Valley Voice Issue 107 (21 December, 2017)

BAD ART WANTED inside VALLEY SCENE

What’s Tulare PD paying monthly in administrative leave?

$42,000+

in 2016 base pay + benefits

read more on 2

TOYS for TRMC Valley Oak Credit Union donates $1500

Volume XXXVII No. 24 • 21 December, 2017

page 4

www.ourvalleyvoice.com

Tulare PD Chief, Public Demand Action Hensley’s attorney additionally accuses Tulare mayor of “crossing the line” in public statements

Nancy Vigran An attorney for the Tulare Police Chief says the city’s mayor overstepped his legal bounds and is demanding immediate action by city council.

Chief Wes Hensley has been on paid administrative leave for 80 days – and he appears tired of it.

In a letter from Hensley’s attorney, Michael Lampe, to the city attorney, Heather Phillips dated December 14, Lampe is insisting the issue of an investigation for the reasoning behind the chief ’s leave be placed in the Tulare City Council’s hands – well, council minus its mayor.

“I am asking that this request be placed on the City Council Agenda for its next regularly scheduled meeting.

Chief Hensley hereby waives any privacy rights with respect to this agenda item.

“As we have previously advised, we will insist that any administrative hearing, whether conducted by the City

Council or an independent hearing officer, be held in public, as Chief Hensley has nothing to hide.”

Included with the letter were a series of exhibits, including the original Notice of Administrative Leave initiated by the city manager, Joe Carlini, and served to Hensley by Phillips. That notice gave a reference of misconduct by the chief on a specific date: Friday, September 22.

It did not reference what the alleged misconduct was.

Since that day, neither Hensley nor Lampe have received any information from the city, despite numerous attempts by Lampe for information, the attorney said.

The original Notice of Administrative Leave stated, “The City intends to contract with an outside investigator in this matter. That investigator will contact you, or your representative, to schedule an investigative interview at an appropriate time and place if the investigator

TULARE PD continued on 8 »

Jack Lavers with his wife, Jennifer, and daughter, Reagan. Courtesy/Jack Lavers

Jack Lavers Vies to be Next Representative in Sacramento Catherine Doe Cattleman Jack Lavers is the most recent candidate to throw his hat in the ring for the 26th Assembly District.

Visalia Mayor Warren Gubler and incumbent Devon Mathis are the other two viable contenders.

Lavers runs a family business in Glennville with his wife of seven years and their daughter.

As a member of the Kern County Cattleman’s’ Association and currently 2nd Vice-President Emeritus of the California Cattlemen’s Association, Lavers has had to lobby for the industry in Sacramento and Washington D.C. , so he is no stranger to politics.

When asked if he would be willing to debate his two contenders Lavers said, “I would love to, and bring light to all

LAVERS continued on 10 »

Protesters gather on Saturday morning outside the downtown Visalia office of Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) to call for more access to the congressman. Nunes is facing a growing slate of candidates who wish to replace him. Dave Adalian/Valley Voice

Devin Nunes Facing Local Protests, Challengers Congressman Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) is facing new allegations of odd behavior in the nation’s capital and new opponents who want to unseat him at home in the wake of a House Ethics Committee investigation.

‘Hand-Me-Up’

With the primary election still months away, a host of candidates is coming forward with plans to unseat the longtime Republican. For Bobby Bliatout, 41, of Fresno, it’s Nunes’ stance on the health care that prompted him to begin his campaign for the congressional seat.

“I got into the race because of their effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA),” Bliatout said. “The idea for this one is that I am on the front line of health care. I serve the under-served, and I see how beneficial it is.”

For the last 15 years or so, Bliatout has worked as CEO for a company he found-

Dave Adalian ed, Greater Fresno Health Organization, a primary-care clinic serving low-income patients. He holds up his business experience in the private sector against that of Nunes, a career politician.

“It’s not like I applied for a job. I know what it’s like to put it together from the ground up,” Bliatout said. “Life wasn’t always an Easy Street for me. I know what it’s like to get assistance from the government and use it to better myself. It’s not an entitled handout; it’s a hand-me-up.”

Playing Politics

The Congressman’s opposition to the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, is yet another example of Nunes serving corporate interest instead of his constituents in the Valley, says Bliatout.

NUNES continued on 10 »

Rescue Mission Available as Warming Center As the cool winter temperatures begin to impact our community, the City of Visalia wants to ensure that those in need have a place to stay during the coldest nights.

The City of Visalia encourages anyone who needs emergency shelter when the night time temperatures are expected to be below 30º Fahrenheit to seek shelter at Visalia Rescue Mission (VRM).

VRM offers both a men’s shelter, as well as the Shelter of Hope for women and children (boys 12 and under).

Additionally, VRM will provide an

Staff Reports additional warming center space at both shelter locations when the temperature is expected to be 40º or below. Each morning when temperatures remain at 34º or below, guests are able to stay until 9:00am.

The weather forecast is predicting temperatures to be below 30 Degrees during the nights on Wednesday, December 20th and Thursday 21st, 2017.

Please note: For the safety of its

WARMING continued on 4 »

2 • Valley Voice

21 December, 2017 FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK

Welcome To The Accountability Corner

TWO THINGS YOU DON’T WANT TO MIX

New to this paper--and on the front page--is a feature the Chief imagined would have the impact of an article in a space the size of a postage stamp. She both invented and named it.

Welcome to the Accountability Corner.

In so timely a manner as we can, given that the Voice appears on the first and third Thursdays monthly, we will highlight a relevant factoid that should, in its brevity, speak volumes.

Here’s the Chief in her own words: “This week’s Accountability Corner will demonstrate how much taxpayer money has so far been wasted by the City of Tulare by putting three highly salaried police command staffers on paid administrative leave. The amounts we report are only an approximation and will be printed in each issue until Tulare either puts these employees back to work or fires them.

As readers may recall, more than $100k was wasted by putting former Tulare Police Chief Jerry Breckinridge on paid administrative leave while not even telling the residents this had occurred.

The Accountability Corner will focus on those cities that are the worst offenders in filing frivolous lawsuits and are the least transparent. One red flag for us will be if a defendant, or a person under investigation--or their attorney--speaks freely but a city administration hides behind its lawyers.

If suspended Tulare Police Chief Wes Hensley is willing to speak publicly and the City of Tulare is not, it doesn’t take a brain trust to figure out who is being truthful.

The same is true for Woodlake. Former Woodlake police officer Daniel Garibay was fired for having a relationship with a woman of which his boss did not approve. Now Woodlake is facing hundreds of thousands of dollars already spent in legal fees and a possible large settlement payout.

Too many times employees are fired or put on administrative leave as a result of hidden agendas or hurt feelings. Residents would like to tell their city councils, county supervisors and their staffs that you need to heal your fragile egos on your own dime and not the taxpayer’s.”

The Chief has a solid idea here--particularly in regard to the City of Tulare, or, more properly, its city council. Hensley was suspended by Tulare City Manager Joe Carlini effective September 28.

I’m writing this on December 19.

And an investigation has yet to commence.

This isn’t good stewardship of taxpayer money.

Or isn’t the Tulare City Council allowed to at least call for an investigation?

Or is extended, unexplained--and uninvestigated--paid administrative leave somehow a fiscally conservative measure?

Speaking of accountability, I’d like to take this moment to recognize the Citizens for Hospital Accountability group for its successful efforts.While having no affiliation with that organization--apart from using the word ‘accountability’ for our new feature--it has been undeniable to us here at the Voice that the group was instrumental in completely changing the hospital board and the whole culture there.

We’ll see what happens next with the hospital. I remain confident it’ll surge.

But I am willing to wager that a similar group, with similar focus and drive, would meet with similar success if it concerned itself with Tulare’s City Council.

I don’t even live in Tulare and I’d still like to see the back of most of its city council members.

Especially Mayor Carlton Jones, who emcees this lurching burlesque with the grace of a churlish clown and the apptitude of a quadraplegic juggler.

Ask yourself if, in his mayoral capacity, he is helping anything along in the City of Tulare. Ask yourself if the city council, indeed the city itself, would not be better off if he were totally out of government.

You don’t need Robert Mueller for this one.

Imagine a Tulare where a reformed hospital is up and running both efficiently and transparently.

Imagine a Tulare whose city council operates similarly.

Now stop imagining, Tulareans, roll up your sleeves and engineer this change.

In the meantime, the Accountability Corner will roll along, calling attention to chicanery and nefariousness everywhere.

Joseph Oldenbourg

The Valley Voice is your newspaper Published by The Valley Voice, LLC.

Publisher/Editor: Joseph Oldenbourg (joseph@ourvalleyvoice.com) (559) 972-7778

Reporters:

Catherine Doe (catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com) Dave Adalian (dave@ourvalleyvoice.com) Production/Website: Tony Maldonado (tony@ourvalleyvoice.com)

Sales & Special Sections Editor:

Nancy Vigran (nancy@ourvalleyvoice.com) (559) 623-5398 For more information on how to stop drunk driving, call (559) 636-5494 www.da-tulareco.org

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21 December, 2017

Valley Voice • 3

Political Fix WHY ARE THE REPUBLICANS TRYING TO CONVINCE US THAT UPSIDE DOWN IS RIGHT SIDE UP – AND WILL THEY SUCCEED?

I am not one to hold a grudge, but in 1952 Republican women fought to get the issue of equal pay on the California Republican platform. In correspondence between my grandmother, Florence Doe, and other women on the Republican Central Committee, getting more women to run for office and pay equity were Republican issues.

Where did my grandmother’s Republican Party go?

While she’s spinning in her grave over the current state of her beloved party, I have been giving this question a lot of thought.

The party still exists in spirit but not in practice. Republicans advertise themselves as the family values, strong on military, and the fiscally responsible party, as if we all live in the middle of the Wizard of Oz movie.

“Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain,” they say while endorsing a child molester, allowing a foreign government to meddle in our elections, and ballooning the deficit by $1.5 trillion with their tax plan.

What stands out most though is Republicans’ image of being hawkish on Russia while Democrats are portrayed as doves.

The Democrats were persecuted in the 1950’s for allegedly embracing “Reds” when it basically wasn’t true.

But in 2017 the Republicans defend a president who actually does.

After President Trump received the Republican nomination in July of 2016, the FBI warned him that Russia was trying to infiltrate his campaign.

They were right. Mr. Trump’s presidential campaign proceeded to have 31 encounters with the Russians. And that is just what we know of.

The FBI? Trump’s campaign didn’t want to bother them.

Those meetings are in addition to Mr. Trump appointing several high ranking members to his administration who have strong financial and personal ties to Russia.

All this news takes me back to the Cold War. Remember the “Non-Aligned Movement?”

Those were countries like India, Indonesia, Mexico, and Egypt that politically or financially agreed not to align with either super power – those two super powers being the United States and The Soviet Union.

The Western Block was basically made up of Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The Eastern Bloc was made up of those countries bordering the Soviet Union, Central Europe, and some African countries.

Then there was the Non- Aligned Movement, mostly made up of developing nations trying to maintain their sovereignty from the two world bullies.

Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia was one of the founding members of the NonAligned Movement and formalized the organization in his country in 1956.

Catherine Doe

After 40 years of exchanging a lot of dirty looks and pointing nuclear missiles at each other, the Cold War came to an unexpectedly quick end. Through a combination of President Reagan’s tough diplomacy, and Soviet Union’s ineptitude, the Soviet Union broke apart and the Eastern Bloc fell in 1991.

The United States emerged as the only super power.

That is until Mr. Trump.

Eighteen years after the fall of the Berlin Wall Russia is trying to recreate the Soviet Union through military aggression and is destabilizing our country’s and other Western country’s democracies. Mr. Trump is helping them along by slow-walking sanctions against Russia and denying that Russia meddled in our elections.

All the while we have to hear how Republicans are tough on national security and Democrats are soft.

That’s funny because I don’t remember President Obama’s bromance with Vladimir Putin or Mr. Putin describing Mr. Obama as an “asset” of Russia.

Maybe not coincidently, the NonAligned Movement is still alive and well and has increased its membership to 125 countries.

Tito was the last world leader my grandmother recognized before she slipped into dementia in 1980. She admired Tito because he kept his small country independent from the Soviet Union, which was no small achievement in the face of Josef Stalin or Nikita Khrushchev.

Towards the end of his life, Tito had worsening diabetes that necessitated the doctors having to amputate first one leg then the other. Grandma said as we watched the evening news, “Well, that is it for him,” as she realized he wouldn’t live more than a few more weeks.

As astute as my grandmother was in world politics, she could not have predicted the metamorphosis her party would undergo. And the Republicans won’t acknowledge how far they have strayed from their roots. Its time they pull back the curtain and take a good look - before the return of the Soviet Union and the next Cold War. Merry Christmas, Russia.

PAY TO PLAY TIME

Sitting in Sproul Plaza listening to Stoney Burke, a street comedian, I remember him bemoaning the apathy of college students. “Close all of the Cafes” he said. “That would get all of them out in the streets.”

He was correct. 1983 was a time before the advent of Starbucks, and Berkeley students cherished their cafes and spent more time in them than in the classroom.

In 2017 the same could be said of the internet. Start charging to use Facebook, Snapchat and Google and the watch people flood out of Starbucks and into the streets to protest.

And that is exactly what’s in the pipeline.

Just in time for Christmas, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 3-2 along party lines to end net neutrality.

Net neutrality mandates companies to treat all internet data as equal. They

can’t speed up, slow down, or hide any kind of internet content from users. In a way, it works like a virtual democracy.

I’ll let you guess which political party voted to repeal net neutrality.

Now people are going to hate their internet supplier as much as their cable provider as the internet levies ever increasing prices on each website.

Ending net neutrality means that internet providers will make people pay for websites such as facebook, linkedIn, Instagram, Twitter.

In Portugal, where there is no net neutrality, users have to pay six dollars for each bundle, such as for a messaging package, email package, social media package and so on.

By the time you read this Mr. Trump will have already signed into law a very nice tax break for himself and his family. Soon the middle class won’t only be paying higher taxes but might have to start paying to use facebook when they want to keep up with the grandkids.

Well maybe not, because the grandkids and their parents might not be able to afford it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, MIDDLE CLASS.

The First Year for the Rest of My Life A few days from now Christmas will be over and there will be no more “firsts” when it comes to Alex’ passing. After losing a child there are first birthdays, holidays, Mother’s and Father’s Days, and the first family portrait without him.

I learned that during my year of “firsts” there is never the right thing to say. When Manny noticed I was crying on the way to the airport to spend Thanksgiving with all the kids in Portland he tried to comfort me by saying Alex wouldn’t have wanted to come anyway.

Mercedes made me a Mother’s Day card that said “Best Mother of Five,” pretty much the last thing I wanted to hear. Her boyfriend, Brendon, gave me liquor filled candy just a few weeks after Alex died of alcohol related hepatitis.

Actually, the doctors never did figure out what Alex had. In all their infinite wisdom they discharged him even though he was still very sick. One particularly aloof doctor asked Joseph and I why we were so worried.

We had to endure four birthdays within six weeks of Alex’ passing. Joseph and I weren’t in the celebrating mood but we could not ignore Manny and Mercedes’ birthdays. Manny was turning 23 and was happy with just a cake and then left for Barmageddon in Tulare. I even managed to find a few candles.

