to Nunes Re: The Bobby McIlvaine World Trade Center Investigation Act As a constituent in your district, I am urging you to sponsor the Bobby McIlvaine World Trade Center Investigation Act. Bobby McIlvaine was 26 years old when he took a job as Vice President of Media Relations at Merrill Lynch, just two weeks before September 11, 2001.

Although he worked in the World Financial Center across from the Twin Towers, he had a meeting on the 106th floor of North Tower on the morning of 9/11.

As he was entering the lobby, a large detonation killed him instantly, and his body was taken to the morgue even before either of the Twin Towers fell.

His father, Bob, has been outspoken in demanding a new investigation since the release of the 9/11 Commission Report in 2004. Today, he is the driving force behind the Bobby McIlvaine Act. Bob, his wife Helen, and their other son, Jeff, are joined by dozens of fellow 9/11 family members, nearly 3,000 architects and engineers, and tens of thousands of citizens who have signed the petition of Architects & Engineers for 9/11

Roy Kendall Truth — a petition that calls on the U.S. Congress to open a new investigation into the destruction of the three World Trade Center towers.

The Bobby McIlvaine Act would make this a reality by creating a Select Committee in either chamber of Congress to conduct an investigation and issue a report that gets to the bottom of what happened that day.

The reason for this new investigation is simple: The reports issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology have been shown to be false and even fraudulent. After sixteen years, there is now overwhelming evidence that the Twin Towers and Building 7 were destroyed by means of controlled demolition.

I implore you to look at that evidence with an open mind. Then, for the sake of our democracy and our freedom, do everything in your power to pass the Bobby McIlvaine Act and ensure that its intent is carried out to the fullest.

2nd Annual Wine and Shop On Thursday, October 12th we held our 2nd annual Wine and Shop event at the Tulare Outlets, and what a success!!

From 5:30-8:30pm guests were invited to wine and dine, and shop throughout the Tulare Outlet Center to raise money for Human Trafficking Awareness and scholarships for women and girls in the community. The food and wine were flowing, outlet center had a fashion show that walked throughout the event modeling the latest fashions, and the band kept everyone energized and having fun throughout the night!

We want to thank everyone for participating. District Attorney and the Assistant Sheriff presented wonderful information regarding Human Trafficking and how it effects our community.

We would like to thank Patty Rocha, the Outlet Center, Jonathan Van Ryn, Bravo Farms, Subway, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

Soroptimist of Tulare for hosting us and providing such a delicious meal, and who all of the winery’s and individuals who donated all of our wine. Family Services provided a wonderful community booth, the band had people dancing through the night, the cigar bar had both men and women enjoying the event, and our S-Club members from Tulare Western and Mission Oak really helped things run smoothly. We would like to thank everyone who donated a silent auction item and everyone who bought tickets. Thank you for supporting our club, our mission, and our community. Also, a very huge round of applause for our Soroptimist club members Janelle Parreira and Richelle Chiaramonte for putting this event together.

We can’t wait to see everyone at next year’s event!

16 • Valley Voice

Briefly…

STOCKINGS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS DRIVE NEEDS YOU!

More than 300 homebound senior citizens, who often do not have friends and family visit them during the holidays, receive a stocking filled with donated cold-weather comfort items during the annual Kings/Tulare Area Agency on Aging (K/T AAA) Stockings for Senior Citizens drive. Tulare County businesses, community partners, and residents are invited to collect stocking-stuffer items and help ensure these senior citizens receive a gift during the holidays.

“This holiday event complements Senior Day in the Park, which encourages our seniors to get out and about,” said Jamie Sharma, Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency’s manager for Aging Services. “The Stockings for Seniors event focuses on making our homebound and isolated seniors feel special this time of year by spending time to go and visit with them, and by ensuring that they have a gift to open and enjoy.”

Community members can help by donating cold-weather comfort items such as slippers, socks, gloves, scarves, beanies, and lap blankets. Volunteers then visit the senior citizens and deliver the stockings filled with gifts. For donation drop-off locations, please call Bonnie Quiroz at (559) 623-2877.

Community members wishing to make financial contributions can do so

2 November, 2017 through Friends of Tulare County by logging on to www.friendsoftularecounty. org, clicking on the “Services and How to Donate” tab, and choosing “Stockings for Seniors”; or by mailing a check to 5957 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia, CA 93277. Please write “Stockings for Senior Citizens” on the memo line.

STATE SHERIFFS’ ASSOCIATION OPPOSES SB 54, URGES A NO VOTE

The California State Sheriffs’ Association (CSSA) remains opposed to SB 54. This bill creates a severe public safety problem by limiting, and in some cases eliminating, our ability to communicate with the federal government. SB 54 could result in potentially dangerous offenders being released to our streets.

Sheriffs do not wish to act as immigration police, nor are they, and we protect EVERYONE in our communities regardless of immigration status. That said, we need to continue to cooperate with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who victimize our communities are not given unnecessary opportunities to do more harm.

While amendments allow some communication with federal authorities, sheriffs would still be precluded from relaying information about persons convicted of crimes like domestic violence or drunk driving unless they also had current or prior convictions for serious or violent felonies. SB 54 continues to additionally prohibit communication about persons being held in custody for any charge or persons who would be released pending

trial. The bill, with limited exception, precludes law enforcement from sharing information that is not publicly available about persons in custody with federal authorities. SB 54 bans sheriffs from giving federal immigration authorities access to interview individuals in agency custody except pursuant to a judicial warrant.

We appreciate the clarification of law enforcement’s ability to participate in certain law enforcement task forces with federal partners, but SB 54 imposes burdensome reporting requirements regarding nearly every facet of law enforcement participation in a task force.

SB 54 stands to further separate people from their families and their communities by precluding the detention of persons for immigration purposes as currently happens in some California counties pursuant to a federal contract.

The bill may keep these persons from being held in California jails, but they will still be detained somewhere, and it is likely that their detention will take place much further from their communities, networks, and families, and possibly even out of state. In seeking to solve a perceived problem, SB 54 creates significant new family issues.

