Valley Voice Issue 106 (7 December, 2017)

Volume XXXVII No. 23 • 7 December, 2017

www.ourvalleyvoice.com

Tulare Police Chief Still Has Job, Despite Union Misgivings Wes Hensley remains Tulare’s chief of police and will stay on paid administrative leave, despite a formal statement of no-confidence delivered to the City Council Tuesday night by an attorney for the Tulare Police Officers Union.

No Union Support for Command Roger Wilson, the union’s lawyer, told the Council that the executive committee of the union had polled its members about City Manager Joe Carlini’s decision to place Hensley on paid administrative, and they support the move.

Hensley was placed on leave by Carlini on September 27.

The union, Wilson said, surveyed officers’ opinion of the decision to place Hensley on leave, as well as on the level of confidence they now place in Hensley’s professional ability.

“The results of the poll showed the union members are in favor of the city manager’s decision to place the command staff members on paid administrative leave and to continue with his investigation of those staff members’ conduct,” Wilson said. “Further, the results of the poll show that the union

Dave Adalian

members have no confidence in the leadership abilities of Chief Hensley.”

Three Officers on Paid Leave Two other members of the Tulare Police Department have also been placed on paid leave. They are Capt.

Fred Ynclan and Lt. Jerod Boatman, both of whom have more than 15 years with the TPD. Hensley has 26 years with the TPD, and was promoted to chief in 2015. The city is currently paying $37,000 a month to cover the three men’s salaries.

Wilson described a workplace atmosphere wherein officers felt afraid for their jobs under Hensley’s command.

“What is clear is that since Chief Hensley took command in November 2015, the union relationship with command staff has deteriorated substantially,” Wilson said. “So much so that many union board members felt the need to step down due to pressure from the command staff, and they feared retaliation if they questioned the command staff’s actions.”

TULARE POLICE continued on 8 »

Exeter Ambulance District Sued for Wrongful Termination Catherine Doe The embattled Exeter District Ambulance (EDA) is facing more turmoil.

On November 28 Jennifer Rios, former paramedic for the district, filed suit against the district for wrongful termination, back pay and benefits.

Named in the suit are the Exeter District Ambulance, board members Tony Miller and Darinda Kunkel, and office manager TJ Fischer.

Rios believes the district fired her in retaliation for reporting that board member Tony Miller had engaged in criminal wrongdoing at the district office. She also believes that her firing was to punish her for her involvement in the recall campaigns against board members Miller and Kunkle.

“It’s a pretty straight forward whistle blower retaliation case,” said Marguerite Melo, Rios’s lawyer.

According to the suit, Rios suffered economic injury as a result of her loss of salary and benefits by a wrongful termination from EDA. She has also suffered a violation of her civil rights.

Rios was employed as a paramedic

by EDA from August 2010 until she was fired the at end of June of this year.

Around January 30, 2017, Rios lodged a formal complaint with EDA Board President Allen Sherer. The complaint stated that Miller made false accusations against her and that he intended

to have her and other employees fired.

The accusations involved a blackmail incident that had been investigated in 2014 where Rios had been exonerated.

Rios’ complaint also stated that she witnessed Miller removing what she believed to be personnel files from the EDA office between 9pm and 10pm on January 26 of this year.

According to her complaint, she and another employee witnessed Miller removing two boxes from the EDA office and putting them in his wife’s car.

Miller was at the office late in the evening when normally no paramedic crews were at the station. But “two crews drove up unexpectedly as he was loading documents in to the vehicle” stated Rios’ letter.

She continued, “It is my belief that he took those documents home and Mrs. Miller was given free access to said information including personnel records.

I believe with Mr. Millers history and stated intentions, there is no way to tell whether he removed or planted items inside of Mr. Damico’s (former office manager) office in an attempt to further push his agenda and try to bring validity to his false statements and accusations of improprieties that have recently been stated at board meetings.”

Theft of governmental files is a violation of the law.

In another incident involving the

EXETER continued on 9 »

Patients and employees use the main entrance at Kaweah Delta Medical Center in downtown Visalia before it was closed temporarily during the expansion of the Center’s emergency department. The entrance will remain closed for two weeks. Construction of the ED expansion will continue into 2019. Dave Adalian/Valley Voice

Kaweah Delta Begins Emergency Room Upgrade With a new CEO at the helm, Kaweah Delta Medical Center is starting its largest expansion since the addition of the Acequia Wing in 2009, one that will see 33 new exam rooms in the emergency department, as well as new treatment facilities.

“We will literally almost double the size of the ED,” said Gary Herbst, who took over as CEO for the Kaweah Delta Health Care District (KDHCD) in August. “We currently have 41 exam rooms, and we’re going to 74 exam rooms, and we’re increasing our waiting room capacity from about 60 chairs to more than 100.”

Lindsay’s Legacy

The construction, which saw the closure this week of the hospital’s main entrance on Mineral King Avenue, is part of a $100 million set of plans to expand KDHCD’s ability to treat patients begun under the leadership of former CEO

Dave Adalian Lindsay Mann. Mann left his position to take a mission with the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints.

Covering the cost of the building boom are a set of revenue bonds issued in December of 2015, which will be repaid using the District’s future earnings.

“This is all being funded by our existing operations,” Herbst said.

Upcoming projects include completing infill of the second, fifth and sixth floors of the hospital’s Acequia Wing, the construction of an endoscopy center on the West Campus at Cypress Avenue and Akers Street, refurbishment of the Exeter Health Clinic, a $22-million upgrade to the District’s IT system, and construction of temporary parking after the demolition of two vacant buildings on the Downtown Campus.

ER continued on 10 »

Tulare Hospital Searching for Employees, Applications Open The Tulare Local Healthcare District Board of Directors announces that recruitment for hospital employees is underway in preparation for the reopening of Tulare Regional Medical Center (TRMC) in the near future.

“We are excited that we are moving forward with the recruitment and interview process to staff TRMC, bringing us to our goal of creating a viable and productive community hospital,” says Larry Blitz, interim CEO for the District.

Interviewing for jobs began the week of November 27.

Applicants are directed to obtain an application from the website: https:// tularelocalhealthcaredistrict.org/hospital-employee-recruitment and follow instructions for submittal.

Staff Reports In addition, a job fair hosted by the Employment Development Department (EDD) is tentatively scheduled for early December.

“Our outreach to recruit and interview for all hospital positions is a critical part of our efforts to staff TRMC at the appropriate level so that it best serves the community,” says Board Chairman Kevin Northcraft.

For ongoing updates about applying for a position at Tulare Regional Medical Center, and to obtain the latest news and information about progress toward the hospital’s reopening, and Tulare Local Health Care District’s Board of Directors’ meetings and agendas, visit tularelocalhealthcaredistrict.org.

2 • Valley Voice

7 December, 2017 FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK

Thrown To The Wolves

I surmise that most of you reading this do not number among the top 1% income bracket. Furthermore, I gather that most of you reading this--at least in Kings and Tulare Counties here in California--identify yourselves as Republican.

I’m writing to you.

You can thank your party for the tax hike most poor and working class families--most of you--can expect to face after the Senate haphazardly passed a new tax overhaul. For their efforts in the House, you can thank Kevin McCarthy, you can thank David Valadao and you can thank Devin Nunes.

But you can’t thank either of your senators--both Democrats--because our bicameral legislature passed this tax plan along strictly partisan lines.

There will have to be a conference committee to reconcile the House and Senate versions, but the Republicans of both bodies are confident that there will be a return-finally!--to “trickle-down” economics.

Correct me if I’m wrong: Haven’t we tried this before?

This might conceivably begin to make a smattering of sense for wealthy Republicans who live in upscale enclaves. Or even for rich Republicans who live in rural areas. Like farmers. But it makes absolutely no sense for rank and file Republicans in poverty stricken Kings and Tulare Counties.

You’ve been thrown to the wolves. By your beloved Party.

Google “Stockholm syndrome” if you have access to a computer. It may be a leading reason why Kings and Tulare Counties are so deeply red.

And it makes no sense for the rest of the United States: According to the nonpartisan congressional Joint Committee on Taxation, the new bill will increase the deficit by $1 trillion over 10 years.

How do you suppose your elected Republicans will attempt to bridge this gap should they judge it accurate? Remember--your party is the “financially responsible” one.

I’ll tell you what I think.

First, they’ll make sure you don’t have healthcare by killing the Affordable Care Act. That’ll save a bundle--and they have, after all, been promising this for years.

They’ll raise the age at which you qualify to receive Social Security benefits while simultaneously reducing the payment you get.

Adios, welfare. Nice knowing you, WIC. Sayonara, infrastructure.

You see where this is headed, you poor--and I mean that literally--benighted Republicans?

The people you vote into office are rapaciously plundering you. They are looting the country while leaving you to hold the bag. And the bag is empty.

I recently read a biography of Jann Wenner, the founder, editor and publisher of Rolling Stone. It was as much a history of the magazine as his biography, and therefore an atlas, culturally speaking, of our last 50 years.

Here’s an excerpt from page 155: Ralph Gleason…would remark that the proof that Rolling Stone was a great idea was that it survived Wenner’s management.

I have often thought along these lines regarding our government, its checks and balances, and our chiefly two-party system.

But is the comparison an apt one?

And can we, indeed, survive the Republicans’ management?

Joseph Oldenbourg

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7 December, 2017

Valley Voice • 3

Political Fix One Hundred Years and Counting

For a state that has only been around since 1850, and a county since 1852, it’s pretty impressive that the Tulare County Farm Bureau (TCFB) has been going strong for 100 of those years.

So the organization threw a party on November 30 for all those families who had been farming in Tulare County for the last 100 years. It was quite the shin dig, and a testament to the strength of the Farm Bureau and our farmers.

The celebration brought over 350 attendees to the International Agri-Center and all I could think of at the end of the evening was how TCFB Executive Director Tricia Stever and staffers Sandy Nixon, and Shirley Kirkpatrick must be happy it was over. Many other people helped organize the event but those were the three I worked with in regards to my family.

All of the state and local politicians sent their representatives or were there in person – Senator Dianne Feinstein, State Senator Jean Fuller, Congressman Kevin McCarthy and Congressman Devin Nunes all sent representatives.

Assemblyman Devon Mathis was there in person and skirted by my table, but strangely enough didn’t stop to say hello.

Visalia Mayor Warren Gubler, TC Ag Commissioner Marilyn Kinoshita, and TC District Attorney Tim Ward were also there. I am sure there are some politicians I have missed.

My husband and I were there to represent the Doe family and to honor my grandmother, Florence Malloch Doe. She was involved in agriculture her entire life and helped the Farm Bureau build its current facility on Ben Maddox in 1956.

Her grandmother, Sarah Kame, was also a local farmer, making our kids the sixth generation involved in agriculture.

There was a lot of history in the room that night as the farm bureau celebrated 42 families who had been farming in Tulare County since before 1917.

Arriving in Tulare County in 1865, my family was not the oldest, but darn close.

For all the old-timers who enjoy a cup of coffee while reading local history, here are some of my family’s stories.

“Brewery Donald” or Donald Malloch was the first in our family to arrive and filled a need wherever he saw one, such as opening up saloons. Family lore is that he drank all his profits but that wasn’t true. He opened the Visalia Brewery in 1868, selling ginger beer as well as conventional lager, a business that went on successfully for the next 10 years and surviving the slow winter months when other breweries had failed.

His first brewery was located on Bridge and Main and many others followed. He was an adept salesman, giving away free samples and declaring his ale a “cure for all ailments in Tulare County” - a tall order for 19th century rural living.

Donald wrote back to his native Scotland and convinced his nephew, Peter Malloch, to join him at the Mineral King Silver mines. Peter endured an unpleasant trip via the Panama Canal and joined Donald in 1876. For the next four seasons they rode their pack mules up to Mineral King at the first signs of spring. Donald made nine claims and

Catherine Doe

Peter, seventeen.

Peter and Donald managed to sell their claims before the general public realized there really wasn’t much silver in Mineral King and invested their money on the valley floor. Peter bought land in Goshen by the railroad tracks and Donald opened a livery stable and feed store in Visalia. Donald later headed to the new boom town of Traver to open another brewery.

The main line of the Southern Pacific Railroad was built right through Goshen and Visalia feared it would be the next railroad center and overtake Visalia in size and relevancy. In 1888 Goshen could boast of several stores, two hotels, a lumber yard, grain warehouse, a large depot, stock-yards, a blacksmith, restaurants and saloons.

Peter Malloch continued to buy farm land but Goshen did not grow, and some would say is less developed now than it was 140 ago.

But agriculture flourished.

Peter Malloch and his future in-laws, the Kames, had not yet met but were on the same trajectory.

Southern Pacific also finished their cross country rail line to San Francisco in 1872. Sarah Kame arrived in Visalia the following year with seven of her ten children. One of those children was Catherine Kame, Peter’s future wife.

The Kames left Columbus, Ohio, a bustling industrial center, for a dusty town with no paved streets and few modern conveniences. A middle-aged widower and accomplished midwife, Sarah decided to start her life over in Visalia. Some might have thought she was crazy, but Sarah was considered a Tulare County pioneer. A town short on doctors appreciated her medical skills and she became the first lady supervisor of the Tulare County Hospital in 1883.

In 1876, facing a malaria epidemic, Sarah packed the kids up and went to Sequoia National Park. They camped at Wygas Sawmill. The Centennial Exposition was being held in Philadelphia and Mr. Wygas cut a large Sequoia tree in sections and sent one of the sections to the fair as an exhibit. The slice of the Sequoia was called the Centennial Tree.

A house still standing in Mooney Grove was made from the wood of the Centennial Tree.

On the stump of the Sequoia the campers held a dance. Sarah’s youngest daughter, Juniata’s, favorite memory of this time was the ride from the Wygas Mill to the tree stump. They went by ox team “through many feet of snow and the beautiful red snow plants showed through.”

Sarah was also a farmer and bought 120 acres of Section 14 east of Goshen.

Her son Jacob bought a parcel right next door to Peter Malloch’s land on Section six. That might have been how Catherine Kame and Peter Malloch met, because it wasn’t in church.

The Kames were active in the Methodist Episcopalian Church and the Women’s Christian Temperance Union that vigorously campaigned for prohibition. Conversely, Peter’s father had one of the best known whiskey distilleries along Loch Tay in the Scottish Highlands and Uncle Donald had one of the most successful breweries in town.