Mercedes’ 18th birthday landed on Father’s Day which was a blessing.

Somehow she finagled two celebrations, one with family and a few days later a swim party with her friends. Watching her friends play Twister and have chicken fights in the pool made it very hard for me to sulk.

The prospect of Mother’s Day hung over me like a dark cloud until I got on Amazon.com. I bought each child a special gift and thanked them for being so great. Coincidently, as Mercedes is

an excellent cook, the Panini Maker I gave her turned out to be one my better investments.

On August 3 I spent Alex’ birthday organizing documents Joseph and I would need to defend ourselves against my stepmom and my dad’s fourth suit against us. The bitterness matched my mood perfectly. We ended up losing our shirts during mediation but keeping our integrity.

And so what. We had already lost Alex so what else could they do to us?

Thanksgiving was spent together in Portland. That morning I walked five miles in the rain from our airbnb to the OMSI museum. The fall colors still hung from the trees and carpeted the sidewalks in a brilliant red and orange but it was just drizzly enough to make myself miserable.

We celebrated Thanksgiving but Joseph and I were adamant about canceling Christmas. We toyed with the idea of a cruise, or going to Istanbul, or touring Auschwitz and sending the inlaws postcards saying “Wish you were here.” Auschwitz in the snow summed up how we felt and our plan was to avoid the holidays altogether.

Everyone knows what happens to the best laid plans, though.

Kids.

Mercedes and Brendon couldn’t wait for Christmas or to decorate the house and promised to do it all themselves. Getting the boxes out of the garage I caught a glimpse of Alex’ hand-crocheted stocking and that is precisely what I was trying to avoid.

Still, despite my best efforts to be miserable, I didn’t grieve on the big milestone holidays like I had planned, but mostly in the car on the way to a city council meeting or picking up Mercedes from school. In fact, I don’t know where people grieved before the advent of the automobile.

It was the unexpected times, like or hearing a song he made into a birthday video for his older brother, Chuck, or shopping at Kohls where every year I bought him a argyle vest.

Or sitting down to dinner and wondering who is missing.

The last thing Alex did before getting too sick was help pick out our Christmas tree.

He dragged it in the house and hung the lights before I put on the hand-made ornaments sporting pictures of them as toddlers.

And unbeknownst to me, I hung up his stocking, perfectly stitched in the form of a boot, for the last time for a very long time, maybe forever.

When someone dies the world does not stop turning. Work doesn’t stop, kids don’t say the right things, doctors don’t always have a diagnosis, and Joseph and I couldn’t keep Christmas from coming. Like Joseph’s hero, the Grinch, said, “it came. Somehow or other... it came just the same.”

It will be a few years before we go pick out a fresh tree or hang the kid’s stockings, but I am happy to be home celebrating Christmas with my family. I even let myself smile a few times when reminiscing about Alex and the good times.

Merry Christmas, Alex.

4 • Valley Voice

21 December, 2017

Valley Oak Credit Union Donates $1,500 to Tulare Toy Drive Tony Maldonado The Tulare Hospital Foundation has received a large boost in its effort to provide toys to the children of unemployed Tulare Regional Medical Center employees.

The foundation got the help from Valley Oak Credit Union, whose representatives on 12 December awarded the group a $1,500 check.

Each year, the credit union gives its members the opportunity to skip a loan payment in the months of November or December for a fee.

Valley Oak then donates a portion of those proceeds each year to a charitable cause.

This year, the credit union donated to the toy drive, which will provide Christmas toys for Tulare Regional Medical Center employees out of work while the hospital’s operations are suspended.

Members of Valley Oak’s leader-

ship staff met with volunteers from the Tulare Hospital Foundation, including executive director Jan Smith, to present the donation.

“We really want to support Tulare this year, and we thought this was the perfect cause,” Valley Oak Executive Vice President Kiersty Vaughan said.

Smith said the community had “stepped up big time,” and thanked Valley Oak -- and the community -- for their donations.

Smith shared one story -- a man who saw the news of the hospital’s closure, and the toy drive, on a local news broadcast.

“He said his wife looked over to him -- she had tears in her eyes, and she said ‘Honey, we have to do something,’” Smith said.

“He lifts this Honda SUV liftgate up, and it’s packed with toys -- and I was just like, ‘Oh my gosh!’” she said.

As of the time of the event, she

Jan Smith, Executive Director of the Tulare Hospital Foundations, speaks to members of the foundation and Valley Oak Credit Union about the foundation’s toy drive. Tony Maldonado/Valley Voice

said the foundation had received over 400 gifts -- and, with the addition of Valley Oak’s donation, up to $4,000 in monetary donations to use towards toy purchases.

“With Tulare Strong, our Tulare

Strong campaign -- it has brought the community together, and this toy drive has been nothing short of amazing,” Smith said.

Toys were passed out on December 20 to former hospital employees.

Fresno Airport Adds Capacity for Holiday Travel Staff Reports Airports across the country, including Fresno Yosemite International Airport, are anticipating increased passenger activity during the 2017 winter holiday travel period. Airline trade organization Airlines for America projects passenger volumes on U.S. airlines will exceed 2016 winter holiday travel by 3.5 percent during the 21-day travel period beginning today, Friday, December 15 through Thursday, January 4, 2018.

Domestic and international carriers based at Fresno Yosemite International Airport plan to meet the peak season demand by increasing flight frequencies and seat capacity.

The airlines expect strong passenger bookings through the peak travel period and have increased flights to accommodate travelers during December and into January 2018.

United Airlines will operate a fourth daily departure from Fresno to the Denver market. American Airlines added

seat capacity to Phoenix by transitioning from a regional jet to the larger Airbus 319 aircraft on its mid-afternoon flight as well as increased service to Dallas with a third daily departure. New year-round service to Morelia, Mexico operated by Volaris begins Saturday, December 16.

The airline also increased its schedule between Fresno and Guadalajara, Mexico to two daily flights on selected days into January 2018. To further accommodate winter holiday travelers to the Mexico region, AeroMexico will operate daily Guadalajara service into January 2018.

With the expected high volume of travelers, passengers are strongly encour-

Warming Continued from 1

guests and staff, VRM maintains a drug and alcohol free environment.

Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol, whose behavior is a danger to others, may not be able to utilize the facility.

For those with special needs, please contact 2-1-1 Tulare County.

If you are able to donate winter items such as blankets and sleeping bags, please contact VRM directly: 559-7404178 or email hope@vrmhope.org

aged to arrive at the airport up to three hours prior to international flights and up to two hours prior to domestic flights.

TSA Pre for expedited security screening is available at Fresno Yosemite International Airport. Travelers interested in enrolling in the TSA Pre program may complete an online application process at www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck or schedule an appointment with the local enrollment center by calling 855-347-8371.

Like the Fresno Yosemite International Airport on facebook.com/FresnoYosemiteInternational or follow the airport on Twitter @FresnoAirport for more updates and information.

VRM SHELTER LOCATIONS

Shelter of Hope (women and children* — girls 17 and under/boys 12 and under) 1413 N. Burke St 559-734-7921 Check-in time: 4pm Men’s Shelter and Community Kitchen (serving breakfast and dinner daily) 322 NE 1st Ave., Visalia, CA 93291 559-740-4178 Check-in time: 6pm Morning warming center location: 415 NE 1st Ave.

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21 December, 2017

Valley Voice • 5

Tulare Hospital Board to File Countersuit Against HCCA Tony Maldonado The Tulare Local Healthcare District (TLHCD) will file a countersuit against its former management contractor, its attorneys announced on December 6.

The district will also file a professional complaint with the California State Bar against Bruce Greene and the BakerHostetler firm, entities which both previously represented the Tulare Local Healthcare District.

The board also voted to replace a member of the Evolutions Oversight Committee to ensure that at least one woman was part of the committee and received an update on the reopening of its hospital — an update without an exact reopening date.

New Action, Old Figures

The district is countering a lawsuit filed by Healthcare Conglomerate Associates (HCCA) in Los Angeles County Court.

The lawsuit was filed by HCCA while the company was still advising the district’s board to pursue a loan, prior to the district’s decision to file for Chapter 9 bankruptcy.

In the lawsuit, the management company stated that the district had violated the Management Services Agreement, one of multiple contracts between the district and HCCA, including through nonpayment and through board members’ statements to the public.

HCCA previously managed the Tulare Regional Medical Center.

HCCA’s suit claimed that the district had been unable to reimburse the company for operating expenses, and that the company had advanced “over $7,000,000 in funds” to the district through a series of promissory notes.

Those notes later formed the basis for the company to, on September 27, use its authority to sign a Deed of Trust on Evolutions, requiring the repayment of those promissory notes.

The only signature on the Deed of Trust was Dr. Benny Benzeevi, CEO of HCCA. It also claimed that the district was unable to reimburse the company for payments to HCCA’s employees.

Under the Management Services Agreement, the employees working at Tulare Regional Medical Center were transferred to HCCA’s employment — and the district would then reimburse the company 130% of each employee’s salary.

The full Los Angeles County lawsuit is available on the Voice’s website.

The district’s separate complaint with the California State Bar against Bruce Greene and BakerHostetler relates “to California Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 3-700 to obtain the district’s records.”

Those rules state that any attorney whose employment has been terminated must: “(1) Subject to any protective order or nondisclosure agreement, promptly release to the client, at the request of the client, all the client papers and property.

“Client papers and property” includes correspondence, pleadings, deposition transcripts, exhibits, physical evidence, expert’s reports, and other items reasonably necessary to the client’s representation, whether the client has paid for

The Tulare Local Healthcare District’s Board of Directors at a November 21 board meeting. Tony Maldonado/Valley Voice

them or not; and (2) Promptly refund any part of a fee paid in advance that has not been earned. This provision is not applicable to a true retainer fee which is paid solely for the purpose of ensuring the availability of the member for the matter.“ Newly elected TLHCD board members Senovia Gutierrez, Kevin Northcraft and Mike Jamaica had voted to formally engage McCormick Barstow as the district’s new law firm in July — but Greene and HCCA stated that the vote wasn’t valid, as Gutierrez wasn’t formally recognized by the former board.

Throughout July and August, Greene stated the meetings held by the three members weren’t valid, and continued to conduct business on behalf of the district.

It’s unclear when Greene stopped conducting work in the district’s name.

On September 29, Greene and his firm signaled the end of their relationship with Dr. Benny Benzeevi and HCCA, according to court filings.

“The Baker Hostetler firm has determined that we must commence termination of our representation of you personally as well as our representation of HCCA, and all entities affiliated with you and HCCA,” Greene wrote in a letter.

“Finally, we again request that you settle your outstanding accounts with the firm forthwith,” the letter ends.

Mandy Jeffcoach, an attorney representing the district, stated the district wasn’t able to provide additional detail on either case.

“No further details are available at this time, as to provide additional details would jeopardize the district’s ability to prosecute its claims,” her statement read.

“Additional information will be provided as soon as possible.”

the bank access,” Blitz said, “and we’re finding other accounts we didn’t even know about.”

“We’re making excellent progress on potential funders, and that looks extremely positive right now,” he added.

Evolutions Oversight Solidified

During the meeting, board member Stephen Harrell noted that the board hadn’t appointed any women to the Evolutions Oversight Committee.

Initially, he sought to expand the five-person committee to seven, before the district’s legal counsel noted that the amount of board members was codified in the contract the board signed with Evo Management Company — an expansion would require a new round of negotiations with the entity.

Ed Henry, Harrell’s nominee for the committee, stated that he’d be willing to resign to allow a woman to join the committee. Harrell nominated Linda Crase to take his place.

The board also voted to approve a resolution officially creating the Evolutions Oversight Committee and designating its chairperson, Derek Jackson.

Paul Atlas, one of the managing members of the Evo Management

Company, chafed at a provision allowing the board to inspect financial data twice a month “They have the option of having this [financial] information twice a month,” Atlas said. “That information — to get a [profit-and-loss] and a balance twice a month — is an onerous job for someone to do.

“To ask the person that’s doing this, who has a lot of duties going on right now in that gym to get this thing going, to have twice-a-month financials is not fair to her, and not fair to the Evo Company,” Atlas said. “I have no problem once a month, but twice a month, it’s not valid.”

Northcraft, the hospital district board’s chairman, said he didn’t believe it would be a problem.

“I hope not — because that could be a deal killer,” Atlas said.

The Evolutions Oversight Committee’s board meetings would be held after the fifteenth of every month, but before the hospital board’s — and report monthly to the board.

The Voice has reached to Dr. Benny Benzeevi and Bruce Greene for comment; comment was not received by publication time.

Holiday Season wishingFromyouOura Joyous Family to Yours

Moving Closer – But No Target Date Yet

Larry Blitz, the interim CEO of the Tulare Regional Medical Center, updated the board on the reopening of the hospital.

There’s still no concrete reopening date yet — but Blitz and Daniel Heckathorne, the hospital’s interim CFO, continue to make progress.

Blitz stated, his group is holding weekly meetings with the California Department of Public Health, and continues to make financial progress, in addition to re-evaluating the hospital’s contracts.

“We finally established 95% of

Federally insured by NCUA

6 • Valley Voice

21 December, 2017

Agriculture USDA Seeks Applications for Conservation Innovation Grants Staff Reports USDA is offering grants for innovative ideas for conservation strategies and technologies. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) plans to invest $10 million in the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, funding innovative conservation projects in three focus areas: grazing lands, organic systems and soil health. Grant proposals are due Feb. 26, 2018.

“Conservation Innovation Grants play a critical role in developing and implementing new methods to help our customers conserve natural resources, strengthen their local communities, and improve their bottom lines,” said Rob Johansson, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation. “Today’s announcement supports our efforts to help producers build economically-strong and resilient farms and ranches by providing producers tools to utilize across their working farmlands.”

The NRCS uses CIG to work with partners to accelerate transfer and adoption of promising technologies and approaches that address some of the nation’s most pressing natural resource concerns. This year, NRCS is focusing funding in these areas: Grazing Lands: Helping livestock producers make grazing management decisions, encouraging prescribed burn-

ing as a grazing management practice, and improving access to conservation planning tools used for developing grazing management plans.

Organic Agriculture Systems: Helping organic producers develop innovative cropping and tillage systems, edgeof-field monitoring, crop rotations and intercropping systems.

Soil Health: Supporting both cropping and grazing systems, in a variety of climatic zones, that incorporate soil health management systems for addressing specific resource concerns like nutrients and availability. Evaluating multiple soil health assessment methods to assist in the development of new soil health indicators and thresholds.

“Every sector of American agriculture has its unique conservation challenges,” said Johansson. “CIG enables USDA to help support new, innovative tools and techniques which have helped U.S. agriculture become the powerhouse we see today, leading the world in both production efficiency and conservation delivery.”

Potential applicants should review the announcement of program funding available at www.grants.gov, which includes application materials and submission procedures.

All U.S.-based entities and individuals are invited to apply, with the sole exception of Federal agencies.

Up to 20 percent of CIG funds will be set aside for proposals from historically underserved producers, veteran farmers or ranchers or groups serving these customers.