The breakdown of local, state, and federal partnerships that will occur under this bill will prevent violent criminals from being kept off our streets. We additionally remain concerned that the bill’s provisions restricting interaction with federal authorities could be construed in such a way that vital federal funding could be jeopardized. We also have significant questions about the constitutionality of this measure. For these reasons, CSSA re-

spectfully urges your NO vote on SB 54.

TURKEY TIME: OUR ANNUAL THANKSGIVING TURKEY DRIVE IS NOW OPEN!

At the Bethlehem Center we believe no person should be hungry on Thanksgiving Day. Help us make sure every child, person and family has a meal on their dinner table this Thanksgiving by participating in our annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive.

We are now accepting donations of Turkeys, Chickens and Hams as well as non-perishable food items like stuffing, instant potatoes, rice and canned fruits and veggies. Your donations will allow us to prepare special Holiday Food Boxes for struggling families and individuals on Nov. 21.

Donations will be accepted at our Bethlehem Center campus at 1638 N. Dinuba Blvd in Visalia and also at our downtown thrift store Urban Revival at 219 N. Court Street (next to Pita Kabob).

For those who are able, we are offering a “Sponsor a Family” program this Thanksgiving.

You will have the opportunity to prepare a special food basket with your choice of food and other related items.

You choose your family size and provide enough food (please include turkey, chicken or ham) for the family to prepare a wonderful feast on this special day. To sponsor a family, call the Bethlehem Center at 559-734-1572, choose your family size, and deliver your basket to the Bethlehem Center on Nov. 21.

Valley Scene

2 November, 2017

Murder in Visalia: A Book Talk by Ronn Couillard Staff Reports Ronn M. Couillard will discuss his new book, “Murder in Visalia: The Coin Dealer Killer”published in September, at the Tulare County Museum on Friday, November 3, 2017, from 6pm to 8pm.

He will give a presentation and then host a Q&A session and after will be available to autograph copies of his books available for purchase.

Terry Ommen wrote the foreword for this new book and will also be present to give a brief presentation and speak about his most recent book “Wild Tulare County.”

Light refreshments will be served and guests will be able to tour the museum*s new exhibit on the outlaws of Tulare County.

Two unusual murders in two months is never a coincidence.

One October morning in 1979, a stamp and coin dealer was gunned down in his Visalia shop. There were no witnesses. Persistent police efforts across ju-

risdictional lines connected it to another death. Two months earlier, the body of a Fresno coin dealer was found locked in the trunk of his car. The trail of evidence led to a most unlikely suspect.

Author Ronn M. Couillard, retired judge, lays out the facts in this compelling case from the investigation to the court proceedings and the surprise that almost derailed the conviction.

Ronn Couillard has worked in the California criminal justice system since 1968, beginning as a deputy district attorney for Los Angeles County. In 1980, he moved to Visalia and served as a deputy district attorney.

He was appointed to the Tulare County Superior Court in 1987 and retired in 2007. He has prosecuted and presided over all types of felony matters, including numerous murder cases.

He and his wife, Charlotte, reside in Visalia, . They have four children and seven grandchildren.

Visalia Chamber Hosts 37th Annual Tree Auction Generosity and grandeur are combined as the Visalia Chamber of Commerce presents Masquerade Christmas – the 37th Annual Christmas Tree Auction – set to kick off Friday, December 8, 2017 at the Visalia Convention Center.

Hosted by the Visalia Chamber of Commerce, the Annual Christmas Tree Auction has become a local holiday tradition. Each year more than 1,200 people dressed in their finest holiday attire kick off the season with a giving spirit.

This year, the Christmas Tree Auction has been re-imagined as the Visalia Chamber introduces a new event layout with exciting new features which will help to focus on the non-profits and the local restaurant partners providing food for the evening.

This year’s event includes, an appear-

Staff Reports

ance by the Golden West Drum line, live music by Run4Cover, and a special Masked Sponsor surprise during the evening.

This is an event not to be missed.

The Annual Christmas Tree Auction raises money and awareness for non-profit organizations impacting Visalia.

More than $4 million has been raised for local charities over the last 36 years.

Underscoring the significance of this annual event, the Christmas Tree Auction is the primary fundraising mechanism for participating non-profits.

Volunteers have already started to design and decorate 14 elaborate Christmas trees to be auctioned off live the night of the event.

Additionally, that evening silent

Manuel Abad: “California AUCTION continued on B6 » Cowboy” Exhibit Opens Nov. 9 Arts Visalia to Show Sequoia Chris Harrell

The opening reception of Manuel Abad: “California Cowboy,” will be held on Thursday, November 9 at the Heritage Art Gallery at Tulare Historical Museum from 5-7pm. The strikingly distinctive paintings of Manuel Abad are no stranger to local area artists and art enthusiasts alike.

Abad was born in Ciudad Mier, Tamaulipas Mexico, and came to the United States with his parents at the age of five. After working up and down the entire San Joaquin Valley for years, the family decided to settle in Tulare, where Abad attended Tulare Western High School.

After his service in the US Army at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Abad moved to Houston, where he worked in the iron worker industry. He was soon in charge of setting glass in the big high rises of downtown Houston.

While in Houston, Abad became

interested in oil painting, after being inspired by artist William Alexander’s painting demonstrations on his “The Magic of Oil Painting” programs on PBS. Prior to this, he had always sketched. Shortly thereafter, he signed up for an art course of six lessons, which set him on his way. Independently, Abad began to paint, watching videos and always reading and studying about art.

In 1987, Abad and his wife returned to California’s San Joaquin Valley and Tulare to live, working at Porterville Glass until his retirement in 2013.

He regularly shows at the Tulare County Fair each year, and his work also hangs at Buford’s Gallery in Porterville and in Exeter Floral.

Manuel Abad: “California Cowboy” runs through December 30. The reception is open to the public and free of charge. Admission to Heritage Art Gallery exhibitions is free.

High School Art, Hold Fundraiser In November 2017, Arts Visalia is pleased to host Sequoia High School’s exhibition, Sequoia High School Art: Revealing a Parallax. The gallery will be showing work by a number of students from the school.

Sequoia High School offers a fresh start to students in an accepting and non-threatening atmosphere, as well as success in earning a living through vocational and career preparation.

This exhibition will offer collaboration with students who feel misrepresented and suppressed in society.