Though the Methodist Episcopalian Church lamented that Visalia was only a town of 3000 souls but 30 bars, Catherine Kame and Peter Malloch’s paths crossed and their union persevered.

Peter started farming in earnest in 1880 and built his family home on the corner of Riggin Avenue and Rd 76. All of their children were born in the threeroom home on the Malloch homestead along with my grandmother, in 1899.

Directly behind their home they harvested deciduous fruit trees and grape vines. In those days the grape vines crawled along the ground instead of being propped up on stakes--making them unrecognizable in old farming pictures.

Chinese laborers would arrive by train and pick the grapes and fruit and send it back on the train to San Francisco. Catherine and her daughters were in charge of feeding the work crews during the harvest. Catherine would cook the meat and toast the sandwiches on a large outdoor stove and the girls would hand them out to the workers.

As a little girl, Grandma took the horse and buggy north of Goshen with her sisters at night to watch the gas lights come out of the swamp. Everything was marshy in parts of the Valley floor before Terminus Dam, and Visalia had floods about every 20 years. In those days, Tulare Lake wasn’t just a far-off memory but a major body of water, 30 miles wide, where the Kaweah and Tule Rivers flowed.

Livestock, turkeys and horses were

kept in the family barn to the north of their home on another part of Peter and Catherine’s ranch. A professional muleskinner, Barton, was in charge of training and caring for the family’s work animals. Tractors did not show up on the ranches until the 1930’s, so Barton was in charge of breaking the mules to pull the plows. He was from Canada and his only condition of employment was that no one asked about his past.

Goshen Elementary School went up to the eighth grade and that was when most farming kids’ education came to an end, including Peter and Catherine’s oldest son. That left Christine, the oldest daughter, in charge of getting the horses ready in the mornings and driving the buggy to Visalia High School. On the way to school Ruth and Christine, the two oldest Malloch daughters, would pick up their “neighbors,” the Hayes girls. Back then Visalia high was located at the Oval and a block away from the school was a stable where Christine secured her horses for the day.

Ruth and Christine ended up attending the University of California at Berkeley and the Hayes girls went on to college also.

Peter never did cultivate all of his land, possibly because of a lack of reliable water. Pumps to lift the water from the underground aquifer did not come into use until the 1890’s, and running the pumps depended on the availability of electricity. To secure a more reliable

POLITICAL FIX continued on 9 »

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4 • Valley Voice

7 December, 2017

Council, Staff Infighting Continue at Tulare City Hall Dave Adalian

The Tulare City Council behaved itself for an entire hour before the accusations and recriminations began at its November 21 meeting. At issue this time was an item seeking the removal of Councilman Jose Sigala from the board of the Mid-Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA).

Sigala’s removal was placed on the agenda by City Manager Joe Carlini following a discussion with a second council member, later identified as Greg Nunley. But that wasn’t the first controversy of the night.

‘Gentlemen’s Agreement’

The wrangling for power began when Sigala, during discussion about the reappointment of Gregory Blevins and Howard Stoman to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). BPU appointments have already been a hot issue for the council, which dissolved the previous BPU in order to create greater diversity on that board. During that fight, Sigala requested and the Council approved the appointment of Erica Cubas, who later resigned. Over Sigala’s objections, Cubas was replaced by Chris Soria at a later meeting.

Tulare’s City Charter gives the major the right to select members of the BPU, which must then be ratified by the Council. However, Sigala says he and Mayor Carlton Jones agreed to allow each council member their own

selection.

“I know the Charter specifically talks about the appointment and the process and how this works,” Sigala said. “Earlier this year, there was what I thought was a gentlemen’s agreement that didn’t turn out to be a gentlemen’s agreement to ask each of the council district members to recommend someone to get appointed.”

Jones, however, citing the Charter, denied such an agreement exists.

He also said Sigala was given the opportunity to nominate a candidate, but did not.

“First of all, it wasn’t a gentlemen’s agreement,” he said. “I did ask everyone in the recruiting process to bring forward anyone who they thought would want to serve on BPU, and I did honor your request. I think everyone had the same opportunity to recommend or bring forward. And, you didn’t, so that’s your fault.”

Appointments Made

Eventually, the Council voted unanimously to reappoint Blevins and Stoman to the BPU. The Council also voted to reduce membership of the Tulare Planning Commission from seven to five members. Shanelle Herrera will return to the Planning Commission; Jeff Killion and Linda Crase will not. The new membership becomes effective on January 1, 2018, the day after Killion and Crase’s terms expire.

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The Main Event

The evening’s battle royale, however, came when the Council took up the possibility of removing Sigala from his seat on the GSA. At its most recent meeting, the GSA’s board discussed how costs and benefits would be shared among the three participating agencies, Tulare, Visalia and the Tulare Irrigation District (TID).

During planning by staff at all three agencies, a recommendation was formulated for a split that would see Tulare participate at a 26% level, while the TID and Visalia would be in at 37% each. During the GSA meeting, Sigala offered a split that would see Tulare go in at a 30 percent participation after he said he learned TID representatives would not approve the 37-37-26 split.

All actions by the GSA must have unanimous approval.

The real mystery was how Sigala’s removal ended up on the Council’s agenda.

“I have just one basic question, how did this get on the agenda?” Sigala said. “I have two different stories here, where (Councilman Greg) Mr. Nunley is telling me he did talk to the city manager about concerns with GSA and what’s going on here. But, he’s standing two feet away from me, telling me in my face, saying, ‘I did not ask that you be ... put on the agenda to be removed.’”

Who’s the Boss?

Sigala has attended all meetings of the GSA, arriving at one meeting late.

The city’s other representative, Nunley, has missed several meetings and been late to several of those he has attended.

Failure to attend meetings is the usual reason for such a removal.

Eventually, it emerged that City Manager Joe Carlini had placed the call for Sigala’s removal at his own initiative. He appeared to be reacting to Sigala’s decision not to present the staff recommendation on the share of costs and benefits before offering an alternative division.

“I put it on there,” Carlini said.

“Staff recommendation never got to the table before a change was made and an offer was drawn at 35-35-30.”

Sigala said he overheard TID representatives declare they would not support the recommended split, a conversation Nunley missed because he was tardy, and decided to put forth a

proposal they would acccept.

“I was sitting next to (David) Bixler (chair of the TID), and they weren’t supportive of the staff report,” Sigala said. “That’s why I offered a compromise.”

Carlini, however, said he did not agree with Sigala’s decision, prompting him to call for his removal.

“I still think you were supposed to do the staff recommendation,” Carlini said. “I did it three months ago.”

Staff recommendations, Sigala countered, are only advice to be taken into consideration by those elected to make the decisions.

“I understand that, Joe, but, you know what? You can do a year worth of work, and it doesn’t mean I’m going to support it,” Sigala said. “As a council member and as an elected, that’s my prerogative.”

The Council took no action on the item, and Sigala will remain on the GSA Board.

No Retaliation

Sigala seemed dissatisfied with the notion Carlini acted alone to have him removed. Other members of the Council denied the accusation.

“I will say that during my agenda review, I read that item and I was fine with it,” Jones said, adding he was not responsible for it being on the agenda.

Councilwoman Maritza Castellanoz also denied foreknowledge of the action, and said Sigala was making unfair assumptions about the motives of his fellow council members.

“The first time I seen this was when I read it on the agenda,” Castellanoz said. “Your assumption was wrong.

Your assumption was wrong to believe that this is retaliation on my part, and your assumption was wrong to think that the vote was here, because I’m not here to remove you.”

No final agreement for share of cost for the GSA has been reached, and the Council consensus is to discuss the matter only in closed session. Jones, who was the city’s original representative to the GSA, said it was important Tulare keep its cost at minimum.

“When we started this GSA and we started to talk about who’s going to pay what, we made it very clear that a city the size of Tulare is not going to pay the same as Visalia; and we are not going to pay the same as TID,” he said.

“I hope that would be our message going forward.”

Cost Savings on Bonds

Before the fighting got underway, the Council approved a plan to refinance lease revenue bonds issued by

TULARE continued on 9 »

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7 December, 2017

Valley Voice • 5

Drug Court Graduates 200; Total 2,500 and Counting Nancy Vigran

The 200-plus graduates in November, 2017, make a total of nearly 2,500 total Tulare County Adult Drug Court grads since its inception in 1986. Since the course length is 18 months, there is not a graduation every year.

Drug Court supervises drug offenders through treatment and recovery, offering them educational and employment incentives that help them break the destructive cycles of addiction, according to staff. The participants are responsible for their costs of participation including counseling and drug testing. Graduates of Drug Court have much lower rates of recidivism than those incarcerated.

During the before and after photos of each graduate during the November 29 ceremony, cheers rose from the crowd with each clean-up photo. Four graduates spoke during the commencement.

Personal Experiences

Porterville program grad Chanel Martinez said she started using Vicodin at the age of 17 and became addicted to Ecstasy. Following the death of her father, she began bartending at the age of 20.

“I got high all the time,” she said.

She fell deeper and deeper into her depression, she said. She turned to shooting up heroine, and knew she had gone too far. She stole from anyone in her community she could, in order to get her drugs, and that landed her in jail.

“That was the worst experience in my life,” she said.

She met Tulare County Judge Gary Johnson, who offered her the 18-month program as a way out of jail, as well as a way out of her addiction. It would also offer her structure, which she felt she badly needed.

“I stayed compliant, so I didn’t have to go back to jail,” she said, citing her earlier comment on how much she liked jail.

When she would see Judge Johnson, “He would ask, ‘is there anything I can do for you,’” she said. “Can you imagine?”

Martinez has been clean for three years and one month. “Dad – I love you and I miss you,” she said before leaving the podium.

Jennifer Fisher is also from the Porterville area and attended the program there. She is grateful to be a recovering addict, she said.

“I grew up in a family of alcohol and drug abuse,” she said.

At the age of nine, she smoked Ecstasy and she escalated quickly into using meth, falling into the typical behavior of an addict, she said. At the age of 32, that came to a halt. She was taking the bus home on the evening following Christmas Day, and got off to walk the rest of the way. She noticed a sheriff officer, and he noticed her, her story revealed. He stopped her to talk.

“That was the beginning of my recovery,” she said.

The mother of four became home-

The more than 200 students graduating from Tulare County Drug Court in 2017 where honored by friends, family, TC judges and law enforcement during the ceremony held Nov. 29 at the Visalia Convention Center. Nancy Vigran/Valley Voice

less with her children. She started the Drug Court program and they lived in a shelter. She worked anywhere she could – in the fields, on taco trucks, driving a cab, and eventually for the transit company that maintained the bus route she had ridden that fateful night, she said as tears filled her eyes.

Her family moved to a one-room apartment and finally into a larger home of their own. She has driven those same bus lines she used to ride on, and has a better job with better hours. She now has a life that allows her to have goals.

“I have never had that before,” she said. “I never thought I could reach that – thank you Judge Johnson”

Commencement Speaker – “From Dope to Hope”

The commencement speaker, Tim Ryan, traveled from Naperville, IL to the graduation. Ryan is the subject of an A&E documentary on drug addiction, “Drug Man.” He also penned a book, “From Dope to Hope: A Man in Recovery,” which was published earlier this year.

Ryan has one thing in common with Fisher, Martinez, the other grads and most other addicts – abandonment and/or abuse issues.

“I was a dumb kid,” he said in an

T

he

interview prior to the ceremony. The adopted youngest of four, his older brother traumatized him, he said, and he had been molested at the age of 12 by his babysitter.

Those with abuse or abandonment issues are 48,000 times more likely to become an alcoholic or drug addict, Ryan said.

The 49-year-old father earned a good living in his 20’s, despite being into drugs and alcohol.

“If I can turn my life around, anybody can,” he said.

Ryan has suffered eight overdoses and two heart attacks due to his addiction. When he caused a car accident seriously injuring two people, one of whom was an infant, it was definitely time to turn his life around. He was sentenced to eight years in prison and was sent to Sheridan Correctional Center, which is one of only two prison facilities in the State of Illinois that offers a drug program. By the time he was released, his marriage of 18 years was over, he lost his house, and his eldest son – Nicholas, who had been adopted – died of an overdose.

People have asked him, he said, if the loss of his son brought thoughts of using again. Never, he said.

“My next thought was I’ll be at the next meeting,” he said.

Beyond that he wanted to help

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others. He has been to 118 funerals and helped 3,000 individuals get into treatment programs.

Five years clean as of November 1, Ryan still attends four meetings a week, he said. He is remarried and has a twoand-a-half-year-old daughter. His new wife is also a recovering addict.

Finding “Drug Man”

Judge Johnson has presided over Drug Court for the past five years.

DRUG COURT continued on 7 »

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6 • Valley Voice

7 December, 2017

Agriculture CFBF’s Wenger Stresses Need for Long-Term Action Staff Reports

In his farewell speech as president of the California Farm Bureau Federation, Paul Wenger made a pitch for unity with the help of a baseball Hall of Famer.

Wenger said it was Sandy Koufax who wrote, “We are bound together not only by a single interest but by a common goal.”

“That is clearly what we do here at Farm Bureau,” Wenger told Farm Bureau members and guests during the opening general session of the 99th CFBF Annual Meeting in Garden Grove.

Wenger, a third-generation farmer who grows almonds, walnuts and other crops outside Modesto, spoke of the days when he first took over the farm from his father. A neighbor of his invited him to come along to the coffee shop.

“I got there, and I saw a lot of 20-somethings like me,” Wenger said.

“I saw a lot of people sitting around the table complaining. They were complaining about the regulations. They were complaining about this. They were complaining about that. Did they accomplish anything? Absolutely not, but they sure did a lot of complaining.”

That experience cured him of the coffee shop habit, he said, but did

prompt him to do something by becoming active in Farm Bureau—in particular in response to expanding government regulation of agriculture.

“What I learned was, there was a lot of well-meaning people out there that have a job to do,” Wenger said.

“They’re there because somebody told them, ‘Here’s a playbook. You’ve got to enforce this playbook on growers.’

What I found out is that the people who made the rules don’t know anything about agriculture.”

So, he said, he told himself, “You know, we’ve got to get involved, and the time has got to be now. Farm Bureau’s the way that I did that.” (See President’s Message.)