NRCS is hosting a webinar for potential CIG applicants on Jan. 11, 2018 at 4 pm Eastern. Information on how to join the webinar can be found here offsite link image .

CIG is authorized and funded under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Projects can last up to three years. The maximum award amount for any project this year is $2 million.

Funding Conservation Innovation for More Than a Decade

Since 2004, NRCS has invested nearly $286.7 million in more than 700 projects focused on providing farmers and ranchers new techniques, data and decision-making tools for improving natural resources conservation on their land. Projects included: • The National Association of Conservation Districts evaluated year-by-year changes in corn and soybean farmer income during a multi-state, three-year study, that determined soil health practices such as cov-

er crops and no-till can result in an economic return of over $100 per acre.

• The National Center for Appropriate Technology worked with leading sustainable and organic agriculture organizations, NRCS staff, consultants and hundreds of farmers to better integrate organic systems into NRCS programs and procedures and improve NRCS programs accessibility. As a result, NRCS changed 15 Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) conservation enhancements, added one new CSP conservation enhancement, and published an organic guidebook for NRCS field staff.

• The Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship (DGA) project will work with historically underserved populations in the Great Lakes Region to develop apprentice relationships that will foster skills in innovative managed grazing. The DGA is a two-year accredited National Apprenticeship that provides employment, mentorship, comprehensive training, and peer-to-peer discussions to help dairy grazers advance their careers.

California Farm Bureau Federation Elects President, VPs California Farm Bureau Federation An olive and citrus fruit grower from Oroville, Jamie Johansson, has been elected the new president of the California Farm Bureau Federation.

The election of Johansson and of vice presidents Shannon Douglass of Orland and Shaun Crook of Sonora highlighted the final day of the 99th CFBF Annual Meeting in Garden Grove.

Johansson becomes the 16th CFBF president after succeeding Paul Wenger of Modesto, who had served the maximum eight years in office.

Johansson has served as a statewide CFBF officer for eight years. He was elected second vice president in 2009

and first vice president in 2015. He is a former state chairman of the CFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers State Committee and former vice president of the Butte County Farm Bureau.

A first-generation farmer, he also operates an olive oil company, Lodestar Farms. He co-founded the Sierra Oro Farm Trail Association and is a former member of the Oroville City Council.

“Californians want diverse and affordable food, and Farm Bureau needs to show how that diversity also comes with great complexity, in terms of the tools and resources needed to grow food in this state,” Johansson said. “Ultimately, what Farm Bureau does is to protect the creativity California farmers and ranch-

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Douglass was elected to succeed Johansson as CFBF first vice president. She is a director of the Glenn County Farm Bureau and a former chair of the Young Farmers and Ranchers State Committee.

Douglass is an owner of Douglass Ranch, which raises beef cattle, sunflowers, corn and forage crops, and founded CalAgJobs, an online listing of employment opportunities in California agriculture.

She serves on the Glenn County Fair Board of Directors and is a former director of the Glenn County Resource Conservation District.

Crook was elected as second vice president.

He has served as president of the Tuolumne County Farm Bureau since 2015 and is a graduate of the Leadership Farm Bureau program.

He chaired both the CFBF Economy and Farm Policy Issue Advisory Committee and the Commodity Policy Review Committee. A licensed timber operator, Crook is a vice president of a family timber business and a real estate

agent specializing in ranch, commercial and residential properties.

In addition to the election of statewide officers, seven members were newly elected to the CFBF Board of Directors: Al Stehly of Valley Center will represent Imperial and San Diego counties; John Moore of Bakersfield will represent Kern and Kings counties; Donny Rollin of Riverdale will represent Fresno County; Ron Peterson of Turlock will represent Stanislaus and Tuolumne counties; David Barhydt of Grass Valley will represent Butte, Nevada and Yuba-Sutter counties; Tom Stewart of Tulelake will represent Lassen, Modoc and Plumas-Sierra counties; and Jenny Holtermann of Wasco will chair the Young Farmers and Ranchers State Committee. Ronnie Leimgruber of Holtville was appointed an advisory member of the board as the new chair of the CFBF Rural Health Department.

The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of nearly 40,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of more than 5.5 million Farm Bureau members.

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21 December, 2017

Valley Voice • 7

Agriculture Project Backers Seek Investments from Water Bond Christine Souza, CFBF Moving closer to final decisions about which California water projects will receive funding from a bond passed by voters in 2014, the California Water Commission heard presentations regarding about a dozen storage projects that have applied for bond funding. Potential projects include large-scale surface storage, reservoir expansions, groundwater projects and recycled-water projects.

Through the Water Storage Investment Program, applicants are competing for a portion of $2.7 billion in storage funding available through the Proposition 1 water bond. The water commission will decide how to allocate bond money for the public benefits of storage projects.

Applicants made 15-minute presentations to the commission at a meeting in Sacramento last week, providing details about the public benefits of each project, such as improvements for the ecosystem, water quality, flood control, emergency response and recreation.

Speaking to the commission, California Farm Bureau Federation Director of Water Resources Danny Merkley reinforced the organization’s support for largescale surface projects identified by the CalFed Bay-Delta Program, including the proposed Sites Reservoir, Temperance Flat Dam and Reservoir and expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir.

“California will continue to face intense water challenges,” Merkley said.

“Now more than ever, California’s water system needs a more flexible, environmentally friendly and sustainable solution for diverting and storing water during periods of excess flows for human and environmental uses during dry periods.”

Sites Reservoir would be a large, off-stream storage project in Colusa and Glenn counties. Proponents said Sites would provide storage capacity of 1.8 million acre-feet of water and an annual yield of 500,000 acre-feet—additional surface water for cities, farms and the environment that would also help relieve pressure on groundwater.

Sites Project Authority General Man-

ager Jim Watson described Sites as an ambitious project that would “provide multiple benefits from drinking water, agricultural water, water quality, flood reduction, recreational opportunities, integration with renewables, and we can help address climate change. Most important are the ecosystem benefits that this project can provide.”

The proposed Temperance Flat Dam and Reservoir would be built within the existing Millerton Lake, upstream from Friant Dam on the San Joaquin River in Fresno and Madera counties. Backers said the project would add 1.26 million acrefeet of storage, including 390,000 acrefeet of active storage capacity, on the upper San Joaquin River, creating greater flexibility, reducing pressure on groundwater and providing fisheries benefits.

Speaking on behalf of the San Joaquin Valley Water Infrastructure Authority, Bill Swanson of Stantec Consulting Services noted that the project provides “increased local operating flexibility and tremendous lift to the groundwater sustainability agencies’ ability to achieve sustainability under (the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act).”

Steve Worthley, San Joaquin Valley Water Infrastructure Authority president and Tulare County supervisor, described the serious water situation the San Joaquin Valley faces, especially in light of new requirements under SGMA. “Without new water sources, (coming into compliance under SGMA) is quite simply an impossibility. Farmers are very efficient with their use of water, but at the end of the day, we are going to lose perhaps millions of acres of agricultural land.

We need this opportunity to recharge our groundwater,” Worthley said.

The proposed expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir, which is located southwest of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in Contra Costa County, would store additional water to serve 500,000 people and would hold transfer water for south-of-delta contractors, including agricultural districts and Central Valley wildlife refuges.

“In terms of agricultural supply, we are looking to improve supplies, especially

California Farm Bureau Federation Second Vice President Shaun Crook, center, and Director of Water Resources Danny Merkley, right, talk with California Water Commission member Daniel Curtin during a break in a commission meeting on water storage projects. Courtesy/Christine Souza/CFBF

in dry years, and also provide additional operational flexibility, where right now a lot of the folks in the Central Valley south of the delta have a lot of constraints on their operations,” said Marguerite Patil, Contra Costa Water District special assistant to the general manager.

Jason Peltier, executive director of the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority, said expansion of Los Vaqueros “would facilitate water transfers when we can’t rely on the Central Valley Project, and it will provide much-needed water to the wetlands.”

CFBF Second Vice President Shaun Crook, who attended the commission meeting, said Farm Bureau and other agricultural organizations supported Proposition 1 in order to spur investment in such surface-storage projects.

“I don’t think the question is, ‘Can we afford to do it?’ I think the question is, ‘Can we afford not to do it?’ That’s how important the storage needs are. We’ve got to fund and construct additional water storage now, so we’re not still having this conversation in 40 years,” Crook said.

Other projects described to the commission included a recycled water for groundwater project for agricultural irrigation in Sacramento County, and groundwater banking projects.

Bill Bird, Sacramento County Farm Bureau executive director, spoke in favor

of the South Sacramento County Agriculture and Habitat Lands Program, saying farmers in the region improved crop production in the past year because they had access to clean and reliable irrigation water supplies “Any project that adds to it is something that we are going to support,” Bird said.

Regarding the Kern Fan Groundwater Storage Project, Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District General Manager Eric Averett said, “The project expands upon existing and successful water management and banking relationships,” adding that “groundwater banking has a number of environmental benefits.”

Jason Gianquinto of the Semitropic Water Storage District described the Tulare Lake project, which would have the capacity to bank up to 120,000 acre-feet a year of Kings River floodwaters in the historic Tulare Lake lakebed; water would be conveyed from there via the California Aqueduct to the Sempitropic Water Bank in Kern County.

By next June, the commission will determine the maximum bond funding available to eligible projects. To learn more about the projects, see cwc.ca.gov/pages/ WSIP.aspx.

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

Commentary: Government Regulations Cost you, Each and Every Day John Youngberg The other day, when I got ready to mow the lawn, I got out the old gas can I had inherited from my dad. It was a battered old tin can with a rubber spout and a vent hole on the opposite side. It worked perfectly for many decades, but I noticed that it was leaking around the seam on the bottom.

A trip to the local hardware store brought me a new, EPA-approved PFC (portable fluid container), also known as a gas can with a low-vapor pour spout. I quickly learned that you need three hands to operate today’s gas can. You spill more gas than you get in the tank.

What happened to a can that works?

In 2009, the EPA banned the gas can with a vent opposite the spout. You now get a sloshing, burping, gasoline-erupting monster with a spout that breaks faster than a champagne glass at a wedding reception. It is like a giant dribble-glass prank played on

all Americans.

Most of us don’t buy gas cans on a regular basis, so a lot of people today won’t know any better, but it is another example of things that don’t work as well as they used to because of government regulation.

Regulations today don’t affect just gas cans. In fact, the Competitive Enterprise Institute estimates that regulations cost Americans $1.9 trillion annually, with the biggest hitters being economic regulation at $3.99 billion, environmental at $3.94 billion and tax compliance, rounding out the top three at $3.16 billion. If U.S. regulatory costs were a country, it would be the world’s seventh-largest economy, just behind India and ahead of Italy.

A bellwether of regulation is how many pages are added to the Federal Register during a particular year.

The 2016 total showed 95,894 pages for the year, up 19.4 percent from the previous year. This was the highest level in history. If one were to look at pages per de-

cade, it would indicate that the decade of the 2010s nearly doubled the number promulgated during the 1970s. These 95,000plus pages are indicative of the total final rules passed by the administration. The total rules passed by all administrations up to 1993 was 4,369. In the ensuing 23 years, that total has grown to nearly 99,000.

It is not just the rules that are passed by an administration that add to the total cost of regulation in the U.S. According to the CEI, official rules do not include other bureaucratic activities that fall outside the purview of the Administrative Procedures Act, which specifies the formal process that must be followed to issue regulations. The CEI refers to these as “regulatory dark matter.” Like the dark matter of the universe, they are invisible to the population and hard to detect.

All this cannot be laid in the lap of the past administrations; in fact, Congress merits some of the blame for allowing over-delegation of its own authority for

decades. This has seriously undermined checks and balances and the principle of separation of powers.

All of the above point out the importance of individuals commenting on rule-making by federal and state agencies.

Farm Bureau continues to keep members notified of these actions such as waters of the U.S., or WOTUS, which, for the record, was not yet made a law; labor rules; electronic log books; and so on. We gladly provide basic talking points for folks to use for comments.

Back to the gas can. The hardware store sells a water can that has a durable spout with the vent on the opposite side that pours perfectly. Of course, I would never use that for gasoline.

(John Youngberg is executive vice president of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation.)

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

8 • Valley Voice

Tulare PD Continued from 1

determines such interview be necessary.”

Let the Investigation Begin

The problem: it had been 78 days (according to the letter dated Dec. 14), and as of yet, no investigation has begun. According to Carlini, the hiring of the investigator is up to Phillips. It is Carlini’s understanding, he said, that an investigator has now been specified and a contract is currently being negotiated. Therefore, an investigation should begin, not only into the matter of the chief, but also in regard to TPD Capt.

Fred Ynclan and Lt. Jerod Boatman, who were each placed on administrative leave on November 7. All three incidents will be handled by the same investigator, Carlini said.

The Voice previously reported the three were not placed on leave for the same reason(s) as Carlini had stated.

However, it is looking more like the reasoning has a lot of commonality. Carlini also stated in the past that Hensley’s leave was “nothing criminal in nature.”

Now, he says he cannot confirm that nor for Ynclan or Boatman.

A press release was issued on December 5 from Roger Wilson, an attorney representing the Tulare Police Officers’ Union, sharing concern within the department regarding some of the command staff being placed on leave.

It also cited a poll taken within the Union. The poll, Union President James Kelly said, was prompted by a petition demanding immediate resolution for the command staff officers. The petition was generated by concerned citizens prior to the December 5 city council meeting and to date has received some 132 signatures.

Tulare Police Officers Union Poll

The union poll, was submitted to all voting union members via e-mail, Kelly said, and the result was 29 in favor of Carlini’s decision to place Hensley, Ynclan and Boatman on paid administrative leave during an investigation.

The other 21 potential votes not cast, were mostly not because of disagreeing, but rather because of fright, Kelly added.

The second question on the poll was whether the officers have confidence in Chief Hensley.

Those 29 votes said they did not.

Other officers, Kelly said, did not want to admit to their lack of confidence in the chief – they fear for their jobs, he added.

The Union is comprised of mostly of the ranks from police officer to corporal.

It is those ranks that define the voting membership.

There are some higher ranking sergeants who also belong to the union, but they are not a part of the voting membership.

Anyone who is employed by the TPD is welcome to join the union, including its support staff, or non-sworn officers up to the police chief.

There are three major benefits to the union, Kelly explained. It provides: • Information and membership of the Peace Officers Research Association of California.

• Long-term benefits to members, beyond what the TPD it-

21 December, 2017 self offers.

• Legal representation and advice.

Beyond the voting membership, there are provisions desirable to some of the higher ranks and support staff, although the support staff can also, and mostly do, belong to a union that represents other city employees. Nearly all current officers and corporals belong to the union, Kelly said, save for recent hires who remain in training, or those who just have not gotten around to signing up yet.

From Those Who Say They Know

Responses to a previous Voice article, “Tulare Police Chief Still Has Job, Despite Union Misgivings” written by Dave Adalian, have been numerous.

The article followed the December 5 council meeting which exposed tensions that continue to escalate between the chief, his attorney and those citizens who support him, the city staff and council, and the officers who protect the city on a daily basis. Some rank-and-file police officers authored some of the comments.

AnonymousOfficer (AO) asked readers: • Are you aware that the chief stood against his people getting a raise during the last negotiation (even though he negotiated a 15% increase in his own pay)?