The theme of the show is related to View Masters and the idea that people will be given an alternative view of Sequoia High School through the “reels” that the students have to offer.

Just like the old View Masters were designed to give people a chance to “experience” other views or destinations, these works will offer an opportunity to experience the students’ ideas.

View Masters work on the idea of parallax which is related to how things are viewed from different angles; thus, the idea behind a different view of Sequoia High School as its interpretation paralleling an alternate way of thinking.

The Sequoia High School art pro-

Staff Reports gram has 120-140 students. Art teacher, Sarah Coker states, “I have the most popular electives on campus and I say this humbly when I state that students will fight to get into my classes.”

Sequoia High School offers both Studio Art and 3D Media (introduced last year). Coker is also in charge of the Art Club which provides an open platform for students to have a voice and choice of theme and media.

Many of the students express the desire to become better artists and to learn new techniques by exploring their creativity and passion and have talked about how therapeutic art is to find calmness and overcome anger.

The exhibition runs from November 1st through 17th. The opening reception will be held on Friday, November 3rd, from 6pm to 8pm and is sponsored in part by Bueno Beverage, Safco, Arts Consortium Community Grant, Board of Supervisors Step Up, and Tandoori House.

For part of November and December, Arts Visalia will host their annual Holiday Show & Sale.

ARTS VISALIA continued on B7 »

2 November, 2017

B2 • Valley Voice

Learn About National Novel Writing Month at Library

Ruiz Foods Participates in “Pink Out” Day Staff Reports On Thursday, October 26, 2017, 920 members of Ruiz Foods Dinuba/ Tulare Team participated in the company’s Third Annual ‘Pink Out’ Day. The company raised a total of $4,600.

In support of the fight against breast cancer during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness month, Team Members were encouraged to wear pink.

For each one who participated, Ruiz Foods donated $5 to the Kaweah Foundation’s Lost Girls Fund program.

The program helps uninsured women under the age of 40 with breast exam services.

“I am extremely proud of our Ruiz Foods Team Members in both Dinuba and Tulare,” said Blanca Santana, Community Relations, Ruiz Food Products,

Inc. “They know that together we can help fight and work to find a cure for this devastating disease. What’s also exciting is that this is our third annual Pink Out and it is being greeted with great enthusiasm by all of our Team Members. We couldn’t have asked for more.”

In addition to wearing pink, Team Members were given information on breast cancer awareness by the Kaweah Foundation.

About Ruiz Food Products, Inc.

Ruiz Foods Products, Inc. is a privately owned corporation with corporate offices in Dinuba, Calif.

Kim Ruiz Beck, the elder daughter of Co-Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Fred Ruiz, is Chairman. Rachel Cullen is President and CEO.

Where will you find the most novels? At the library, of course!

So to promote the writing of novels, the Visalia Branch Library, joins with authors all over, to participate in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in November.

As a preview to this month-long event, author Heather H. Howard will provide a National Novel Writing Month workshop on ‘How to Avoid Writer’s Block.’

Through careful set up of a story’s plots and subplots, character development and backstory, Heather demonstrates how writers can achieve a goal of writing a novel in 30 days.

Heather appears on Wednesday, October 25, 2017, at 6:30pm at the Visalia Branch Library in the Blue Room.

Wednesday, November 1, begins the month-long NaNoWriMo challenge to write 50,000 words in just 30 days, creating a rough first draft of a novel.

Every Wednesday in November, the Library will provide space, snacks, and plenty of power strips, so that everyone can keep their laptops charged.

Teens are invited to come to the Homework Center from 4 to 6pm and

adults to the Purple Room from 6 to 7:45pm, except on November 22, with both sessions from 4 to 6pm when the Library closes.

Ms. Howard is the author of Chore Whore: Adventures of a Celebrity Personal Assistant, as well as numerous magazine articles for Cosmopolitan, Hello!, Marie Claire, and Grazia. Special thanks to the Friends of the Tulare County Library for their support of Ms. Howard’s library appearance.

Many marvelous novels have started as NaNoWriMo drafts, including “Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen, and “The Persistence of Memory”

by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes.

Yours could be the next! Check out the NaNoWriMo web page (www. nanowrimo.org) for more details, tips and pep talks.

The Tulare County Library serves all the citizens of Tulare County with locations in seventeen communities, four book machines and online at www.tularecountylibrary.org.

Like the Library on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tularecountylibrary or follow the Library on Twitter at twitter.com/TulareCountyLib.

Coming to the Hanford Fox Theatre Pink Martini Fri., Dec. 1 @ 7 pm $42 - $65

Tyler Farr Sat. Dec. 11 Call for ticket info!

$5 Movies Disney’s Aladdin 25th Anniversary - Saturday, Nov. 18 @ 2 pm Mickey’s Christmas Carol & Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas - Friday, Nov. 24 @ 7pm Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & Frosty the Snowman - Saturday, Dec. 9 @ 2pm

(559) 584-7823

www.foxhanford.com

2 November, 2017

Valley Voice • B3

Education COS, High Schools Submit Financial Aid Applications Staff Reports

Financial aid applications for the 2018-19 school year opened October 1, 2017, and COS’ Financial Aid Department will provide FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and California Dream Act Application assistance at dozens of local high schools and all three COS campuses before the March 2nd Cal Grant deadline.

While federal funds are available after March 2nd, students must meet that deadline to be eligible for thousands of dollars in California aid. Besides meeting the deadline, students must meet income and GPA requirements for a Cal Grant while federal funds don’t factor GPA. Sophia Walker is one semester away from completing her degree at College of the Sequoias and says financial aid has played a crucial role in her ability to attend college as a single mother.

“It’s one thing to stress about chapter assignments, but having to stress about affording classes or textbooks is another. Getting the help and the support you need is important for your success as a student.”

In 2017, 63% of Kings County and 57% of Tulare County public high school seniors completed a FAFSA or Dream Act Application and had a GPA submitted by March 2nd with a little over 50% awarded a Cal Grant.

Meanwhile, 80% of Tulare Western seniors completed an application and had a GPA submitted by the deadline, which resulted in 62% of their seniors being awarded a Cal Grant, according to the California Student Aid Commission.