A former president of the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, Wenger was elected CFBF second vice president in 1997, before being elected first vice president in 2005 and president in 2009.

Wenger emphasized telling agriculture’s story, and especially countering the negative impressions of farming and ranching that can circulate rapidly online.

Doing that, he said, means working with government officials, political candidates and elected leaders who may have little if any background in agriculture.

“We have to get out of our com-

fort zone and start dealing with some people we normally don’t deal with,” Wenger said, adding that he’s proud of Farm Bureau’s work in reaching out to urban legislators in particular.

“If we can look at a district where we never could count on a vote on anything from that elected leader, and we can get three or four votes on bills that are important to us, that’s a 300 or 400 percent gain,” he said.

But today, Wenger warned, agriculture faces a problem he described as “more insidious than the coffee shop”—and pulled out his smartphone.

“This is the coffee shop of today,” he said.

The smartphone, he said, has allowed people both inside and outside of agriculture to criticize those who are on the front lines of ongoing policy debates.

Wenger emphasized that affecting public opinion and public policy must be a long-term, united endeavor.

“The way you sway it is long-term, consistent, working with individuals, taking them on tours on farms, supporting them politically, getting them out and educating them about agriculture,” he said. “It’s not fast, it’s not easy, but those who work the hardest the longest and invest the most are probably going to be successful.”

After eight years as president,

Wenger has served his maximum term in office. Near the end of his speech, he thanked First Vice President Jamie Johansson, Second Vice President Tony Toso and the CFBF Board of Directors. He also recognized CFBF General Counsel Nancy McDonough, who is retiring at the end of the year.

Wenger then reflected on his own career as a CFBF officer.

“You know, it’s been a great run for the past 20 years,” Wenger said.

“I appreciate the opportunity to work with all of you here. I do love this organization and everybody that’s out here. Folks, we’ve got to put our differences aside.”

He then told the gathering what former CFBF President Bob Vice told him when he first became a statewide officer. “’Paul, your life is going to change,’” Wenger said, quoting Vice. “’From this day on, you’re going to do things you’ve never done before. You’re going to meet people you would never have met before. You have been given a golden key. Use it.’”

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

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

County Proclaims Commitment to Combat Citrus Disease Staff Reports

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors approved a proclamation demonstrating the County’s commitment to fight and prevent the Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) and Huanglongbing (HLB), the disease it transmits.

The Board approved the proclamation at their fifth and final evening meeting for the 2017 year which was held on Tuesday, November 14th at the Porterville City Council Chambers. Tom Tucker, Assistant Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer gave a presentation on the worst disease known to the

citrus industry, HLB also known as Citrus greening disease.

To date, there have been more than 750 ACP finds in Tulare County alone posing a bigger threat to citrus acreage totaling more than 132,000 in the County.

The only method to control spread is removal of infected trees.

The proclamation reaffirms the authorization already provided under the California Food and Ag Code given to the Agricultural Commissioner to order the removal of trees, if necessary, to destroy or control the pest.

“The impact to commercial groves

and the economy of Tulare County could be devastating if we do not raise awareness,” stated fifth generation Tulare County citrus farmer and District One Supervisor Kuyler Crocker, who led the effort to create the abatement program.

“This is the first step. I will work with our neighboring counties to establish similar programs, as Tulare County has done,” he said.

The initiative received support from various members of the community as well as citrus and faming groups including California Citrus Mutual, Citrus Research Board, California Citrus Threat, Tulare County Farm Bureau

and others.

“The action taken by the Board of Supervisors Tuesday night is very gratifying;” states California Citrus Mutual President Joel Nelsen. “The battle against Huanglongbing is being waged on many fronts in all U.S. citrus production areas. The Tulare County Board recognizes the partnership that exists between industry and local government. This appreciation for the family farmer in our County and the potential economic impact is indeed gratifying.”

A budget adjustment was approved in the amount of $250,000 to cover the costs of infected tree removal expenses for Fiscal Year 2017/2018.

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Valley Voice • 7

HCCA Out at Tulare Regional; DA Searches Hospital Tony Maldonado Healthcare Conglomerate Associates (HCCA) the former managing company of the Tulare Regional Medical Center, has left the hospital for the last time -- and after investigators with the Tulare County District Attorney’s office searched the hospital for “well over 33 hours straight.”

The company’s contract to manage the hospital, the Evolutions Gym, its clinics and other associated facilities, was officially terminated at 5pm on November 22.

The termination came after a federal judge ruled that the hospital could separate from the management company.

The Warrant

The district attorney’s office served a warrant for “business records and emails” seized “computers, cell phones, external storage devices, flash drives, payroll records and all emails for a total of seven email addresses,” according to a statement from the district attorney’s office.

“As there may be attorney-client, doctor-patient records contained in the seized items, the electronic data will be reviewed first by a court appointed special master who will then provide all non-privileged information to the investigators of the district attorney for a thorough search for any and all relevant evidence,” the statement continued.

After news of the search was announced in court, Mark Levinson, an attorney representing the management company, didn’t hold back his opinion of the search.

“I can’t speculate as to why that happened, but we know that the district attorney is under the thumb of the [Tulare Local Healthcare] District,” Levinson told the judge.

The office had previously served a warrant at the Southern Inyo Hospital, another hospital managed by HCCA. Ashley McDow, an attorney repre-

Drug Court Continued from 5

When he saw the program, “Drug Man,” on television, he thought, “I need that guy to be my speaker.”

It turned out that Johnson went to school with another judge, who happened to have a brother in show business who knew Ryan. Ryan was asked to speak on a Friday afternoon and by Saturday morning answered back, “I’m in!”

“It was a no-brainer, of course, I’d be there,” he responded.

Ryan did not charge his normal $5,000 speaking fee to Drug Court, but accepted payment for his travel expenses. His customary speaking fees

senting the Southern Inyo Hospital in its bankruptcy case, stated that the district attorney’s office had “checkboxes” which included “that the property was stolen or embezzled,” “things were used for the means of committing a felony,” and “that these things are things that can be seized.” “[Investigators] believe that a number of things have been transferred — equipment, medications — that those things have been transferred from Tulare to Inyo,” McDow said Tulare Local Healthcare District board members Stephen Harrell, Xavier Avila, Mike Jamaica and Kevin Northcraft speak on November 22, celebrating the handover of the hospital from Healthcare Conglomerate Associates to the district. Tony at the time.

Maldonado/Valley Voice In Inyo, the pital’s allied building to celebrate the step in that,” Northcraft said. officials ultimately left with “a couple occasion, sporting green pom-poms — “We’re finally getting the financial thumbdrives full of files.” green signifying healing — as part of the information that we’ve been asking for

The Celebration

Former employees, Tulare Local Healthcare District board members, and community members began gathering in front of the hospital’s allied services building to celebrate as the clock neared 5pm, and counted down the seconds until the clock struck five.

“By my watch — Thanksgiving is seven hours away. Not so — Thanksgiving is here, now,” Stephen Harrell, a newly appointed board member, told the crowd.

“We have our hospital back. Because of all of you, and all the rest of the people in this community, this hospital will be greater than it has ever been before,” he said.

They rallied in front of the hos-

Tulare Hospital Foundation’s “Tulare Strong” campaign.

The Tulare Hospital Foundation tied green ribbons around the community on Wednesday, November 29, in support of reopening the hospital, in support of its “Tulare Strong” campaign.

The board members invited the public to walk through the hospital after the rally in front of the hospital’s allied building.

Kevin Northcraft, chairman of the district’s board, gave a short speech once inside, noting that the occasion was one of the first times board members were allowed in the hospital without the prior approval of HCCA. “One of the things that we promised is that we would take back our public hospital, and tonight is a real important

since last January,” he said. “We’re not going to continue the tradition of never knowing when employees are ever going to get paid.”

Although the hospital district still has a significant amount of progress to be made until Tulare Regional can reopen, the handoff represents a significant progression in the process to reopen the hospital.

HCCA will also soon lose management of the Southern Inyo Hospital in Lone Pine.

The Tulare Hospital Foundation is offering “Tulare Strong” yard signs free of charge, though donations are appreciated; for more information in assisting the Tulare Hospital Foundation, including receiving a yard sign, dial (559) 685-3438.

are not income for him, but rather are donated into drug rehab programs he manages.

In the couple of days prior to graduation, Ryan and Johnson had formed a bond. Ryan calls the Tulare County Drug Court program a “model program – a ticket for success.” And, he added, he hopes other programs around the country will take notice and follow the example.

“We are fortunate to have him speak,” Johnson said of Ryan. “Everyone thinks they can do it [become clean], but they are not sure. This gives them the motivation – they make Mr. Ryan a role model.”

“I am the face of heroin,” Ryan said. “But, also of recovery. I am a hope dealer.”

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8 • Valley Voice

7 December, 2017

Tulare Police Continued from 1

In the statement, Wilson also hinted at misconduct by members of the TPD command staff, though he did not specify what if any misconduct he was specifically referencing.

“No police officer should ever fear retaliation for speaking out against misconduct,” he said.

Wilson did not comment on the decision to place Ynclan and Boatman on leave or the union’s reaction.

No Investigation Started

Wilson’s assertion the police union supports the investigation into alleged misconduct caused Michael Lampe, the attorney representing Hensley, to wonder what it is they know about the allegations against his client.

So far, Lampe says Hensley has received no word about why he was put on leave, other than a reference to “allegations of misconduct relating to an incident on Friday, September 22” included in the city’s letter to Hensley placing him on leave. The letter also informed Hensley he was not to discuss his suspension with city employees.

“That’s it. No notice to what the incident was,” Lampe said of the city’s communication with Hensley. “No

notice to what the Chief allegedly did wrong. Just placed on administrative leave for a single incident on Friday, September 22.”

Union President James Kelley and Mayor Carlton Jones apparently met at a Selma restaurant to discuss Hensley.

“Now, you’ve got the union rep saying, ‘We support the City Manager’s investigation,’” Lampe said. “Well, that’s great, except as near as his lawyer can tell, there isn’t an investigation.”

Due Process Violations

Lampe believes there may be an effort to undermine public confidence in his client.

“On November 6, the Mayor gave a public statement indicating his support for the City Manager’s decision to place the Chief on administrative leave,” Lampe said. “Now this, I believe, was designed to leave the impression the Chief had done something wrong.”

He also wants to know what union officials may have learned about the reasons for Hensley’s suspension.

“I want to know what the union knows that I don’t know,” he said. “Because I certainly couldn’t make a decision to support or not support that decision based on the only thing I know, and that is he’s placed on administra-

tive leave because of an incident on Friday, September 22.”

Mayor Jones, Lampe said, has overstepped the limits on discussing an active personnel matter in his public statements.

“It constitutes a serious violation, in my judgment, to the Chief ’s due process rights,” Lampe said. “And, in making the statement, the Mayor violated at least three separate provisions of the city resolution governing the release of information in disciplinary proceedings.”

Lampe’s remarks were met by applause from a packed-house audience.

Public Support for Hensley

While Hensley may not have the support of the union, he has the backing of some of the city’s residents.

Ray Fonseca says he and others have collected dozens of signatures for a petition supporting Hensley.

The petition is available online, and supporters are circulating copies.

“These city employees need due process in a timely manner,” Fonseca’s petition reads. “They need to know what they are dealing with.”

Hensley was also given encouragement by support staff at the TPD. “We respect Chief Hensley, and not having him running the police

department is causing low moral and uncertainty that we did not face when the Chief was in charge,” said Tammy Thomas, who represented TPD’s nonsworn employees. “Some of these employees have worked with him for decades. His integrity is above reproach.”

No Contact from City

Meanwhile, Hensley has had no official contact with the city since his September 27 dismissal.

“No investigator has asked to interview the Chief. He hasn’t been asked a single question regarding the alleged incident of September 22. He hasn’t been asked to produce a single document,” Lampe said. “But, he has been instructed to keep quiet, essentially to make it impossible for him to defend himself while the rumor mill is geared up into high gear. And, this has been happening for 10 weeks. It makes no sense at all.”

Councilman Jose Sigala said the Council will seek an update on the city’s investigation.

“I, frankly, don’t know what’s going on,” Sigala said. “My intention ... is to ask this matter is brought to the Council in closed session to give us an update on what’s happening.”

Nancy Vigran contributed to this story with additional reporting.

Tulare Streets See Six New PD Officers Nancy Vigran On December 1, six new officers were set to hit the streets of Tulare, filling a big need for a department that has been recruiting for some time.

Some of the new officers hail from Tulare, others from different areas. Four were hired laterally from other law enforcement departments, each with double digit years of experience, said Interim-Chief Barry Jones.

Another is a recent graduate from College of the Sequoias Police Academy, and the last was in training with Fresno PD, but wanted to transfer to Tulare.

The new hires have “absolutely nothing to do with the administrative officers on leave,” Jones said. “These are officers who will work the streets.”

The officers on administrative leave include Tulare Police Chief Wes Hensley’s, who was placed on paid administrative leave on September 27.

Capt. Fred Yncla and Lt. Jerod Boatman were both placed on administrative one month ago, on November 7.

The actions were taken by the city’s manager Joseph Carlini and no explanation has been given, although Carlini said that each is a separate issue. Follow-

Officer Michael Castaneda, Officer Theresa Moore, Officer Leonel Alvarez, Officer Ryan Holmes, Officer Joel T. Robertson and Officer Jonathan Zequeida were sworn in the Tulare Police Department on December 1. Courtesy of Tulare Police Department.

ing Hensley’s leave placement, Jones was named as interim chief because he has the longest tenure with the department, Carlini said at the time.

Meanwhile, despite a lowered morale issue due to those on leave, the department moves forward.

“We have interviews this week for one or two more officers,” Jones said on Monday, as the department still has a

couple of spots to fill.

The Tulare PD now has approximately 80 sworn officers. The commu-

nity’s safety is the department’s #1 priority, Jones said.

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Valley Voice • 9

Jose Sigala to Run for 26th Assembly District Catherine Doe Jose Sigala announced November 30 that he is throwing his hat into the ring for the 26th State Assembly District. As a Tulare City Councilmember he has brought more resources into District 1 and now wants to do the same for the 26th Assembly District.

Currently there are three Republicans in the race. Sigala will be the first Democrat to run for the seat in the 2018 election. Assembly seats are up for election every two years.