• Are you aware he went as far as actively campaigning against them by telling the council that his people don’t need anymore money.

• Are you aware the chief called his officers “dumb asses” to another chief at a social gathering…with one of his own officers present!?

The reason for the insult was that his people were fighting for higher wages (which is a battle they won after an independent arbiter stepped in).

• Are you aware the chief and his command staff have threatened to derail the careers of specific employees if they disagree with him?

• Are you aware that if you met with the chief and his staff and it didn’t go well they would immediately take childish action against you? Meeting doesn’t go well so you aren’t allowed to eat with any of your fellow officers while on duty.

• Are you aware the punishment for violations of policy differ dependent on who you are and your current rank? Accident discharge of you firearm in field by officer….major problems. Desk pop by command staff…hilarity, back slaps and then a slap on the wrist.

• Are you aware that the chief launched personal insults at an employee, who wasn’t present, at a management retreat simply because that employee was a member of the union board?

• Are you aware the command staff and the chief attempted to implement body cameras without a policy in place and when he was advised of the legal ramifications of implementing this system without a policy he sent his attack dog, a captain, out and he told a union board member, F you, F Roger, and F

•

•

•

•

•

•

the union we don’t need to have a policy in place and we don’t need to meet and confer with you (which is a legal requirement, btw)?

Are you aware that union members were forced to step down from the board under threat of having their career ruined? Yup, a lieutenant pulls specific members aside and tells them that it is not good for their career to continue to be a union member.

Are you aware the chief ran an internal affairs investigation into what was said at a union meeting? A conversation which he and everyone else knew was privileged. The goal, simply to teach the union president a lesson. The result was unfounded but the stress it caused the union president sent the message.

Are you aware that members of the command staff regularly refer to female officers by derogatory names? But the chief has failed to do anything.

Are you aware that sexual harassment has been a long standing issue at the department? Yet chief has failed to take appropriate action to curb this behavior.

Are you aware that physical and verbal abuse are constant issues within the department? People have been physically assaulted!

But the chief has failed to address this issue.

Are you aware that the chief failed to take action against an employee who was arrested for sex trafficking?

• Are you aware that 10%-15% of the police force is currently looking for employment elsewhere. The reason these people are looking is due to how they are treated by command staff on a daily basis.

• Are you aware that we have lost 3 tenured officers to outside agencies recently? And the reason they’re all gone is because of how they were treated by specific members of the command staff.

AO has been confirmed by Voice staff as a viable source for his comments, although we cannot confirm, at this time, the accuracy of his comments.

AO states that he hopes that with the investigation, these will be proven.

He remains anonymous because he has a job and family to protect, he said. He did wish to correct his remark regarding the chief negotiating his own pay to say 12-15%, not a clear 15%. He does not wish to promote incorrect information, he said.

In his comments, AO accused the Voice and other reporting as to not digging deep enough and providing “puff pieces.”

He asked, “Is that enough for you, Valley Voice! Can you finally start doing some investigative journalism instead of the puff pieces and pro chief b.s. that you’ve been running for the past two months? You have some information to look into! Stop the ‘Pro Hensley’ b.s. and start investigating! Do your job and start poking around.”

He backed away from a bit during an interview, commenting on the article

TULARE PD continued on 9 »

21 December, 2017

Valley Voice • 9

Trout Return to Mooney Grove Despite Internal Rumblings, Staff Reports Tulare County Parks and Recreation and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announce the return of trout fishing to Mooney Grove Park.

At noon on Friday, December 22, 2017, the first stocking of catchable rainbow trout will commence at the historic Mooney Grove Park in Visalia. State and County officials look forward to having outdoor enthusiasts and families coming to fish in the park.

With its urban setting, Mooney Grove Park has the potential to become a very popular urban fishery and provide a unique outdoor experience for families.

CDFW plans to provide around 800 catchable trout every other week, depending on the amount of fishing activity by park goers.

Rainbow Trout is a cold-water fish and will only do well in Mooney Grove Park during the winter months. The water has been checked and will work well while it remains at cold temperatures.

Tulare PD Continued from 8

to which he was referring was actually an opinion piece.

However, in another online statement, AO said, “Sexual harassment, verbal abuse, assault, intimidation, union busting, etc. are all serious issues, and all have occurred with frightening frequency at the Tulare Police Department.

These are serious problems and they need to be addressed, but you seem to want to ignore these problems and then deflect the conversation onto Mayor [Carlton] Jones.”

The Mayor’s Involvement

Mayor Jones is part of the problem, according to Lampe’s letter to the city manager. Lampe cited several episodes, the latest of which Lampe said of a Facebook post made by Jones, “crossed the line.”

The post appears to be a screenshot of AO’s comments from the Voice website.

“Are you aware that chief ran an internal affairs investigation into what was said at a union meeting? A conversation which he and everyone else knew was privileged.

The goal, simply to teach the union president a lesson. The result was unfounded but the stress it caused the union president sent the message.”

“This statement is completely false, and the mayor knows it is false,” Lampe said in his letter. “The investigation that he refers to was actually an investigation into the mayor’s improper, and possibly illegal, use of a city-issued credit card.

“The mayor’s statement is not only false, in constitutes an outrageous violation of Chief Hensley’s rights under both the Peace Officers Bill of Rights and the City of Tulare’s personnel rules.”

Also included was evidence of a meeting between the mayor, Kelly and a third party.

A restaurant receipt dated September 16 was exhibited in which Jones had requested reimbursement for a meal during a meeting he had with “Mayor Jones dinner w/TPOU Kelly + 1” as noted by Jones.

When water temperatures exceed 75 degrees, the trout will not be able to thrive.

County officials hope park visitors engage in fishing activities at Mooney Grove and take part in catching the trout and to enjoy at home.

For additional information please call Tulare County Parks at (559) 624-7227 Normally all the Tulare County Parks are closed for two weeks during the holidays, however this year Mooney Grove Park will be open December 22-23 and from December 26- 31 for your fishing enjoyment. Fishing will be allowed from 8am, when the park opens,until sunset. No night fishing will be allowed.

All California Department of Fish and Wildlife rules will apply. Participants 16 and older must have a current fishing license. The limit is five trout per person.

Trout may only be taken with hook and line. No grass carp may be taken. If grass carp are caught, they must be returned to the water immediately because grass carp help keep the pond weed-free.

Tulare Police Remain Dedicated

Further, on November 14, Lampe states: “In order that Chief Hensley be afforded due process, and to protect his reputation from further harm, we asked that the mayor do the following: 1. Publicly retract his remarks to KTIP Radio of November 6, 2017; 2. Publicly announce that he will not seek additional “updates” regarding personnel matters; and 3. Publicly announce that he will take no part in any action before the City Council, should such action arise, concerning any disciplinary action against the chief relating to the alleged incident on September 22, 2017.

The mayor has refused all three of these requests.”

Lampe also states, despite requests, the chief has not been allowed to view his own personnel file and was attacked by the mayor during a K-TIP radio interview.

Tulare resident Tim Curlee commented: “I have no idea where the truth lies when it comes to the suspension of Chief Hensley, etc. However…

If Chief Hensley has done what he is accused of by anonymous posters here and elsewhere on the VV website, there needs to be a swift, thorough investigation (no, those are not dichotomous).

If the culture within the police department is as bad as anonymous posters claim it is, there needs to be a swift, thorough investigation of the Chief Hensley.

If the accusations against Chief Hensley are false and politically motivated, there needs to be a swift, thorough investigation.

Wherever the truth lies, there needs to be a swift, thorough investigation.

But this is not what Tulare is getting.

Instead it has been 80 days since Hensley was placed on Notice of Administrative Leave and the investigation has not even begun. This is at best incompetence. At worst this is malfeasance. Probably both.

Nothing from this incident inspires confidence in how the city of Tulare is currently being competently managed or lead. Instead it reinforces the perception of many Tulare citizens that this city is being run by fools, charlatans and hucksters. If city manager, attorney, mayor and council wants to dispel that perception, seeing to a swift end to this fiasco would be a good start.”

Curlee further stated in an interview, “I stated my actual name in part because I am not happy by the number of anonymous comments being made on the internet by people of both sides of the debate but in particular the critics of the chief who claim to work for him. It’s quite easy to type bile and sarcasm at and about your fellow citizens in the comments when one is using a nom de plume.”

He also questions the expense of an outside investigation, “If he [Hensley] hasn’t violated any laws,” Curlee said.

In addition, the city is paying many thousands of dollars for TPD personnel to sit on paid administrative leave.

The three command staff officers are not the only ones – Jackie Coffman, a community services officer, was placed

City Attorney’s Release to Media

Following Lampe’s letter and the majority of this article being placed on the Voice website, the city’s attorney, Phillips, sent out a media release on Dec. 18.

It stated, in part, “Contrary to the letter’s assertions, Mayor Jones did not make the statements attributed to him

by Mr. Lampe. It appears that the statements were made by an unidentified officer at TPD, in response to a Valley Voice article that was posted online. The City is reviewing the allegations made by the unidentified officer, to the extent that they allege misconduct and/or mismanagement within the Police Department.”

Neither Lampe, nor the Voice, stated that Jones was the originator of those remarks.

While Phillips states in her release, the comments were made by an unidentified officer – it is not clear whether she is going on an assumption of such, or may have confirmed the comments of the source.

Citizens Are Concerned

In response to a Voice online article,

There is a lot of turmoil within the Tulare Police Department and the city administration these days.

But the officers of the PD, from top to bottom, want the public to know, the safety of the city and its citizens remains the force’s top priority.

“Stuff like this does have an effect on morale [of those within the department],” said Interim-Police Chief Barry Jones, “but I want to stress this will not hinder patrol, or change in any way [the duties of the department].”

With the recent addition of six officers, there are more than 80 sworn police officers serving the city. Safety is their Number One priority, Jones said.

Similarly, Chief Wes Hensley, who is currently on paid administrative leave, said, he would like all residents of Tulare to know that he has full confidence in the Tulare Police Department.

“Every member of the department will continue to serve and protect resi-

Nancy Vigran dents of the community regardless of the current political situation,” he said.

Further, Detective James Kelly, who is the Tulare Police Officers’ Union president, agrees.

“Our Number One goal is to provide for the city and keep it safe” he said.

“Outside the walls [of the department] we do a good job and get the job done.”

All comment they hope there will be a swift resolution to the matter of Hensley, along with TPD Capt. Fred Ynclan and Lt. Jerod, being placed on paid administrative leave in recent months.

It should be noted that internal problems within a police or sheriff department is not unique nor new.

In back issues of PORAC Law Enforcement (Peace Officers Research Association of California) similar issues including labor issues, and issues between officers and command staff are often addressed. on administrative leave in August, 2016, when she was arrested by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office for alleged involvement in a sex trafficking ring.

Her court date is set for early March.

It is not clear if the department intends to keep her on the payroll until the outcome of that trial. The total the city is currently paying out for those on leave is more than $42,000 per month.

Should Council Become Involved?

Lampe asked the city council to place it on the next meeting agenda taking the matter out of the city manager’s hands and allowing Hensley an administrative hearing by council or by an independent hearing officer.

He added that Mayor Jones should be not take part of the process, “for obvious reasons.”

In an interview, Lampe said that the mayor went on Facebook rampage upon receiving the letter. His rants were taken down sometime later, Lampe added.

“Facebook really is a platform for 14-year-olds,” he said. “The mayor really ought to stay off of it.”

Regarding AO, and others, Lampe added, “It’s easy to make allegations under anonymity, I’d be happy to take their testimony on the record.”

Lampe’s request was not placed on the agenda for the Dec. 19 meeting.

Councilman Jose Sigala said he is in receipt of the letter.

At the Dec. 5 meeting, he requested council to receive an update as to the situation of the on-leave TPD staff in closed session. No other council members thought it appropriate at the time.

Sigala said he will make a further request as to just how much the upcoming investigation may cost, as council is responsible for the city budget. He further stated he found Lampe’s letter informative and has learned things that council and the public had not been privy to prior.

Meanwhile, Tulare citizens want further answers – and an investigation has yet to begin.

Of course, so do Hensley and the Tulare PD, and everyone else involved.

10 • Valley Voice

Lavers

Continued from 1 the issues surrounding the election.”

For Lavers, the biggest issues surrounding the election include the Tulare Hospital, gas tax, immigration, over regulation, and conceal and carry.

Lavers is a big opponent of the new gas tax passed in April by the state legislature. The tax went into effect this October and adds 12 cents per gallon to the cost of gasoline.

“I’m never going to be a guy that raises taxes because I’m tired of my business getting hit with taxes.”

He speculated that his cost for gas will go up about $2600 a year and that he can find a way to pay for it. But he was concerned for the family with kids that had to drive to work every day and drop their kids off at school.

“That was an attack on the poor.” He said.

Lavers added that the recent extension of Cap and Trade passed by the state legislature was just another type of gas tax. “Cap and Trade attacks small businesses and the poor,” he said.

Lavers would also like to do something about the state’s over regulation of water and logging. He said that the

Nunes

Continued from 1 “It wasn’t what was best for the community,” he said. “It was politics.”

That isn’t his only source of frustration with Nunes. When he offered his years of health care experience to Nunes as an advisor, he was rebuffed. That dismissal from the Congressman, he said, was the clincher that pushed him into the political arena.

“I sent a letter to Devin Nunes to say I’d love to serve on a committee of yours for free,” Bliatout said. “If I’m not going to be able to have a voice in that manner, I’m going to run.”

He’s far from alone on the list of candidates who will appear on the June primary ballot. Joining him from the Democratic side will be Andrew Janz, a prosecutor for the Fresno District Attorney’s Office, Fresno OB/GYN Dr. Mallory Kremer, and Clovis resident Ricardo Franco.

Also vying for Nunes’ seat are Bill Merryman of Clovis, a candidate from the Libertarian Party, and Brian Carroll, an educator who will represent the American Solidarity Party in the race.

‘Cruel’ and ‘Unfair’

The way Bliatout sees it, Nunes’ votes against the ACA are not just against the interests of the voters he is supposed to serve, they are also malicious. Nunes, Bliatout says, doesn’t see the ultimate result his behavior in Washington, DC has on people living here.

“I feel it’s being unfair to our community to watch these folks who have been given insurance and have been diagnosed with diabetes and other illnesses, now they have no insurance,” Bliatout said. “I believe that is cruel.”

The solution Bliatout would like to see is a scheme that covers all Americans without a negative financial impact at any level.

“I would like to see a single-payer plan that works for everybody,” he said.

“That means it doesn’t affect our economy in a negative way.”

According to estimates, a universal

21 December, 2017 State Water Board is over regulating the use of water for cattlemen and farmers to the extent that everyone who wants to enjoy the outdoors is going to have to pay a fee to use water.

Lavers said, “It’s not just the Federal Government anymore taking away our water but also the state.”

He feels the same about the restrictions on logging. He said the best motto he has heard is “Log it, graze it, or watch it burn.”