Low completion rates has sparked the California Student Aid Commission’s “Race to Submit” campaign encouraging friendly competition to increase FAFSA and Dream Act Application completion throughout California. https://webutil.csac.ca.gov/ Dashboard/ Tulare Western students complete their application as part of an Economics class assignment with counselors and COS staff providing assistance.

Students go into the library with their class during regular class time which provides busy high school seniors with crucial time and support to meet the March 2nd deadline.

Mt. Whitney High School in Visalia is implementing this model for the first time this school year in hopes of increasing their completion rates.

Arturo Magallanes is a counselor at Tulare Western High School where the school’s mantra is “All In” for the students.

“One of the biggest barriers holding back our Central Valley students is the cultural knowledge of attending a university or college. Part of bridging the significant knowledge gap for our students is making them aware of fi-

nancial aid and guiding them through the application process,” Magallanes said. “We do our financial aid campaign to turn the college mirage seen of in the distance to a more real nearby and reachable destination for our students.”

Students who are U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents submit a FAFSA to determine their eligibility for a number of grants, including the popular Pell Grant which awards up to $5,920 a year, loans, and work study.

Students without a Social Security Number or those with a DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) Social Security Number should submit a California Dream Act Application.

There has been much confusion surrounding the repeal of DACA with people thinking this influences financial aid. DACA provided deportation protection and SSN’s for work authorization.

It’s a federal program with no influence or bearing on the California Dream Act Application, which was created to provide California financial aid for students meeting the following requirements: • Graduated or will graduate from a CA High School • Has or will have attended a CA high school for at least 3 years or equivalency • Has attended total of 3 years at CA elementary, secondary, or high school and earned credits in CA from a CA HS equivalent to 3 years Some schools hold Cash 4 College events that are listed on California Student Aid Commission’s website. https://www.cash4college.csac.ca.gov Students and families who don’t see their schools listed can check with their counseling, Student Services, or Career Center for workshop details.

COS will be hosting workshops open to the public on the following dates: • November 4th 10:00-2:00 (COS Visalia, Sequoia 156, Univision Partnership Event) • November 6th 1:00-3:00 pm (COS Visalia Kern 733) • November 6th 2:00-4:00 (COS Hanford Center) • November 29th 12:00-2:00 (COS Tulare Center) College of the Sequoias Community College District is a two-year California community college offering educational and career technical programs for the residents of its district in Tulare and Kings counties. In addition to the campus in Visalia, COS operates a full-service center in Hanford that is home to the college’s police and fire academies. COS also opened its Tulare College Center in January 2013. It is a full-service college center and the home of COS’ agriculture and other programs. For more information about COS, please visit our website.

18th Annual Expanding Your Horizons Conference Nov. 4 Nearly 900 young women have registered to attend the annual Expanding Your Horizons (EYH) conference on Saturday, November 4, at the Visalia campus of College of the Sequoias.

The student event is designed to encourage young women in grades 4 through 10 to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Melanie LeGro, a third-year doctoral student at the University of California, Merced, will be the keynote presenter at the opening of the conference will deliver the keynote address to conference attendees at approximately 8:45am.

Ms. LeGro is an early career scientist in the fields of molecular cell biology and computational biology.

Her current research focuses on understanding the molecular regulators of cell fate decisions that result from ge-

Staff Reports nomic instability and ultimately drive the formation of tumors.

This work contributes to the understanding of how cancers develop and adds to the body of knowledge necessary to determine new therapeutic targets.

Following the opening speaker, attendees can choose from dozens of breakout presentations conducted by women working in engineering, medical and scientific professions.

Attendees will enjoy sessions on engineering a bridge, robotics, rocket propulsion, forensics and more.

For additional information contact Rob Herman, Tulare County Office of Education public information officer, at (559) 733-6606. For event specifics, contact Paula Terrill of Tulare County Office of Education’s Educational Resource Services at (559) 651-0565.

Industrial Maintenance Open House Wed. Nov. 8 - 5:30- 6:30 pm Industrial Maintenance Shop ● Meet faculty and staff ● Learn about the Industrial Maintenance Program at PC ● Learn about the different jobs within the field ● Set up an Advising appointment ● Meet local employers & learn about job opportunities

Porterville College WWW.PORTERVILLECOLLEGE.COM

RSVP by phone/Questions: Tamara Smee 559.791.2299 Tamara.Smee@portervillecollege.edu

Calendar NOVEMBER November 3: First Annual Día de los Muertos 5:30-10am - Free Event - Food, beer, face painting, Mariachi, Ballet Folkloric - dance to the music of Dia de los Muertos at Garden Street Plaza, downtown Visalia.

For more information, contact the Tulare-Kings Hispanic Chamber, (559) 734-6020.

November 3: First Friday 6-8pm - Join us FIRST FRIDAY for the opening reception of Sequoia High School’s art student exhibition, Sequoia High School: Revealing a Parallax. The exhibition runs from Nov. 1st through the 17th.

November 4: 18th Annual Expanding Your Horizons Conference 8am - 3pm - Held at the Visalia campus of College of the Sequoias, the student event is designed to encourage young women in grades 4 through 10 to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

November 4: Santa Fe Trail-aThon Veteran’s Day 5K/10K Run/Walk - presented by the Tulare Sunrise Rotary, preserving Tulare’s railroad history. For more information, visit, www.tularesunriserotary.org.

your family tree? Know your family’s place in history? Preserve your family’s past? Tell your family’s story? Come to the Lindsay Branch of the Tulare County Library for a Beginning Genealogy class.

November 5: Celebrant Singers 8am, 10am, 12pm, 3pm - Recently celebrating 40 years of ministry, Jon Stemkoski’s CELEBRANT SINGERS is one of the nation’s premier music and missions organizations. To date, over 3,200 Celebrant alumni have ministered to more than 8 million people in all 50 States and 101 additional countries – including more than 6,000 Roman Catholic parishes in the United States and countless more worldwide.

November 8: Grow Food, Grow Jobs – Ag Tech Broadband Pilot 9am - 5pm - Registration for the sixth session in West Hills Community College District’s premier policy series—Essential Elements—is now open. The session, Grow Food, Grow Jobs – Ag Tech Broadband Pilot, is set for Nov. 8 and takes an unprecedented look at the issue of broadband accessibility in the rural Central Valley’s communities and agriculture industry.