Sigala said that he and his friends

took a look at the condition of the 26th District and saw that the constituents’ needs were not being met by the current Assemblyman, Devon Mathis.

Sigala’s friends encouraged him to run.

“I want to provide some leadership,” said Sigala.

Sigala has over 20 years of legislative and public policy experience working in the California State Legislature and local governments where he has worked to improve the quality of life in communities across California.

Sigala is the son of immigrants and

the first to graduate from high school and also earn a college degree.

He is an ardent advocate for safer neighborhoods, parks, open space, after school programs, small business, responsible development, the environment, education and neighborhood empowerment.

Sigala’s first order of business if elected is to bring the needed leadership and resources to the 26th District.

“As a Tulare City Council member I have brought more money into the district, improved the infrastructure and increased the street lighting. Now I want

to expand that to a greater area.”

Sigala said there are millions of state dollars available through Cap and Trade, and money set aside for transportation, housing, and new school construction that he wants to bring to the entire 26th District.

“We are one of the poorest districts in the state. We have a high concentration of our population using the subsidies for health insurance and a high rate of poverty. The Tipton-Pixley area is close to the 50% poverty level.”

“I want to bring the money home,” said Sigala.

Jack Lavers Enters State Assembly District 26 Race Staff Reports Jack Lavers has announced his candidacy for the 26th District of the California State Assembly.

Lavers was introduced and endorsed

by Randy Baxley, the Owner and Operator of the Visalia Livestock Market.

“Jack is honest, willing to go the extra mile, and will always do what he says

Tulare

Continued from 4 the city in 2008. Under the scheme, the city will borrow $30 million to pay off the 2008 bond issue. The new, lower interest rate will allow the city to save appropriately $340,000 per year over the 20-year life of the loan.

Exeter

Continued from 1 Millers, a paramedic shift supervisor contacted Rios and said that the EDA’s supply of narcotics was gone from the safe. Rios said she advised her to report the possible theft to the police.

The following week, Rios was interviewed by Detective Phelps from the Exeter Police Department in regard to the apparent theft of narcotics from the EDA safe. She recounted what she told the police to her lawyers: “That at a recent EDA board meet-

Political Fix Continued from 3

water supply, Peter and his neighbors built the Modoc and Goshen ditches.

They organized them into ditch companies and secured water rights to the St. Johns River.

Although the youngest of five, my grandmother would be the one to run the ranch after her father passed away in 1927.

Through hard work and some very wise investments, grandma added about 1500 acres to what her father bought in the 1800’s. But she didn’t develop all of the land either, preferring to rent out the remainder for grazing.

When my dad took over managing in 1956 he put in wells, leveled the land,

he will do,” Baxley said.

Alongside family and supporters, Jack explained why he decided to enter the race.

“I have made it my life mission to advocate for small business owners and the AG industry here in California and around the nation. Frankly folks, our businesses can’t take any more hits from Sacramento elites looking for their next

pay raise.” Lavers stated.

“Only the weak increase taxes and make political deals. I will fight to lower taxes and bring new business to our community,” he added.

Lavers is a small business owner and 6th generation native rancher. A lifelong rancher, he is happily married to his wife Jenny and a proud father of their daughter Reagan.

The Lavers family has ranched on the land together as a family carrying on a tradition dating back to 1858. He is the 2nd Vice-President Emeritus of the California Cattlemen’s Association, and has received the endorsement of the California Cattlemen’s Association.

For more information, email jacklaversforassembly@gmail.com or call (559) 972-5386.

The amount to be borrowed exceeds the cost of repaying the bonds by some $2.5 million, which will be used for street improvements.

“We found a way to utilize the refunding of the bonds, and this is really a tribute to (Finance Director) Darlene Thompson, to get money that really isn’t going to cost us anything in the long run, actually it’s going to save

money, and we’re going to complete this project that is significant to us,” City Manger Carlini said.

The deal, which will not extend the length of loan repayment, should save the city $4.7 million overall. The additional $2.5 million will likely be used in the development of the Cartmill Project.

“We expect, and I imagine this

council has bought in on the fact that, Cartmill is going to be the economic jewel of the city,” Carlini said.

Should alternative funding, such as a grant, be found to cover the cost of the Cartmill Project, the additional $2.5 million will be used for road projects elsewhere in the city.

“It could be any street project,” Thompson said.

ing Mr. Miller made a huge deal about there being a security issues. So big that it was odd. I worked the following Monday and Tuesday May 1 and 2 and that my partner and I had slept all night and did not get many calls but I believed it would be easy to pull the security records to see that a security code would have been punched in one of those nights and that I was certain that it was Mr. Miller and Mrs. Linda Miller because she was an expert at getting inside that safe which was difficult to open even with the code. I stated to him that she was asked to open the safe every time Lifestar Manager Jackie Paul needed to get in to

the safe and that she also knew how to get into the locked doors with a credit card and that I had seen her do it when supply door had gotten inadvertently locked.”

Following Rios’ interview with the police regarding the theft of narcotics the interim manager, Fischer, told Rios that Miller had directed him to re-open an investigation against her regarding the blackmail case. Fischer alluded to the fact when talking with Rios that Miller was looking for any reason to fire Rios.

In addition to her complaints and police interview, Rios began working on a recall drive in February against EDA

board members Miller and Kunkle.

Board President Sherer and board member Rob Hubbard resigned from the district late June and a third board member had resigned earlier that year.

With only the two members facing recall left, Tony Miller and Darinda Kunkle fired Rios.

On June 30, 2017 interim manager TJ Fischer told her that the “board” had directed him to fire her, explaining that she was an “at will employee” and that her services were no longer needed.

A hearing is set for March 18, 2018 in Judge Bret Hilman’s courtroom.

and planted all of Peter Malloch’s and his mother’s acreage. He thought if he were going to be stuck here he would make the ranches profitable so at least he could get away from the Valley fog to someplace warm in January and February.

Peter Malloch Ranches grew under my grandmother’s management and profited under my dad for 140 years, but doesn’t look like it will survive my stepmom. Unfortunately, his second wife has been unusually aggressive about selling off my family’s property.

The first casualty being the Malloch homestead.

Their three-room home, hitching post, and outhouse, encircled by a gnarled ring of olive trees, was razed last year in preparation for sale. A testament to the life of a Tulare County 1800’s farming family, and all the var-

ious artifacts that were scattered over the property like hidden treasure is now gone forever.

What would my grandmother and Peter Malloch think about the fate of their home? I guess my stepmother will find out if she reaches the Pearly Gates.

In the mean time, Tulare County farming is more resilient than the occasional greedy second wife. The biggest challenges facing local farming today are the shortage of farm labor and water.

The average age of a farm laborer is 45, which is pretty scary when you think of the health problems soon to come after a lifetime of hard labor.

Concerning water, if the Central Valley is going to be forced to maintain a sustainable aquifer then some agriculture land might have to be retired, because a sustainable aquifer is not possible

under the current conditions.

But that is another article.

Farmers have been hit by droughts, floods, freezes and pests and the TCFB has always been there for them. Individual farming families don’t have to fight for themselves because the Farm Bureau advocates for them as a group in Sacramento or in Washington.

As a result, Tulare County has consistently been ranked number one or two in ag production in the United States-and probably the world.

That’s also why it was worth celebrating our first 100 years of Tulare County Farm Bureau, and why we all look forward to another successful 100 year celebration to be attended by our grandchildren.

10 • Valley Voice

7 December, 2017

New West Hills Lemoore Student Services VP Starts Jan. 3 Staff Reports West Hills College Lemoore will start the New Year off with a new Vice President of Student Services pending West Hills Community College District Board of Trustees approval on December 12. Val Martinez Garcia Jr. will step in replacing

ER

Continued from 1 The hospital’s main entrance should reopen before the end of December.

Bigger ER Needed?

Many who live in the district may wonder if Kaweah Delta needs a larger emergency department, and Herbst thinks that hesitation is an issue that needs to be addressed.

“That’s not a stupid question,” said Herbst. “If you’ve ever sat in our ER waiting room, you’ll quickly come to the conclusion that what we have was designed for a much smaller population.”

As originally constructed, Kaweah Delta’s emergency department was intended to accommodate 30,000 to 40,000 patients a year.

When the Acequia Wing was added, that capacity climbed to 70,000, which still falls far short of the actual number of visits.

“We are consistently now seeing 90,000 patients a year,” Herbst said.

“We’re talking about the last five years.”

The need for more room is even more acute now that Tulare Regional Medical Center (TRMC) has temporarily ceased operations of its ER. However, the improvements to Visalia’s ER will not come completely online until 2019, too late to help deal with the influx of new patients.

“It has impacted us,” Herbst said. “It’s impacted all the hospitals.”

Leadership at KDHCD hopes TRMC will be back online quickly, citing concern for patient safety.

“I will tell you that we hope it is a very temporary closure in Tulare,” said Herbst.

“They’re part of the health-care delivery system fabric, so we’re rooting for them to reopen without a doubt.”

Meanwhile, the hospital has already opened an expanded waiting room in the form of a rain-proof tent that includes air conditioning, electricity and supplies, as well as staff to oversee patients, in response to an early flu season and the closure of the ER at TRMC.

Non-emergent Emergencies

Despite the higher number of emergency patients now seen at KDMC, the greatest cause of delays and long wait times at the ER remains the treatment of patients who do not have actual emergency illnesses or injuries. By law, those patients cannot be turned away once they seek treatment at the ER. The law, Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), ensures patients who cannot afford treatment receive it.

“It originally came about because there were patients that were in active labor who would come to for-profit hospitals, and they would say, ‘Thhpt! Down the road to the county hospital, because you’re not one of our patients,’” said Dan Allain, KDMC’s assistant chief nursing officer. “When you come into the emer-

retiring Vice President of Student Services Sylvia Dorsey-Robinson and will start in his new position Jan. 3.

Garcia was selected following a national search, which yielded 48 candidates. He was one of seven interviewed for the position and one of three finalists. He previously worked as the Vice President of

Student Services at Porterville College in Porterville. He has also previously served as the Dean of Academic Affairs for Porterville College, the Associate Dean of Instruction for Taft College, and the director of the Kern County Regional Campus for University of La Verne. He has taught at Taft College, San Joaquin Valley College,

University of La Verne, and CSU Bakersfield Extended Education.

West Hills College Lemoore president Kristin Clark is looking forward to working with Garcia.

“I am delighted to welcome Mr. Garcia to West Hills College Lemoore,” Clark said.

gency room, we’re bound by that law to evaluate you. By the time we’ve finished that, we usually know what’s wrong, so we just write you the prescription.”

Yet, many of those seeking treatment at the ER don’t actually require emergency treatment.

By visiting a doctor or clinic, or by visiting an urgent care center, much of their waiting could be eliminated.

KDHCD already operates three urgent-care clinics in Visalia, and a fourth is in the works for northwest Visalia.

The number of patients using those facilities is on the rise, with the District’s clinic on Court Street now seeing 60,000 or more patients annually.

It’s by urging patients to use urgent-care clinics instead of the ER that Kaweah Delta has kept the number of ER patients manageable.

“We’ve been at 90,000 (annual ER visits) for five-plus years, so that means we’re having success,” said Herbst. “We’ve opened five clinics. We’ve just opened these two urgent-care clinics. It (the number of ER visits) hasn’t grown.”

temporary entrance will open near the hospital’s main entrance.

Also, the helipad will not be removed to make way for construction. Members of the public raised more than $2.7 million to build the helipad, making administrators reluctant to relocate it. So far, more than 1,000 flights have come and gone at KDMC, with two-thirds of those flights taking patients to other hospitals for additional treatment.

have been working with the community for years before we went out.”

Herbst has been working with Kaweah Delta for years, 26 to be exact.

He was the District’s senior vice president and chief financial officer prior to taking over the CEO role.

“When Lindsay wasn’t the CEO, I was the acting CEO,” he said. “I’ve had the opportunity to develop relationships with folks.”

Those relationships will be key as the District moves forward with attempts to establish an “integrated delivery system” for health care in the South Valley.

“When you look across the country, up and down the state, and even locally, the role of hospitals is changing dramatically,” he said. “Before, our role was only to take care of sick and injured people when they came. Now, our role is becoming much more involved in improving the overall health of our population.”

To that end, the District and a physicians group have formed Sequoia Integrated Health to align their care-delivery efforts. Recently, Sierra District Hospital in Porterville and Adventist Hospital in Hanford have been invited to join in the alliance.

“We’re natural leaders in the healthcare industry,” Herbst said.

Bigger, Better ER

When construction of the ER expansion is complete, the hospital will have capacity for 130,000 annual emergency department patients. That should give the District about a decade before it has to think of expanding its ER again, said Allain.

Construction will be completed in several phases, and among the first will be a reworking of the KDMC’s main entrance. Unfortunately, that means the iconic fountain in KDMC’s lobby will have to go.

“That was hard to do,” said Allain.

“This has been one of those kinds of landmarks.”

It’s a landmark many will be sad to see removed, but in its place will rise the ER’s new lab and a “fast track” urgent-care area for the treatment of patients with non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries who come to the ER for help.

“They’re designed for a quick treatment and you’re out,” Herbst said.

Taking It to the Streets

In the wake of the defeat of Measure H, a bond issue to fund expand and retrofit the hospital, Herbst said the District is doing more to communicate with members of the community.

To that end, KDHCD has formed three community advisory boards for communication, identifying healthcare needs and to educate the public about the District’s future facility needs. They’ve also put together an ambassador program, providing speakers to clubs and other organizations.

“We learned from Measure H. It was a painful experience, but it was an enlightening experience for us too,” Herbst said.

“Maybe we overestimated the knowledge our community had about us. We should

Register NOW Register NOW for For Spring 2018 Spring 2018 Register NO For Spring 20 Register NOW

‘Parking Is Going to Be Gone’

After that, construction will move on to filling in space set aside for ER expansion when the Acequia Wing was constructed. In February, the fact big things are going on at the hospital will become obvious to passersby, as construction of the new ER building begins.

“That’s when it’s going to become very evident to the public,” Herbst said.

“The first thing they’re going to see is half that parking is going to be gone.”

The District is working with the city to have parking designations in the two nearby parking structures changed to allow more all-day, public parking, Herbst said.

And, KDMC offers continues to offer free valet parking to ease congestion.