The lack of an immigration policy he believes is also affecting Central Valley Agriculture. Lavers said in a statement, “As the son of Mexican-American descent on my mother’s side and an immigrant family, I have a great deal of respect for our Constitution and the pursuit of the American Dream. I believe we disrespect immigrants who have come here legally by allowing others to cut in line and show disregard for our Nation’s laws. I’m strongly opposed to Sanctuary Cities and to a Sanctuary State. I further believe we can improve our Immigration system to benefit America and the Ag Industry by adopting a more robust H1B1 Visa Program.”

Lavers feels strongly about California’s strict gun control laws. “Conceal and carry is very important to me,” he said. Lavers wants the conceal and car-

ry restriction lifted at schools so that the schools can protect themselves.

“A very simple way to kill two birds with one stone would be to hire Veterans as armed security guards at the schools.

We should steel a little money from High-Speed Rail and put them (Veterans)back to work at our schools to protect the kids.”

But the biggest problem right now facing Tulare and Inyo Counties he said are their hospitals.

“There is some corruption going there,” he said.

As for the closing of the Tulare Regional Hospital he lays the blame squarely on the Tulare County Supervisors and the Tulare City Council. Lavers said that as a local representative he would have held public meetings and brought the problems to light.

“To me this was a very closed process that side-swiped the public.”

Lavers didn’t know where to begin in terms of Mathis’ problems and declined to comment on the incumbent.

But when Lavers’ friends started encouraging him to run for the assembly this summer he did some research on Gubler.

What stood out was the mayor’s “In God We Trust” vote.

During the August 21 Visalia City Council meeting, council members vot-

ed 4-1 against painting the motto “In God We Trust” above the city’s seal.

Council Member Steve Nelsen was the only one in favor, while Gubler and the other council members voted against it.

In the course of his research before declaring his candidacy Lavers found a quote by Gubler that said, “That’s a nice national motto and it’s on our money, it’s just not for Visalia.”

Lavers disagrees.

Lavers believes that all our rights written in the constitution come from God. “Therefore, neither man nor the government can take them away.”

“If God is not our guiding moral code then our moral code would be up to public opinion,” he said.

He was raised Catholic and his wife, Jewish, but he doesn’t consider himself an overly religious man. Nevertheless, he feels strongly about all municipalities embracing “In God We Trust.”

Another reason among many Lavers felt voters should choose him over Gubler is because he is a sixth generation farmer.

“There are 23 lawyers in the Assembly and only five involved in agriculture. We don’t need another attorney in the assembly.

“That makes it too easy for the lobbyists” said Lavers.

health care program would save the federal government about $600 billion annually. Such a program, however, could increase participation, with more Americans able to seek health care, perhaps driving an increase in overall spending. Bliatout, however, says most people are unaware of the details.

“I’d love to do a town hall because a lot of people need an education,” he said.

“A lot of people treat it like a football game. They just take a side.”

Government-Leftist Conspiracy

no action by the FBI or the Department of Justice.

Demanding Access

Bliatout isn’t the only resident of the 22nd Congressional District who wants a town hall meeting.

On Saturday, dressed in Santa hats, ringing bells, and carrying signs covered in Christmas decorations, a few dozen protesters rallied outside Nunes’s downtown Visalia office, calling for the Congressman to make himself more directly available to constituents.

The demonstration was organized by South Valley Civics, a group of “just common, everyday people who never raised a voice before,” says one of the group’s leaders, Cynthia Thorburn, and was timed to coincide with Congress’s winter break.

“Winter Recess is starting, and where’s our town hall? Where’s our free public forum where we can share our concerns?”

Thorburn said. “So, since we can’t have one, we’re sharing our concerns via a little march here.”

Besides being more responsive to the people he represents, members of South Valley Civics are interested in a host of issues effecting the middle class.

Thorburn says they’d like a responsible tax bill, support for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which aids middle-income families, and “reasonable and responsible” gun control measures.

They’d also just like Nunes to answer the phone.

“You can’t get into his office without an appointment,” Thorburn said.

“They don’t answer their phones or return their messages so you can make an appointment.”

Nunes is just as inaccessible to the local press, though he did speak with Fox News following the end of an investigation into his behavior by the House Committee on Ethics.

That investigation, Nunes said, is a conspiracy between the government and unnamed leftists to hinder him.

“The ethics complaint was a joke from the beginning, designed, purely designed to remove me as the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, which they were unable to do,” Nunes told Fox. “I think, a clear design from the left, working in conjunction with parts of our government to keep information away from me and the House Intelligence Committee.”

The look into Nunes’ handling of classified materials began when Nunes received classified reports from staff at the White House, then later lied to the press about the incident.

The scandal prompted Nunes to remove himself from the House Intel Committee’s investigation into Russian tampering with the 2016 presidential election.

Ironically, Nunes took to the national airwaves to decry what he says is abusive sharing of reports on US surveillance of targets in the Russian-Trump investigation, the same action for which he was investigated.

“I hate to use the word ‘corrupt,’ but they become so dirty that, who is watching the watchmen?” Nunes said. “Who is investigating these people? There is no one.”

Specifically, Nunes is concerned there is no investigation into who leaked a transcript of a conversation between disgraced former Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. He believes there has been

House Intel Leak

Nunes also repeated to Fox News the assertion he never truly recused himself from the Russian-Trump investigation.

He said he “temporarily” gave control to Democratic Rep. Michael Conaway, cochair of the House Intel Committee, and it appears Nunes never stopped his own look into the Steele Dossier, a file listing President Donald Trump’s alleged indiscretions documented by the Russian government as a means of blackmailing him.

The firm that put together that dossier now says Nunes may have leaked private data about it to harm its reputation.

Fusion GPS, the company that compiled the Steele Dossier, told a federal judge last week it believes a subpoena to the firm’s bank signed by Nunes is “part of an ongoing effort to discredit Fusion in retaliation for its role in undertaking research.”

The company also claims information its founder gave during testimony to the House Intel Committee in November was then leaked.

Nunes now intends to send investigators to the FBI and Department of Justice to “scrub” documents they wish to review, and will issue a subpoena to FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe.

Nunes has also had meetings about the Russian-Trump connection with Erik Prince, brother of Secretary of Education Betty Devos and founder of Blackwater, a private military contractor.

Prince was questioned last week by the Intel Committee about why he failed to provide documents it had requested.

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21 December, 2017

Valley Voice • 11

Comments & Letters “Voters Will Hold Nunes Accountable for Raising Taxes on Central Valley” Andrew Janz Campaign Andrew Janz, local prosecutor and candidate for the House in California’s 22nd District released the following statement on today’s House vote on the Republican tax proposal: Devin Nunes and Washington Republicans just voted to raise taxes on middle-class American families to give a handout to corporations and billionaires. Making matters worse, this reckless bill blows up our national debt, setting the stage for cuts to Social Security

“

and Medicare. This tax bill even jeopardizes health insurance for over 13 million Americans, including over 750,000 Californians in Devin Nunes’s own congressional district.

“Devin Nunes has shown yet again that he cares more about pleasing his wealthy donors than fighting for families here in the Valley. Come November, voters will remember Nunes voting for this middle-class tax hike. There is no excuse for endangering future generations with massive debt to cut taxes for the very few, wealthiest people and corporations.”

Your voice at ourvalleyvoice.com No one cares what anyone other than the officers has to say about the situation.

The officers don’t have faith or confidence in the chief and they’re the ones whose butts are on the line when he makes a bad decision.

I read in another paper some blow hard named Tammy Thomas took a vote of non-law enforcement employees. Note to this Tammy Thomas person, no one cares what you think about the department’s leadership. You aren’t out there on the front lines every day and night. You are either taking calls or pushing paper.

So a bad decision by the chief doesn’t put your life in danger, unless a paper cut is considered life threatening!

”

— Woke on Tulare Police Chief Still Has Job, Despite Union Misgivings

“

It just depends on what type of law enforcement agency you want in your city.

Do you want a steppingstone agency with high turnover and officers with little training and skill or do you want highly trained and highly competent officers.

You can’t have it both ways. Those officers made a pact with the city to pass on raises during the economic downturn in 2007. No raises were had since that time. As you can imagine, other municipalities became more attractive to highly sought after candidates during that decade of no pay raise. If you want a steppingstone department that’s fine, but you get what you pay for. The free market is at play even in the public sector.

”

— Bradley on Tulare Police Chief Still Has Job, Despite Union Misgivings

“

Well said Bradley! Absolutely correct. The union acted in good faith and the city did not.

The union said its people deserved more than the 1% the city offered and the chief said we did not. Quick note, Tulare was at the bottom of the agreed upon survey cities regarding pay and only two places higher when total compensation was considered. The chief said his people don’t need or deserve any more money.

These facts are easy enough to check. Ask the Union members who were negotiating what the chief ’s position was. Get a copy of the arbiter’s findings regarding the city’s honesty during negotiations. This is one of the issues I mentioned in a previous post. Verify and you’ll see that this is true, as is everything else I outlined.

”

— AnonymousOfficer on Tulare Police Chief Still Has Job

“

Basically the Mayor, the city manager and the city attorney have taken command staff off for bogus reasons and made officers fear speaking out because they may be next. Yet officers who are problem children get to defame a man who has a stellar reputation. I hope he has his day in court. My guess is that the mayor promised you something he will no longer be able to deliver.

”

— Concerned Citizen on Tulare PD Chief ’s Attorney Demands Action.

“ “

This new board is a joke, they were against the last bond and now they are talking about a new one!!!! Are they out of their mind??? If that is the case this is just the beginning of a huge problem and they must GO!!!! This was a set up from day one, they don’t have what it takes to make it!!

”

— Mickey on Tulare Hospital Board Files Countersuit Against HCCA

Congratulations each and every graduate. I am so happy for all of you and so impressed with all your hard work and courage in sticking with the program.

Tim Ryan is a perfect role model for everyone to follow…..never give up going to the meetings…..it gives you personal support and strength to stay clean. So very proud of you one and all.

”

— Barbara on Drug Court Graduates 200; Total 2,500 and Counting

Henchy, Stenchy, Frenchy, and Blanche wish each of you a Joyeux Noel — or whatever else you celebrate.

Or don’t. Happy Holidays!

“

Your voice at ourvalleyvoice.com I do enjoy the comments to this opinion piece.

“Being a primarily agricultural community, it goes without saying that water is our lifeblood.” Just a small point but water is important to everyone, and people in small towns and big cities get first dibs. Some will need to get comfortable with that notion. Remember the saying from Star Trek, “the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.”

In the past, Tulare county was a “primarily agricultural community,” but is it today? A very significant portion of the money coming into this county comes from government taxes (from each of us) – both federal and state. Think about social security, Medicare and other forms of health care, city and county government (police, sheriff, etc), schools (teachers, administrators), the legal system, government funded construction, and much more. And a lot of that money circulates in this community and funds lots of small businesses. What source of money do you think has the greatest impact on this county? There are still many family farms here, but more and more the banks and financial conglomerates from outside the San Joaquin valley own those farms and the farm loans (do you think that income stays in the area?).

Some people shout about “policies” created by Democrats that cause all the problems but provide no details. Tell us about those problem policies! Are they the problems of a few, or state wide problems (or imaginary problems)? Are these the problems of a few wealthy people complaining about having to pay for other people’s problems (maybe those people are in other parts of this state)? Sounds like a NIMBY problem.

In reality, gas taxes going up are not much of a problem either (but a major Republican concern – who are they kidding?). The recent California fuel tax increase is the first in 23 years. Think about that for a minute; road repair costs have gone up for 23 years (do Republicans want to be paid salaries from 23 years ago?) and cars are more fuel efficient than they were 23 years ago – each using less gas per mile, the result being less money for road repair.

The fuel tax increase was needed – but some think it’s an attack on Republican freedoms (or just an attack on the free lunch).

It’s nice to hear about all the good things that Republicans have done for Tulare county. It would be more wonderful to have a detailed list of all those accomplishments. Lately, all that Republicans are talking about are illegal emigrants taking our good farm worker jobs, random conspiracies designed to take away our “freedoms”, the need to reduce taxes on corporations (the money will trickle down to each of us), and why investigations into Mr. Trump are very unfair (Devin Nunes will explain).

Have you noticed that when the President is a Democrat the national debt is a major problem for Republicans – but when a Republican is President the national debt can be reduced by tax cuts? Must be a math problem.

Merry Christmas.

”

— John Mahoney on Thrown To The Wolves

12 • Valley Voice

Briefly…

VISALIA PD IS ARRESTING DRUNK DRIVERS THIS SEASON

This holiday season, the Visalia Department will work around the clock to keep drivers and passengers safe as they search for impaired drivers.

From December 15, 2017 through January 1st, law enforcement is partnering with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in a special year-end Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement mobilization to get impaired drivers off the street and to spread the word about this dangerous crime.

As part of the holiday enforcement campaign period, police, sheriff and the CHP will be deploying DUI Checkpoints and DUI Saturation Patrols during the upcoming 18-day DUI crackdown throughout the region.

“This holiday season, drivers will notice increased enforcement watching closely for anyone who is driving impaired,” said Sergeant Mark Feller of the Visalia PD Traffic Unit. “It is vital that we keep our roads and our travelers safe, not just at the holidays, but every day. With extra travelers on the roads, and people attending holiday parties, we will likely see an uptick in drunk driving. We‘ll be arresting anyone we catch breaking this life-saving law.”

Driving under the influence of alcohol can have deadly, devastating con-

21 December, 2017 sequences. Nationally in 2016, 37,461 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes, and 28 percent (10,497) died in crashes where a driver had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the limit of .08. California reported 1,059 DUI deaths at .08 or above.

In recent years, California has seen an increase in drug-impaired driving crashes.

Visalia PD supports the new effort from the Office of Traffic Safety that aims to educate all drivers that “DUI Doesn‘t Just Mean Booze.” If you take prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, you might be impaired enough to get a DUI. Marijuana use can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI.

STAY WARM AFFORDABLY WITH SOCALGAS BILL TRACKING ALERTS

Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) encourages customers to sign up for free bill tracking alerts and other online tools to help keep heating affordable this winter.

Customers typically use three to seven times more natural gas for space and water heating during the winter months, which can result in higher bills. “Bill Tracker Alerts” are an easy way to track natural gas use each week—instead of waiting until the monthly bill arrives— and can help customers use less natural gas and lower their bills.

Images of a sample alert and bill comparison are available here.

With Bill Tracker Alerts, customers receive a text or email each week that in-

cludes their bill-to-date and the projected amount of their next bill. The Alert also shows their projected bill amount compared to their previous month’s bill and the same month in the prior year.

Within the “Ways to Save” section of My Account, they can also visit “Analyze Usage” to see their daily, and even hourly, gas usage and costs. There is no charge to use the service, and it is available to every customer with an advanced meter.

“Natural gas is the most affordable way for people to heat their homes and water, and for more than two decades SoCalGas has been a leader in promoting energy efficiency programs and innovative ways to help our customers save on energy costs,” said Gillian Wright, SoCalGas vice president of customer services.

“With the installation of advanced meters, our customers have more tools than they’ve ever had before to help manage their natural gas use and keep their bills affordable.”

Customers can enroll in My Account at socalgas.com/pay-bill/my-account.

Once enrolled, they can easily access their gas usage information, pay bills, schedule service orders and sign up for Bill Tracker Alerts by visiting “Manage My Account: Manage Alerts.”