The Lindsay Library is located at 157 N. Mirage Avenue in Lindsay.

Join us at St. Charles Borromeo, This free event is set for Nov. 8 5049 W. Caldwell Ave, Visalia, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are CA 93277 available now and include a free Sunday, November 5th: 8:00 a.m. lunch. To register or for more inMass in Spanish, 10:00 a.m. Mass formation about the event, visit in English, 12:00 a.m. Mass in www.essentialelementsseries.com.

English, 3:00 p.m. Concert This year’s Essential Elements will November 5: For the Love of Color Opening Reception 2-4pm - For the Love of Color is Betty Berk’s latest show of paintings opening at the Exeter Courthouse Gallery, `125 S. “B” Street in Exeter and on display for the months of November and December. These paintings guarantee a smile and happy outlook on life, celebrating joy through bright colors. Berk is an Expressionist, an art style that emphasizes a free use of color to express the artist’s emotions. A strong influence on her artworks is her study of piano from John Kitterman, of Hamilton Piano Studio for the last five years.

serve as an organizing session for the nation’s first broadband pilot focused on agriculture. Based on the findings from a survey of farmers regarding agriculture technology adoption and broadband need conducted by WHCCD Farm of the Future and Western Growers, the focus will be to tackle the broadband accessibility issue and develop a plan to increase broadband accessibility in the Central Valley.

November 7: Genalogy Class For more information & tick- for Beginners at the Lindsay ets, call (559) 217-3112 or visit, Library 3-5pm - Want to learn about www.lemoorerotary.org.

5-7pm - The Tulare Historical Museum’s Heritage Art Gallery will host the opening reception of Manuel Abad: “California Cow-

The conference showcases mathand science-related fields in interesting, hands-on ways. It also helps young women form personal contacts with women working in professions traditionally held by men.

For event specifics, contact Paula Terrill of Tulare County Office of Education’s Educational Resource Services at (559) 651-0565.

November 4: Fall Into Winter Vendor Extravaganza 10am - 2pm - Many vendor booths to shop from, food booths from the classrooms, raffle drawing of vendor donations, DJ Vkris at Liberty School, 1771 E. Berk’s subjects range from still life, landscapes and some figuraPacific Ave., Tulare. tive works. She loves teaching art November 4: 36th Annual at Dinuba High School where she Lemoore Rotary Crab Feed 6-10pm - Silent & Live auctions, tries to help students discover the no-host bar at Cinnamon Munic- great joy in expressing themselves ipal Complex. 711 W. Cinnamon in creative and productive ways.

Dr. Tickets $60.

boy.” The strikingly distinctive paintings of Manuel Abad are no stranger to local area artists and art enthusiasts alike!

November 10: Winterland Carnival: A Night Behind the Mask 6:30pm - presented by Franco productions and Habitat for Humanity. Pianist and recording artist Gina Lenee & US Latin Dance Champions. Dinner served by Sons of Italy. Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased at www. hfhtkc.org. For more information, contact Deanne, (559) 7344040 ext. 106 or info@hfhtkc.org November 10: Holocaust Survivors Speak 7:00pm - California Holocaust Education & Resource Center- is proud to host two Holocaust Survivors returning to Visalia to tell their stories in order to educate our young people about the dangers of fascism and intolerance.

The event will be held on Friday, November 10, 2017 at 7:00p.m., at Café 210 Performance located at 210 W. Center Street, Visalia.

Ticket price is $10 for adults and free to students 10-18 years old.

For tickets and information please contact (559) 308-1333.

November 10: The Rotary Showcase 2017 5:30-10pm - An evening of worldclass entertainment presented by the Rotary Club of Visalia Foundatio at the Wyndham Visalia.

Featured pianist Tim Buie. Dinner, dancing, silent auction and November 9: Battle of the Badg- door prizes. For more information or ticket purchase, contact es Blood Drive 10am - 3pm - In honor of Milt Paul Hurley, (559) 740-3677, or Stowe at Tulare’s Zumwalt Park, visit www.visaliarotaryclub.org Kern & M Streets. Bone marrow November 11: Lemoore Recreregistration will be available. Do- ation’s Veteran’s Day 5K Run nors will receive a commemorative - 3K Walk t-shirt. Contacts: Tulare Police De- 4pm - race time; 2:45-3:45 regpartment, Julia Franco (559) 358- istration. Start and finish at D 6277; Tulare Fire Department, Street Plaza. Awards to Fastest Rodney Roberts (559) 859-0320. Male, Fastest Female, Team Competition, Most Patriotic, Oldest November 9: Manuel Abad: Participant, Youngest Participant.

“California Cowboy.”

November 11: 4th Annual Lemoore Veteran’s Day Parade 6pm - Honoring all who served.

No entry fee - all entries must

have a patriotic theme. Register at Lemoore Recreation, 721 Cinnamon, (559) 924-6767. For more information, call (559) 9249227, or (559) 904-6138.

November 11: Just One Drop 3pm - The film tells the little known story of homeopathy, the most controversial system of medicine ever invented. Homeopathy is a specific form of medicine that uses minute doses of a highly diluted substance that stimulates the body to cure itself. Just One Drop will be shown in Visalia, one day only, at the Regal Visalia Stadium 10 Theater. Seats are limited and can only be reserved in advance online. View the movie trailer, get details and reserve seats at: www.

HomeopathyMovie.com.

November 12: Tulare Host Lions Club’s Annual Turkey Shoot 10am - 4pm - The Tulare Host Lions Club’s annual Turkey Shoot will be held on Sunday, November 12, 2017 on the grounds of the Agri-Center in Tulare, located South of Tulare East of highway 99. Frozen 12 to 15 pound turkeys will be on site. They can be won by target shooting at $3.00 a round, or taking part in the other games. All net proceeds go to vision conservation for the Tulare elementary schools,and the Blind Babies Foundation of Tulare County. For more information contact 688-2740 or 686-6483.