When that construction begins, the current ER entrance will close. A new,

559-791-2200 559-791-2200 Po PortervilleCollege.edu

7 December, 2017

Valley Voice • 11

Comments & Letters

Re: “Neighbors Vow to Fight 24-Hour Gas Station” Bernard Cooker I read the 10/5/17 Valley Voice article “Neighbors Vow to Fight 24-Hour Gas Station”, on the proposed 24 hour ARCO AM/PM truck stop at Caldwell Avenue and West Street, Visalia with incredulity and alarm. This industrial scale complex (gas pumps for 20 vehicles, convenience store, drive through fast food restaurant, and car wash, under 17,000 square feet of cover, plus 11 outdoor vacuum stations) would be the largest truck stop in Visalia. It has no place in the residential neighborhood around it, including the single family homes on West Street, the retirement community and single family homes on Kimball Avenue, and the hundreds of apartments on the north side of Caldwell Avenue.

Subsequent to your 10/5/17 article,

ARCO AM/PM submitted a second Site Plan, now public, which clearly shows trucks, which may include gasoline delivery trucks, using double tandem rigs, consisting of two, wheeled vehicles, connected by a tow bar and pulled by a wheeled cab.

ARCO stated in their original application “Other than the fuel supplier truck, which would be a standard 18-wheeler type, the typical merchandise delivery vehicles are box truck type and we generally have about five key suppliers making deliveries of this merchandise.”

The double tandems are even more difficult to manoeuver than 18-wheelers and very challenging to safely and reliably reverse, because of the double articulation.

The new Site Plan actually shows

these truck road trains arriving at the site through the West Street entrance, from the south, having travelled northwards up West Street. The vehicle path arrows show the vehicles direction of travel.

The gas trucks under these circumstances would travel through the residential areas of West Street, Kimball Avenue and other residential streets from the south, presumably from Cameron Avenue, to reach the truck stop, and they would pass the public school children’s bus stop on the west side of West Street, north of Kimball Avenue to do so. No trucks are shown on the new Site Plan entering the site from Caldwell Avenue, only exiting.

This project would cause substantial extra traffic and unacceptable levels of noise and light pollution in surrounding homes, day and night. Vagrants and un-

desirables would be attracted to the alcohol, cheap food, rest rooms and dumpsters of the project, exacerbating crime.

The project would be the 16th business selling alcohol within a one mile radius.

The project is far too big for the narrowly confined, established residential area.

Thank you Valley Voice for your public service in bringing this awful proposal to our attention.

It is unimaginable that civilized, responsible people, charged by the State of CA with legal responsibilities for public safety and welfare, including the Visalia Planning Commission and the City Council, would approve of such effects on the resident’s quality of life, their health and safety and their residential property values. This massive, overpowering project must be stopped.

Bernard Cooker

Your voice at ourvalleyvoice.com

“

Leave Mathis alone! I’m a democrat and don’t know if he is a saint but It’s funny how these people are quick to condem him but they love Trump who has endorsed a US Senate candidate whose character has been question with hitting on 14 year olds and Trump has demeaned: women, minorities, and war hero’s like John MCcain who has cancer? And, why on earth would anybody vote for a Visalia councilman when Visalia is full: of gangs, drugs & thieves. You can blame Sacramento but there sure has not been a strong sheriff like Joe Arpio who I strongly disagree with but think he ran his jails right!

“

What other damage has Benzeevi AND Alan Germany done to sabotage our hospital?

”

— Timmy Bianco on Political Fix (2 November, 2017)

“

Good for you Jose, hope that works out for you, you have my support! Before you jump ship can you help out the citizens of Tulare and handle our Issues we are facing. Push to reinstate the Police Chief or push for an investigation to START which will cost approximately 10K of the tax payers money for something THAT IS NOT CRIMINAL!!! The Mayor is completely inappropriate and acts out horribly on social media along with Maritsa the Vice Mayor. The city attorney talks to you publicly like you are a 2nd Class citizen yet you are the only one standing up for yourself on stage. City Hall Administration is a wreck, go visit them someday and see how life is over there living under Greg and Carlton’s thumbs ( yes it is not Councils responsibility to have say over staff) well that is not how it is here in a Tulare. Everyone walks on needles and morale is in the gutter. Backdoor deals with CM and council members (not all) with permits, contracts… this could go on and on and the message here is Mr. Sigala, deal with What’s on our plate here and now. Stand up and put an end to the collusion that is going on… please before you focus all your efforts on your next step!!!!

Has anyone ever picked up a rock and lots of little bugs crawl out? That’s I compare the horrible, but not surprising, problems the Board keeps finding. Each time they uncover a problem, a bunch of other issues come crawling out.

Cheers and my sincere thanks to our Board members and new administration for working tirelessly to tackle the problems head on and move our community forward to bringing back quality health care to the district.

“

”

— TulareStrong on Jose Sigala to Run for 26th Assembly District

“

I’m also just wondering, I’ve heard the board will be seeking a bond to finish the tower, isn’t that what they were against during measure I??? Measure I could have passed and the monies could have been secured by another group of people.

What was the concerned about Benzeevi..?? It could have been setup to manage by an oversight committee.

”

— Letsnotforget on Evolutions Gym Open Saturday

No wonder in the July 2017 financials it showed 89 million in receivables. If you don’t pay the billing company, they won’t collect. It was always my suspicion that was the case. If he had paid the outsourced group, they would have pulled the money in and the bills would have been paid.

“

”

— Still Wondering on Tulare Board Gets Hospital Progress Report

It does seem, at least to this observer, that the new board has a respectable amount of group wisdom in their deliberate actions and public comments to date. They deserve a lot of credit. Hopefully they will be very deliberate in the process of reopening the hospital. It should not be rushed. Many if not most of the most capable employees and managers moved on and sorry to say, many of the residual employees were those who could not do so. There are also many good doctors with several specialties in the local area who have not practiced in the hospital since the medical staff was kicked out. These are the people we want back. They are not going to want to see the old guard loyalists (they consider themselves victims too) still in place. There needs to be a thorough cleansing in this institution and that will take time.

”

— Tulare Vigilant on Evolutions Gym Open Saturday

TV. Are you a nurse, doctor, anyone in the healthcare profession? It does not sound like it. I would like to see you go in any hospital and try to do what the nursing staff had to do to care for patients under BENZEEVI. They are all hard working dedicated individuals. They are the ELITE. They stayed not for BENZEEVI. But for each other and the patients. Quit talking out your a**.

Veteran’s Corner: Veterans ID Card Update Scott Holwell The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that the application process for the national Veterans Identification Card (VIC) is now available for Veterans — yet another action honoring their service.

This has been mandated through legislation since 2015 to honor Veterans, and today’s rollout of the ID card fulfills that overdue promise.

Only those Veterans with honorable service will be able to apply for the ID card, which will provide proof of military service, and may be accepted by retailers in lieu of the standard DD-214 form to

obtain promotional discounts and other services where offered to Veterans.

“The new Veterans Identification Card provides a safer and more convenient and efficient way for most Veterans to show proof of service,” said VA Secretary Dr. David J. Shulkin. “With the card, Veterans with honorable service to our nation will no longer need to carry around their paper DD-214s to obtain Veteran discounts and other services.”

The VIC provides a more portable and secure alternative for those who served the minimum obligated time in service, but did not meet the retirement or medical discharge threshold. Veterans who served in the armed forces, including the reserve components, and who have a discharge

”

— Lostchild on Evolutions Gym Open Saturday

of honorable or general (under honorable conditions) can request a VIC. To request a VIC, Veterans must visit vets.gov, click on “Apply for Printed Veteran ID Card” on the bottom left of the page and sign in or create an account.

Veterans who apply for a card should receive it within 60 days and can check delivery status of their cards at vets.gov. A digital version of the VIC will be available online by mid-December.

The Kings County Veterans Service Office can complete the DMV Veteran Status Verification Form for the new California Veteran Designation on your driver’s license and also issues Veteran I.D. cards to honorably discharged veterans.

Contact Scott Holwell if you would

like to receive periodic veteran’s information by email. There are many state and federal benefits and programs available to veterans and their dependents.

To determine if you are eligible for any of these benefits, call or visit our office.

We can and will assist you in completing all required application forms. You can get information on the Web from the Kings County Veterans Service Office webpage at www.countyofkings.com/vets.

Scott Holwell, retired Navy Master Chief Petty Officer, is the Veterans Service Officer for Kings County. Send your questions to the Veterans Service Office, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd, Hanford, CA 93230; call (559)852-2669; or e-mail scott.holwell@ co.kings.ca.us.

12 • Valley Voice

7 December, 2017

Visalia Extends Offer for New City Manager Staff Reports

The Visalia City Council is pleased to announce that it has named Randy Groom as the chosen appointee for the position of City Manager following an extensive recruitment process.

Details are being finalized, and the matter will come before Council for final action in December.

Pending final approval, Groom is expected to begin his employment as City Manager in January, immediately

following the departure of retiring City Manager Mike Olmos.

“We utilized an outside employment firm to conduct a nationwide search, and we had many qualified applicants,” said Warren Gubler, City of Visalia Mayor. “With such a strong candidate pool, it was a difficult decision.

We are confident that Randy, and the existing administration, will continue to lead the City of Visalia for the good of the entire community.”

Groom comes to the City of Visa-

lia from the City of Exeter, where he has been serving as the City Manager since 2010.

Groom originally served the City of Visalia for 18 years, ultimately holding the position of Deputy City Manager before departing the City in 2003.

After working for several years in the private sector for The Hopper Company, Groom continued his career with the Visalia Unified School District as the Director of Administrative Services in 2006, and then accepted the position

of City Manager with the City of Exeter in 2010.

“For me, this very much feels like coming home”, said Groom after having been notified of the Council’s decision.

“Professionally, I was raised by the City of Visalia, and I have developed and maintained many strong working relationships in the City organization and in the community over the past 30 years. As with all cities, Visalia faces many challenges, but it is on a positive path with a very bright future,” he said.

Tulare Hospital Board Gets Progress Report Tony Maldonado Tulare Regional Medical Center is inching closer to reopening, but there’s no concrete date yet, the hospital’s board was told November 29.

The hospital has, however, received over 500 applications for employment, and a job fair is in the process of being scheduled, interim CEO Larry Blitz told the board.

Additionally, the hospital’s management consultants now have access to records and to the hospital itself — although the hospital’s keys were handed off the night before Thanksgiving, they entered the hospital on 7am the Monday following the holiday weekend.

Access to Records

“We’re to the point where we have the information and can create the budget, and now what we have to do is sell

that to people who want to invest, or loan money, to the district,” Blitz told the board.

“In order for the board to be able to tell you when the hospital’s going to be opening, we’re going to be sitting down in the next week with potential funders showing them what our financial projections are,” he said.

Blitz said his staff at HFS/Wipfli Consultants are preparing three budgets for the hospital: a skeleton crew budget to keep its building and physical plant in order, a budget to reopen, and a budget to ramp-up to full capacity.

Additionally, the re-opening of the hospital would include the clinics — and the clinics couldn’t reopen before the hospital, according to the California Department of Public Health, he said.

Dan Heckathorne, the hospital’s interim CFO, said that officials won’t have access to the hospital’s bank balances un-

til Thursday morning.

“We can’t see our bank account yet,” he said.

The hospital also needs to evaluate its outstanding accounts receivable.

“There’s a very large number out there – we’re not sure how much of that is collectable,” Blitz said.

The hospital’s previous firm handling its accounts receivable and “revenue cycle,” Navigant Cymetrix, claims to be owed upward of $1.7m by the district.

According to Navigant’s records, the hospital stopped paying the company in August of 2016, just one month after officials with HCCA extended out a line of credit to the Southern Inyo Healthcare District.

The current board released them from the “automatic stay” in bankruptcy proceedings, allowing them to stop providing accounts receivable services and enter an administrative claim for the

amount owed.

Evolutions Oversight Board

Additionally, hospital board members appointed citizens to a committee that would provide financial oversight to the newly-revived Evolutions.

The committee members appointed were: • Edward Henry • Derek Jackson • Alberto Aguilar • Courtney Waters • Phil Smith The committee will report on the operations of Evo Management Company to the members of the hospital board.

The hospital board’s meeting will be held on December 20 at 6:30pm.

A meeting location for the 20th has not been announced as of the time of publication; for more information, visit tularelocalhealthcaredistrict.org.

Valley Scene

7 December, 2017

Sequoia Symphony to Present Annual Holiday Concert

Friend of the Foundation member Rene Miller and Foundation Board of Director Jan Smith tie a green ribbon and bow on a tree trunk across from the Tulare Regional Medical Center. Nancy Vigran/Valley Voice

The Sequoia Symphony’s annuDonna Orozco al holiday concert will feature some swinging Christmas tunes as well as tra- Diamante High School Choir will sing ditional melodies. The concert will be at night. A children’s choir will perform “Somewhere in My Memoperformed twice—at 3pm ry” from “Home Alone.” and 7:30 pm on Saturday, An annual treat is alDecember16 at the Visalia ways a young singer with Fox Theatre.

Tulare Encore Kids beltSongs include a medley ing out “I Want a Hippoof swinging holiday tunes potamus for Christmas,” that uses five saxophones this year sung by Madealong with a Les Brown leine Reynolds. arrangement of “The Tickets are $22 to $45 Nutcracker.” at the symphony office, Singer Brandon Pasion 208 W. Main Street, Suite has become a tradition at Brandon Pasion D, Visalia, downstairs in the concert.

Montgomery Square. StuA former Visalian who is now purdent prices are $10. Tickets are also suing a country music career, he will sing several Michael Bublé arrangements. available at 732-8600 or go to www.seThe Golden West High School Choir quoiasymphonyorchestra.com. will perform at the matinee, and the El

Foundation Shows Support for New Tulare Hospital Management Tulare Union Drama to October 29 following a long-term emNancy Vigran battlement between the management Present “Yard Sale” Dec. 13-15 While most trees are turning brown and losing their leaves, the trees in Tulare are getting greener this December.

The Tulare Regional Medical Center (TRMC) Foundation, and friends, are busy tying green ribbons around trees and just about anything else that will stand still with signs of hope for the medical center.

“Green represents healing and restoration,” said Jan Smith, executive director of the TRMC Foundation.