TULARE COUNTY SUPES CONTINUE TREE MORTALITY EMERGENCY

Tulare County Board of Supervisors continues local emergency proclamation of Tree Mortality in the County. The Board voted unanimously to reaffirm the action in order to gain available funds and create awareness of the dead and dying trees in the higher evaluations.

“More than ever we need to continue to push forward on this monumental problem in our County,” stated District Four Tulare County Supervisor and California Tree Mortality Task Force member, Steve Worthley. “This action confirms our tree mortality problem still exists and the need to continue our work with the U.S. Forest Service to address tree mortality.”

The Board’s action comes the day after the U.S. Forest Service released of the latest numbers of the 2017 California Tree Mortality Aerial Detection Survey.

According to the 2017 survey results, California now has 129 million dead trees in its forests. An additional 27 million from the previous year. Amongst the affected areas in the state, Tulare County is home to the highest number of dead trees with 25.2 million.

“Tulare County is the heart of the tree mortality crisis in California,” stated District One Supervisor Kuyler Crocker, during today’s Board meeting. “Our County has more dead trees than anywhere in the state and our forests are a major part of our County.”

Dead tree removal projects are underway across Tulare County and the state.

To date, Tulare County has utilized local resources and County funds to remove over 10,000 dead trees that pose a threat to public safety along County roads.

Collectively, the California Tree Morality Task Force has removed over one million dead trees, using a triage approach to this tree mortality crisis, first focusing on public safety by removing dead and dying trees in high hazard areas.

However, current removal efforts are not slowing down the staggering tree mortality numbers.

Valley Scene

21 December, 2017

“Miniatures” Opens at the Tulare Historical Museum

Show coordinator Bill Warner hanging an entry during the first Bad Art Show. The “Rubber Ducky,” was painted by a Granite High School student. Nancy Vigran/Valley Voice

Porterville Art Association Bad Art Show Calls for Entries Staff Reports Many who have produced art they were not proud of have ditched the stuff.

Others have hung on to it because it’s a reflection, a sign of the time, or perhaps just because it brings out a smile, or even a chuckle.

If you are brave enough to share that art with others, than the Porterville Art Association’s 2nd Annual Bad Art Show is for you.

The Bad Art Show was the concept of PAA members Bill Warner and Frances Pyles. They wanted to hold a show in which the artists wouldn’t take things so seriously – it’s a chance to lighten up.

Last year there were more than 70 entries to the show. This year, PAA is looking for even more. A call for entries has begun, with one day for entry on Friday, January 12, from 1-5:30pm at the PAA Gallery.

There are three categories for bad art in the show: • Rejected Work - honest artwork that was rejected either by a gallery, show or by the artist themselves.

• Tongue in Cheek - intentionally badly-designed art, done for a laugh.

• Commercial Junk - ugly junk done in bad taste.

Entry for students is free. For others entries are $3/each or $15 for a total of three entries in each category.

Any hanging entries must have a secure attachment.

“Art should be fun,” Warner said during the last show.

“This was real liberating,” Pyles had said. “You could blow it for a serious show. There were no worries doing this.”

But, not everyone who entered agreed with her.

“Doing bad art was not easy at all,” local artist George Tanimoto added to the conversation. “There is so much variety in art – you don’t know what’s good or bad.”

The 2nd Annual Bad Art Show will run from January 17 – March 17. The artists’ reception will take place on January 26, from 5-8pm. Some art will be available for purchase. Other pieces, the artists may be so attached to, they may not be available.

The Porterville Art Association is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10am – 4pm. The Bad Art Show runs through February 16. The Association Gallery and Gift Shop are located at 151 N. Main St. For more information regarding entry, call 782-9265, or 539-3243.

Newsboys To Play at Visalia Convention Center in February Staff Reports Following the abrupt blackout of GRAMMY®- nominated, Platinum-selling Newsboys’ social media accounts, the band with a little help from some old friends reemerged today for a major announcement. Next year Newsboys will welcome back to the stage former bandmates Peter Furler and Phil Joel for the “Newsboys United Tour,” showcasing “all the hits…under one roof…for one tour.”

Along with an electrifying headlining set led by frontman Michael Tait and longtime members Duncan Phillips, Jeff

Frankenstein and Jody Davis, Newsboys United will see Furler and Joel join the group for many of the most popular hits of the bands three-decade career.

The “Newsboys United Tour” will also feature special guest Word Worship recording artist Zealand, which is founded and fronted by Joel.

“We’re so excited for Peter and Phil to join us on the road next year,” said Newsboys’ Michael Tait. “Taking the stage with two men who indelibly shaped the history of this band will be an unforgettable experience for us all. We can’t wait to share these special moments

NEWSBOYS continued on B7 »

While the artists’ reception for the Nancy Vigran Tulare Historical Museum’s 10th Annual “The challenge is going from a small Miniatures show has passed, there is still plenty of time for viewing, as the show runs through March 10.

The exhibit is also a fundraiser for the museum, and 22 local artists have donated more than 50 small works to the cause – generally made just made for this show. Many are artists who exhibit regularly within the Tulare County art scene, including Manuel Abad.

Abad, who has entered for more than three years, he said, has two oils in this year’s show.

“These people [at the museum] have been very helpful to the art society through the years and we like to help out, and give back to the museum,” he said.

Abad, who normally does work in a slightly larger format, has been painting a lot of small, or miniaLocal artist Manuel Abad has donated two turized pieces lately. He has been paintings to be raffled off during the Miniatures attending various arts and crafts exhibit at the Tulare Historical Museum. shows, and normally the size is Courtesy/Karla Shelton more attractive to buyers at those [canvas] to a large one – to cover a larger events, he said.

Abad’s specialties are still life and area,” he said.

As such, he finds painting artwork landscapes. He enjoys painting barns, tractors and other old vehicles. While for this exhibit a pleasure.

To see, and enter for a chance to win some artists find transferring to a smaller canvas somewhat difficult, Abad says, for one of Abad’s or the other artists’ works, him, it is the other way around.

MINIATURES continued on B3 »

“Sunset over Visalia Country Club” by Ron Ludekens.

Brandon-Mitchell Gallery Hosts Valley Photography Group Donna Orozco Good photography is an art unto itself. Exquisite photographs by 11 members of the Valley Photography Group will be on display at the Brandon-Mitchell Gallery in Visalia in January and February. The photographers will be on hand to discuss their art during Downtown Visalia’s First Friday Art Walks on Jan. 5 and Feb. 2 from 5-8pm.

Valley Photography was formed in 2009 as an online gathering via Meetup. com. Membership grew from the initial dozen or so photographers to more than 100 in just a few years—from beginners to professionals.

“We meet regularly on the third Thursday of every month except December to display and discuss the theme for the month,” said Ron Holman, who

PHOTOGRAPHY continued on B7 »

21 December, 2017

B2 • Valley Voice

Book Notes

Three Locally-Written Books Newell G. Bringhurst Three recently published books, each crafted by a local author, provide engaging reading.

Through the pages of Murder in Visalia: The Coin Dealer Killer, retired Tulare County Superior Court Judge, Ronn M. Couillard provides a vivid account of the October 1979 murder of Visalia coin and stamp dealer Alex Moyer.

Couillard recounts his central role as a one-time Tulare County deputy district attorney in prosecuting the case.

The prime suspect, David Stone of Fresno while linked to the earlier murder of a Fresno coin dealer proved elusive. Stone presented himself as a most unlikely suspect given his physical appearance.

“Blond-haired, blue eyed and of fair complexion” he stood a mere “five feet seven inches, small in stature and somewhat overweight” he “looked more like a sophomore in high school…than a twenty-three-year-old man...”

The portly suspect was dubbed “the Pillsbury Doughboy” by Tulare County Sheriff Bill Wittman. (73) Stone, moreover, proved both clever and resourceful, enlisting strong moral and economic support from his closeknit family who enlisted a top notch de-

fense lawyer.

The case dragged on for some six years before reaching a final verdict. In sum, Couillard’s skillfully crafted work is not so much a “who done it” as an absorbing first person account providing enlightening insights into the inner workings of the criminal justice system in Tulare County.

Commie Pinko by prolific Visalia author Janet Nichols Lynch, although a work of fiction, is based on actual events that transpired during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Lynch’s narrative focuses on a wave of anti-communist hysteria that gripped America at the time.

Set in Berkeley, California, the nov-

el’s main protagonist is fourteen-yearold Donna Kronenberger, whose father, Leopold, a University of California professor, is accused by the FBI of pro-communist sympathies.

He is subpoenaed to testify before the U.S House of Representatives Un-American Activities Committee meeting in San Francisco in May,1960.

Other family members cope with their own difficulties.

Donna’s rebellious older sister, Alice, involves herself with a group of beatniks, resulting in her disappearance under mysterious circumstances. Her mother suffers a nervous breakdown requiring hospitalization.

Donna, meanwhile, confronts her own teenage angst while caught up in the period’s cultural trends.

These include an adolescent crush on doomed rock-in-roll idol, Richie Valens, and her own encounter with the emerging counterculture.

Although primarily intended for young adults, Lynch’s compelling novel will resonate with readers of all ages, especially those who came of age during this unsettled transitional period between the placid 1950s and turbulent decade that followed.

A third Visalia writer, Irene Morse, in her The Velvet Bridge, provides a sensitive, heart-felt memoir of her beloved stepmother.

The author vividly chronicles the difficulties faced in dealing with her stepmother’s debilitating Alzheimer’s.

Morse, in choosing her title, was in-

More than 40 years in Downtown Visalia

spired by Cezlaw Milosz, a Polish writer and Nobel Laureate, specifically his poem “On Prayer” which states “All I know is that prayer constructs a velvet bridge/ That velvet bridge leads to the shore of Reversal/ Where everything is just the opposite…”

Accordingly, Morse invokes the velvet bridge metaphor in reflecting on her stepmother’s deteriorating condition. “I know it sounds horrible…I don’t really want her to die, but I also don’t believe the life she has is something to wish for.

Alzheimer’s is a cruel companion and she is being brutalized by it.” (82) Lamenting on her stepmother’s declining mental and physical health, Morse then asks, “Am I cruel for allowing her to slip away—or cruel for insisting she stay?” She further adds, “Or is it not about me at all? Is she just making her way across her bridge the best way she can?”

Seeking resolution to her dilemma the author concludes: “I will wait here, watching, helping if I can, but this is her bridge to cross, and she is crossing it in her own way.” (88-89) In essence, Morse’s evocative memoir affirms the importance of love and caring toward family and friends, particularly those adversely affected by the ravages of old age and disease.

Bringhurst is a College of the Sequoias emeritus professor where he taught history and Political Science, he welcomes comments at newellgb@hotmail. com.

559-734-7079

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21 December, 2017

Valley Voice • B3

An Authentic Elvis Experience Comes to Lindsay Staff Reports

The spirit of Elvis is in the building.

An Authentic Elvis Experience, starring Jim Anderson and the Rebels, is coming to the Lindsay Theater on Jan 6 at 7:30 for one night only. Jim Anderson is embodies the spirit of Elvis as few performers can. Tickets are just $20 each or for groups of 10 or more, just $15 each. Get tickets at lindsaycommunitytheater.com.

For more information call 284 2223.

Jim’s show has never had a negative review and has sold out most of its venues. It sold out the Firehouse Arts Theater in Pleasanton 5 weeks in advance.

Jim Anderson & the Rebels were the featured act at the Atlantis Casino Resort in Reno for the entire week of Hot August Nights.

Jim is a retired sheriff and now SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Actor. He shot

his first feature film this year with a Lead Role in a Time-Warner Production. This film, American Paradise, was selected into the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.

Jim has just finished shooting a National Ford Commercial and shot another feature film last summer. In between television and movies, he is dedicated to performing as many shows as possible for his 2017-18 Tour Season.

Jim says, “I feel extremely blessed to have such wonderful fans and audiences at every show. I truly enjoy performing and I am very humbled that so many folks come to the shows to see us. I have some of the best musicians in the world, who are truly dedicated, hardworking, and professional. I want each show to be very personal to everyone and I want that positive memory to last a lifetime for them. I am going to keep singing to folks for as long as they’ll have me!”

Visalian Alan Sproles Wins Young Adult Writing Award

Arts Visalia to Present Quilts, Paintings, Hold Classes Arts Visalia In January 2018, Arts Visalia is pleased to host the Orange Blossom Quilt Guild. The Orange Blossom Quilt Guild is a non-profit organization, that serves as a “teaching” guild that promotes fellowship and education as it pertains to quilts and quilting. They try to preserve and continue the rich traditions, culture, and history of the quilting world by contributing to the knowledge of and appreciation for fine quilts. Arts Visalia is pleased to host such an extraordinary guild. The exhibition runs from January 3rd to the 26th. The opening reception will be held on First Friday, January 5th, from 6pm to 8pm.and is sponsored in part by Bueno Beverage, Jack & Charlie’s, the Vintage Press Restaurante, and the Southern Pacific Depot Restaurant.

Paula Lovett is the President of the Orange Blossom Quilters Guild and has lived in the area for 40 years. She has been sewing since junior high, as well as quilting for 19 years. Lynn Drennen-Guritz prefers art quilting to traditional piecing. She was partners on a quilt in 2008 that won multiple national and international top wards over a three-year period. Sheryl Montanez is a local sewing and quilting artist who currently serves as a member of two local quilt guilds. Her first personal accomplishment was a southern belle ball gown and confederate army uniform for a Civil War Era Reenactment club, winning her a second place for authenticity in 1978. Sheryl created her first quilt, an Eleanor Burns “Quilt in a Day” Log Cabin in 1987 and has been quilting ever since. She has shown quilts in the Best of the Valley Quilt Show and earned a second place ribbon for a portrait quilt of her mother in 2012. Juanita

Cairns spent 38 years as an educator. After retiring she returned to sewing and discovered quilting. She is a very eclectic quilter, making everything from traditional pieced quilts to art quilts. Juanita has found joy in teaching quilting to others through classes in design, embroidery, free motion, thread painting and portraits. These are a few of the quilters that will be participating in the quilt exhibition and are happy to be a part of this event.

For February, Arts Visalia will be exhibiting Jane Ziegler. Jane Ziegler is from Miramonte, California. She explores with drawing, pastels, and painting. Her inspiration is from the works of Henri Matisse.

Jane explores what visual impact means through finding it in nature. The light, the color, and the composition connect with her senses before she identifies what is happening in nature. In looking for this impact, she is always hoping to stumble upon something of the everyday that may already have made an impression on her by its very existence. Things in our personal space, the innocuous objects, also speak to her; the unappealing that transcends to beauty. She looks for the impact in things that might not offer impact initially, through its presentation. Jane is seeking to articulate the “aha” moment in her work.

Art classes for children and adults will resume in February. Keep a look out for the class lists coming soon. Date to Create is something that was recently added as an every other month art and conversation workshop. The next Date to Create will be in February. For more information and class descriptions, please go to artsvisalia. org, call us at 559-739-0905 or visit us at the gallery, 214 East Oak Avenue, Visalia.

CJ Lyons, New York Times and USA Today bestselling indie author of 21 novels announced the winners of the 2017 annual IndieReader Discovery Awards (IRDAs) at BookExpo America (BEA), a major trade show in New York City.