November 13: 500th Anniversary of the Reformation 6pm - The two local Lutheran Churches in Visalia are hosting a One-Night Movie Event! Grace and Christ Lutheran are the local churches. Visalia Stadium 10 Downtown. 120 S. Bridge St. Visalia Purchase tickets on line at: https:// new.tugg.com/events/martinluther-the-idea-that-changedthe-world-c96m or contact Teri Lingberg with your questions at 799-7116 Or at: dlingberg@ comcast.net November 14: “Making Democracy Work - Locally” 5:30pm - The League of Women Voters will meet Tuesday, No-

vember 14 at 5:30 p.m. in Left of Center,699 W. Center, Visalia. Our ongoing study of “Making Democracy Work - Locally” continues with speaker Leslie Caviglia, Assistant City Manager, on “It’s your City - Opportunities to Serve On Citizen’s Committees and Commissions”. This meeting is a dinner meeting to facilitate working persons who cannot attend lunch meetings. The cost is $17.00 Including tax and tip.

Reservations are required by November 10 by calling 732-5061 or phoebe8@att.net.

mation, call (559) 688-1030 or the first Thursday of the month at info@farmshow.org. the Kaweah Delta Chronic Disease Management Center, 325 Willis St., Visalia. Information: (559) 624-2416.

CONTINUOUS

Mondays: National Alliance on Mental Illness, 5:45pm Education Meeting: 7pm Support Group St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Visalia, 120 N. Hall, Corner of Center and Hall. For more information call: (559) 627-1306

Mondays: Bridge Club, 9:30am-2pm 210 W Center Street Visalia. AdNovember 18: “Making Demission is free. For additional inmocracy Work - Locally” formation call: Joan Dinwiddie, 8am - 12pm: The Rollin’ Relics (559) 732-0855 Car Club invites “one and all” to the Thirteenth Annual Poker/Tu- Mondays: Knitters, 10amlare County Monument Run. It 12:30pm will be about 100 miles, 3 hour 210 W Center Street Visalia. Evdrive. If your hotrod, truck, or eryone is welcome. motorcycle won’t start, then bring Mondays: Monday Karaoke at your family car and enjoy the fun! Barmageddon, 9pm-1am Registration is from 8:00 AM to Karaoke Jockey Miss Sammi will 9:00 AM at the Porterville Air- be hosting from 9pm - 1am. No port, 1893 S Newcomb. The run Cover. will be about 100 miles and end by 12:30 PM. At registration, you will receive further instructions and the directions for the first card stop. Convenience and fuel stops will be available.

Tuesdays: Barmageddon Trivia Thunderdome, 9pm-1am Challenge your friends to the ultimate trivia throwdown. Earn some bragging rights in categories ranging from Saturday morning Your first Poker hand is $10.00, cartoons, classic video games, and you can buy additional hands for pop culture films. Free sign ups at $5:00 each. There will be an op- 9:30pm. portunity to draw a last chance 2nd Tuesday, Monthly: Yappy card at the final stop for an addi- Hour, 5-9pm tional $5.00. You must be present Well-mannered, leashed pets are at turn-in to win. welcome on the patio at the PlanAll hands must be turned in by ing Mill Artisan Pizzeria, 514 12:30 PM. After expenses, the East Main Street, Suite A, in Visapot will be divided between the lia. A portion of the proceeds is donated to the Valley Oak SPCA. best highball and lowball hand.

For more information, call (559) If you have further questions, 651-1111. please call Dave Smith (559) 2027119 or Tim Day @ (559) 310- Wednesdays: Barmageddon 9575 or www.rollinrelicscarclub. Game Night Come blow off some steam at our blogspot.com game night. Happy hour from November 28: Tulare Christmas 6-8pm.

Tree Auction 5:30pm - Social hour and tree 1st Thursday Monthly through viewing followed by welcome October: Diabetes Support and dinner at 6:30pm. Catered Group, 5:30-7pm

by Fugazzis, MC - David Ma- Kaweah Delta Health Care Discaedo. Held at the Internation- trict offers a free diabetes support al Agri-Center. For more infro- group through October from on

1st Thursday, Monthly: Veterans Support Group, 5:30-7pm Free support group for global war on terrorism & post 9-11 (Veterans Only) at the Tulare Public Library, 475 North M Street in Tulare. Facilitated by: Dr. Lance Zimmerman, PhD of Veterans Counseling Clinic.

1st and 3rd Thursdays, Monthly: Central Valley Tea Party Meetings, 6pm 819 West Visalia Road, Farmersville.

3rd Thursday Monthly through October: Diabetes Support Group, 5:30-7pm Kaweah Delta Health Care District offers a free diabetes support group through October on the third Thursday of the month at 200 E. Sierra Ave., Woodlake.

Information: (559) 624-2416.

3rd Thursday, Monthly: Gathering At the Oval, 12:30-1pm Lifting up the needs and concerns of Visalia through individual prayer and meditation at Oval Park, 808 North Court Street in Visalia.

For more information, call (559) 967-4065.

3rd Thursday, Monthly: Board Game Night, 6-7:45pm For ages 10+ at the Visalia Branch Library, 200 West Oak Street.

Sign-ups are not required. For more information, call (559) 713-2703.

3rd Thursday, Monthly: Ladies’ Night, 6-10pm At the Clay Cafe in Visalia, 1018 E. Mineral King Ave. $10 studio fee with ceramic purchase. Includes complimentary margarita, dinner and dessert. Door prizes too! Reservations required: (559) 733-2022.

Fridays: Women’s Morning Bible Study, 9am-Noon 210 W Center Street Visalia..

For additional information call: (559) 739-9010

2 November, 2017

B6 • Valley Voice

Visalia Chamber Wins National Innovation Award Staff Reports

Big or small, Chambers of Commerce are continually challenged to reinforce their value and relevance to members.

That’s why every Chamber looks for creative ideas for events and programs that have a positive impact on the community while adding value to their organizations.

ChamberMaster sponsored the 4rd annual Chamber Innovation Award Competition celebrating and sharing inventive ideas from enterprising Chambers of Commerce.

Entries were judged based on creativity, community impact, value to chamber, value to members, and replicability. The winners will also be featured in the nationally published

Auction

4th Annual Edition of the Chamber Idea Book.