“I can think of no two better words,” to represent the feelings of the Foundation and Tulare with regard to its hospital, than the motto to accompanying the ribbons: “Tulare Strong.”

TRMC suspended operations on

company of the medical center entities and the TRMC board. Through a court order, the management company’s contract has been rejected. The hospital has temporarily, and voluntarily, closed its doors, and the board is working toward reopening them as soon as possible.

It the meantime, members of the Foundation board and staff have a renewed optimism for the hospital.

“The energy level is up,” said Brian Kallio, one of the nine members who serve on the Foundation board of trustees. “I came on when we were putting all the focus on getting the tower completed.”

But, there were distractions.

FOUNDATION continued on B7 »

Visalia Convention Center to Hold Indoor Yard Sale Jan. 6 Visalia Convention Center Be a part of the Visalia Convention Center Indoor Yard Sale, January 6th, 2018. We brought the traditional outdoor yard sale inside. Clean out the attic, garage or shed and sell your items. Time to get organized and make some CASH after the holidays! Vendors will be selling household items, toys, collectibles, tools, furniture, clothing and much more. An indoor sale with heating and plenty of FREE parking!

We are calling all sellers to sell their items. Sign up, show up and sell your items at the Indoor Yard Sale. The cost per 10X10 booth space for Residential is $25; Commercial is $75; Non-Profit is $10. To download a vendor application and for more information go to

www.visalia.org or contact Kathy Fraga at 559-713-4456 or kathy.fraga@visalia.city. Registration deadline for sellers to reserve a booth is Friday, December 29th, 2017.

Doors to shop at the Indoor Yard Sale will open at 8am on January 6th, 2018 and close at 2pm. Admission will be $3.00 per person and $5.00 for two people. Come out to the Indoor Yard Sale and pick up some great bargains.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Tickets to attend the yard sale can be purchased at the Visalia Convention Center at the event.

For up to date event information please check the Convention Center’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ visaliaconventioncenter.

Tulare Union High School Drama Department will present the comedy “Yard Sale” by Tim Kelly in evening performances on Wednesday through Friday, December 13-15 at 7pm, and a Saturday matinee on December 16 at 2pm at the Tulare Community Auditorium located at 755 E. Tulare Avenue.

Mona Babbington’s old Victorian mansion, once a beauty, is now a rooming house for rambunctious college students (played by Audrey Hull, Sophie Miller, Isabella Welch, Oscar Bello, and Rolando Venegas). With the help of her scatterbrain nephew (played by Christian Gonzalez), devoted niece (played

by Kyra Ewing), and her saucy maid (played by Wilmer Lazo), Mona (played

by Elizabeth Davis) struggles to hold off the wrecker’s ball.

It’s not easy, considering Silas Price (played by Jesse Cunha), the town octopus, is eager to turn the property into a parking lot. To raise money, the students decide to sell all the junk in the old house at a yard sale, but little do they

Staff Report know what complications they face!

For example, young scientist Calvin Gregg (played by Steven Heath) has invented a weird gas that causes victims to revert back to their childhood, and the government is very interested!

Judy Linseed (played by Britney Perkins) dresses in battle gear because she’s convinced space aliens are plotting to take over the nearby university. Toss in hostile neighbors (played by Magali Ontiveros and Madison Stahl), a frustrated cab driver (played by Saul Moreno), and a pack of eager shoppers and you have a hilarious mixture of zany characters and knockabout craziness.

Tickets are on sale at the school box office an hour before each performance for $5.

For more information, contact Jill Coyle at 686-4761.

The show is for the entire family, with lots of humor and characters for everyone to enjoy.

Porterville Senior Christmas Luncheon Tickets on Sale Tickets are still on sale for the 42nd annual Senior Christmas Luncheon hosted by Parks & Leisure Services. The event takes place on December 10 and will include a turkey dinner with all the fixings catered by Randy’s Bistro. Guests can also dance the night away to special musical entertainment provided by the Fabulous Studio Band. Door prizes and a special appearance by Santa Claus are also planned for this annual event.

Staff Reports The festivities take place at Burton Middle School starting at 1:30pm. Tickets for the event are only $10 and can be purchased at the Heritage Center, 256 E. Orange Avenue, or at the Parks and Leisure office in City Hall. Space is limited so advanced ticket purchase is advised.

For more information call (559) 7917695 or visit the City’s website at www. ci.porterville.ca.us.

7 December, 2017

B2 • Valley Voice

Ice Skate Visalia Open Now Visalia Parks & Recreation Ice Skate Visalia, brought to you by the Visalia Parks & Recreation Department, offers the ultimate outdoor entertainment experience in Visalia. We offer a unique and fun skating experience on our synthetic ice surface which makes skating easier and safer for all ages.

Grab your friends and family and enjoy a day or evening of fun!

Located at Garden Street Plaza in Downtown Visalia, mark your calendars for our next public skate weekend, on Saturday, December 9th & Sunday, December 10th from 2pm to 8pm for public skating!

Admission is FREE on Saturday, December 9 from 2pm to 8pm when you

bring a new, unwrapped toy valued at $10 for our Manuel F. Hernandez Community Center students!

That’s right! Help our students and receive a free admission! Includes skate rental!

Admission for Sunday, December 10th is just $10 and includes skate rental!

Looking for the perfect place to host your birthday party, special event or even that holiday party?

Book your party with Ice Skate Visalia today! There are still a few rental spots available.

To reserve your party, please call (559) 713-4365 or email recreation@ visalia.city.

For more information, visit our website at www.iceskatevisalia.com.

Tulare County Offers Resource Family Orientations Monthly Tulare County Resource Family Approval (previously known as Foster Care Licensing) offers orientations twice per month for prospective Resource families.

Orientations are held from 6 to 9 pm on the first and third Tuesdays at the Professional Development Center, 4031 W. Noble Ave. Entrance is at the bottom of the two-story building next to Employment Connection. Orientations are held on the second floor. The door will be locked at 6pm.

In addition to scheduled orientations, Tulare County Resource Family Approval staff members offer personal orientations in order to be more accessible to prospective Resource parents.

Resource families provide shelter to children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse, neglect or abandonment, or because their parents are ill or incarcerated. The shelter may be emergency, short-term care or longer

Staff Reports term. There are nearly 1,000 children in Tulare County’s program, and there are not enough homes.

Homes are needed in every community of Tulare County, so that children can remain in their own school. Of particular need are adults willing to take in siblings or teenagers, and people willing to respond to emergency placement needs for children of all ages.

People who are interested in helping will need to attend one orientation meeting, and meet requirements such as being at least 18 years old, being financially able to support their own family, having no criminal record and a clear health screening and being certified in CPR and first aid.

To schedule a personal orientation, or for other information, call (559) 623-0581.

TCOE To Host Annual Art Exhibition Through December 29 Tulare County Office of Ed. The Tulare County Office of Education hosts three art exhibitions each year – one in the fall, one in the early spring and a “Best of Show” Exhibition in March.

The first of these exhibitions is now open to the public, and will remain on display through Friday, December 29.

The artwork is displayed in the lobby

of the Tulare County Office of Education Administration Building at 6200 S. Mooney Blvd. in Visalia, which is open to the public from 8am until 5pm, Monday through Friday.

Featured in this exhibition are 210 works by students from the following school districts: Rockford School, Seton Catholic Home School, Strathmore Middle School, Sundale Union School, Three Rivers Union School, Tipton

School, Tulare City School District, Valley Life Charter School, Visalia Unified, and Woodlake Unified.

Prior to the close of the exhibition, a panel of judges will select pieces for display in the “Best of Show” Exhibition in March 2018 – California Arts Education Month. The second exhibition of art from additional Tulare County School Districts will be held January 22 - February 23, 2018.

“The annual student art exhibitions give students some additional recognition and encourage teachers to keep the arts in their curriculum,” says Tulare County Superintendent of Schools Jim Vidak. “We are particularly pleased by the quality of work submitted from the schools this year.”

For more information about the exhibition, contact Robert Herman, Public Information Officer, at (559) 733-6606.

Coming to the Hanford Fox Theatre A Very Merry Kissmas W/Tyler Farr Monday, Dec. 11 @ 7pm $15, $25, $35+ fees

Terra Bella Friday, Dec. 15 @ 7 pm $20

$5 Movies Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & Frosty the Snowman - Saturday, Dec. 9 @ 2pm

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Saturday, Dec. 16 @ 7pm

(559) 584-7823

www.foxhanford.com

7 December, 2017

Valley Voice • B3

Ruiz Foods’ “Ruiz Cares” Program Repaints ReStore Staff Reports The goal of Habitat for Humanity is to help provide affordable housing for those in need.

Established in Visalia in 1994 the program known locally as Habitat for Humanity of Tulare/Kings County has built or helped remodel over 60 homes and helped over 200 homeowners with home repairs.

For many DIY’s and creative crafters, the Habitat for Humanity of Tulare/Kings County ReStore is a second home for them.

It is here where you can find almost every item needed to update your home or create a one of a kind project. But even the store needed a little TLC.

A number of Ruiz Foods Team members and their families saw this need and offered their time to help spruce up the store with a new paint job.

“Habitat for Humanity builds homes, community and hope by partnering with businesses like Ruiz Foods.

It takes many hands and lots of support to provide decent and affordable housing for low-income families and our ReStore has become a sustainable source of income to help future the mission. We are thrilled to have a team of volunteers from Ruiz Foods join us to help update our ReStore and we look forward to building this new partnership,” said Resource Development Director for Habitat for Humanity of Tulare/Kings County, Deanna Saldana.

Ruiz team members and their families were on site Saturday, November 18th at 8:30am to assist in help paint the exterior of the ReStore.

According to Dinuba Ruiz Cares Ambassador, Blanca Santana, “Habitat for Humanity Tulare/Kings County has done so much for our county residents. Many for whom the thought of homeownership was only a dream, through their program it has become a reality. It is because of this generosity our Team Members are more than willing to give back and help them update their ReStore.”

About Ruiz Cares Program

The Ruiz Cares Program is a compa-

ny-wide initiative that encourages community service among team members and supports their efforts of giving back.

Ruiz Foods values teamwork and making a difference; in this case, Ruiz team members make a difference in their community through service projects.

This program will help team members become engaged or continue to participate in community service.

Ruiz Cares was launched in 2015 and to date team members have participated in over 600 hours of community service.

The program embraces the Ruiz Culture of giving back and working together to make a difference. Contact: Leticia Juarez Sisson 559-307-5376

Tulare-Kings Hispanic Chamber Announces Award Recipients Staff Reports The Tulare-Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (TKHCC) has named its annual award recipients.

The awards were announced on Friday, November 17, during the annual installation of officers and awards dinner at the Visalia Wyndham.

“It is really important for us to recognize those individuals and businesses in the community who are working to make it a better place,” said Gil Jaramillo, chief executive officer of the Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber. “We thank all

our nominees and award winners for the selfless work they do to serve others.”

Susan Manuel, Director of Development, for United Way of Tulare County delivered the key note presentation and TKHCC Board Chair Suzanna Aguilera-Marrero was the program M.C. The following award recipients were named: • Young Professional of the Year: Noemi Chavez, Chavez Web Design • Non-Profit Organization of the Year: Family Health-

Care Network • Community Involvement: Kaweah Delta Health Care District • Small Business of the Year: KTIP Radio • Medium Business of the Year: Suncrest Bank • Large Business of the Year: Southern California Edison • Man of the Year: Mike Olmos, Visalia City Manager • Woman of the Year: Carrie Margosian, CASA of Tulare County

• CEO’s Award: Derek Mendoza, Bueno Beverage • President’s Award: Calvin Rossi, Southern California Edison Entertainment was provided by the Ballet Folklorico De Lago and the event concluded with music and dancing by DJ Gabriel Correa.

Established in 1993, the Tulare-Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce seeks to promote business development and growth of business within the Hispanic Community for the purpose of mutual economic benefit.

531 E. Main.

New Bar Coming to Downtown Staff Reports Kingsburg’s Stacked Bar & Grill will soon open a Visalia location, according to JR Shannon, an East Main Street developer.

Shannon stated that the new location will occupy 531 E. Main, next door to the recently-opened Barrelhouse Brewing Project -- one which Shannon was also involved in.

The Stacked location will set the front entry of the building -- identical to Barrelhouse’s -- back, giving it the largest covered patio on Main Street, Shannon said.

The restaurant will give patron a fun, family-friendly environment to catch sports on multiple televisions.

It will serve gourmet burgers and pub food alongside a large build-yourown-salad station, Shannon said.

Although the building is identical to Barrelhouse, Shannon says its identity “will definitely come out” with the addition of a kitchen, dining room, and bar,

in addition to an outdoor family backyard with plans of bocce ball courts, corn hole, and a large deck to relax on.

“I’m excited to see the strong support I’m receiving from businesses wanting to help grow our already successful downtown,” Shannon said.

“I’ve had a lot of interest from multiple different users, but I’m excited to have Stacked join us on this project -they share the vision that I’m trying to accomplish and they fill a need of having food to compliment the tap house next door,” he said.

Todd Asajian and Noah Murguia, the owners of Stacked, just celebrated their one year anniversary at their Kingsburg location; Asajian also owns and operates multiple Deli Delicious stores in both Visalia and Kingsburg.

Shannon states that the atmosphere promoted by Barrelhouse, The Planing Mill, and Chad Clark Hair, has brought upon some “cool nicknames for the area, such as ‘EastSide Live’ and ‘The Fun Zone.’”

On Facebook at facebook.com/ourvalleyvoice

Calendar DECEMBER

December 7, 9, 13, 14, 16: Arts Visalia Fall Children’s Classes Fall Children’s Classes at Arts December 5: Holiday Cheer Visalia are well underway, but Event 5-7pm: Celebrate the holidays there is still time to sign up for from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. December’s classes!

5, with music from Mt. Whit- 5-6 year olds will participate in ney High School’s Choral De- Adventures in Holiday with Anpartment and Jazz Band, refresh- drew Turner, Dec. 7th and 14th, ments, and a visit from Santa at from 4-5:30pm. This class focuses Kaweah Delta Medical Center, on fun holiday projects through 305 W. Acequia Ave., Visalia. In- the exploration of multiple mediformation: (559) 624-5985. as.