Billy Bedivere in the Quest for the Dragon Queen by Alan Sproles won in the Young Adults category.

“Having a life-long love affair with the fantasy/science fiction genre, I wanted to write a book using fairytale characters to teach values to middle grade boys and girls. Knowing that today’s kids are very sophisticated, I had to create a new twist on these fairytale stories and characters that would interest them and draw them into the story. I feel very strongly writers have an obligation to edify and enrich those young people who read our books,” said Sproles.

“I refuse to sexualize children with romantic stories beyond their years or delve into controversial issues better left to parents or their clergy.”

Dr. Sproles, award-winning author and screenwriter, poet, sculptor and songwriter, endeavors to find heroes in our culture and bring them to his reader’s attention.

Sproles endorses and promotes creative pursuits to all who will listen.

Miniatures Continued from B1

visit the museum during its local hours.

Raffle tickets are on sale through the THM gift shop at $5/each or three for $10.

The drawing will be held on March 24 with winners notified by the end of

Staff Reports Using all tools available, Dr. Sproles believes that the power of writing is to help readers visualize what is written and stimulate their imagination.

Sproles is currently writing the sequels to his first two books, as well as two adult historical fiction books.

He is sculpting all the characters in his book Billy Bedivere to give his readers the author’s rendition of what they might look like.

At some point those may be available as toys.

He is developing an interactive section on his website that may include video games using his books as the design.

Sproles arrived in Visalia in December of 1978.

He grew up in Inglewood, California, moved to Kentucky on a farm as a teenager and graduated from the University of Kentucky as a chemist.

After several years as a scientist he attended USC dental school after which he practiced for three years before going to Boston University for his specialty — endodontics.

“Visalia has been a wonderful town to live, work, play and raise my three children: Marisa, Alana and Brady. I have six grandchildren. I am married to the best wife ever-Sarah.”

March. Proceeds further the mission to preserve Tulare’s heritage.

Throughout the run of the show, admission to view the exhibit is free, while regular admission prices still apply for Museum tours. Museum hours are Thursday – Saturday from 10am – 4pm.

For more information, contact the museum at (559) 686-2074.

Calendar DECEMBER

Claus plans to visit the following branches: Dinuba on Friday, DeDecember 21: Book Discussion cember 22 at 11:00 am, and the Exeter Library on Friday, Decemat Dinuba Library 4pm — Adults are invited to the ber 22 at 4:30 pm.

Dinuba Branch Library to discuss Come enjoy crafts, treats, ChristWishes for Christmas by Fern Mi- mas trees, stories and pictures chaels. with Santa.

December 21: Tulare Community Band Holiday Concert 7pm - Holiday music, marches, concert music and a “Tribute to the Military” finale to honor the men and women in uniform at the Tulare Community Auditorium, 755 E. Tulare Ave. Open to the public, no charge, however donations are appreciated. For more information, contact Bill Ingram, director ingrahamhw@ sbcglobal.net, or (559) 901-3773.

December 21: Winter Solstice Service 7pm — Winter Solstice will be celebrated at the Center for Spiritual Living Visalia, 117 S. Locust.

There will be music and inspirational thoughts to celebrate the shortest day of the year and the returning of the light. Desserts will be served afterwards. All are welcome. 559 625-2441.

warmly.

Through December 29: A Holiday In The City 8am-5pm, Mon-Fri — A Holiday in the City is drawn from a collection of porcelains donated to the Tulare County Office of Education Foundation.

December 26: Christmas Eve Service at LDS Chapels 9am, 11am, 1pm — Please join us for a Christmas Eve service at one of the following times on Sunday, December 24: 9 am, 11 am, or 1 pm.

The exhibition will be closed Saturdays and Sundays, and December 25 and 26. The TCOE Administration Building and Conference Center is located at 6200 S. Mooney Blvd. in Visalia.

No reservations are required.

Services will be held at the LDS chapels located at 650 N Lovers Lane, 825 W Tulare Ave, and 4000 W Caldwell Ave in Visalia.

Services will also be held in Exeter at the LDS chapel located at 601 North B Street at 9 am. Families welcome.

JANUARY

December 26: Book Discussion at Dinuba Library 3:15pm — Teens are invited to the Dinuba Branch Library to read and discuss The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness.

January 11: Top Rank Championship Boxing 5:30pm — At the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino. Featuring Daniel Valdivia, Joe Lopez, Quilisto Madera, Bryan Lua. Located in the Bingo Hall. Fight card subject to change without notice — no refunds. For tickets, head to tachipalace.com or call 866-4PALACE.

January 12: Single Payer Healthcare Meeting 1:30-3:30pm; 4:00-6:30pm — Presented by Healthy California.

Learn more about SB 562 and the progress of the bill in the California Senate at the Tulare City Library’s Olympic Room. 1:30pm January 5: Authentic Elvis Ex- presentation for Spanish speakperience in Lindsay ers; 4pm presentation for English If you are looking for a great and speakers. inexpensive Christmas gift, try giving tickets to a Lindsay Com- January 13: Annual Tech Romunity Theater Concert. The deo next great show the theater has is 8am-3:30pm — On January 13, An Authentic Elvis Experience on Central Valley educatorappss will Jan 6. Tickets to the show are now have the opportunity to meet for on sale at lindsaycommunitythe- a day of technology-driven inspiater.com. Tickets are only $20, ration. The second annual Tech but for groups of 10 or more, Rodeo will be held from 8:00 tickets are $15. What a wonderful a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at Visalia Unified’s new Ridgeview Midway to say Merry Christmas. dle School. Hosted by the EdJanuary 5: Valley Photography Tech Integration Department of Group At Brandon-Mitchell TCOE’s Educational Resource Gallery Services, the conference will in5-8pm — The photographers will clude a powerful keynote session, be on hand to discuss their art robotics exhibition corral, and during Downtown Visalia’s First inspiring presentation sessions Friday Art Walk. For more infor- on school site technology intemation, see our front page story. gration; creating student access to STEAM (science, technology, enJanuary 6: Indoor Yard Sale 8am-2pm — At the Visalia Con- gineering, art and mathematics); and building a professional learnvention Center. Rain or shine! ing network outside school walls.

January 9: New Years’ ResoluTo register for Tech Rodeo, visit tion: Business Growth Workedtech.k12oms.org/164-130259. shop 5:30-7pm — Imagine setting For more information, contact goals for the 2018 that you can ac- Katherine Goyette at (559) 651tually put into action and achieve! 3008 or katherine.goyette@tcoe.

Don’t let 2018 start without a sol- org. id plan for your business.

January 17: “America’s Heri-

December 26: Book Discussion at Exeter Library 3:15pm — Adults are invited to December 22: Visalia Senior Center Classic Christmas Lun- the Exeter Branch Library to read and discuss When Books Went to cheon 11:30am — Join the Visalia Se- War: The Stories that Helped Us nior Center for lunch, friendship Win World War II by Molly Gupand glad tidings during the holi- till Manning. day season at our Classic Christ- December 26-29: Introduction mas Luncheon. to Horses (for Beginners) Christmas carols, fun activities 10am-12:30pm, daily — All ages and more await you along with a welcome! December 26 thru 29, delicious Christmas feast! Enjoy 2017. You will learn history, safethe sounds of live holiday music ty, grooming, daily care, medical and meet special guests. Seating care, learn types of saddles and you is limited so be sure to get your will ride each day! Your instructor is a national champion traintickets before they sell out! er, rider, and horse show judge.

Tickets are just $5 per person and Located at Wood N Horse Trainare available at the Visalia Senior ing Stables, 42846 North Fork Center (310 N. Locust St.).

Dr, Three Rivers. For reservations The senior center will also accept call (559) 561-4268. donations of new, unwrapped, December 28: What’s In The Set yourself up for success in non-perishable gift items for this Night Sky? at Lindsay Library 2018 by taking the time to work event. For more information, 6pm — Join the Lindsay Library on YOU and your business! please call (559) 713-4481. and the Sequoia Parks Conser- There will be wine and beer availvancy for an hour of space explo- able for purchase.

December 22: Santa Visits Liration, free planispheres, stargazbraries 4pm — Among his many stops ing, and ancient stories. Everyone Doors open at 5pm at The Cellar throughout the County, Santa is invited and remember to dress Door, 101 W. Main, Visalia.

tage” Travel Presentation with the Visalia Chamber 12-1pm — Please join the Visalia Chamber for a slideshow presentation to learn more about its America’s Heritage trip. The trip is from June 7 - 16, 2018 and you will visit Washington, DC, Get-

tysburg, Mount Vernon, Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg and Niagra Falls. At the City Administrative Office, 220 N. Santa Fe, Visalia.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7am Healing Hearts Walks Walk a 1 mile loop on the paved roads inside the cemetery after raising of the flag, pledge of allegiance and moment of silence.

No charge or sign up. Free coffee after walk. Meet at the Veteran’s Through March 31: TCOE Stu- Memorial Wall. For more information call 734-6181. dent Art Exhibition

CONTINUOUS

The annual Student Art Exhibition is on display in the lobby of the TCOE Administration Building at 6200 South Mooney Boulevard in Visalia.

From January 22 through February 23, visitors will be treated to artwork from schools in Tulare County districts A-P. In March, pieces selected as “Best of Show” from the November-December and January-February exhibitions will be displayed. A public open house honoring the “Best of Show” student artists will be held 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on March 1 in the lobby.

2nd Tuesday, Monthly: Yappy Hour, 5-9pm Well-mannered, leashed pets are welcome on the patio at the Planing Mill Artisan Pizzeria, 514 East Main Street, Suite A, in Visalia. A portion of the proceeds is donated to the Valley Oak SPCA. For more information, call (559) 651-1111.

Wednesdays: Barmageddon Game Night Come blow off some steam at our game night. Happy hour from 6-8pm.

1st Thursday Monthly through October: Diabetes Support Mondays: National Alliance on Group, 5:30-7pm Mental Illness, 5:45pm EduKaweah Delta Health Care Discation Meeting: 7pm Support trict offers a free diabetes support Group group through October from on St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Visa- the first Thursday of the month at lia, 120 N. Hall, Corner of Cen- the Kaweah Delta Chronic Dister and Hall. For more informa- ease Management Center, 325 tion call: (559) 627-1306 Willis St., Visalia. Information: (559) 624-2416.

Mondays: Bridge Club, 9:30am-2pm 1st Thursday, Monthly: Veter210 W Center Street Visalia. Ad- ans Support Group, 5:30-7pm mission is free. For additional in- Free support group for global war formation call: Joan Dinwiddie, on terrorism & post 9-11 (Vet(559) 732-0855 erans 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 Barmageddon, 9pm-1am Karaoke Jockey Miss Sammi will be hosting from 9pm - 1am. No Cover.

Tuesdays: Barmageddon Trivia Thunderdome, 9pm-1am Challenge your friends to the ultimate trivia throwdown. Earn some bragging rights in categories ranging from Saturday morning cartoons, classic video games, and pop culture films. Free sign ups at 9:30pm.

SENIORS Visalia Senior Center: 310 N Lo- 1pm — Penny Bingo cust, Visalia (559-713-4381) December 27: Tulare Senior Tulare Senior Center: 201 N F St, Center Tulare (559-685-2330) 9:30am — Bible Study December 21: Visalia Senior Center 10am — Chess Club 11am — Darts 11am — Brain Teasers 1-4pm — Penny Bingo

9:30am — Crochet & Knit 10:30am — Ex-Chair-cise 11:30am — Lunch 12:00pm — Card Games 12:30pm — Bingo

December 27: Visalia Senior December 21: Tulare Senior Center Center 12pm — Poker 10am — Down Memory Lane 12:45pm — Contract Bridge Writing Group 10:30am — Computer Station December 28: Tulare Senior Center Open 10am — Down Memory Lane 11:30am — Lunch Writing Group December 22: Visalia Senior 10:30am — Computer Station Center Open Christmas Luncheon!

11:30am — Lunch December 22: Tulare Senior December 28: Visalia Senior Center Center 9:30am — Wii Bowling 10am — Chess Club 10:30am — Table Tennis 11am — Brain Teasers 10:30am — Ex-Chair-cise 11am — Darts 11:00am — Christmas Luncheon 1pm — Penny Bingo 11:30am — Lunch December 29: Tulare Senior 12pm — Card Games Center 1:30pm — Mah Jong Tiles 9:30am — Wii Bowling December 23: Visalia Senior Center 12pm — Senior Pride Bingo December 24: Visalia Senior Center 1pm — Contract Bridge

10:30am — Table Tennis 10:30am — Ex-Chair-cise 11:30am — Lunch 12pm — Card Games 1:30pm — Mah Jong Tiles

December 25: Visalia Senior December 29: Visalia Senior Center Center Closed in observance of the 1pm — Friday Movie 1st and 3rd Thursdays, Month- Christmas holiday.

1pm — Table Tennis ly: Central Valley Tea Party December 25, 26: Tulare Senior 1pm — Scrabble Club Meetings, 6pm Center 819 West Visalia Road, Farmers- Closed in observance of the 1pm — Bunco ville.

Christmas holiday.

December 30: Visalia Senior 3rd Thursday Monthly through December 26: Visalia Senior Center October: Diabetes Support 12pm — Senior Pride Bingo Center Group, 5:30-7pm 11am — Darts Kaweah Delta Health Care District offers a free diabetes support group through October on the third Thursday of the month at 200 E. Sierra Ave., Woodlake.

Information: (559) 624-2416.

Send us your events: editor@ourvalleyvoice.com

21 December, 2017

B6 • Valley Voice

Education Jim Vidak Will Not Seek Eighth Term as Superintendent Staff Reports

Tulare County Superintendent of Schools Jim Vidak announced today that he does not intend to run for an eighth term in office next year. Rather, he will retire at the end of his seventh term, which ends December 31, 2018.

Vidak was first elected to the office in 1990 and has run unopposed since.

“In the years that I have been Tulare County superintendent of schools, we have done amazing work,” he said. “We have been able to do so much because we have an incredibly talented staff. Many of our educators and administrators are recognized around the state for their leadership in instruction, special education, migrant education, early childhood education, human resources and credentialing, teacher recruitment and business services.”

Vidak is the longest-serving county superintendent in California currently in office. The veteran educator is also Tulare County’s longest-serving county superintendent, an office which was established in 1854. Tulare County’s second longest-serving county superintendent was J.E. Buckman, who served from 1910 to 1934.

Vidak began his elementary school education at Richgrove School in southern Tulare County. He moved to Cecil Avenue School in Delano, before transferring to Orosi Elementary. Vidak graduated from Orosi High School in 1958.

He attended California State University, Fresno, where he obtained his bachelor of education degree, completed graduate-level coursework and earned his teaching and administrative credentials.

In 1962, Vidak’s first teaching assignment was in a fourth grade classroom at Mineral King School (now part of the Visalia Unified School District).

In 1968, then 27-year-old Vidak was selected as the first principal of Visalia Unified’s new school, Crestwood Elementary. He continued to serve as Crestwood’s principal until he became director of the Tulare County Office of Education’s (TCOE) outdoor education program, SCICON, in 1977. He returned to Visalia Unified in 1981 as deputy superintendent, where he remained until he was elected Tulare County superintendent of schools. During his career, Vidak also taught continuing education courses for Fresno Pacific University, and elementary education classes for University of La Verne.