The Visalia Chamber of Commerce was awarded 2017 Innovation Award in the medium chamber category for their Visalia SOUP program.

Visalia SOUP is designed to promote community-based development through crowdfunding, creativity, collaboration, democracy, trust, and fun.

“Visalia SOUP supports Visalia’s best ideas to make our city stronger by promoting the entrepreneurial spirit.

We ‘re proud to work with our local business partners to host Visalia SOUP, creating opportunities for individuals to think outside the box.” Gail Zurek President and CEO, Visalia Chamber of Commerce. Upon notification of the award Zurek said “The Visalia Chamber is focused on innovation.

•

Continued from B1

auction items, including small Christmas trees will benefit more than 20 local charities including: • Arts Visalia • Daughters of Hope partnered with Mache • Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services • El Diamante High School Boosters partnered with ­­Rosa’s Italian Ristorante • Elite Dance Boosters • Golden State Family Services partnered with Henry Salazars • Hands in the Community partnered with Pita Kabob • Happy Trails Riding Academy • Kaweah Delta Foundation Lifeline partnered with

• • • • • • • • • •

Deli Delicious Kaweah Delta Hospice Foundation partnered with Quail Park on Cypress Love Inc partnered with YMI Café My Father’s House partnered with Café 225 NAMI Samaritan Center of Tulare County Soroptimist International of Visalia Spirit 88.9 partnered with Fugazzis TheSource LGBT+ Center partnered with the Lunch Box The Ruth Wood Open Arms House partnered with The Café Tulare County Symphony partnered with The Vintage Press Valley Caregivers Resource Group

Business is constantly changing and we know our member depend on our innovative approach to supporting them.

It’s is wonderful to be recognized nationally for the work we’re doing on behalf of our local businesses.”

Visalia Soup Ideas or proposals, submitted through the Visalia Chamber website, can be about anything from starting or expanding a business to initiating a community project or event.

A committee of community partners then narrows the entries to four finalists who are each given four minutes to present their ideas at the SOUP event.

SOUP provides a venue for area residents and business owners to gather, listen to great ideas, and to help fund projects that will make a lasting

• •

Visalia Education Foundation Visalia Police Department Explorers • Young Life/Young Lives of Tulare County partnered with Lamp Liter Inn Don’t miss the chance to generously support the work of local non-profits and kick off the holiday season with the most formal party in town. Attendees have the choice to attend the Christmas Tree Auction on a General Admission ticket or VIP Ticket.

Ticket

and Sponsorship Information:

General Admission Tickets are $70.00 (7:00 – 11:30pm). General Admission Tickets include: wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, live and silent tree auctions, dessert, live music & dancing.

General Admission Tickets may be pur-

impact in the community. A suggested donation of $5 is all it takes to get into the family-friendly event, which includes a bowl of soup, bread, and a chance to vote.

SOUP gives people the opportunity to see the Chamber’s commitment to supporting both the community and entrepreneurial spirit on a grassroots level.

Attendees are encouraged to think outside the box, adopt an entrepreneurial mindset, and walk away feeling like they had a stake in the program.

The inaugural winner of the Visalia SOUP program was awarded $1,500 and has been working hard to utilize the connections and resources provided as part of winning the competition.

The winning idea? Martial arts classes for autistic children!

chased online at www.visaliachamber. org/christmastree/.

VIP tickets are $120.00 (6:00 – 11:30pm). VIP Tickets include: designated seating, live entertainment, exclusive wine tasting, souvenir wine glass, hors d’oeuvres, live and silent tree auctions, dessert, live music & dancing.

Tickets may be purchased by calling the Visalia Chamber of Commerce at 559-734-5876.

Businesses interested in sponsoring the 37th Annual Christmas Tree Auction should contact the Visalia Chamber of Commerce for details at 559-734-5876.

The Visalia Chamber of Commerce serves as the “voice of business” and provides strategic leadership and engagement in building the future of business and the community through information, services, and advocacy to the employers of our community.

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2 November, 2017

Valley Voice • B7

Visalia Chamber Emerge Program Connects New Business Owners with Experts, Resources Staff Reports Building on the success of previous entrepreneurship programs, the Visalia Chamber of Commerce Emerge program will help new and future business owners to connect with local business resources and industry experts.

The Emerge entrepreneurship program was created to give local entrepreneurs a hands on learning experience, and to walk them through the complex steps required to start a successful business. Participants will learn core entrepreneurial skills through the process of taking a business idea from the early stages to a business ready to launch.

Over the course of six months the program will includes twelve evening classes held at the College of Sequoias Visalia campus from 6:00 - 8:30 pm. Each of the 12 classes will focus on a different aspect of business including; business law, accounting, marketing, zoning and ordinances, human resources, insurance, taxes and sales training.

During each class session local industry experts will speak to the class and provide relevant real world expertise that class members can incorporate into their new business ventures. Emerge participants will work with instructors and business mentors to build a robust business plan that provides future guidance for the company while solidifying the milestones and goals that will lead to success.

“Entrepreneurship is vital to the success of a community. Entrepreneurs bring new ideas, generate tax revenue

and provide jobs for the local community.” stated Gail Zurek, President/CEO of the Visalia Chamber of Commerce.

Programs like Emerge are vital to communities that want to grow and compete with larger cities.

“It is heartbreaking to learn of a brand new business that launches with dreams of success only to close their doors a year later because they did not take the time to think through, research, and ask the right questions.”

The Emerge program will provide the opportunity for entrepreneurs to learn what questions they should be asking, to work through the financial details, and create a map to accomplish necessary tasks, while getting support for business experts.

Zurek noted “We hope that Emerge participants will have the skills and knowledge to not just launch a new business but to help that business grow in the years to come.”

Emerge participants must complete an application, participate in an interview, attend an orientation and be 18 years or older.

Tuition is $350.00 dollars and includes all class materials, business plan template, and resource guide. The deadline to submit applications is November 17, 2017.

Individuals interested in a particular area of business may registered to attend specific classes for $50.00 each.

Applications and other materials can be found at www.visaliachamber.org/ emerge or by calling the Visalia Chamber of Commerce at 559-734-5876

Arts Visalia Continued from B1

This special exhibition will have many items for sale by a variety of artists from the gift shop expanded through the exhibit space.