December 6: Visalia Chamber Travel Slide Shows 12-1pm - Learn more about two trips that the Visalia Chamber of Commerce is offering, including South Pacific Wonders (Australia and New Zealand) and Spotlight on NYC Holiday. Both will be held at the City Administration Office, 220 N. Santa Fe, Visalia.

7-10 year olds will participate in Art in Culture with Lily Del Valle, on Dec. 13th, from 4-5:30pm.

This class focuses on fun holiday projects through the exploration of multiple medias in cultures and techniques found in art.

11 and up kids will participate in Art Paths in the Seasons with Nicole Delima, Dec. 9th and 16th, The presentation will start with from 12:30-3:30pm. This class South Pacific Wonders and will focuses on how seasons create be held back-to-back. different moods and will explore projects related to the fall season.

December 7: Christmas Tree Auction Preview For more information on chil2:30-4pm - Bring your family and dren’s classes, dates, and costs, friends to the Visalia Convention visit http://www.artsvisalia.org/ Center to view the elaborately education/children-classes/ and decorated trees that volunteers register via phone, email, mail, or have spent countless hours deco- by dropping paperwork off at our rating. gallery.

The preview is being offered free to the public.

December 7: A Rock n Roll Christmas in Tulare 6:30pm – 62nd Annual Tulare tree lighting ceremony at Tulare Ave. and K St. followed by the Annual Tulare Christmas Children’s Parade with holiday family fun and market – cookies & hot chocolate served. For more information, visit www.tularedowntown.com or call (559) 685-2350.

December 7: Corcoran Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting 6-10pm - This is an annual event occurring the first Thursday of December every year.

Parade down Whitley Avenue, vendor booths, Santa Meet and Greet under the Gazebo, Tree Lighting and Dedication. For more information, call Corcoran Chamber of Commerce (559) 992-4514.

vide an enjoyable evening for the whole family. Admission is only $3 for adults and $1 for children.

For more information, call (559) 782-7548; (559) 791-7695.

December 9: Critter Creek Open House 11am-2pm - Entrance is by donation. The gate will close at 1:30pm to allow you enough time to tour. The Open House will be unguided, so the pace is leisurely and there are more opportunities to take pictures. Our volunteers will be on hand to answer any questions that you have and to share stories about some of our permanent residents. The gift shop will be open where you can find gifts for the holidays.

We have a picnic area, so bring a lunch, or the country store next door has refreshments. There will also be a bake sale where holiday goodies will be on sale. Call (559) 338-2415 or email at crittercreekwildlife@hughes.net for information.

December 9: Tulare County League of Mexican American Women Christmas Boutique and Luncheon 10am-2:30pm - At the Visalia Lamp Liter Inn. Lunch will be held from noon to 12:30pm for $17 per person; free admittance December 8: Exeter Women’s for shoppers. For more inforClub 6th Annual Christmas mation, dial (559) 562-4411 or Home Tour 4-8pm - Visit four local home (559) 303-8620. decked with festive holiday dec- December 9: Masquerade orations. Exeter Women’s Club- 37th Annual Visalia Chamber house will serve as the hospitali- Christmas Tree Auction ty house with hot cocoa, snacks 7-11:30pm - Live Christmas tree and live music all evening, 201 auction with formal dinner, dancKaweah Ave. Tickets are $20 in ing, and wine tasting. New event advance; $25 the night of the layout featuring partnerships betour. Tickets are available at the tween charities with live auction Exeter Chamber of Commerce trees and local restaurants. Live or Antiques by the Water Tower. Music by Run4Cover so you can For more information, call (559) dance the night away.

592-6738.

Appearance by the Golden West December 8, 9, 15 & 16: Old Drum Line to kick off the live Fashion Christmas Tours Can- auction. Entertainment by Aerial dlelight Tours @ Zalud House Yoga Artists during the VIP recep6-8pm – The Zalud House comes tion. Mask-ed Sponsor surprise alive with the holiday spirit fea- to wrap up the silent auctions. turing special seasonal displays, Tickets $70; VIP tickets-sold out! vintage decorations and yuletide For more information (559) 734piano music. The guided tours 5876 or at www.visaliachamber. and refreshments are sure to pro- org

December 10: 42nd Annual Senior Christmas Dinner & Dance 1:30pm – at Burton Middle School featuring Jimmy Kusserow and the Fabulous Studio Band.

Dinner, dancing and door prizes!

Dinner service provided by the Burton Middle School Leadership Team. Tickets are $10 in advance or at the door. Space is limited.

Tickets may be purchased at the Heritage Center, 256 E. Orange.

For more information, call (559) 791-7695.

December 10: ‘Blue’ Christmas Workshop 12pm — Recognizing that not everyone is happy during the holidays, Bev Anderson, marriage and family therapist, will offer a free workshop with strategies for coping during this time of year at the Center for Spiritual Living Visalia, 117 S. Locust. Participants are invited to bring a sack lunch if they like. 559 627-2441.

December 10: Holiday Movie Magic 11:30am, 2:30pm – We will be featuring the children’s classic movie “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” on two big screens; with the first showing at 11:30am and the second showing at 2:30pm.

And it doesn’t stop there, a special guest appearance from the Visalia Grinch himself! All included in the price of admission.

Tickets are $10, children 2 and under are free. Bring a new or gently used children’s book and receive $2.00 off each ticket per book.

Tickets can be purchased at the Visalia Convention Center Box Office, Monday through Friday, or online at www.visaliatix.com.

For more information call the Visalia Convention Center Box Office at (559) 713-4040.

December 12: League of Women Voters Meeting 11:30am - The League of Women Voters will meet Tuesday, December 12 in Left of Center Deli, 699 W. Center, Visalia at 11:30 am. The Holiday fest will feature the Redwood High School String

Quartet. Our program will be “Food Insecurity on Campuses of Higher Education” . Cynthia Norvall, R.N. coordinator for the Giant Pantry, a food distribution center for COS students, will be our speaker. Bring canned goods for their pantry. Lunch will be served for $15.00. For Reservations contact phoebet8@att.net or 732-5061.

CONTINUOUS

contact Jim Kliegl – theater manager at jrkliegl103@gmail.com or (559) 284-2223.

Mondays: National Alliance on Mental Illness, 5:45pm EduDecember 16: Sequoia Symcation Meeting: 7pm Support phony Orchestra’s Holiday Group Madness 3pm & 7:30pm — Featuring St. Paul’s Anglican Church, VisaBrandon Pasion, Madeline Reyn- lia, 120 N. Hall, Corner of Cenolds, El Diamante/Golden West, ter and Hall. For more informaTheater Arts Alliance Youth, Val- tion call: (559) 627-1306

ley Life Charter Youth. Hosted at December 13-15: Tulare the Visalia Fox; for information, Union’s “Yard Sale” dial 559-732-8600 or head to 7pm; 2pm Saturday - Tickets are sequoiasymphonyorchestra.com. on sale at the school box office an December 20: Nate Wingert hour before each performance Open House & Ribbon Cutfor $5. For more information, ting contact Jill Coyle at 686-4761. 2pm - 5:30pm — State Farm The show is for the entire family, agent Nate Wingert will host an with lots of humor and characters Open House & Ribbon Cutting for everyone to enjoy. at 1910 W. Whitendale Ave with December 15: Lindsay Community Christmas Celebration 6pm – Following its Celebration of Lights Parade, Santa arrives at City Hall with a toy for every boy and girl, sponsored by the Lindsay Police Officers Association.

Santa’s helpers bring cookies and cocoa for all the good little boys and girls, and the big ones too.

For more information call (559) 562-7168 or (559) 5624929.

December 15: Winter Talent Night – Lindsay Community Theatre 7:30pm - This evening of music will feature high school and college age singers and musicians sharing their favorite songs. You will be pleased by the talent presented by our local youth. $5 all seats. For more information, contact Jim Kliegl – theater manager at jrkliegl103@gmail.com or (559) 284-2223.

December 16: Community Christmas Praise Night A night of praise music offered to our community by local worship teams and individuals joyfully celebrating the birth and life of Christ Jesus. Selections will center on raising our voices, our spirits and our hearts to the Maker and keeper of our lives. Lindsay Community Theatre - Admission Free - Donations gratefully accepted. For more information,

Mondays: Bridge Club, 9:30am-2pm 210 W Center Street Visalia. Admission is free. For additional information call: Joan Dinwiddie, (559) 732-0855

1st Thursday Monthly through October: Diabetes Support Group, 5:30-7pm Kaweah Delta Health Care District offers a free diabetes support group through October from on the first Thursday of the month at the Kaweah Delta Chronic Disease Management Center, 325 Willis St., Visalia. Information: (559) 624-2416.

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 Mondays: Knitters, 10amTulare. Facilitated by: Dr. Lance 12:30pm 210 W Center Street Visalia. Ev- Zimmerman, PhD of Veterans Counseling Clinic. eryone is welcome.

Mondays: Monday Karaoke at 1st and 3rd Thursdays, Monthfood and prizes. ly: Central Valley Tea Party Barmageddon, 9pm-1am December 21: Tulare Commu- Karaoke Jockey Miss Sammi will Meetings, 6pm nity Band Holiday Concert be hosting from 9pm - 1am. No 819 West Visalia Road, Farmersville.

7pm - Holiday music, marches, Cover. concert music and a “Tribute to Tuesdays: Barmageddon Trivia 3rd Thursday Monthly through the Military” finale to honor the Thunderdome, 9pm-1am October: Diabetes Support men and women in uniform at Challenge your friends to the ul- Group, 5:30-7pm the Tulare Community Audito- timate trivia throwdown. Earn Kaweah Delta Health Care Disrium, 755 E. Tulare Ave. Open some bragging rights in categories trict offers a free diabetes support to the public, no charge, howev- ranging from Saturday morning group through October on the er donations are appreciated. For cartoons, classic video games, and third Thursday of the month at more information, contact Bill pop culture films. Free sign ups at 200 E. Sierra Ave., Woodlake.

Ingram, director ingrahamhw@ 9:30pm.

Information: (559) 624-2416. sbcglobal.net, or (559) 901-3773.

3rd Thursday, Monthly: GathTuesdays and Thursdays, 7am December 21: Winter Solstice ering At the Oval, 12:30-1pm Healing Hearts Walks Service Walk a 1 mile loop on the paved Lifting up the needs and con7pm — Winter Solstice will be roads inside the cemetery after cerns of Visalia through individcelebrated at the Center for Spiri- raising of the flag, pledge of al- ual prayer and meditation at Oval tual Living Visalia, 117 S. Locust. legiance and moment of silence. Park, 808 North Court Street in There will be music and inspira- No charge or sign up. Free coffee Visalia. tional thoughts to celebrate the after walk. Meet at the Veteran’s For more information, call (559) shortest day of the year and the Memorial Wall. For more infor- 967-4065. returning of the light. Desserts mation call 734-6181.

3rd Thursday, Monthly: Board will be served afterwards. All are Game Night, 6-7:45pm 2nd Tuesday, Monthly: Yappy welcome. 559 625-2441.

For ages 10+ at the Visalia Branch Hour, 5-9pm December 26-29: Introduction Well-mannered, leashed pets are Library, 200 West Oak Street. to Horses (for Beginners) welcome on the patio at the Plan- Sign-ups are not required. For 10am-12:30pm, daily — All ages ing Mill Artisan Pizzeria, 514 more information, call (559) welcome! December 26 thru 29, East Main Street, Suite A, in Visa- 713-2703.

2017. You will learn history, safe- lia. A portion of the proceeds is ty, grooming, daily care, medical donated to the Valley Oak SPCA. 3rd Thursday, Monthly: Ladies’ care, learn types of saddles and you For more information, call (559) Night, 6-10pm At the Clay Cafe in Visalia, 1018 will ride each day! Your instruc- 651-1111.

E. Mineral King Ave. $10 studio tor is a national champion trainfee with ceramic purchase. Iner, rider, and horse show judge. Wednesdays: Barmageddon cludes complimentary margarita, Located at Wood N Horse Train- Game Night ing Stables, 42846 North Fork Come blow off some steam at our dinner and dessert. Door prizes Dr, Three Rivers. For reservations game night. Happy hour from too! Reservations required: (559) 733-2022.

6-8pm. call (559) 561-4268.

7 December, 2017

B6 • Valley Voice

Sports

West Hills Introduces Jason Smith as Head Baseball Coach Staff Reports West Hills College Coalinga has announced Jason Smith as its new head coach of the Falcons baseball program.

Smith officially started his full-time position on December 1, and he is busy recruiting a team roster and buidling his first coaching staff.

He will be teaching classes in physical education, athletics, and sports psychology.

“I look forward to coaching at West Hills and in the Central Valley Conference, where there is quality baseball,” Smith said.

“This is an exciting opportunity to build a program and help our student-athletes reach their goals. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside some great mentors, including coaches, faculty members, and administrators. With the experience and knowledge I have gained at previous colleges, I look forward to joining my new colleagues at WHCC and helping the campus grow in different areas.”

Since 2015, Smith was the associate head baseball coach at Fullerton College, where he also served as interim head coach last season.

In 2016, he helped the team reach the CCCAA Super Regionals.

From 2004-2010, he was the associate head baseball coach at Irvine Valley College, where he worked in every facet

of a program that qualified for the Super Regionals twice.

“Jason brings a strong background in both teaching and coaching in the California Community College system,” said WHCC associate dean of athletics Eric Mendoza.

“He has a great track record of helping students succeed both in the classroom and on the field. Jason was impressive during our selection process and he comes highly regarded from outstanding institutions and athletic departments in Orange County. We are excited for our program, as Jason begins to build his connections in the Central Valley and assist our learning areas with his academic experience.”

From 1995-2002, Smith coached at his alma mater Chapman University, serving as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.

He helped Chapman reach the postseason five times, including the NCAA Division III World Series in 1997 and 2001.

In between college coaching jobs, he was also the head coach at Laguna Hills High School (2015); Orange County

Riptide Collegiate Baseball (2015); Legit Baseball 18-Under (20052012, 2014); Frozen Ropes Baseball Academy (2013); Costa Mesa High School (20112012); La Quinta High School (201011); and Orange County Scorpions Collegiate Baseball (2000-01) in addition to being a director and instructor at various camps and clinics.

Smith started his coaching career at Orange Coast College (1999-2000). His collegiate playing career started at California Lutheran University, before he transferred to OCC and Chapman.