Vidak is the recipient of the Outstanding Alumnus Award from California State University, Fresno, the California State Superintendent of the Year from the Association of California School Administrators, the Executive Leadership Award and the Champions Award from the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association and the Kremen Noted Alumni Special Recognition Award from Fresno State. Throughout his career, he has been involved in numerous national, state and local education and community organizations. In the past, he has served on the National CHARACTER COUNTS! Advisory Council, the City of Visalia Planning Commission, United Way of Tulare County, YMCA of Visalia and American Little League of Visalia.

He currently serves on the boards of the Fresno Historical Society and the Creative Center in Visalia – a program for adults with special needs.

Under his leadership as Tulare County superintendent of schools, Vidak has overseen the creation or expansion of numerous TCOE programs, including: • The new TCOE Administration Building & Conference Cen-

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ter (Completed in 2015. The Conference Center was utilized for student events and educator trainings attended by over 40,000 people in its first year.)

The new Planetarium & Science Center (Completed in 2015) The TCOE Theatre Company The Tulare County CHARACTER COUNTS! Program, which has recognized over 100,000 Kids of Character since 22 years. A monument to the Six Pillars of Character was erected in Mooney Grove Park in 1997.

Eagle Point Village at SCICON An online resource for teachers using California’s new state standards, plus increased instructional and technological support to districts in Tulare and surrounding counties.

University Preparatory High School (an early-college charter school on the COS Visalia campus) La Sierra Charter School (with a military-style academy for middle and high school students) The California Friday Night Live Partnership, which serves 54 counties statewide with youth development and prevention programs.

CHOICES Prevention Programs and CHOICES After School Programs College and Career Program, supporting career pathway programs in Tulare & Kings counties Teacher Induction Programs for beginning teachers Gang prevention education Migrant Education service to

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students and families in Tulare and Kings counties Early Childhood Education, including the expansion of center- and home-base programs throughout the county Some of the widest offerings of student events in the state, with programs in the visual and performing arts, science, history, mathematics, career exploration, language arts, and outdoor education Statewide teacher recruitment, including the formation of the California Teacher Recruitment Program and the California Center on Teaching Careers Alternative credentialing programs for teachers and administrators Behavioral health services Bright Start Parent/Infant Program for children ages 0-3 with special needs Bright Future Program for students with autism.

Employers Benefit from Customized Training Staff Reports In 2016-17, nearly 100 employers have benefited from 54 customized training sessions offered by College of the Sequoias’ Training Resource Center (TRC).

Training occurred at worksites throughout the region to develop critical skills, improve communication, boost productivity and enhance supervision as well as provide industry specific training such as food safety.

With over 1,000 training hours delivered this year, 1,103 participants gave the trainings a high rating of 4.63 out of 5 on evaluations.

Tailored Training

According to Bruce Nicotero, General Manager, Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores, the Training Resource Center addresses what the company needs most from new and existing employees at the West Coast Distribution Center.

“The greatest benefit was being able to train our team members on

some very specific work related topics,” said Nicotero.

“Additionally, my managers felt it was a good morale builder. As a result of the training, we are seeing increased teamwork and openness to listen to one another on the job. The Front Line Supervisor training participants were able to experience real life scenarios and it helped their confidence in dealing with day-to-day operational and personnel issues.”

County, with the WIB paying all costs.

Employers identified the need for staff to sharpen skills in areas such as communication, teamwork, attitude and problem solving skills, explained Jorge Zegarra, Training Resource Center Director.

“In response, we have developed soft skills training for different levels within the organization,” said Zegarra. “These trainings will develop more engaged and productive team members.”

Soft Skills Developed

Food Safety Training

The college collaborated with the Visalia Economic Development Corporation, Tulare County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) and City of Visalia to survey businesses to uncover common needs.

As a result of this collaboration, the Training Resource Center developed curriculum and piloted Essential Workplace Skills training.

As of June 2017, COS is pre-approved to offer various trainings, including Soft Skills, for companies in Tulare

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COS participated in an Industry-Driven Regional Collaborative grant and was one of three colleges in the state to receive special funding to provide Food Safety and Quality Assurance training to the Central Valley food industry.

To enable businesses to meet the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the Training Resource Center offers courses such as Preventive Controls for Human Foods and Produce Safety Rule Grower Training.

Cost Savings

In 2017, the college obtained Employment Training Panel (ETP) funding to help local employers off-set their training investment and maintain a skilled workplace.

Since employers already pay the Employment Training Tax that supports ETP, they are encouraged to take advantage of this training benefit.

Funding is based on the number of trainees who successfully complete the training and are retained in well-paying jobs. COS can now make funding available directly to companies to train their employees at a reduced cost or no cost.

In collaboration with multiple businesses and regional organizations, the Training Resource Center continues to gather feedback to refine training offerings.

To learn more about how employee training can improve your bottom line, contact us at 559.688.3130 or trainingcenter@cos.edu, or go online to https:// www.cos.edu/TrainingCenter.

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21 December, 2017

Valley Voice • B7

Local Family Friendly Employers Recognized The Tulare County of Education Conference Center has a private pumping station for breastfeeding mothers, where they also have access to a small fridge for storage. This lactation room is open for both employees and conference attendees.

TCOE also has other family-friendly policies in place.

Valley Adult Day Services in Porterville allows breastfeeding mothers to bring their infant(s) to work. According to Cheri Taylor, the Executive Director, this policy helps the senior residents too. The organization also designates a group counseling room as a pumping space.

Maria Huerta has advocated for mothers’ rights in her workplace. She encourages breastfeeding employees to take

pumping breaks even when the restaurant is busy. She also reminds employees that customers may nurse their babies in public, as California law allows.

California is one of the leading states with laws supporting breastfeeding and family wellness. Providing a clean, private space for nursing mothers to pump as necessary is the law in California. Also, under the New Parent Leave Act, signed into law in October 2017, new parents working in businesses with 20 or more employees will have job protection when they take time to bond with a new child – birth, adoption, or foster. This law takes effect in January 2018.

California also leads the nation with the highest number of Baby-Friendly

Hospitals, totaling 99 in December 2017.

Tulare County has one Baby-Friendly Hospital: Sierra View Medical Center in Porterville. Adventist Health in Kings County has made steps in their journey toward this accreditation. California’s SB 402 legislation requires all hospitals to become Baby-Friendly or adopt similar Breastfeeding Model Hospital Policies by 2025.

Tulare and Kings Counties have among the lowest rates in the state for breastfeeding at the hospital, ranking at 46 and 41 respectively. In-hospital support for breastfeeding helps mothers to breastfeed longer and more successfully. In California, 94% of mothers begin breastfeeding, but 26% of those mothers also feed their infants formula during the hospital stay.

Staff Reports

Visalia Rotary volunteers pictured with 4th grader Mia Contreras, selected for her commitment to academics, good behavior, and excellent attendance record.

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors, Tulare County Office of Education, The Rotary Club of Visalia and Office Depot have partnered together to deliver over 50 computers to worthy children. School officials nominated children to receive computers based on their outstanding character and good citizenship.

The County of Tulare contributed 56 computers and matching flat screens that were due to be sold as surplus. The Rotary Club donated funding so that the surplus computers could be given away to worthy children. Tulare County Purchasing tested the computers, erased all

sensitive files and proprietary software, and installed fresh Windows operating systems.

County staff, Rotarians and other volunteers met at the Tulare County Surplus Store on December 13 to load up vehicles with the computers and begin delivering the computers to school sites throughout the County.

School officials recently nominated students to receive the donated computers. The chosen students and most of their teachers are unaware the gifts will be delivered in time for the holidays.

ribbon-winners. We have two goals—to help each other and to have fun.”

The show includes mostly landscapes of local scenes as well as photos from other states and countries.

Betsy Gaudette-Cross says about her photo “I Left My Heart in Cinque Terra,.” “My first time in Italy, I found this city on the cliffs. It blew me away. This is my favorite European photograph.”

Closer to home, Ron Ludekens is showing “Sunset over Visalia Country Club. “I was there to photograph the annual fireworks show when God provided a superior display,” he says.

Others in the show include Beckie Ballew-Nava, Michael Bowen, John Greening, Roger Ow Gong, Bambi Hickman, Ron Holman, Taylor Karr, Tami Mason and Rhea Quitasol.

The Gallery is located in the Center for Spiritual Living, 117 S. Locust.

The show will be on display through February.

Besides the receptions during the First Friday art walks, the show may also be viewed Mondays-Wednesdays from 9:30-3:30 by ringing the bell at the door.

It is also open every Sunday after services at 11:30am.

of Newsboys and the group’s former drummer and lead singer, embarked on a successful solo career in 2009. During his tenure, the band earned five Gold recordings and released such classic hits as “Shine,” “Breakfast” and “He Reigns.”

As Newsboys’ bass player, Phil Joel was featured on multiple albums and sang lead on the groups hit single “Entertaining Angels.” Since his departure, Joel has bowed seven solo recordings as well as 2015’s acclaimed Word Worship set, Zealand Worship – The EP. One of the most influential bands in Christian music history, Newsboys have sold more than 8 million units and

amassed eight Gold® certifications, 33 #1 radio hits, four GRAMMY® nominations, two American Music Award nominations and multiple Dove Awards.

Comprised of Michael Tait (lead vocals), Jody Davis (guitar), Jeff Frankenstein (keys) and Duncan Phillips (drums), Newsboys’ signature songs include “We Believe,” “He Reigns,” “Miracles,” “’Born Again” and their Platinum®-certified mega hit, “God’s Not Dead.” The later inspired one of the most popular Christian film franchises of all time, PureFlix’s “God’s Not Dead” and “God’s Not Dead 2,” both of which included appearances by the band.

Tickets for the “Newsboys United Tour” at the Visalia Convention Center February 18, 2018 will be available Monday, December 18. Tickets start at $27 and $20 for groups of 10+.

Tickets can be purchased at the Visalia Convention Center Box Office, Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm. For more information call the Visalia Convention Center Box Office at (559) 713-4040.

For up to date event information please check our Facebook page at www. facebook.com/visaliaconventioncenter.

For further information visit www.newsboys.com.

Diana Hallare, MPH, CLEC, CWWS Three awardees in Tulare and Kings Counties were recognized for family friendliness on December 12, 2017. The Society for Human Resource Management of Tulare/Kings County collaborated with the Tulare County Breastfeeding Coalition and the Kings County Breastfeeding Coalition to celebrate the efforts of employers to promote family wellness and bonding.

Tulare County Office of Education and Valley Adult Day Services received the Family Friendly Employer Awards. Maria Huerta, a manager at McDonald’s in Corcoran, was presented with the Family Friendly Advocate Award.

Tulare County Supervisors, Rotarians Gift Computers

Photography Continued from B1

leads the group.

“We try to offer information on various topics or experiences in the form of member presentations, guest speakers and group activities. Some of our members have grown from beginners to

Newsboys Continued from B1

with our fans as well.”

“I’m stoked to reunite with the Newsboys,” said Peter Furler. “It’s going to be brilliant to jam with the lads once again.”

“I’m really excited to share the stage with the guys again,” added Phil Joel. “The timing and heart behind this tour feels so right and I’m pumped for Newsboys fans both past and present to join us!”

Peter Furler, a founding member

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21 December, 2017

Valley Voice • B8

Girl Scouts of Central California South to Offer Four Scholarships Staff Reports Thanks to generous support and donors from the Central Valley, Girl Scouts of Central California South now offers scholarship opportunities to Girl Scouts who achieved the highest award a Girl Scout may receive, the Girl Scout Gold Award. Girl Scouts of Central California South currently offers four G.I.R.L™ (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader) scholarships including a $5,000 STEM Scholarship, the $5,000 Meyers Agricultural Scholarship, $1,000 Booth Ranch STEM Scholarship, and $1,000 Booth Ranch Agricultural Scholarship.

Gold Award Girl Scouts are invit-

ed to apply for the scholarship specified to their field of interest every year for up to five years after they received their award. To qualify for the scholarship, the Girl Scout must receive a high school or college GPA of 3.0 or higher, submit a Summary Statement of Intent to complete their degree in Agriculture or STEM stating why they decided to pursue that career and to meet the scholarship deadlines.

The $5,000 Meyers Agriculture Scholarship and the $5,000 STEM scholarship both will be awarded to Gold Award Girl Scouts in those designated fields. Booth Ranch, in partnership with the State Center Community

College District, allows the Gold Award Girl Scouts who receive the $1,000 scholarships to further their education at the following community colleges: Clovis Community College, Fresno City College, Reedley College, and the Madera and Oakhurst Community College Centers.

The 2018 Gold Award Scholarships opened up to applicants on Saturday, December 2, 2017. The deadline for scholarship applications are due by Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018.

Prior to applications, the Girls Scouts final Gold Award projects must be sustainable and approved by the Gold Award Advisory Committee. Finalists

Physician Assistant Joins Visalia Medical Clinic Staff Reports Physician assistant Robert Cardenas has joined the Visalia Medical Clinic team of primary care providers, working with internal medicine and family medicine physicians.

Cardenas graduated from the Physician Assistant/Primary Care Associate Program at Stanford University and earlier earned his associate of science degree and emergency medical technician II training at Merced Community College. He has been a physician assistant since 1983, and also served as a part-time instructor at San Joaquin Valley College.

He speaks fluent Spanish and served as vice-president of the Tulare/Kings County NA/PA Association.

“I was a farm laborer as a kid, but

my mom instilled in me the importance of education,” Cardenas recalled. “There was no way I wanted to keep doing farm labor work for the rest of my life! I had asthma and I used to see the doctor for it, and he was always there to help me. Ever since I was young I had an admiration for medicine.”

After graduating from the physician assistant program at Stanford, Cardenas worked with Family HealthCare Network, followed by a time with VMC’s QuickCare. Today, he offers a full scope of supplemental care to adult patients in the internal medicine and family medicine departments.

“Everybody at VMC is like a family,” he added. “They take care of each other and they provide excellent care to patients.

They care about the patient as a whole,

and I really like that.”

Cardenas was the recipient of the “Lifechanger Award” in 2016, an honor bestowed upon him by the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

Visalia Medical Clinic, an affiliate of the Kaweah Delta Medical Foundation, offers the expertise of more than 50 providers. VMC also offers a lab, imaging

will then be notified by Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018. The Gold Award Scholarships will be presented at the 2018 Gold Award Ceremony on Saturday, May 12, 2018.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Scout may earn and is offered to girls attending high school.

This prestigious award challenges girls to make a positive, sustainable impact in their community by creating a seven-step project addressing issues that matter to them.

For more information about the Girl Scout Scholarships, visit our website http://www.girlscoutsccs.org/en/ program-for-girls/girl-scout-gold-awardscholarships.html.

including CT and MRI, extended hours through the QuickCare walk-in clinic, a Sleep Disorders Center, as well as a Physical Therapy Department all in one location at 5400 W. Hillsdale, Visalia. The clinic is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; with extended and weekend hours at QuickCare. For information, call 7392000 or visit www.vmchealth.com.

Tulare & Kings Counties Only!

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