Exhibit will run from November 22nd through December 16th, with First Friday being December 1st from 6pm to 8pm. This is a great opportunity to purchase gifts for loved ones.

Arts Visalia’s Fall Fund Raiser will be a raffle starting First Friday, November 3rd and continues thru Friday, December 8th.

Each Board Member has donated at least two raffle items worth at least $25 each. We will sell tickets for $5 each or 5 for $20.

The raffle drawing will be on December 8th at 5pm so we will have time to get the raffle items to the winners before we go dark for 2 weeks. We are counting on you.

Arts Visalia is hosting a morning

of free face painting at the 13th Annual Race Against Hunger’s Kid’s Zone on Thursday, November 23, Thanksgiving Day. Arts Visalia is also partnering with the Visalia Emergency Aid Council to provide fun activities for the children of this beneficial event. All proceeds from the Race Against Hunger benefit the Visalia Emergency Aid Food Pantry. The Race Against Hunger provides critical funding for food assistance to more than 1,100 families (2,500 children) in need each month. Arts Visalia is happy to be a part of such a cause.

Art classes for children and adults are ongoing at Arts Visalia. Registration forms can be downloaded from the website artsvisalia.org, or can be picked up at the gallery.

For more information and class descriptions, please go to artsvisalia.org, call us at 559-739-0905 or visit us at the gallery, 214 East Oak Avenue, Visalia, California 93291.

Saturday

November 12th 10:00 am - 5:00pm

Saturday Saturday Saturday

1 12th November 12th November 12th November 10:00 amam -am 5:00pm 10:00 - 5:00pm 10:00 - 5:00pm

Sunday

November 13th Sunday Sunday Sunday 10:00 am - 4:00pm

November 13th 2 13th November 13th November 10:00 am 4:00pm 10:00am am- 4:00pm - 4:00pm 10:00

ONE-NIGHT MOVIE EVENT

at The Visalia

at The Visalia The Visalia atatThe Visalia Convention Center Convention Center Convention Center Convention Center

Monday, Nov. 13 @ 6:30 pm Visalia Stadium 10 - 120 S. Bridge St., Visalia

Admission ............ $5.00 Admission ............ $5.00 Admission ............ $5.00 Admission ............ $5.00

It’s a story about the most important questions of life, including Who am I?, What is my purpose? and How do I get right with God?

Purchase tickets online at:

Current Military Current Military & &&& Current Military Current Military Immediate Family FREE ImmediateFamily FamilyFREE FREE Immediate Immediate Family FREE

Holiday Marketplace Holiday Marketplace Holiday Marketplace Holiday Marketplace Boutique 2016 2017 Boutique 2016 Boutique 2016 Boutique 2016

https://new.tugg.com/events/martin-luther-the-idea-that-changed-the-world-c96m

or contact Teri Lingberg at (559) 799-7116, dlingberg@comcast.net

On Facebook at facebook.com/ourvalleyvoice

Bring thisthis ad afor FREE admission Bring thisfor adfor FREE admission Bring ad aaFREE admission

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2 November, 2017

Home Grown Wreaths Penye Cushing, UCCE Master Gardener

Don’t you just love this time of the year? While we still have the warmth of day, the nights are cooling down. The sky turns gold and the sounds of the day seem softened by the cooler temperatures, especially after the long heat of summer. This is the time when my creative heart turns to wreaths for every gate and door!

I feel compelled to celebrate Summer transitioning into harvesting fall with all its color and glory! I sound like a revivalist, and maybe there is a little in me as I revive the tradition of swathing our doors to welcome friends and family.

We all know that fall is a good time to prune shrubs, so why not make wreaths from the clippings instead of filling your green waste can? With a sharp pair of nippers and a long-handled pruner, survey the premises for likely materials. I even check out the neighborhood (asking permission first, of course!).

Keep in mind you can make wreaths, garlands OR swags with your findings, so cut a length a little longer than you think you might need. You might have a theme as you prowl around looking for likely materials, but if you’re like me, you might like to work “on the fly.” I prefer working with available materials as I find them. It gives me more creative license to weave together this year’s “look.”

Valley Voice • B8

Consider acacia flower buds with their gray feathery foliage. They are so graceful with movement. Toyon, full of fall red berries, or pyracantha (warning – thorns!), or nandina are winners for a door wreath. Wax-leaf privet has purple berries and mixes elegantly with silver dollar eucalyptus and citrus leaves or kumquat branches with the fruit still on.

Don’t allow your imagination to stop there! Consider all the beautiful fall branches turning shades of red or gold. Forage for branches and seedpods. For greenery, grevilleas, evergreens and magnolias. What about long wild rose runners (thorns can be clipped off) with rose hips? Prickly seed balls from sycamore or liquid amber, either natural or sprayed with silver or gold paint. Fresh bay leaves or cinnamon sticks add a fragrant Acacia Flower Buds Courtesy/Master Gardener News/Forest & Kim Starr note to your masterpiece.

Take a trial walk to look for good cuttings. As soon as you have a clipping, gloves! Also have floral wire or fishing mixes. Then get clipping and gathering. hose it off to remove any dirt or bugs, line and a glue gun. Start by securing the Once you’ve depleted your own yard of then let the foliage dry as the clipping larger heavier greenery first. Then start available materials, go visit friends to sits in its bucket of preservative. If stems layering and filling in the spaces with “shop” for clip pings. To give yourself are woody, smash the ends well with a small branches, leaves, twigs, berries, a great start have a few things ready. hammer so the stems can absorb their pine cones, nuts, moss, or even fruit (eiFill a bucket with water and add a cup preservative food. Greens should sit and ther real or plastic). Add some ribbon, of sprite or a lemon-lime soda (no diet sip in their buckets over-night (best) and voila you have created a masterpiece! here, clippings need the sugar), ½ tea- or at least several hours. If you have a Weave and mix to your heart’s despoon of bleach and 1 tablespoon of wreath form--either wire, straw, or Sty- sire. Let your imagination soar to create lemon juice for every gallon of water. rofoam, this job can be easier to mold a glorious fall welcome to your home This will serve as a preservative for your your shape. Don’t forget to wear your October 21, 2017