Over the years, Smith has coached players selected in the MLB Draft, including Andrew Tisdale (Rangers), Shane Carrier (Twins), Jeff Blitstein (Astros), and Josh Whitesell (Diamondbacks); another player, Chris Jakubauskas (undrafted) reached the major leagues as a pitcher for the Mariners and Orioles.

Smith earned a Master’s of Education/Teaching Credential – Cross Cultural Teaching degree from National University; a Master’s of Physical Education from Azusa Pacific University; a Bachelor of Arts in American History

from Chapman University; and an Associate in Arts from Orange Coast College.

At Fullerton College, Smith was an instructor for: Introduction to Kinesiology, Wellness: Kinesiology, Swim For Fitness, Weight Lifting, Fitness Testing With Exercise Prescription, Boot Camp, Psychology of Sport, and Beginning & Intermediate Volleyball.

At Irvine Valley College, he was assigned: Health 1, Health 2: CPR and First Aid, Introduction to Physical Education, Marketing Techniques for Fitness Specialist, Simple Strategies of Weight Management, Nutrition for Sport and Fitness, Survey and Assessment of Fitness, Theory of Coaching Baseball, Life Fitness Center (community-based weight and cardio training center), and Intramural Activities.

Smith also developed curriculum at IVC in the following areas: Introduction to Physical Education, Nutrition for Sport and Fitness, Survey and Assessment of Fitness, Marketing Techniques for Fitness Specialist, Simple Strategies of Weight Management and Distance Education.

In 2013, he was also a PE/Kinesiology adjunct instructor at two schools in Texas (El Centro College in Dallas; and Tarrant County Community College in Fort Worth).

Smith and his wife, Kim, have four children.

West Hills Rodeo’s Cameron Messier Heads to Permit Challenge Staff Reports On Thursday, December 7, thirty-three contestants will compete in the eighth annual Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Permit Challenge at the South Point Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The top five Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Permit holders in each rodeo event have been invited to compete for a chance to win $21,000.

Those top five include Cameron Messier, a member of the West Hills College Coalinga Rodeo team, who is sitting at first place in saddle bronc riding.

“WHCC Rodeo is proud of Cameron and want to congratulate him

on a great year in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association,” said Justin Hampton, WHCC Rodeo Coach. “In our industry, this is a huge accomplishment for a young cowboy and it puts him in line for some great opportunities in the future.”

Messier qualified in saddle bronc riding after finishing the 2017 rodeo season sitting in first-place in the Permit Standings with $20,905. The WHCC student is working towards an Associate’s in General Education and has been able to balance competing at college rodeos, as well as participating in ProRodeos.

“It has been great to be able to ride against the best in the business, while on my Permit,” said 19-year-old Messier.

Helping him to qualify for the Permit Challenge, Messier won five ProRodeos in the 2017 season. He won the Socorro County Fair & PRCA Rodeo (Socorro, NM), Oregon Trail Rodeo (Hastings, NE), Folsom Pro Rodeo (Folsom, CA), Mother Lode Round-Up (Sonora, CA), and the 2016 California Circuit Finals (Lancaster, CA).

The eighth annual Permit Member of the Year Challenge will be hosted in conjunction with the Benny Binion’s Bucking Horse & Bull Sale. Taking place on December 7 at the South Point Arena, the rodeo will begin at noon, with two rounds for each event. The top five Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Permit holders in each rodeo

Porterville Arena Soccer Registration Now Open Staff Reports Increase your child’s health and wellness by keeping them physically active.

Registration for the Parks and Leisure Services Arena Soccer League began on December 4. It’s the perfect fit for your child to truly enjoy the sport and want

to return the following season.

Arena soccer has all the excitement of playing outdoor soccer with the added fun of being able to play the ball off the walls. The league is designed for boys and girls ages 5 – 13 with a cost of $58.

Games are played under the lights at the Porterville Sports Complex on unique

outdoor arenas. Practices begin in February and games are played through March. Volunteer coaches are needed to help make this league a success. Consider sharing your skills with eager youth in the community.

Sign up for the league online through the City of Porterville website

event will compete for a total purse of $21,000. Following the rodeo, a winner’s presentation will take place in the arena.

To purchase a PRCA membership card contestants must fill their permit, meaning they must win $1,000 at a PRCA sanctioned rodeo. They can then purchase their PRCA card and compete in hopes to qualify for the “Super Bowl” of rodeo, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

Many contestants choose to compete on their Permit for a full year to gain experience prior to their rookie year as a PRCA card holder and to qualify to compete at the Permit Challenge.

To learn more about PRCA, visit http://www.prorodeo.com/.

or at the Heritage Center, 256 E. Orange Avenue. Space is limited so early registration is advised. For more information on the league or volunteering to coach, call (559) 791-7695. Stay up to date on all services and programs by following Parks & Leisure on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Wine & Beer Tasting At

Redwood Wine Room

Totem Market & Gifts Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

J&J Cellars - Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards

(559) 561-4463 45186 Sierra Drive, Three Rivers

facebook.com/FindsDivineConsignment OPEN BI-MONTHLY & BY APPOINTMENT 1094 E. Walnut Ave. in TULARE Jennifer Hales 559)936-3511

Carol Gregory 559)972-3961

Serving Sellers and Shoppers Alike!

7 December, 2017

Valley Voice • B7

Free Public Preview of Christmas Tree Auction on December 7 Visalia Chamber of Commerce Get your free sneak peek of the beautiful trees on display at the 37th Annual Christmas Tree Auction, Masquerade Ball.

The free preview will take place between 2:30 – 4pm at the Visalia Convention Center Friday, December 8.

Bring your family and friends to view the elaborately decorated trees that volunteers have spent countless hours decorating. The preview is being offered free to the public.

The spirit of generosity is in the air as the Visalia community prepares to celebrate and help raise money for local non-profit organizations.

Hosted by the Visalia Chamber of Commerce, the 37th Annual Christmas Tree Auction once again promises to be the grandest gala of the year.

Attendees can expect an evening of fabulous wine, delicious food from more than 30 local restaurants and wineries and live music by Run4Cover.

For over three decades local charities have utilized this event as their primary event to raise funds.

While the trees are amazing, participants have not lost sight that bidding on trees and silent auction items are vital to the success of this event for so many deserving organizations working in our community.

This year, the Christmas Tree Auction has been re-imagined as the Visalia Chamber introduces a new layout for the event, with exciting features which

Foundation Continued from B1

“It [hospital management] was a money pit,” he said. “Now, there is a new set of eyes and a positive direction,” he said. “We’re looking forward to reopening and finishing the tower.”

The Foundation has no say in management of the hospital. It is a separate non-profit entity which raises funds for needs within the district – most often equipment for the hospital and for Evolutions Fitness and Wellness Center, owned by TRMC. One of the largest donations the Foundation has made was a bone-density scanner in 2016, at the approximate cost of $40,000.

While the hospital is closed, the Foundation continues working, although for this year, it cancelled its annual winter fundraiser, Festival of Trees.

“It was a tough decision,” Smith

will help to highDeli Delicious light the non-prof• Kaweah Delits and the local ta Hospice Founrestaurant partners dation partnered providing food for with Quail Park the evening. on Cypress This partner• L o v e ship provides the Inc partnered opportunity for with YMI Café the charity and the • My Father’s restaurant to work House partnered together to cross with Café 225 promote and ulti• NAMI mately provide a • Police Activibetter experience ties League for all of the guests.

• P r o Y o u t h The 37th Anpartnered with nual Christmas The Marriott Tree Auction will • S a m a r i t a n help to support Center of Tuthe following local lare County non-profits: A tree from the Visalia Chamber of • Sequoia Sym• Arts Visalia Commerce’s 2012 Christmas Tree phony Orchestra • Daughters Auction. Catherine Doe/Valley Voice Association partof Hope nered with The partnered with Mache Vintage Press • Deaf & Hard of Hear• Soroptimist International ing Services of Visalia • El Diamante High School • South Valley Chivas Academy Boosters partnered with ­­Rosa’s • Spirit 88.9 partnered Italian Ristorante with Fugazzis • Golden State Family Services • TheSource LGBT+ Center partpartnered with Henry Salazar’s nered with the Lunch Box • Hands in the Community part• The Ruth Wood Open Arms nered with Pita Kabob House partnered with The Café • Happy Trails Riding Academy • Valley Care Givers Group • ImagineU Children’s Museum • Visalia Education Foundation • Kaweah Delta Founda• Visalia Police Departtion Lifeline partnered with ment Explorers

said, “but it was decided not to have a party, just to have a party.”

The Foundation leant its offices to the newly acting TRMC administration until it actually received the keys to the hospital and facilities.

Meanwhile, the Foundation is showing the community that it continues to stand behind its hospital. Following Thanksgiving, staff, board members and friends were busy wrapping trees in green bows.

“There’s light at the end of the tunnel,” Smith said, “we’ve turned the corner. We’ve been experiencing this [turmoil] for the last two years. The last three months have been really intense – really tough. It’s divided the community and friendships were challenged.

“It’s not going to be easy to get it [the hospital] open. We definitely have the right leadership to get it done, and the hospital board and Foundation board get along great.”

The closure of the hospital has in turn been a loss for many other local businesses as well as the city, Kallio pointed out.

Other healthcare entities, such as rehab facilities and in-home healthcare providers and more have suffered. Kallio himself manages a local rehab facility and sees the loss on a daily basis.

Kaweah Delta Healthcare District (KDHCD) has taken on the bulk of the load for TRMC. They, the KDHCD management and staff, have been very supportive of TRMC and the community, Kallio and Smith agree.

Rene Miller, a Friend of the Foundation member and Tulare city employee in the finance department, was lending a hand in the green ribbon effort.

While she isn’t a Tulare resident, as a city employee she sees the importance of the hospital.

“The community needs the hospital which keeps money in the community,”

• Vision Visalia • Young Life/Young Lives of Tulare County partnered with Lamp Liter Inn

Thank you to our event sponsors: • Bank of Sierra • Comcast • Dillon Enterprises • Dowling & Aaron • EECU • Jack in the Box • Michelle Nicholson • Pine Pedroncelli & Aguilar • Pridestaff • Saputo Cheese USA • Spirit 88.9 • Tachi Palace • The Evans Group Re/Max • VAST Networks • Visalia Ceramic Tile • Visalia Mall • Visalia Rawhide Don’t miss the chance to generously support the work of local non-profits and kick off the holiday season with the most festive party in town.

Ticket 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 purchased online at www.visaliachamber.org/christmastree/.

she said. “There are only a couple other businesses [in town] that employee as many as the hospital.”

The 500-plus employees of the hospital were actually hired through the former management company, and have been laid off.

The hospital is currently working with those staff members to rehire under TRMC itself, when it should reopen its doors.

However, most are currently without work, or paychecks.

As such, the Foundation is also working on a toy drive to benefit the children of laid-off hospital employees.

The drive lasts through December 18, and the Foundation is looking to collect some 500 new and unwrapped toys for children up to 12 years of age.

Toys may be dropped off at the Foundation office, 906 N. Cherry St. or at Evolutions Fitness and Wellness Center, 1425 E. Prosperity Avenue.

AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY FOR LEASE

5650 sqft. of gated space on S. Mooney Blvd across from the Tulare County Superior Court 21 internal parking stalls, elevator, and spacious offices — ideal for attorneys!

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CALL SHARI AGUIRRE AT 799-6082

7 December, 2017

Add Some Cheer with Cyclamens Pam Wallace, UCCE Master Gardener Now that gray winter days are here, it’s time to start thinking of ways to add color to your garden. What I miss most during winter is flowers in the yard. But I found an answer to those dull winter landscape doldrums.

Potted cyclamens in cheerful shades of white, pink, rose, and red line the shelves in stores in late fall. Their colorful flowers resemble shooting stars or butterflies.

How many of you have bought a cyclamen, placed it on your porch, and then thrown it away in the summer when it died back? Did you know that the cyclamen is a bulb that will grow year after year? And did you realize that cyclamen can also be grown in the landscape? I didn’t, until one of those accidental mishaps of Mother Nature.

I’ve always bought one or two potted cyclamens each fall for my front porch.

One day I noticed this new foliage growing next to the porch railing. I couldn’t quite figure out what plant it was until it started to bloom. Apparently one of the cyclamen set seed and now I have a cluster of plants growing at the base of my porch.

Now I’m on a mission to add cyclamen all over the yard. Each year I buy five or six plants, and hopefully in another couple of years, I’ll have a yard full

of color during those drab winter days.

Last year for Christmas I planted red and white cyclamen in a corner of the yard where I could enjoy their bright color from the windows of my living room when the weather was dismal.

I think the foliage of cyclamen is attractive on its own. Each plant forms a basal clump of heart-shaped dark green leaves with silver veining. Their small size makes them perfect to plant under trees or large shrubs where they’ll be protected from the afternoon sun.

Cyclamen are prolific bloomers.

Each mature plant can send out as many as thirty long-lasting flowers. They bloom during late fall and spring, although I’ve found that during a mild winter, they’ll bloom for most of the season.

Cyclamen are versatile and remarkably easy to grow. I’ve found them to be resistant to most pests. Another added plus for those living in the foothills is that they are not attractive to deer.

Here are some tips on their care: • Potted plants - transplant them into soil or a bigger pot to the same depth they were originally planted.

• Tubers - plant them 6 to 10 inches apart, cover with a halfinch of soil during dormant periods of June-August.

• Find a spot in your yard that has morning sun and after-

Valley Voice • B8

Cyclamen ‘Stirling’, Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Tasmania, Australia. Courtesy/JJ Harrison

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noon shade in the hot summer months, such as the east side of the house.

They prefer moist, well-drained soil that can partially dry out between waterings. So if there is an empty spot that gets wet when you water the lawn, think about growing cyclamen there. I plant them under deciduous trees so they get direct winter sun.

Cyclamen will bloom in shade, as in a north-facing exposure, or under evergreen trees, although

a little bit of sunlight increases the amount of blooms.

• Plants lose leaves and go dormant in hot weather, but survive if drainage is good and soil is not constantly wet.

So next time you see a cyclamen in the store, don’t pass it up because you don’t know what to do with it. Grab it up, take it home with you and plant it in your yard. You’ll be glad you did when those drab winter doldrums hit and you can look out your window and see colorful blooms.